Gray Provokes Erza, Lu Chongwei Kills Instantly

There sat a person.

Erza.

Strangely, she wasn't wearing the guild's casual clothes from yesterday, but a set of heavy Silver Armor.

She didn't even take off the armor while eating breakfast, making her seem completely out of place.

She sat there alone, eating cake with her head down, as if an invisible barrier separated her from the lively guild.

"What's wrong with her?"

Lu Chongwei carried his milk and sat down beside Cana.

"She's been like this since this morning."

Cana sighed and spread her hands helplessly.

"No matter who talks to her, she's dismissive. And she keeps wearing that armor, not even taking it off to sleep."

Lu Chongwei nodded thoughtfully.

He understood.

It was a sign of extreme insecurity.

For Erza, who had endured hellish torment, only the hard armor could provide a sliver of protection.

Just then.

A arrogant set of footsteps approached.

Gray, wearing only a pair of shorts, swaggered towards Erza with a look that defied all reason.

"Hey! Newbie!"

Gray walked up to Erza's table, lifted his foot, and kicked over the nearby chair with a "bang."

The loud noise drew everyone's attention.

Erza stopped her fork, slowly raised her head, and looked at Gray with icy eyes.

"Something wrong?"

Her voice was flat, as cold as ice.

Gray put his hands on his hips and looked at her provocatively:

"What's with the tin can you're wearing? Do you have to dress like that in the guild to show off that you can afford armor?"

"And your condescending gaze really pisses me off!"

Gray pointed at Erza's nose and shouted:

"I challenge you to a duel! I'll show you who's the boss of this guild!"

Lu Chongwei rubbed his forehead.

This kid was asking for trouble again.

Erza quietly looked at Gray, her gaze slowly drifting down to his bare upper body and his shorts.

A mocking smile touched her lips.

"Before you criticize someone else's attire..."

Erza said faintly.

"Shouldn't you learn how to dress yourself first? Exhibitionist."

"Pfft—"

Someone couldn't help but laugh first.

Then, the entire guild erupted in laughter.

"Hahaha! Exhibitionist! Well said!"

"Gray, she's right! Put your pants on first!"

Gray's face instantly turned the color of liver.

He looked down and realized he had unconsciously taken off his clothes again.

Shame washed over him, followed by even greater rage.

Being mocked by a newcomer in front of so many people, how could he possibly maintain his standing here?

"Shut up!"

Gray, enraged, unleashed a burst of cold energy.

"Let's fight! Right now! If I win, you'll take off that damn armor!"

Erza stood up.

"And if I win?"

"Whatever you want!"

"Okay."

Erza's eyes were sharp.

"If I win, you stay away from me from now on and don't bother me."

With that, she was the first to walk towards the guild entrance.

Gray, unwilling to be outdone, followed.

Makarov sat at the bar, not only not stopping them, but excitedly waving his wine glass:

"Good! Young people need to spar more! Go fight outside! Don't break the tables!"

In the open space outside the guild.

The two stood facing each other.

Onlookers formed a circle, and some even started placing bets.

"I'm betting on Gray! He's an old member after all!"

"I'm betting on Erza! Those eyes look like trouble!"

Gray looked at Erza, about to make a move.

Suddenly, Lu Chongwei walked out from the crowd and stood between them.

"Alright, Gray."

Lu Chongwei sighed.

"She's still eating breakfast, don't make a fuss."

Gray was furious and couldn't listen.

"Lu Chongwei! Mind your own business!"

Gray pointed at Lu Chongwei, his fighting spirit burning even brighter.

"Since you're going to protect her, I'll fight you both!"

He looked at the Zanpakuto at Lu Chongwei's waist and shouted:

"Draw your sword, Lu Chongwei! I know you're strong, but I'm not the same person I was before!"

"If I defeat you, I can prove I'm qualified to challenge her!"

Lu Chongwei looked at the serious Gray and shook his head helplessly.

"Draw my sword?"

Lu Chongwei patted the scabbard.

"I don't need this to deal with you. This sword is too powerful. If I burn you to ashes, the Guild Master will kill me."

"You dare to look down on me!!!"

Gray completely lost it.

This dismissive attitude made him more uncomfortable than any insult.

"Ice-Make: Lancer!!!"

Gray slammed his hands on the ground.

Cold air surged, and dozens of sharp ice lances instantly formed, shooting towards Lu Chongwei with a piercing wind sound, covering the sky.

This attack, both in speed and power, had made significant progress compared to before.

The crowd let out a gasp.

However.

Lu Chongwei stood still, not even blinking.

The moment the ice lances were about to touch his nose.

"Flash Step."

Swish--

Lu Chongwei's figure vanished into thin air.

Gray's pupils contracted sharply.

That move again!

Before he could react, a gust of wind hit him in the face.

Lu Chongwei appeared before Gray like a ghost, the distance between them less than ten centimeters.

No fancy moves.

Lu Chongwei raised his right hand and delivered a simple straight punch, hitting Gray squarely in the stomach.

"Bang!"

Gray's eyeballs almost popped out.

Intense pain caused him to lose consciousness in an instant; his body arched like a boiled shrimp before he collapsed straight to the ground.

One-hit kill.

The entire arena fell into a deathly silence.

Lu Chongwei retracted his fist and shrugged at the fallen Gray.

"I told you, don't make a scene."

Makarov jumped out, raised his hand, and announced loudly:

"The winner—Lu Chongwei!!!"

"Ooooooh!!!"

Cheers erupted once again.

The crowd looked at Lu Chongwei with eyes full of awe and reverence.

To take down Gray with a single blow—this guy's strength was truly unfathomable.