ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZabcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz0123456789
Sure enough, as soon as the tax collection delegation left, there was movement.
ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZabcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz0123456789
Under the cover of a dark, moonless night, a group slipped out of the lord’s castle.
ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZabcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz0123456789
They moved stealthily, but their trail was precisely captured by someone.
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Swish.
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A man emerged from the shadows.
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It was none other than Cordell McNeil, Black Agent of the Imperial Knights.
ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZabcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz0123456789
“Tch! How did he predict this again? His insight is beyond comprehension.”
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Duke Abel Carius’s exceptional abilities were already legendary.
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From businesses that exploded in success at his touch to his consistently brilliant rulings.
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It even made one wonder if the rumors were trueโthat he was a god.
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“Come to think of it, this was practically a prophecy, wasn’t it?”
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That once the tax delegation left, someone would try to move the hidden funds.
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Those were Duke Carius’s words.
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They’d assume Viscount Toby Acword would confess quickly under torture.
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It made perfect sense when you thought about it.
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But to predict that and immediately decide to leave the sceneโthat decisiveness.
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None of the leaders Cordell knew were this outstanding.
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“Whoa? I’m gonna lose them at this rate.”
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While briefly thinking of Abel Carius, the group had already vanished into the forest.
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Even though it was the frontier, teeming with monsters, their movements showed no hesitation.
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Which meant this was a path they’d frequented enough to prove it safe.
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Cordell McNeil swiftly tailed them.
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Soon, they reached a cliff hidden among the bushes.
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“Nothing here but natural scenery…”
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As Cordell’s mutter suggested, this was just a dense forest.
ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZabcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz0123456789
A place untouched by human feet, with an eerie atmosphere to boot. It wouldn’t be strange if undead monsters popped out.
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Yet the five figures in black robes vanished in an instant.
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They’d just been walking along the cliff, but it looked like they’d evaporated.
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“Whoa!”
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Even Cordell, skilled in espionage, couldn’t hide his shock.
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Their presence had been completely erased.
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But the bewilderment was fleeting.
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Whatever secret it was, he’d uncover it.
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Cordell McNeil scouted the cliff area.
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Then he noticed something odd.
ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZabcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz0123456789
“Oh? So that’s how they made the secret entrance.”
ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZabcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz0123456789
The trick was ingenious yet simple.
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A small hole covered by camouflage nettingโthat was the entrance.
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It slid inward like a cylindrical slide.
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The last person pulled a rope as they descended, covering the hole again.
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If he hadn’t seen them enter directly, it would have been extremely hard to spot.
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“Even if the netting was peeled back, it’d be tough to notice.”
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It’d look like a natural hole or an animal burrow.
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Without a moment’s hesitation, Cordell McNeil leaped in.
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He knew who they were and had found their hideoutโ no need to be cautious.
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From here, he’d just go in and crush them all…
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Slide! Thud!
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“Huh?”
ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZabcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz0123456789
Cordell, having slid all the way in, wore a dumb expression.
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The brightly lit interior was filled with dozens of burly men waiting.
ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZabcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz0123456789
All heavily armed.
ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZabcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz0123456789
“As expected, a rat followed. Who are you?”
ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZabcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz0123456789
“He’s gotta be from the tax delegation. I checked at the gate; they were one short.”
ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZabcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz0123456789
“Crush the spy quick. We gotta move the goods first.”
ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZabcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz0123456789
“Yeah, that’s the priority.”
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The clanking of armor grew closer by the second.
ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZabcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz0123456789
But Cordell McNeil’s face remained utterly calm.
ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZabcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz0123456789
No matter how elite they were, they couldn’t beat a knight trained in aura…
ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZabcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz0123456789
Humm!
ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZabcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz0123456789
Suddenly, blue streaks of light unfolded before his eyes.
ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZabcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz0123456789
“Huh? This wasn’t in the plan?”
ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZabcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz0123456789
The approaching ones were all emitting clear auras.
ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZabcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz0123456789
At that level, they’d rank mid-to-upper in any capital knight order.
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Over thirty of them, with no escape route?
ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZabcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz0123456789
In this tight space, victory seemed impossible.
ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZabcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz0123456789
Even for a Black Agent of the Imperial Knights, it was too disadvantageous.
ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZabcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz0123456789
But at that exact moment.
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Sliiiide!!
ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZabcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz0123456789
Someone came sliding down the cylindrical chute.
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A figure in a black jacket, landing dramatically.
ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZabcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz0123456789
It was Abel Carius, the mastermind of this operation.
ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZabcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz0123456789
“Ooh! Your Grace, these bastards raided the vault. Crush them quick!”
ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZabcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz0123456789
Cordell McNeil scampered over and quickly ratted out the enemies.
ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZabcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz0123456789
I glanced back and shook my head.
ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZabcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz0123456789
“Please act with some dignity. You’re with the Imperial Knights, after all.”
ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZabcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz0123456789
“Who cares? I’m not stationed at the palace. Besides, this is my true self.”
ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZabcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz0123456789
“Sigh!”
ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZabcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz0123456789
How he hid that personality to join the Imperial Knights was beyond me.
ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZabcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz0123456789
He was truly incomprehensible.
ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZabcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz0123456789
“The duke? So this guy’s the head of that delegation.”
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“Perfect timing. We can cut off the root entirely.”
ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZabcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz0123456789
“Did Toby Acword confess already?”
ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZabcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz0123456789
“We’ll find out tomorrow. If so, eliminate him too.”
ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZabcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz0123456789
They spat out terrifying words without hesitation.
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Not just obstructing a duke’s duties, but killing to silence?
ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZabcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz0123456789
What kind of lunatics were these?
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They must be going all out since their secret’s exposed.
ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZabcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz0123456789
Then I’d respond in kind.
ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZabcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz0123456789
Time to show my skills after so long?
ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZabcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz0123456789
Gripping the communication rod, a warm sensation climbed my arm.
ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZabcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz0123456789
ใBeast’s Heart Activationใ
ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZabcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz0123456789
Yes. This was it.
ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZabcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz0123456789
My blood boiled with frenzy.
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I was the second most important person in the empire after the Emperor.
ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZabcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz0123456789
Normally, I’d never get a chance at real combat.
ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZabcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz0123456789
And my position was Chief Justice, no less.
ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZabcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz0123456789
I couldn’t wield violence freely.
ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZabcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz0123456789
Just look at the Yates Marquis case.
ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZabcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz0123456789
But when the enemy clearly threatened, it was different.
ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZabcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz0123456789
Retribution must be firm. But always within bounds.
ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZabcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz0123456789
Beast’s Heart was a skill that turned one into a berserker instantly.
ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZabcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz0123456789
One slip, and I could lose reason.
ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZabcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz0123456789
After all I’d built, I’d never do something stupid like…
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Clang!
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“Oh?”
ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZabcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz0123456789
This wasn’t something to handle lightly.
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The sharp sensation in my grip.
ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZabcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz0123456789
I’d deflected four sword strikes at once, but the impact was greater than expected.
ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZabcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz0123456789
It’s not just the aura quality. Their fundamental skill is excellent.
ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZabcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz0123456789
There were such people sometimes.
ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZabcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz0123456789
Talented in aura sensitivity but lacking real battle experienceโhothouse flowers.
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Noble heirs with knight titles.
ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZabcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz0123456789
But these reeked of rough battlefields.
ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZabcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz0123456789
The way they swiftly regained balance after clashing with the rod said it all.
ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZabcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz0123456789
Footwork to dissipate impact. That’s not just from practice.
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Yet a question arose.
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Why were they raiding the lord’s assets?
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Marquis Yates wasn’t some middling noble.
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They’d get ample rewards without colluding with tax officials.
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“We’ll beat it out of them.”
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No need to overthinkโjust take them all down and interrogate.
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I tightened my grip on the rod.
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The crimson flames doubled in size, blazing fiercely.
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“Damn, it’s the northern berserker. He came himself? This is a headache.”
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Someone recognized me, grumbling.
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But the knights didn’t waver.
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They just steadied their stances, eyes gleaming.
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“Doesn’t matter whoโkill and erase. Operation start!”
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“Glory to Yates!”
ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZabcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz0123456789
They closed the distance instantly, slashing swiftly.
ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZabcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz0123456789
But the directions and speeds were unusual.
ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZabcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz0123456789
Attacking with time delays, targeting different spots.
ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZabcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz0123456789
This would make deflecting all tough.
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Aura-infused strikes carried heavy recoil.
ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZabcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz0123456789
Prioritizing dangerous ones would leave my body bloodied everywhere.
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“Heh!”
ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZabcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz0123456789
But I just smiled faintly.
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No intention of dodging.
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I could tank this bare-bodied.
ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZabcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz0123456789
ใExtreme Choice Activationใ
ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZabcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz0123456789
Humm!
ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZabcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz0123456789
A heavy vibration, and two options appeared.
ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZabcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz0123456789
Without hesitation, I picked one and dismissed the hologram.
ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZabcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz0123456789
Time to focus on battle.
ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZabcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz0123456789
ใChoice ‘Defense’ใ
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ใYou have entered ‘Water Punch’ state.ใ
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Bang! Bang! Bang!
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The skill activated, and a tremendous noise erupted.
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Like hammering iron plate madly.
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Seven slashes raked my body.
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Blue auras swept past, but not a scratch on me.
ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZabcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz0123456789
And moreโI extended my left hand to grab the last attack.
ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZabcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz0123456789
Crunch! Grind!
ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZabcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz0123456789
“Th-This!”
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The knight twisted his wrist desperately.
ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZabcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz0123456789
His face turned beet red, but the sword didn’t budge.
ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZabcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz0123456789
I gifted him a fresh shock.
ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZabcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz0123456789
Whooshโ!
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The rod smashed his temple, spinning his body in mid-air.
ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZabcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz0123456789
The limp knight didn’t twitch.
ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZabcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz0123456789
Knocked out in one blow.
ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZabcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz0123456789
As expected, this works.
ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZabcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz0123456789
Even with attack power halved, it wasn’t zero damage.
ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZabcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz0123456789
Abel Carius was inherently strong.
ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZabcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz0123456789
A precise strike always landed effectively.
ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZabcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz0123456789
“Don’t waver. Stick to training!”
ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZabcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz0123456789
“Yes!”
ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZabcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz0123456789
“He’ll fall eventually. Keep pressing!”
ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZabcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz0123456789
“Charge!”
ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZabcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz0123456789
One down futilely, but their morale held.
ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZabcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz0123456789
At the apparent commander’s shout, countless auras poured.
ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZabcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz0123456789
Another precise linked assault unfolded.
ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZabcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz0123456789
Bang! Bang! Bang!
ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZabcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz0123456789
Regardless, I trusted Extreme Choice and pushed forward.
ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZabcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz0123456789
But a movement pierced my sharpened senses.
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Clang!
ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZabcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz0123456789
Instinctively swung rod sparked brightly.
ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZabcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz0123456789
Ugh!
ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZabcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz0123456789
I nearly groaned.
ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZabcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz0123456789
The impact flowing up my arm was beyond imagination.
ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZabcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz0123456789
An aura of different caliberโdense and slightly dark.
ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZabcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz0123456789
Probably the commander’s strike.
ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZabcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz0123456789
He seemed skilled, so I’d take him first.
ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZabcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz0123456789
“Hmm?”
ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZabcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz0123456789
Clang! Clang!
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This time, strikes targeted the rod.
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Crushing the enemy’s weapon was battle basics.
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But now, I couldn’t.
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They’d realized attacking my body was pointless.
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So they’d disarm me first.
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I somehow deflected them all, but my grip throbbed like tearing.
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Thanks to boosted defense from Extreme Choice, I was fine, but at this rate, I’d drop the rod…
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Claaang! Whoosh!
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“Oh, damn.”
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Bad omens never missโthe situation turned tricky.
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The commander hid in his allies’ gaps, then struck suddenly.
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Blocking it, the rod flew far away.
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Even superhumanly strong, I couldn’t beat such experts bare-handed.
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“Hehehe! Finally got rid of that damn hammer.”
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“Now’s the chance. Finish him!”
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The knights charged with fire in their eyes.
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“Your Grace! I’ll handle this. Run!”
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Cordell McNeil stepped forward from the side.
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As a bodyguard, he meant to sacrifice himself.
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But that was wrong from the start.
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There was no space to run here anyway.
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Guess I’ll fight bare-handed… Huh?
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Raising my arms for a boxing stance, a fallen knight’s weapon caught my eye.
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A well-maintained greatsword.
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Not familiar, but better than nothing?
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The thought hit, and I leaped to grab it.
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But at that instant.
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ใCombat skill unlocked.ใ
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Lmao over 50 chapters and only now we unlock combat skill XD