Inside the dueling arena, two figures collided within a few short seconds, their shield and Bone Nail meeting first.
Incredibly, despite the vast difference in height and weight between Little Knight and Gron, their strength was evenly matched.
The spectators in the stands gasped at the sight.
To every bug watching, having Warlord Gron, the strongest among them, personally take the field already exceeded their wildest expectations. That the larva facing him could hold its own was even more unbelievable.
Even as the spectators marveled, the battle continued to shift.
His heavy, dark-red carapace did nothing to impede his speed. Gron stood straight as a spear, his remaining eye fixed on Little Knight's every move.
No vows, no taunts.
Words were unnecessary. Every ounce of will and emotion went into the movements that followed.
His toe struck the ground, cracking the stone tile.
The blazing Fireflow Cloud thrust out first-not a killing move, but one meant to force a response.
A trail of flowing flame streamed from the spearhead, driving straight toward Little Knight's face.
Little Knight brought its Bone Nail across to block, only for Gron's round shield to slam into it immediately afterward with crushing force.
It was the same move he had used against Raily, chief of the Gear Clan-Shield Bash.
Gron's best and favorite move used the shield to strike a broad area. Whatever the enemy, it would leave them stunned for anywhere from a second or two to four or five.
A Vessel could not be stunned or poisoned, but the tremendous impact still sent Little Knight staggering backward. The difference in their size was simply too great.
Tap, tap, tap.
The hard stone tiles screeched beneath its feet.
Seizing his advantage, Gron attacked like a tide, each wave greater than the last.
His **Spear