“Hah, you’re overestimating yourself! Grabbing my whip? You can forget about keeping that hand!” Leona sneered, but her expression changed in an instant as a sharp cry escaped her lips.
Andrew yanked hard, the force ripping through the weapon.
Unprepared, Leona was dragged forward several steps. Humiliated and enraged, she had to steady herself by sinking her energy deep into her core before regaining balance. Yet, the moment she caught herself, a violent gust howled toward her.
Andrew had already closed the gap, striking first. His Inferno Strike blazed straight for her forehead, the attack decisive and lightning-fast.
Leona felt her delicate body swaying, unable to stand steady. Especially with the scorching pressure bearing down on her face, she could barely breathe.
“Emesto, save me!” At the brink of death, Leona screamed, her eyes wide with terror.
She had never imagined Andrew would be this ruthless or this strong. One slip, and her life would be snuffed out in his hands.
“So young, yet already so ruthlessly vicious. Very well. Let me teach you a lesson.”
Ernesto was still holding his sword as he snorted coldly. Then, his sword, still in its sheath, shot out at stunning speed!
It struck Andrew’s Inferno Strike head-on, steel vibrating violently with the force. The sword quaked, releasing waves of power that shattered Andrew’s attack within moments.
Leona escaped with her life, leaping backward, her face drenched in sweat. She pointed a trembling, hate-filled finger at Andrew. “You little bastard! I’m going to kill you!”
Andrew did not even glance at her, turning instead to face Ernesto. This man had managed to block his Inferno Strike with just his sword, and it was not even unsheathed.
His terrifying power might even surpass Alistair’s. With a flick of his fingers, Ernesto summoned his sword back into his hand. He stepped forward gracefully, tilting his head as he looked down on Andrew.
“I am Ernesto Griffith of Mistveil Peak. You’ve shown enough strength to at least earn the right to know my name.”
His tone dripped with arrogance, his words more command than courtesy. “Now, put her down and walk away. Go wherever you please, but leave her.”
Andrew smirked. “Mistveil Peak’s sword technique really does live up to its reputation. But if you think that alone is enough to make me surrender her, you’re not worthy.”
Ernesto narrowed his eyes as they locked onto Andrew. “Do you even realize what you’re saying? I’m already giving you enough face by talking to you. I can have your head with just one strike.”
Leona laughed, her voice sharp. “You clueless fool! Ernesto is ranked eighth on the Titan List, tied with none other than Jerome Thornton of the Southern Martial Union! And you dare defy him? You or your family are walking straight into death!”
Morgan’s voice was cold. “That’s enough. We’ve held our tempers out of courtesy, offering you fair words again and again. But do not mistake that for weakness. If any one of us truly struck, you would already be bleeding out where you stand.”
Andrew’s smile twisted, his expression edged with fury. “Damn hypocrites… Trying to snatch someone away while talking about justice. And you dare call it reason? Don’t fool yourselves. You may be powerful, but even if the entire Mistveil Peak sect or the whole Southern Martial Union came at me, I wouldn’t care.
His arrogance ignited the fury of everyone present.
Arturo bellowed, his voice booming. “Step aside, all of you! Let me cleanse this devil once and for all. He’s blinded by darkness, and he must be slain!”
Leona snarled in agreement. “Arturo, I’ll join you! That little thief must be ground to dust!”