I was about to check the bronze knight's stats, but the boss of the thieves suddenly fled from the battle.
"Finish that foolish knight quickly! I'll be waiting outside the city with our loot." He bolted, running as fast as he could. Somehow, he managed to slip away from the guards still searching the area.
Moments later, I realized we were heading toward the city gate. A group of guards stood there, carefully inspecting anyone entering or leaving. I was sure Daylor would be caught instantly if he tried to walk through.
But I was wrong. The posters only had his men's faces, not his. The guards didn't stop him, and Daylor walked past freely. Soon he vanished into the forest, where he chose a spot to hide and wait for his lackeys.
As he rested, he glanced at me and smirked.
"Finally… with this ring, my revenge begins. With its power, I am unstoppable." He laughed, almost crazed.
Nearly an hour passed before rustling echoed from the nearby bushes. Daylor perked up, certain his men had returned victorious. But the figure who emerged was not his underlings.
It was the bronze knight. His armor dripped with blood, proof the battle against those monsters had been brutal.
"Not them… but you? Hah, what a surprise. You must be a fool to follow me, because—" His words cut short.
A volley of six fireballs roared toward the knight, exploding on impact. Flames and smoke blasted through the forest.
"Because I already set traps! And despite appearances, I'm not just some—" His arrogant words faltered when the knight stepped out of the smoke, completely unharmed.
Shocked, Daylor unleashed another barrage of fireballs. Yet again, the knight walked through untouched. Before Daylor could cast more, the knight bashed him with his shield, knocking him down.
By the time Daylor staggered up, a blade pressed close to his face. The knight ordered him to surrender, insisting he had no desire to kill a human.
"I will never surrender to a low-level knight! I am far above you. With this ring, I will become king!" Daylor shouted. He cast a flash of light, blinding the knight as he scrambled away.
"You should have killed me when you had the chance… because I am no longer human. Not since that day."
His body began to twist horribly. Horns sprouted from his head, his teeth sharpened, and his frame bulked up with monstrous strength.
The knight dashed to strike before the transformation could finish. But he was a moment too late. With one monstrous punch, Daylor smashed into him, sending the bronze knight flying.