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.

figure became fuzzy, and

reappeared, and he reached out his hand

Swoosh―!

he passed directly through his body, and when he turned around, he saw him standing a few

'Fast.'

all Prince Murdock could

the tip of the sword that was pointed at him, he was just about to take a step

the area that he was previously in, and when he

It was cracked.

that's how it

to himself as he

glimpse for him to understand what had happened, and he instantly calmed down. He had faced many skilled opponents

"Your mastery o―"

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

smile crept up on his face as he glanced at the passing blade. Now that he understood how it worked, he wasn't as worried as before. However, he

SHIIIIIING―!

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

Swoosh―!

down and counterattacked with a punch,

that he had to act quickly if he wanted

"Hup!"

stomach, Prince Murdock

Boom―! Boom―!

fractured the water beneath them, and thunder began to crackle from

Kracka! Kracka!

Boom―!

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

Splash―!

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

shadowy figure and clenched at his throat

the two plummeted down from above at high speeds and bubbles followed

Boom―!

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

the upper hand

"Tell me…"

tightly onto his neck.

the shadowy figure looked at him

he brushed it toward the back of his head as he had many questions

race are you from?

Cruch―!

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

"Arghhh!"

of his throat. The shadowy figure quickly appeared behind the Prince, and his fist connected against

Boom―!

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

before the Prince once more, brandishing a sword

'Shit.'

his pupils dilating as he realized

figure struck again with a force and speed

too late. He felt a searing pain in his hand as one of his

was in shock. 'How is this possible?'

SHIIIING―!