“Perfect… I need to fight someone. Who will it be?” Kai murmured as a faint smile formed on his face. Now then.

  In the end, the one with the highest level is Ivark… so Ivark will be my opponent, Kai thought while looking around until he found him.

  He was slightly away from the rest of the vilge, watching as the catgirls were building their own house instead of him. Kai walked toward him and cleared his throat.

  “Ivark, I need us to spar,” Kai said in a slightly serious tone.

  “Master… fight you?” Ivark said with a surprised expression.

  “Yes, Ivark, I need us to spar. I want to test my new abilities and you are the most suitable since you are the strongest.” Ivark’s expression shifted from curiosity to displeasure. Kai couldn’t tell if it was because of the fight itself or because the one he had to face was him.

  “Master, I don’t think that will be possible. I cannot… I feel disgusted by the thought of fighting you,” Ivark said with a concerned tone. I didn’t think an orc would have this many emotions for his master.

  “Then… I order you, Ivark. Even if you don’t want to fight, I need to test my abilities, and you are the strongest. Unless you want me to go find a dungeon where I know absolutely nothing about the dangers or monsters that may be inside,” Kai said, almost reciting a sermon.

  Around them, many catgirls were watching. Sira and Katherine began to approach to better see and hear what was happening. Kai shifted his gaze toward Sira and Katherine. Sira’s expression was almost ecstatic, possibly because of the battle she was about to witness, while Katherine’s was one of concern.

  “Master, then you will fight?” Sira said with a slight smile.

  “Yes, we will,” Kai replied. Until that moment after the sermon, Ivark had not said a single word about it.

  “But please be very careful when you do,” Katherine said, her concern growing more visible.

  “Master, I accept the challenge,” Ivark said in a determined tone. The displeasure on his face had disappeared completely.

  “Well then, Ivark, let’s fight.”

  Ivark slightly raised his hand. “Master, do you want me to hold back, or… use my full strength?”

  Kai held his gaze for a few seconds. If Ivark held back, the result would be meaningless. If he won easily against a weakened version of him, the catgirls would not see a dispy of strength… they would see a farce.

  But if he lost against Ivark without restrictions, the authority he had built since conquering the cn could crack in front of everyone. This was a test before the entire vilge.

  I need him to face me with everything he has. No monster or thief will show me compassion.

  “With your full strength, Ivark. It’s important that you truly do it,” Kai said while looking directly into Ivark’s eyes.

  Ivark slightly raised his hand before Kai could give the order.

  “Master… I believe it would be better if we move to a more distant area so we do not damage any houses.”

  Kai shifted his gaze to the sides. Several catgirls had stopped working and were observing from only a few meters away. Some tools were still lying on the ground beside the logs that had yet to be fixed.

  Here, they would damage the vilge.

  The space between the houses under construction was too limited to move without hitting something. If Ivark attacked with all his strength, there would be no way to avoid it.

  Katherine let out a slow breath beside him, her shoulders rexing slightly after hearing the suggestion.

  Several catgirls began to step back when Ivark took a step backward, opening a path toward the edge of the clearing.

  Kai nodded. “Alright… let’s go.” He turned without waiting for a response and began walking toward the open area beyond the trees.

  Ivark followed without saying anything as they moved through the trees. His steps were heavier, but steady. The sound of his footsteps on the damp earth did not change, always keeping the same distance behind him.

  Kai didn’t need to turn around to check.

  If Ivark lost against him without restrictions, there would be no doubt about who should lead.

  But if he was the one who fell…

  The path between the trunks was narrow, forcing them to walk in single file. Roots protruded from the ground in some pces, slightly slowing their pace without stopping them.

  Katherine walked behind, close enough to intervene if something went wrong. Her breathing was more irregur than usual. Sira, on the other hand, advanced with lighter steps, her attention fixed on Ivark as her ears moved with every crunch of the ground.

  Ivark had not spoken again since he accepted the challenge. Nor had he attempted to negotiate. He had simply obeyed.

  Kai knew how he struck. He knew how much strength he could exert even when holding back. Now there would be no restraint. If he hesitated in the first exchange, the fight would end before he could adapt.

  He could not afford to test his abilities. He had to use them correctly from the start.

  Kai observed the terrain before moving forward. There were no protruding roots or rocks that would limit his movement. The space was wide enough for Ivark to use all his strength without restrictions. There were no structures to absorb a direct blow either.

  Here, any mistake would be punished without room for recovery.

  When they reached the open ground, Kai shifted his weight onto his front leg. Ivark stopped a few steps away as they reached the center of the clearing. His feet settled on the damp earth as he adjusted the grip on his weapon, slightly separating his stance.

  Katherine and Sira stopped behind them, far enough not to interfere. The terrain offered no cover or obstacles.

  “Master… you can still order me to hold back,” Ivark said without looking away.

  Kai slightly shook his head while evaluating the distance between them. There was nothing to absorb a direct impact. If he hesitated in the first exchange, there would be no margin to correct.

  “If you do, it will be meaningless.”

  Ivark frowned. “I do not wish to harm you.”

  Katherine tensed slightly behind him. Sira did not take her eyes off the orc.

  “You won’t, if you don’t hesitate,” Kai replied.

  The orc remained silent for a few seconds before speaking again.

  “Then I will not hold back.”

  Kai held his gaze. “That’s what I expect.”

  Skill: Combat Step.