"Oh, I didn't expect to have such a huge fan. Want my autograph?"
Before his words had even faded, a sharp whistle of something cutting through the air came from behind Roy.
Roy had long been prepared for the opponent's sudden attack. Seizing the moment, he launched a backward kick straight at the attacker's abdomen. But his opponent was also remarkably agile. Midair, he forcibly changed the direction of his charge, twisting aside to evade Roy's kick. Upon landing, he sharply leaned sideways, swung the blade in his hand in a wide arc, and stabbed hard at Roy's temple from another angle.
Clang—
The crisp sound of metal striking metal echoed through the empty alley. The vicious blade in his opponent's hand was blocked by Roy's Black Eagle Dagger. Sparks flew as the two blades collided, and the tremendous impact left Roy's wrist slightly numb.
"Not bad. You really are as stuck-up as the rumors say."
The two locked blades at the same time. Amid their struggle for leverage, a low voice of praise emerged from behind the attacker's fully enclosed Fly Head gas mask.
Hearing the mockery, Roy narrowed his eyes, his face filled with killing intent. He gave a dark, cold snort.
"You're nothing special either."
As soon as he finished speaking, Roy pulled back his blade and feinted toward the man's chest. As expected, the attack was blocked. Roy then shifted his weight and swept a kick at his opponent's legs.
Yet his opponent seemed to have already seen through Roy's intentions. Faced with this attempt to drag him to the ground, the masked attacker seemed to fly as he leaped high into the air, performing an utterly unnatural backflip to evade the fierce strike. Then, as Roy was recovering his stance, he punished the opening with