I Know the Secret to Surpass Level 100

Hansel's movements were swift and his strikes were powerful. He was able to injure Ed's knight which was made of aura and had no actual physical body.

The worst thing about his power was his attacks on the knight reflected on Ed. When Hansel creates cuts down the knight's body, Ed would feel the pain without having the wounds.

"Ed, are you alright?" Hope asked. He went to Ed to make sure the latter wasn't hurt. "What's happening?"

"I don't think the knight will help us defeat him," Ed returned his knight and covered himself with the aura. "Let's handle Hansel by ourselves. We know his powers, it wouldn't be hard to figure out a way to defeat him."

Ed wanted to make Hope feel comfortable, but the truth was that he didn't know what to do or how to defeat Hansel. It seemed like Hansel's abilities were flawless and they had no other choice but to use everything they have.

"We can't use them yet," Ed said. "If we do and we fail, it will open our weakest spot and Hansel will not hesitate to kill us when we're weak."

"So we defeat this Vassal without using Omniscience," Hope hummed, trying to pout and think about ways to improve his abilities. "I don't know how, but I'll try."

"Don't just try," Ed raised his sword, letting his aura flow from his body and into the blade. "Get stronger so we can reach Lance and Elliot. The three of us are way behind those two, and it will become a burden for them to keep us when we face stronger opponents. Do you want to get left behind, Hope?"

As if a spark ignited inside Hope, his aura flowed intensely. His eyes burned with passion and his body leaked with the power that he was keeping inside. "Then let's not use Omniscience until it's our last few breaths. This is do or die, and we have to do so we don't die."

"You lost me there, but yeah," Ed slashed his his sword forward, firing a powerful crescent-shaped strike that Hansel blocked with his disc. "We're just getting started."

Their fight started to become more intense. Although Hansel kept his calm and collected attitude, it was clear that he was struggling. His movements started to become sloppy and predictable, which was what Ed and Hope needed so they could defeat him.

Hope slashed his sword and slammed his shield simultaneously, his attack was seemingly blocked by his shield but Ed appeared right on time to use the vibrations on the shield to launch himself toward Hansel at a high speed.

"Take this!" Ed yelled as he spun, creating a small sphere with his sword and his body, like a spinning top. He was getting close to Hansel and the man did not dodge him. Instead, Hansel spun his disc faster and crashed his weapon with Ed, causing a surge of power to explode from the impact.

Several meters from their fight, Glory and Strong were on their knees. Gretel watched over them in disgust and disappointment. "I thought the two of you held much more power than this. It's a shame that I didn't get to have my expectations met."

The three of them were inside the giant blood orb that Gretel created using her blood. She was in control of all the blood inside and it was getting harder and harder for Glory and Strong to fight her. She could use the blood to block their attacks while also use them to attack like blades out of nowhere.

It was hard for them to detect the presence of the aura and where it comes from because Gretel's aura was everywhere. There was little to no difference in aura between her normal blood flowing around and the blood blades that she created and use to attack.

The blood was hard to block too because they reform into liquid and then form into solid again. The quick shift in the state of the blood was the hardest part and the two of the Vassals have the hardest time to block it.

Strong held his stomach as he felt the blood drip from his wounds. "This is pathetic. I'm in no condition to fight."

"I wish I never took that promotion," Glory yelled. "It seemed so tempting, and I wanted to go but here I am. This is pathetic."

"You two share the same gloomy despair," Gretel said. "I don't think you can match me, but at least entertain me with everything that you have."

"Heard that, Strong?" Glory chuckled. "This woman said to us everything we have when she's the one who is using everything that she has to hold us off."

"I really don't want to do it, Glory," Strong sighed. "But the earlier we get to defeat her, the earlier we can go back to Queen Malice."

"True," Glory said. "So, let's show her what we're really capable of."

The ground started to shake, making Gretel look down to check. She felt a powerful aura below her and narrowed her eyes. She growled and took back her blood orb and dodged the giant vines that grow from the ground. "What?"

Glory stretched her arms and giggled. "Fairies have powerful control over nature. You're blood, I'm nature. Let's see who's stronger."

Strong gripped his sword and slammed it through the ground. "Don't forget about me."

His body radiated with heat and it started to burst off steam. He was laughing and his sword glowed with a bright yellow light, wrapping around the blade as smaller teethed blades grow on the side. "It's blood versus the forest and the sun."

"Interesting," Gretel said, unfazed by the power that the two of them showcased. "I don't know if I should feel anything because I do not. I don't even feel intrigued."

"Then let's kill each other," Strong laughed. "B*tch!"

–

Ed swiped his sword to the side, slamming Hansel to the ground. He leaped and fired more attacks, slashing several more strikes and firing more attacks that it created a smoke out of dust from the continuous attacks.

"Were you able to defeat him?" Hope ran to where Ed was. "You went a little overboard."

"I did?" Ed raised his left brow. "I thought it was just the normal intensity that I use."

"Nope, you were definitely more intense."

The two of them laughed, but it immediately stopped when Hansel joined their laughter. The man appeared from the smoke and pat his body from the dust that covered his clothes.

"This is getting boring." Hansel stepped back after several minutes of fighting. He dropped his whip and stretched his body. "The two of you started to become stronger right after you had your little pep talk. It's not fair if I get defeated that easily."

"Then don't!" Hope yelled. "Show us how strong you really are and fight us like your life depended on it."

"Hope, please don't do that," Ed grimaced. "You'll get us killed."

The scales on Hope's body glowed with a bright grey color. "This is getting more exciting. I just wish I get to show off my true power."

"Don't use it yet," Ed said. "But prepare it. Hansel is getting serious and I don't think we can handle him with just our regular powers alone."

Hansel laughed as his body glowed with a dark green color. "It's time to play."