In the forest outside the Imperial Capital, trees crashed down one after another with thunderous booms.
Uesugi Ryu darted through the woods, his gaze occasionally flicking toward the Brown Bear Danger Beast behind him.
He carefully maintained a distance where it was always just short of catching him.
Special-Class Danger Beasts generally possessed extremely strong territorial instincts.
Uesugi Ryu intended to use this opportunity to see whether there were any other Special-Class Danger Beasts in the area.
Searching for them one by one would be far too troublesome.
Gathering them together and wiping them out in one go would be much more convenient.
The Brown Bear Danger Beast, over thirteen meters long, had clearly been enraged. Its massive body charged recklessly through the forest.
"Land Bear. A Special-Class Danger Beast. It possesses a certain degree of rock manipulation."
Uesugi Ryu muttered softly, a gleam flashing in his eyes.
Suddenly, a deep roar came from the left.
Uesugi Ryu's eyes sharpened as he turned to look.
A peculiar Danger Beast burst out from a cave.
Its body was covered in fine black scales, with ram-like horns protruding from its head.
A pair of bat wings spread from its back, and blue ghostly flames burned at the tip of its tail. It was roughly six meters long.
On its savage head, somewhere between wolf and tiger, a huge single eye suddenly opened, its violent crimson gaze locking directly onto Uesugi Ryu.
"Finally."
Uesugi Ryu chuckled softly.
The demonic Danger Beast let out a furious screech. Its enormous wings beat violently, whipping up a fierce gust.
Its huge body lunged at Uesugi Ryu, black claws gleaming coldly as they went straight for his throat.
But Uesugi Ryu had already anticipated this.
His right foot slammed against a thick branch beneath him.
The branch snapped instantly, and using the recoil, he launched himself upward like a bolt of black lightning, charging directly at the demonic beast.
The pale greatsword in his hand carved a beautiful arc through the air.
The beast's bat wings were severed cleanly at the roots.
Blood and black scales sprayed everywhere.
It let out a miserable shriek as its massive body crashed heavily to the ground.
Uesugi Ryu dropped from the sky.
Nearby, Land Bear's eyes flashed with almost human cunning.
A sharp stone pillar erupted from the ground, stabbing upward toward Uesugi Ryu in midair.
Gripping his blade with one hand, Uesugi Ryu swung lightly.
A dazzling slash flashed by, instantly shattering the tip of the stone spike.
He drove the tip of his greatsword into the pillar.
Bright sparks exploded.
His entire body slid rapidly down its length.
Land Bear suddenly burst forward, its enormous body pressing down like a mountain.
It raised its left forepaw and slashed diagonally at the base of the pillar.
Disdain flashed through Uesugi Ryu's eyes.
He tightened his grip slightly, halting his rapid descent instantly.
Then both feet slammed against the pillar.
Using the recoil, he shot straight toward Land Bear.
As claws collided with stone in a deafening crash, Uesugi Ryu's blade had already sliced into the giant bear's armpit.
His body brushed past Land Bear in midair before landing lightly on the ground.
The enormous bear arm soared into the sky amidst a fountain of blood.
It smashed through three ancient pines before crashing down.
Land Bear's howl sent flocks of birds scattering from the forest.
Thick blood sprayed wildly from the wound.
Its massive body tilted backward and collapsed to the ground with a heavy thud.
The pain did not frighten Land Bear.
Instead, it only made it more ferocious.
It rolled over, propped itself up with one arm, and crouched low.
Opening its massive maw, it roared madly at Uesugi Ryu.
"ROOOAR! ROAR! ROAR!"
A foul, fishy gale swept through the forest.
Uesugi Ryu nearly passed out from the stench alone.
Meanwhile, the demonic beast had circled behind him.
It opened its jaws and spat out a huge stream of dark green venom.
Uesugi Ryu had no interest in playing around any longer.
He shot the demon beast a cold glance and crossed the distance in just a few steps.
Dodging its bite with a sidestep, he lightly kicked the pommel of his sword.
The greatsword instantly leapt upward.
Its sharp blade pierced through the side of the demon beast's face, directly impaling its brain.
Dark red energy instantly shredded its small brain into pulp.
The demon beast convulsed violently.
Its single eye bulged with crimson veins, the whites exposed in a horrifying display.
Supporting itself with one arm, Land Bear charged at Uesugi Ryu.
Its right forelimb slammed forward as it lunged, jaws wide open.
A smile curled Uesugi Ryu's lips.
His right leg snapped upward, smashing into Land Bear's lower jaw.
Crack.
Its upper and lower jaws slammed together violently.
Its enormous head and body jerked upward.
Uesugi Ryu gripped the hilt and ripped the blade free.
The sword, coated in brain matter, split the demon beast's skull in two.
Continuing the motion, he swung directly into the Brown Bear Danger Beast's chest.
Crack!
Land Bear's ribcage split apart instantly.
Through the horrifying wound, its massive beating heart was clearly visible.
Blood gushed out with every pulse.
Nearly half a second later, the bear's heart finally split into two.
Land Bear let out one final mournful cry before its massive body crashed to the ground.
At the same time, the demonic Danger Beast finally gave out as well.
It released a shrill scream.
The ghostly flames on its tail hissed and died beneath the rain of blood.
Uesugi Ryu flicked his blade, sending droplets of blood arcing through the forest like a crimson crescent moon.
He stood among the trees, calmly surveying the two enormous corpses.
His breathing remained steady.
Not a trace of emotion appeared on his face.
A black vortex appeared in his hand.
A powerful suction instantly devoured the souls of both Danger Beasts.
"Looks like these were the only two Special-Class Danger Beasts in this forest."
The demon beast had little culinary value.
Uesugi Ryu simply harvested its valuable materials.
Land Bear, however, was another matter entirely.
Staring at the fluffy bear paw, he swallowed.
"Looks like I'm in for a feast today."
...........
Liver casually surveyed the scene below.
Noticing something, he suddenly turned to Esdeath, who was controlling the Wyvern.
"General Esdeath, it looks like someone is hunting Danger Beasts down there."
Esdeath's eyes lit up with curiosity.
She immediately guided the Wyvern toward the area.
The Wyvern flew quickly.
Soon, they could clearly make out the scene below.
Nyau lowered his flute.
"Huh? That's the Special-Class Danger Beast Land Bear. And the other one is the Special-Class Danger Beast Valkyrie. Both are notoriously difficult opponents."
Daidara grinned excitedly.
"Taking down two Special-Class Danger Beasts at once. Killing that guy should net us a lot of experience."
Esdeath watched as Uesugi Ryu cleanly dispatched both beasts.
Her eyes sparkled.
She had just found something interesting.
"An intriguing man. And he looks quite young too."
A strong interest immediately welled up inside her.
Without hesitation, she leapt from the Wyvern and plummeted toward the ground.
"General Esdeath?"
Liver stared after her in confusion, only seeing her rapidly shrinking figure.
Uesugi Ryu was currently butchering Land Bear's corpse when a chill suddenly ran down his spine.
He instantly turned toward the source.
Someone capable of giving him this feeling, at this time, in this place.
He already knew the answer.
A blue streak flashed.
Then came an explosive boom as rocks and dust erupted everywhere.
The smoke quickly dispersed in the wind, revealing a tall figure.
Esdeath's long ice-blue hair nearly reached her calves.
She wore a black-and-white military uniform and white thigh-high boots.
A thick aura of bloodlust and cold rushed over him.
"As expected."
Uesugi Ryu said softly.
He tightened his grip on his greatsword and fixed Esdeath with a blazing stare.
"General Esdeath."
Esdeath lightly rested a hand on her sword hilt, a faint smile playing at her lips.
She carefully studied him, her eyes filled with curiosity and appreciation.
"Oh? You know me."
Her cool voice carried a hint of surprise.
Just from that alone, she could tell Uesugi Ryu was likely a local of the Capital.
He gave her a very strange feeling.
Like a wild beast.
Those golden eyes fascinated her.
She raised her left hand and pointed elegantly at him.
"Your strength is impressive. Interested in becoming my subordinate?"
Uesugi Ryu remained calm.
His gaze briefly shifted to her sword, a trace of vigilance flashing in his eyes.
"I'm just a humble merchant. I have no plans to join the military for the time being. Thank you for your kind offer, General Esdeath."
His tone was polite.
His refusal, however, was unmistakable.
A playful smile appeared in Esdeath's eyes.
Even while she deliberately released her aura, he still dared to meet her gaze directly.
Whatever his actual strength, that courage alone already surpassed ninety-nine percent of people.
"Interesting."
She smiled faintly, anticipation gleaming in her eyes.
Esdeath drew her rapier in one swift motion and leveled it at him.
"But the weak do not have the right to refuse. Are you absolutely certain you wish to reject me?"
A spark of battle flared in Uesugi Ryu's eyes.
It had been a very long time since he had fought with his full strength.
This was the perfect chance to test exactly where he stood in this world.
He raised Elegy, pointing the blade directly at Esdeath's face.
A provocative smile curved his lips.
"We haven't fought yet. Who's the weak one is still up for debate."
That was practically an open challenge.
Esdeath's smile turned dangerous.
Her heartbeat quickened.
A powerful desire to conquer surged within her.
A man like this would be far more satisfying to break.
Meeting his gaze, she thought to herself,
"I hope you're not all bark and no bite like that so-called Northern Warrior. Otherwise, I'll be very disappointed."
Their overwhelming auras clashed relentlessly.
Battle was about to erupt.