Half an hour later.
Fenric had already crossed the border and was flying above a small county town.
"Shura!!"
A furious roar came from behind, followed by the sharp whistle of something slicing through the air.
His death sense flared—danger! Fenric shifted sideways in an instant.
Om—!
Twin beams of blazing heat barely missed him. Fenric's expression darkened. He descended immediately, landing hard on the ground.
It wasn't that he feared the heat rays. What he feared was losing his toy—the Mark VII armor.
He recalled the armor into the Samsara space just in time.
Boom!
A figure crashed down in front of him, sending up a spray of dirt and stone.
It was none other than Golden Sage King, a Golden cloak flapping behind him.
"Shura! Don't even think about escaping me today!"
Fenric gripped Thor's Hammer, his gaze calm and voice cutting.
"Alone? You really dare chase me by yourself? Do you actually think you're Superman?"
"I alone am enough to deal with you!"
Fenric's eyes narrowed. He wasted no words, raising Thor's Hammer as dark clouds began to boil above.
Boom!
The once-clear night sky thundered, lightning flickering within the rolling darkness.
Golden Sage King, of course, didn't wait to be struck. He shot forward, speed blurring, closing in fast.
But Fenric's reaction was sharper—and his mind power already wrapped around his foe, hindering his movement.
Clang!
Thor's Hammer connected squarely with Golden Sage King's face. The blow carried crushing weight, as if a mountain itself had slammed into him.
The Golden Saint King was hurled backward, his own fist only glancing off Fenric's shoulder.
Boom!
He crashed into a roadside slope, half-buried in dirt. His ears rang, stars exploded across his vision.
Fenric's hammer strikes weren't just heavy—they were devastating.
Boom—!
Thunder rolled again. Hearing it, Golden Sage King's expression shifted. He scrambled up from the pit despite the dizziness.
Crack!
Lightning tore from the heavens, slamming down on him.
"Arghhh!!!"
He screamed as his body lit up, engulfed in searing current.
Like Superman, his physical resistance was extraordinary—but his magical resistance was pitiful. Lightning was his natural bane.
Though his body endured, his nerves burned. Smoke curled from charred flesh.
Before he could recover, a shadow fell. Fenric descended like a war god, hammer raised, eyes filled with murderous intent.
Boom—!
The earth exploded under the strike, gouging out a massive crater.
Golden Sage King lay sprawled within, scorched and blackened, looking more like a corpse than a warrior. Yet somehow, he still clung to life. His vitality was monstrous, his special gear protecting him further—his cloak singed, but the shorts still intact.
Fenric clicked his tongue. A cloak is fine. But shorts? Over armor? Unacceptable.
"Shura! I'll kill you!!!"
With a roar, Golden Sage King erupted from the crater, dirt raining down. His eyes burned red—the heat rays charging again.
But before he could fire, a cold, commanding voice rang out.
"Golden Sage King, how dare you cause trouble in Jadeveil's territory?"
The words cut like a blade. Golden Sage King froze, heat rays vanishing, face twisting in shock. He turned stiffly, as if he'd seen a ghost.
Floating calmly in the air behind him was a woman in a crisp military uniform. Her bearing was heroic, her aura undeniable.
Sweat broke instantly across Golden Sage King's brow.
"M-Marshal Vivienne…" His voice trembled. "Commander Song, this is a misunderstanding! Shura—he invaded Soule, killed people there! I only pursued him!"
Before her, the Golden Saint King—arrogant moments ago—looked like a schoolboy caught by the headmistress.
Fenric, however, remained calm. His gaze locked on the woman, but inside he was rattled.
When did she arrive? I didn't sense her at all.
With his current heightened senses, for anyone to escape his notice… was terrifying.
This was the first time Fenric had seen Vivienne in the real world.
In the Samsara space, her image was imposing, almost masculine. But here—though equally commanding—she carried a softer beauty. Long legs, pale skin, sharp brows, starry eyes. The uniform only enhanced her heroic aura.
Fenric studied her carefully. She was far stronger than he had expected.
At the same time, Vivienne's eyes met his.
Neither looked away. Two strong wills collided silently in the air.
For that moment, Golden Sage King stood between them like an oversized third wheel.