Beneath the collapsed Node Tower, Alama's eyes nearly split with rage as he roared the enemy's name. "Sigismund!"
The slightly plump Sigismund wore a faint smile as he reached toward Alama and clenched his hand.
[Blood Manipulation · Hundred Weapons]
Blades, spears, swords, and halberds condensed from blood howled in from every direction. Alama swung his greatsword in a full circle, whipping up a storm around himself and shredding every Blood Weapon to pieces.
But the instant he was caught by the force, Sigismund had already arrived in front of him.
Alama swept his sword across, but lacking follow-through, he was easily blocked by Sigismund.
Sigismund then raised his leg and kicked, sending the old rival who had once been his equal crashing into the ruins of the fallen tower.
Alama crawled up from the wreckage with blood spilling from his mouth and asked in disbelief, "It's only been one year. How could you have become so much stronger?"
Alama truly found it impossible to accept. A year ago, Sigismund had only been evenly matched with him, and had taken High Keep Fortress only by relying on more troops and more experts. Yet one year later, Sigismund had forcibly torn down the Node Tower he guarded right in front of him.
Greater speed, sharper Insight, and a few strange new abilities—he did not understand how this old opponent could have improved so enormously in such a short time.
Alama raised his sword and charged again. Sigismund dodged sideways with speed far beyond what he had shown before, then swung his blood blade with the motion, splitting open Alama's breastplate, bringing up a splash of blood, and leaving a wound deep enough to see bone.
After landing the strike, he turned calmly and raised his hand toward the empty space behind