I neither accepted nor declined the woman’s offer. I just walked into the room, and immediately, their eyes locked onto me with an intensity that was both unsettling and intimidating. The way they stared was deeply unnerving—almost palpable. None of them resembled the typical warriors or assassins I was used to. They radiated an aura of formidable skill and experience, a stark contrast to my own one-year tenure as a magic knight. I felt like a novice among seasoned veterans. I was still green compared to them.
“Uh, excuse me…” I said, my voice barely above a whisper as I lowered my head in a gesture of nervous respect.
In an instant, someone appeared right in front of me. It was the woman I had seen practicing her blade earlier. She was breathtakingly beautiful, with a voluptuous hourglass figure and ample breasts that accentuated her powerful presence. Her bobbed golden hair was striking, with red streaks woven through it, giving her a fierce and commanding look.
“You’re the one who might join us as a new member?” she asked.
“I-I haven’t decided yet…” I stammered.
“You haven’t decided?” she replied, raising an eyebrow. She scanned me up and down, sizing me up as if assessing my worth. “Well, I don’t quite understand why the Master wants you in the Shadows, so I’m going to test you.”
“Test me?” I asked, confusion clear in my voice.
“Exactly,” she said with a nod. “What’s your schtick?”
“Uh?”
“What’s your main weapon?”
“Uh, I usually use blades, and sometimes firearms,” I said, my voice trembling with uncertainty.
“Then use whatever you prefer,” she said, her grip tightening around her blade. She held it up with an air of readiness. “Now, choose who you want to fight.”
“Eh?”
“You can pick your opponent,” she said again, her tone clear and commanding. “Whoever suits your schtick.”
I was utterly bewildered. The abruptness of the situation left me disoriented. One moment I was just trying to figure things out, and the next, I was expected to face off against these intimidating figures?
But the way she was sizing me up, as if I were just a piece of meat, made it clear I couldn’t refuse. I had no choice but to accept the challenge. With my hands shaking, I pointed to one of them.
The person I chose wore circular glasses and carried a shield. The shield marked her as either a tank or a vanguard—typically someone with strong defensive skills or a warrior if paired with a sword. I wasn’t sure I could take her down, but I had to at least give it a shot.
“Juliette it is, then.”
I wasn’t brimming with confidence, but I had no choice but to try.
I moved over to the weapon rack and selected two blades. These weapons were surprisingly impressive. They felt perfectly balanced in my grip—light yet solid, with razor-sharp edges that glinted menacingly in the light. The craftsmanship was exceptional; the metal gleamed with a high-quality finish that spoke of expert forging. Who had created these? I couldn’t imagine even the most skilled swordsmith achieving such refinement.
“Nice choice,” she said, her voice carrying a note of approval. “Those were crafted by our own people, loyal to the Master. Handle them with respect.”
So these blades were made by the very same group that supported Leonamon. This revelation hit me hard. It underscored just how formidable Leonamon truly was, not just in economic and industrial might, but in firepower and defensive strength. Leonamon wasn’t merely a corporation, a massive enterprise, or even a powerful company. It was something far beyond what I had initially envisioned—an unstoppable force.
I swallowed hard and turned to face my opponent. She was big-breasted, her ample chest so exaggerated it almost seemed unfair. But those large breasts might actually work in my favor. Typically, such proportions could significantly reduce agility and, in some cases, even slow down attack speed. That meant I had a potential advantage. I couldn’t help but feel a bitter edge of satisfaction that my more modest build might give me an edge over her, despite how her busty figure seemed almost more than words could describe.
“Now then…” she said, her tone steady. “Are you both ready?”
I swallowed again, steeling myself. I wasn’t really ready, but what choice did I have? I gave her a nod.
The woman I was up against nodded in return, her breasts bouncing and swaying in sync with her movement.
“Then…” the golden-haired woman said, her voice slicing through the tension as she raised her hand and brought it down decisively. “Fight!”
I shot forward, propelled by my incredible speed, a talent I was certain few others could match. Like a flash of lightning, I darted behind her, aiming to strike with the blunt edge of my blade. My intention was not to harm her, but to test her defenses.
But just as I was about to land the blow, I felt a jarring impact slam into me.
What?!
In a heartbeat, I was sprawled on the ground, my face pressed against the cold floor. The force of the strike was disorienting, and I had no clue where it had come from. The woman, meanwhile, stood motionless in the exact spot where she had begun, her expression unchanged and her posture unwavering.
“T-That isn’t fair!” I shouted at the golden-haired woman. “Y-You can’t help her!”
“Huh?” the golden-haired woman replied, looking genuinely confused. “But we didn’t.”
“Huh? B-But…”
As I stared at her, I suddenly noticed something crucial.
“It’s just that unfair of a competition,” she continued, her tone almost matter-of-fact. “A fast fighter against a tanky one. Even the most skilled couldn’t penetrate an impenetrable tank.”
I saw now that ten shields were floating around her in mid-air.
“Her skill allows her to multiply the items she’s holding and levitate them around her like an extra set of arms. Her ability also strengthens the material tenfold, making those shields ten times harder. Like Lady Gabrielle, she’s an impenetrable tank.”
