"You've got it coming!"The Inferno Maned Lion glanced at the multiple gashes across his body, his rage boiling over.He was two levels above his adversary, confident in a swift victory. Yet, the battle had dragged on, and he bore the scars of his opponent's defiance.The shame was unbearable.With a steely fury, he strode toward where Sabertooth lay, his intent to kill thick in the air."You've earned your death, marking me like this," he declared, his voice heavy with menace, stopping just ten meters from Sabertooth.No more words were exchanged as he lifted his hand and unleashed a palm strike, whipping up a ferocious wind."Watch out, Commander!" Vicenzo's warning rang out from a short distance."Sir!" Blood Rakshasa, locked in a fierce combat, saw the danger and dashed forward, her whip cracking through the air to counter the incoming strike.Boom!However, her cultivation base was no match for the Inferno Maned Lion, a whole level above her. The force of his attack sent
With those words, he faced the Inferno Maned Lion once more. "End it yourself. I'll let you keep your dignity intact. Though, I can't do anything about that arm of yours!""Cursed!" The Inferno Maned Lion's expression was stormy, his face a mask of fury.In his state, there was no way he could take on Sabertooth, who was at the peak of his powers.Without a second thought, he spun and bolted to the side, knowing all too well that any delay spelled doom."Thinking of running now? Too late!"Sabertooth's voice boomed as he surged forward, his blade flashing like lightning, aiming for the Inferno Maned Lion's back."No!"The Inferno Maned Lion, panic-stricken, pushed himself to move even faster.However, his injuries were too severe, he could not dodge the inevitable slash, and a streak of silver cut across his waist.Propelled by momentum, he stumbled several steps before his body split in two, crashing to the ground as blood gushed out."Told you it was too late to run," Saber
It was not long before a group of a hundred people approached from a short distance away.Leading them was none other than the Infernal Gate's leader, the Inferno Demon Sovereign himself. Right behind him were two of Purgatory Gate's top enforcers, followed by the rest of the sect's elite fighters.With that, all the key players of Infernal Gate were then in the open.Sabertooth, picking himself up from the dirt, swore under his breath at the sight of them.After a grueling journey to the pinnacle of martial knight mastery, there was not even a moment to revel in triumph before a martial ancestor-level adversary showed up.What then?"Today, every last one of you Rakshasa is going to bite the dust!" The Inferno Demon Sovereign was not in a hurry to strike. He glared at Sabertooth and bellowed with rage.His voice rasped like a demon from the depths of hell. "You slaughtered my Infernal Gate's deputy and two of our prison kings. Before you draw your last breath, I'll make sure yo
"Sir, look out!""Sabertooth, duck!"Blood Rakshasa and the others shouted their warnings in unison."Huh!?" Sabertooth felt the full brunt of the incoming strike, his eyes narrowing as his energy erupted. Gritting his teeth, he crossed his saber before him and summoned every ounce of his strength to create a shield of protection aura."Foolish!" sneered the Inferno Demon Sovereign, a calculated smirk spreading across his face. To think a mere peak martial knight could catch his strike was laughable!Forget a peak martial knight; even a fledgling martial ancestor would not stand a chance!However, in the next instant, his smirk froze solid.In a heartbeat, his skin prickled as every pore opened wide, and he was overwhelmed by an intense sense of danger that flooded his every cell.At the same time, a streak of blood-red light sliced through the sky, zooming into his vision with no time for him to react. It struck with lethal precision.The blade left a crimson trail from his s
"Mystical Chubby, let's see how bad we're hit!" Howard called out, his voice cutting through the air.He had already given the crew a once-over. Nearly half of them were banged up, but it was nothing serious—just some scrapes and bruises."Got it!" Mystical Chubby shouted back, pulling out a handful of first-aid kits and heading over to the injured."You... You're Howard from Rackaham?" The last man standing from the enemy ranks finally pieced it together, his voice shaking as he addressed Howard."Just figured that out?" Sabertooth scoffed with a contemptuous sneer.The man wasted no time bowing deeply to Howard, his whole body shaking like a leaf. "Please... Master Howard, have mercy... Spare me..."He was scared out of his wits. Howard's reputation had sent shockwaves through The Dark World over a year ago.He never imagined he would come face-to-face with the legend himself. If that last strike was anything to go by, Howard had only gotten stronger—way stronger.With moves
Vicenzo's thanks came from the depths of his soul. He never expected the King of the West to save him personally—a rare honor by any standard.Without Howard's intervention, Vicenzo and his allies like Sabertooth might not have survived. The thought of being responsible for such a loss was unbearable.Howard waved off the thanks with a chuckle. "No need for formalities, Mr. Jencks. Just doing what's right."Soon, they reached the desolate battlefield, a grim reminder of the conflict. The ground was a macabre tapestry of severed limbs and a river of blood—the aftermath of a fierce struggle.Despite the sheer number of adversaries, they were nothing more than the weaker forces of the Infernal Gate, easily overpowered by Waldo's four fierce deputies and the Blood Shadow crew.In no time at all, each one hit the ground. Though a few were still hanging on by a thread, their time was running out."Salute to the marshal!" The crowd roared as Howard appeared. They had met with Howard jus
The hall filled with a chorus of coughs.Mister Howard always knew to keep things lively."Sir, I..." Sabertooth was visibly flustered, his mouth twitching in annoyance.'What's this about 'starting something'? I haven't even held Rakshasa's hand!' A thought crossed Sabertooth's mind.Blood Rakshasa's head dipped even lower, her blush deepening. Despite her shyness, her eyes sparkled with happiness. She knew Howard was teasing, but it meant he was not against the idea.Just like the others had noticed, their time together had sparked something special in her for Sabertooth.She was not sure if it was love, but it was definitely more than just camaraderie."Enough of that, let's get down to brass tacks!" Howard cut in, gesturing for Sabertooth to drop it.The rest of the guys, except for the Judge and Hacks, were as clueless as ever, but seeing Blood Rakshasa's reaction, Howard could not help but feel a bit of joy for Sabertooth.He liked Blood Rakshasa, she seemed like a good
"Blood Rakshasa, let's get into the details about that map," Howard said, shifting his gaze to Blood Rakshasa.He might not care for the map itself, but with Rakshasa's very survival at stake, it was time to get involved."Right," Blood Rakshasa agreed with a nod before diving back into the conversation."To be honest, I had no clue what that map was all about. Lately, though, there's been this buzz around The Dark World."Rumor has it that some martial emperor—a real powerhouse—bit the dust in the mountains here about twenty or thirty years back. They say he left behind all his secrets."And now, everyone's tripping over themselves to get there!""A martial emperor, that's it? Is it really that big of a deal?" Yoel could not hide his skepticism."Mr. Louis, for most folks who live and breathe martial arts, becoming a martial emperor is like a pipe dream," Sabertooth chimed in. "So when a chance like this falls into your lap, you bet they're all in.""How'd The Dark World even
"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