The Challenged (2)

Two months later, Yachenso faced his second challenge.

The reason was that the old wizard who had challenged him the first time had yet to be defeated. Though the old wizard had won repeatedly, he could not challenge Yachenso again, shielding Yachenso from a great many challengers.

If his ranking had been secure, this would naturally have been exactly what Yachenso wanted to see. Yet now that Yachenso harbored ambitions of claiming first place in the Seven-Ring Holy Tower Rankings, waiting a mere two months had become pure torment.

Now, after a full two months, Yachenso's chance to rack up his second victory had finally arrived.

Beneath the dim gray sky of the world fragment, amid the infusion of strange energy, Yachenso turned to caution the golden monkey on his shoulder. "Be careful. Don't get ambushed again. It may only be a match, but we can't let that happen again!"

If a soul partner died, the wizard's own soul would lose its potential for growth. The blow this dealt a wizard went without saying.

"Chitter chitter chitter, got it, got it. Who knew that old wizard from last time had an ability like that?"

The golden monkey scratched its head with one hand while holding a peach in the other. With a crunch, it took a bite, then said excitedly, "Big Brother, let's go, let's go! Let's see this challenger wizard. After we win, we only need to wait one more time before we can challenge that first-level Honor Medal demon-hunting wizard named Green and seize first place in the Seven-Ring Holy Tower Rankings, chitter chitter chitter."

Roar!

The fleshy-winged lizard chimera sprawled across the ground. After Yachenso, the golden monkey, and two tiny metal creatures landed upon its back, the chimera spread its enormous wings and flapped toward the