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 materialized

reappeared, and he reached out his

Swoosh―!

when he turned around, he saw

'Fast.'

Prince Murdock could

of the sword that was pointed at him, he was

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

It was cracked.

that's how it

as he analyzed

to understand what had happened, and he instantly calmed down. He had faced many skilled opponents before, and he knew that the

"Your mastery o―"

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

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

SHIIIIIING―!

another blade passed by his body, he flapped his

Swoosh―!

ducked down and counterattacked with a punch,

Murdock knew that he had to act quickly if he wanted

"Hup!"

way toward his stomach, Prince Murdock twisted his body,

Boom―! Boom―!

fight fractured the water beneath them,

Kracka! Kracka!

Boom―!

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

Splash―!

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

front of the shadowy figure and clenched at his throat with his hand, pushing

down

Boom―!

deep under the ocean, sand spilling around the area they were in. When the sand settled, Prince

the upper hand

"Tell me…"

neck. He could snap it at any

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

the Prince unsettled, but he brushed it toward the back of his head

you? What race are you

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 quickly

"Arghhh!"

his throat. The shadowy figure quickly appeared behind the Prince,

Boom―!

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

once more, brandishing a sword in hand and pointing it

'Shit.'

his breath, his pupils dilating as he realized the gravity of

with a force

pain in his hand as one of his

shock. 'How is this possible?' he

SHIIIING―!