Chapter 63: Unbeatable Foe (1)

Chapter 65

Ricu had to admit it.

These two had pushed him far more than he ever expected.

One of them was only at the peak of the third tier of the Awakening Realm. The other had barely mastered her strength in the realm at all. Yet their teamwork and combat sense were enough to force him to fight seriously.

That alone was impressive.

The battle has been fun, Ricu said calmly, his tone casual, almost bored. But I think it is high time you two die.

He spoke as if discussing the weather. As if the death of two powerful humans meant nothing.

Callack rose slowly.

Pain screamed through every fiber of his being. It was brutal, far worse than anything he had ever endured before, but he swallowed it whole. He would not fall because of pain. Not now.

He tightened his grip around his two short swords, eyes narrowing.

From everything he had seen so far, from the way the battle had unfolded, one thing was now clear.

Ricu was far stronger than he had let on.

He should not be shocked. The quality and quantity of qi Ricu’s awakening sphere could circulate and control was clearly far beyond his own or Selene’s.

Even knowing that their chances of winning were slim, Callack could not back down.

Not after witnessing the injustice.

Not after seeing the blood.

Not after watching a once thriving village reduced to slaughter.

Especially not after seeing Sisco killed like that. No hesitation. No remorse. Ricu had crushed him like an insect.

Callack would never accept that.

No.

He crossed his swords in front of him, gathering what little qi he had left, preparing to surge forward.

Wait.

The voice reached his ear and stopped him cold.

He turned his head and saw Selene standing there.

Her body was a mess. Deep gashes and rising bruises marked her skin. Sweat dripped down her face, soaking her hair and clothes. She was exhausted.

Yet her eyes burned.

The pain did not show there.

Only killing intent.

Callack felt his rage spike again. Seeing his wife in this condition because of the bastard standing across from them made his vision blur red. He wanted nothing more than to rush forward and tear Ricu’s head from his shoulders.

He forced himself to calm down.

Are you okay, he asked, his voice strained.

Selene nodded.

She did not lie with words, but her body told the truth she refused to speak.

We cannot just charge straight at him like before, she said. He is stronger, faster, and far more skilled than us. Even with the two of us, he still has the upper hand.

She paused, her gaze flicking briefly to Ricu, who was still calmly observing them, his eyes cold and assessing, as if they were already dead.

But that is not the worst part, Selene continued.

Her voice dropped.

His strange skill. The one that struck us even when we avoided his attacks. If we cannot counter it, if we do not find a way to deal with it, then winning will be almost impossible.

She hesitated.

I doubt we can win at all.

The last words were barely louder than a breath. Callack only heard them because he was close.

He understood her fear.

She was right.

If they could not counter Ricu’s strange ability, their chances would plummet beyond recovery.

Callack lifted his gaze and looked back at Ricu.

The man stood there, relaxed, watching them with clear boredom, his arrogance filling the air. As if he could kill them at any moment and simply chose not to.

As if this was all just entertainment.

Actually, you are right. Defeating this bastard will not be easy, Callack said as he walked forward.

Then a smile began to form on his face.

But who said I am trying to defeat him?

He raised his voice, loud enough for both of them to hear.

The look in his eyes changed.

It was no longer the gaze of a cornered warrior facing a superior enemy. It sharpened into something else. Cold. Wild. Feral. The eyes of a veteran predator locking onto prey.

I am going to get rid of this bastard for good, he said.

And he charged.

Earlier, when he was walking, he had already crossed most of the distance separating him from Ricu. So when he exploded forward now, he appeared in front of Ricu almost instantly.

Ricu was surprised.

Only surprised.

With an elegant motion, his circle moved to block the incoming strike.

But what happened next made his eyes widen.

The sword did not stop.

It pushed his circle aside before he could even react.

Callack’s leg smashed hard into Ricu’s neck.

Ricu’s vision blurred for a brief moment.

That moment was all Callack needed.

His second short sword drove straight toward Ricu’s head.

Death was inches away.

A spiral of qi burst outward at the last second, barely stopping the blade. It was not enough to fully block it, but it bought Ricu time.

He twisted his circle free and struck forward, aiming for Callack’s face.

Callack dodged.

But just like before, a deep gash split across his cheek. Blood poured from the wound.

He did not scream.

He did not slow down.

Instead, he struck downward with full force, aiming straight for Ricu’s face.

Ricu was caught off guard.

He had expected pain. Fear. Hesitation.

None came.

It was as if Callack no longer felt pain at all.

Ricu barely managed to deflect the strike. The blade still tore across his chest, carving a deep wound.

Ricu groaned.

But he did not retreat.

This man had become even bolder. More vicious. More reckless.

If that was how he wanted to fight, then Ricu would play along.

They clashed again.

And again.

Every time Ricu attacked, Callack dodged. Every dodge carved another gash into Callack’s body. Some shallow. Some deep. Blood spilled freely.

Yet the most disturbing part was this.

Callack did not react like a normal human.

His face remained composed. His eyes burned with killing intent. Each wound was followed immediately by another attack.

Another slash opened Ricu’s cheek.

Ricu finally leaped back, his expression changing for the first time.

Just what the hell is his will made of? Ricu thought.

He breathed a little heavier now.

Any normal human would have slowed down by now. Their movements would falter. Their resolve would crack under pain.

Callack showed none of that.

His eyes were red. Not from pain.

From anger.

From hatred.

The second exchange had barely lasted a minute, yet Ricu could already feel the battle shifting.

If this continued, if he let this man keep fighting like this, he might actually lose.

Ricu pushed the thought aside.

Then he smiled.

To be continued…

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