The sound of stepping back resounded as Ryuk took three steps backward, losing the exchange.
But in the next instant, a kick pierced out suddenly and with speed toward Morgaine's chest.
She, trying to press on her advantage, crossed her hands quickly, taking the heavy kick head-on. The impact sent her sliding on the ground for a few meters backward.
"Interesting. You might be weak, but you are a bit good at fighting," Morgaine said with a smirk as Ryuk's eyes narrowed into tiny slits.
"A bit good at fighting!?" he repeated.
In the next instant, Ryuk's hands raised both clenched fist to his face, and he took a single step forward, appearing before Morgaine with incredible speed.
The air shook as Ryuk's right fist tore forward, only to be dodged by Morgaine, who shifted to the side.
However, Ryuk withdrew his fist, crouched down, and then slammed a punch straight into her stomach, fully lifting Morgaine off her feet and flinging her away.
'What the hell...' Morgaine wondered, landing crouched on the ground.
But instantly, she ducked her head just in time to avoid a kick weaving mere inches from her nose, a strike belonging to none other than Ryuk.
A powerful leg sweep forced Ryuk to jump into the air to dodge the quick attack.
Coming down, his leg raised high, he slammed down with a kick once more toward Morgaine.
She crossed both hands to block.
The floor beneath Morgaine shook fiercely as she bore the full force of Ryuk's kick on her arms.
Gritting her teeth, a rush of strength surged into her hands as she fiercely pushed back on Ryuk's foot, sending him into the air. The boy rolled twice before gently landing back on his feet.
Immediately, Ryuk felt the rustling in the air as he unconsciously shifted his head to the side, narrowly avoiding Morgaine's palm strike.
He withdrew both arms to his face before raising his elbow and slashing it down like a sword toward Morgaine's shoulder.
The elbow slash failed as Morgaine reacted fast enough to sidestep it. She retaliated with a second palm smash, which Ryuk dodged, countering quickly in return.
For the next few seconds, the air was filled with the violent pulsing of waves as palm strikes and elbow slashes weaved through the air with blinding speed. Ryuk found himself on the back foot as Morgaine's palm strikes dominated the space. They weaved dangerously close to his face, carving lines into his skin while he barely regenerated fast enough to block them.
'Her attack speed increases with every strike, even though there's no actual increase in strength. And her eyes are glowing so powerfully.'
"A skill, huh?" Ryuk called out. A smirk appeared on Morgaine's face, causing her concentration to break for a single second. Ryuk weaved through the palm strikes, taking one to his stomach and using the force to propel himself away, creating some distance.
Instead of pursuing him quickly, Morgaine stopped and looked at Ryuk before raising a hand and swiping her neck.
A quiet hum escaped Ryuk's lips as he raised a hand to his neck, feeling the deep line that oozed blood and showed no signs of stopping.
'At the last second, her attack had been so fast I couldn't even see her lash my neck with her palm. If I had remained for three more seconds, I'd have five of these lines carved on different parts of my body.
'Her activated skill seems to speed up every attack while imbuing them with energy that slows my regeneration.'
'But I could have slowed her attacks with my Frost Veil. The mist should've been enough for me to withdraw safely or even counterattack during her moment of confusion.
'If this were a real fight, I could counter her skill...' Ryuk thought, keeping a poker face as he slowly withdrew from his battle position, collapsing on one knee and coughing powerfully.
"Finally out of gas?" Morgaine asked, looking at Ryuk, who coughed up a few drops of blood. His eyes opened wide in shock.
"My skill doesn't just boost my attack speed; it also increases my attack power the longer the battle drags on, while making every motion of mine as sharp as a slashing sword. That last attack you took with your stomach to create space should've created a cut on your internal organs," she said as Ryuk coughed for another second before rising to his feet.
The system notification flashed, reminding him of his drained state. He bowed slightly to Morgaine.
"Thanks for the spar, Morgaine," Ryuk said.
Morgaine shrugged. "Anytime."
Ryuk nodded before turning and heading toward the exit. By his estimate, he had been here for around five hours now.
Right now, he felt his quest had been achieved. He had seen the combat ability of the Fallen and witnessed the power of Morgaine, as well as her skill. If he were ever to come across her in the future, his awareness of her skill should help him avoid surprises.
Most importantly, she didn't know about Ryuk's skill, Frost Veil. He had deliberately kept it a secret, choosing to take the full brunt of her attacks rather than activate it.
If he wanted to win against the Fallen Family's genius, he knew he would need an element of surprise during future battles.
This was the sole reason he refrained from using Frost Veil unless absolutely necessary.
[Now might be the perfect time for Host to use the Cultivation Manual and acquire some Ice Apex Energy of his own...] The system notification appeared the next instant Ryuk stepped out and he nodded his head.
He had acquired the Cultivation Manual that he ought to use to harness Apex energy. Now was the best time to check it out.
He could already see the effect of possessing Apex Energy from his spar with Morgaine.
Her body itself was weak, yet she has no trouble sending Ryuk retreating with a punch mainly because of her hands were fully covered in Apex energy and enhancing their primal power.
Ryuk too wanted that.
Would his punching power increases if he coats his hands in Ice Apex energy too?
That would only be known after his Cultivation session.
"I know the perfect place. The Cultivation Area..."