c17 (2/2)

Holding the letter of introduction to Blacksmith Bogan from the guildmaster, I left the Formless Sword with him to be repaired after it was damaged in the fight against the Phantom Dark Knight.

There are several weapons in warehouse Astrea, but because there are only a few Emperor-cla.s.s weapons in the word, they can't be used in public. The only other weapons were a small knife and a dagger.

The inexpensive knife and dagger won't stand up to Rigolo's beak and talons.

「Alright, bring it on, Rigolo. If you can hit me once, you win.」 (Izayoi)

「Uh, are you fighting bare-handed!?」 (Lilia)

「What? Is there a problem? I see. Then I won't use my hands.」 (Izayoi)

「That's not the issue here!」 (Lilia)

「What kind of response is that. Now you're being noisy. Let's forget that and start, Rigolo.」 (Izayoi)

「*Kukeke!*」 (Rigolo)

We faced off. The head, wings, and forelegs of a falcon. A living creature from myth, with the lower half of a lion, well known in legend.

With a spread of the wings, the wind began to dance.

The large, unfurled wings were quite intimidating.

Kicking off of the ground strongly, Rigolo flapped his wings, rus.h.i.+ng at me with his talons.

I'll be sliced in half if I take that 120 kilogram ma.s.s head-on. Bending my body a little, the rending claw pa.s.sed by above.

Having avoided the attack, another one came instantly.

Despite being large, Rigolo moved quickly thanks to the strength of his wings.

Despite being attacked with tooth and nail, I'll never be hit.

「That's your limit, Rigolo. It's about time for me to fight back, so prepare yourself.」 (Izayoi)

I limited myself by prohibiting the use of my hands. Therefore I'll use my feet instead. I had been avoiding attacks with the bare minimum movement required, and now it's my turn.

Putting strength into my legs, I dashed forth like a spring. I got behind Rigolo instantly.

「Quite slow at giving chase. Is that as far as your natural intuition takes you?」 (Izayoi)

「*Kukeke!?*」 (Rigolo)

Sending a light kick towards his rear, he quickly withdrew. He somehow read my movements, but none of his attacks landed.

His combat sense isn't bad. He fights well for an A-rank monster. I've understood his strength. Is this good enough for today?

Rigolo didn't give up and continued to attack me. I slipped through Rigolo's oncoming claw, latching on to his neck with my legs.

With his neck between my legs, Rigolo floated in mid-air after my backflip.

He then crashed into the ground behind me.

「...Ichayoi, Rigolo...」 (Tear)

「He only fainted. There's no problem.」

Worried about the defeated Rigolo and his rolling eyes, Tear ran over to him. Looking around, a crowd of people had gathered before I knew it.

The news must have spread, but whatever. I've proven that I'm stronger than the gryphon. Knowing that, they should be put at ease, but I don't know if there will be any idiots who want to fight me.

「How long do you plan to be knocked out. You'd normally have been eaten by now, Rigolo.」 (Izayoi)

「...*Kuke? Kukekeー?*」 (Rigolo)

Though he woke up, he seemed to have forgotten what just happened.

「If this is all it takes, you won't be able to carry out your mission to kill Lilia. Concentrate.」 (Izayoi)

「Wait, am I that strong of a character? I have zero fighting ability you know? I think I can seduce though...」 (Lilia)

「Hey, did you hear what she said Rigolo? ...At this rate, she'll have the tables turned on you.」 (Izayoi)

「*Kukekei...*」 (Rigolo)

「Turning the tables, do I really have that much strength?」 (Lilia)

「It's dangerous. Let's back away.」 (Izayoi)

「...Got it.」 (Tear)

「*Kuke!*」 (Rigolo)

「Wait a second! Don't run away from me as fast as you can!」 (Lilia)

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