They looked at Raylo. This young Lord didn't resemble one of those pot-bellied aristocrats. He was well-proportioned, but not particularly muscular; one might even call him a bit slight. Compared to the barbarian youths, who had grown up in the mountain forests, he didn't seem to possess an overwhelming advantage in strength.
After a brief silence, a barbarian youth—relatively small in stature but with a ferocious look in his eyes—was the first to step forward.
"I'll go!"
he rumbled.
Raylo signaled for the guards to step back, clearing an open space.
"Come on!"
He didn't even draw the sword at his waist.
This contemptuous attitude thoroughly enraged the barbarian youth.
He roared and lunged like a tiger unleashed, radiating an air of wild savagery. His massive fist flew straight for Raylo's face.
The punch was heavy and powerful, whistling through the air. Had it landed on an ordinary person, it would have shattered their bones on the spot.
However, Raylo didn't move an inch. Only when the gust from the punch brushed his face did he sidestep slightly. His right foot shot out like a phantom, lightly tripping the youth.
Simultaneously, he placed a hand on the youth's chest in a seemingly casual motion.
"THUD!"
The barbarian youth felt an irresistible force surge through him. He stumbled, then flew backward like a kite with a snapped string, landing heavily on the ground several meters away and kicking up a cloud of dust.
He struggled a few times, trying to get up, but felt a sharp pain in his chest and a sweet taste in his throat. He didn't even have the strength to stand.
One move!
In just a single move, a barbarian youth who looked quite formidable had been defeated with ease!
The looks of contempt on the faces of the remaining barbarian youths instantly vanished without a trace.
Only then did they realize that this young Human Lord before them was nowhere near as simple as he appeared.
"Next."
Raylo brushed the non-existent dust from his hands.
Ed stood guard at the side.
It was less like he was standing guard and more like he was watching a show.
Their Lord, who had already advanced to the rank of Official Knight, was essentially invincible in this fight. The only questions were whether he would use his Knight's Fighting Spirit, and how much.
The second...
The third...
The challengers who followed were much more cautious. They tried to rely on the innate strength and physique of the Barbarian Race to wear Raylo down.
But without exception, Raylo easily took them all down using what appeared to be simple fighting techniques.
The strength and physique they were so proud of seemed utterly useless against him.
Nine barbarian youths lay strewn across the clearing. Only Thor remained standing.
His expression was dangerously grim, his clenched fists trembling with the force of his grip.
He had witnessed with his own eyes how easily his companions had been defeated. It was done with such casual effort, as if Raylo were merely swatting away annoying flies.
'This human...'
'He's strong!'
'Ridiculously strong!'
Thor took a deep breath, his chest rising and falling slightly.
As the son of the Wild Bear Tribe's chieftain, he was born with the Earth Bear Bloodline, granting him boundless strength that far surpassed his peers.
This was also the reason he had been able to injure several of the slave traders' guards before.
He had originally thought that with his own Power, he might have a fighting chance.
But now, that hope seemed slim.
But the lure of freedom, combined with the pride ingrained in his bones as a barbarian, prevented him from backing down.
"ROAR!"
Thor let out a low roar, stomped hard on the ground, and shot toward Raylo like a cannonball.
Raylo's eyes narrowed.
'This Thor certainly has some skill.'
'His explosive power alone is already approaching the level of an Official Knight.'
Facing Thor's furious charge, Raylo didn't choose to dodge. Instead, he lowered his stance slightly, clenched his right fist, and met the charge with a punch of his own.
'Brute force against brute force.'
'Let's see just how powerful this Earth Bear Bloodline really is.'
"BAM!"
Thor felt a brutal Power transmit from the other's fist, nearly overwhelming his defense.
A tearing pain shot through his right arm. He staggered back seven or eight steps, each one leaving a deep imprint in the ground.
Gritting his teeth against the intense pain, he steadied himself. His gaze toward Raylo was filled with utter shock.
'He actually chose to meet me head-on!'
'And in terms of Power... he was even stronger than me!'
Raylo shook out his hand, his knuckles letting out a soft crack.
He had used his Knight's Fighting Spirit in that last punch. In a pure contest of physical Power, even as an Official Knight, he might not have been able to overpower this kid with the Earth Bear Bloodline so easily.
"Earth Bear Bloodline? Not bad."
Raylo remarked.
"A pity you haven't learned how to use it yet."
Thor clenched his jaw, his bloodshot eyes staring fixedly at Raylo, refusing to admit defeat.
According to the tribe's rules, only upon turning sixteen could one have a totem inscribed by a Shaman to awaken their inner bloodline power and embark on the path of cultivation.
He was fifteen this year, just three months shy of his sixteenth birthday.
He roared and charged again.
This time, he didn't charge in a straight line. Instead, he used more agile footwork, attempting to circle to Raylo's flank or get behind him.
But Raylo was faster.
No matter how Thor changed direction, Raylo shadowed his every move, always staying directly in front of him. With arms like iron pincers, he repeatedly blocked and neutralized Thor's heavy, powerful attacks.
To an observer, it looked as if Thor was on a frantic offensive while Raylo was passively defending.
But only Thor himself knew that his every attack was like striking an indestructible wall. Not only did he fail to harm his opponent in the slightest, but the rebounding force sent his blood churning and made his arms go numb.
"Good Power, but you're too slow, and your technique is too crude."
Raylo commented leisurely while blocking.
This posture, like a cat toying with a mouse, thoroughly enraged Thor.
He stopped abruptly, his eyes turning crimson. His muscles bulged, and a faint, earthy-yellow light flowed just beneath his skin. It was as if his entire body had swelled in size out of thin air.
"Bear—Charge!"
With a final, furious roar, Thor gathered all his Power into his shoulders and charged viciously at Raylo in a manner that was almost self-destructive!
Facing this all-or-nothing attack, a trace of appreciation flashed in Raylo's eyes, but his actions were merciless.
He took a step forward, his hand a blade, and chopped down on Thor's charging shoulder as fast as Lightning.
"THWACK!"
A sharp, piercing pain accompanied by a numbing sensation spread through his whole body. He felt himself go limp, unable to muster even a shred of strength.
With a THUD, he collapsed to his knees before Raylo, gasping for air. Sweat mixed with dust streamed down his young, defiant face.
'I lost...'
'Utterly defeated.'
'And so easily, so completely.'
The clearing fell silent.
All the barbarian youths stared blankly at Thor kneeling on the ground, then at Raylo, who stood with his hands clasped behind his back.
Fear, awe, confusion... a mix of complex emotions swirled in their eyes.
Raylo walked over to Thor and looked down at him.
"So, what is your choice?"
Thor raised his head, looked into Raylo's calm, deep eyes, and struggled for a moment before finally lowering his proud head. In a hoarse voice, he said, "We... lost."
He held out a trembling hand and dug his fingernails into his own palm, drawing a deep gash. Blood immediately welled up.
"I, Thor of the Barbarian Bear Tribe, hereby swear a blood oath and pledge my fealty to Lord Raylo! I will serve him faithfully for all my life. Should I break this vow, may my bloodline be severed and my soul fall into the Abyssal!"
Following Thor's oath, the other nine barbarian youths struggled to their feet. One by one, they followed his example, using the ancient ritual of the Barbarian Race to pledge their loyalty to Raylo.