Appeared

Alvis felt the grip of death tightening around his entire being. Atticus's speed, his power—everything had suddenly skyrocketed into the grandmaster+ rank!

Where was all this power coming from?

Alvis needed answers, but it seemed he wouldn't be getting them today.

The crimson crescent slash reached its mark, the sizzling sound of burning flesh echoing as it parted Alvis's nose.

Just as it was about to sever Alvis in two, an overwhelming force suddenly slammed into Alvis's side, shifting his body out of the way. However, the slash didn't stop.

Like a hot knife cutting through butter, the crescent slash phased through Alvis's right shoulder, its movement so smooth and effortless that it seemed almost unreal.

For a brief, surreal moment, the world seemed to freeze. The crescent slash continued its path, disappearing into the distance, its energy carving a clean line across the horizon.

Then, as if the world exhaled, devastation ensued.