The two men started to measure their distance between each other, the mercenary boss continuously looked for any openings to attack but King Roa didn’t show any. The silence dragged on and the wildfire slowly creeping its way here. Ran out of patience, the made the first move.

“I surrender.”

“Huh? What did you just said?”

“I said I surrender, Kill me now and end this.”

“...”

The mercenary boss was cautious, he didn’t know if the king was playing mind games on him or just realized that it's futile to resist but this move didn’t make him drop his guard at all.

“Why? You’re just on full battle mode earlier, the bloodlust you emitted was the real deal and you easily give up? Something doesn’t add up.”

“It’s because the guy who pissed me off earlier is going to die anyway due to bleeding.”

“Bleeding?”

“Yeah, I cut his arm right there if you don’t know.”

“...and the reason why you tried to kill this man is because you’re simply pissed on him?”

“Yeah, simple as that mercenary boss.”

King Roa looked into Woss who was currently in a perilous state, He tried to apply first aid to his right shoulder but if no professional medical attention was done to him, He would die due to infections and bleeding.

“Then, What if I saved this lad, King Roa?”

“Ehhhh??”

“This man seemed to hold valuable information if you’re trying to kill him, Maybe you’re afraid that he might leak some very important secrets right?

The mercenary boss was a very sharp guy, maybe due to his experience in the underground business that he has this kind of critical thinking but the young king immediately answered him,

“You might be right there but I could also just teleported him outside of the battlefield right?.”

“Perhaps but that’s also the reason why we built up this barrier, your is very convenient spell if left alone so it functions as a blocker of sorts.”

“Tsk! So you know about my about my tricks.”

(Of Course, since I’m the one who provided them this barrier to prevent anyone from going anywhere but also me from teleporting. To think it will backfire on me in such a way…)

Things started to get complicated after that mercenary protected the dying Woss from the king’s wrath. The mercenary boss reaffirms his battle stance and prepares to strike anytime, this started to annoy King Roa, therefore, it’s time for him to act.

“Then I can’t just die yet, I will make this fast as possible and kill you Woss before other pesky people comes here and interfere.”

“Like hell that I will let you, King Roa!”

“Then bring it you mercenary!”

“Then you will die here as my target!”

Clenching the Shadow Edge in his right hand, he immediately dashed towards the mercenary boss. His speed was definitely way faster than a normal person and would be very difficult to follow with normal eyes but the mercenary boss just charged head on too.

*Clash!*

“Hrrghh!”

“heh!”

The two metallic weapons clashed head-on with each other the moment the two men swung it against each other, the ground also started to crack as the aura of the two was too intense.

“Not bad! If it’s a normal person, then I already slashed him into two. Time to speed up!”

“You really are arrogant.”

(But damn, this king’s raw power is too powerful and he just said that he’s getting faster. I already activated my wind spell and yet he’s just charging against it…)

*slash* *slash*

*clang!*

After the initial clash between the two, multiple exchanges of slashes were made in just a short period of time. The mercenary boss was put in a disadvantage after the initial clash as King Roa speeds up once more.

“Tsk!!

*Blast*

“!!!”

Multiple bright sparks flew forward from the mercenary boss’ plain sword as he swung it upward that quickly turns into deadly flames that chased the king.

“Not good!”

*step* *step *step*

King Roa hastily back step into a safe area as those deadly flames would surely burn him alive. The area where the flames went through was totally turned into ashes as the distance between the two widened again.

“Clever bastard, using a simple flame spell to be amplified by your active wind barrier. Shame it doesn’t catch me.”

“Give up already! My men are coming here to finish you off.”

“Not a chance.”

The king started to dash forward again like what he did the last time, the only difference this time was it was faster and the mercenary boss put up a defensive stance to block the incoming attacks.

*snicker*

(What is that king smiling about?)

At that instant, the king side step to his right. His target was not him but a man who was on his last legs.

“Lad watch out!”

*swish*

The mercenary boss quickly commanded the winds to carry him to protect the defenseless Woss but the king was faster as he threw his knife at Woss’ chest.

“I won’t let you!”

“You’re too late mercenary!”

*clang*

The knife that was surely gonna hit Woss was suddenly deflected to the ground by the unexpected plain sword that blocked it.

“Whew… I thought it will not get there in time.”

The plain sword was floating in midair. He commanded the winds to carry the sword and accelerated it to beat the knife. That was another clever move by him but against the dangerous king, it was a foolish move to leave yourself unarmed.

“You left yourself defenseless, mercenary. That was a very stupid move especially from you who thinks wisely, your target is me so don’t focus on saving other morons.”

“When di-”

*punch*

“Kugghh!!”

*Crack*

The king’s speed is no joke, he covered the distance between him and the mercenary in just a blink of an eye. A punch from the king landed cleanly on his left ribs that cracking sounds could be heard.

*swish*

“Tsk!”

The mercenary boss withstood his ground against King Roa as he immediately called back his sword to him. King Roa once again step backed to avoid the flying sword but this time he was smiling.

(He’s smiling again? Wha-)

He noticed it. The reason why he was smiling like he won the fight. It’s because he couldn’t move an inch from his spot. His movements were now sealed and he’s out of the fight.

“Shadow Edge surely is convenient when used wisely.”

“W-when did you stabbed my shadow?”

“Isn’t it obvious? It’s when I landed a punch to you earlier.”

“Impossible! I saw you threw that magical knife towards Woss.”

“Who said it was that magical knife I threw to that moron?”

“What? Are you saying that it was another knife?”

“Yeah. Alright, I will show you the magician’s trick.”

“argh.”

King Roa stretched his mechanical left arm and something came out from his wrist.

“Ta-da! A knife!”

“A hidden compartment within your left arm…”

“Ding ding ding! You are right! I have some knives inside my left arm.”

“Tsk…”

He knew that he was tricked so hard by the king that it cost him the battle. Now, with no one stopping him, He once again walked towards Woss to finish him off.

“This time you will die. No more games and detours ”

*Swish*

“This trick again!”

*Shatter*

"Damn it!"

“Not this time mercenary, I will not allow you to escape this time.”

The mercenary boss tried to use his floating sword to remove the knife on his shadow but was destroyed with the king’s powerful punch before it reached its target.

“Sorry lad, I can’t do anything anymore.”

“No… Nooo!!!”

Woss tried to run even he couldn’t stand straight anymore, his movements were wobbly and very slow. King Roa finally caught up to him and grabbed his neck with his right hand.

*Cough* *Cough*

“P-please… I don’t want… to die.”

*Sniff* *Sniff*

Tears started to fall as he struggled weakly but the king paid no heed to his cries and started to wind up his left arm for the death blow.

“Any last words, Woss?”

“My… daughter… and wife... don’t harm them please.”

“Very well Woss, I won’t lay a hand on any of them. are there any more you want to add?”

“Then… last question.”

“I don’t mind, ask.”

King Roa’s vice grip to Woss’ neck was strong as steel just to make sure he couldn’t do a thing while he asks his final question.

“Why… kill me? Please… give the re-”

*cough*

“...real reason.”

“I see you want the truth. Then I shall tell you. It’s not because I was pissed but because you’re a damn traitor. You, being assigned to me was not a damn coincidence. You don’t remember it but you’re a part of a very dangerous organization.”

“Organization?”

“Yeah, but I won’t tell you any more about it because it’s a taboo to just speak its name. If you want to learn more then ask the goddess in the afterlife.”

“I...see.”

“Yeah, so goodbye traitor. Have a nice trip to the afterlife. I might pay you a visit there time to time.”

“Heh.”

“The same damn laugh until the end huh.”

King Roa finally pierced his left arm into Woss’ chest.

“Kahkk!!”

A beating bloody heart grasped by his left hand was seen along with blood gushing from his chest. After a few seconds, he crushed the heart and pulled out his left arm from the dead body.

“Finally you're dead. That took some time to end.”

He threw the dead body rolling to the ground and wiped the blood off his left arm.

*Clang*

He also removed that magical knife that binds the mercenary boss on his spot and continued talking.

“So… What are you guys are waiting for? Finish me off now.”

All of the mercenaries were already surrounding him and just waiting for the right time to finish him off.