"Try harder, then," Emilio challenged.

That provocation was immediately met as the mighty satyr tossed his hoof against the ground, causing an eruption of wooden spikes to thrust through the soil straight towards the human. Using his quick reflexes, Emilio jumped back, being forced to flip into the air as larger spikes attempted to skewer him in quick succession.

"Too slow."

–Amidst dodging the series of spikes, he found himself outmaneuvered in the air as the satyr appeared right beside him, taking him by surprise with the sudden burst of speed. Before he could raise his guard, the satyr's fist slammed straight against his ribs, commanding enough force behind it to blow him back through a series of trees. historical

Slamming through the trunks of a few tall cedar, he caught himself, flipping onto his feet as the soles of his boots slid across the slick grass.

"Ra!" Ciel let out a worried noise.

Emilio breathed out, feeling his ribs bruising up immediately from the blow, "I know–I just didn't expect him to use the spikes as a diversion like that."

"You didn't?"

Right beside him, he found the satyr towering over him, standing there as if he was always there, yet the man was certain the figure wasn't there just a moment prior. As he looked up at the protector of nature who stood head-and-shoulders above him, he found himself on the receiving end of a loathsome gaze.

'--This is the real deal. This is a "demi-god", not just some normal fighter. Should I try fleeing and finding the others? What if I lead this guy straight to them by doing that? I haven't used my system yet, but I doubt he's been trying at all either–would I be able to win?' Emilio questioned.

All of those thoughts seized as the hoof of the satyr suddenly propelled against his stomach, feeling it press against his internal organs, almost as if the sturdy hoof was about to break straight through his skin.

"Pyuh–!"

He spit out before being launched back through another tree by the casual kick by the satyr, who still held an unimpressed, bored look with his arms folded over his chest. As he sat on his hands and knees, gasping out as he coughed out saliva onto the soil beneath him, the imprint of the kick felt like a brand against his stomach.

'--Hurts. Hurts real bad,' he thought, discombobulated, 'It's different. This kind of strength–it reminds me of Dread–so much power, but it's not due to reinforcement. It's his innate strength–the body of a demi-god.'

Holding his abdomen, it felt as though it was on fire after receiving the potent kick from the satyr, though the regenerative blood through his veins mitigated the pain quickly.

"I have defended this island for a dozen centuries. In that time, only a handful of men have reached the temple to meet the World Spirits," Perdiccas explained, "Do you get it now? Do you believe you're a one-in-a-century talent? More than that?"

Rather than responding with words, the Dragonheart chose action instead as he kicked his legs up to jump to his feet just as obsidian scales began to stretch around his body, forming an armor around him. A tail sprouted from behind him before what would've been wings morphed into a cape of azure flames, descending upon his back like illustrious fabric.

BA-DUMP. BA-DUMP. BA-DUMP.

Perdicass seemed mildly intrigued by the change being undergone, "...Hm."

[Dragonheart System Activated]

[Current Stage: 5/10 | Dragon Sentinel]

As soon as the power flowed through his limbs, he burst forward with a single kick off of the ground, reaching the satyr within a second before slamming his fist against his abdomen.

["Dragon Strike"]

The force caused a rumble through the ground as the towering satyr leaned over, seeming troubled by the attack.

"Unfortunate for you," Perdiccas spoke, standing up again as he revealed no pain worn on his expression.

Though his fist was pressed against the rock-solid abdominal region of the satyr, Emilio found that the figure hadn't budged in the slightest–there was no bruising, let alone any damage done.

'How..?' He thought.

Perdiccas spread his arms out, "You're welcome to try again."

Taking him up on that offer, he unleashed a barrage of blows–punching and kicking, all while utilizing "Dragon Strike" to land each attack on the satyr's odd boy.

Nothing.

None of the attacks budged the figure or left any marks, only leaving the satyr in the exact same position. It was beyond reason; he knew well that his unrestrained blows in the fifth stage were enough to completely pulverize steel, easily.

"It's hopeless. You see, while I stand upon the soil of this island, I am impervious, just as this land," Perdiccas told him, "You cannot harm me. Nature and myself are one."

As if proving his status as the guardian of the land, the satyr moved his hands, causing the trees to move and the grass to sway and grow; flowers bloomed and glistened as nature awakened at the figure's call.

Without missing a beat, Emilio set out to test the arrogant satyr as he held both hands forward, unleashing a pinpoint stream of azure fire that condensed into a beam of extraordinary heat.

["Dragonheart: Flash Fire"]

After the stream of fire, the satyr stood there, unmarked by the flames as he placed his hands on his sides with unmatched confidence, "As I said–oh."

To the surprise of the satyr, the man was already gone. Perdiccas closed his eyes, listening closely to the murmurs of nature around him before opening his eyes.

'He's not hiding nearby. He fled entirely–using that attack as a diversion. Not bad, human,' Perdiccas thought.

—

He had been running for a few minutes, gaining distance with his enhanced speed to escape the guardian of the island.

After rushing through the mystical garden, Emilio jumped over low-hanging branches before sliding down a hill, ending up in an entirely different region of the island before coming to a stop.

Where he found himself was a region of jagged trees, which bore no leaves; each tree was colossal, interconnected by a community of branches that were occupied by enormous nests.

"...Phew.." He breathed out, "That's a demi-god for you."