I loved battles of strategy—not the straightforward kind like chess, but the intricate, real-time clashes that unfolded in combat.0

Reading my opponent's intentions and concealing my own was thrilling. Each move we exchanged heightened the tension until, finally, victory brought an intense catharsis. This was why I preferred facing a skilled master over a mindless beast or monster.0

Yet, no matter how much I enjoyed a particular dish, I couldn't survive on it alone. Sometimes, I craved a different kind of fight—one devoid of strategy, raw and unrestrained. And that's exactly what I sought at this moment.0

Once again, I was locked in an all-out brawl with Hariba.0

Hariba was undeniably strong—superior in strength, speed, and physique. But I didn't dwell on that. I was accustomed to fighting opponents who outmatched me. An all-out battle didn't mean winning through brute force alone. If that...0