Don't Forget the Dog

The collision between Passing Water and the Short Sword lasted only an instant.

There was not even a loud bang.

Only a faint sound, like a bubble bursting.

Once they realized the surprise attack would not work, neither side poured any more strength into it, and they fell into a deadlock.

Having witnessed each other's speed again, they both understood just how troublesome the other was.

Whether it was Extreme Intent: Symphony, capable of exerting force calmly from any direction of the body without a single blind spot, or Nameless Holy Vow, capable of compressing multiple powerful attacks into a brief instant, both were techniques as unfathomable as they were unpredictable.

If a strike failed and they stubbornly refused to change tactics or respond in time, the other would inevitably seize the opening and break through their defenses in an instant.

Huai Shi retreated and chose to defend.

Hercules had already vanished from where he stood.

A fierce rush of wind came from behind him, but Hercules moved even faster than the wind.

Empowered by Hermes, the Short Sword became even swifter, attacking from directly behind and to the side without the slightest pause.

It was as though Huai Shi had eyes on the back of his head. He raised the Sword of Virtue, its heavy spine blocking the killing blow. Yet before he could counterattack, Hercules flashed into existence directly in front of him again with that bizarre footwork.

In the instant when both his hands were unable to return to defend, the blade came down at his face!

Huai Shi widened his eyes and watched the blade draw closer inch by inch.

Then, suddenly, he opened his mouth and clenched his teeth.

A metallic gleam emerged between his teeth. The flames of the Axe of Fury roared to