Clang—!
The resounding clash of steel against steel echoed through the forest.
The sharp dagger and heavy steel blade collided fiercely, grinding against each other as intense sparks burst forth.
At that moment, Fang Li felt an undeniable force travel from the steel blade into the dagger in his hand, then reverberate through the dagger into his body, making his feet sink slightly into the ground.
Fang Li could say with certainty that if not for the boost from his title, even if he had not been injured, he would have been sent flying long ago.
Crack—crack, crack—!
The dagger and steel blade scraped violently together, scattering sparks without end.
Only then did Fang Li clearly see who was holding the steel blade.
It was a samurai.
A samurai who had completely transformed into a Kabane, wielding an enormous steel blade. The glow from his heart was especially conspicuous, while his body was somewhat misshapen.
"Aaaahhhh—!"
The samurai-shaped Kabane stared at Fang Li. His pupil-less eyes were filled with brutality and ferocity as he let out a deafening roar at Fang Li, who stood right before him.
Under that roar, even the surrounding Kabane halted their frenzied assault, like subordinates encountering their king.
Fang Li held his dagger in a reverse grip, blocking the steel blade that was continuously pressing down toward his head. Looking at the other's berserk samurai-like posture, his Ice-Blue Demon Eyes flickered to life.
"A Skill-Stealing Type?"
A Skill-Stealing Type referred to Kabane that had undergone countless battles and, as a result, learned how to use weapons and various combat techniques.
Because these Kabane had mastered combat skills and could make effective use of weapons, their combat power far surpassed that of ordinary Kabane that only knew how to charge blindly. They could be regarded as combat experts.
Kabane were already physically much stronger than ordinary people. Combined with combat techniques comparable to those of an expert, their strength was obvious.
"You have combat ability at this level, yet you still ambushed me. Don't you have any self-awareness as a Kabane?"
As he spoke, Fang Li suddenly exerted force and sharply flicked up the dagger in his hand.
Clang—!
Sparks erupted fiercely once more, and the crisp sound of metal striking metal spread outward in ripples.
The Kabane wielding the steel blade was forcibly knocked back, only stopping after retreating several steps.
"Aaaahhhh—!"
The samurai-shaped Kabane let out a roar that sounded like furious humiliation. Yet unlike the other Kabane, he did not charge Fang Li all at once like a beast. Instead, he raised his steel blade and assumed a stance.
He looked just like a battle-hardened warrior.
At the same time, the surrounding Kabane began to stir as well, roaring loudly at Fang Li and ready to pounce at any moment.
"This is what they call being surrounded on all sides, huh?"
Fang Li wanted to give a wry smile, but his expression would not obey him. Instead, an excited grin appeared on his face.
In response to Fang Li's display, a voice reached his ears.
"I really don't know why you can still smile."
The instant the voice fell, a petite figure leaped from the top of a distant tree, arcing through the air and flipping several times before landing lightly beside Fang Li.
"Are you an idiot?" Mumei stood shoulder to shoulder with Fang Li, holding two red Steam Guns. "Why did you come here alone to provoke the Kabane?"
"It would be best if my reason were something so pleasant." Fang Li did not look at Mumei. His gaze remained fixed on the Skill-Stealing Type as he spoke to himself. "More importantly, why are you here?"
"...Let's talk about that later." Mumei fell silent for a moment, then changed the subject. Raising her Steam Guns, she likewise stared straight at the Skill-Stealing Type. "Let's take down that Skill-Stealing Type first."
At some point, the restraint around Mumei's neck had already been removed.
In other words, Mumei was ready to fight.
Fang Li could only feel helpless about that.
"Then we'll worry about that question later." Fang Li stepped forward, standing in front of Mumei as he faced off against the Skill-Stealing Type.
Then, Fang Li said to Mumei behind him, "Leave those guys around us to you. I'll take down the Skill-Stealing Type."
"Are you sure you'll be okay?" Mumei could not help sounding surprised. "A technique-oriented opponent like that should be the kind you're worst at dealing with, right?"
After all, Fang Li was completely an amateur when it came to combat. He only knew how to kill.
The reason Fang Li had been able to defeat Kurusu Kunoichi was entirely due to the sharpness of the Mystic Eyes of Death Perception.
Otherwise, without the Mystic Eyes of Death Perception to capture the Death Lines, Fang Li would never have been able to see through Kurusu Kunoichi's swordsmanship, much less destroy Kurusu Kunoichi's weapon at the end and claim victory.
The Skill-Stealing Type before them could only be stronger than Kurusu Kunoichi, never weaker.
Fang Li truly was not good at dealing with opponents who relied on technique.
"So this time, I'll suppress him through attributes!"
With all of his attributes increased by 10 points, Fang Li's strength and endurance were no longer inferior to those of a Kabane.
And Fang Li's greatest strength, AGI (Agility), had reached 16 points, far surpassing that of an ordinary Kabane.
Combined with the Slayer skill's boost to attack speed and movement speed, Fang Li could completely suppress his opponent through attributes.
Thus, Fang Li suddenly stomped the ground. His figure turned into a blurry black shadow as he shot toward the Skill-Stealing Type holding its steel blade at the ready.
"Aaaahhhh—!"
The Skill-Stealing Type let out a long howl, its steel blade descending like a violent gale toward Fang Li's head as he rushed before it.
But almost at the same moment, Fang Li tightened his footing, and his charge abruptly veered sideways.
Bang—!
The descending steel blade struck empty air and smashed directly into the ground, shattering a small patch of earth.
In that instant, Fang Li, who had flashed aside at extreme speed, stomped the ground again. His Oni-like figure became a gust of wind and rushed behind the Skill-Stealing Type.
The Skill-Stealing Type reacted immediately.
Unfortunately, its speed was ultimately slower than Fang Li's.
Thus, as the Skill-Stealing Type prepared to turn and counterattack, the fang known as a dagger had already been unleashed from Fang Li's hand.
Screech—!
A cold gleam flashed, tearing through the air and producing a sharp cry.
Splat—!
The next second, the weapon pierced through the Skill-Stealing Type's heart and sank into its back.
Victory ultimately belonged to Fang Li.
(Please bookmark! Please recommend! Please click!)