Dylan's bare fist felt like mountains as they hit me. I intercepted his flashing blows with my spear, moving it at the limit of my speed. I utilized every boost spell I had, and every other technique I could utilize to enhance my body's stats, such as Blood Art's [Blood Flow Acceleration] [Blood Pump] [Bloodlust] and [Blood Aura] together.
CLASH! CLASH! CLASH! CLAAASH!
I could notice that Dylan wasn't even fighting me seriously, yet his carefree blows brought with themselves an enormous, overwhelming strength, I was forced into a defensive stance, as I was constantly pushed back and back.
"Hahaha! What's wrong? Where are your summons at?" Dylan asked provocatively.
Despite being a Hero, he really acted like a thug now that I think about it.
He probably wasn't born a noble, but a humble farm boy.
I guess it only makes it more interesting that he's not interested in any courtesy or frivolity that nobles often care about so deeply for.
"Heh, they're all here already."
Suddenly, Dylan's shadows began to tremble. His golden eyes shone brightly as he smiled, glaring down at his shadows as he saw three colorful walking mushrooms appear in a split of a second.
A combination of four Shadow Manipulation Techniques, [Shadow Control] to control his shadow, [Shadow Steal] to steal the ownership of his shadow temporarily, [Shadow Parasite] to parasitize his shadows so I can use them as if they were mine, and then [Shadow Transportation] to teleport my Summons inside of them.
It was a special technique I was saving for someone really strong, the ability to teleport my own Familiars right into their shadows for a surprise attack!
Hero or not, you'll have to swallow this attack head on!
The three Spores quickly utilized their [Poisonous Spore] [Poison Fog] and [Mind-scrambling Smoke] Skills together into an [Ultimate Skill] that Spore unlocked upon reaching its max Rank, E named [Calamity Spore Smoke]!
Dylan was distracted by the smoke, as I utilized this opportunity to attack. Using Ki Techniques and Magic Spells of varied uses and methods would be simply wasting time, I had to concentrate all my power into Gluttony's tip!
[The Devourer's Domain]!
I quickly activated Gluttony's strongest ability, merging it with my Blood Aura and my Physique, as I attacked the Hero with everything I had. The spear suddenly shrouded into my own soul and magic power, becoming a monstrous mass of darkness with a gigantic, gluttonous jaw growing several meters big!
The enormous jaw impacted the floor as well, biting through it all and shattering the arena's floor, making the paved floor crumble apart and generate several cracks everywhere.
The smoke slowly dissipated, as Dylan's golden eyes glowed from across the black fog.
His fingers were taking a hold of gluttony's tip as if it were nothing.
"You've got an interesting spear! By merely being close to it or by touching it, I feel like it is trying to absorb all my energy. Amazing… It is cursed equipment, isn't it?"
"…It is a rather tame one."
"Hahaha! You're amusing! …However."
Dylan slapped Gluttony's tip as if it were mere garbage, throwing the spear away and then pushing towards me. His fist reached my chest in that instant.
Having prepared for the worst, I had summoned several Summons that enhanced my defense and boosted my stats through the roof using them!
It felt as if an incredibly strong force hit my chest. The bones of my ribs shattered, and the impact reached my heart, for a moment, the very impact, and the shockwave my body had to absorb stopped my heart from beating, as I was fired off the stage, beginning to fall from the skies.
I slowly opened my eyes as I was falling from the sky. I bleed nonstop and my bones were regenerating rapidly, but the pain was incredible. If it wasn't for my own improved Physique, I would had exploded into pieces by that punch.
This man… He's a monster amongst monsters!
Suddenly, even Erika panicked as she saw me fall from the skies.
However, I quickly opened my eyes once more, as they shone with bright red light, the sign of my Physique activating in a state between life and death.
Blood Ki and Mana gathered into enormous quantities around my body, like a sea of crimson blood. Dylan looked at the scene in shock.
The blood merged with my shadows, forming countless flying bats. Eleanora's power began to activate within me as well.
My appearance changed, as I became taller. My clothes merged with my blood and my shadows, turning all black. My spear merged with Eleanora's spear, as my hair became red and long like hers. I gained her characteristics and felt her power within my body.
"My lord, are you sure this is alright? This is merely an exam!" Eleanora told me.
"Fuck it. I want to fight more against this bastard!" I said, flying down against him as I created bat-like wings made of blood.
"Spirit Fusion!" Dylan said in surprise, as he quickly intercepted me with his bare hands.
The impact of my fall was tremendous, shockwaves echoed across our surroundings as my shadows and blood aura shaped into countless blades. I conjured {Blood Judgement} without stopping!
CLASH! CLASH! CLASH! CLASH! CLASH! CLASH!
The Hero valiantly intercepted all blows with a smile on his face, as he started to laugh.
"You're incredible for someone so young!"
However, the bastard never seemed threatened.
My shadows spread out into a domain as countless beasts appeared. Five enormous Wyverns and other Familiars boosted with Commanding conjured four times by me, Eleanora, Henrick, and Saphira appeared, furiously rushing towards Dylan, and showering him with their [Fire Breath]!
The flames consumed his entire body, so intense that they began glowing red like the flames of hell!
Yet… this man laughed.
"Hahahaha! Amazing! You're so strong!"