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.

outline of his figure became fuzzy, and then he materialized in front of

reappeared, and he reached out his hand with the intention of hitting the shadowy figure

Swoosh―!

body, and when he turned around, he saw him

'Fast.'

Murdock could think about at

was

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

It was cracked.

how

to himself as he analyzed the

had happened, and he instantly calmed down. He had faced many skilled opponents before,

"Your mastery o―"

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

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

SHIIIIIING―!

as another blade passed by his body, he flapped his wings and

Swoosh―!

ducked down and counterattacked with a punch, aimed

had to act

"Hup!"

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

Boom―! Boom―!

fractured the water beneath them, and thunder began to

Kracka! Kracka!

Boom―!

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

Splash―!

his figure plummeting into the water beneath, and with one quick scan of the surroundings, he

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

around them distorted as the two plummeted down from above at

Boom―!

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

had the upper hand now, and

"Tell me…"

spoke, holding tightly onto his neck. He could snap it at any

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

the back of his head as he had many questions he

are you? What race are

Cruch―!

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

"Arghhh!"

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

Boom―!

as the Prince was thrown back, crashing against a couple of rocks in the distance. The rocks shattered upon impact, sending several fish

before the Prince once more, brandishing a sword

'Shit.'

breath, his pupils dilating as

force and speed that took the

in his hand as one of his fingers was

Prince was in shock. 'How is this possible?'

SHIIIING―!