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.

became fuzzy, and then he materialized in front of

out his hand with the intention of hitting the shadowy figure in

Swoosh―!

saw him standing a few hundred meters away with his sword again pointed at

'Fast.'

could think about

pointed at him, he was just about to

a silver streak flew past the area that he was previously in, and when he turned his head, he caught a glimpse of the

It was cracked.

how

to himself as

he instantly calmed down. He had faced many skilled opponents before, and he knew

"Your mastery o―"

started to say, but his expression shifted mid-sentence, and he moved his body to the right, narrowly avoiding the tip of the

at the passing blade. Now that he understood how it worked, he wasn't as

SHIIIIIING―!

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

Swoosh―!

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

that he had to act quickly if he

"Hup!"

its way toward his stomach, Prince Murdock twisted

Boom―! Boom―!

their fight fractured the water beneath them, and thunder began

Kracka! Kracka!

Boom―!

landing a fist against the shadowy figure, he flapped his wings and appeared right behind him. He didn't waste a second and kicked him down with his

Splash―!

it. Prince Murdock followed him down, his figure plummeting into the water beneath, and

aid of his wings, he appeared right in front of the shadowy figure and clenched at his throat with his hand, pushing him further down under

around them distorted as the two plummeted down from above at high

Boom―!

sand spilling around the area they were in. When the sand settled, Prince Murdock's figure was revealed, standing above the shadowy figure with his

upper hand now, and

"Tell me…"

spoke, holding tightly onto his neck. He could snap

he was in, the shadowy figure looked at him with a calm look, seemingly unbothered by the

unsettled, but he brushed it toward the back

are you? What race are you

Cruch―!

felt intense pain. When he looked down, he saw that a portion

"Arghhh!"

The shadowy figure quickly appeared behind

Boom―!

through the water as the Prince was thrown back, crashing against a couple of rocks in

appeared before the Prince once more, brandishing

'Shit.'

muttered under his breath, his pupils dilating as he realized

figure struck again with a force and speed that took the Prince

Prince tried to dodge, but it was too late. He felt a searing pain in his hand as one of his fingers was severed, and black blood

'How

SHIIIING―!