Chapter 952: Compensation

The Doom Knight’s roar caught everyone’s attention as the flaming Skeleton Horse materialized beneath it...

It happened so quickly, and even Alex couldn’t help but feel a little nervous.

The beast’s appearance looked so overwhelming, and it felt as if Shane would get run down by the charging horse.

Thud! Thud! Thud!

The beast’s hooves struck the ground while leaving trails of fire in its path.

Its skeletal body could be seen burning with blue flame, and the Doom Knight mounted it so fluidly... Now, they were heading towards Shane!

Shane narrowed his eyes as he adjusted his stance...

’

So it’s going to fight me as a mounted knight... This changes everything.’

He wasn’t sure if Asad controlled it to do so, but it didn’t matter.

The Doom Knight raised its greatsword, and the horse timed its movement perfectly...

The combined momentum of rider and mount was terrifying. Perhaps, Shane had to use his Armored Dash if he wanted to get a chance to block this attack head-on...

However, he was here to test his sword skills. Even if it was a force meant to crush anything in its path, Shane steadied his breathing, his grip just tightened on his Moonveil Manablade.

The first charge came quickly...

The flaming horse barreled toward him while the Doom Knight’s blade swept down so cleanly...

Whoosh~

Shane sidestepped with his sword flashing upward in a clean parry.

Clang!

Steel rang against steel and sparks scattered as the impact reverberated through his arms.

The sheer weight of the mounted strike forced him back several steps, but his domain aura steadied him.

’Swordmaster’s Domain... This feels nice... it makes my every move sharper, every defense cleaner. Without it, that blow might have crushed my arm...’

The horse wheeled around, with flames trailing at the ground... As it turned, the Doom Knight swung again from above. Shane ducked low this time with his blade cutting across the horse’s skeletal legs.

Clang!

The strike bit deep, and sparks of mana burst from the Moonveil Manablade’s edge. The horse stumbled, but the Doom Knight pulled hard on its reins, forcing it back into balance.

The Skeleton Horse’s bones felt like they were made of the hardest steel. A single slash wouldn’t cut it.

As a matter of fact, he might not cut it since it probably had some kind of resistance against blade weapons. Blunt weapons should be better against bones.

However, Shane just wanted to use his sword right now...

Shane didn’t give up as he performed his sword techniques in rapid succession.

Horizontal cuts, thrusts, feints...

Each movement flowed seamlessly into the next. He didn’t need to call on specific skills since his mastery alone carried the rhythm.

The aura of Swordmaster’s Domain amplified his strike, extending his reach, suppressing the Doom Knight’s evasions.

’Still... This Doom Knight is really strong. Without using other skills, weapons, or talent, it’s quite difficult.’ Shane thought but he wasn’t complaining. He was actually liking this challenge.

The mounted knight soon retaliated, swinging its greatsword in wide arcs meant to crush him from above.

Shane met each strike using his blade... He was deflecting, redirecting, and countering...

He started to get used to the Doom Knight’s sword techniques and rhythm...

It was actually getting a lot easier to deal with it as time passed.

’I’m pretty sure Doom Knights can use Dark Spells and curses like the Doom Gaze. I guess Asad noticed that I just want a sword fight and not a spellcasting battle or something.’ Shane thought as he knew about the Doom Knights and their mystical abilities.

They weren’t just all sword and dark aura... They had various mystical abilities that could turn things around.

’Alright... This should be more than enough.’ Shane thought as sparks flew with their weapons clashed again and again.

Soon, the flaming horse came crashing down toward him.

Shane rolled aside this time with his blade slashing upward in a clean diagonal cut.

Clang!

The strike carved across the horse’s ribcage, scattering fragments of burning bone.

The beast shrieked, but the Doom Knight pressed the attack on Shane...

Shane swiftly stood on his feet.

’

Mounted combat... it’s harder to predict. The horse adds speed and chaos, but it also makes the rider’s movements more rigid. If I control the rhythm, I can break them both.’

Shane then used his own speed and thrust his sword to force the Doom Knight to block...

It was a feint to draw its guard wide, then a sweeping cut across the horse’s flank came!

"Ha!"

The sword aura extended his reach, and the blade’s energy sliced beyond its edge!

Ssaak~

The Doom Knight roared and it swung downward, but Shane planted his feet, meeting the strike head‑on.

Bam!

The clash shook the ground, but Shane’s aura steadied him... Then, he tilted his sword and redirected the force!

After that, Shane countered with a clean upward slash that carved across the knight’s chestplate.

The horse staggered, and Shane pressed the advantage...

Just like that, everyone could already see the victor...

After a few more exchanges, Shane saw his opening. Doom Knight’s exposed torso was targeted as Shane thrusts his sword...

The strike pierced through the armor...

At the same time, the Skeletal Horse collapsed in a burst of fire and bone while the Doom Knight crashed to the ground...

***

"Haha! Well done, Shane," Asad said with a laugh, though his tone carried a hint of complaint. "But did you really have to destroy my precious Doom Knight? I just summoned it, and it didn’t even get to use half of its skills. Poor thing... my pitiful summon didn’t even show its full potential."

Shane scratched the back of his head... "Sorry... I got carried away. I wanted to see how far my new Talent could go."

Asad sighed dramatically, though the grin never left his face. "Still... He was pitiful, right?"

Shane chuckled, then reached into his inventory. A gleaming chest appeared, and he gave it to Asad.

"Here. A Silver Treasure Chest. Consider it payment for your help and compensation for your poor Doom Knight."