The moment Cedric struck the first Saurian nearest to him, that was when he realized the difference in strength between him and Leon.

The skin of the Saurians was dense, almost as if it was a carapace of steel and even their feathers were somewhat metallic, clinking together like chainmails. But Leon had simply thrown his halberd and killed one, while Cedric felt like he was slicing through iron when he brought his blade down on the beast's neck.

He only managed to cut a small wound before gritting his teeth and forcefully pulling his sword out from the tough skin. Then he leapt away at the last second to avoid the beast's massive, snapping jaws.

Luckily, since he had been able to wound the creature, the patch around the wound caught on fire and the decay began to slowly spread. The metallic feathers around the cut began to rust and flake away as the dark, corrosive energy ate into the steel-like hide.

The creature shrieked in pain but Cedric had already immediately lunged at another creature that was also closing in on him. There was no need to linger on the first creature as it would die soon anyway.

Cedric leapt to the side to dodge the snapping jaws of the attacking beast, then he jumped and drove his katana into the eye of the Saurian. The blade punched through the soft tissue and entered the brain with a wet crunch. And as he kicked off the creature's snout to create distance, the black flames from his blade surged into the wound, instantly decaying the monster from the inside out.

The creature collapsed mid-stride only for another who was lunging to trip over its heavy, lifeless body and tumble over, almost hitting Cedric.

Cedric rolled to the side and the creature missed him by inches, plowing through the tall grass to a stop meters behind him.

Without missing a beat, Cedric lunged at it.

The beast struggled to rise after the clumsy fall, lifting its large head first. At that moment, Cedric put all the energy he had into both hands that were gripping the katana. His muscles bulged and tightened, his eyes went black as he expelled a bit more mana and the flames around the sword grew even vaster and more violent.

Then he leapt with the blade raised high and descended, slamming the weight of his strike into the center of the Saurian's skull and driving the rising head back to the ground.

As the head fell back to the ground, the black flames from the point of impact surged outward like a tidal wave, drowning the creature's entire upper body in a dark, hungry inferno.

With a lot of effort, he wrenched the blade free then turned his black eyes toward his next target and lunged.

The chaotic symphony of the battlefield roared around him as he struck the next Saurian, and the next.

He couldn't even hear the kill notifications that echoed in his head, or the heavy thuds of the giant bodies hitting the earth as his teammates did their part. The only thing that sounded like music to his ears at the moment were the screeches of the Saurians before their death.

And in the whole time Cedric fought, the large grin that he had from the beginning was still plastered across his face, wider and more manic than before.

The minutes passed without Cedric realizing just how much time had slipped away or how many lives he had extinguished.

And by the time he finally had a brief window to rest, he wrenched his blade from the last Saurian he killed and breathed in the carnage in one long, satisfied draw of air. The scent of burnt ozone, rusted metal, and decaying flesh filled his lungs, but to him, it was better than the freshest mountain breeze.

Why did it feel so good? He wasn't sure. But deep down, Cedric felt like he was finally venting the suffocating weight that had been pressing against his soul for as long as he could remember. It felt like he was releasing years of suppressed rage and helplessness, pouring every bitter memory into the black flames that now flickered hungrily along his steel.

Right now, Cedric didn't feel the anxiety that he had brought over from Earth into this world. Rather, he felt… exhilarated.

He exhaled a long, cold breath, and a wisp of green smoke flowed from his mouth and eyes.

At that moment, he heard Dion's yell in a hoarse, tired breath. "Forty. I killed forty! Ha!"

Leon smashed the head of a creature, took out his halberd and rested it against his shoulder. His golden armor was caked with blood and scraped deep from the metallic feathers of the Saurians. He turned to Dion and gave a low, proud laugh. "That… is the hundredth."

Dion's expression suddenly soured and he spat on the ground, his shoulders slumping as he looked at the piles of bodies around the golden knight.

Leon turned to Cedric and asked, "What about you, my friend?"

Cedric's gaze shifted to the katana in his hand. "How many, Aika?"

The sword vibrated in his hand and her voice echoed in his head. 'A hundred.'~~

Cedric's grin returned and he turned toward Leon. "Looks like it's a tie. Though, to be fair, mine are still rotting away as we speak, so the count might keep climbing."

Leon stared at him for a beat, his eyes traveling from Cedric's black gaze to the green wisps of smoke still curling from his lips.

Then, Leon smiled and said, "Nah… I can't have that."

He looked towards the fresh wave of Saurians that had broken through Evelyn and her blood monsters. Then his smile vanished, replaced by a cold, blank expression. "I believe it's time I took this seriously."

Suddenly, a notification appeared in Cedric's vision.

[The character Leon Von Caprio is getting ready to use the exclusive skill: Judgement Time.]

The shimmering manifestation of a large golden woman in a blindfold appeared behind Leon. She held a large golden scale of justice in one hand, and in the other, she gripped a large golden sword.

The scale suddenly tilted to the left and almost immediately, the lady pointed her sword towards the oncoming horde.

Leon cocked his head to Cedric. "Try to keep up, little crow."

Cedric arched a brow. 'Little crow?'

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