The Third Round: This Time, It's the Erudite Advancement Quest (Continued)

Adrian suddenly spoke up, inserting himself into the swordfight that was still dead even.

"Then I'd say you're the one who's going to get hurt."

You love Roger, so you love Shanks too?

How's my golden leek supposed to grow if you do that?

"I'm not your servant, White Ghost!!"

The Golden Lion's face darkened. In an instant, he recalled the pain of losing his memories.

With a furious roar, he gripped his Ghost Energy Swords in both hands and unleashed one sweeping slash after another, each faster than the last.

Shanks retreated step by steady step, but he could clearly feel the force transmitted through Kogarashi into his hands growing stronger with every blow.

Yet even as he felt that mounting power,

Shanks still had no way to break through.

Against the Golden Lion, who outmatched him in both strength and speed, holding his ground was already an achievement!

Shanks kept the Famous Sword Kogarashi tight against his body, guarding himself with everything he had.

Clang—

Another collision rang out like steel striking steel.

The Golden Lion's final sweeping slash made Shanks's arms tremble and knocked his body slightly backward.

"You damned brat!"

The Golden Lion roared. The Ghost Energy Sword in his left hand sliced diagonally toward Shanks's exposed abdomen, while the sword in his right swept upward.

Caught off guard, Shanks could only force a change in his Sword Momentum. He barely caught the blade coming from his right with Kogarashi, but despite his desperate attempt to dodge, the rising slash from the left cut across his torso.

Shhk—

The impossibly sharp Ghost Energy Sword sliced through Shanks's clothes with ease and left a shallow wound over his left ribs. Blood welled up, staining his clothes in patches of red.

"..."

Adrian opened his mouth, then found