"Lord of Ghost King, when do we strike?"After shadowing Talia for about 15 minutes, the man riding shotgun inquired."We wait for the Leader's signal," the hawk-nosed man replied, his voice heavy with authority."Lord of Ghost King, shouldn't we just grab her now and hand her off to the Leader when he shows up?" the driver suggested."Think, man!" snapped the hawk-nosed man. "We've got a whole crew in Mendorra. Both the local muscle and the Shadow Sect have got to be onto us. They're probably ready for anything."If we make a move here in broad daylight, her husband will hear about it before you can blink!"And if the Leader isn't here yet, who do you think can stand up to him? With the kind of power he wields, he'd take us down in a heartbeat!""I didn't think it through. My apologies, Lord of Ghost King," the driver said, bowing his head in respect.Suddenly, the man in the passenger seat yelled, "Watch out!"The driver slammed on the brakes instinctively, and the Audi scre
It was their first visit to Rackaham, but the Shadow Sect's reputation preceded them. They were well aware of the Five Blades, which included two renowned beauties.They never imagined they would run into one of them there.A sense of foreboding crept into the minds of the three men. If she was here in Mendorra, did that mean the other four were close by?"Just end yourselves," Shylah commanded dismissively, not even deigning to look at them."Hmph! You're out of your depth, kid!" The man with the hooked nose scoffed. "You think you can take us on? Better worry about how you're going to get out of this alive."His ego was bruised by Shylah's audacity.He had sized up Shylah's power, which was on par with his own—a formidable half-step martial knight.However, she was outnumbered. His allies were not to be underestimated—one a martial god of minor mastery, and the other a martial general with ultimate mastery.He was brimming with confidence. Together, the three of them could ta
"See you in the next life!"With those final words, Shylah's blade arced through the air with deadly precision."I can't accept this—!"The man's scream was a mix of rage and terror, his eyes wild with fury.The gleam of the blade sliced across his midsection, and his body split in two, tumbling to the ground as blood gushed out.Shylah spared the gruesome scene only a glance before she spun on her heel and dashed back the way she had come.Reaching the car, she noticed the man with the hawkish nose staggering back from Lukas' relentless assault, his retreat marked by deep imprints in the solid ground.Shylah did not hesitate. She lunged forward, her knife weaving a deadly dance that whistled through the air."Uh-oh," the hooked-nose man, already nicked by Lukas, felt a chill as his pupils constricted.He gasped and dodged, but he was not quick enough. His body was slashed open, blood jetting out in streams."No..."His heart sank as he barely regained his balance, only to f
Scarface and the crew could not peel their eyes away from the bombshell, each of them practically drooling.Scarface gave the pair a once-over, sensing no martial vibes. They were clearly not martial arts warriors."My apologies, sir," the beauty cooed, turning on the charm for Scarface. "I heard some girls here rubbed you the wrong way. I'm here to make it right, and I hope you can be gracious."The woman gracefully accepted two glasses of red wine from the man and set one down on the coffee table near the man with the scarred face."Allow me to drink first in honor of our meeting," she declared. With a swift tilt of her glass, she downed the wine in one elegant swallow."Well said!" The scar-faced man's eyes lingered appreciatively on the woman as he took his own glass and drank deeply."Many thanks for your gracious company," the woman said with a flirtatious smile."Ambrose, my Lord Ghost King, we must spare this enchanting lady. She's coming with us after we've finished our
"Stay sharp," the Ghost King cautioned with a grave tone."Rackaham was a place of hidden heavy hitters. Who could say for sure if he hadn't set up a powerhouse to guard his kid?"How tough can they really be?" scoffed the man, full of scorn."Our intel shows that across all of Mendorra, there are only two martial gods besides him!"Even if those two would stoop to babysitting, and one happened to be in the park, we'd handle it with ease...""That's enough," the burly man cut him off with a grave tone. "The leader made it clear: this mission has to go off without a hitch. Success is the only option; failure isn't on the table.""Snap to it, guys. No underestimating the enemy, got it?""Understood!" The five men answered in chorus."When do we strike, Lord of Ghost King?" another man asked after a brief pause."It's time. Let's move out!" The burly man glanced at his watch."Roger that!" They all chimed in and made for the door—"Sorry, fellas, but it looks like you won't be
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!His hands whirled, unleashing a barrage of punches packed with the force of a landslide, hurtling toward Yoel with a fury that seemed to shake the heavens.The other four warriors, each a seasoned martial general, clenched their jaws and tapped into their deepest reserves of strength to back him up."This is Rackaham, and it's not your playground. Make sure you remember that in your next life!" Yoel's gaze hardened and swiftly struck back. His power roared out like a tempest, overwhelming everything in its path.The outcome was inevitable. The burly man and his comrades did not even get close before they were scattered like leaves in a gale.They were flung back dozens of meters, crashing to the ground with thuds, the four generals already lifeless before they hit the dirt. The burly man, though barely alive after the fall, gasped for air."How... How can this be... You... you've achieved martial knight ultimate mastery..."His words trailed off as his ey
"Think you're up for it?" Howard inquired."With your resolve, Master Howard, I'll give it everything I've got, until my last breath," Quispe promised, nodding with determination."Excellent," Howard approved. "Once you're back from Ciolara, throw yourself into this. You have three months to cleanse the Shadow Sect through and through.""I'll get it done," Quispe assured him with a salute.However, before he could finish, a flicker of alarm crossed his face.He felt an ominous force bearing down on them, fast.Howard cracked a wry smile and stood. "They sure didn't waste any time getting here."The air whirled around them, signaling the arrival of something—or someone—formidable.Before long, like phantoms, two figures materialized a hundred meters away. One towering, the other not so tall.The taller man was a sight to behold, not yet forty, with hands soft as new leaves and skin creamy as porcelain. His features were refined, surpassing the beauty of many women. He was strik
"The world's stage is immense, far beyond what you can imagine. What you know of the world is merely the tip of the iceberg!"If you're willing to venture into The Dark World, I assure you, your future accomplishments will dwarf anything you could achieve here in Rackaham!"I could put in a good word for you with the Elder Council of the Shadow Demon Shrine. It's only there that you'll grasp the true expanse of our world and the true might of its most powerful beings!""That's an intriguing offer!" Howard's smile broadened."So, will you give it some thought?" Baldwin asked, his gaze fixed on Howard."You know, your words reveal a rather limited perspective," Howard responded."Your understanding of Rackaham barely scratches the surface. Rackaham's legacy has spanned thousands of years. For nearly half of recorded history, Rackaham was revered, its glory shining in every corner of the world!"You think The Dark World is some big, bad force, but it's just a bunch of puppets strun
"And look at that bracelet, it's stunning! Oh, and the compact has such a unique charm! Should we get one of each to decorate our homes?""Yuffie, you're still in school. How can you afford all this?" Talia chided gently. "You have a hundred fifty-dollar budget. Spend more, and it's coming out of your allowance.""What? Only a hundred fifty dollars? You're being too tight-fisted, sis!" Yuffie's complaint was lighthearted as she playfully turned to Howard. "Howard...""Don't even think about it. His wallet is in my hands!" Talia cut her off, fully aware of her little sister's ploy."Fine..." Yuffie's pout was all in good fun."Haha! It's not every day we get to do this, honey. If Yuffie finds something she loves, let's get it for her. Who knows if it'll be here next time?" Howard chuckled."Yay! You're the best, bro-in-law!" Yuffie cheered, her face lighting up with joy."You're just making her more spoiled!" Talia gave Howard a playful eye roll and turned her attention away from
Howard's willingness to visit the antique market was not solely to assist the sisters in their quest for a legendary blade. Such weapons were treasures often stumbled upon by chance, rarely found by those who sought them.His real intent was to immerse the sisters in the rich culture of the martial arts clans they were then a part of. More exposure to the ways of the warrior guilds could only benefit them on their chosen path.The following morning, Howard's group of five set off in the direction of Nathanael. Talia and Yuffie buzzed with excitement throughout the journey, their minds alive with wonder.Nathanael, nestled in the mountains to the northeast of Mendorra and a couple hundred kilometers away, awaited them.By 10 a.m., they arrived, parking at the gates of a sprawling estate on the city's outskirts—the site of the famed market.Stepping out, they were greeted by a lively throng at the estate's entrance, many adorned in traditional robes, weapons hanging from their belts
"And that's not all. They might even be a bona fide king-level warrior." Howard's brow furrowed with uncertainty."It looks like The Dark World is a whole lot more tangled than we thought," Yoel mused aloud.Then, turning back to Howard, he inquired, "Sir, did the old man ever share anything with you about The Dark World?""Not a word," Howard replied, shaking his head."Sir, do you think our mystery person could be from one of the elite families or sects, maybe just there on some errand?" Mystical Chubby chimed in.His speculation was not unfounded. Most of the king-level warriors from Rackaham were known to hail from the secretive clans and sects."It's unlikely." Howard dismissed the idea with another shake of his head. "From what Sabertooth described, our guy seems to know The Dark World like the back of his hand.""Who's that supposed to be?" Mystical Chubby scrunched his brow in confusion."Let it go for now. We'll head back to The Dark World in a little while," said Howa
"Um..." Blood Rakshasa nodded, the woman's earlier words still ringing in her head."Sir... Sir, was what you said earlier true?" Blood Rakshasa asked Sabertooth, her voice barely above a whisper."What did I say?" Sabertooth looked puzzled for a moment."You said... You said next time, we'd go back home together to get married..." Blood Rakshasa's cheeks turned a soft pink."Hehe, absolutely," Sabertooth chuckled, his smile warm and genuine. "The boss gave me the order, and I've given my word."Blood Rakshasa's smile was shy but filled with joy.Soon after, Qemal strode in."Sabertooth, I've tracked down the hideout of the Slaying Heaven Palace," Qemal announced upon arrival."Is that so?" Sabertooth's eyes sparkled with anticipation. "Tell the crew to take a two-hour breather, then we move out!"The Slaying Heaven Palace's goons had nearly wiped out them today. Payback was due.With the Palace's top fighters gone, the rest were hardly a threat. It was time to cross the Slay
"Shadow Demon Shrine?" The woman's brow creased for a moment, but she quickly dropped the subject.She then turned to Sabertooth and observed, "You and your group have the vibe of soldiers. You're not originally from The Dark World, are you?""Speaking to our savior," Sabertooth gave a respectful nod, "we were part of the Rackaham Western Region's military before we came here."He was open with the woman who had saved over a hundred of his comrades."The Western Region's military?" The woman paused, a hint of recognition in her voice, "You're with the Blood Shadow Force?""That's us," Sabertooth confirmed with another bow."Is your leader the King of the West, Master Howard?" she inquired further."You know my boss?" Sabertooth looked surprised."Not personally, but I've heard the name," the woman replied with a shake of her head. "What's he got you doing in The Dark World?""Over the past couple of years, the world's heavy hitters have been funneling their muscle and resource
"You'll live to regret this, Dark Demon Lord!" Blood Rakshasa declared, locking eyes with her adversary. "Kill us, and Master Howard will avenge us by wiping out every last one of you in your cursed palace...""Ha! That Master Howard of yours better think twice before stepping into The Dark World again, or it'll be his grave!" The Dark Demon Lord mocked with an icy laugh."You're the fool!" Sabertooth growled. "No one in The Dark World has been born who can take down our boss. Your time's coming!""Is that so?" The Dark Demon Lord sneered with disdain. "You're clueless, all of you. You have no idea how powerful the Shadow Demon Shrine truly is!""Enough babbling. Time to end this. I'll send you both to join your boss," he declared, his presence intensifying as he prepared to strike them down."I love you," Blood Rakshasa whispered, her eyes closing."No, don't!" Qemal and others shouted in despair.Then there was a thunderous boom.However, the expected tragedy did not unfold.
Sabertooth sneered, watching the man's futile efforts. "You're such a fool!"He then declared solemnly, "Blood Shadow Technique, second form, Sky Slash!"With those words, he summoned all his strength, his saber carving a fierce arc of light through the air, striking like thunder at his foe.The Blood Shadow Technique was known for turning the tides against stronger adversaries.The white-haired elder's eyes narrowed in alarm. Caught mid-leap, he desperately wanted to dodge but could not. The saber's light bore down on him, a chilling aura of death shrouding him completely.In that instant, a wave of energy crashed through the air like a tidal wave, bringing a howling gale with it.Crash!Suddenly, Sabertooth was hurled away like a shell fired from a gun, blood spraying from his mouth as he flew, before he slammed into the earth, leaving a huge crater and falling silent."Sabertooth!" Blood Rakshasa's shout pierced the chaos as she spun and dashed to his side.She barely made
The man in black was sent hurtling through the air, slamming into the ground with such force that he lay there motionlessly, struggling to rise. A gaping wound, carved by the relentless sword, oozed blood profusely from his abdomen."What in the world is that sword technique?" he gasped after a torturous effort to stand, his face ashen.He had underestimated Blood Rakshasa's swordplay. Since her breakthrough to a higher echelon of mastery, her blade's might had surged, utterly dominating her seasoned adversary."The Sword Without a Name," Blood Rakshasa declared icily.Without wasting another second, she launched another assault. Sabertooth was in dire straits, and she was determined to aid him.Her blade danced again, weaving a web of sword energy that shot toward the white-haired elder, ensnaring him in an instant.The old man's eyes narrowed in a flash of panic, realizing he was trapped with no way out."This is it!" he snarled, brandishing his blade and lunging forward.How
With a thunderous explosion of energy, Blood Rakshasa's power surged, forcing the old man before her to stagger back in disbelief."Impossible! Have you broken through?" he gasped, steadying himself, his face a mask of astonishment."You bet I have!" Blood Rakshasa's face lit up with triumph.She had done it, just as the old man had surmised. Amid her swordplay, she felt a dormant core energy within her erupt, catapulting her to the zenith of martial knight at peak mastery stage.Master Howard's words rang in her head. The core energy left in her by a once-mighty warrior was too much to absorb at once. Back in that cave, she only managed a minor mastery in martial knight. However, Howard had predicted further advancements, and he was right."Let's see if you can handle a few more of my strikes!" Blood Rakshasa challenged, her spirit soaring not just from her newfound strength but also from a deeper connection to her swordsmanship."Bring it on!" the old man bellowed, his blade re