章 104: The Shrunken Shields

"Oh, fuck!" Liam muttered under his breath.

Liam, although far more experienced in virtual combat than Hobe, couldn't shake the unease that tinged the atmosphere.

Without hesitation, Hobe surged toward Liam. Simultaneously, as Hobe's pace increased, transforming into a sprint.

The iron baseball bat lying a few meters away responded to an invisible force, sliding back into his hand as if guided by an unseen magnetic pull.

Just as the baseball bat found its place within his grasp, he swiftly leaped and swung it. With an almost supernatural swiftness, he leaped into the air, orchestrating a seamless swing, the intent clear…

... to slash at Liam's neck.

"You'll never be able to hurt me, Hobe. It's better to stop this futile effort and realize." Liam spoke.

[pentagon shield: activated]

A defensive mechanism clicked into action.