Chapter 8: Monsters (Two Chapters Released Simultaneously, Please Continue Reading)

"This is the battle of a Formal Knight!" Robin couldn't help but murmur softly, his voice full of awe and yearning.

He felt as if he were in a brand‑new world, witnessing a different level of power with his own eyes.

He recalled his past fights—battles against thieves and militia—that, before these two knights, were as childish as a game.

His heart raced, both shocked by the overwhelming force and stirred by a fierce longing.

He yearned that one day he might possess such great strength.

"All of you stay here," Malizi said, his expression stern, scanning his knight apprentices, then, with decisive authority, he thrust his legs and leapt like a cheetah toward the battlefield.

Wild Boar Knight Benluote, locked in a fierce clash with Fitz, caught a glimpse of Malizi entering the fray; his face turned ashen, a flash of panic crossing his normally fierce eyes.

He knew Fitz's power already overwhelmed him, and with Malizi now added, the situation was undeniably a double blow.

As Malizi stepped onto the battlefield, the aura around him shifted abruptly, a crushing pressure spreading outward like a tide.

The long Sword in his hand flashed with cold light, the blade slicing the air with a sharp, whistling sound.

He exchanged a glance with Fitz; without words, years of battlefield camaraderie let them instantly agree to encircle Benluote from multiple directions.

Fitz let out a roar, raising his great Sword high, and with a force of a thousand pounds he cleaved toward Benluote, the swing seeming able to split the earth.

Benluote hurriedly raised his axe to block, his arm trembling slightly from the massive impact.

At that moment, Malizi appeared beside Benluote like a phantom, his long Sword like a venomous snake's fang, thrust straight into Benluote's chest.

Benluote couldn't evade, only managing a sideways dodge that still left his arm cut by the Sword, blood instantly staining his sleeve.

Benluote gritted his teeth, a fierce glint in his eyes as he searched for a chance to break through. Yet the two knights coordinated flawlessly, granting him no breath.

Malizi's Sword techniques were fierce and varied, each strike bearing a lethal threat;

Fitz, relying on his overwhelming strength, continuously suppressed Benluote's counterattacks.

In the fierce exchange, Benluote's stamina waned, his movements growing sluggish.

Fitz timed it, lunged forward in a swift step, his great Sword sweeping horizontally; Benluote couldn't dodge, struck in the leg and fell to one knee.

Seeing this, Malizi without hesitation thrust his Sword at Benluote's throat; with a scream, Benluote fell slowly, blood spreading beneath him.

Malizi Knight and Fitz Knight stood side by side, the body of Wild Boar Knight Benluote cooling beneath their feet, a heavy scent of blood lingering around.

The two exchanged a glance, simultaneously showing solemn expressions, their eyes full of vigilance and unease.

"There's a problem here; we should rendezvous with the lord as soon as possible," Malizi Knight broke the brief silence, his voice low and urgent, exuding unquestionable authority.

Although the battle was won, the various signs during the fight gave him doubts, a feeling that a hidden current was stirring in the shadows.

This was merely an outer outpost; there was no reason to leave Wild Boar Knight here on guard.

Fitz Knight gave a slight nod, said nothing, raised his arm and waved powerfully, signaling his troops to keep advancing.

The unit moved swiftly, footfalls and weapon clashes intertwining as they surged toward the unknown ahead.

Malizi Knight turned toward his own squad, his gaze sweeping over Robin, Eric, Lily, Tomson and the other knight apprentices, then he said calmly, "We walk last, handling the watch."

Robin and the others instantly straightened, a resolute light flashing in their eyes.

Malizi Knight led the front of the formation, his steps steady and strong, constantly watching the surroundings.

Robin followed closely, gripping the newly seized long Sword tightly, vigilantly scanning the area.

The group advanced cautiously, the surroundings silent, only heavy footfalls echoing through the empty canyon.

As they walked, a strange dense fog slowly unfurled ahead, like a massive white python winding toward them.

The mist spread rapidly, enveloping everything; visibility blurred, the road ahead completely obscured.

Malizi Knight instantly raised his hand to signal the unit to halt, his brows knit, his eyes showing deep worry.

The sudden fog stirred an ominous foreboding in his heart.

He turned to the knight apprentices behind him, whispering, "Everyone be careful, stay alert, don't split up lightly."

The group nodded, gripping their weapons tighter, tension spreading through the unit, each person hearing their own pounding heartbeat.

The next second, a militia let out a sharp, brief cry, as if something had instantly clamped its throat, then it cut off, plunging into death‑like silence.

"Knight‑in‑chief, Sam is gone," another militia shouted in terror, his voice trembling with fear, sounding especially chilling in the fog.

Malizi Knight reacted instantly, shouting loudly, "Form formation!" his voice firm and powerful, echoing through the mist like a great bell.

The militia heard and quickly closed ranks, their steps frantic yet guided by trained coordination.

At the rear of the unit were Robin and several knight apprentices; their faces showed tension, but their eyes held determination.

Robin clutched his Sword tightly, his palms slick with sweat, yet his gaze swept the surroundings with steadfast resolve.

At the front, Malizi Knight loomed like a towering peak, his eyes sharp, ever watchful for any hint of movement.

Suddenly, Robin's keen ears caught a faint "rustle," a subtle yet eerie sound, as if something was swiftly cutting through the fog toward them.

Almost instinctively, he raised his Sword toward the right‑front and swung with force.

"Clang!" a crisp metallic clash rang out, Robin's arm tingling from the shock, a sharp pain searing his palm.

He fixed his gaze and saw a pair of eerie green eyes in the darkness staring at him, certainly not human.

In the dim light, he could see its long neck lifted high, like a poised poisonous snake.

The creature's twisted, uncanny shape radiated a chilling aura, sending shivers down Robin's spine.

When the other knight apprentices followed Robin's gaze, the monster vanished like a phantom, leaving only a dead‑silent darkness.

(End of Chapter)