Ryu shrugs his shoulders.

"Is this really alright? I won't hold back when brushing away the sparks that fall on me. Are you ready to die?"

Ryu emanates a strong killing intent, causing Shin to flinch.

Unbeknownst to Shin, Ryu is already gripping the magical sword, Fragarach.

Before Shin could speak, the five men started talking.

"You're too confident," said Beli. "Are you sure you're ready?"

"You'd be greatly mistaken if you think we're just like the other weaklings you've faced," said Rai.

"You seem to have some skill, but you've picked the wrong opponents," added Gou.

"We are called the 'Five Swords' among the Five Black Stars, you've surely heard of us?" boasted Boe.

"No, I haven't," replied Ryu. "I've never heard of them. You're not really that famous, are you?"

"Humph, a newbie like you, not knowing about the rumors of a dark organization is understandable," said Fug. "But that means you'd be wise to stay quiet. It's common for arrogant newbies with a little bit of skill to learn the hard way."

"The way you fought, it seems the story about you crushing the Four Night Butterflies isn't false, but you'd regret thinking we are like those weaklings," said Rai.

"You're talking too much," Ryu said impatiently. "If you want to fight, just do it!"

"Hmph, you fool! Just take him out!" commanded Shin.

"I don't need your orders!" Beli retorted.

The Five Swords looked momentarily disgusted by Shin's condescending order, but quickly regained their composure and prepared to face Ryu.

The five men attacked Ryu, but the results were not so different from before. Those who attacked him were simply sent flying to the floor the moment they struck.

However, this time there was a difference: Ryu was wielding a sword.

The men who were punched were not dismembered, but the Five Swords, who attacked with their swords, had all their limbs cut off and scattered on the floor.

The Five Swords, confident in their skills, had charged at Ryu with their swords, but they were no match for the speed of Ryu's blade. They were utterly helpless.

"No... no...!" screamed Fug in disbelief.

"S-Shin! Quickly, treat us! The potions!" cried Beli.

"What a pain," complained Shin. "You were all so arrogant, yet you were instantly killed! You should've just kneeled down!"

"Sorry, we'll apologize later," begged Boe. "Hurry... It's still not too late to heal!"

"There's no way the enemy will give you time for that!" snapped Shin.

"No, I don't mind," Ryu said. "I'll wait for you to heal."

"Hurry..." Fug pleaded.

Reluctantly, Shin slowly pulled out a potion from his bag and began to treat them. However, even after applying all the potions and giving them to the wounded men, there was no sign of healing.

"Shin... please, stop being mean and use the real potions!" begged Beli.

"These are real, dammit!" shouted Shin. "What's going on? They aren't healing!"

"Oh, I forgot to mention," said Ryu. "This sword has a healing-inhibiting ability. The wounds inflicted by this sword cannot be healed by potions or healing magic."

"What... the..." said the Five Swords in unison.

The Five Swords, upon hearing this, had despair etched on their faces. They then fainted one by one from blood loss.

Now only Shin remained.

Ryu slowly approached him, while Shin retreated.

Shin reached into his pocket and pulled something out, throwing it at Ryu.

A spray of liquid flew towards Ryu.

Shin had attempted to throw a poisonous liquid at him.

But Ryu, using his Divine Eye to read minds, knew what Shin was trying to do.

The liquid that flew through the air turned into a purple smoke, but Ryu was already teleporting behind Shin.

"How's this?!"

Ryu patted Shin on the shoulder from behind as he tried to check the results of his attack.

"Aaahhhhhhh!"

Shin, realizing Ryu was behind him, turned around in surprise. He rushed at Ryu with his sword, but just like the Five Swords, his limbs were severed and he fell to the ground.

Ryu had a habit of fighting while adjusting his strength to match his opponents.

Even with his restraint, he would overwhelm human opponents, so he constantly worried about how to adjust his power appropriately.

He could actually use space-time magic to kill everyone without them even realizing they were killed.

However, that would leave them with no time to regret their actions. While he sometimes showed mercy, it was necessary for him to allow his enemies a time for reflection and remorse.

That's why he chose to cut off their limbs instead of beheading them, sending them tumbling to the ground.

Moreover, Fragarach, his magical sword, had a healing-inhibiting ability. Even those who possessed healing magic could not cure their wounds.

The severed limbs would eventually lead to their death from blood loss, but they would have time to reflect on their actions.

Their remaining time was short, but Ryu did not harbor a deep hatred towards Shin and the others, so he did not want to prolong their suffering.

They had been warned repeatedly, yet they still attacked him, so it was their own fault.

Furthermore, they had attempted to kill him. He had no intention of forgiving them.

Ryu left Shin and the Five Swords lying in the dungeon.

In time, the bodies would be absorbed by the dungeon and disappear.

As for the survivors who had attacked him with their bare hands, he teleported them back to the slums. He warned them that if they interfered with him again, he would kill them. He hoped this would deter the Five Black Stars from taking any further action against him.

But, as expected, his hope would soon be crushed.

— — — — — — — — — —

To be continued

What did I say? Keep your hands off me!

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