A Pervert's World

"I don't understand.. who are you?" Floating mid-air, Lyod was baffled by the sudden aggression he was put through by this unknown woman in a veil. She had a lithe body that gave out her gender, however, the black veil completely hid her face. 

Lyod was an old guy. Whichever bad blood he had generated with his rivals, were all resolved thanks to time. Who in their right mind would appreciate enemies at his age? This is the reason why the old trainer could not fathom the identity of the woman. 

"It's better if you step aside, old bones. I need the boy. If you can hand him over, I shall let you live." The lady spoke in a very calm demeanor that concerned Lyod. At his age, most experts in this country knew of his name and fame. And yet, this unknown woman was so nonchalant about confronting him. This was a cause for worry. 

Regardless, Lyod's expression took a complete about turn when he saw the woman point behind him. Making sure the boy was safe, Lyod raised his brows. Ryu has quickly become his reverse scale. Even keeping his otherworldly talents aside which could one day be the only hope for humanity to survive, just the fact that Sophia was deeply in love with the boy meant Lyod can't possibly allow anyone to touch as much as a hair on Ryu's head. 

"So the capital has finally sniffed out the boy, is it?" Since the veiled woman refused to answer him, Lyod was forced to cast his own interpretation of the situation. Only experts from the capital of their country could remain so nonchalant about facing an experienced cultivator like him. 

The veiled woman narrowed her eyes, revealing a grim look. In fact, it was not a reaction to Lyod's words, rather she can see her target madly dash in one direction. It's obvious the old man opposite her must have tipped him off. "Then should I assume you really want to stand in my way?" 

Lyod casually watched Ryu and his companions rush into the thickets which would lead them much deeper into the forbidden northern forest. Having sensed the cultivation of his rival that matched him, he simply couldn't take any chances. 

If something was to happen to him, then the expansive forest cover with being Ryu's best bet to hide himself from this unknown expert. "Hahaha.. you know what old man? Just the fact that you asked the boy to run away.. tells me you aren't very confident in facing me." 

The woman in tightly knitted black clothes walked in the air, slowly approaching Lyod. Standing intimidated, the old master brushed the insult off. "Surviving numerous battlefields had taught me one thing... you should never underestimate your opponent. Because the time you did will be the time of your departure." There was a veiled threat hidden in his words, obviously warning the woman that he was willing to go to any extent to save the kid. 

"I don't understand, old man. The boy is not even related to you by blood.. then why do you want to give up your life to save him?" The woman in black was only a hundred meters away from Lyod's position. A very small distance when it came to a clash between the powerhouses. 

Yet, Lyod was left befuddled. For some strange reason the earlier coldness in her voice had subsided, giving way to genuine curiosity. It was like the lady was very much interested in seeing through his guts.

"Blood relations you say? Sorry but the way I am, I could never experience it in my life." A small amount of desertion made it out in Lyod's voice, however, it was quickly forced back by a suave smile on his face. "But it doesn't matter. If you were in my place, you would know that the time spent with your loved ones can develop a very strong attachment as well. While I am not sure if it's stronger or weaker than the blood relations you speak of, it's certainly worth saving with your life." 

Lyod recalled how much their lives had changed when Sophia occupied a position in it. No matter how many times he was asked, he would give up everything for the girl who he had raised as a daughter. After Paula's demise, his girl was only the closest kin to him. 

For the next few minutes, both experts stood their ground. Lyod was happy to delay their eventual clash as long as he possibly could, giving Ryu time to run away. As for his veiled attacker, she can't seem to make up her mind. 

Hidden behind the cover, Paula's gaze fluctuated. It was like she was able to identify with every word that was spoken by the man. And yet... there was no way these circumstances were going to unfold into anything unforeseen. 

"I respect your motivations, old man." She refrained from addressing Lyod as old bones, in a display of her regard for his conviction. "But I bound to take away the boy, no matter how many dead bodies I must trample over to reach him." 

Lyod had not expected his emotional appeal to working a charm on his attacker either, thus he was ready to accept the development. "Do your thing, lady. I simply have no wish to die just yet. Although I could not call myself a father ever, I must die as a grandfather at least. So not today..."

"Hahaha.. you are a funny man." Paula shut her eyes, forcibly suppressing her turbulent heart. The next time when she opened her eyelids, all her hesitation was gone.. replaced with murderous intent. 'I am proud to have you as a husband... Lyod.' 

Though said to herself, those words were Paula's final goodbye to a man she had called husband for the majority of her life. From here on out, he was only an opponent she need to demolish in order to complete her mission. 

*BAM* The air underneath Paula's feet exploded from the sheer strength her legs produced to propel herself toward the man. *Shudder* Her arms met Lyod's, generating a shockwave that ravaged the lands underneath. 

*Bang* *Bang* For a person standing on the ground, Lyod and Paula's fight might seem like a sophisticated version of a physical brawl. However, looking at the impact every punch or kick was causing beneath them, it will be obvious that they were relying on mana to generate an ungodly amount of power with every strike. 

Despite flying high up in the sky, the woodlands under the two experts and been destroyed completely even before a single minute could pass. The overturned topsoil and the gigantic uprooted trees spoke volumes of their power levels. 

"You aren't holding back, are you?" Although they came out even in the initial clash, Lyod knew both of them had only been testing the water up until now. "What if I am?" Not willing to stretch things out, Paula clapped her hands together ready to rely on her inherent mana ability. 

Lyod's body shuddered and he swiftly retreated. 'She is dangerous..' He thought while watching the woman's strength climb up steadily. Yet, it was her next set of actions that totally perplexed the old man. "This..." 

Earth was rising. No, on a second look, it was the soil that had been suspended in the air. Before Lyod could figure out anything, the soil particles swirled together and turned into a gigantic hand pushing in his direction. 

"Disperse..!" He might have been out of action for years now, but Lyod was a warrior who had tasted blood. His survival instincts kicked in and a single thrust of his palm met the earth pillar, totally wrecking it apart. 

"Sand manipulation?" Needless to say, Lyod had a very personal connection with such a type of magic casting. "Why do you have such an ability?" While hundreds or even thousands of persons could have the same core mana ability, it was indeed rare to find matching pairs at their level of cultivation. 

"Focus old man.. don't die before I had my fun!" Paula's gracefully raised her arm, causing another massive pillar hit Lyod from underneath. In a blink of an eye, the old man was engulfed in the sand and soil, completely seal away. 

*BOOOM* The silence didn't prevail long on the battlefield, a single punch of Lyod had torn open his sealed earth prison. "Are you mocking me?" Once the old man made his appearance, the gentle smile on his face had turned to obscurity, replaced by a menacing expression. 

"Why would I mock you?" Paula acted ignorant, while perfectly knowing why the old man was so unnerved in the first place. "That's enough... I must rip open that mask of yours and see for myself who you are exactly." 

Needless to say, the point that his wife could be alive never even crossed Lyod's mind. All he could tell was this person opposite him was deliberately using sand manipulation in order to scratch on his old wounds. If earlier this fight had been to protect his student, now the veiled person had made it personal. 

"Do as you please... Sand Shackles!!" Slowly the duo was reaching the epitome of their power. Hundreds of sand chains rushed at Lyod only to be punched into oblivion by him effortlessly. All the while he was moving ever closer to the woman in black. 

**Somewhere deep in the forest**

"I... I.. don't understand.. what is going on?" Itzel had been running for over ten minutes now and thanks to Ryu's egging them on, they had left behind the flat hill miles back. Yet, every so often, the ground under their feet would start to shake violently as those two experts were right on their heels. 

She hoped the boy holding her hand would answer, but he didn't. Ryu ran with a grim face with Jenny holding onto his chest for fear life. At the same time, the boy had held hands of Itzel and Courtney, effectively carrying the three of them to safety. 

Sensing the severity of the situation, Itzel decided to keep her mouth shut. Nevertheless, very soon the boy actually brought them to a halt. "All three of you need to hide here." 

Ryu had received a mental note from Lyod. The expert in black who had attacked them might be a person from the capital, sent over to capture him. While he had no flying idea how he had managed to pique the interest of the power centers in the capital, it was not the time to brood. 

Since the expert was after him, he must separate himself from Itzel and others. They were nothing but common villagers who might die an untimely death if they continued to tag along with him. Lyod's mental note was generated in all seriousness, explaining to him the gravity of the situation. 

"Quick.. get inside." Having found a huge tree, Ryu forced his three companions under its oversized roots. Unable to think for themselves, Itzel, Courtney, and Jenny were ruthlessly shoved under the roots. "Ryu... What about you?" 

From his actions, it was obvious Ryu was not planning to hide with them. Being the most mature out of the three, she can figure out the boy's intentions. He was planning to run off in a different direction, possibly to distract their assaulter. 

"That person is extremely dangerous. Don't come out from here unless I return to fetch you back." Saying this, Ryu had already brought his hands together. The enormous old tree sprouts to life, spreading out its roots in all directions, starting the seal the three ladies inside. 

Jenny was almost brought to the point of crying and Courtney too was not much better either, shaking uncontrollably from the earlier assault. This left only Itzel to show concern for the boy. "Ryu.." Unfortunately, she was coldly cut off by him. "And if I don't return in one day, tear open the tree from inside and start walking in this direction. You shall get back to the village."