The Author's POV

Drip! Drip!

The rain continued to fall steadily, each droplet creating a ripple as it collided with the surface of the water.

It was a dreary and ominous atmosphere that surrounded the two figures standing at the edge of the water. Their stillness only added to the sense of foreboding.

Prince Murdock's warily stared at the figure before his eyes.

He had never encountered anyone like this before. The stranger's appearance was shrouded in darkness, making it difficult for Murdock to discern any distinguishing features.

However, the sheer power emanating from the figure was palpable, sending chills down Murdock's spine.

Despite his wariness, Murdock stood his ground, his expression stoic as he faced the shadowy figure. He spoke in a measured tone, trying to keep his composure.

"What are you?"

His voice was firm, but there was a hint of trepidation underlying his words.

"..."

The figure remained silent, its dark form seemingly immobile.

"Not much of a talker, are we?"

Murdock continued to scrutinize the figure, trying to glean any information he could from its appearance. The stranger appeared to be human in build, but there was all he could make out.

"I've never heard of a human as strong as you, nor―"

Drip!

He was interrupted by the subtle sound of a raindrop hitting the water, which resounded through the air unlike any of the other drops around him. "Swoosh!" In that split second, the shadowy figure vanished from where it was standing.

"Uh?!"

Swoosh―

Murdock's eyes widened in surprise as he felt a sudden force against his cheek. He stumbled backward, narrowly dodging a swift punch aimed at his face.

"Rather hurried, aren't we?"

Murdock quipped, trying to regain his composure. As he distanced himself from the shadowy figure, Murdock noticed a cold glint reflecting off a blade being unsheathed.

The realization hit him like a ton of bricks, but it was too late. Murdock's gaze met with the figure's, and time seemed to come to a standstill.

The only sound was the raindrops falling around them.

Drip!

SHIIIING―! In that moment, Murdock watched in horror as his arm was sliced clean off by the blade. The pain was intense, and he could feel warm blood gushing out of the wound.

Spurt―!

Black blood spurted out, staining the water and adding to the eerie atmosphere. Murdock could barely comprehend what had just happened. He looked up at the shadowy figure, whose features were still obscured by the darkness.

"Arghhh!"

He eventually succumbed to the agony and let out an agonized scream as a result. He glared at the figure in the shadows while clutching his right hand, and he flapped his wing once.

fuzzy, and then

which had disappeared earlier, reappeared, and he reached out his

Swoosh―!

his body, and when he turned around, he saw him standing a few hundred meters away with his sword again pointed at

'Fast.'

Prince Murdock could think about at that

sword that was pointed at him, he was just about to take a

he was previously in, and when he turned his head, he caught a glimpse of the

It was cracked.

how

to himself as

to understand what had happened, and he instantly calmed down. He had faced many skilled opponents before, and he knew that

"Your mastery o―"

expression shifted mid-sentence, and he moved his body to the right, narrowly avoiding the

face as he glanced at the passing blade. Now that he understood how it worked, he wasn't as worried as before. However, he knew that he couldn't let

SHIIIIIING―!

all sides. Just as another blade passed by his body, he flapped his wings and appeared before the shadowy figure. With his hand outstretched, he aimed his

Swoosh―!

the figure ducked down and counterattacked with a punch,

had to act quickly if

"Hup!"

toward his stomach, Prince Murdock twisted his body,

Boom―! Boom―!

fractured the water beneath them, and thunder began

Kracka! Kracka!

Boom―!

shadowy figure, he flapped his wings and appeared right behind him. He

Splash―!

down, his figure plummeting into the water beneath, and with one quick scan of the surroundings, he managed

aid of his wings, he appeared right in front of the shadowy figure and clenched at his throat with his

as the two plummeted down from above at high

Boom―!

the area they were in. When the sand settled, Prince Murdock's figure was revealed, standing

upper hand

"Tell me…"

his neck. He could snap it at any

figure looked at him with a calm look, seemingly unbothered by

back

are you? What race are

Cruch―!

a crunching sound and felt intense pain. When

"Arghhh!"

of his throat. The shadowy figure quickly appeared behind the Prince, and his fist

Boom―!

against a couple of rocks in the distance. The rocks shattered upon impact, sending several fish scattering out of the

the Prince once more, brandishing a sword in

'Shit.'

muttered under his breath, his pupils dilating as he realized the gravity of

again with a force and speed that took

in his hand as one of his fingers was severed, and black

shock. 'How is

SHIIIING―!