“You can show it to me in the morning, Mister Leonard,” he replied wearily.
“It can't wait until tomorrow. Princess Liliana has sent something special for you…” The urgency in Leonard's tone was covered with a gentleness.
'What did she send me? Did she find out that I've recovered? Has Leonard already informed her?' Theo thought with a bit annoyed. He didn't want Leonard to tell her, but he wasn't sure how to directly stop him from spreading this news.
Upon opening the door, Leonard stood there with a sweet smile.
'What's made him so cheerful today?' Theo wondered.
Leonard bowed slightly. “It's outside the mansion, Lord Silverblade.”
Theo nodded and followed. He noticed that Elena was likely asleep, given the locked door and the absence of light in her room.
Reaching the outdoors, he glanced at the radiant full moon which illuminated the mountaintop.“So, what did you want to show me?” Theo asked, letting his gaze wander towards the village.
But as he did, an odd sensation prickled his senses. Before he could fully process it, he instinctively sidestepped, narrowly avoiding a blade. The rush of air from the blade's passage was chilly against his skin, and the sharp ‘whoosh’ sound it made sounded in his ears, making his heart thump.
Whirling around, Theo met Leonard’s disappointed gaze, it was clear Leonard had hoped his attack would connect. The night's serenity was shattered by the sudden turn of events.
Quickly creating some distance between them, Theo summoned a blade into his hand. As Leonard lunged again, their weapons clashed with incredible force, sending a shock wave up Theo's arm and pushing him back several meters. His hand felt numb, but he didn't have the luxury to complain as another attack followed immediately, which he managed to dodge.
Theo's expression turned grim. He hadn't expected this betrayal, nor did he guessed that this would be the surprise waiting for him outside.
“If you wanted to attack me, you could have done it inside at the doorstep. Why out here?” Theo asked, choosing not to question Leonard's betrayal. After all, betrayal seemed to be a new trend in his life.
"Inside, it would be hard to clean up if something got damaged while killing you. I don't want the princess to grow suspicious of me," Leonard replied, an evil smile flashing across his face. As his gaze swept Theo’s blade, he couldn't understand how the boy had acquired that expensive sword.
*Clank!* *Clank!* *Clank!*
Clashes happened beneath the moonlight, casting a glint on the sharp blades they wielded. Theo's hands were already bleeding from the exchanges, leaving him at a clear disadvantage. Leonard appeared to relish toying with his weaker opponent, showing little concern for the passage of time.
Theo, while dodging and blocking, noted the frightening silence of the village. ‘The village is eerily quiet tonight, and there aren’t any guards on patrol. What has he done?’ he mused.
Chuckling, Leonard revealed his sinister plan, "Are you wondering why there are no guards or villagers today? I've brought a grand feast for them for dinner, and I told the village head it was sent by our Lord Silverblade. They're sleeping peacefully now. But once I’m done with you, I plan to kill the village head who did arrangement to deliver the food. They'll never suspect me or know how you died.”
After giving that final speech, Leonard's blows grew increasingly brutal, yet Theo parried and dodged them all with the strength he had left. But each second felt heavier than the last.
*Clank!* *Clank!* *Clank!*
His mind raced, 'This old man has gone mad. I've got to open a portal for Lilith, but he's not giving me the chance. Looks like I'll have to pick my passive skill, and fast.' He muttered this to himself, deflecting Leonard's forceful attacks.
Clenching his teeth and stumbling backward several meters, Leonard saw Theo tapping the air twice.
"Impossible, it can't be," he exclaimed, realizing the boy's intention. He lunged forward, his blade swung with blinding speed towards Theo, aiming for his life.
A faint glow enveloped Theo, making him feel lighter.
<<<<
[You have selected the passive skill 'Defensive Harmony (S-Rank)'. Agility and Strength will now be enhanced by 0.6 times your total Defense stat.]
[You have successfully allocated 38 stat points to Defense and 6 stat points to Stamina.]
>>>>
In an instant, he vanished from his original spot. As Leonard’s attack missed its mark, he sensed a gush of air behind him. Before he could turn around, Theo's blade made a swing across his back, splattering blood onto the ground.
*Slash!*
"You…" Scrunching his face, Leonard groaned in agony. Overwhelmed with rage, he stopped holding back and decided to unleash his full might. Two gleaming cyan ring materialized around his right wrist, indicating he was at least an Elite-ranked elemental warrior.
Seeing this, Theo’s grip on the sword’s hilt tightened as he prepared himself for an intense fight.
*Clank!* *Clank!* *Clank!*
The two collided, clashing again and again. While Theo’s new passive skill helped him handle his enemy better, he wasn’t used to the gained strength yet. With each clash, he found it harder to maintain his balance, staggering several times.
Half an hour later, Leonard saw Theo reeling back, preparing for another strike, but the boy’s figure suddenly vanished. Leonard whipped around, attempting to deflect the incoming attack, but found no one there.
Confused, he scanned the area for Theo. Spotting a figure hurriedly running down the mountain's slope, Leonard pursued with a deadly smile as if his prey had finally landed into his trap.
Racing past several village houses, Theo's gaze landed on a family, a couple with their child, lying on the ground. A half-eaten packet of food was beside them, suggesting they had fallen asleep mid-meal. It was clear Leonard’s “feast” had done its work.
Shaking off the sight, he sprinted towards the open village gate. His intention was to reach the guard's quarters where they usually dined, but the possibility that Leonard had poisoned them made him hesitant. The wisest choice was to exit through the village gate.
The moment he emerged outside, several fire torches illuminated the surroundings. About forty men dressed in black appeared on both sides, with some blocking his path forward.
Hearing Leonard approaching footsteps from behind, Theo released a resigned sigh and bolted southward. As a black-clothed man unsheathed his sword to slash at him, Theo's figure suddenly vanished, causing him to blink in astonishment.
As Theo continued his desperate escape into the woods, he threw some items behind him.
"After him!" Leonard's sharp command rang out as the men in black began their chase. Some stumbled upon thorn-like spheres, causing their pace to slow.
One shouted, "Avoid those things! That cunning bastard has traps laid out!"
Despite the dense forest, Theo couldn't gain enough distance to cast his portal. The pursuers were just too fast. Exhaustion took over him, but he couldn't afford to stop.
He felt grateful for the rigorous training he had undergone with his new body. Otherwise, he doubted he could run so well, even with the benefits of leveling up. Adjusting to a different body and unfamiliar strength usually took time.
Deeper in the forest, he scattered Lunar slumber blossom and agility thistle bane along his path, releasing their sweet fragrances into the air. As the scents spread through the woods, a subtle change happened to his pursuers.
First, their expressions shifted from vigilance to a state of pleasant daze. The furrowed brows and tense jaws softened, replaced by serene smiles that played on their faces. It was as though they had stumbled upon a magical meadow in the deep forest, where worries melted away.
Then, one by one, his pursuers started to sway, their movements becoming lethargic. Their legs gave way beneath them, and they descended as if they were sinking into a comfy bed for a relaxing sleep.
Leonard, who was closely following, noticed the collapsed men with frustration. "What has happened to them?" he asked, bewildered by seeing the collapsed men.
One man, with a dazed smile, stated, "Can you smell this aromatic scent?" As he spoke, he too crumpled to the ground.
Leonard's voice, filled with fury, resounded through the forest, "He's using some sort of poison gas! Be careful!"
One of the man responded, "Understood, sir. We'll cover our noses."
As Theo was running ahead, he realized that the number of those in pursuit was no longer lowering, and more than a dozen still trailed behind him closely.
He could hear the arrows being loosed, but they bounced off him after giving a slight jerk, thanks to his passive skill that boosted his defense. Spotting a majestic, large tree in the distance, whose trunk was broad enough to hide him, Theo decided it would be his final refuge.
'If I can reach that tree, I can summon her for help as it will give me enough cover for casting time.'
However, as Theo neared it, Leonard barked an order, "Hablo! Use the enchanted arrows!" One of the men, wielding a long bow, nodded and summoned a glowing arrow. He notched it and took aim on his running target.
Suddenly, an excruciating pain shot through Theo's left shoulder. An arrow, glimmering faintly, had pierced it, causing blood to spatter on the forest floor. Gritting his teeth, he pushed forward. The pain was bearable, especially for someone who had already endured the recent torture after reaching circle rank 10.
Another glowing arrow found its mark, this time striking his right chest. Blood gushed out, and the agonizing pain contorted his face. Just as he was almost at the tree, a third enchanted arrow embedded itself into his right leg. Limping and bleeding, he pressed on, making a desperate last dash for the tree's cover.
He rolled on the ground, gasping for breath, and found refuge behind the tree's massive trunk. Finally, he could allow himself a moment of relax after his frantic escape. His life had depended on every desperate step he had taken.
"You can't run anymore," Leonard's voice taunted. "This is the end for you, Lord Silverblade."
“You can show it to me in the morning, Mister Leonard,” he replied wearily.
“It can't wait until tomorrow. Princess Liliana has sent something special for you…” The urgency in Leonard's tone was covered with a gentleness.
'What did she send me? Did she find out that I've recovered? Has Leonard already informed her?' Theo thought with a bit annoyed. He didn't want Leonard to tell her, but he wasn't sure how to directly stop him from spreading this news.
Upon opening the door, Leonard stood there with a sweet smile.
'What's made him so cheerful today?' Theo wondered.
Leonard bowed slightly. “It's outside the mansion, Lord Silverblade.”
Theo nodded and followed. He noticed that Elena was likely asleep, given the locked door and the absence of light in her room.
Reaching the outdoors, he glanced at the radiant full moon which illuminated the mountaintop.“So, what did you want to show me?” Theo asked, letting his gaze wander towards the village.
But as he did, an odd sensation prickled his senses. Before he could fully process it, he instinctively sidestepped, narrowly avoiding a blade. The rush of air from the blade's passage was chilly against his skin, and the sharp ‘whoosh’ sound it made sounded in his ears, making his heart thump.
Whirling around, Theo met Leonard’s disappointed gaze, it was clear Leonard had hoped his attack would connect. The night's serenity was shattered by the sudden turn of events.
Quickly creating some distance between them, Theo summoned a blade into his hand. As Leonard lunged again, their weapons clashed with incredible force, sending a shock wave up Theo's arm and pushing him back several meters. His hand felt numb, but he didn't have the luxury to complain as another attack followed immediately, which he managed to dodge.
Theo's expression turned grim. He hadn't expected this betrayal, nor did he guessed that this would be the surprise waiting for him outside.
“If you wanted to attack me, you could have done it inside at the doorstep. Why out here?” Theo asked, choosing not to question Leonard's betrayal. After all, betrayal seemed to be a new trend in his life.
"Inside, it would be hard to clean up if something got damaged while killing you. I don't want the princess to grow suspicious of me," Leonard replied, an evil smile flashing across his face. As his gaze swept Theo’s blade, he couldn't understand how the boy had acquired that expensive sword.
*Clank!* *Clank!* *Clank!*
Clashes happened beneath the moonlight, casting a glint on the sharp blades they wielded. Theo's hands were already bleeding from the exchanges, leaving him at a clear disadvantage. Leonard appeared to relish toying with his weaker opponent, showing little concern for the passage of time.
Theo, while dodging and blocking, noted the frightening silence of the village. ‘The village is eerily quiet tonight, and there aren’t any guards on patrol. What has he done?’ he mused.
Chuckling, Leonard revealed his sinister plan, "Are you wondering why there are no guards or villagers today? I've brought a grand feast for them for dinner, and I told the village head it was sent by our Lord Silverblade. They're sleeping peacefully now. But once I’m done with you, I plan to kill the village head who did arrangement to deliver the food. They'll never suspect me or know how you died.”
After giving that final speech, Leonard's blows grew increasingly brutal, yet Theo parried and dodged them all with the strength he had left. But each second felt heavier than the last.
*Clank!* *Clank!* *Clank!*
His mind raced, 'This old man has gone mad. I've got to open a portal for Lilith, but he's not giving me the chance. Looks like I'll have to pick my passive skill, and fast.' He muttered this to himself, deflecting Leonard's forceful attacks.
Clenching his teeth and stumbling backward several meters, Leonard saw Theo tapping the air twice.
"Impossible, it can't be," he exclaimed, realizing the boy's intention. He lunged forward, his blade swung with blinding speed towards Theo, aiming for his life.
A faint glow enveloped Theo, making him feel lighter.
<<<<
[You have selected the passive skill 'Defensive Harmony (S-Rank)'. Agility and Strength will now be enhanced by 0.6 times your total Defense stat.]
[You have successfully allocated 38 stat points to Defense and 6 stat points to Stamina.]
>>>>
In an instant, he vanished from his original spot. As Leonard’s attack missed its mark, he sensed a gush of air behind him. Before he could turn around, Theo's blade made a swing across his back, splattering blood onto the ground.
*Slash!*
"You…" Scrunching his face, Leonard groaned in agony. Overwhelmed with rage, he stopped holding back and decided to unleash his full might. Two gleaming cyan ring materialized around his right wrist, indicating he was at least an Elite-ranked elemental warrior.
Seeing this, Theo’s grip on the sword’s hilt tightened as he prepared himself for an intense fight.
*Clank!* *Clank!* *Clank!*
The two collided, clashing again and again. While Theo’s new passive skill helped him handle his enemy better, he wasn’t used to the gained strength yet. With each clash, he found it harder to maintain his balance, staggering several times.
Half an hour later, Leonard saw Theo reeling back, preparing for another strike, but the boy’s figure suddenly vanished. Leonard whipped around, attempting to deflect the incoming attack, but found no one there.
Confused, he scanned the area for Theo. Spotting a figure hurriedly running down the mountain's slope, Leonard pursued with a deadly smile as if his prey had finally landed into his trap.
Racing past several village houses, Theo's gaze landed on a family, a couple with their child, lying on the ground. A half-eaten packet of food was beside them, suggesting they had fallen asleep mid-meal. It was clear Leonard’s “feast” had done its work.
Shaking off the sight, he sprinted towards the open village gate. His intention was to reach the guard's quarters where they usually dined, but the possibility that Leonard had poisoned them made him hesitant. The wisest choice was to exit through the village gate.
The moment he emerged outside, several fire torches illuminated the surroundings. About forty men dressed in black appeared on both sides, with some blocking his path forward.
Hearing Leonard approaching footsteps from behind, Theo released a resigned sigh and bolted southward. As a black-clothed man unsheathed his sword to slash at him, Theo's figure suddenly vanished, causing him to blink in astonishment.
As Theo continued his desperate escape into the woods, he threw some items behind him.
"After him!" Leonard's sharp command rang out as the men in black began their chase. Some stumbled upon thorn-like spheres, causing their pace to slow.
One shouted, "Avoid those things! That cunning bastard has traps laid out!"
Despite the dense forest, Theo couldn't gain enough distance to cast his portal. The pursuers were just too fast. Exhaustion took over him, but he couldn't afford to stop.
He felt grateful for the rigorous training he had undergone with his new body. Otherwise, he doubted he could run so well, even with the benefits of leveling up. Adjusting to a different body and unfamiliar strength usually took time.
Deeper in the forest, he scattered Lunar slumber blossom and agility thistle bane along his path, releasing their sweet fragrances into the air. As the scents spread through the woods, a subtle change happened to his pursuers.
First, their expressions shifted from vigilance to a state of pleasant daze. The furrowed brows and tense jaws softened, replaced by serene smiles that played on their faces. It was as though they had stumbled upon a magical meadow in the deep forest, where worries melted away.
Then, one by one, his pursuers started to sway, their movements becoming lethargic. Their legs gave way beneath them, and they descended as if they were sinking into a comfy bed for a relaxing sleep.
Leonard, who was closely following, noticed the collapsed men with frustration. "What has happened to them?" he asked, bewildered by seeing the collapsed men.
One man, with a dazed smile, stated, "Can you smell this aromatic scent?" As he spoke, he too crumpled to the ground.
Leonard's voice, filled with fury, resounded through the forest, "He's using some sort of poison gas! Be careful!"
One of the man responded, "Understood, sir. We'll cover our noses."
As Theo was running ahead, he realized that the number of those in pursuit was no longer lowering, and more than a dozen still trailed behind him closely.
He could hear the arrows being loosed, but they bounced off him after giving a slight jerk, thanks to his passive skill that boosted his defense. Spotting a majestic, large tree in the distance, whose trunk was broad enough to hide him, Theo decided it would be his final refuge.
'If I can reach that tree, I can summon her for help as it will give me enough cover for casting time.'
However, as Theo neared it, Leonard barked an order, "Hablo! Use the enchanted arrows!" One of the men, wielding a long bow, nodded and summoned a glowing arrow. He notched it and took aim on his running target.
Suddenly, an excruciating pain shot through Theo's left shoulder. An arrow, glimmering faintly, had pierced it, causing blood to spatter on the forest floor. Gritting his teeth, he pushed forward. The pain was bearable, especially for someone who had already endured the recent torture after reaching circle rank 10.
Another glowing arrow found its mark, this time striking his right chest. Blood gushed out, and the agonizing pain contorted his face. Just as he was almost at the tree, a third enchanted arrow embedded itself into his right leg. Limping and bleeding, he pressed on, making a desperate last dash for the tree's cover.
He rolled on the ground, gasping for breath, and found refuge behind the tree's massive trunk. Finally, he could allow himself a moment of relax after his frantic escape. His life had depended on every desperate step he had taken.
"You can't run anymore," Leonard's voice taunted. "This is the end for you, Lord Silverblade."
