It was a perfect encirclement. I was prepared to fall within a few exchanges, but they didn’t rush me all at once. A strained look twisted across the marquis’ grotesquely melting face. It was as if a fragment of his lingering self was forcing the others to hold back from attacking at once.0

The closest Leandro copy stepped forward alone. He brought down a worn blade with the ease of breathing. The sword was absurdly fast, without even whistling through the air. 0

I didn’t even have time to think of dodging. Gripping my hilt with both hands, I raised my sword high to block. One worn blade, one swing—yet it carried the weight to make the earth tremble. As if that weren’t enough, his massive horse moved with eerie grace, driving the blade with its full weight.0

Hihihing...!0

Despite my Rare-grade skeletal steed giving it all, it couldn’t help but stagger and buckle to one knee. I barely managed to calm it and retreat. Thankfully, the dripping marquis showed no signs of hostility, allowing me to pull back.1

Could I win this? After just one clash, doubt settled in. No, I couldn’t. That truth had already been decided from the start. There was...0