Chapter 35: Can Definitely Kill You
With a thought, the shield in Tor's hand changed.
Its surface softened, metal flowing inward and stretching outward until it formed a sword of balanced length and weight. The transformation completed instantly.
Tor released the drained corpse at his feet.
Its body collapsed into a hollow shell the moment the last trace of dark matter left it.
The cursed sword corpse did not pause.
It lunged forward, its Dark Matter blade tearing through the air with a shrill cry. The force of the swing cracked the stone beneath its feet, fragments lifting before being crushed again by the pressure of its movement.
Tor met the strike head-on.
Steel and cursed metal collided.
Sparks and dark residue sprayed outward as the impact rippled through the ruined street. The corpse pressed harder, its movements accelerating, each blow heavier than the last.
Its sword carved grooves into the ground when Tor deflected, the black edge eating into stone as if it were flesh.
Tor adjusted.
He matched the rhythm, matching strength with precision rather than force.
When the corpse raised its blade for a downward cleave, Tor stepped into the motion, twisting his body aside as the sword passed close enough to shear the air from his shoulder.
He spun.
A full rotation carried him behind the corpse.
His blade moved four times.
Clean arcs cut through resistance without hesitation. Arms fell. Legs followed. The cursed body lost balance before it could react.
Tor stepped in and drove the Dark Matter sword straight into its skull.
The impact released everything the corpse had been holding together.
A violent shockwave tore outward.
Debris flattened. Lesser corpses shredded. Limbs, bone fragments, and ruined armor scattered across the street as the pressure passed.
When the dust settled, the battlefield was stripped bare.
Only two corpses remained intact.
The ape stood hunched at the edge of the clearing, massive arms hanging low, eyes fixed on Tor.
The archer stood further back, bow drawn, posture steady and deliberate.
They did not move.
They watched.
Near the City Walls
The elite guard captain staggered.
Blood spilled from his mouth, dark drops striking the stone at his feet. Pain radiated through his ribs with every breath, his armor dented and cracked where the last strike had landed.
"Princess," he said hoarsely, forcing himself upright.
"If you don't help now, I'm actually going to die."
Tori stood beside him, hands relaxed at her sides.
"I think you can hold out a bit longer," she replied.
"I'm not the one meant to help you. Sorry."
There was no emotion in her voice.
The guard captain let out a short laugh.
He straightened his stance.
Across from them, the cloaked figure slowed.
He tilted his head slightly.
"Hm," he murmured.
"I didn't notice you earlier. Was I distracted by the battle… or is it that you're clearly here, yet I can't sense you at all?"
His gaze settled on Tori.
"Little girl," he said, voice sharpening,
"tell me who you are."
"Don't be so cautious," Tori replied.
"I'm not interested in interfering. Carry on."
The cloaked figure chuckled.
"Very well. I'll ask your soul later."
Blue flames erupted along his bone sword.
The Soul-Consuming fire ignited with a hiss, the air around it warping as the heat and pressure spiked.
He turned his attention back to the guard captain.
He walked forward.
Unhurried.
The guard captain planted his feet.
Mana surged around him, flaring visibly as spatial distortions rippled outward from his body. His breathing steadied as he raised his sword.
"You Soul Clan trash only know how to prey on the weak," he said.
"Even if you kill us, don't forget this is fortress land. You won't be leaving here alive."
"Less talk," the cloaked leader replied calmly.
"More action."
The guard captain vanished.
Space folded inward with a sharp crack.
He reappeared behind the cloaked figure, black sword rays already tearing forward, void energy screaming as it cut through the air.
The cloaked figure stepped aside.
Minimal movement.
Each strike missed by inches.
"Haven't you learned?" he said, not even turning fully.
"That doesn't work."
He pinpointed the guard captain's position instantly.
Then he shot forward.
His body blurred as he closed the distance.
Before his hand could reach the captain—
Something intercepted him.
A loud metallic clash rang out.
Force collided with force, the shockwave rippling through the ground beneath their feet.
"It seems you finally made up your mind," the cloaked figure said.
His pupils glowed an intense blue.
"Old coward."
The old man stood firm.
Mana coated his arm.
His eyes glowed a muted red.
"I realized something," he said.
"Even if I don't help them, you wouldn't let me or my grandson leave."
The cloaked figure snarled.
He knocked the old man's arm aside and spun into a kick.
The blow landed squarely.
The old man was thrown backward, skidding across the stone before regaining his footing. Mana flared as he absorbed the force.
"Hahaha," the cloaked leader laughed.
"True. You're not necessary for the plan."
He raised his bone sword.
"So allow me to send you where you belong."
He lunged again.
Faster than before.
A bone sword formed in his hand mid-motion, its edge burning blue as he slashed toward the old man.
The old man raised his arms and braced.
Mana reinforced his stance as he prepared to take the blow.
"Did I say I was done with you?"
The guard captain appeared beside them in a distortion of space.
His sword was already descending.
The strike was faster than his arrival.
Spatial energy wrapped the blade, warping the air around it.
The cloaked figure reacted instantly.
He swung his bone sword to parry.
The captain's blade passed straight through it.
For a split second, the cloaked figure froze.
Then he twisted away.
Barely.
The guard captain felt the miss.
He released the stored energy.
A compressed spatial ray erupted from his sword.
It sliced through the cloaked figure's side.
Blood sprayed across the ground.
The leader stumbled back, clutching the wound.
"You bastard," he snarled.
Blue light burned violently in his eyes.
"Perhaps I underestimated you."
The air grew heavy.
Oppressive.
His aura expanded, pressing down on the battlefield.
"Now," he said slowly, voice cold and venomous,
"I'm done playing with you both."
The guard captain stepped forward.
Pain flared through his body as he took an attacking stance.
Mana surged higher than before.
"If I can injure you," he said, eyes locked onto the cloaked figure,
"then I can definitely kill you."
The ground trembled beneath their feet.
"Let's go."