There was no need for words to start the match.

Enkrid and his opponent took their stances, and that was enough.

The woman raised her shield.

Enkrid assumed she would fight using a defensive style, relying on the synergy between her sword and shield. That was the typical approach for someone equipped this way.

His experience guided him to act. He took a step forward, aiming to secure a favorable position in the fight.

But as he moved forward with his sword raised, the shield loomed larger. It expanded, filling his vision in an instant.

“Damn.”

A curse surfaced in …