With every step the woman took, a dark footprint was left on the ground.
In the next second, like transforming into black snakes, they drilled into the darkness of the forest behind.
Anthony didnât hesitate, gripping the knightâs longsword in his hand, he stepped quickly forward a few steps to stand before the womanâs shadow.
The five centimeters wide sword blade slashed directly down from the shadow womanâs shoulder.
However.
This blade, capable of slicing a person in two, hit as if striking air, the sharp tip landed directly on the ground.
On Anthonyâs face, there appeared a rare expression of shock.
He realized, this womanâs body had no physical form!
Dragging his knightâs longsword, Anthony hurriedly retreated.
The shadow that was cut had been broken!
But, in the middle of the womanâs shadow, strands of black quickly coalesced.
The womanâs shadow reformed into one once more.
Hall swallowed, in a horrified tone he asked, "Sir... what is that ghostly thing?"
Anthony didnât speak, his gaze fixed intently on the womanâs shadow.
Under the eyes of the crowd, the shadow woman took steps once more towards Anthony.
Walking atop some dried branches, yet emitting no sound whatsoever.
Seeing the shadow coming ever closer, Hall wished to flee.
Anthonyâs voice sounded in his ear.
"Donât move!"
Hallâs lifted right leg slowly descended.
"Sir... this..."
Anthony didnât answer, but stood beside Hall, observing carefully.
When the womanâs shadow took strides toward him, Anthony had already noticed.
The target of the shadow was Hall beside him.
Hall clearly sensed this, his heart crazily pounding.
He wanted to escape but found his legs as if shackled, unable to move an inch!
Looking down, Hall saw the shadow underfoot was tightly gripped by two black hands.
Hall shuddered within, shouting urgently, "Sir! Save me! Save me..."
Anthony furrowed his brow, gripping his knightâs sword tighter, witnessing the scene.
Hallâs eyes quickly sought out the Brotherhood members nearby.
"You all! Just standing and watching? Hurry and rescue me!"
Dozens of Brotherhood members exchanged glances, but not a single one stepped forward.
Hall opened his mouth, just about to say something else, when the womanâs shadow had already arrived before him.
Slim, delicate hands fell upon Hallâs shoulder.
Before Hall could utter a word, the shadow womanâs body melted, transforming into tentacle-like forms, pouring into Hallâs mouth.
Woo~
A painful sobbing sound arose from Hallâs mouth.
In just an instant, the shadow woman standing before Hall vanished.
Hallâs body slumped weakly to the ground, no longer moving...
Tiny terrified whispers arose among the Brotherhood members.
"Whatâs going on?"
"What is that ghostly thing?"
"Did it enter... enter Lord Hallâs body?"
"What should we do? Even the leader canât do anything?"
"This..."
"..."
In this eerie atmosphere, every minute and second seemed to drag slowly.
Hiss~
Hall, who had always been drooping his head, suddenly lifted it, his mouth slightly parted continually inhaling cold air.
Emitting sharp breathing sounds.
Hoo~
After several seconds of inhaling, Hall exhaled a breath of warmth.
Kneeling down, his body slowly rose up.
Hall turned, looking at Anthony not far away.
Anthonyâs eyes instantly narrowed.
Hallâs eyes were devoid of normal pupils, instead showing a deep black like ink.
The sharp voice sounding both feminine and masculine came from Hallâs mouth.
"Lord Anthony, I think... you need my help!"
Anthony tightened his grip on the knightâs longsword, questioning aloud, "Witch?"
Hallâs face showed no change, the sharp voice sounded again.
"What I am... that isnât important."
"Whatâs important is, with my arrival, your Iron Blood Brotherhood will attain salvation!"
...
Morgan Town, Kelly Village.
Approaching winter.
The nighttime temperatures in Morgan Town carried a chill.
Inside a wide double-door wooden cabin.
Several figures were sitting around the fireplace, flames flickering on their faces.
A young man with pale skin clad in beast furs, mouth curving up into a smile, glanced at the side.
"Master Aiden, I think you ought to settle the final payment now?"
Aidenâs expression turned slightly somber, looking at the young man beside him, he questioned, "Final payment? What final payment?"
The young manâs smile remained unchanged, continuing, "Naturally, for exterminating the Iron Blood Brotherhood Bandit Corps."
Aiden exclaimed, "Fan Ke! Have you forgotten our agreement with your Storm Mercenaries?"
The young man called Fan Ke laughed calmly.
Aiden continued, "The agreement was to completely eradicate the Iron Blood Brotherhood! Understand? Completely!"
"Let me tell you, unless Anthony and Hall are dead, you wonât get a penny of the final payment!"
Aiden glared fiercely at Fan Ke, rising from beside the fireplace, heading outside the cabin.
As he reached the door, Aiden, with his back to Fan Ke, said, "If you want the final payment, bring their heads to collect!"
Having spoken.
Aiden walked out of the cabin.
Ackman glanced warily at Fan Ke, following him out.
In the bright-lit cabin, only Storm Mercenary Corps leader Fan Ke and his deputy Tyrone remained!
Tyrone walked to the wooden door, glanced at Aiden and his followers who had gone far.
With caution, he closed the door.
"Sir Fan Ke, seems this fat pig is unwilling to fork out more money!"
Fan Ke spoke with a smile, "Since heâs summoned us over here, he has no choice..."
"Call the brothers back, without the pursuit, when food runs out and they canât stand the hunger anymore, those bandits will naturally come out again."
"I refuse to believe they can stay hidden in the forest forever?"
Listening to Fan Keâs words, Tyroneâs eyes shone.
"When they come out to loot the village again, Aiden the fat pig suffers, naturally heâll then give the money?"
Fan Ke glanced approvingly at Tyrone, "Thatâs the idea."
"Now, mercenaries trying to make a living canât be like before, just working for employers as paid tools."
"Must learn to use oneâs brain, complete tasks to uphold reputations, while also squeezing out more Gold Pounds from employers!"
"Otherwise, with so many mouths among the brothers, how could we feed them all?"
Tyrone nodded hurriedly, "Sirâs insights are truly enlightening!"