The wind carried waves of heat from the distant blaze, leaving the entire open clearing stifling and oppressive.
Thorn stood towering over them, tall and powerfully built. The vicious aura surrounding him seemed almost tangible, making it hard to breathe.
Across from him, Ryusui lowered his center of gravity and planted himself firmly in front of Li Xiang, shielding her behind him.
The gulf between them was obvious.
Thorn was far too strong. Against an enemy of his caliber, Ryusui stood next to no chance.
Behind him, Li Xiang's heart sank, a chill washing through her.
Ryusui couldn't beat him.
If he kept fighting, he would only get hurt for nothing. He might even lose his life.
Without time to think, Li Xiang immediately called out, "Ryusui, get out of here! Don't worry about me!"
Their best option now was for Ryusui to escape and go outside the palace to raise the alarm and seek help. If reinforcements arrived, she would still have a chance to survive.
If he stayed, they would only die together.
"Ha↑ha↓."
Ryusui gave a low laugh, his voice firm and utterly without hesitation.
"I, Ryusui Nanami, could never abandon a companion and run for my life."
A short distance away, Thorn watched them, the mockery in his eyes deepening. His cold laughter drifted across the clearing.
"Hehehehe. You two certainly share a deep bond."
"In that case, let's see just how long you can hold out."
Before he finished speaking, Thorn shot forward, charging straight at Ryusui.
His vicious punches whistled through the air, carrying crushing force as the close-quarters fight erupted.
Ryusui gritted his teeth and met him, maneuvering to avoid serious injury as best he could.
But no amount of technique could bridge the gap in their natural physiques.
Every blow from Thorn