“Wake up, Levis,--- wake up! It's time to go.”

“Who—? What?”

But just as he had begun to sleep, little Levis found himself being shaken awake by someone. As he opened his eyes, the face of the village chief's wife, greeted him with a somewhat worried expression.

“What is it!? Aunty?”

“No time, I will explain as we move, so climb to your feet.”

But before he could do anything, as he was still somewhat in the sleepy phase, the hand of the woman grabbed him by the wrist, lifting him up and beginning to move toward the center of the camp. As the two began to move, in a fast and flustered manner as the boy seemed to be dragged, rather than guided, he observed the guards moving at the peripheries of the encampment, with several of them on the watchtowers, at the same time many men and some women of the villages were moving alongside them.

“Aunty, what has happened?”

“Don’t be alarmed, but bandits have come here.”

But as the woman continued to walk, her face did not meet his, as she only looked straight ahead, where the gathering place of the children, women, and the old was.

“Bandits!?”

Though the surprise on little Levis’s face was not small as shock, fear and a certain unknown feeling began to manifest.

“Yes, but don’t worry, the guards are going to protect us, and our men are fighting too. We need to stay away, so they can focus on the battle. Let's go, and you must stay with the other children.”

However, the trembling of her hand and the unwillingness to show her face did not put much credibility to her words, as even he did not feel reassured in any way.

As they arrive at the center of the camp, hundreds of women, children, and old people, of various ages were standing in the surrounding of the central tent.

But even as he was left with the children of his own village and of the other villages, the uneasiness that he was feeling did not go away as curiosity began to grow in him about the whole ordeal that was taking place. The feeling of not knowing and remaining in ignorance was like a curse that had taken root in him.

[You are feeling anxious?]

[Yes, do you not?]

[No, not really, what is there to be anxious about?]

[I want to go and see the situation, I want to see the fight.]

[Hmph, just because you made some progress you grow a spine, but the head is still nowhere to be seen. Do think you can fight? Can you? Have you ever killed anybody?]

[No. Why are you asking me this? We’ll just go and see, it is not like we will do anything, plus I am stronger and faster than yesterday, I feel more powerful than before I got to sleep.]

[You say you’ll go and look but can you guarantee that nothing will happen, that nothing will make you enter in a bad situation?]

[T-that, how can I know, if I don’t go.]

[You can let him, he seems stubborn in this confront. At the very least, now he can run away if something bad really happens.]

[Alright, at least his absorption in his sleep has not been in vain, with one billion strands of energy, you can at least be considered a cultivator.]

[ How many?]

[One billion. This is what exponential growth and accumulation are going to be with my technique. Sense for yourself how much energy do you have.]

But just as little Levis did a quick scanning of his lungs, the pain came as his face contorted a little, and with the hand over his head, he took a sharp intake of air.

[T-tt-that many!!!]

[Well the number is big, but the power is nothing major, as this is what a cultivator would have in his dantian, obviously after months of hard and painful cultivation. Now move one-tenth of the energy you collect to your fake dantian.]

As the voice gave the instructions, the boy took exactly one-tenth of the energy strands, despite causing him some minor pain and mental stress in doing so.

[You can not count over a hundred but you can do this.]

[ [Instinct!?] ]

[So how strong am I?]

[Strong? Well if we talk energy as per a dantian, about the same as the weakest of the guards in blue. But if we speak in a strong combative way, you can be said to be a child with somewhat of a stronger than normal physiques and nothing else.]

[So can I go now?]

[Yes, but before, take a knife or a hunting dagger from that tent over there.]

[Alright!]

But in the meantime, as the villagers that needed to be protected were gathering in the center of the camp, the guards were preparing for battle, while also guiding the army of armed villagers.

As the guards were distinctly divided in the four cardinal directions, as to prepare for an encirclement and a siege. At the same time, the villagers were divided into five groups, four small ones and one larger, as to move and give support to the possible endangered positions.

But the one leading the main assault and killing the head of the bandits, the captain of the guards, was standing on the west watchtower, with his gaze fixed on the road following the river, leading to them. While old Wan and Adrian stood behind him while giving the latest report to him.

“--- just a few kilometers away they should arrive here in a few minutes.”

“How many did the scout's report?”

“Three hundred, they have spotted the one leading them as “Bloddy Dog” from their descriptions.”

“Just him? Are the leaders hiding?”

“Unknown, none that could be identified as the leaders or the other rank 5.”

“Then, we just need to wait and see. Are the villagers ready?”

“Yes—.”

As the two young men were discussing, slight sounds of horses galloping and dust in the air could be seen as an army of riders were coming their way.

“They are here! Give the signal!”

“PREPARE FOR BATTLE!!!”

As the resounding voice of vice-captain Adrian moved in all directions while getting to all the corners of the camp. Tension and uneasiness began to appear on the crowd of villagers as well as the armed guards, as even they were nervous of the upcoming confrontation to the death with the bandits, as the guards did not partake in battles such as this, but were always in more control environment while having the upper hand in numbers. But as the subordinates of a captain, desertion from one’s post and duty were punishable with the most severe of torments and torture for a cultivator and as a mortal, as they themselves had and were put to make an oath when becoming guards of the kingdom in exchange for all the benefits that came with being a guard.

But no one had any time to think properly as they began to group in formations as this was the most safest way to stay alive in their head right now,

As the bandits were coming closer and closer, bringing with them the sound of hooves and howls from the exited bandits. But the intimidation was the one thing more evergrowing, as the people inside the camp could feel the tension gathering, from each and everyone's nervousness.

But as the bandits were closing in, they did not attack immediately or divided themselves to begin a siege by surrounding the camp, they just stopped, no more than three hundred meters from the camp. Making the captain and all others that could see. even more nervous and anxious from the sudden stop.

“Good morning to everyone! So before we start, let me say that we will kill only those that oppose us, so if you could open the doors, that would be a good achievement on your part. If not, I will just do it on my own, ahaha.”

But the sudden spoken words did not make anyone happy, even though the speaker seemed as normal as any other known friend, as there was no malice or violence that would normally accompany the bandits.

“However, haha, I would personally prefer for as many of you to resist us, as I really want to have a feast on this wonderful morning.”

But the second round of words from the speaker made everyone's eyes widen in terror, not from the words spoken but from the simple fact and deduction of his character of a cruel and murderous monster.

“He is not lying.”

But the one to be more downcast was none other than the captain as his face was truly a gloomy and uncaring one.

“Indeed young master, this one is taking this ordeal as nothing more than an excuse to murder more people, that being said he is the type to do things forcefully without thinking. If so we could work things around to our advantage.”

“How? Isn't this going to become a messy fight for us? So that we can defend the main entrance!?”

“That is so, however, all we need is to use our main force to penetrate and kill the main head of their poorly assembled army, once they will see the strongest of them fall, will be able to make a full clean-up of the whole situation here. After all, all there is to their leaders is a rank 5 and some rank 4, it is more plausible now than ever to kill them.”

But as the old man illustrated the way in which they could deal with the bandits, as though they were nothing more than pests in a garden, while in a good smiley mood.

However his plan made the captain to think over as there seemed nothing wrong with the suggestion, as the worst possible outcome, him facing two ranks 6 and two rank 5 did not come to be, even though in his mind, the secret weapon that he had was none other than the same old man that he was facing.

“Alright! Adrian changed of orders, call all the guards here. We’ll enable the wall of spears and the sword formation. I, alongside the other two vice-captains, will be leading the guards to break through and take the ones ranked, as for you take command of the villagers, stay here, and do not let them exit the camp, remain in between the camp and the outside to attract as many of the bandits as you can. The best-case scenario is if I take the leader and the rank four while the two vice-captains and the guards flank the bandits from behind. You from the front of the camp if we make the gather close enough to one another and do not give them room to maneuver, just the spears of the villagers will be needed to kill them.”

“Yes, Captain!”

As Adrian gave the confirmation of having received his orders and leaving immediately the watchtower as he began to order the guards and the villagers for the gathering up.

However, while Adrian was taking charge of delivering the captain's orders. The said captain was looking into the distance, at the bandits that seemed to be looking down and mocking him, for his inadequacy and incompetence, as he assumed a forlorn and desolate gaze while appearing to stare into empty space, as though in question.

“Am I that weak?”

“Weakness is subjecti—.”

“No need to sugarcoat this, I already know how weak I am! You don't need to see to my feelings all the time. If life is hard, that signifies I did not work hard or smart enough. Now— I have someone to kill.”

“Haha, in that case, let this old man accompany you.”

While those in the camp of the guards and villagers had their problems and anxieties, those with the same kind of problems existed on the other side of the open field, where the bandit's resided, as even the most stupid of them did not think that concentrating them together in a sole point was a good idea as that would put all the power of the guards on them, while have increased the risk of being hit especially for those in the first lines. Even most of the rank 4 bandits did not seem on board with the one-minded tactic that seemed nothing more than throwing rocks at a door to crack open, while not counting the rocks that will not enter that said door.

However, one of the rank 4 bandits seemed especially angered and gloomy as he stared at the man in the lead of the whole group.

“Hahaha, are you dissatisfied with my plan Zuger?”

However, the question did not come in a hearty laughter manner, but in a threatening way that seemed no different than as though he was conversing normally on the street.

“No, in fact, I think it is the best way to deal with them in a swift way.”

But at his words, the other rank 4 bandits did not react in scorn or mockery for his sudden change in attitude, as they themself knew that the man in front of them could attack and kill them as nothing more than the most normal thing in the world, for as the genuine happiness on his face did not indicate anything good for anyone there.

“Hahaha, do you think that too? Good, in that case, stay with me and count my kills, if you do a good job I’ll leave you some to kill.”

However, his words did not raise any enthusiasm in Zuger, as the fake smile and moody attitude on his face were about to fall, and began to curse at the insane animal in front of him.

“If that's what you need help with, then I will help you.”

“Hahaha good! Now I think I gave them enough time to decide and prepared. “SO HAVE YOU DECIDED, HAVE YOU PREPARED, BECAUSE IN ANY CASE, HERE WE COME!”.”

And as he raised his right hand, like a blade in the air, making it clear to all the bandits and all who could see him, with a fast downwards chopping motion, all the normal bandits began

to shift towards the wooden gates of the fortified camp while avoiding the spiked blockers in their way, as they themselves could hear the battle cries from inside the camp.

“BREAK THOSE DOORS FOR ME! HAHAHA.”

But as the orders of the bandit resounded in all directions, the many riders took off their horses and began to run the few hundred meters that separated them from the gates, while carrying various weapons meant to break the doors.

Though as the first to leave were the normal bandits. Zuger, as he was behind all the other leaders, signaled Square with an already decided hand sign, as to stay close to him during the battle that was about to take place in their ranks.

Still, as the bandits were moving in an inconsistent manner, they began to find trouble as pitfalls dug by the guards, caught some of them as they were immediately stabbed into their legs, for the holes were no deeper than a man’s leg, with sharpened wooden sticks. But as their speed decreased, in order to avoid the pitfalls and the bothersome spiked blockers, they found themselves under a shower of arrows coming at random, making them put on their shields to protect them selfs, whereas some of the more unfortunate ones who got caught unprepared were greeted by some of the random arrows.

No great casualties could be seen on the bandit's side as not even ten of them had been put out of the fight. And as they adapted to the traps and overpassed them, nothing stood in their way, as even the arrows that were coming at them could not stop them from reaching the gates, which they immediately began to hit and smash, on the double wooden entrances of the camp.

As the successful arrival of the normal bandits was registered with the upper echelon of the ranked ones, cruel smiles appeared on them as they were prepared to storm on their horses, once the gates had fallen.

“Now let's see, what kind of fight they will put on?”

Though no one, was happier than the man with the broad simple smile, as he was looking at the camp attentively.

However, in the camp, Adrian was already shouting orders, as he was in a giant formation made of all the villagers that had come to fight, men and women alike.

While the bandits had begun their action on towards the camp, the guards and the villagers, who specialized in the use of the bow, began to shoot in a certain area while not making the trajectories all too evident as to confuse the bandits. However, it became nothing more than a small disturbance as they had done nothing much to slow their advancement.

Though the most unsettling thing was that of the sound coming from the gates that separated them from the bandits, as there were constant loud bangings from attempting to break them.

“STAY CALM AND FOLLOW THE ORDERS, THE ONES TO WIN WILL BE THOSE THAT WILL NEVER WAVER, NEVER FLUSTER AND NEVER STOP. READY YOURSELF, REMEMBER THE TRAINING, ALWAYS USE THE BODY WEIGHT NOT JUST YOUR HANDS.”

But the only thing that Adrian could do, in the moments before the battle, was to endlessly shout and remind them of the training, as to alleviate the stress before the clash. As the large round formation had many layers of men that were holding large thick shields while others had spears in-between them, as many other spear and shield men were ready to change positions once exhausted, resembling somewhat of a spiked turtle, even though the majority of the men stood at the head of the formation, while the women were close to Adrian, ready to get and help any injured men that could fall.

However, ahead of Adrian and his small army of villagers was the formation of the guards as no more than fifty could be seen, but the superior synergy and quality of the guards could be seen as they did not have only better equipment but a better understanding of group fights. Whereas the one leading them gave the greatest relief to their morale, after being suppressed by the one-side dialogue of the bandit leading the assault.

As the captain of all the guards, his position was obviously at the center of their formation, nevertheless, his face was the one most ready for the beginning of the battle, as his placid and calm face was enough to scare his own men, even though the constant knocking of the doors from the outside being nerve-wracking.

“READY!!!”

As he began to speak, raising the tension and nervousness as well as the adrenalin of the guards, before the beginning of the clash.

“STEADY YOUR POSITIONS, YOU KNOW WHAT YOU HAVE TO DO, THEY DON’T WANT TO SURRENDER SO DON’T HESITATE AND KILL!!!”

With the last of the encouragement given, he began to lower his own body, so he could have more stability and readiness for the fast strike, while the rest of his men did the same followed by the bigger group of villagers behind them.

“DROP THEM!!!”

But a final shout made two of the guards come out and pull a long rope attached to important hinges of the double wooden doors, making them fall inside the camp, along side the bandits that were either swinging their various weapons to break it down or just pushing it.

“KILLL—!!!”

With the order to kill, the guards took a strong march over the fallen doors, as they wasted no time arriving in the face of the bewildered bandits, that were getting on their feet, to face the approaching monster made out of shields.

But as they were no more than a meter distance and before any bandit had time to swing any weapon at the large shields, a loud shout came from behind of said shields, as spears came striking with impunity, while heads, shoulders, and waists were pierced by spears leaving many of them dead upon withdrawal, while others behind got severe injuries as some of the spears had penetrated three bandits at a time, as the confusions of the fallen doors had caused them to walk ahead, while making them be, extremely close to one another.

However, the assault of the guards did not end, as they began to move again, with an even greater momentum.

Nonetheless, as that was happening, the other bandits became angry, as ugly expressions were visible as of the failure of the first wave. But those with ugly or different expressions at the current situation changed into one of fear and shock very quickly.

While the guards advance and had their first kills, Rowen dropped his waist even more, while the guards were ready for the second attack. But before they could attack, the figure of their captain, flying over their own heads could be seen by all of them as he landed inside the lines of the bandits.

The bandits were as surprised as the guards, but they instinctively began to attack him, nevertheless, all they could see was his blurry figure holding a long sword with both of his hands as he made a quick turn around causing the wind to blow alongside the blood and guts, as all those that had been in his range, had their body cut in half at their waists.

The gruesome scene had been done far too quickly for any of the bandits to comprehend. But before they could even begin to react, Rowen took a long and fast stride, while having his sword horizontally pointed ahead of him at his chest level while stabbing any bandit in his way, as he only stopped after having stabbed four bandits and pushed many more. However, from a stop position, with his sword deep into the chests of four bandits, he made another strong horizontal slash, cutting out of the half point of their torso, causing blood to spill wildly, but before even touching the ground, two more bandits, that were trying to escape and avoid his strike, were equally injured and died on the spot.

As the hellish figure of the armored guard covered in red moved again, after just killing more than ten of the bandits, he simply began to walk towards the ranked bandits in the distance, as the normal ones made a way for him, out in fear of being to close to him. As the road opened he immediately began to spring towards the shocked bandits in the distance, as they themselves began to become restless, out in fear of the strong guard that was approaching like a demon.

Whereas the assaulting bandits were flustered and had opened a passage, the less than fifty guards did not lose any time from the opportune moment, as the two other vice-captains took the lead, to follow their captain, in their assault of the ranked bandits.

"SWORD!"

But just like the captain, the guards in their formation seemed unstoppable, as they quickly passed, the now less than two hundred bandits and went for those still on their horses in the distance.

Despite the empty hole made by the fallen gates and no longer protected by the guards, beening too of a good situation, as the bandits took immediately for the entrance. As shouts and laughter came out of them, while they entered the camp that was supposed to have their rewards, cries, and screams manifested out of them as arrows followed by shields and spears struck at them while driving them out of the few meters of the camp that they had taken.

As Adrian and his formation of poorly coordinated villagers began to hammer at the bandits in a resolute way. While he was still shouting constantly as a reminder of what to do, as to keep them present and not in any shock from the brutal death of the bandits.

“DON’T STOP, CHANGE POSITIONS, USE YOUR BODY NOT JUST YOUR ARMS!”

Whereas at the same time on the other side of the battlefield, as Rowen took for the mounted bandits, panic and fear took them as they knew he was too strong to be taken down by normally ranked cultivators.

“YOU BASTARDS GET READY, WE DON’T NEED TO GO TO THEM AS IT SEEMS THEY ARE COMING TO US.”

But the one at the front did not appear notably fazed by the arrival of a strong enemy as he immediately dismounted and took a stance to greet the man in a blood-covered armor. But just as he was almost over, the speed of his march increased reaching for the bandit leader in just a moment, as a great deal of pressure befall the bandit while the sword was already over his head swinging down.

With the sword almost done to claim his life, the bandit kicked Rowen in the stomach, as he was making a push to the back while punching the wide surface of the sword helping himself to avoid the strike in time by going sideways.

“You're the one called Bloody Dog?”

“Calling me "Dog" is what the bastard had nicknamed me. Seems too cute, so I intend to change it to "Hound". Can you help me?”

“Hmph.”

With a snort, a dark and downcast face emerged on Rowen's face behind the visor, after the brief exchange of words. However, as he began to attack again while failing to do anything, as the swiftness of the opponent he was facing was proving to be a slight problem.

“You know! You look better in red than you do in blue, so let me help you, still, you should have not come here like this all alone.”

As he was speaking, five other bandits were approaching him, but the difference from the rest was obvious, as confidence was more prominent in their eyes, but while they approached the two of them an even worse scene was taking place as the dozens of bandits that had calmed down and dismounted the horses, were coming too, as to deal with the lone guard.

“Who said that I am alone?”

But in the meantime the ranked bandits were preparing to attack him in mass, a big group of armored guards broke thru the normal bandits and made their way to them in no time, as they divided into four small teams and began to fight the numerous bandits while leaving their captain to deal with the six bandits that he was surrounded by.

“I don't want to be the one to tell you, but we surpass you in numbers.”

“---.”

But no reply came from Rowen as he immediately began to take rapid slashes and thrusts at the bandits as though he did not want to make the other rank 4 leave him.

“Dog, we need to go help the others and take down the guards.”

“The three of you can go, the others remain and help me kill him, he is far too tough and the armor is troublesome, I want to kill more than just one bastard.”

As they ended their conversation and Dog complained about Rowen, three of them left for the guards as they took to the rank 4 vice-captains as they were the most troublesome to deal with for the others.

But the fight against Rowen did not result well, even when there were three bandits as he was pushing even stronger in his assault as each strike had the power to end the lives of the bandits, but no vulnerability could be seen as they capped their distance from him.

As for the other two helping Dog. There was Zuger with a small dagger and a fast, back and forward movement of faints attacks as to irritate and occupy his attention, as for the other bandit a tall man with a long metal spear equally irritating as Zuger. But for the main force of attack was none other than Dog and his strong punches and kicks, that made Rowen stop every time he received them as the force coming from him was great even for him.

“This sure is taking the time! Why won't you die already or at least bleed a little.”

But the fight was going nowhere as they seemed to be balancing one another, whereas the fights behind them were far more violent and bloody as bandits were killed and injured while the guards were still doing fine after having taken the initiative although fatigue and small injuries accumulated as the number of bandits was far greater than theirs.

Whilst at the entrance of the camp Adrian was staying behind the wall of shields, wielding a spear himself as he was killing every bandit that was coming too close.

“DON’T STOP, IF YOU ARE TIRED SHIFT WITH SOMEONE ELSE, DON’T LET THE WALL BE BREACHED!”

As he was still shouting nonstop to the villagers while looking in all directions to see if there were positions that need to be reinforced, for a moment in the corner of his vision a shadow could be seen moving, but as he looked again attentively and founding nothing he redirected his attention at the battlefield in the distance, at the battle of his captain and the other guards but surprise took him as a black figure was moving thru the chaos of the battle while killing a lone bandit that had separated from the fight were the captain was.

But that did not last for long as he saw his own captain and those that he was fighting looking in his direction, more precisely to his left. While turning his head the image of a child with a small dagger stabbed into the right eye of a bandit, a short distance from the wall of shields as he seemed to be one of the leading bandits of the assault group.

However, as surprises and problems never come alone, the words of a villager came from the left position, as fear and anger began to almost make him lose his mind.

“HUNTER! SUPPORT ME! I AM GOING OUT! COVER FOR ME!”

“ALRIGHT!”

The one to speak was none other than the village chief, who had been acting as a shieldman for the entire time, taking the hits from the bandits and pushing them out. But the surprise could not be greater as he saw little Levis on top of a screaming bandit a dozen meters ahead.

However, as per instinct, he did not lose any time as he immediately called for the village hunter that was using the spear behind him. After which, he broke the line of shields, as he pushed every bandit ahead of him, while he was forcing every muscle in his body to force his way toward the child.

But as he and Adrian could only see Levis’s face as his back was facing them and could not hear him over the cries of the bandit. The thing that had attracted Bloody Dog's attention followed by Rowen, Zuger, and the other bandit was none other than his face contorted in one of pure malice and murder, akin to an angry demon. A face that could not be put on a young child.

Though as the village chief close in he could hear the heavy words coming from his mouth, as they seemed to carry the cold dread of monsters from evil stories.

“You stabbed grandma!”

However, as the mere three words were spoken, the young boy grasp the bandit by his hair with his right hand while he withdrew the dagger with his left one and began to stab the bandit in his cheek, neck, and other eye until his face was a horrifying nightmare full of holes, as blood continued to spill until the dead bandit started to lose the balance and fall on his back from the boy's weight.

“What!?”

“You fucking little bastard!”

Yet, his situation was not good as the other bandits did not stay fazed for too long, after seeing their companion die at the hand of a kid, as they immediately move to kill him.

[Fucking hell, kid what the fuck are you doing? Have you gone mad?]

[What, what, what are we going to do? They want to kill him!]

However before the dead bandit fell and the other bandits had any time to catch him, a hand took him by the neck as his vision changed drastically, while the man that took him started to retreat towards the other villagers.

But as his shield was heavy and he could protect himself and the boy from one direction, he could only put the shield to his front, while guarding the boy that he was holding, and began a desperate run for the wall.

Nevertheless, bandits from behind and in all other directions were already onto him with weapons ready to cut him. But just as he was in danger, the sound of moving arrows was heard, as many of the bandits with the attention on him were struck, as the hunter and other villagers had reinforced him at the last moment. Though the situation was not over as two bandits from behind them were approaching with killing expressions while they had their eyes on the open back of the village chief.

As the sword of the nearest bandit was falling on the chief's back, the sound of steps and a deafening noise of a spear passed over him and the sound of a stabbing, as the bandit had the spear pass thru his eye and back. But as the chief looked closer, he saw the face of the vice-captain Adrian, with an angry and hardened face as he withdrew the spear and jabbed into the chest of the second bandit.

“Move!!!”

But he had no time to lose as the brief confusion and hole in the bandit's numbers could not stay for to long, as he took the young boy from the chief while wielding the spear as the three of them retreated back into the formation of the villagers.

While the frantic and crazy actions were taking place, on Rowen's side, Dog’s face was one of pure happiness as he watched the spectacle from afar.

“This is good, another one lost to the will of murder and slaughter, hahaha—!”

But he did not have much time to speak as the swooshing of a sword cutting the air approached him. Forcing him to dodge once again as the blur of the sword from the horizontal slash near his torso missed him once again while having the terrifying force to cut trees in one move.

“Close, close, but I guess it's time to end this.”

But before even ending his speech, he was already close to Rowen as each index of his hand was thrusting directly towards his eyes making him go back for the first time since he had begun his assault on the bandits, yet he did not have any time to think as the spear bandit as well a kick from Dog were following him, prompting Rowen to guard himself with his sword for the incoming attacks, but never the least pushing him even further back as the force bore was superior to his own even in a defensive stance.

However, as the only one that did not participate much, nor did he intend to. Zuger had a better understanding of the situation, as his eyes were making contact with that of Square not far away as terrible news came from him, forcing him to look at Rowen and Dog with a gloomy and wry smile on his face.

Whereas one person was gloomy another one was depressed, as Rowen took a good look at his opponents a tinge of madness appeared in his eyes, as he seemed to have been infected by the previous actions of the child.

As his hand touched a pouch at his waist, making a small vial with a drop of green liquid to manifest into his hand. But the action did not escape the onlookers, as a worrying voice with shaking power in the distance reached them immediately.

“No, don’t do it—!!!”

Though the voice was not even done speaking, as Rowen had opened the lid of the vial and taken the green drop faster than the words could be registered, making Dog, the spear bandit, and Zuger in the distance widen their eyes the moment the lid was taken as well of the of the power of the unknown speaker in the distance.

But the person in the eyes of them all, let a howl as the capillaries of his eye widen making his eyes look red, as he immediately took a stance to strike, causing the distance between him and Dog to close in a short moment, surprising him as he was desperately tried to avoid the incoming strike, only to find him self move by a fist as an equally red-eyed Zuger put himself in the striking zone of the sword as a thrust to his abdomen approach faster than he could register.

“If I live after this, I will kill all of those the put me here!”

As he made his last words, an excruciating pain took him as his chest, neck, arms, and legs became a strong black covering him as his face contorted as though his organs were being crushed.

Though as the sword approach him. He made the last move of his legs and arms, as he backed up with all the strength he could muster, but the sword still stab him as one-third of the sword penetrated his abdomen, sending him flying backward as a great force crashed onto him.

While he was moving above the ground at fast speed with an unknown status of being alive or not, Square who had been extremely attentive of the battlefield at all time, let out a roar, as he coughed blood and with a red face and eyes he grasps the flying Zuger in an attempt to save him from dying out of a strong collision.

But as he took hold of Zuger, he was powerless to do anything as he himself felt as though a rock had struck him, making them both be pushed dozens of meters into the trunk of the tree, with a loud and strong bang while making the tree shaking to nonstop as leaves were falling down on them.

While the fate of the two was unknown, the fight of the maddened Rowen continued, as he was gone instantly from the striking position to a slashing one towards the vexed Dog, while trying to avoid the slash to his mortified stupefaction he found his right leg not performing as intended, as a dagger was stabbed deep into his thigh, delaying him as the sword made a horizontal shallow cut on his belly.

“ZUUUGEEER!!!”

But even his anger did not have time to manifest as Rowen was marking him down for another attack making him smile out of desperation.

“WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU DOING? ATTACK HIM, IF I AM DEAD YOU WILL BE NEXT, SO MOVE YOU FUCKER!”

But as he called his companion, the spear bandit was already on Rowen’s back, as he knew that if Dog were to die, he would be next.

As the spear fell on Rowen’s back and the bandit was starting to smile at his success, the individual in question drove himself to make a fall as the spear made a screeching sound barely grazing his helmet.

But to the shock of the bandit and Dog, Rowen made a semi-circle slash, while cutting the legs of the bandit, causing the falling bandit to look dumbly at his legs while blood gushed out nonstop.

However, as he was falling, Rowen seized forcefully the spear of the bandit, pinning him to the ground with the spear in his chest as he was still in shock of all the happenings while trying to pull the spear out of his chest.

Though Rowen did not even look, if the bandit had died or not, as he made a sideway jump with his sword ready to plunge into the withdrawing Dog. But the locked jump did not do anything as he extended his arms just enough to reach his chest, as the sword made a shallow stab at his torso.

“FUUUCK!”

Nonetheless, he did not relent as he made a reckless assault on the awkwardly dodging Dog.

However, the exchange was short as the wounded Dog could not keep up with the insane assault made by the even stronger Rowen.

As they were not even in their tenth exchange, a slip up on Dog’s part made him lose half of the connection with his body below his head.

Because a quick slash had ended all possibility of life, as blood began to spill like rivers, making Dog to involuntarily put his hand over his half-cut neck, while another thrust plunged deep into his chest as the sword exited from his back.

As the target of his killing intent, was already on his last moment, some clarity of mind returned to him as he extracted his sword from his chest.

Making Dog fall on his knees while looking intently into Rowen's eyes.

“I don't regret dying, but not–”cough”--killing enough. You–”cough”--”cough”-win. But with my death–”cough”--you consume m–”cough” slaughter.”

Thru coughs of blood and the last exhale of air from his lungs field with blood, he voiced his last words as Rowen looked at the bandit that he had struggled to kill, even when having superior training and equipment.

But just as he was relaxing for a moment his face and eyes became even redder. As a hand hit his back all of a sudden.

"Hmpf!"

While a cold and strong snort came from his back, shaking him to no end, as he coughed a mouthful of blood while falling face down.