The girl didn't care what others thought. She desperately needed this money. Since she'd set her sights on this bear, she wouldn't give up.

Nora pulled out the axe from behind her back, poised to strike.

Qin Jun was fully aware of her every move. Even if the axe hit him, it wouldn't harm him at all. Instead, it would send the axe-wielding girl flying, dazed and confused.

He pretended to be bored with staying here and prepared to leave.

Nora wouldn't let Qin Jun escape. She raised her axe and swung it directly at him with a heavy slash. Descending mid-air, its power was immense. An ordinary giant bear would have been split in half instantly.

Qin Jun wasn't afraid of the move, but he didn't want to be hit for no reason. He sidestepped slightly to avoid her attack, then let out a soft growl. To him, it sounded quite cute.

But in Nora's eyes, that growl was a battle cry. She charged again, giant axe in hand. A whirlwind slash tore through the air with fierce gusts, as if Qin Jun's head would roll the next second. To her shock, the bear easily dodged once more, leaping ten meters away in a flash.

Nora realized this giant bear's strength was far beyond her reach. Yet she refused to accept it. Thinking of her debts, her courage surged. She ignored the gap in power.

Money really could drive a person mad.

Qin Jun watched as the girl cast a spell. Golden light radiated from her axe. It grew larger, shimmering gold. He grew curious. Isn't this like the Paladin's move from that old game, DNF? Interesting.

He decided to properly defend this strike. He owed the pretty girl some face. Bullying a beauty like her made him hesitate—though for a different kind of "bullying," he'd unleash his full strength.

The girl shouted, "Holy Light Strike!"

A colossal axe descended from the sky. Qin Jun paused briefly, then activated Giant Form to block it. Just for show. Even undefended, it wouldn't scratch him.

He instantly swelled in size, his fur hardening like stone. The Holy Light Strike dissipated harmlessly against his body.

Nora gasped. What level was this bear? She'd poured all her magic into that strike. Logically, even an opponent ten levels higher should've taken minor damage.

Yet this bear stood unharmed. How strong was he? She couldn't tell.

(The level of a Monstrous Beast rarely shows, unless yours vastly exceeds its.)

Her magic was nearly gone. She could barely cast small spells now. If her strongest move failed, the rest were useless. Better to live and fight another day. She prepared to flee.

Qin Jun wouldn't let her escape. He'd set his sights on this girl. If she ran, how could he flirt and execute his plan? Just as she turned to flee, a swift shadow pounced on her.

Nora thought: I'll probably die here today. Maybe I shouldn't have provoked this bear. But I need the money. My little brother is held by others. I must earn enough to redeem him, raise him to adulthood. After that, my life won't matter much.

Qin Jun didn't know her thoughts. He hadn't pounced to kill the pretty girl—he was here to take advantage.

He stuck out his tongue and licked Nora's cheek several times. It tasted sweet. Nice. He licked a few more times.