PANG!
[Durability reduced by 3]
It felt like hitting solid stone. Zayden's hand axe rebounded violently as Marshall raised his left hand and blocked the attack barehanded. Not even a scratch appeared on his bronze skin.
Zayden didn't stop. The moment he landed, he attacked again, this time aiming for Marshall's lower limb.
PANG!
[Durability reduced by 3]
The result was the same. This time, Marshall didn't even budge.
'His body is so hard that even hitting him reduces my weapon's durability.' Zayden thought. A mix of shock and disbelief rising in his chest.
"Oii, oii. What are you doing?" Marshall mocked. "Is that axe real, or just a toy?"
He lifted his right leg and kicked.
Zayden barely raised his shield in time, but the impact still sent him flying. He crashed into a nearby table, shattering it into pieces.
"Please, do not fight here!" a male staff rushed toward Marshall.
"Do not disturb us," Marshall said coldly, shoving him aside as he walked toward Zayden, who was still lying on the floor. He cracked his fingers leisurely.
"Urgh…" Zayden slowly pushed himself up, but a massive shadow loomed over him. He looked up just in time to see Marshall raising his fist.
Zayden rolled away instinctively.
Boom!
The spot where he had been a moment ago collapsed into a crater. Dust filled the air as Marshall emerged from it and charged toward Zayden. His steps cracking the floor beneath his feet.
"This hand axe can't damage him. I have no other choice."
Zayden immediately swapped weapons, summoning the Obsidian Spear, and equipped the Agile Boots he had used before.
(Be careful, Zayden. The spear's durability is low.)
"I know! I'll be cautious."
"Hm. What a lovely spear you have there," Marshall said, clearly astonished by the weapon Zayden brought out. "If you give it to me, I won't hurt you. I swear."
"No. Thank you for your offer."
"Well, you'll give it to me anyway," Marshall sneered. "After you're knocked out."
He continued charging.
Zayden stayed focused. Marshall closed the distance and pulled his fist back, then released the punch toward Zayden.
At the last moment, Zayden evaded and spun sideways. He thrust his spear into Marshall's back, activating the passive of the Obsidian Spear.
Thud!
[Critical Hit!]
[Obsidian Serration skill activated!]
[You have inflicted 32 damage to enemy!]
[Durability decreased by 3]
This time, a crack appeared on the bronze skin, and blood soon seeped out from it.
"Damn it. Even though it's effective, hitting him still reduces my spear's durability," Zayden muttered.
Marshall swung his right arm, but Zayden had already stepped back a few meters away. Marshall touched the cracked area, disbelief flashing across his face. Someone at F-rank had actually broken his bronze skin.
"You bastard!" he roared.
He released more mana, and his skin shifted from bronze to silver. This was his second form, Silver Skin. His Metalhide Brawler ability allowed him to change his skin based on metal. Bronze was the lowest form, while silver was far harder.
"Uh oh. Bro Marshall isn't holding back anymore," Simon said as he and Greg hid behind a counter. "That kid is done for."
The surging mana pushed nearby tables away, sending them tumbling across the floor.
Zayden struggled to keep his footing. Breathing became difficult under the pressure. Sweat started pouring down his forehead.
'Looks like I angered the wrong person.' He thought grimly. He wasn't sure he could leave this place safely. In the worst-case scenario, he would teleport to the Generator Frame world.
"Raaaargh!"
Marshall roared as he charged forward. Now, every step he took left a crater in the ground.
Zayden also charged forward, his spear ready to thrust. All the spectators watched closely, bracing themselves for the impact.
As the two closed in on each other, a woman suddenly appeared between them.
Both Zayden and Marshall were stopped in their tracks.
Zayden was utterly shocked. The fact that she appeared out of nowhere was one thing, but the most surprising part was that she caught his spear between her index and middle finger, as if it weighed nothing.
Marshall was the same. His silver-coated fist, capable of smashing through hills, was halted by a single finger.
The woman had long, straight golden hair. She wore a cream-colored dress with long sleeves, fitted neatly at the waist. Gemstone earrings and a necklace rested against her neck. At a glance, she looked like an ordinary businesswoman.
(This woman is extremely dangerous. Do not provoke her, Zayden!) Jenny's voice sounded anxious.
'Jenny wasn't like this when I faced Marshall,' Zayden realized. 'That means this woman is on a completely different level. She must be S-rank.'
Even though the woman wasn't releasing any mana, a chill ran down his spine.
"T-that's Madam Beatrix!" Greg exclaimed in shock. "She's ranked number nine in Rahiel Ranking. She is an S-rank Hunter!"
The staff members all let out sighs of relief as she intervened before things escalated further.
"Please do not fight here, gentlemen," Beatrix said calmly. "If you wish to settle this properly, we can arrange a slot in the Arena."
Zayden and Marshall withdrew their attacks. Marshall's skin reverted to its normal state.
"Hmph. It's fine, Madam. I don't feel like fighting anymore," Marshall said coldly. He glanced at Zayden. "You're very lucky today, brat."
He turned away. "Let's go, guys."
Marshall and his group left without looking back. The last thing he wanted was to cross her. He knew her strength far too well.
Zayden finally relaxed, storing his spear back into his inventory. He brushed the dust off his clothes and walked past Beatrix toward the counter.
"Did he just walk past Madam like that?"
"Is he not afraid of her?"
"He really is dumb. Provoking two top fifteen rankers… that's pure stupidity."
"Have mercy on that poor soul."
The people around whispered in disbelief, but Zayden didn't care. In his mind, he had done nothing wrong.
"You," Beatrix called out. "What is your name?"