My Power to Ignore Enemy Abilities Lets Me Rule Another World

"Your expression seems a bit tense, Dazney Enoch."

The taunting voice came from a girl with long, straight black hair, her tone laced with mockery.

Her demeanor and gaze were unmistakably that of a predator sizing up its prey.

I quickly drew the peculiar sword from my waist, assuming the most serious combat stance of my life.

Both my mind and body were stretched to their limits, prepared to react the moment she made a move.

Even if the odds of victory were slim, I refused to stand idle or retreat in cowardice.

Yet, even after waiting for what felt like an eternity, she made no further moves. She just stared at me, her lips curling into a faint smile.

It was a mocking smile, devoid of killing intent, as if she were merely enjoying the sight of a lamb awaiting slaughter.

"That short sword... So, you're the one who killed both 'The Curse' and 'The Nameless Assassin'?"

The cryptic words sent a chill through my palm gripping the sword—

—Wait. Where was the sword I had just been holding?

"Don't bother looking for it. The sword's over here~."

Somehow, the sword had ended up in her possession, and with a casual flick, she tossed it back at my feet. But I didn't pick it up.

It wasn't that I couldn't move or that fear rooted me in place. I simply believed that maintaining this non-hostile stance would better serve the situation.

There was no chance of winning. No hope of victory.

That was the undeniable truth.

Her reflexes, aura, and sheer power were all on a completely different level.

As much as I hated to admit it, fear—genuine fear—had taken hold of me because of her.

"Hmm... With you like this, I really don't know how to talk to you."

In an instant, she appeared by my side, her left hand gently resting atop my head.

"We'll meet again, little brother—"

"Don't touch him!!"

A figure wreathed in flames burst onto the scene, lunging forward with a fiery sword. Each thrust of the burning blade was ferocious, yet the girl effortlessly dodged every strike.

"Who are you?!"

That familiar shout—it was Shavonne!

I turned to look. Sure enough, it was her.

Her freshly braided hair, her flowing white locks whipping through the air as she fought, and her petite figure were unmistakable.

She'd already caught up to me?

"Oh? Did your girlfriend come to the rescue?"

"Who's his girlfriend?! I am the Supreme Commander of the Seventh Army of the Tiansai Empire, directly under the Seventh Divine General of the Empire...!"

"The Seventh Divine General? That would be that guy, Kriz, right?"

"Exactly!!"

Shavonne unleashed another barrage of attacks against the girl, but all of them were easily evaded.

"Enough. Let's save the conversation for next time. I only came to see who it was that killed so many of my comrades—I have no intention of fighting today."

With a swift kick, the girl sent Shavonne flying back and cast a meaningful glance my way.

"Well then, see you around~."

"Hey! Don't you dare run away!"

And then, the girl who had made me feel fear for the first time in my life vanished from sight.

She disappeared in an instant, leaving no trace.

It was finally over.

As much as I hated to admit it, I felt relieved the moment she left.

I couldn't possibly face someone like her right now. It was out of the question.

Yet, at the same time, a strange feeling took hold of me—a mixture of fear and excitement that I couldn't shake.

"The powerful existence I've been searching for, someone who could rival or even surpass me... So they really do exist..."

A grin began to creep across my face, uncontrollably.

Meeting that girl only strengthened my resolve to keep exploring this world.

She couldn't possibly be the strongest existence in this world. After all, as the saying goes, there's always a taller mountain—

"What are you even talking about?! You almost died just now, you idiot!"

"Oh... Right. Maybe."

Shavonne's sharp voice pulled me out of my excited state, and I quickly adjusted my expression back to calmness.

"I'm fine now. You're right."

"Are you sure you're okay? Do you need to rest here for a bit?"

"...How did you even find me here?"

"I searched every building in this village before finding you. You didn't think I knew where you were from the start, did you?"

"Oh... Sorry about that."

"...Why are you apologizing?"

So she'd already checked all the wooden houses I hadn't explored yet?

That would save me some trouble.

"No need to rest. Let's head straight to meet up with Avik."

"Are you really okay in your current state...?"