The narrow stone vault felt smaller as the air grew heavier with the hard breathing.
Red lunged again, his movements had a feral, unnatural speed.
Soren realized that despite his F-Rank status, his own soul-enhanced strength should have crushed a normal man—yet Red was parrying blows that would have shattered a pillar.
Soren reached behind his back, his fingers curling around the hilt of the short sword Li had gifted him.
The pressure of the blade felt rightas he swung it for battle.
"Polystar, hurry up!" Soren barked, parrying a heavy strike that vibrated up his marrow.
—surprised that Red just blocked a blade with his palm.
"I'm—almost—there!" Polystar hissed, his blue soul energy twitched as they danced inside the safe's tumblers.
Red was strong, but he lacked the refinement of a true warrior.
Besides, Soren had been in more battles than he looked.
Soren adjusted his center of gravity, entering a state of flow.
