Cloud's comment about "high quality" reached Diana's ears loud and clear.
The Princess of the Amazons, Wonder Woman, had her beautiful face instantly frost over.
She had met countless heroes, kings, even gods.
But this was the first time she'd encountered such a frivolous man.
His gaze was too aggressive. It wasn't lust or greed.
It was something purer—like a hunter spotting prized prey, or a master artist discovering a flawless piece of raw jade. A blazing light filled with appreciation, curiosity, and a hint of wanting to "conquer and sculpt."
This gaze made even the confident, proud Diana feel a sense of being... offended.
"Insolent man!"
Diana's voice rang out, clear yet filled with unquestionable authority.
The Sword of Athena in her hand trembled slightly, and a sharp wave of sword energy instantly locked onto Cloud!
"State your name and origin!"
"Or leave your insolence forever on this beach!"
The Amazon warriors behind her simultaneously raised their spears and bows, killing intent radiating from them.
The very air on the beach seemed to freeze under this murderous atmosphere.
Yet facing this display that would make any army tremble—
Cloud smiled.
Not only was he not the slightest bit nervous, but the "appreciation" and "excitement" in his eyes grew even more intense.
"Oh? Angry?"
He took a step forward, completely ignoring the deadly weapons aimed at him.
"Not bad, not bad. You look much better angry than with that cold expression from before."
Like a tourist with a death wish, teasing a lioness, he continued pushing Diana's limits with his "suicidal" remarks.
"As for my name... Cloud. Just a passing tourist."
"My purpose here... mainly to see if this 'Paradise Island' of yours really has scenery as heavenly as they say."
As he spoke, his gaze once again brazenly roamed over Diana's perfect curves wrapped in her red and blue armor.
"Looking at it now, the scenery is indeed quite nice."
"You court death!"
Diana was finally, thoroughly enraged!
No more words!
She pushed off the ground, transforming into a red-and-blue blur like an arrow from a bow.
In an instant, she crossed dozens of meters and appeared before Cloud.
The Sword of Athena traced a brilliant silver arc through the air, carrying the force to cleave through anything, slashing viciously toward Cloud's neck!
This strike was a divine blade!
The sword of Hephaestus—capable of cutting through atoms, of slaying gods!
The Amazon warriors behind her wore excited smiles.
They could already see this arrogant man's head separating from his body in the next instant.
Natasha and Wanda let out startled cries!
Though they knew Cloud was strong, facing this strike like a descending deity, they couldn't help but feel their hearts clench!
Just as that god-slaying blade was about to touch Cloud's skin—
Cloud stepped back half a pace with incredible speed.
Then extended two fingers.
CLANG—!
A thunderous sound like metal striking stone!
Time seemed to freeze in that moment.
Everyone stared, dumbfounded, at what they saw—that sword capable of cutting through anything, that blade that had made countless gods and demons tremble...
Had been caught firmly between two ordinary-looking fingers!
The blade's tip was less than a centimeter from his neck.
The sharp sword energy made his black hair whip backward wildly.
But the sword could not advance another fraction of an inch!
"What?!"
Disbelief filled Diana's starlike beautiful eyes!
She could feel it—from those seemingly slender fingers came a force unlike anything she had ever encountered!
It wasn't divine power, wasn't magic, wasn't any energy she knew of.
It was a martial force that seemed to be one with heaven and earth!
"Good sword."
Cloud held the blade between his fingers, a smile of approval on his face.
"Pity the one wielding it has a disturbed heart."
His fingers gripping the blade suddenly vibrated!
A spiraling force, clever and precise, instantly traveled along the sword's length!
Diana felt an irresistible surge of power through the hilt, numbing her hands, nearly making her lose her grip!
She was forced back three large steps before barely steadying herself!
She looked at Cloud, her expression transformed.
No longer anger, no longer wariness.
But the rising battle spirit of a peak warrior encountering a worthy opponent—excitement mixed with exhilaration!
"You're strong!" Diana's voice became low and powerful. "You're no mortal!"
"Whether I'm mortal doesn't matter." Cloud loosened his muscles, bones cracking like popcorn, as if awakening a slumbering beast.
"What matters is, it's been a long time since anyone made me feel this urge—to have a proper fight."
Since becoming a "Sovereign," his opponents were either too weak or too strong.
Entities like Dormammu or Otoma=Raga could only be crushed with laws—no joy of fist meeting flesh.
And beings like the Chitauri were too weak to even serve as a warm-up.
But this woman was different.
She possessed a demigod's body, tremendous strength, and battle techniques refined through countless trials!
She was a perfect opponent!
"Come!" Cloud beckoned Diana with a finger, his smile both provocative and filled with warrior's mutual respect.
"Show me just how hard Amazon fists really are!"
"I will suppress all my divine powers."
"I'll face you with nothing but pure martial arts!"
"This is my highest respect—from one warrior to another!"
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