The headless knight's footsteps made the swamp water puddles shake violently. Every time those rusty gold boots stepped into the mud, the toxic water around them boiled and evaporated into incredibly thick purple smoke. The creaking sound of the worn-out armor scraping together sounded like the screams of tortured metal.Arthur gripped Finn's short sword tightly. The predator mode in his brain analyzed the enemy's posture at full speed. The system screen in front of his eyes blinked, providing brief data. Level 45. A thirty-five level difference from him. This was no longer about agility or muscle strength, this was a fight against walking death."Spread out, wtf," Arthur yelled, giving the command. "Do not stand in a straight line."The order came out just in time. The giant knight raised his massive sword covered in black moss and swung it horizontally.His speed made absolutely zero sense for armor that heavy.Arthur ducked until his face touched the mud. The wind from the sword sl

The air in the Swamp of Illusions suddenly dropped below freezing. Every time Commander Vael exhaled, a white icy fog came out of his mouth. The twin swords in his hands radiated a cold aura that froze the swamp puddles beneath his boots. Behind the Elf commander, dozens of Iron Assassins stood tall like soulless killing machines."You are truly a pathetic sight," Vael said in a highly condescending tone. His pale blue eyes stared at Kaelen. "A pureblood prince, protecting a magicless human and a filthy weasel. General Valerius will be very disappointed to see his nephew fall this low."Kaelen spat onto the freezing ground. The Elf prince twirled his two daggers in his hands."Your honor only goes as far as licking my uncle's boots, damn it," Kaelen replied with a cynical smile. "You think Valerius cares about you, wtf. As soon as Malakor fully rises, the Elf race will be the first slaves slaughtered. You are just an errand dog who doesn't realize his master is preparing poison.""Wat

The foul stench of stagnant sewer water immediately pierced their noses. Aethelgard might look like a shining city of gold from the top of the hill, but its underground was an actual dumping ground for shit.Arthur, Lyra, Kaelen, and Bramble walked along the edge of the pitch-black underground water canal. They wore traveler cloaks that covered their entire bodies and faces. The sound of cat-sized rats scurrying around looking for food could be heard in every corner.Arthur walked with a slow pace. Cold sweat occasionally dripped from his temples. His black system screen blinked with static in the corner of his vision.[Warning. Nerve Tissue Damage is still in the recovery phase.] [Physical Capacity Locked at 10 Percent. Time remaining 68 Hours.]"I hate this city, damn it," Arthur muttered quietly. He clutched his chest, which still felt sore. "The smell of shit in here is worse than that mutant dragon's breath yesterday, wtf.""Hold your breath, kid," replied Bramble, who was walki

The underground hallway suddenly felt as small as a coffin. The Blood Knight standing at the end of the hall did not make a single sound. No breathing could be heard. Only the sound of blood dripping from his red sword blade onto the stone floor.Arthur's black system screen blinked at a frantic, eye-hurting speed.[Warning. The enemy has a passive Blood Leech Aura.] [Your 10 Percent physical capacity is insufficient to perform evasive maneuvers.] [Death predicted in two strikes.]"Trash system, wtf," Arthur cursed quietly. He clutched his throbbing chest. His muscles felt like jelly.Lord Thorne, who had wet himself in fear earlier, now regained his arrogance. The fat man took cover behind the knight's broad back."Finish them all, assholes," Lord Thorne yelled with a high-pitched voice. "Especially the girl holding my compass box, wtf. Chop her body to pieces, damn it."The Blood Knight made his move.His speed made no sense for someone wearing thick steel plate armor. In the blink

Kaelen's boots stepped onto the black mud in the middle of the guard camp very calmly. Hundreds of long-barreled rifle muzzles and crossbows were aimed right at his face, chest, and legs. The Elf prince did not show the slightest bit of fear. He walked past the chained Sylverian civilians. Kaelen's eyes met the desperate eyes of his people, and that only made the arrogant smile on his face grow even wider.Captain Elian stood in the middle of the camp. Kaelen's former sword instructor crossed his arms over his chest. His silver armor reflected the light from the torches burning around them."Get on your knees, Kaelen, wtf," Elian ordered with a loud voice. "You are already a traitor to the kingdom. You killed my uncle's men in the Swamp of Illusions. Now you walk in here acting like some late hero, damn it. Get on your knees before I break both of your legs."Kaelen stopped exactly three meters in front of the captain. He spat on the ground and laughed condescendingly."You are tellin