CHAPTER 42: CHAPTER 42

An eerie silence settled over the area. Several moments passed without the slightest movement, as if no one else was there at all.

Clayton, who had sensed something was off from the start, remained still, waiting. His eyes scanned the surroundings carefully. Finding nothing suspicious, he turned to leave.

Just then—

Swoosh!

A blade of sword aura shot toward him at high speed.

Clayton, already mid-turn, didn’t see it coming. Just as the energy was about to hit, two figures burst from the bushes, attacking him from behind. Their blades sliced through the air toward his neck, full of murderous intent.

Their faces were twisted with hatred and grim resolve.

Clang!

A sharp metallic clash rang out.

Two of Clayton’s mini skeletons had leapt forward, blocking the attack with a pitchfork and a hoe. The attackers froze in shock.

Meanwhile, Clayton—who should have been struck by the sword aura—evaded it as though he had eyes in the back of his head.

He turned to face his attackers and spotted two men with grotesque burn scars across their faces. Their wild expressions were more beast than man.

Clayton didn’t recognize them. They looked like common magic thieves, but he asked just to be sure.

"Who are you? Why did you attack me?" Clayton asked calmly but with caution.

Before they could respond, a familiar voice called from the shadows.

"Hehehe... Brother, don’t take it the wrong way. We just wanted to buy your goods."

Clayton turned toward the voice. It was the scar-faced man from earlier—the one who had tried to buy his gambling prize for a pittance.

"Then why the ambush?" Clayton asked flatly.

"Oh, it’s nothing, brother. That’s just how we say hello," the man replied with a sickly sweet grin.

Clayton scoffed. "Really? Then let me return the greeting—my way."

Without hesitation, he raised his hand.

Snap! Snap!

Two water projectiles fired from his fingertips, darting toward the scarred man.

The man stumbled to dodge them. The angle was unexpectedly tricky, forcing him to move awkwardly. His grin vanished, replaced by a scowl.

"How was that? Like my version of a greeting?" Clayton asked with a mocking smile.

The scarred man paused, then chuckled darkly.

"Hehehe... Sure, brother. That’s the spirit. So, how about it? Ready to sell now?"

"No," Clayton said firmly.

"Really? Not even gonna think it over? Just saying... that little trinket of yours isn’t worth your life."

"Was that a threat?" Clayton’s voice dropped in temperature.

"No, no, of course not. I’d never dare. But I do lose patience with people who don’t listen," the man replied, smile twisting into a dangerous sneer.

"All right, enough talk!" he barked.

The two scarred men lunged forward, shattering the skeletons blocking their path and charging at Clayton.

Clayton remained calm. He raised his hand again.

Snap! Snap!

Two more water bullets flew—but the attackers dodged them easily this time.

The scarred man sneered. "Fool. You think weak spells like that can stop us?"

He swung his greatsword down at Clayton.

Clayton had no time to dodge, but his face didn’t flinch.

Clang!

The blow was intercepted by two more skeletons wielding a hoe and a fork. Though pushed back from the force, they absorbed the brunt of the strike.

Clayton seized the opportunity and launched another water shot.

Snap! Snap!

This time, the scarred man didn’t dodge completely, letting one bolt graze his shoulder with a scoff—until—

Puchi!

The water bolt pierced his shoulder cleanly.

"ARGHHH!" he screamed, crashing to the ground as blood gushed from the wound.

"What the hell?!" he cried, eyes wide in disbelief.

Seeing one enemy effectively neutralized, Clayton lifted his hand to strike again. But before he could—

Boom!

The other two attackers rushed in while he was distracted. His remaining skeletons managed to block them, but were destroyed in the process. Clayton was thrown back by the blast.

Huff... Huff... Gasping for breath, Clayton staggered to his feet. He’d survived thanks to his skeletons’ reflexes—and the Water Circulation Armor’s protection.

Before he could recover, the attackers charged again. His final skeletons stepped in.

This time, Clayton drew his sickle and engaged them directly.

The fight became a brutal slugfest. Clayton’s blows matched theirs, but his armor soaked up much of the damage, giving him the edge.

However, his enemies were no fools. They knew that if the battle dragged on, they would lose.

The two exchanged brief hand signals. Clayton saw them but couldn’t interpret their meaning.

Suddenly, they forced him into the air.

"Dual Sword Technique: Xtreme Slash!"

Their blades crossed in a violent X-shaped arc, releasing a powerful wave of energy.

Boom!

Clayton was blasted backward.

The two attackers closed in. Though not mortally wounded, Clayton’s armor was cracked and unstable, and one of his arms hung limp at his side.

Sensing victory, the enemies struck wildly.

Clayton could only crouch where he landed.

Bang!

His final skeleton intercepted the blow. Clayton tried to counter, but a greatsword swung toward his shoulder. He dodged most of it, but the edge still left a shallow cut.

The scarred man, now holding his bleeding arm, stepped forward.

Clayton gave a bitter smile. He could tell the man was aiming for revenge—targeting the same spot where he’d been hit.

But the farce ended when the man suddenly turned and slashed at the last skeleton.

Bang! Puchi!

The skeleton shattered into dust.

The scarred man sneered. "Hehe... Now let’s see how you plan to escape."

Seeing the situation unfold, Clayton looked both saddened and defeated.

Meanwhile, the scar-faced man advanced with slow, confident steps, a satisfied grin never leaving his face. Alongside his two companions, they began to encircle Clayton from three directions.

"Hehehe... Well, brother? Any regrets now?" the man asked with a wicked smile.

"Honestly... I’d be lying if I said I didn’t," Clayton replied, a bitter smile tugging at his lips.

"So, what now? Still want to live?" the man asked again, his tone full of mockery.

Clayton gave a slight nod. "Of course I want to live. If you let me go this once, all my possessions will be yours..."