Valra tilted her head, curiosity in her eyes.
"Hmm… I heard some rumors about the 4th Prince, Dong. People say he's arrogant and weak… and that he didn't actually defeat that dragon. They say he only delivered the final slash."
Zorak nodded slowly.
"Yeah, I heard that too. Something about the live crystal getting disconnected for a few minutes… and some elites helping Master Dong."
Kira raised a gentle hand.
"I think you should avoid asking about that right now."
Sung crossed his arms, expression calm.
"We can't reveal anything about the dragon incident. But one thing is certain when Master Dong received the reward scroll, he failed to absorb it… yet he didn't die."
Sung looked at Dong.
"That alone proves he's not weak."
Dong glanced back at him.
Sung lifted one eyebrow, smirking.
"Am I wrong?"
Dong exhaled.
"No… Sung's right. But I still can't say anything about the dragon incident."
Valra nodded softly.
"Okay. No problem."
Zorak smiled gratefully.
"Even if you didn't defeat the dragon, we are grateful. You saved our lives."
Valra placed her hand on her chest.
"We barbarians always repay kindness. If your kingdom ever needs help, we will not hesitate."
Kira bowed his head slightly.
"That's an honor."
Zorak turned to Dong.
"And Sung was right. If Master Dong were weak, he would've died absorbing that scroll… but he didn't. That proves his strength."
Dong chuckled lightly.
"Yoo… thanks for the good words."
Sung smirked.
"Yup."
---
A Sudden Warning
Suddenly, one of the knights approached.
1st Knight:
"Young Master Kira, we're hearing noises from the west. You should move now. We ten knights will check what's coming."
10th Knight stepped forward, tense.
"Yes, young masters. There's murderous intent coming from that direction."
Sung tightened his grip on the reins.
"Yeah… I feel it too. We should move."
Dong stood up.
"No need to waste time. We've rested enough let's go."
Kira nodded.
"Right."
---
Departure
All five of them got inside the carriage.
Sung climbed into the driver's seat and took the reins firmly.
The carriage rolled forward, heading deeper into the night.
Sung starts driving the carriage.
Kira and Dong sit together in the back.
Zorak and Valra sit on the opposite side.
---
Zorak: "So, Sung… what's your power?"
Valra: "Yeah, I also want to know."
Sung: "I don't want to kill your excitement, but… my power hasn't awakened yet."
Valra: "Ah… that's kinda sad."
Dong: "Yeah, but don't worry. I'm helping Sung awaken his power."
Kira: "I'm excited to see what kind of ability he gets."
Sung: "Even without power, I study magic and swordsmanship every day. I won't lose to anyone."
Zorak: "Yoo! That discipline… that's something only Elite Barbarians show."
Sung laughs. "That's great to hear."
---
After a few miles of peaceful travel…
---
Valra: "Wait… are you guys hearing screaming?"
Kira: "Yeah. It's coming from the direction where we left the knights."
Sung: "That's… scary."
Zorak starts panicking. "Sung, faster! If something killed the knights, it might come for us next!"
Dong: "Hmph. I think the knights are already gone."
Kira: "Don't say that…"
Suddenly, an attack hits the carriage.
Dong's eyes widen.
A split second later
BOOM!
The entire carriage bursts into flames.
Zorak, Kira, and Valra are thrown onto the ground.
Sung and Dong land on their feet, both bleeding from the forehead.
---
Kira: "What… what was that!?"
Zorak (shaking): "We already know who it is… obviously."
Valra stays silent, trembling.
Sung: "We should hide somewhere before—"
Dong: "No. Let's see what's coming."
---
Through the burning fire,
a figure walks out slowly, holding two katanas… and smiling.
---
Zorak: "This is the end…"
Kira struggles to stand.
Sung moves closer to Valra and whispers:
Sung: "Valra, follow me. You're still tied and I don't have any power. We need to hide."
---
Dong looks at Zorak.
Dong: "Come on. You're a barbarian. Barbarians are known for fearless hearts and unbreakable will."
Zorak clenches his fists.
Zorak: "I… I have no hope left. But for my sister… and for my family… I will fight."
Kira: "Alright. Get ready."
Suddenly, the shadowy figure blurs forward, appearing right in front of Kira in less than a heartbeat.
With a single swift motion
SWOOSH!
he slashes his katana toward Kira's neck.
Kira barely reacts in time.
CLANG!!
Kira blocks the strike, but his knees shake from the force.
---
Kira (gritting teeth):
"Zorak…!! Fast—help me!"
---
Dong raises his hand instantly.
Dong:
"Stone Spikes!"
The ground cracks open.
Jagged stone spikes erupt upward
but the figure twists his body mid-air, flipping over them like a leaf in the wind.
---
Dong (shouting):
"Zorak! FAST! We need help!"
---
The figure lands lightly, grin widening.
Figure:
"Ohh… the little barbarian is still alive.
What happened, huh? You pu@@y barbarian?"
---
Zorak freezes.
His eyes meet the assassin's.
Something inside him snaps
fear turning into burning rage.
He grabs his hammer, veins bulging.
---
Zorak:
"I'll kill you!"
He charges forward with a roar.
---
Dong:
"Don't attack blindly, you gorilla!"
---
Kira:
"Zorak! Follow my technique!"
---
Zorak nods, breathing hard.
The two move together, their steps syncing as they rush the enemy.
---
But the figure ignores them…
His gaze locks onto Dong.
He walks forward slowly—
each step making the jungle leaves lift into the air, swirling around him like a storm.
His killing intent is so strong that even the fire behind him bends inward.
---
Dong:
"Not bad…"
Dong's eyes glow.
"Lion Fear."
---
A wave of invisible pressure explodes outward
the trees groan, the ground cracks, and the air vibrates like a beast roaring.
The assassin's knees hit the ground instantly.
His katana trembles in his hands.
---
Kira:
"Now!"
Zorak:
"For my sister… and my kingdom!"
---
Kira slashes from the front
his blade aimed straight at the assassin's neck.
Zorak swings from behind
his massive hammer falling toward the assassin's skull like a meteor.
Two attacks.
Two angles.
One chance.
The figure is trapped between death.