"Albis is quite the talent."
"Even I didn't notice their movements."
Frey hadn't detected the actions of the Three Beastketeers, but that didn't hinder Treyni and Violet's real-time surveillance.
"But they still ran into trouble."
"What?!"
Frey's words instantly put Carrion on edge. "Explain! What happened to them?"
To Carrion, the Three Beastketeers were like his younger siblings.
And the other Lycanthrope were trusted comrades of the beast tribe.
Hearing they'd met with an accident, Carrion grew anxious.
"Relax, they're not in mortal danger for now."
"They're… still alive? That's good…"
Carrion let out a sigh of relief, having feared they were already dead.
As long as they were alive, there was hope.
"What exactly happened to them?"
Carrion asked, "Is this why you came to me?"
"No, I didn't come for that."
Frey raised her hand, gesturing for Carrion to attack. "Explaining it is too tedious. Let's settle it your favorite way."
"With fists?"
In the past, a martial artist like Carrion would've eagerly agreed.
But after learning something had happened to Albis and the others, he was more concerned about his comrades' whereabouts.
Still…
Trading blows was the best way to understand each other's will.
"How far should we go?"
"As far as you like."
Frey replied, "If you're skilled enough, you might even get a glimpse of my Ultimate Skill."
"Ultimate Skill!"
Carrion exclaimed, "You've really mastered that power?"
"Who knows?"
Frey smirked. "If your strength is too weak, does it even matter whether I have one?"
"Hah!"
Carrion growled, "You're underestimating me, Frey!"
Readying himself for battle, Carrion didn't wait for Frey to make the first move. He unleashed his strongest form... Beast Transformation!
Beast Transformation unlocked the Lycanthrope genes within Carrion.
Beasts weren't limited to felines or canines.
Theoretically, even fish, birds, and reptiles could fall under the beast category.
But that was a scientific perspective from Earth.
On the Central World, species were classified differently based on their origins.
Lycanthrope typically excluded insects, fish, and reptiles.
The latter two were considered branches of Dragonewtd, distinct from orthodox "beasts."
"Beast Transformation, huh?"
Frey observed Carrion, now bulkier with hawk-like wings sprouting from his back. "Come on, show me how much you've improved over the years."
"You're too arrogant, Frey!"
Carrion knew there might be a gap between them, but being so blatantly underestimated sparked his anger.
"Beast Magic Particle Cannon!"
Golden magicules gathered before Carrion.
This was his ultimate technique, honed over years. By colliding spiritual particles, they shattered, releasing terrifying energy.
Hence, Carrion named it the Particle Cannon.
Its power, even on the Central World, could rival a nuclear explosion.
"You're not dodging?"
Carrion didn't attack immediately, noting Frey's position.
She'd chosen a strategic spot, with a barren plain behind her, as if prepared for his performance.
"No need!"
Frey's words pushed Carrion to the edge. "Even you will pay for humiliating me like this!!"
Yet, seeing Frey was serious, intending to face his full-powered strike head-on…
"I hope your Ultimate Skill lives up to your arrogance!"
Carrion didn't want to kill Frey... their relationship was only superficially hostile.
This was just a spar, no need to go that far.
So, he slightly adjusted the Beast Magic Particle Cannon's trajectory to ensure it wouldn't kill her.
Boom!!!
The next moment, a golden beam shot toward Frey at a speed invisible to the naked eye.
"Hmph…"
Seeing this, Frey's lips curled slightly, inwardly noting she hadn't looked after Carrion for nothing.
"But your vision is too narrow!!"
Frey locked onto the incoming Beast Magic Particle Cannon.
To others, its trajectory was imperceptible, but to Frey, it was as if slowed hundreds or thousands of times.
"Pathetic!"
Raising her hand, Frey swatted the Beast Magic Particle Cannon.
Boom!
The destructive beam was redirected, flying toward the plain under Carrion's shocked gaze.
Boom!!!
Flames soared, a deafening explosion accompanied by black smoke and dust, turning a small hill into ruins.
Only a massive crater remained, showcasing the terrifying power of Carrion's strike.
"How is this possible?!"
Carrion's pupils shrank, his eyes fixed on Frey.
He couldn't comprehend it.
His full-powered strike didn't just fail to push Frey back... it was casually deflected…
'Is the gap really this vast?'
Carrion couldn't believe it. Before this, he and Frey had been evenly matched.
Yet, because of one awakening, the divide between them had grown so immense!
"You can't accept it with just this?"
Frey looked at Carrion hovering in the air, a teasing smile on her face. "The mighty Lion King, showing the expression of a scared little kitten? How disappointing!"
"Frey!!!"
Carrion couldn't tolerate such humiliation.
He summoned the Lion King Spear, boosting his magicules by about 100,000, and charged straight at Frey. 'If magic attacks don't work, then close combat!'
Carrion's plan was sound, but Frey had already seen through it.
Clang!!
Recalling Rimuru's fight with Kyoya, Frey tapped a single finger on the tip of the Lion King Spear aimed at her.
Boom!!
The ground shattered, the cliff collapsed, yet Frey's body didn't budge, as if anchored in space.
"What?"
After two consecutive blows, even Carrion's warrior heart wavered.
***
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