Lucy steadied her breathing.
Her eyes were lasered on a single target, and with a sharp breath, she strengthened herself with one of her three Skills.
'[Battle Perception]'
As she had initially suspected, the man standing before her wasn't being labeled as a threat.
Her ability, [Battle Perception], measured the level of danger an individual posed. It also took Levels and Skills into consideration when making the deduction.
That was why it surprised the small red-haired girl that the Hero was registered as a mild threat to her.
No, in simple terms, it was better to say that he couldn't manage to hurt her no matter how hard he tried.
'Then why…?'
The more Lucy thought about it, the more confounded she became.
Was he weak? Was he strong? She had no idea what to expect, he was simply a mystery.
His confident demeanor and relaxed pose told her he wasn't expecting a challenge from her. It vexed her that someone who was calculated to be extremely weak in comparison to herself, was staring at her with such condescending eyes.
It made Lucy a bit nervous, causing her to suspect that he could indeed be stronger. After all, he should have been cowering in fear.
'Nonsense! There's no way!' She gritted her teeth, now more enraged than confused.
There was ultimately one way the redhead could clear her doubts. It was the very reason she chose to challenge him.
'I'll see for myself… just how strong you are!' With her mind made up, she sent herself dashing in the Hero's direction.
>BOOMWHOOSH!FWISH!WHISH!FWISH!SWISH!VWUUUSHHH!<
—None of her strikes could touch the opponent.
She was moving at a frightening pace—in fact, even a Level 30 individual who wasn't a warrior would have trouble evading her, not to talk of this weakling.
'So, how is he doing it? He doesn't even look fazed!'
More jeers arose from the crowd, directed at her. In the same vein, cheers and cries of awe were directed at the Hero.
That was when the red-haired girl finally snapped.
Lucy's body shook in vexation—pure fury replaced her sense of reason.
"You're so strong, uh? Fine then! You don't mind if I use my full power, do you?!" Her tone sounded a bit off to her ears, but Lucy ignored it.
"U-uh…" The Hero seemed to want to say something, but he never finished it.
His expression remained calm, and his eyes were watching her with such coolness.
Surely, he didn't think much of her ability 'Even after everything, he hasn't even made a single attack. Is he looking down on me so much?!' Gritting her teeth and glaring at the infuriating idiot, Lucy decided to use the other two Skills at her disposal.
"[Mana Strengthening]. [Flame Attribute]."
Instantly, bursts of flames appeared all over her as her body also glowed amber.
The girl's glowing skin and eyes, alongside the immense heat swirling around her body, showed just how serious she had gotten—how much more powerful she had become.
"How about now? Is this enough for you? Come on!" She cried out, taunting him.
Her blade had already been enveloped by the flames, and it was also swelling with Mana.
Lucy felt like she had broken from the shackles of her limits.
With her newfound power, surely she would finally be able to—!
"It's not too late to turn back now…" The Hero said, breaking into a soft smile.
Once again, he exuded an aura of confidence and supremacy.
And, he had just insulted Lucy, a warrior who was putting in all she had to emerge as the victor.
"… Too late…" She murmured, hardening her muscles and readying herself to lunge at the target.
Her animalistic eyes gazed upon the Hero before her.
"… It's too late now!"
And so, the girl decided right there and then… to truly fight with all she had.
"Here I goooo!!!"