The move he had just used could well be called his strongest attack. Yet as he looked at Barn standing before him, completely unscathed and radiating an even more powerful presence, the composure he had maintained all this time finally shattered. Like a kettle brought to a boil, his heart churned relentlessly.
Barn now seemed like an entirely different person from before. The terrifying pressure and killing intent pouring from him made Gladius feel as though he could barely breathe.
"These clothes were expensive. Have you decided how you're going to pay me back?"
Barn's cold voice rang out again, and Gladius shuddered as though he had heard something truly horrifying.
With fear already taking root in his heart, Gladius had no reason to keep fighting. He crouched and lightly touched the ground beneath his feet with a hand charged with his power. The ground swelled and exploded in an instant, but Barn had misjudged his intentions.
This was not an attack aimed at Barn. Instead, Gladius used the blast's force to propel himself backward!
Gladius was running away? Of course, even if he wanted to flee, Barn would not let him escape so easily.
"Trying to run? Hmph!"
Barn snorted coldly and activated Soru, one of the Six Powers. His figure flickered, then vanished from the spot!
When he next appeared, he was already behind Gladius!
"Geppo."
Barn's lips moved slightly as he uttered the word, already employing another of the Six Powers!
His sandals, battered almost beyond recognition by the explosions, tapped against the air as though he were stepping on solid ground. The force was more than enough for Barn to close the distance between himself and Gladius!
Gladius was still flying backward, but Barn had already caught up behind him!
Barn's hand, its skin as soft