Chapter 42：End of The First Round (1/2)

Yurirl looked at the tower's final boss, the Death Knight, wearing an armor that gleamed dangerously under the blue sky since the final battle was on top of the tower. The Death Knight unsheathed his black sword, stepping toward the intruder.

”Come.” Yurirl's ability activated, and his mana surged. He was sick and tired of this trial, taking so much time while only being the first. His mana stuck to his sword as he felt the tension rise in the air.

It was time to end this.

The Death Knight disappeared, appearing in front of Yurirl in an instant. It was clearly the work of a skill, but his ability saw right through it and his sword was already at the Death Knight's neck before it arrived.

A clinging sound was heard and blood was shed. Yurirl's strike has bent the knight's armor, but the knight has also made a strike of his own. Blocking its sword, however, was Yurirl's arm that was now covered with golden scales as a small rivulet of blood made its way downward.

The battle took a momentary pause before the two attacked again, and again, and again. Sword lights flew everywhere as the two engaged in a life or death battle, where they sacrificed flesh to get the bones.

Their speed was increasing by the second and only afterimages were left. It was then that Yurirl used his skill. As the two swords came in contact, light condensed as a huge explosion sent the Death Knight flying backward.

”This shall be the end,” Riddled with injuries now, Yurirl took his stance and held his sword in the air. The Death Knight's body started enlarging as a dark aura surrounded it. It bent its legs preparing to bolt toward his enemy.

The mana on the two sides started being compressed as they clashed with each other. The air pressure alone being produced by the two sides was enough to create cracks on the trial ground. This was the strength of a genius that rose while shedding his blood and that of his enemies.

***

”The cripple isn't here to save you now,” Layla said, her green eyes twisting with her gloating grin.

Arthur looked at her with a despondent face, searching for means of escape. It was their rotten luck that while they were looking for their second prey, they would meet with Erin and his party. Worse yet, Layla, the crazy girl who tried to kill him was also with them.

”I thought we have already solved this.” Arthur knew they had no way of defeating them, and he didn't want to drag Miko and Kira into it.

”You…” Out of Arthur's expectations, Erin recognized Miko. Even more, he looked at her with bloodshot eyes like he was looking at his nemesis.

The tension in the air was rising, and mana was leaking from everyone's body. They were ready for battle at any moment and Arthur had no idea why.

”We should escape,” Miko stated with furrowed brows.

”What's going on?” Arthur whispered as he saw the group in front of him surround them.

”Remember when you asked how I got wounded?”

”Yeah?”

”Well, I tried to kill him.”

”That's not nice of you.”

”Kill her!” Erin roared at the top of his lungs and his group followed the order and started their assault. They were six in total, and each one of them was someone Arthur had no hope of currently defeating.

”Hold onto me!” Miko shouted as she ran toward the man and wolf grabbing them both.

Before anything else could happen, bright blue light dyed the sky as a pillar of light appeared on top of the tower. The sound of a ringing bell made the ground shake and the two groups almost lost their footing.

”The tower…” Arthur looked at the tower in puzzlement. The sound and light came from it and that has never happened before.

”The first round has ended,” Erin said, and when Arthur looked at him, his face was solemn. It was devoid of the previous anger, back to his usual composure.

”I don't know who you are, but you need to get away from her. I saw you with Hazel,” Erin looked at him, ”They're a terrorist group. A bunch of assassins that kill for no cause and with no guilt.” He pointed his sword at Miko.