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.

and

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

Swoosh―!

when he turned around, he saw him standing a few hundred meters away with

'Fast.'

was all Prince Murdock could think about at

he was just about to take a step forward when he

past the area that he was previously in, and when he turned his head, he caught a

It was cracked.

that's how

himself as he

had happened, and he instantly calmed down. He had faced many skilled opponents before, and he knew that the key to victory was to remain

"Your mastery o―"

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

his 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 his guard

SHIIIIIING―!

the attacks were relentless, coming at him from all sides. Just as another blade passed by his body, he flapped his wings and appeared before the shadowy figure. With

Swoosh―!

ducked down and counterattacked with a punch, aimed directly at his

to act quickly if he wanted to avoid

"Hup!"

make its way toward his stomach, Prince Murdock twisted his

Boom―! Boom―!

of their fight fractured the water beneath them, and thunder began to crackle

Kracka! Kracka!

Boom―!

figure, he flapped his wings and appeared right

Splash―!

him down, his figure plummeting into the water

of the shadowy figure and

around them distorted as the two plummeted down

Boom―!

were in. When the sand settled, Prince

upper hand now, and he knew

"Tell me…"

holding tightly onto his neck. He could snap it

the shadowy figure looked at him

left the Prince unsettled, but he brushed it toward the back

you? What race are

Cruch―!

heard a crunching sound and felt intense pain. When he looked down, he saw that a portion of his hand had been

"Arghhh!"

finally let go of his throat. The

Boom―!

thrown back, crashing against a couple of rocks in the distance. The rocks shattered upon impact, sending several fish

figure appeared before the Prince once more, brandishing a sword in hand and pointing it back

'Shit.'

pupils dilating as he realized the gravity

with a force and speed that took the Prince

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

was in shock. 'How is this possible?' he

SHIIIING―!