Alpha Squad 17 I

But Asher didn't move. He stood perfectly still, his hands in his pockets as the blade came hurtling toward him. At the last possible moment, he stepped aside, the axe missing him by inches and slamming into the ground.

The man growled and swung again, faster this time. Asher sidestepped effortlessly, his movements precise and calculated.

"Is that all?" Asher asked, his tone almost bored.

The man roared in frustration, pouring more mana into his weapon. The axe began to glow brighter, radiating an intense heat. He swung once more, this time unleashing a wave of fiery energy toward Asher.

This time, Asher moved. In a blur of motion, he was behind his opponent before the fire even reached him.

"Too slow," Asher said, his voice low. He raised his hand, and his blood-red scythe materialized out of thin air. In one fluid motion, he swung the weapon, stopping just short of the man's neck.