Chapter 6: Unveiling the Unanticipated

"Vrring ~!"

The initial strike cleaved downward from overhead, the silver blade sparkling with an extraordinary sound effect. A trail of atmosphere-tearing followed its path as it descended toward Shinguuji Kurono's forehead.

Doubt flickered in Shinguuji Kurono's eyes, and she sidestepped to the right with moderate agility, successfully evading the attack.

Jiangli's strike lacked speed and power, and its impact was feeble. Shinguuji Kurono effortlessly evaded the attack with a well-timed maneuver.

However, Jiangli's lack of success didn't daunt him, nor did it show in his face.

"Vrring ~!"

Quietly, he reversed his waist and hips, using the force of his legs to shift the blade from his body's lateral to a waist-level strike against Shinguuji Kurono.

Every ounce of power flowed through this move, a seamless transmission of force that left no energy wasted. The blade's trajectory was swift and fierce, a product of rigorous training in practical swordsmanship over the years.

A disciple of the God of War, swordsmanship was their forte.

But strength was lacking.

The circumstances demanded something extraordinary. Shinguuji Kurono found it perplexing—Jiangli had appeared a Sword Master earlier, yet his current actions resembled those of an inexperienced swordsman.

Would a seasoned swordsman strike at the forehead head-on?

Though she wasn't versed in swordsmanship and lacked training, she understood the human skull's durability. Breaking it with a blade required unwavering self-confidence in one's strength. Otherwise, the attack was an ill-fated attempt.

Jiangli's unsuccessful strike did not break his composure; his face remained unaffected.

"Vrring ~!"

He continued with another strike, maintaining his tranquil demeanor. His hand gripped the blade steadily, devoid of any trace of panic or haste.

Though she eluded each of his strikes with relative ease, Shinguuji Kurono felt an odd sense of uncertainty. Jiangli had projected the aura of a Sword Master earlier, yet his current approach seemed more like that of a novice.

Had he not been successful?

Shinguuji Kurono mulled over the situation.

"Perhaps he's not adept at initiating aggressive moves? Very well, I'll give you an opening then."

With her decision made, Shinguuji Kurono shifted her stance, ending her evasion strategy. Instead, she raised her arm, her forearm generating a dark ray of Magic Power, forming a Mana Defense to intercept Jiangli's blade.

While her physical prowess was remarkable, relying solely on her body to defend against a real blade was unrealistic. By arranging Magic Power along her skin's surface, she fashioned an effective barrier capable of resisting most physical impacts.

She also raised her right fist, prepared to strike. Though her Fist Arts weren't refined, her A-Rank physical strength was enough to knock an opponent off balance or stun them.

However—

"Vrring ~!"

In an instant, Jiangli's silver blade descended like a shooting star from the heavens, aimed directly at Shinguuji Kurono's forehead.

"Chī ——!"

A tingle of alarm ran down Shinguuji Kurono's spine as she promptly retreated, narrowly avoiding the enigmatic blade.

Regaining her footing some ten meters away, she stared at Jiangli in astonishment.

Jiangli's blade had carved a path through the space she'd just occupied.

"Almost had it," he sighed, his chest rising and falling as he expressed his regret.

What had just occurred left Shinguuji Kurono perplexed.

In that moment, Jiangli appeared to see through her strategy. He discerned the flaw in her move, his blade seamlessly slipping past the Magic Power shield of her forearm, brushing past her right fist, and thrusting straight at her chest.

The attack was inexplicably swift, and its speed caught Shinguuji Kurono off guard. Her reflexes barely managed to save her, shifting her vision down to her right sleeve cuff.

A slit had appeared on her black suit sleeve, revealing the white shirt beneath. The fast-moving blade had cleaved through the air, leaving behind a residue of "sword aura" and causing the phenomenon known as the "sickle blade effect."

But how could this be?

Jiangli possessed neither remarkable physical ability nor potent Magic Power. His blade seemed weak and feeble, hardly a match for a Blazer. How had it suddenly gained such astonishing speed?

It was almost as if he'd transformed into someone else entirely.

Had he concealed something?

Shinguuji Kurono's focus shifted to Jiangli, who lay on the ground panting, clearly depleted from their confrontation. Her thoughts raced as she searched for answers.

Had he predicted my moves just now?

She ruled that out—the notion of a novice swordsmanship tactic confounded her. Why, from the outset, had he employed an attack aimed directly at her forehead, a move typical of a novice?

If she hadn't opted for evasion but instead countered with a direct defense, Jiangli's subsequent acceleration would have caught her off guard, possibly breaking through her defenses and striking her forehead.

"So, this wasn't the act of a novice swordsman but a calculated strike for victory?" Shinguuji Kurono mused, a tingling sensation still present on her forehead. The experience left her in a state of lingering shock.

But what kind of special ability was this?

Was it a conceptual manipulation system that controlled speed?

"Director, through that strike, I've gauged your reaction speed," Jiangli's voice cut through her thoughts. His pitch-dark eyes remained fixed on her, sharp and unwavering, as if he saw through her every move.

He adjusted his stance, feet apart, and steadied himself.

With his right arm, he raised the shimmering silver katana. His left hand rested just beneath the blade's tip, while the power from his waist, hips, and thighs coiled into a tightly wound rope of strength.

The distance between them was over five meters... and it wasn't enough!

"While I claimed earlier that this was just a field test, and victory or defeat didn't matter... allowing me to overthrow you in this manner still holds significance."