Gien paled. He could see it in her eyes—the same killer instinct that had felled countless opponents.
She wasn't here to lose.
Gien braced himself for death.
Yet, against all odds, he was still alive.
"Hiih! Hiiiih! Hiiii!"
"Oh! You're strong, all right! As expected of the bearfolk!" Eir's voice rang out with genuine excitement.
For all his trembling, Gien was no amateur. He was a formidable warrior, more than worthy of operating a dojo in the royal capital. As a member of the bearfolk, his tribe's legendary strength placed them among the mightiest of all beastfolk.
His philosophy of "effortless dominance" wasn't born of laziness—it stemmed from confidence in his tribe's natural might. His strikes, bolstered by overwhelming physical power, could easily smash through the defenses of most opponents.
But not this time.
