CHAPTER 999: CHAPTER 152 - THE RABBITMAN TRIBE (4)

"You really are underestimating me, aren’t you?" Tilde said sharply, her crimson eyes narrowing into slits as she glared at me with a fierce expression. The tone of her voice carried both anger and disappointment, and I could tell from that look alone that I’d pissed her off just by holding back.

It wasn’t like I was underestimating her—not even close. She was strong, skillful, and far from the frail image most people had of her kind. In fact, I admired her. The way she fought, the determination in her strikes, and the raw power behind her movements—she had trained herself into becoming something remarkable. For someone from a race often seen as weak and timid, she stood out like fire in the dark. She was fast—too fast—and her technique, while a little rough around the edges, was impressive. If she’d received proper combat training, she could’ve been an unstoppable fighter, a valuable asset not only to her people but to me as well.

I wanted her—no, I wanted them. The rabbitmen. If they could be molded, sharpened into warriors, they’d be a deadly force standing beside me in my conquest of this world. But to make that happen, I needed her trust first. I needed her to see me not as an enemy, but as someone she could rely on.

And to do that... I had to beat her here and now.

"I’m not underestimating you at all," I said firmly. "In fact, I’ve been analyzing you carefully. Why do you think I haven’t gone all out yet?"

Her ears twitched, suspicion flickering in her eyes. "So you’re saying you’ve been analyzing my movement this whole time?"

"Yup," I replied casually, letting out a small grin. "But I think I’ll get serious now."

***

Tilde’s POV

Analyzing my movements? So he wasn’t just standing there like an idiot while I was attacking him? He wasn’t mocking me or underestimating me? What the hell was he planning?

I had thought this man was all talk—someone who hid behind others while pretending to be capable. But seeing him now, that assumption was crumbling fast. There was something dangerous about him... something that made my instincts scream.

And then—he was gone.

One blink. That’s all it took. That was the only thing I did, and he was gone.

What—? Where did he go? My eyes darted around frantically. My ears, trained to catch even the softest rustle of wind, couldn’t pick up a thing. There was no sound, no movement—nothing. He didn’t even move from his spot; he just vanished. It was like watching a mirage disappear before my very eyes, like seeing reality tear itself apart for a brief moment.

Then—a chill ran up my spine.

Behind me.

"You...! W-When the—?!" I gasped, spinning around instinctively.

He was there, right behind me, his blade—or what was left of it—pressed against my weapon. Even though his sword had been shattered earlier, leaving only a broken hilt and a fragment of metal, it still gleamed with a faint, eerie glow. I could feel the pressure of it, a cold sensation that crawled through me like a whisper of death.

It wasn’t just speed. It was something else—something terrifying.

"It seems like even with your big ears, you still can’t catch me, huh?" he said, his tone calm, almost teasing, before he withdrew his hand and stepped back.

But I wasn’t done yet. The moment he pulled away, I swung my blade again, pouring everything I had into that strike. Yet before my attack could even connect—a golden shimmer

burst between us. My sword collided against it, sending sparks flying, but it didn’t break.

"W-What is this?" I hissed, pressing harder.

He smirked faintly. "Hmm. I wonder."

"Kuh... You’re pissing me off!" I snarled, slashing again, but he dodged effortlessly this time—sliding out of range with inhuman grace. I chased after him, my heart pounding, my frustration building with every failed attempt. I dashed, spun, leapt—anything to land a hit—but no matter what I did, he was faster. Too fast.

What the fuck was with this man? There was no way he was human. Every movement he made was precise, calculated, impossible. I could feel it in my bones—a primal fear creeping up my spine, warning me that I was facing something far beyond me. Every fiber of my being screamed to run. But I couldn’t—not when my pride was on the line.

Still... deep down, I knew.

I couldn’t win. Not now. Maybe not ever.

He wasn’t just strong—he was untouchable. I couldn’t see a single opening, couldn’t imagine a future where I could possibly defeat him. It was like trying to catch a shadow, or fight against the wind itself. No matter how much strength I poured in, no matter how fast I moved—it wasn’t enough.

My blade kept striking, but every single attack was dodged, deflected, or parried without effort.

"Raaaaaaaahhhhh!" I roared, my voice tearing through the air as I lunged again, slashing wildly in desperation. The sound echoed through the trees, raw and filled with fury—but it didn’t matter. He was already gone before I could even touch him.

And then, in one swift movement, he countered. His broken blade hooked beneath mine, twisting upward with a precise flick of his wrist. Clang! My sword flew from my hands, spinning through the air before crashing into the dirt several meters away.

My knees hit the ground, my breath ragged. The reality of it sank in—I had been utterly defeated.

"You’re pretty powerful," he said, his voice calm yet commanding. "But unfortunately, you just had the bad luck of challenging me."

He tossed the broken hilt aside and then extended his hand toward me. I stared at it, confused, unsure of what he was doing. But then I realized—he was offering to help me up.

I hesitated for a moment, pride warring with exhaustion, before finally reaching out. My fingers brushed his palm—and then, instead of taking his help...

I tried to pull him down.