If You're Short, Admit It; If You're Getting Hit, Stand Firm!

"Alarm! Alarm!"

A piercing red light shone from the stronghold.

In an instant, hundreds of presences surged forth. As far as the eye could see, there was a dense mass of red.

"So many!"

Abu was somewhat surprised. It was the first time he had encountered Fractsidus members on such a scale.

"There's more to this stronghold than meets the eye!"

Cartethyia broke free of the chains and spoke gravely.

"I came here because I sensed Imperator's residual frequencies. It seems they really are plotting something big."

"Righteous one, what do you think we should do?"

"We're already here!"

Rover looked ahead, without a trace of mercy in his eyes.

"Fight our way in!"

Without another word, the three unleashed an onslaught like a tsunami, sweeping straight into the stronghold!

"Wind, blow everything away!"

Cartethyia spun around, taking on Fleurdelys's form. Her greatsword swung down like an autumn wind sweeping away fallen leaves, crushing everything in its path!

No matter how much cannon fodder the Fractsidus sent, it wasn't enough. They were torn apart by the storm in an instant, turning to dust.

"How strange. That sword strike could have split a mountain in two, yet the floor of this stronghold is completely unharmed. Could this be the Fractsidus's main base?"

Cartethyia returned to her original form, surprise on her face.

"That would be great. We could wipe them all out in one go!"

Rover shook his head. "The most important thing now is gathering intelligence."

As soon as he finished speaking, a powerful presence rushed toward them from afar.

Spiritual pressure detection showed that the other party had fourth-class spiritual pressure, stronger than Scar in his normal state. That kind of strength was already at the level of a Fractsidus Overseer.

"Who's tired of living and dares to run wild here?!"

The voice came before its owner. Then a figure dressed as a clown appeared before the three.

His gaze swept past Cartethyia and landed on Rover, before being drawn to the flower petal from the other shore.

"Phrolova's lackeys? Hmph, even your master wouldn't dare cause trouble here, yet you dare start a fight? You're courting death!"

At that, Rover and Cartethyia exchanged a glance.

What's wrong with this guy? He's one of the Fractsidus's top fighters, yet he doesn't even recognize Cartethyia. Could he be pretending?

"And what the hell are you? Why aren't you kneeling to greet the Fractsidus Overseer's special envoy?!"

Abu demanded before anyone else could speak.

"Heh, a Fractsidus Overseer's special envoy? You're worth shit!"

A mocking smile appeared on the other party's gaudily painted face.

"Take a good look and remember this. I'm a candidate for Fractsidus Overseer, codenamed Ugly King. You're just three dogs that bitch Phrolova keeps. When you see me, you're the ones who should be kneeling!"

"What big words!"

Rover sneered. "At this rate, are you going to stop respecting even the chairman?!"

"The chairman?"

Ugly King made no attempt to hide his disdain and laughed mockingly.

"We only call him chairman to give him face. Otherwise, he's nothing. The three Fractsidus Overseers here are all loyal to the mighty Edward III. Even the chairman would have to behave himself if he came here!"

At those words, Rover's brow twitched.

Three Fractsidus Overseers?

Edward III!

That was a huge amount of information. It seemed necessary to give this guy a thorough interrogation.

The three were of one mind, and intense hostility erupted from them.

"Oh? Stupid things, you can't even see the difference in our strength. Fine, who wants to stick their neck out? If you're not afraid to die, take one step forward!"

Ugly King grinned, his extravagant costume flaring out like flower petals.

As soon as he finished speaking, all three stepped forward at once.

"Oh... so there's no room for negotiation. The rules of the jianghu say we fight one-on-one. Nobody else is allowed to interfere!"

He raised his chin and looked down on everyone, seemingly overflowing with confidence.

His eyes fell on Abu first.

"You, the flying thing, come here! I'm talking to you!"

"Little thing, can you even hit anyone? I, the Ugly King, will let you have the first strike!"

He puffed out his chest, his tone full of contempt.

"In that case, I won't hold back!"

Abu clenched his fist, eager to try.

"Bring out the rook!"

Fullbring summoned a chess piece. The most valuable piece in Chinese chess turned into a giant train in an instant and crashed toward him at incredible speed!

"Boom!!"

With a roar, it ran straight over Ugly King, leaving only a photograph where he had stood.

"He's tough. He didn't even make a sound!"

A few breaths later, his body began to swell and returned to normal, but he couldn't help spitting out a mouthful of blood.

"What the fuck are you?"

"I'm an Echo. What about it?"

"If you're an Echo, then get lost! This is a fight between humans!"

"What's wrong with you?!"

After steadying his breathing, Ugly King turned to Cartethyia.

"You, the blond one, I'm talking to you! The one half an inch short of six feet! If you're short, admit it; if you're getting hit, stand firm! Get out here!"

"Ocean, engulf me!"

The smile froze on Ugly King's face. Looking at Fleurdelys after her transformation, he went from looking down to looking up.

"The thing I hate most in this life is dishonest people. Get back there!"

"You with the mask, what are you putting on airs for? Come on, fight me one-on-one!"

Rover shook his head and walked forward. When the two were less than three zhang apart, Ugly King suddenly burst into wild laughter.

"Hahaha... You don't know your own limits, and you're still standing here! You've already stepped into my Circus Domain. From now on, everything is under my control!"

He snapped his fingers, and the surroundings immediately changed.

"From now on, you're my pet. First, show me how you jump through flaming hoops!"

As soon as he finished speaking, dozens of rings of fire appeared out of thin air and fell toward Rover's head!

"Let me hear you scream!"

"Crack!"

There was no scream. Instead, the sound of the rings of fire being cut apart rang out.

It took only one sword strike. Before the Blood Oath Covenant, a move like that was as fragile as paper.

"You've got some skill. Now take my ace throwing knives!"

Ugly King leaped into the air, cold light flashing in his palm as he prepared to launch them.

"Hadō #4, Byakurai!"

A bolt of dazzling lightning shot from Rover's fingertip, piercing straight through Ugly King's chest!

With a thud, Ugly King fell heavily to the ground like a bird with broken wings.

This is bad. I've run into someone tough!

His heart began to sink. These people had clearly been sent by Phrolova to cause trouble!

I have to go tell the Fractsidus Overseers!

Just then, the surrounding scenery gradually receded, replaced by a vast expanse of soft white light. He tried to flee, but no matter what he did, he couldn't get out. Only then did he realize he was trapped in an unfamiliar space.

"Bakudō #65, Bai Fu!"

It was time for the interrogation!

"Me, let me! I've wanted to try this for a long time."

Cartethyia volunteered!