Having a level six mastery into a weapon alone doesn't allow a person to cut mountains like him. One also needs to have sufficient body strength and sufficient energy for support. Only through the synergy of swordsmanship, bodily speed and strength, and high degu energy amount did it become possible for him to exert such lethality.

After all, the body is the foundation. Without a strong body, he won't be able to execute the hard movements that his swordsmanship needs, and he won't be fast enough to perform them. Nonetheless, having an immense skill helps, just like how a sword master with attainments to a sword could turn a wooden stick into a deadly weapon.

"I'm coming!" Gregory bellowed. Suddenly, the sand on the ground under his feet rose. Then it started to envelop his entire body without dead ends. In the end, it solidified and took the shape of armor.

DING!

[Earth Armor- Gives the user armor made of sand. A thick defense that can reduce the impact and damage to a large extent and protect the user's body.]

Fein heard a familiar sound in his ears after Gregory activated his ability. 'So that's the Earth Armor. Just like what I've guessed.'

'But that's not enough to get past my attacks.'historical

Fein took out a random sword in his storage space. After all, using his 'Abyssal Blade' in sparring is a bit underwhelming and huge disrespect to his sword. His word can only be used to kill an enemy!

Just like that, Gregory nimbly closed the distance between the two of them. He let out a hearty laugh and swung his axe at tricky angles.

"It's been a while since I saw your fighting style." Fein ducked and dodged without looking with ease as if he has third eyes all over his body. Even without him entering 'Chess Perception', his battle experience helped him shuttle through the attacks and anticipate his captain's weird trajectories.

"Good body movement." Gregory couldn't help but praise as he saw Fein's masterful micro-positioning. "I had to admit that you've really improved since the last time, in terms of footwork and evasion."

"This is the result of my hard work." Fein raised his sword's hilt and parried the axe that came on the right side of his face.

THUD!

Fein threw a kick to Gregory, but a wall of sand rose in the ground and block his kick with perfect timing.

The sand wall collapsed after the kick landed, and it turned into a cloud of dust that mixed in the sand after it dissipated. Gregory took a step back after his first few attacks failed. "Warm up is over. It's time to become serious."

Suddenly, Gregory's body started to swell. His originally frail physique changed to that of a bodybuilder. His muscles turned into bronze as if they contain tremendous power.

DING!

[Body Augmentation- Increased muscles strength significantly for a short period!]

'A buff skill.' Fein just stood there as he watched Gregory's transformation leisurely. 'Let's see the effect of this so-called augmentation. Probe!'

Name: Gregory Smith

Degu Amount: C

STR: B

AGI: B

END: B+

Skill: Axe Mastery lvl 6

Abilities: Earth Wall, Earth Armor, Body Augmentation, Avalanche...

'Hmmm... not bad!' Fein licked his mouth. With this, he doesn't have to worry that the battle would end with his one slash.

Gregory ran towards Fein, his calves propped out with his every step, and Fein can only see afterimages.

'It seems my reaction speed and visual acuity also dropped after I suppressed my degu energy and body attributes.'

What he considered slow when he was A-rank had become too fast to follow for his current state. 'It's been a while since I experience this feeling. It seems I became too strong.'

Before he could even finish his thoughts, Gregory instantly appeared before him. The only thing he knew was the sky turned upside down and his stomach felt painful.

Fein stood up while clutching his abdomen to ease the pain. "Damn cheater. I suppressed my strength to the same level as yours, only for you to increase your attributes to B-rank?"

"It's you who said that I can use my abilities. And this is my ability." Gregory smirked.

"Fair enough. It seems I shot my own foot." Fein sighed.

"How about increasing your attributes to B-rank so it would become fair?"

"Unnecessary." Fein patted the dust on his clothes. "I'm also done warming up!"

'Chess Perception!' The world around him turned into a chessboard, as his synapses started to work at a high speed. 'With this, I can close the gap between our speed even without increasing my body attributes.'

'Hmmm...' Gregory became solemn as he felt a subtle change in the air around Fein. But he can't really put a finger on it. 'Well, it doesn't matter.'

"I don't know what tricks you have on your sleeve. But I'm still a lot faster than you!" As he said this, Gregory appeared behind Fein, and his axe produced friction with the force he put into it. He didn't hesitate and infused fifty percent of his degu energy.

Fein, who was in the state of 'Chess Perception', noticed the slightest change in the air. All the hair on his skin stood up, as his instinct screamed and warned him of danger.

Just like that, he saw an axe that was thirty centimeters from his head. He could see it, his eyes could follow the trajectory of the attack, but his body was too slow to follow. His 'Chess Perception' only strengthens his perception and reaction speed, which helps him react to the attacks.

Yes, react but not respond. After all, it didn't increase his movement speed. If it was another person in his situation, they could only stand helplessly as the axe comes closer. But Fein was different. Because he has 'Ghecko Substitution' under his sleeves!

Under the astonished eyes of Gregory, his axe split Fein into two. 'What the fuck!?' he didn't know how to react as he thought Fein could dodge his attack due to his confidence earlier. Now, he realized what a mistake he just committed! Just as Gregory was about to despair at the unexpected accident...