The warrior stepped forward from the fray with a fierce gleam in his eye and a roar that cut through the chaos:

  

  “Finally, some action! I am BadGuy, and I challenge you, KidFury!”

  Chisa’s voice trembled as she declared her resolve:

  

  “It’s time to fulfill my duty!”

  Hayato’s tone dripped with disdain:

  

  “I bet you used your guild members as bait and then hid to get here—what a prime example!”

  KidFury sneered, his eyes burning with ambition:

  

  “In the end, the only thing that matters is winning.”

  Hayato retorted sharply:

  

  “Did I say example? I meant coward—that’s more like it!”

  In an instant, KidFury charged toward Hayato—but before he could reach him, BadGuy intercepted. With his massive two-handed sword, BadGuy swung a horizontal strike. KidFury leapt over the attack, but as he cleared the blow, a burst of magic struck him from above. The impact sent him stumbling, and he crashed to the ground. (It was Chisa—her hands still shaking.)

  (Hayato thought: “Did Chisa just land that? It’s a miracle.”)

  Chisa, catching her breath, proclaimed:

  

  “I’ve been training hard too!”

  The damage wasn’t severe—just enough to infuriate KidFury. With a snarl, KidFury growled:

  

  “I guess I’ll have to take out these flies first.”

  Still rising from his knees, KidFury attempted another strike. Without waiting, BadGuy launched a low-to-high slash aimed at KidFury’s back. KidFury managed to roll aside just in time, then sprang up and unleashed a rapid series of blows. His strikes were a blur—each one forcing BadGuy to struggle with his defenses. Even as BadGuy parried, he lost about 25% of his health, his skills shimmering with the brilliant glow of his blade.

  (Hayato mused: “Even when blocked, he’s taking heavy damage—must be the level difference.”)

  During this exchange, the gap allowed KidFury to break away and pursue the rest of his targets. He advanced toward the trio that had yet to act—the very trio Hayato had met at the guild base: the friendly girl and the two guys who, overcome with jealousy, always trailed her (Hayato had almost formed a group with all three). The two men, desperate to protect the solitary huntress, fell easily, leaving only the agile huntress standing. She dodged every attack with graceful precision and ease, and for a fleeting moment, her eyes met Hayato’s as she fought. Then, as if deliberately allowing it, she let herself be struck—collapsing lifelessly.

  (Shinobi: "I got a little carried away... did he see that?")

  As the chaos continued, BadGuy exploited an opening: he landed a critical blow on KidFury’s back—a strike that shaved off an additional 3% of KidFury’s HP. For a heartbeat, KidFury’s expression turned to shock.

  (Hayato thought: “We can win this!”)

  Gathering his resolve, Hayato advanced toward BadGuy. Although he had remained stationary for most of the battle, he now surged forward. In response, KidFury turned and attacked BadGuy with a skillful strike, but Hayato countered with a precise slicing move, deflecting KidFury’s technique.

  

  KidFury: “Even better—you're giving me extra work, and I'll wrap this up in no time!”

  BadGuy: “I didn’t ask for your help!”

  Hayato: “What a coincidence—I don’t want to help either… but I refuse to lose. So if you want to win, you’d better cooperate.”

  BadGuy’s scowl deepened, but he said nothing.

  

  Hayato: “I’ll cover our defense; all I need are a few clean hits. I’ll create the openings.”

  KidFury: “You planning to defend my attacks? Don’t get too full of yourself, you punk.”

  With that, KidFury launched into a furious assault—a barrage of slashes that forced Hayato to dodge with razor-sharp focus. Every strike seemed to come perilously close, one even grazing his eyes. Amid the flurry, Hayato’s inner thoughts raced:

  

  (I shouldn’t be risking this… the plan was to let them die and then wait for the leader to return to finish him off. But fleeing isn’t my style—I know every skill by heart. None of these will land on me.)

  Enraged, KidFury executed a double-slice skill.

  

  Hayato: “Now!”

  Hayato responded with a swift upward slice that deflected KidFury’s move skyward, leaving him momentarily open. Seizing the opportunity, BadGuy struck with a devastating “Cross Slash”—two precise cuts forming an “X”—inflicting a critical blow that reduced KidFury’s HP by another 5% (down to 92%).

  

  KidFury: “How did that miss you? Must be luck… Let’s see how far this luck takes you.”

  The battle continued. Hayato retreated slowly, using his skills to block incoming attacks and deftly evade KidFury’s relentless assault. At one point, noticing that KidFury was holding back his skill—waiting for his guard to drop—Hayato took a risk. He stepped forward and delivered a targeted strike to KidFury’s hand. The damage was minimal, but it forced KidFury’s hand to tremble—catching him off guard.

  KidFury laughed bitterly:

  

  “Hahaha, almost, huh? Decided to show some courage? Keep trying—maybe one day you’ll succeed!”

  Hayato retorted, feigning frustration:

  

  “Huh? Sorry, I blocked you—I can’t hear a word you're saying. All I see are your lips moving, but judging by your laughter, it must be something funny.”

  The tension escalated.

  

  Hayato: “BadGuy, attack when you’re ready—I’ve got your back!”

  Both KidFury and BadGuy exchanged puzzled glances.

  

  Hayato: “Come on, don’t worry about defense. Just keep attacking—whatever happens, don’t stop!”

  You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.

  BadGuy snapped:

  

  “Don’t give me orders!”

  With that, BadGuy charged at KidFury. KidFury braced himself, a manic smile on his face, as the two clashed. But just before they met, Hayato leaped forward, interposing himself between them. The sudden intervention stunned both opponents. With impeccable timing, Hayato executed a dual thrusting strike that hit both of KidFury’s hands, rendering him momentarily unable to defend or cast skills. In that instant, Hayato withdrew, leaving BadGuy free to land another Cross Slash.

  

  Hayato: “Don’t stop—keep attacking!”

  Before KidFury could recover, Hayato used another slicing skill to force KidFury’s guard open. BadGuy capitalized on the opening, landing another blow. For the first time, KidFury staggered backward after a critical hit that dropped him to 85% health.

  

  Hayato: “Hmm… you look scared. Gonna run? Don’t worry—nobody will judge you for being a level 100 running from a bunch of weaklings.”

  BadGuy: “Speak for yourself!”

  KidFury: “This isn’t fair!”

  Hayato: “A level 100 against a few rookies isn’t exactly fair either.”

  KidFury: “Weren’t you the one who blocked me?”

  Hayato: “Haha, xD.”

  KidFury resumed his desperate assault on Hayato, focusing solely on him. Hayato continued to evade, moving steadily backward. BadGuy unleashed a flurry of blows and skills—most landing accurately—while KidFury, blinded by rage, ignored everything but his target. In the chaos, Hayato tripped over a branch. Seizing the moment, KidFury smirked like a madman and attempted a crushing overhead slice aimed at knocking Hayato to the ground. BadGuy, sensing danger, tried to move forward to intercept, but couldn’t react in time.

  (Hayato thought: “Damn… was I about to lose? I was so close.”)

  Just then, a ball of fire exploded beside Hayato. The burst, combined with the swirling snow, blasted him away and sent KidFury crashing to the ground. All eyes turned toward the source—Chisa stood there, her staff pointed firmly, still emitting a wisp of smoke.

  

  KidFury: “These damn flies…”

  KidFury whirled around toward BadGuy, who was now within range and relatively unguarded. With a series of swift cuts, KidFury unleashed a final double-slice. BadGuy tried to parry, but most of the strikes connected, and he was swiftly defeated.

  

  BadGuy: “Flee! I’m retreating—hold on until I return!”

  He shouted to Hayato before vanishing from the battlefield.

  Hayato, catching his breath, glanced downward as KidFury mocked:

  

  KidFury: “Lost hope already? Gonna run until he comes back? As if I’d ever let that happen—you’re almost down to just two flies.”

  Hayato lifted his head, a small smile breaking through:

  

  Hayato: “Thanks—I was tired of his insults anyway. It’s a bit of a relief.”

  KidFury’s voice dripped with scorn:

  

  KidFury: “Your chances of victory are over.” Hayato: “Really? Have you seen your HP bar?”

  KidFury’s eyes flicked to his bar—it hovered around a mere 1%.

  KidFury: “This is still plenty for a low-level player...”

  (Hayato thought: “BadGuy could have finished you off instead of defending me… but I won’t complain. It’s time to end what I started.”)

  

  Hayato: “I guess you still don’t understand—there’s no way you can defeat me.”

  With newfound focus, Hayato advanced with determination. This time, he fought entirely forward—blocking every attack with precise parries, countering skill with skill, landing blows in rapid succession. KidFury was forced backward as Hayato’s relentless assault took its toll. Every missed hit registered as a “crit” here and there, yet Hayato’s unwavering defense left KidFury frustrated.

  

  KidFury (muttering): “It can’t be… It can’t be… I only need one hit to win, yet it remains so elusive!”

  For a fleeting moment, Hayato’s silhouette appeared demonic—a fierce figure wielding a long sword (despite his short blade). Just as his HP neared zero, KidFury stared in disbelief at his dwindling bar before vanishing in a flash, unable to utter another word.

  The word WINNER illuminated the screen. Hayato exhaled deeply, a mix of relief and triumph washing over him—but his celebration was cut short by Chisa’s excited cry:

  

  Chisa: “Take that, you flies!”

  Realizing Hayato’s startled expression, she added sheepishly:

  

  Chisa: “Ah, sorry—mission completed!”

  Attempting a soldier’s stiff pose, she glanced toward the rear as Kiba appeared.

  

  Kiba: “Good work, everyone. I always believed in you—I knew you could do it, which is why I assembled this defense team.”

  Chisa’s eyes shone with pride as she basked in the praise, while Hayato glanced at Kiba’s hand—it was trembling.

  

  Hayato: “Liar!”

  Kiba: “Not for a moment.”

  Hayato: “Liar!”

  Kiba: “Ah, must you ruin the moment?”

  More guild members gathered, and soon BadGuy reappeared, grinning broadly. Overhead, a system message flashed for all to see:

  

  WAR FINISHED: MAP CLOSING SOON. ALL PLAYERS WILL BE TELEPORTED TO THE NEAREST CITY.

  Almost everyone reconvened—while Hayato lingered on the outskirts. Chisa approached him warmly:

  

  Chisa: “This victory is yours too—maybe even more than anyone else’s. In the end, I barely helped. I spent most of the time unsure of what to do, too scared to strike. PvP is terrifying, but I promise to be more useful next time!”

  (Hayato thought: “A bit of self-awareness…”)

  

  Hayato: “You were better than I expected…”

  Before he could finish, Chisa beamed: Chisa: “Thank you!!”

  She pulled Hayato closer to her guild group.

  Chisa: “I was incredible, you know?”

  (Hayato thought: “I never expected anything from her...”)

  Yet, Hayato remained silent, merely observing as if he didn’t quite belong.

  Soon, two guild member addressed him:

  

  “Who would’ve thought—a newcomer who just joined the game, already fighting in a war and even winning. Maybe it’s the guild’s amulet.” Hayato: “Yeah… (I just want out of here.)” “True, it’s been ages since we had a war here—especially against a top-15 guild.” Hayato: “So, what’s our ranking now?”

  “Thirty-nine.” (Hayato thought: “What a weak guild!”)

  “Actually, we’re ranked 38 now—number 15 is gone.” RandomGuild1: “Exactly!” (Hayato thought: “Nothing really changed…”)

  “But it’s quality that matters, not quantity!” RandomGuild1: “Exactly!” The two shared a laugh as Hayato observed quietly, already calculating how he might exploit the situation.

  Soon, all players were teleported to the city. There, the members of both guilds gathered. The Outlaws were now missing their emblem; KidFury stood isolated. He addressed the crowd:

  

  KidFury: “Guys, just create a new guild. If everyone joins, we’ll level up fast and be what we once were—in the good old days!” He turned to Kiba.

  Kiba: “I have no problem with that—just don’t mess with the members who aren’t mine.”

  KidFury: “See?! We can be happy again!” But his own guild members began distancing themselves further.

  “I’m not joining a level-1 guild!” KidFury: “Who said that?! I’ll…”

  “Hunt? With what guild?”

  “No one liked following your orders anyway—and now you have nothing left to threaten!”

  “When you said we’d be happy again, did you mean you’d finally be happy yourself?” KidFury’s face fell as he realized he was utterly alone.

  (Hayato thought: “I guess he got what he deserved.”)

  Hayato quietly withdrew from the scene.

  (Hayato thought: “Better to leave before they notice me.”)

  Hayato spotted Shinobi with her two "lapdogs." Their eyes met once again, locking in an intense stare.

  (Hayato: Why does she hide her abilities? She seemed capable of dodging any attack back then… Does she have something to hide, just like me?)

  The lapdogs noticed her looking at Hayato and shot him angry glares, clearly jealous.

  (Hayato: Whatever.)

  Hayato broke eye contact and ignored them.

  From behind, Kiba appeared:

  

  Kiba: “Where are you going?”

  Hayato: “Now I have to announce my whereabouts?”

  Kiba: “No—but try to avoid more trouble.”

  Hayato: “It’s not like it’s my fault.”

  Kiba: “I know. I just said to avoid it. But if something happens, don’t hesitate to call us. It only got worse because you didn’t ask for help earlier.”

  Hayato, taken aback, muttered: Hayato: “Alright…”

  He quickly regained his composure.

  Hayato: “Even if the opponent is very strong…”

  Kiba: “Even if they are.”

  Hayato: “And if it’s the top guild with the number one player?”

  Hayato fixed his gaze on Kiba with seriousness. Kiba made a face that was an unmistakable expression of fatigue.

  (Hayato thought: “I guess that’s a no.”)