Khal sat slumped over the grave, breathing heavily, trying his best to move—but the poison had him paralyzed. The shadowy figure loomed over him, but Khal focused his attention on Merlin, his gaze filled with rage.
Her hand was stretched toward him, lightning crackling from her fingertips.
C7W11 Resist +1
C7W11 Resist +1
Damn it, I can't move. I figured she had something up her sleeve, but to think she had a helper... and it's the Leywin family's new generation Shadow Knight, no less. No wonder Danger Sense didn't trigger.
Cough, cough.
Khal spat blood onto his hoodie, eyes locked on the ground.
C7W11 Resist +1
I need to buy time for my body to fully adapt to the poison.
Straining, Khal moved his hand onto his stomach, then slowly looked back up, locking eyes with Merlin.
"Just tell me why. We hold no grudges—so why would you betray me like this?" he asked, his voice and glare seething with anger.
Before Merlin could answer, the shadowy figure cut in.
"She doesn't need to give you a reason for shit. You were dumb enough to trust someone you just met, and now you suffer the consequences. It's as simple as that."
Khal forced his eyes up at him, clenching his jaw in fury.
The darkness slowly faded from the man, revealing a young, silver-haired, blue-eyed figure in full black armor. The crest of a sword piercing the world was emblazoned on his chest.
"If you could see how pitiful you look right now... 'Why did you betray me?'" he mocked with a sneer. "Die like a man and stop asking bitch questions."
"Stop it, Renold. Let's just hurry up and get this over with," Merlin said coldly.
Renold's smile faded as he turned to Merlin, disgust etched across his face.
"If it wasn't for the fact that I'm busy, I'd go over there and teach you what it means to shut the fuck up when I'm talking."
He stared at Merlin for a few moments before clicking his tongue.
"Let's get this over with. I've got places to be and people to kill." Renold turned around, jumping off Hagan's grave and making his way toward the treasure display.
He abruptly stopped and turned to Merlin.
"Oh yeah, I'm gonna need you to kill him. He's worthless to us now."
Khal's eyes narrowed, jaws clenched, struggling to move his body.
C7W11 Resist +1
I have a bit of movement now, but it's still not enough. I could maybe catch Merlin off guard and land a killing blow… but then what? I'd be helpless against that other guy. I can only hope for the best.
Khal steeled himself, waiting for the right opportunity—but when he glanced over at Merlin, sweat was dripping down her face. Her expression was filled with worry and doubt.
"That wasn't part of the plan! We were only supposed to take everything and leave. We already have his blood—there's no reason to kill him!" she exclaimed, glaring at Renold.
"Huh?" Renold cupped a hand to his ear, wearing a mocking expression. "I don't think you heard me, so let me say it again: I–want–him–dead. Not only does he know the Leywin family is behind this, but from what I've seen while tailing you two... I've really grown to hate this bastard. So hurry the hell up—I don't have all day."
Merlin clenched her staff, her frustration boiling over.
"I came here for my sister—not to kill someone who's done nothing but help me."
Renold's patience frayed. He clenched his jaw and tapped his dagger against his leg, rhythmically and with growing force.
"Fine… I'll do it myself. I don't usually deal with trash, but it seems I don't have a choice."
Merlin's stance didn't change. Her voice remained firm.
"Whether I do it or you do it, it doesn't matter—we don't have to—"
"Shut up, bitch."
PZZT!
Electricity surged through Merlin's head, sending her crashing to the ground with a painful scream.
Renold stood holding a glowing blue stone, pouring mana into it.
"Your voice is getting so annoying. A filthy little mage like you should be grateful the family even keeps you around. If it weren't for your skills, you would've been discarded a long time ago."
Khal stared down at Merl, her screams deafening. His expression twisted with rage.
Why am I so angry?
Is it because she just refused to kill me?
No… She put me in this position knowing she'd leave me behind with nothing. I find it pathetic for her to suddenly grow a conscience.
So then, why am I angry?
A memory surfaced — a framed photo of him as a child, smiling between a woman and a man. Their faces had been violently scratched out.
That's it. That's who he reminds me of. That's why I'm angry.
I truly hate people like him.
"People who treat others like toys and throw them away when they're done," Khal muttered.
Renold stopped pouring mana into the rock and tilted his head to look past the grave.
"What're you mumbling about over there, little buddy?"
His eyes narrowed as Khal slowly rose to his feet.
"Impossible," Renold muttered. "I hit you with a massive dose of a level 20 suicide bee's venom. You shouldn't even be twitching. Your guts should feel like they're caving in."
Khal began to walk toward him, dragging his right foot, his head low.
Renold pointed his dagger at him, half-smiling.
"Your willpower's impressive. I don't think even I could move after that. But so what? You're still dead."
Khal didn't respond. He kept limping forward.
Renold's smirk faded. His confusion deepened.
"You're one stubborn fool."
He raised the dagger overhead, grinning again.
"Die like the filth you are."
I've only got a few moments before my body fully adapts to the poison. Until then, I need to use every ounce of control I have and strike when he least expects it.
SWISH!
Renold hurled the dagger with precision, aiming for Khal's skull.
Khal tensed. Just before the blade could hit, he ducked. In a blur of motion, he charged forward, pain flaring through every nerve.
Pain Resist +1
Pain Resist +1
C7W11 Resist +1
C7W11 Resist +1
C7W11 Resist +1
Khal yanked his spear from his inventory, jaw clenched. He thrust forward, aiming straight for Renold's neck.
FOOM!
Human trash like you… should just die.
CHING!
The spear struck — but stopped against a shimmering shield.
Renold's eyes widened, stunned by the sudden attack. Sweat trailed down his temple.
Khal pushed with everything he had, trying to drive the spear through, but the barrier held. Renold snapped out of his daze, rage contorting his face.
"You little bastard," he hissed. "A sneak attack? Really?"
He pulled back his fist and slammed it into Khal's face.
BAM!
Khal flew backward, landing hard. His spear skidded across the ground. Dazed, he clenched his jaw and glared up at Renold.
Renold stood over him and began stomping him repeatedly, his face twisted with fury.
BAM BAM BAM
"Fix your eyes, you piece of shit! I'm a level 15 shadow knight; a bastard like you should get trampled on quietly! How dare you attack me!
Bone Density +1
Bone Density +1
Increased Skin Density Acquired!
Skin Density +1
Skin Density +1
Blunt Force Resist +1
Blunt Force Resist +1
Blunt Force Resist +1
Cellular Regeneration +1
Cellular Regeneration +1
Behind the constant hits, Khal couldn't help but smile at the sound of the system notifications; the pain was very minimal, but the benefit was plentiful.
If I'm not carful… This power is going to turn me into a masochist.