Tara lunged forward without hesitation.
His feet tore through the mud as he slid rapidly toward Hard. The blood sword swung through the air, leaving a crimson trail behind it.
SHAAK!
Hard tilted his head slightly to the side.
The blade cut through empty space.
Tara didn't stop.
He raised his sword again, this time aiming straight for Hard's chest.
His eyes glowed.
"Blood Manipulation."
The blood breaking off from the sword instantly changed form.
It became a thin, sharp arrow—
and shot forward like lightning.
Hard's eyes widened slightly.
But—
ZIIIIP!
He vanished in an instant.
The arrow passed… but found no target.
Hard reappeared several meters away.
A faint smile formed on his lips.
"You're good…"
He tilted his head.
"Better than Edrar said."
Tara didn't respond.
He dashed forward again.
His steps were heavier now, more determined.
This time, Hard didn't wait.
He raised his hand.
Lightning began gathering between his fingers.
KRRRRKKK!
Blue energy condensed.
Then he hurled it forward.
"Die!"
Tara saw the attack.
His eyes calculated in an instant.
He immediately swung his sword toward where Hard stood.
But—
Hard smiled.
"Lightning speed."
He disappeared instantly.
Tara's eyes widened.
One second…
Gone.
Second second…
Still gone.
Then—
A voice came from behind him.
"I'm here."
Tara didn't even have time to turn.
Hard's hand was already raised.
"Lightning Sphere."
A sphere of blue energy shot directly toward Tara's side.
BOOOOOOM!
The explosion shook the forest.
The ground shattered.
Trees trembled.
The rain evaporated.
When the smoke cleared…
Tara was on the ground.
Covered in blood.
His armor was shattered.
His breathing was uneven.
Hard walked toward him slowly.
He wasn't in a hurry at all.
He stopped in front of Tara.
Looked down.
"Your armor…"
A short pause.
"…isn't very durable."
Tara's fingers twitched.
Slowly, he pushed himself up with his elbow.
Then… he stood.
With effort.
His chest trembled with each breath.
Pieces of his armor fell to the ground.
Tara lowered his head.
Then he tore off the remaining pieces and threw them aside.
The metal hit the ground with a heavy sound.
Blood dripped from his shoulders.
Hard raised an eyebrow.
Smiling, he spoke.
"What happened?"
"Did you give up?"
Tara lifted his head.
His eyes were still red.
"No."
He took a step forward.
"The armor… slows me down."
Hard chuckled lightly.
"I like your confidence."
Tara closed his eyes.
He took a deep breath.
Then—
The blood in his body began to move.
His wounds slowly started to close.
His muscles tightened again.
Hard watched carefully.
"So you can heal too…"
"You really are interesting."
Tara opened his eyes.
He looked at the ground.
His own blood had mixed with the mud.
He extended his hand.
The blood trembled.
Gathered.
Rose.
Slowly, it formed into a sphere.
Tara took that sphere into his hand.
Crimson energy pulsed like a heartbeat.
He raised his head.
"Hard…"
His voice was calm.
But the anger inside him could be felt.
"Shall we begin round two?"
Hard tilted his neck slightly.
There was a wild gleam in his eyes.
"You're going to die here."
Tara took another step.
The sphere spun in his hand.
"The one who dies here…"
His aura rose.
The ground cracked.
"…will be you."
There was a brief silence.
Then Hard laughed.
"Good."
He raised his hand.
The sky darkened.
Lightning gathered once more.
"This time, you won't escape."
Tara lowered his stance.
He clenched the sphere.
The sphere suddenly stretched—
and transformed into a new blood sword.
But this time…
It was bigger.
Denser.
More savage.
Tara raised the sword.
"Come."
Hard rushed forward in an instant.
Like lightning.
Tara moved as well.
They clashed again.
KRAAAAK!
Lightning and blood collided.
Energy exploded.
This time, Tara wasn't pushed back.
He blocked Hard's attack with his sword.
Hard's eyes widened slightly.
"Hmm…"
Tara gritted his teeth.
He pushed forward.
Hard slid back.
The ground shattered beneath his feet.
Tara didn't miss the opportunity.
He spun quickly.
Swung his sword horizontally.
Hard ducked—
but the blade grazed his shoulder.
Blood splattered.
Hard leapt back.
For the first time, his expression changed.
Tara took a breath.
His eyes darkened even more.
"Get used…"
He stepped forward.
"…slowly…"
His aura exploded.
"…to dying."
And the battle grew even more savage.