[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-a-knight-who-eternally-regresses":3,"chapter-a-knight-who-eternally-regresses-a-knight-who-eternally-regresses-chapter-274":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","A Knight Who Eternally Regresses",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":20,"prevChapterSlug":21,"totalChapters":22,"novelImage":23},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":16,"volume":17,"translator":18,"content_hash":19},428033,689,"Chapter 272","a-knight-who-eternally-regresses-chapter-274",274,"\u003Cp>Enkrid muttered briefly as he moved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Esther.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a tap of his left big toe, he crouched low, lowering his body as much as possible while leaning forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In a single swift motion, two daggers skimmed past him, embedding themselves deeply into the inn's back wall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Enkrid drew his sword.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The inn room was too cramped to swing a longsword properly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The entrance, especially, was blocked by a wall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His enemies relied on this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if he draws his sword here, how could he possibly strike?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was as if he could hear their thoughts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Enkrid pressed down on the scabbard with his left hand, adjusting the angle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rather than a horizontal slash, he opted for a vertical one, drawing his sword upward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a burst of power, he sliced upward from the man's groin to the middle of his chest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Schluck!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sound of slicing through fabric, leather, muscle, and even parts of bone was soft, like a low whisper.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That’s how fast the sword moved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Enkrid calculated the distance and made sure to cut only as deep as a finger joint.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This is enough to kill a man.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every adjustment to his sword belt and footing had been meticulously prepared for this single strike.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was satisfied.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ugh, guh!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The servant groaned, spitting out a short, guttural death cry as blood and intestines spilled from his body. His knees buckled, and he collapsed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You bastard!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The barkeep, who doubled as a thief, shouted as he drew a shortsword.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he didn’t dare step forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, he had just witnessed his lackey being killed in a single stroke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, a shadow swooped down from above, striking the barkeep's head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thud! Crunch!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The thief's neck snapped halfway, his face carved with three deep claw marks. His nose and eyes were slashed and burst open.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had been struck by a predator's paw.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though usually docile, Esther's ferocity in battle was unparalleled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The power of a Lake Panther, terrifying when unleashed, had killed the thief in a single blow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Esther landed lightly beside Enkrid. Her steps were nimble and swift—faster than usual.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Enkrid, with a single strike, gauged his condition.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I feel incredible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His body felt remarkably light and responsive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Mm.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a faint hum of satisfaction, Enkrid looked up, his gaze meeting a pair of bloodshot eyes peeking from behind a scruffy beard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What followed was a mix of tension, fear, excitement, and dread in a single exclamation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Kill him!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The command came with the sound of something snapping.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Enkrid's sharp instincts immediately located the source—above and behind him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What the hell is this?!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another voice shouted in alarm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The noise came from one of the two beds in the room, specifically the one Jaxon had chosen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sound of fabric tearing followed shortly after.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jaxon had tried something, but it seemed a layer of fabric reinforced the ceiling, preventing him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment it tore, something dropped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Kaah!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Esther let out a sharp cry. The object resembled a leather sphere, which promptly burst with a faint pop.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t an explosive sound, nor did it emit light or pressure. Instead, green smoke billowed out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even without a scent, dizziness quickly set in. It was poison gas.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Adding to the chaos, an arrow whistled through the window.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Enkrid swung his sword, deflecting the arrow mid-flight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a sharp crack, the arrow splintered, its remains scattering harmlessly to the floor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A stray arrow was always dangerous, but dodging daggers at close range was far more perilous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This, however, was not an immediate threat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The poison gas was a different matter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Enkrid's gaze shifted toward it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Behind the bodies of the servant and barkeep, the scruffy-bearded man slammed the door shut with a loud bang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Planning to trap me inside and kill me with poison?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Enkrid held his breath, then turned without hesitation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arrows loomed outside the window, while the scruffy man blocked the door.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Breaking through the door seemed logical, but something felt wrong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His instincts screamed that they were prepared for this scenario.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The bearded thief had unleashed the poison sphere the moment he saw Enkrid’s swordsmanship.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The poison was lethal, causing violent convulsions and vomiting before death after just a few inhalations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though its range was limited, it posed no threat unless inhaled directly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Enkrid forced his way through the door, the thief planned to unleash more poison in the hallway.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The thief thought, Stupid bastard. Does he even know where he is?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn’t care who the intruder was. To him, this was just another fool who had wandered into their domain—one of the key operations of the Black Blade thieves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if their leader had taken some elite assassins for another task, the base still had formidable individuals.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was their stronghold.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Despite his brutish appearance, the bearded thief was a cunning strategist who anticipated and restricted his opponent's actions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Or so he believed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Enkrid, however, paid no attention to the thief’s schemes or his own perilous situation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Judging by Esther's reaction, the poison was undeniably dangerous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fortunately, the gas spread slowly. It was heavy, visibly sinking instead of dispersing quickly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Smoke with weight?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It seemed absurd, but the gas moved sluggishly, overlapping the spot where Enkrid stood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then I just need to avoid it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Enkrid pivoted, wasting no time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The inn was a hastily constructed building, made of thin wood with walls barely holding together.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Conversations from adjacent rooms, like those of Shinar and Finn, were easily audible—a deliberate design for eavesdropping.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not that Enkrid cared about such details.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He turned and slashed at the wall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ragna’s Severance wasn’t even necessary.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a swift motion, his blade sliced clean through the wall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Two more cuts followed before he kicked the wall, shattering planks and supports with a resounding crack.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A hole big enough for a person to pass through appeared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He stepped into the adjacent room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was supposed to house the Pixie Captain and Finn, but instead, three men with gleaming eyes occupied the space.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What the hell?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One of the men muttered. Their language was as crude as their appearance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Enkrid didn’t hesitate. The adjacent room was free of gas, allowing him to breathe easily as he swung his sword.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Slash. Slash. Stab!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With two quick slashes, he severed the necks of two men. The third fell as his heart was pierced.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Frokk would faint if he saw this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pushing aside the fleeting thought, Enkrid punched the wall near the window with his gloved fist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bang!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The window frame and part of the wall shattered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even though the building's framework was made of wood, bricks and other reinforcements had been added here and there. Enkrid, however, broke through everything with sheer force.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A few more arrows shot toward him from outside, but he easily dodged them while breaking through and leapt outside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He rolled to the side, landing on the roof of a house next to the inn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arrows thudded into the spot where Enkrid had been moments ago. One arrow had even been aimed at where he was rolling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he rolled across the roof, Enkrid slapped his palm against it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crash! The roof caved in, leaving a hole. Using the rebound from the force, Enkrid’s body launched further to the side.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The arrows once again hit only the places he had just passed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Afterward, Enkrid rolled smoothly off the roof and leaned his back against the wall below.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As if waiting for him, a hand suddenly shot out from the window.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, Enkrid had anticipated this. Without hesitation, he grabbed the wrist and twisted it. There was no need for fancy techniques; brute force sufficed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A satisfying crack accompanied by a scream filled the air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Snap!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Aaagh!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These men lacked the patience of the assassins from before. Screaming over a broken wrist? Pathetic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Enkrid yanked the broken wrist forward with all his strength.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From behind the wall, there was a loud thud and a choking gasp.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They had either fainted or died.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Letting go of the shattered wrist, Enkrid dusted off his hands and stepped into the open space in front of the inn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Things never went entirely as planned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nothing ever worked out exactly as expected.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was simply how the world worked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So, what came next? He would adapt and act accordingly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Black Blade thieves guarding the village didn’t realize it, but with Enkrid’s skill, stamina, and ability, the Pixie Captain’s prepared unit wasn’t even necessary.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The thieves had no idea.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Who the hell is that guy? Kill him!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Someone shouted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Enkrid couldn’t help but be impressed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The number of enemies appearing wasn’t small—at least twenty, and more kept coming.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From various directions, figures with gleaming eyes and weapons began to emerge, seemingly out of nowhere.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Wow, you’re ridiculously good at fighting…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One of them, positioned at the front, muttered under his breath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was a guard—the one who had stood out most to Enkrid when he first entered the village.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In Enkrid’s judgment, this guard, with his faltering words, was the most skilled fighter among the group here.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hah… You should’ve just died quietly…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His tone didn’t sound like an act.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kaah!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before anyone could react, Esther leapt out of the inn and landed gracefully beside Enkrid.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The rest of your group must already be dead…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Enkrid neither smiled nor responded to the man’s words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He simply surveyed the area, then asked, \"Is this the entire village?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You’re quick to catch on.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The answer came from behind him, accompanied by a metallic clinking sound.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A young woman emerged, equipped with claws on both hands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Specifically, she wielded long, three-pronged claw blades that glinted ominously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Enkrid saw her face, he thought, So that’s what she was hiding on her thigh back then.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The blades were long enough to pierce through a human torso.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was a woman whose movements had stood out as unique when Enkrid observed her earlier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In other words, she was the second person he had taken note of.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The third person of interest, however, was nowhere to be seen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Where are you from? Judging by your attire, you seem like a soldier. But you don’t look like a mercenary. Who sent you? What idiot gave you orders?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The woman’s questions came rapid-fire.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Enkrid finally opened his mouth to reply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Every single one of you? Is there some kind of honey pot hidden here?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The woman’s brow furrowed at his response. It was a back-and-forth of questions without any real answers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Do you even realize the situation you’re in?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If not honey, maybe it’s a stash of drugs?\" Enkrid said casually, glancing around.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though he didn’t provide an answer, he had already assessed the situation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The number of enemies surrounding him had grown to around fifty. All of them moved with light, agile steps.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Each was, at the very least, competent with a blade.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Compared to the Border Guards, these guys seem subpar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A few were clearly inexperienced, handling their weapons as if they had just picked them up recently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Among them, some movements seemed vaguely familiar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was similar to the assassins who had come for him before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That makes sense. Where else would the Black Blade thieves recruit assassins?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This village was one of their bases—a place they called a \"den.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, a few highly skilled individuals had been left behind to defend it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Two of them now flanked Enkrid, one in front and one behind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"From your clumsy acting to your awkward behavior… What the hell are you people?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The woman didn’t lose her temper. Though she had tried to provoke him, it hadn’t worked. Her mental discipline was impressive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Kill him or capture him—we’ll find out either way…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The guard-turned-thief muttered from behind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Enkrid still found them remarkable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The growing number of enemies, their coordinated actions, and the unfolding situation…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It all pointed to one conclusion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This entire village was a thieves’ stronghold.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An entire village turned into a den of thieves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a testament to the sheer power and influence of the Black Blade thieves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Where did they keep finding so many scoundrels to join their ranks?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Should he feel intimidated?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Enkrid let out a faint chuckle without realizing it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Esther glanced at him, puzzled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why is he laughing?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Enkrid felt an unexpected sense of enjoyment. The power of the Black Blade thieves seemed extraordinary.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Obstacles, crises, dangers, challenges, walls, death, and the unknown…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Enkrid knew how to revel in hardship.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because it was difficult, it was enjoyable. Because it was enjoyable, it made him want to keep moving forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So, were the two individuals flanking him threatening?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not at all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was Enkrid’s conclusion.\u003C\u002Fp>",2113,"2026-05-30T08:27:55.568Z","2026-06-01T04:30:45.896Z",1,"novelbin.me","ba544b2c894a8e2856ffceb2ecff4fa3587dd5428094ccc428959f8fe27d6c53","a-knight-who-eternally-regresses-chapter-462","a-knight-who-eternally-regresses-chapter-461",882,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fa-knight-who-eternally-regresses-cover.jpg"]