CHAPTER 43: 043 HARVEST

Flames roared out with astonishing speed, the high temperature causing hair to curl and body moisture to rapidly evaporate.

No knight’s attendant dared to endure an attack-type Dharma Seal.

At least, so far, Carl had not encountered any.

"GRUNT!"

Across from him, Iron Fist Abei grunted and leaped nearly three meters from his spot, avoiding the flames that shot toward him through the air.

What greeted him was the second burst of flame.

Fire Seal!

"ARGH!"

Iron Fist Abei roared to the sky, his ten fingers clenched, and he smashed head-on into the approaching flames.

"BANG!"

The flames dispersed.

An odor of scorched material followed.

"Iron Fist?"

Carl’s gaze paused on the opponent’s fist, then he lightly pushed his left arm again, triggering the Fire Seal.

With his current strength, he could set off six Fire Seals in one go.

The opponent’s fists were strangely strong, even capable of forcefully smashing the flames, but his arms lacked protection and certainly couldn’t withstand much more.

"SWOOSH!"

A figure flickered in front—Iron Fist Abei’s speed suddenly surged as he evaded the flames and rushed forward.

Battle Skill—Roar!

This was a special Battle Skill. He unleashed a beast-like roar, spurring himself on, stimulating his life force, and temporarily enhancing his speed and attack power.

This unexpected turn of events caused Carl’s eyes to narrow as his left hand, still in the air, lightly snapped a finger.

"SNAP!"

A flash of light suddenly appeared.

Light Spell!

At the same time, an invisible force field enveloped the surroundings. Zero-Circle Magic—Minor Spell Force Field!

"THWACK!"

Iron Fist Abei’s fist pierced the force field. The air rippled like water, and his speed was slightly impeded, causing Carl’s heart to sink.

What’s going on? Why did the force field’s suppression become so weak?

The power of witchcraft is closely tied to the strength of spiritual power. With Carl’s spiritual power now nearing that of an Intermediate Wizard Apprentice, the Minor Spell Force Field should suppress a knight’s attendant’s power by thirty to forty percent. This should reduce a knight’s attendant to being only slightly stronger than an average person.

But now, though Iron Fist Abei’s speed and strength were affected to some extent, the impact wasn’t nearly as significant. Still, it did have some effect.

"CLANG..."

His broad sword crossed in front of him.

Fist and sword collided, both men retreating simultaneously.

The ground beneath Carl’s feet shattered as he sprang forward, his broad sword instantly creating four afterimages.

Battle Skill—Gale Slash!

Taking advantage of his opponent’s momentarily impaired vision, he went all out.

"CLANG..."

"CLANG! CLANG! CLANG..."

The sounds of clashes were as rapid as a downpour. Iron Fist Abei, unable to see, roared loudly, throwing punches left and right, yet he couldn’t stop his continual retreat.

"SLICE!"

A sword shadow swept over his calf, eliciting a scream as he dropped to one knee.

"Die!"

Carl’s eyes narrowed as his sword chopped down fiercely.

Furious Strike!

"CLANG..."

A fist blocked the blade, the huge impact sending Carl staggering backward.

Such incredible strength! This guy’s instantaneous burst of power probably surpassed a value of one. I would have been no match without the force field’s suppression. Carl admitted to himself.

Moreover, Iron Fist Abei’s boxing Martial Arts were extremely formidable. Even when blind, relying on his solid boxing Martial Arts, he could withstand the broad sword’s chops and even Battle Skills.

"SWOOSH!"

Just then, a figure rapidly flashed past, swinging a dagger at Iron Fist Abei’s back.

It was Ayala.

The dagger in her hand was extremely sharp, capable of easily slicing through iron armor, let alone flesh.

"ARGH!"

Ben also charged forward, roaring. He held a heavy wooden shield, hunkering behind it as he desperately sped up.

"WHOOSH..."

Carl took a deep breath, steadying the restless energy within him, and similarly swung his broad sword to join in.

"SLICE!"

The dagger sliced through Iron Fist Abei’s flesh.

"CRASH!"

A massive force directly shattered the wooden shield in Ben’s hands, sending him flying.

Carl collided mid-air with Iron Fist Abei, sword shadows and fist edges clashing, sending sparks flying like scattered fireworks.

The three of them teamed up, yet they still couldn’t gain the upper hand for a while.

However, the battle elsewhere was drawing to a close, with more and more people joining the siege.

"Ayala!"

"Boss!"

"..."

"Kill!"

A moment later.

"THWACK!"

As Carl swung his broad sword, the blood-soaked Iron Fist Abei staggered and finally collapsed.

His heavy body kicked up dust as it fell.

"PHEW..."

Carl exhaled deeply and urged, "Pack up, let’s go quickly!"

This place wasn’t far from Raka Market. It was very possible we’ve alarmed the city guards. Trouble will arise if they hear the commotion and come over.

"Yes."

Ayala, injured in the shoulder, grimaced as she nodded and urged everyone to quickly clean up the battlefield and leave.

Nobody noticed as several rats scurried over the corpses in the corner of the manor, disappearing into a hole.

「Later.」

"Uncle," Ayala hurried over, her face excited. Seeing Carl’s expression, she paused, puzzled, "What’s wrong?"

"Nothing," Carl shook his head. "I just didn’t expect Iron Fist Abei to be so strong. It seems I... was a bit naive."

He had thought that by mastering witchcraft, Dharma Seals, and breathing techniques, he would have few rivals among knight attendants.

Unexpectedly, a leader of a minor faction in Black City had almost rendered him powerless, leaving a bitter taste in his mouth.

"Naive?"

Ayala blinked. Although she had never heard that phrase before, she understood its meaning and couldn’t help but smile. "Iron Fist Abei is a master among knight attendants. Otherwise, the Brotherhood wouldn’t have tried to recruit him. And it was only by using his Battle Skills and unleashing his potential that he could contend with you for a short time."

"You are still stronger, Uncle."

Carl gently shook his head.

He only had the advantage of having more techniques at his disposal.

Iron Fist Abei’s Martial Arts were extremely refined. His moves weren’t complex, yet they were executed superbly.

His Battle Skills were also employed with great proficiency.

This should be the norm in Black City. Like that redhead... He could also withstand my Battle Skills based on solid fundamentals, something Dana might not even be able to do. Life-and-death struggles forge Martial Arts in ways the outside world can’t match.

Perhaps it’s due to the environment of Black City that makes its Martial Artists so formidable. Iron Fist Abei might be a master among the knight attendants here, but he’s definitely not the strongest. There are many who are stronger than I am.

Composing himself, Carl smiled again.

He realized he was being a bit oversensitive, getting disheartened by a setback. It was good to realize this early—it would prevent blind arrogance. If he encountered a true master someday, he wouldn’t be unprepared.

Moreover, Iron Fist Abei had been famous for many years and was still a knight attendant, indicating he had likely reached his peak. Carl, on the other hand, still had great potential.

"By the way."

Remembering something, Carl asked, "Iron Fist Abei had a Dharma Seal on his body, didn’t he?"

"Yes," Ayala nodded. "It was called ’Steel Body,’ and it could increase his defensive power, but it was destroyed when he died."

Carl understood.

If someone was severely injured, or if the flesh where the Dharma Seal was located became too damaged, the Dharma Seal would be destroyed. There were even Secret Techniques to directly destroy one’s own Dharma Seal to prevent it from falling into enemy hands.

Steel Body? The Minor Spell Force Field likely had little effect on Iron Fist Abei, most probably because of that Dharma Seal. Dharma Seals can resist Spells!

"By the way."

Remembering the main thing, Ayala clapped her hands. "We found a box in Iron Fist Abei’s hideout. It contained eighteen portions of Exotic Beast Meat."

"And several hundred black stones, some collectibles..."

Carl didn’t hear the rest; his attention was focused entirely on the eighteen portions of Exotic Beast Meat.

"Really?"

"It’s true."

Ayala nodded.