Awakened Talent: 10,000 Exp Converter!

Barbara hurled her fist straight at Vincent's face.

Bang!

A deafening thunderclap echoed throughout the area.

"Barbara!" Aldo cried out in alarm.

However, the wide grin on Barbara's face slowly faded, replaced by a look of utter shock.

Her powerful fist—something she had always taken pride in—had been effortlessly caught by Vincent's hand.

It wasn't just the fact that he had blocked her punch. If he had been from a race renowned for their physical strength, she wouldn't have been surprised. But humans? Among all the races, humans were one of the physically weakest.

Even so, despite her shock, she was a warrior. Gritting her teeth, she let out a low grunt and tried to pull her fist back—but it was clamped in Vincent's grip like a vice!

Her expression darkened into a deep frown. With a growl, a powerful aura burst out from her body, revealing her Tier 2 (1★) strength.

A fierce wind whipped around her as her wild, fiery hair danced in the air. Strength surged through her arms, muscles tightening as she prepared to retaliate.

Yet, Vincent remained unfazed. He had already scanned everyone's level, so her strength came as no surprise. However, he hadn't expected to encounter a barbarian at this stage—especially since they were incredibly rare in the Novice Continent.

"Haaah!"

Barbara gritted her teeth and yanked her hand back with full force. This time, she succeeded, regaining her balance. The brief victory boosted her confidence, momentarily pushing aside her initial shock.

She didn't waste time.

Barbara immediately launched a flurry of punches!

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Each strike was like a hammer, heavy and relentless, but every single one was intercepted. Vincent's arms were like steel, blocking her attacks with effortless precision.

Barbara's bafflement deepened. How could a human possess such a monstrous physique?

But she didn't waver. Her confidence as a warrior remained intact. She swiftly retreated and shouted,

"Four-eyes! Stop standing there and support me!"

Several feet away, Warren, the bespectacled young man, frowned in irritation.

"How many times do I have to tell you to stop calling me that?" he snapped, pushing up his glasses with his middle finger. He then exhaled and continued, "You better not lose."

As soon as he finished speaking, a wooden staff—gnarled and ancient-looking—materialized in his hand. He held it in front of him and began chanting in an unfamiliar language.

A jade-green light, the same shade as his bowl-cut hair, pulsed around him before cascading down onto Barbara.

"Oldwood Blessing."

Barbara's body immediately reacted to the skill. A surge of power coursed through her veins, her muscles growing even firmer.

Skill: Oldwood Blessing Explore more at My Virtual Library Empire

Effects:

+15% Physical Attack and Defense

+10% Movement and Attack Speed

+10% Stamina Recovery Rate

Duration: 2 minutes

Cooldown: 3 minutes

Barbara clenched her fists, grinning. "Nice, Four-eyes!"

"Stop calling me that!" Warren barked, exasperated.

But Barbara was too focused to care.

Fueled by the newfound strength, she lunged at Vincent once again.

Aldo, who had been watching in stunned silence, finally snapped out of his daze. His face paled.

What the hell are you two doing?! he screamed internally. But it was already too late—Barbara was locked in combat with Vincent once more.

Bang! Bang!

Every time their fists clashed, the resulting shockwaves blasted wind outward, rattling the surroundings.

Two minutes passed in an instant. As the effects of Oldwood Blessing faded, Barbara staggered back, panting heavily.

"Haah… Haah… Tsk! That guy is tough!" she muttered, frustration seeping into her voice.

Aldo nearly choked on air when he heard her words.

Tough?! he thought incredulously. That guy has been playing with you this entire time!

"Barbara—"

But before Aldo could warn her, Barbara cut him off.

"I won't admit defeat! You'll have to kill me first before you take Sir Cooper!"

Aldo's face twisted in horror. "Wait, Barbara—!"

She ignored him.

Once again, she charged at Vincent, fists swinging.

And once again, Vincent blocked each and every punch with ease.

He silently assessed her.

Barbara's physical strength was indeed impressive—far greater than that of the average Tier 2 Origin Warrior. However, a Tier 2 warrior was no longer a threat to him.

Even early-stage Tier 3 warriors struggled against him.

If he wanted, he could end this fight in an instant.

Yet, he held back.

She intrigued him.

So he let her attacks continue, solely defending, without counterattacking.

Standing a few feet away, Clauny observed the battle with calm, sharp eyes. She wasn't worried. Even from a single glance, she could tell Vincent wasn't taking this seriously.

Besides, if he had come here to cause trouble, he wouldn't have let the Crimson-Winged Condors remain passive.

Barbara's movements gradually slowed. She panted, her body trembling from exhaustion.

Vincent noticed this immediately.

"Stop it," he said, voice even and firm. "You can't defeat me."

However, Barbara misinterpreted his words as an insult.

Her face twisted with rage. "Grrr… I—I'm not done yet! I'm a proud warrior of the Fist Tribe!"

As soon as she declared those words, something inside her changed.

A crimson aura—thick and ominous—began leaking from her body.

Her breathing grew ragged.

Her muscles bulged.

Her fangs elongated.

Aldo, watching from the sidelines, froze in confusion.

What… What's happening?

Not only him—everyone who had been wary or afraid of Vincent was now looking at Barbara with growing unease.

"Grraaaa…!"

Her ruby eyes darkened into a deep, menacing crimson.

Her strength exploded, jumping from Tier 2 (1★) to Tier 2 (3★) in mere moments.

Vincent's brows lifted slightly.

He hadn't expected her power to surge two whole stages.

Now, he was genuinely intrigued.

What kind of technique is this?

Barbara's face contorted into something inhuman.

Her claws protruded.

She let out a guttural growl. "Kill… Kill… Kill!"

With unnatural speed, she lunged at Vincent.

This time, her attacks changed—she no longer punched.

She slashed.

Slash!

Vincent's instincts flared.

He didn't dare take the attack head-on with bare skin.

With a flicker of thought, Impervious Silver Armor coated his fists.

Clang!

The sound of metal clashing against claws rang out.

Barbara's maddened eyes gleamed. "Hahaha! Die, human! Kill! Kill!"

She was beyond reason.

Her power had definitely increased—but Vincent remained unfazed.

Suddenly, Barbara roared, "Strong Fist!"

Vincent raised a brow.

What a crude name for a technique.

But—

Bang!

Vincent wasn't caught off guard, but he instinctively felt the need to defend with both arms. And just as he expected, the moment her fist collided with his guard, a powerful force surged through his arms, forcing him to take a single step back!

This surprised him.

His Force attribute was at 60 points!

A Tier 3 Origin Warrior was required to have that level of strength! Yet Barbara, a Tier 2 Barbarian, had actually managed to push him back?!

Instead of being frustrated, Vincent felt a grin stretch across his face.

His battle-hungry nature was flaring up again.

Without hesitation, he deactivated the Impervious Silver Armor's effect.

"You want a fight? I'll give you a fight."