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.

of his figure became fuzzy, and then

which had disappeared earlier, reappeared, and he reached out his hand with the intention of

Swoosh―!

he saw him standing a

'Fast.'

Murdock could

the sword that was pointed at him, he was just about to take a step forward when

silver streak flew past the area that he was previously in, and when he

It was cracked.

how

himself as he analyzed

had faced many skilled opponents before, and he

"Your mastery o―"

expression shifted mid-sentence, and he moved his body to the right, narrowly avoiding the tip of the blade that brushed past his

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

SHIIIIIING―!

the attacks were relentless, coming at him from all sides. Just as another blade passed by his body, he flapped his wings

Swoosh―!

him, the figure ducked down and counterattacked with a punch, aimed directly at his abdominal

had to act quickly if

"Hup!"

toward his stomach, Prince

Boom―! Boom―!

beneath them, and thunder

Kracka! Kracka!

Boom―!

landing a fist against the shadowy figure, he flapped his wings and appeared right behind him. He

Splash―!

crashed against the water, diving deep under it. Prince Murdock followed him down, his figure plummeting

shadowy figure and clenched at his throat with his hand, pushing him further

distorted as the two plummeted down from above at high speeds and bubbles

Boom―!

spilling around the area they were in. When the sand settled, Prince

hand

"Tell me…"

neck. He could snap it at

figure looked at him with

he brushed it toward the back of his head as he had many

you? What race

Cruch―!

intense pain. When he

"Arghhh!"

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

Boom―!

a couple of rocks

appeared before the Prince once more, brandishing

'Shit.'

Prince muttered under his breath, his pupils dilating as he realized

figure struck again with a force and speed that took the

to dodge, but it was too late. He felt a searing pain in his hand as one of his

'How is this possible?' he

SHIIIING―!