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.

his figure became fuzzy, and then he

reappeared, and he reached out his hand with the intention

Swoosh―!

he saw

'Fast.'

could think about at

was just about to take

in, and when he

It was cracked.

how

himself as he

him to understand what 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―"

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

face as he glanced at the passing blade. Now that he understood how it

SHIIIIIING―!

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

Swoosh―!

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

he had to act quickly if he wanted to

"Hup!"

the fist was about to make its way toward his stomach, Prince Murdock twisted his body, and the fist grazed past his

Boom―! Boom―!

beneath them, and thunder began to crackle

Kracka! Kracka!

Boom―!

flapped his wings and appeared right behind him. He didn't

Splash―!

under it. Prince Murdock followed him down, his figure plummeting into the water beneath, and with one quick scan of the surroundings,

shadowy figure and clenched at his throat with

two plummeted down from above at high speeds and bubbles followed

Boom―!

them crashed deep under the ocean, sand spilling around the area they were in. When the sand settled, Prince Murdock's

had the upper hand now, and he

"Tell me…"

holding tightly onto his neck.

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

the Prince unsettled, but he brushed it toward the back of his head as he had many questions he

are you? What race

Cruch―!

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

"Arghhh!"

his mouth, and finally let go of his throat. The shadowy figure quickly appeared behind the Prince,

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 hand and

'Shit.'

his pupils dilating as he realized

again with a force and speed

Prince tried to dodge, but it was too late. He felt a searing pain in his hand

shock. 'How is this possible?'

SHIIIING―!