NOVPUBAlex and the Grayhounds' chief fought for nearly 20 minutes with neither person coming out on top.
Their clashes reverberated throughout the Grayhounds' compound, and many people had come to see what had happened.
At first, Alex found himself barely exceeding the chief in terms of strength, but as time went on and more people joined the array, the chief began to overpower Alex.
The chief was now slightly faster and stronger, creating situations where he nearly got Alex. But each time he thought he did, Alex managed to slip out of the way of the attack at the last second.
The chief may have been stronger than Alex physically, but Alex had a spiritual sense that allowed him to see where the attacks came from. The chief had no way of finding a blind spot in Alex's surroundings as there were none.
With the addition of more warriors from around the city, the chief became stronger once again, and this time Alex had to employ Sword Intent in his attacks to keep up with the intensity.
This was the first time that a single fighter, albeit empowered by an array with close to 300 people now, had managed to draw out anything but physical attacks. Alex couldn't believe he was pushed to this point.
As the battle continued, Alex learned what he could about the array, seeing how it helped improve the chief.
The chief seemed to grow relaxed as time went on, finding more and more freedom in his attacks. Since he was the stronger one, he didn't have to focus all of his attention on the fight.
His mind was finally free to go through the thoughts it had held back. As the images of his son flooded his mind, someone whose death he had still not fully processed, his anger made its way into his attack.
"You are no Extolite!" the chief shouted, swinging his spear from the side, slamming the blade onto Alex's side. Alex barely stopped the attack, using the momentum to spin around and prepare for the next one.
"And yet you dare to kill my son. MY SON!" the man screamed as he lunged for the stab.
Alex narrowed his eyes and took a step back, right outside the range of that stab. He struck the spear aside and lunged in with an attack.
"You will pay!" the man said, spinning around Alex's attack. The spear spun in his hand in the opposite direction, seemingly staying in the same location altogether. Then, he stabbed down toward Alex, his eyes wide in anger.
Alex looked into the eyes of the man who had lost his son, and saw him lost in his own anger.
Alex twisted his neck, letting the spear pass by him, barely grazing his skin. The sword flashed from the side, cutting through the man's extended arm, instantly chopping it off.
Hot blood sprayed on his face.
The sudden pain seemed to catch the chief off guard.
Alex spun the sword around and went for a stab, but the chief stepped back with an impossible speed, dodging his stab. He couldn't keep himself up, however, and fell, skidding along the ground before stopping right next to his people.
Painful wails filled the night as the chief of the Grayhounds cried. Many tears fell for his son, many more for his people. His own pain was none of his worries.
Alex wiped the blood on his face, wiping along with it all other dirt and grime as well. With Qi, it was clean at once.
People stared at him, a monster who could go toe to toe with their chief even with their formation, and saw his face. Even in the night, his pale skin stood out.
"D-Death!"
Only one person needed to speak those words before everyone else followed. Soon, panic filled the ranks as the people began to run away.
Alex looked at them and shook his head. Now that they had run off, there was no need for him to kill them. He turned toward the two—mother and daughter—behind him.
"Come, let us leave out of—"
BOOM!
A sudden explosive sound stopped Alex, and in that very moment, he sensed something entering his tiny area of spiritual sense. He spun instantly, swinging his sword against something strong.
The thing struck the side of his sword, leaving a resounding buzz on it that traveled up Alex's arm. It was so strong.
Eyes narrowed, Alex stared through the dust cloud to see who had arrived.
A middle-aged man slowly rolled back his whip.
"Stop running," another man spoke, an older person this time. "You are all safe."
Alex glanced toward him too. Seeing their countenance, he could tell they were much stronger.
"Extolite," Goyin spoke with hushed fear. "Those are Extolite?"
"Both of them?" Alex asked, eyes narrowing.
"There were 3. There was another person, much younger."
Alex glanced around, noticing a young man standing close by with no emotion on his face at all. 'The third one.'
"I do not believe I have met an Extolite like you. What is your name, young man?" the middle-aged man asked.
"Alex," he answered. "Who are you?"
"Jianyu of the Nightspines," the man said, smiling.
Alex slowly nodded, his expression unchanging.
The man raised an eyebrow. "You do not despair even upon hearing my name. You must have quite the confidence in your skills."
"I do, but the reason I don't fear you is much simpler. I don't know who you are."
The man paused for a second and burst out laughing. "You are funny," he said. "Then do you wish to find out?"
Alex could feel killing intent emanating from him. He could only wonder how many humans and beasts this man had to kill to have such a strong intent.
"I do not believe you belong to the Grayhounds. I don't see why we must fight," Alex said.
"But we do. I have been paid to fight along with them for at least 2 more days. So until then, I will fight all of Grayhounds' enemies."
Alex sighed. "Very well. If you wish to die, I will accommodate you."
