Inside the dome, only Mike and the Etherfang Wolf King remained.

The massive wolf glanced around once, its cerulean flames flickering… then its gaze locked onto Mike.

It understood exactly what this ritual was.

And it accepted.

Mike took a deep breath.

"…Round one."

The Wolf King moved first.

SWOOSH!

A streak of blue fire shot toward him as it used Cerulean Pounce.

"Fast!" Mike muttered, eyes widening.

He activated Quick Step.

His speed jumped by 30%.

He dodged to the side just as the wolf hit the ground—

BOOM!

A shockwave of mana blasted out.

Mike slid back but stayed standing.

"Alright… my turn."

He activated Valor Surge.

Red energy burst around him—his next attack would hit twice as hard.

The Wolf King fired Blade Fangs—

FWIP! FWIP! FWIP!

Three sharp mana blades flew at him.

Mike took a breath and shifted his stance.

Basic Swordsmanship – Cut.

His sword glowed red.

SHING!

He slashed once.

A clean flame arc cut through all three mana blades.

The Wolf King's eyes narrowed.

This human wasn't weak.

He was a real opponent.

Mike rushed forward, sword blazing with Valor Surge power.

"Scarlet Slash!"

His attack reached the Wolf King—

But the beast stomped down, creating a shield of spinning blue flames.

Monarch Barrier—activated.

Mike's sword hit it—

KRAK!!

The barrier shattered.

Both Mike and the wolf were thrown back.

Mike breathed hard.

The wolf dug its claws into the dirt.

They stared at one another, both fired up.

Mike wiped sweat from his forehead.

"Heh… strong. I like it."

The Wolf King growled, flames rising higher.

Then it threw its head back.

Mike's eyes went wide.

"Oh no—"

Mana Howl.

The wolf roared.

The dome shook.

Mike felt the vibration in his bones.

His aim dropped.

His body wobbled—

And in the next instant, the wolf vanished.

No—

It moved.

King's Hunt.

Locked onto him.

The wolf appeared behind him, jaws open, fangs glowing.

Mike reacted instantly.

Iron Skin.

His body hardened.

But the wolf still slammed into him—

WHAM!!

Mike flew across the grass and rolled several times before stopping.

His chest burned.

His head spun.

But he started laughing.

"Damn… that hurt. Good."

He pushed himself up, lifting his sword again.

The Wolf King didn't attack.

It circled him, watching him closely—testing him.

Mike activated Recovery, and his stamina quickly returned.

He lowered into a fighting stance.

"I am really enjoying it now" Mike mumbled not planing to call the backup(lich) for now.

The Wolf King growled low, its eyes locked on Mike.

Mike tightened his grip on his sword, breathing steady.

The wolf moved again.

SWISH!

It darted forward with another Cerulean Pounce.

Mike jumped sideways, barely avoiding the strike.

He countered with a quick slash—

CLANG!

The Wolf King blocked with its claw, blue flames sparking against the Scarlet Flame Sword.

Mike jumped back.

The wolf followed instantly.

FWIP!

A mana blade shot toward him.

Mike ducked, letting it fly over his head.

He swung upward—

"Cut!"

SHING!

His flame arc grazed the wolf's shoulder.

The beast growled in annoyance, not pain.

Then it lunged again.

Mike didn't dodge this time.

He activated Iron Skin and braced himself.

BAM!

The wolf smashed into him.

Mike held his ground but slid a few meters back.

"Okay… you hit hard," he muttered, coughing once.

He reached into his belt inventory and pulled out a health potion.

He chugged it down in two seconds.

Warm energy spread through him, healing the pain.

The Wolf King watched him do it.

It didn't look angry—

It looked excited.

Mike grinned back.

"Don't worry. I'm not done."

He charged.

The Wolf King charged too.

They clashed—

CLASH! CLANG! SHING!

Sword against claws.

Flames against flames.

Mike dodged a bite, rolled under the wolf's body, and slashed upward—

The wolf spun mid-air and kicked him away with a flaming paw.

THUD!

Mike hit the ground, rolled, and forced himself up again.

"Still good," he muttered, drinking a mana potion this time.

Blue light restored his energy.

The Wolf King attacked again.

This time it used Cerulean Burst, releasing a wave of blue fire around itself.

Mike crossed his arms and blocked with his sword, sliding back and feeling the heat burn his skin.

He used Quick Step to close the gap.

"Take this—Scarlet Combo!"

Three rapid slashes.

Each one blazing.

SHING! SHING! SHING!

The wolf howled as the hits landed—

then countered immediately with a claw swipe that sent sparks flying.

Mike blocked in time, arms shaking.

The fight went on like that.

Attack.

Counter.

Dodge.

Strike back.

Mike drank two more health potions and one mana potion during the battle, keeping himself in peak condition.

The Wolf King kept pushing him harder.

Mike kept pushing back just as hard.

The ground around them tore apart.

Burnt grass, claw marks, sword marks—the dome was turning into a battlefield.

Both of them breathed heavily.

Both refused to back down.

Mike lifted his sword again.

"Alright…," he said, sweat dripping down his face.

"Come on, King. Let's finish this."

The Wolf King lowered its body, flames gathering around its paws.

Mike tightened his grip. Both of them stared at each other, waiting for the next move.

Then—

They rushed forward at the same time.

BOOM!

Their collision shook the entire dome.

Mike swung first, aiming straight for the wolf's shoulder. The Wolf King twisted, dodging the blade by inches, and blasted blue fire at him from point-blank range.

Mike jumped back, heat brushing against his cheek.

"Too close," he muttered.

The wolf didn't give him a break. It leaped high, claws glowing bright blue, ready to crush him.

Mike planted his foot, activated Quick Step, and flashed to the side.

He countered with a heavy slash—

But the Wolf King blocked with its paw, sparks bursting out.

Mike felt his arms vibrate from the impact.

"Man… you hit like a truck."

The Wolf King growled, flames swirling thicker around its body. It was getting stronger, not weaker.

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