The bandit leader cursed under his breath at the sight—but he still felt confident. Skill meant nothing against a three-rank power gap. Brute force crushes refined technique. With his lackeys backing him up, taking down Qin Yu was no problem. Under his command, the thugs swarmed Qin Yu from all sides.

As Luna hesitated whether to step in, Qin Yu shot her a silent look: *No need.*

“Is this guy getting cocky?” Luna muttered, unsure of his plan.

The bandits had already raised fortifications to block blood magic attacks while pelting them with ranged fire, splitting the battlefield.

“Milord needs help. I’m going in!” Shikari readied her lance to charge—but Luna stopped her.

“Not yet. He should handle it.”

Truth be told, Luna wasn’t certain. But if danger came, she could back him up instantly. Their duty was protecting the kids. Leveling with others was just messy.

“Your life pays for our brothers’!” the bandit leader roared. His men advanced cautiously this time, iron shields raised. No swordsmanship could shatter that wall in one strike.

Qin Yu plunged Bloodthorn into the earth. Crimson thorns sprouted rapidly, forming a defensive thicket—but defense was incidental. His true aim was offense.

“Earthrend!”

*Boom!*

Cracks spiderwebbed outward from the blade. The lackeys scrambled back, but the fissures caught them fast, hurling them skyward. Shields were useless against an upward strike.

“Only knocked them away? Guess my current strength can’t unleash this technique’s full power…” Qin Yu sighed inwardly. Without Bloodthorn’s orange-tier quality, a weaker weapon would’ve shattered long ago.

Watching the move, Shikari’s memory stirred—the Blacknight Sword Saint, one of the Four Sword Saints who wandered challenging all. He’d defeated Elysian Haven’s Golden Sword Saint with just three forms, forcing him into seclusion ever since.

“Could Milord be his disciple?” Like Nanafu, Shikari wondered.

The bandit leader, far stronger, barely staggered. How could someone so weak wield such exquisite swordsmanship? A hidden master’s closed-door disciple?

“No matter your skill,” the leader snarled, “today I’ll show you—before absolute power, your tricks are worthless!”

He swung his massive cleaver. The blow looked clumsy but carried terrifying speed and force. Qin Yu barely dodged with Shadow Step, closing in fast.

*Clang!*

Bloodthorn met steel. Qin Yu was outmatched in strength. He disengaged instantly, seeking another opening.

“He’s at a disadvantage. I’m helping!”

Before Luna could reply, Shikari charged the fortified bandit line. Stones flew—her lance swept horizontally, shattering every one.

“Wait, Shikari! Let me assist!”

Nanafu stepped forward: “Wind Blessing!”

Emerald light flashed beneath Shikari’s feet. Her movements turned lightning-fast—body lighter, speed and strikes amplified.

A stray stone startled the recklessly advancing Nanafu. Luna shielded her.

“I thought you were just a mascot.”

“Of course! I’m a fairy!” Nanafu, no bigger than a palm, planted her hands on her hips.

Shikari became a raging gale. Afterimages flickered—then cries of pain erupted. The lackeys stood no chance.

Locked with Qin Yu, the bandit leader’s face darkened. Over half his men were down. If he died today, he’d drag this bastard with him.

“Strength Amplification!”

Muscles bulged. His next strike would send Qin Yu flying.

“Come on. Unleash your strongest attack. I promise I won’t dodge.”

Pure provocation. The leader’s aura erupted.

“Raging Flame Slash!”

He leaped, cleaver aimed true.

Qin Yu gripped Bloodthorn. Thorns coiled from the guard. Eyes locked. Timing calculated.

*Boom!* *Ding!*

The ground cratered. Dust and debris swirled. Shikari lunged too late—heart pounding, hoping he was safe.

Through the haze, the bandit leader swayed… then collapsed. Only Qin Yu remained standing.

As dust settled, he stared at his trembling hands. *That Parry was a hair’s breadth from failure.*

Dying early in Fate Paradise wasn’t fatal—you respawned. Lost XP at low ranks was easily regained. But why die if you could live? That Perfect Defense-triggered Parry had slain a foe three ranks higher. At Rank 1, impossible. At Rank 2? Worth the risk.

Shikari dismantled the fortifications; the Blood Disciples purged the remaining thugs with blood magic. She approached Qin Yu, gently gripping his arm.

“Milord… that was far too dangerous.”

As his subject, she couldn’t bear failing her duty.

“Really? I’m perfectly fine.” His hands still trembled slightly—but negligible. He’d just snagged 500 XP from a Rank 5 leader. One more, and Rank 3 was his.

XP decayed sharply beyond a three-rank gap. This was a windfall.

*Parry.* The divine technique from his past life’s climax—the very move that felled Rank 9 and Rank 10 gods in his battle for divinity…