Dorion Dead?

The two locked eyes.

Dorion trembled, his breath uneven.

Onigi, in contrast, stood calm and composed, his expression unreadable.

Then—

He tilted his head slightly.

A silent observation.

If Dorion was this shaken… then the skill that allowed him to regenerate must be running out.

A realization settled in Onigi's gaze.

Dorion gulped.

Then...

BOOM!

Onigi vanished.

Dorion barely had time to react before the old man was upon him, his katana slicing down in a deadly arc.

Too fast!

Dorion's body moved on instinct, and then...

CLANG!

A sharp, metallic sound rang out—like a sword striking solid rock.

Onigi's hand throbbed from the impact.

His eyes narrowed.

What the?

His blade hadn't hit metal.

It had hit Dorion's blood.

Dorion had hardened it, forming an armor around the spot where the blade had struck.