Chapter 11: Grayson vs. Matsonos

"Dammit, who are you?! Where did you come from and why are you attacking me?" The man standing behind his fallen ally glared fiercely, his entire body surging with energy. His blade sliced through the air, leaving a crescent arc in its wake.

However, as the blade cut through, it struck only an afterimage that shattered, achieving nothing.

After exchanging their initial moves, the two combatants stood frozen like statues, eyes locked on one another. Their gazes carried not just a glint of cold steel but an unshakable hatred.

"Ha ha, so it really is the Severing Clan's sword technique. Old man, state your name. I want to know which direct descendant of the Severing clan will be the first to die by my hands," Grayson taunted, keenly aware that his opponent's strength exceeded his own, though only slightly. The man had reached the early stages of the Inner Essence Realm, while Grayson remained at the peak of the Bone Refinement Realm. His words were meant to provoke and destabilize his opponent.

"So, it's true. You're one of Hawk's descendants." Many people in the Western Isles Nation hated the Severing Clan but very few dared speak so boldly. Only someone like Grayson, a descendant of the legendary figure who had once struck terror into the Severing Clan during the war, could make such brazen remarks.

Grayson took a deep breath, exhaling with practiced precision. Earlier, when helping the Wei family, he had merely unleashed a surge of energy. This time, however, the stakes were higher. Facing an opponent of the Inner Essence Realm, while he himself was still in the Bone Refinement stage, meant overcoming an enormous gap in power.

Grayson exhaled deeply, then suddenly inhaled, drawing the expelled blood energy back into his body. As he did, the whites of his eyes began to change color—from white to pink, and then to an ominous red.

"Blood Break?" The man called Matsonos recognized the technique immediately. The severing clan had studied the infamous Hawk Clan techniques out of fear, hoping to counter them.

The Blood Break technique was a secret art of the Hawk lineage, designed to stimulate latent energy by reabsorbing expelled blood energy. It heightened the user's physical and mental capabilities, temporarily allowing them to bridge the gap between realms. However, it came with significant side effects, including three days of weakness and an insatiable appetite.

The ground beneath Grayson's feet began to crack like a spiderweb, radiating outward as he built up an immense amount of energy in his legs. Matsonos's eyes narrowed, fully aware of the danger. He sheathed his katana with deliberate care, preparing his stance.

"Triple Wave Strike!" Matsonos roared just as Grayson's iron fist came hurtling toward him.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

Three deafening impacts rang out as Matsonos staggered backward, his katana trembling violently in his grip. Matsonos was the cousin of the severing clan's current head, was not among their top-tier warriors but was formidable nonetheless. Yet, in this first direct clash, he had suffered a small loss.

Despite the severing clan's extensive research on Hawk lineage techniques, much of their understanding came from secondhand accounts and limited observations. For instance, the so-called "Triple Wave Strike" they knew of was only a simplified version of the true "Thousand Wave Strike."

When Matsonos faced Grayson's attack, he immediately sensed the error in their information. The first wave struck like a tsunami, powerful yet manageable. But the second wave arrived almost instantly, merging with the first and amplifying its force. By the time the third wave struck, it carried the combined strength of all three, nearly overwhelming him.

Though Grayson stood his ground without flinching, his chest churned with turbulent energy. Yet, as someone who trained in blood energy techniques, he quickly stabilized himself.

"Impressive. Hawk lineage truly lives up to its reputation," Matsonos admitted, though his tone carried a hint of caution. He couldn't afford to let such a threat grow unchecked. If Grayson were allowed to mature further, he would surpass his predecessors, becoming an even greater danger to the severing clan.

With determination, Matsonos shifted his stance, holding his blade horizontally and supporting it with his other hand. His thumb pressed against the back of the blade at an unusual angle, and his eyes narrowed.

"Secret Technique: Eightfold Blade Strike."

As Matsonos spoke, eight faint golden lines of energy converged into a single blade arc, slashing toward Grayson with incredible precision.

Grayson's pupils contracted. As a descendant of the Hawk lineage, he immediately recognized the move's origin. Though flawed, the technique clearly drew inspiration from the "Wave Strike." Whoever had created it must have been a masterful martial artist.

"Return to Origin," Grayson murmured.

In an instant, his previously explosive and muscular form deflated back to its normal size. His body moved like a shadow, darting around the room with uncanny speed. He left behind trails of faint mist, his movements so swift that he seemed like a ghost.

Grayson seized every opportunity to strike, launching sudden attacks at Matsonos. The room filled with the sound of clashing steel and blurred figures, as light and shadow danced across the space.

Outside the villa, a group of onlookers had gathered. Peering in, they could scarcely believe their eyes.

"What the hell… is this a movie?!!" one of them muttered, dumbfounded by the surreal scene inside.

"This is way better than any movie," another replied, awestruck by the raw energy radiating from the duel. The oppressive aura of two masterful fighters clashing was unlike anything they had ever experienced.

Suddenly, one of the men jolted in realization. "Stop staring! If we stick around, they'll kill us when this is over. Run while we still can!" Without waiting for a reply, he bolted, the others quickly following suit.