"Whoosh!"

  As Alex unleashed his sword strike, the surrounding air pressure seemed to be swept up in that moment. His sword, Skybreaker, fshed, and a golden light shimmered on the bde, transf into a golden sword beam shooting straight at Stone.

  "Oh?"

  Seeing the strike, Stone's previously casual demeanor immediately vanished. He raised an eyebrow, gripped his two-handed sword tightly with both hands, and swung it down forcefully.

  The seemingly ordinary greatsword perfectly intercepted the ining golden beam. Stone's body trembled.

  "Boom!"

  The holy light-formed sword beam shattered instantly, and the massive explosion shook the ground around them.

  Damn, what a monster!

  Seeing Stone effortlessly block his attack, Alex cursed inwardly. He was using the Royal Cross Sword Teique, an evolved version of the Crusader Strike, enhanced by the Soulrend's proficy.

  Alex had started with Judgment, a on Padin move, but its power and form had ged signifitly with the "Royal Limited Edition" enha.

  Despite this, he hadn't expected Stoo react so quickly and block his surprise attack.

  But Alex had no time to dwell on the world's formidable strength. His body moved on instind battle experience. As Stone blocked the Judgment, Alex advanced, pointing his sword at Stone.

  Sword of Justice!

  "Boom!"

  A massive, radiant crimson sword of light erupted from the ground, shooting straight at Stohe ued move caught Stone off guard, but his battle-hardened instincts kicked in.

  He swiftly retracted his greatsword, blog the giant sword of light that had emerged from the ground.

  Meanwhile, Alex closed the distance, bringing Stohin his attack range!

  Raising his sword high, Alex swung it down forcefully at Stone. Skybreaker cut through the air with a fierce whistle, splitting the dust and debris before it, and surged towards Stone like a fsh of lightning.

  "Iing!"

  A smile appeared on Stone's face. Despite Alex's powerful strike, he had the posure to whistle.

  "e on! Show me your strength!"

  Before he finished speaking, Stone gripped his greatsword and swung it upward.

  For a moment, Alex thought his eyes were pying tricks. He had clearly seen Stone holding the greatsword horizontally in front of him, but in the blink of a seemed to have teleported, suddenly appearing in front of Alex, aiming straight at his chest.

  Where did that e from?!

  Startled, Alex reacted instinctively, altering his sword's trajectory to meet the ued thrust.

  "g!"

  The swords cshed, and the massive recoil sent Alex flying backward. He rolled on the ground, feeling a numbiion in his right hand from the forceful impact.

  But Alex didn't panic. The Crusader Strike was just a basiergy-gathering move. He felt the holy power surging and boiling within him, ready to be unleashed.

  "Whoosh!"

  The greatsword appeared before Alex again, moving so fast it was nearly invisible to the naked eye. Behind it loomed Stone's massive figure, a smug smile on his face. But the moment, Stone's expression ged dramatically.

  He saw the young man croug on the ground grip his sword tightly and swing it forward.

  Just a gentle swing.

  As Skybreaker swung, the sword light transformed into a massive, overwhelming wave, crashing towards Stone like a furious tide.

  "Oh?"

  "Whoosh!"

  Seeing the oning wave of light, Stone's expression ged slightly. He abruptly stopped, raising his greatsword, and an invisible whirlwied, g heavily with the light wave.

  "Sword of the Tempest!"

  Witnessing this, the elderly priest standing at the door turned pale. He khat Stone was one of the stro warriors in the region, renowned for his unparalleled storm swordsmanship.

  The wind symbolized freedom and wildness, as well as fearlessness. The fact that Stoed to one of his stro moves from the storm swordsmanship indicated that the young man had indeed pressured him.

  "Boom!"

  The wind and the wave collided forcefully, causing both fighters to stagger. Alex took three steps back, while Stone only retreated oep.

  As a seasoned Grand Knight, Stone seized this fleeting opportunity. Before Alex could recover from the impact, Stone's greatsword came whistling toward his neck.

  Feeling the cold edge of the sword, Alex shivered. He quickly raised his sword with both hands, preparing to block the strike.

  However, to his surprise, the force transmitted through the greatsword was not as strong as he had anticipated. It felt like cutting through a willow branch with full force.

  Not good!!

  An arm bell rang in Alex's mind. He wasn't sure why, but he knew something was wrong.

  All his strength was itted to tering the expected blow, and he couldn't pull back.

  At that moment, a fsh of silver light appeared on his left side as the greatsword silently thrust towards his body.

  No way to dodge this!!

  Gritting his teeth, Alex sidered using the Padin's Blessing to bee invincible. But within a fra of a sed, he dismissed the thought.

  This strike might pierce his body but wouldn't be fatal. There was o reveal his trump card.

  The ten-sed invincibility and escape teique adin's ultimate skill, not something to waste in a duel.

  Then, an ued event surprised both Alex and Stone.

  A radiant longsword suddenly appeared, intercepting the greatsword. Simultaneously, they heard the old priest's terrified cry.

  "Pray to the Goddess!"

  "What?"

  Stourned in surprise to see who had intervened in this trial. To his shock, it wasn't a human.

  An aood behind Alex, her beautiful and divine face framed by glowing wings.

  The holy light refleg off her pristine armor made her appear surrounded by divine radiance. She lifted her head, coldly staring at Stone, her sword shining with pure light.

  [Skybreaker (One-Handed Sword): Increases holy damage by 100%, enhances holy skill damage by 15%, and has a mon an ao fight for you in battle).]

  At that moment, Skybreaker in Alex's hand began to shine brilliantly. Previously, Alex had not activated its true power, so to the priest and Sto seemed like an ornate, hollow sword.

  It turns out, special effects are the best way to improve appearance.

  Brilliant light emerged from the hollow grooves in Skybreaker's hilt.

  Alex raised the sword without hesitation, and holy power coalesced around him, f several massive cross-shaped swords that spun and crashed towards Stone.

  Diviorm!

  "Boom!"

  The impact was so intehat the temple guards outside turheir heads in astonishment.

  If they didn't know Stone was ihey might have thought the temple was utack by cultists.

  Well, teically, it wasn't wrong.

  Stone leaped back, his greatsword shattered into pieces. He raised his hand, shouting loudly.

  "Stop! That's enough! I admit, you are strht now!"

  "...…"

  Hearing Stone's words, Alex couldn't help but twitch his eye. heless, he lowered his on.

  Couldn't you have chosen a less ominous line, Grand Knight?

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