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

reappeared, and he reached out his hand with

Swoosh―!

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

'Fast.'

Prince Murdock could think

at the tip of the sword that was pointed at him, he was just

area that he was previously in, and when he turned his head,

It was cracked.

how it

to himself as

down. He had faced

"Your mastery o―"

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

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

SHIIIIIING―!

passed by his body, he flapped his wings and appeared before the shadowy figure. With his hand outstretched,

Swoosh―!

counterattacked with a punch, aimed directly at his

had to act

"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―!

water beneath them, and thunder

Kracka! Kracka!

Boom―!

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

Splash―!

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

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

plummeted down from above at high speeds and bubbles followed

Boom―!

area they were in. When the sand settled, Prince

upper hand now, and

"Tell me…"

onto his neck. He could snap it at any

was in, the shadowy figure looked at him with

he brushed it toward the back of

you? What race are you from?

Cruch―!

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!"

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

Boom―!

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

more, brandishing a sword in hand and

'Shit.'

dilating as he realized the gravity of the

figure struck again with a force and speed that took the

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

was in shock. 'How is this possible?'

SHIIIING―!