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 then he

reached out his hand with

Swoosh―!

he passed directly through his body, and when he turned around, he saw him standing a few hundred meters away with his sword

'Fast.'

was all Prince Murdock could think about

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

Right then, a silver streak flew past the area that he was previously in,

It was cracked.

that's how

murmured to himself as he analyzed

what had happened, and he instantly calmed down. He had

"Your mastery o―"

body to the right,

he understood how it worked, he wasn't as worried as before. However, he knew that he couldn't let

SHIIIIIING―!

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―!

him, the figure ducked down and counterattacked with a punch, aimed

act quickly if he wanted to

"Hup!"

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

Boom―! Boom―!

the water beneath them, and thunder

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

Splash―!

Murdock followed him down, his figure plummeting into

the aid of his wings, he appeared right in front of the shadowy figure and

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

Boom―!

the sand settled, Prince Murdock's figure was revealed, standing above the

the upper hand now, and he knew

"Tell me…"

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 predicament

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

you? What race are you

Cruch―!

the middle of a sentence when he heard a crunching sound and felt intense pain. When he looked down, he saw that a portion

"Arghhh!"

throat. The shadowy figure quickly appeared behind the

Boom―!

back, crashing against a couple of rocks in the distance. The rocks

before the Prince once more, brandishing a sword in hand and

'Shit.'

breath, his pupils dilating as he realized the gravity

The shadowy figure struck again with a force and speed that took

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

in shock. 'How is this possible?'

SHIIIING―!