Without wasting any time, Anyachi rushes in again, aiming for Slayde.
"She's rushed in again. Her pattern of attack is becoming predictable—I just have to block my upper bo—" Slayde is mid-monologue when Anyachi switches her pattern mid-swing, redirecting her blade toward his lower half.
"My lower half!!" Slayde shouts in shock, trying to pull back, but he's a second too late. Anyachi's blade slices across his thighs, tearing through his undergarment as blood spurts out.
"Shit… I was a second late." Slayde glances down at the cut, his expression tightening.
"He got away with just a slight cut… even after I switched mid-swing." Anyachi grips her sword tighter, eyes sharp.
Slayde lands lightly after retreating.
"The cut isn't deep… still embarrassing to be cut by her." His anger simmers beneath a calm face.
"Wasn't expecting that, huh? The look on your face says it all." Anyachi smirks, pointing her blade at him.
"You're a sneaky woman. Changing your pattern mid-swing was smart… but surprises only work once." Slayde dashes forward.
"The cut didn't slow him at all!" Anyachi braces as Slayde appears in front of her, both fists clenched, unleashing a rapid barrage of punches.
"His punches got faster!!" she says, struggling to evade each strike as the air whistles violently around them.
He suddenly halts the barrage, drawing back for a single, devastating punch.
"This one is going to be big… I need equal force to counter it." Anyachi tightens her grip, preparing to meet it head-on.
"Slight change." Slayde mutters.
His fist stops inches from her face—
—and in the same instant, his leg snaps forward, kicking her feet out from under her with brutal precision.
"Huh—what just happened?" Anyachi's balance breaks as her body tilts sideways.
In that split second, Slayde pivots, loads his fist, and drives it straight into her face.
The impact sends her crashing to the ground with crushing force, her body skidding across the floor.
"His pu—his punch connected… I was too late to block… my face feels numb…" Anyachi mutters, blood spilling from her mouth as she lies on the ground.
"You thought you were the only one who could switch patterns?" Slayde mocks, rolling his shoulders.
His gaze shifts toward the vault in the distance.
"The sword vault… handprint activated, huh."
Behind him, Anyachi's fingers twitch as she reaches for her sword.
"Gotta reach it…" she strains, finally gripping the hilt.
"So you're useful for something after all." Slayde turns and drives a vicious kick into her stomach.
"Urghhh!!" Blood bursts from her lips, but her grip doesn't loosen.
Slayde grabs her by the back of her armor collar and begins dragging her across the floor toward the vault.
"You know, when you aimed for my legs, I was shocked—and impressed. If you were just a bit faster, you could've seriously impaired my movement. Especially since my fists are stronger than my legs… but none of that matters now, does it?"
"I… I need to get up… I'm a knight of the holy land… I'm my nation's warrior… I'm ANYACHI VELHEIM!!" her thoughts scream as her body scrapes against the ground.
"After I'm done with you, I'll—"
"You talk too much."
Slayde pauses.
He turns his head slowly—and sees her hand raised.
At the tip of her sword, a violent gust of wind has been building, compressed to a terrifying degree.
"No!!" Slayde shouts—
—but the wind explodes outward.
A massive blast slams into him, ripping him away and freeing Anyachi from his grip as he's hurled backward, his body smashing hard against the wall. The impact sends a shock through his frame—but the wall remains completely intact.
"This wind… it's too strong!! How is this possible?! You shouldn't have the energy for this—you should be down!!" Slayde shouts as the gust fades.
The air settles.
He looks forward—
—and sees her already standing.
Blood stains her lips, but she's smiling.
"Who the hell decided I was down for the count?"
She wipes the blood from her mouth with the back of her hand, her eyes blazing.
"Listen up, bastard… I'm ANYACHI VELHEIM, Fourth Battalion Leader of the Holy Land of ESTALCIA… and I am going to kill you."
Her grip tightens around her sword.
"That is what has been decided."