Powerful people exuded a certain aura that was impossible to dismiss.

Perhaps it was because of his earlier nonchalance, but Gerard was finally noticing that about his opponent.

In his mind, he thought, ‘She’s strong!’

The depth of her strength was unknown to him, but it was still ridiculous to consider that he might lose.

However… Gerard was determined to see just how much she would be able to keep up with him.

‘No need to ask for her name or give her mine. Let us see what she can do first!’

>BOOOOOOOOMMMMM<

Like a flash of lightning, the Beast King lunged from his position.

His speed was both deafening and impossible for normal eyes to keep up with.

>VWOOOOOOOSSSSSSHHHHH<

Closing his distance with Serah, in midair, he flapped the large wings that had emerged from behind him and coated himself with immense energy.

‘Let’s see if you can handle this much!’

Brandishing his fist to form a heavy strike, Gerard threw out a punch in Serah’s direction. It was quick, precise, and extremely powerful.

However—

“How boring.”

>BOOOOOOOOMMMMM!!!<

Before he even reached her, an immense wave of crimson energy poured out. The pulse was so heavy that the Beast King himself was swept away by its pressure.

Despite his velocity and momentum, he was pushed back—unable to land a hit on her.

“If this is your full strength, then I’m sorely disappointed.”

Gerard felt the insult he just heard resonate deeply within him, along with the surprise that he couldn’t land a hit.

‘I was holding back, but still…’

It was at this point that the Beast King realized that he had been insulting his opponent. Since she was strong, it was best to fight with optimal strength.

“Very well. I’ll fight you with everything I have. But first, can you tell me your name?”

“Serah.” The red-haired woman shrugged at the question.

She didn’t even bother asking for his. It was like, to her, he was nothing more than The Beast King—an opponent she wanted to defeat.

‘Well, I suppose this is how things should be!’

“My name is Gerard, Beast King of my people. And so, with my life and pride on the line, I’ll be fighting you seriously.”

He felt like he was being too impatient, but Gerard somehow had an inclination that the woman before him could keep up.

If she couldn’t, then that would only mean her demise.

>VWUUUUUUUUUMMMMMMM<

The air vibrated as Gerard released the vast amount of Mana within him.

It was like the atmosphere was undulating as a result of the pressure, and even those who watched from beneath could only shiver in response.

The intensity of the emerging Mana surrounded the whole Beastfolk Kingdom. The savagery was enough to drive a person mad.

However, this was merely the start.

“I am a Rareborn. Unlike Hybrids that can access only two aspects of Beasts, I have the capacity to take in more qualities depending on how I cultivate my energy.”

His opponent could have taken this as a madman’s ramblings, but this was akin to a lady warning that he was giving the woman.

If she wanted to back off, now was the time. However, considering the fact that she had come to challenge him, Gerard doubted she would run.

No, he hoped she didn’t.

“At my current state, I have access to ten different Beast Traits.”

From the flying birds, to the strongest of land beasts, to even aquatic creatures filled with special properties, Gerard had honed his body to accept and culture various traits.

According to the history of the Beastfolk, he was the first to have attained such a status.

As a result, he was most likely the strongest Beast King to ever exist.

With the attribute of ten Beast Traits, Gerard was rapidly transforming himself as his energy swelled even more.

And now…

“Why don’t we begin round two?”

Sharp long ears, nine tails behind him, flaming skin, six wings, seven horns, stripes, and various tattoos on his body, and a much larger physique—Gerard was now in his Joint Transformation State: Phase 1.

By combining all ten attributes, he was able to attain a level no one could.

The ominous Mana swirling around him, as well as the immense power he still had locked inside him, was enough to drive anyone to the edge of insanity and back.

However, the woman did not back off.

“This is a state I hardly show, and no one has managed to survive it. I hope this will be enough for you to be satisfied.”

The woman only grinned more widely.

‘Is she mad?’ Gerard asked himself.

He was currently about 9 feet tall, having attributes of various Beasts.

Not only did he have access to all ten, but his Mana density was also enough to devastate anything around him.

Surely, she understood that she stood no chance in her current state.

“No… this is fine. I’ll handle it myself.” Gerard watched her murmur to herself.

It didn’t seem like she was speaking to anyone in particular, so the Beast King wondered if she had finally gone insane.

“Beast King… is this your peak?” Serah Crimson asked him out of the blue.

‘Is she mad?’

His current state was beyond frightening, and no one had ever bested him while he was in it. Even if he had another form, there was no way he would resort to that as it put a heavy strain on his body.

This much was more than enough for him to finish any opponent that challenged him.

“You are not worth using my peak on.” He answered frankly.

Her power was incredible, but this was a level that no one could attain—at least, not a human.

A full-powered blow of his could decimate the city beneath him. That was how strong this form was.

“I see. Oh, well, I’ve been patient enough…” The woman called Serah murmured, finally clashing both fists together.

Her Mana spiked to another degree, but it was still inferior to his.

Gerard didn’t see himself losing in the slightest.

The clouds around the city had already dispersed, and tremors filled the air. The Mana that was manifesting in this area was enough to tear apart any vestige of common sense.

“… I’ll just go ahead and enjoy myself.”

Something about what Serah said seemed dangerous, but Gerard ignored it.

‘An ignorant statement from an ignorant human!’

He prepared himself, ready to hit his opponent in a way that would minimize the damage done to his Kingdom.

If he could take the fight elsewhere—beyond the mountains—then he would be able to display even more of his superiority.

“Original Magic…” Words emanated from the woman’s lips.

>VRRROOOOOOOOOOMMMMMM!!!<

Gerard shivered, same as the entire atmosphere.

He suddenly felt confined—no, suppressed.

This was the first time he had such a feeling. As his body quivered, he finally noticed the menacing smile and bloodthirsty grin of the woman before him.

And the Mana that was manifesting—climbing at an incalculable rate?

It was… immeasurable.

“… INVINCIBLE!”