"Haaaa-!"

Hazel let out a war cry and shot at the automaton at a faster speed.

Bang!

She crashed into it, her sword pressing tightly against its chest as it strained to push her back.

’That golden glow...’

From the sidelines, Kaiser noted the subtle improvement in her physical ability.

This was clearly a result of her awakened ability.

After a few seconds, the automaton successfully pushed her back, creating some distance between them.

Hazel’s eyes darkened, and she took quick steps forward, striking at the automaton from different angles.

It was a technique taught in the Pegasus Empire’s Imperial Army, aimed at overwhelming the opponent and forcing them into a defensive stance.

Unfortunately, that didn’t work on the level five automaton.

It confidently responded to every one of her attacks, and even delivered a decisive strike at her midsection.

Hazel immediately abandoned her attack, twisting her wrist painfully so she could use her sword to block the attack.

Clang!

She blocked, but the impact rattled her. Her wrist, which had been hurting, felt like it wanted to snap.

A pained groan escaped her lips, and she tumbled to the side.

"Ugh..."

Gripping her sword tightly, she suppressed the pain in her wrist and faced the automaton again.

The golden glow around her intensified, and there was a soothing warmth to her injured wrist.

Not surprised, her eyes scanned the automaton’s body for any weakness.

It felt like there was none.

She didn’t even have time to search for weak points. The automaton was already upon her.

A flurry of sword strikes descended on her like a cascade of lightning strikes—fast and deadly.

Hazel barely managed to defend herself, her hands moving chaotically as she struggled to block every attack.

It was impossible.

The sword grazed her breastplate, denting it. Another strike brushed against her waist, merely slicing through the armor.

For once, Hazel was glad that the armor wasn’t skin-tight.

Unfortunately, her gladness was short-lived.

The automaton broke through her defenses, its sword going right through her uninjured shoulder.

The blade exited from her back, covered in blood.

"Ahg..."

A pained yelp escaped her lips, and she immediately grabbed onto the automaton’s shoulder.

Ignoring the pain in her own shoulder, she drove her stone blade into its metallic gut.

There was a slight resistance, but her weapon still cut through.

Even then, the automaton was strong enough to stop her blade from completely skewering it. Her attack ended up being a deep stab.

Unfortunately for her, while she endured the pain of being stabbed, her opponent felt none.

’Curse it!’

Frustration mixed with agony boiled in her heart, and she tightened her grip on its shoulder.

Channeling essence into the nodes in her arm, she tapped into her affinity.

The air turned warmer, like someone was starting to cook with a hotplate.

The automaton sensed something wrong and looked at its shoulder.

The part she was holding had turned scalding hot, glowing red as the heat spread through the metal.

Although it couldn’t feel pain, damage to its body parts would bring about impairment to its fighting ability.

Sensing the machine’s unease, Hazel grinned.

Her grip tightened on the shoulder, and the metal plates began to bend under her force.

As all this happened, the golden glow around her body continued to intensify, fueling her with the strength she needed.

Her body ached and hurt, but it all seemed insignificant compared to destroying this level five automaton.

Pushing himself off the wall, Kaiser watched the struggle calmly.

’She has the will and determination, but... it’s still not enough.’

Raising its leg, the automaton hammered its knee into her stomach, then ruthlessly pulled out the sword stuck in her shoulder.

Blinded by pain, Hazel instinctively let go of the automaton and her sword, allowing it to escape.

It retreated a few steps back, then casually discarded her sword.

The stone blade bounced on the ground and slid far away.

Raising her head, Hazel glared at the machine. Although she was infuriated, she still remained sane.

’This level five automaton is really a great threat. I can’t...’

Her breath hitched, the pain in her shoulder and stomach spreading like echoes of an ancient sound.

Blood was pouring from the wound, but her passive Awakened regeneration had slowed the blood flow.

’It intentionally isolated my sword from me. I guess I have no choice but to use the other weapon, then.’

As she stretched her hand out, sparks ignited, and a weapon was seemingly woven out of nothing.

It was her battle-axe, shining and announcing its presence with a subtle pressure.

The automaton glanced at her new weapon, then shrugged. The movement wasn’t smooth because of its dented shoulder, but its opinion was conveyed.

’A different weapon won’t change the results.’

Hazel clicked her tongue, then attacked.

This time, there was no flashy move of a knight, or the rigid movements of a soldier.

Her attack was simple and barbaric—a wild swing.

Bang!

Her weapon slammed into the flat of the automaton’s blade, pushing the infuriating machine back by a few steps.

"Burn."

Her weapon suddenly combusted, igniting with flames that consumed the automaton, as if reflecting her desire to pulverize the machine.

Kaiser watched the bright display, his expression calm. Immediately after switching to the battle-axe, Hazel seemed more free, fighting with unrestrained vigor.

’Her weapon choice?’

It was possible. Perhaps, her mastery of the sword wasn’t intentional but forced.

’However, with the rate at she is consuming essence, her reserves would definitely go dry soon.’

Back to the confrontation between the human and the machine, the automaton slipped from under her attack, still wreathed in flames.

However, a pulse suddenly rippled from its body, and the flames were snuffed out.

Hazel paused, her eyes narrowing.

’It can do something else other than use strength and speed?’

The idea made her wary, and she prepared herself for any surprise.

The next moment, the automaton slashed at empty air.

Hazel’s eyes widened. That seemingly pointless movement... was familiar.

She had seen something similar during the course of the Special Evaluation.

Instinctively, she raised her battle-axe, turning the flat of the weapon to cover her torso.

A moment later, a heavy impact slammed into her, and a nasty cut appeared on her midsection.