Daniel nodded and glanced indifferently at Dogoh. The old manâs strength was in the early A-rank, which was quite impressive.
However, for someone like Daniel, that level was naturally too weak. Still, having such a high rank as just a guard meant one thingâ
the Valenberg family was incredibly powerful and wealthy, enough to hire an A-rank as a mere escort.
Seeing the old man prepare for battle, Daniel drew his sword from his inventory.
Although he didnât want to fight again today, there was no avoiding it. A fight was going to happen either way.
Their target had never been just the carriageâthey also planned to knock out Celestina and keep her hidden for a while, at least until their business in Crystalgard was finished.
Killing her was also an option, but it was a highly risky oneâand definitely not something they wanted to consider.
Not when the girl in question was the young lady of House Valenberg.
"I donât know where youâre from, but I suggest you surrender. Maybe then youâll be spared execution," Dogoh said with a rough voice, glaring at them.
"Sorry, but before you say something like that, you should probably check if you can even take us on," Daniel shrugged.
"Looks like thereâs no other choice then."
"You take care of the guards. Donât let that girl escape," he told Serys, then turned his gaze to the old man.
Dogoh jumped into the air and made the first move, trying to seize the advantage.
[Mountain-Breaking Fist]
His fists shook the earth and slammed into Daniel like a mountain.
Howeverâ
"Hah?"
"Thatâs it?" Daniel laughed, catching the punches with his bare hands. Then he landed a kick on the old man and sent him flying backward.
Using Heavenâs Honor and his sword aura, he slashed toward Dogoh with a quick strike.
The blade flashed like a white meteor and scratched Dogohâs chest, blood spilling from the wound.
Dogoh jumped back with a grunt and activated his defensive skill [Iron Shield].
His skin glowed like steel as he braced for Danielâs next attack.
But Daniel injected Death Energy into his blade, and with a single spin, shattered Dogohâs shield.
The black energy spread like a virus, corroding the entire shield.
A deep wound appeared on Dogohâs arm, and he growled in anger.
He countered with [Thunder Fist], punching rapidly like bolts of lightning.
Daniel activated [Aspect of Time Cycle â Moon Law], slowing time for a moment.
He predicted Dogohâs moves, dodged, and appeared behind him. With another strike from Heavenâs Honor, he landed a heavy blow.
The white and black aura of the blade sliced through Dogohâs shoulder, and silver blood spilled onto the crystal ground.
"Sword aura? Where is this kid from?" the old man frowned, shocked by what he saw.
He had seen that white aura earlier but wasnât sure if it was sword aura. Now, he was certainâbut how?
Judging by the voice, this kid sounded really young.
And yet he could already use sword aura and had this much power?
"Looks like your fists arenât as strong as your words, old man!" Daniel laughed, further provoking him.
Wounded and enraged, Dogoh shouted: "Doesnât matter how strong you areâmy body is the strongest!"
He used [Rage Burst], releasing a massive surge of gray energy from his fists that shook the ground.
Daniel responded with [Aspect of Light â Moon Law], creating a silver light that scattered the explosion.
Then, with a loud laugh, he slammed Heavenâs Honor into the ground and said:
"Strongest body, huh? Letâs see how you handle my fists!"
He put his sword aside, clenched his fists, and reinforced them with Moon Energy and Death Energy.
When it came to physical strength, he had no doubtâhe wasnât weaker than anyone. In fact, no one could match him in that regard.
His fists glowed with silver and black auras, as if the moon and death had taken form in his hands.
Dogoh used [Thunder Fist] again, but Daniel dodged with insane speed and smashed his enhanced fist into Dogohâs chest.
The punch hit like a silver-black meteor, sending Dogoh flying and leaving a deep wound in his chest.
Dogoh crashed into a tree, its silver branches cracking under the impact.
"How is this possible?" the old man muttered in disbelief. He could feel Danielâs true power from that punch.
Not only was it not weaker than hisâit was actually stronger.
How could this kid have such monstrous physical strength and be that skilled in swordsmanship?
Dogoh tried defending again with [Iron Shield], but Daniel used [Aspect of Gravity â Moon Law] to increase the gravity around him, slamming him to the ground.
Then, with his reinforced fists, Daniel unleashed a barrage of blows.
Each punch hit like a mini-explosion, shaking Dogohâs body and leaving fresh wounds on his arms and face.
Dogoh tried to fight back with [Mountain-Breaking Fist], but Daniel used [Aspect of Insight â Moon Law] to read his intent and landed a clean punch on his jaw, knocking him down.
Blood spilled from Dogohâs mouth as he stared at Daniel, eyes filled with fury and helplessness.
Bleeding and barely standing, Dogoh made one final effort.
He used [Rage Burst] again, creating a huge explosion of gray energy that blew away the forest mist.
Daniel, completely unharmed, created a black aura around himself using Death Energy, absorbing the explosion.
He smirked and said mockingly:
"Old man, I think itâs time you retired!"
He used [Aspect of Gravity â Moon Law] again, throwing Dogoh into the air and then slammed him into the ground with a Moon-and-Death-powered punch.
The impact cracked the earth like thunder, leaving Dogohâs shattered and bloodied body in a dirt crater.
"Looks like things didnât go quite the way you expected." Daniel chuckled as he saw Dogoâs eyes dim and his body fall unconscious.
"Are you done?" a womanâs voice came from behind him. He turned around and saw Serin holding the unconscious Celestina.
"Yeah. Now, where should we imprison them?"