Curse

Bang.

Kang De pulled the trigger.

The bullet aimed straight for Lost's head.

A burst of Dou Qi flashed, and Lost, who was lying on the ground, moved several meters to the left out of Lost air, dodging the shot.

Then, he slowly stood up.

It's not about getting up, it's not about standing up, it's about standing upright.

The knight shook his head.

His eyes were vacant, his expression blank, but a fierce aura that had emerged from his despair slowly began to emanate.

Almost overnight, he lost everything: his hometown was destroyed, his family was razed to the ground, the bodies of his relatives were blown to dust, and his surviving sister died because of her own selfishness.

The favor of the Crown Prince, the promising future, the life of the upper class—all of that has been consumed by the Flame of hatred and despair. None of that matters anymore, none of it matters...

Kang De fired another shot, and the knight rolled to the ground, disregarding decorum, but with great efficiency.

They avoided the attack.

Then he slowly got up and stared at Kang De with empty eyes.

Kang De was taken aback at first, then shook his head and smiled.

Police and escort firearms of this caliber are insufficient to inflict significant damage on a powerful knight of Lost's caliber; they can only be used for attacks, suppression, containment, and finishing blows.

As expected.

This is a world with extraordinary powers, and he doesn't think he can roam freely in this world with non-military firearms and a small amount of ammunition borrowed from the police station and armored trucks.

Rather, it's more accurate to say that he had anticipated this all along.

The reason he used oil tankers to raze Glimmering Sand Castle was for this very reason. He had previously used the little beggar's explosion to test Samuel's Dou Qi strength and concluded that a direct confrontation was too risky and not worth fighting. Besides, there was also that mage Richard. This was the only way to wipe them out in one fell swoop.

As for Lost, he also had a foolproof plan: to stuff the bomb into Hannah's stomach. Given Lost's mental state at the time, he would have no chance of dodging it. This move of embracing Hannah and killing her in his arms, along with the subsequent underground explosion, would have been enough to severely injure him, allowing him to finish her off at his leisure.

But Kang De hesitated after all.

Just like that incredibly dark night, in that alley in Glittering Sand Town, watching the little beggar gradually walk towards the street corner, Kang De raised his nail gun.

The knight held down his arm, saying no, or there would be no turning back.

Just as the sharp blade was about to pierce Hannah's abdomen, he felt, in his mind's eye, someone pressing down on his arm, telling him, "No, or there will be no turning back."

Kang De knew that not doing it might be a bad idea.

Just as not killing the little beggar led to being betrayed and surrounded by pursuers, resulting in a fierce battle, the knight forcibly boosted his Dou Qi and suffered a severe piercing wound, ultimately losing his life. This became the last straw that broke the camel's back, directly causing Kang De to descend into madness.

As it is now, if he hadn't done so, Lost's vigilance and selfishness would have led him to throw Hannah away without hesitation, thus avoiding the epicenter of the explosion and suffering no fatal injuries, which meant a fierce battle was about to begin.

Kang De knew.

But all he could think about was the look in Cleveland's eyes that night.

Hey, I said this is the second time.

Your kindness and soft heart have caused trouble again.

I won't listen to you next time.

Facing Lost, who resembled a vengeful ghost, Kang De smiled and put the shotgun back on his back.

Then he pulled out the axe and the sword.

The formidable enemy possesses keen intuition and formidable reflexes; his existing gun is no longer sufficient for combat and requires comprehensive enchantment and enhancement, or... perhaps, a more powerful weapon.

But that happened later.

Now, he will fight even more bravely.

Lost stared at Kang De and let out a ghostly howl.

"You killed my father."

Kang De nodded and said, "It's me."

"You killed my brother."

"It's me."

"You destroyed my home."

"It's me."

"You're the one who killed so many people."

"It's me."

Kang De answered calmly and serenely, while the questioner on the other side was filled with hatred and sorrow.

Compared to that night, the situation has completely reversed.

But neither of them is the same person they were back then.

Lost hissed, "You... demon..."

Kang De smiled and said, "Not a demon, but Joker. Don't get the nickname you gave me wrong."

Lost gritted his teeth and said, "You demon, you cruel, ruthless, damned demon..."

"If you think that way, you're making a huge mistake."

Kang De still smiled, and said softly, "You see, I've only turned the living into the dead, while you've turned the living into Joker. Tell me, who is the real devil?"

Lost's voice was hoarse. "Lynch is just a child..."

Kang De calmly replied, "So what? If I've learned anything from this experience, it's that all beings are equal. Everyone is the architect of their own actions and must bear corresponding responsibility, regardless of whether they are men or women, old or young, noble or beggar."

The knight cried out in anguish, "You have killed so many people..."

"Even the dead Goth People were human beings. When you wield your swords, you should have thought of this day. If you are not prepared to be killed, what kind of people are you killing?"

Kang De's eyes were bright, his tone calm and unwavering. He said lightly, "Besides, how many people have died? This is nothing. There aren't even as many people as in one building in our neighborhood."

Lost had no idea what a neighborhood was.

He didn't want to know.

The knight had transformed into a headless, crazed demon.

His Dou Qi circulated increasingly violently.

Then it let out a wild, shrill, and terrifying roar, like that of a wild beast.

His noble golden Dou Qi had slowly turned blood red.

Through his dialogues with Kang De, he accumulated rage, resentment, and madness.

Kang De was doing the same thing.

With each question he answered, his madness and rage grew stronger. He thought of the sailors who calmly faced their deaths, the captain who fought to the death, the Bedela stayed behind to cover the retreat, and the raging fire on the Penguin.

And Cleveland's final tears.

The people before us bear an undeniable responsibility for Cleveland's death.

He was also the last enemy.

He drank the medicine.

Strength, agility, intelligence.

Physical functions have been greatly improved.

Mental strength and thinking speed have increased significantly.

The Flame that had spread again due to the explosion and impact converged on Kang De.

Extraction.

The soaring Flame transformed into pure Flame Element, surging into Kang De's body and then bursting forth from his hands. Guided by his spiritual power, they formed runes that spread across the Tomahawk, creating a divine blade of Flame.

Right hand: Crimson Blood Flame Edge; Left hand: Fiery Tomahawk.

A silvery-white Dou Qi rose up.

This is Cleveland's Dou Qi.

I will use it to kill you, just as Cleveland killed you.

This is the final revenge.

Kang De and Lost exchanged glances.

"Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!"

"Kill--"

Almost simultaneously, the two raised their weapons, their Dou Qi blazing, and charged at each other with incredible speed.

One person was in a sorry state and went mad.

One person was calm and cold.

Two madmen who have lost everything.

The final showdown will take place on this ravaged land.

Swords clashed, Dou Qi roared, and streaks of fire and sharp blades collided violently.

"Ahhhhhhhhhhhh kill you kill you kill you kill you kill you!"

Lost hacked and slashed wildly, each move aimed to kill the other. He could only howl and scream, but he didn't cry, because he couldn't cry. There were no tears, only blood, only blood hatred thick with hatred.

"Kill! Kill! Kill! Go ahead and kill!"

Kang De, brandishing his sword and axe, roared, "Go ahead and kill me! You piece of trash! I killed your father, I killed your brother, I killed your sister, I killed your whole family, so what? So what? Why aren't you crying? If you're not going to cry, then laugh! Why are you yelling so loudly! Why aren't you happy!"

"Why! So! Serious!!!!"

Amidst the glint of swords and the roar of flames, the two fought desperately, roaring and raging.

They've lost count of how many moves they've exchanged.

Until the decisive opportunity arrives.

In the next fierce clash, the fire axe finally reached the limit of its Flame enchantment, disintegrating into countless fragments. Having lost a weapon, Kang De grabbed a shotgun and fired a shot.

Lost neither dodged nor evaded, using his Dou Qi to withstand the close-range bombardment of the rubber bullet, and seized the opportunity to strike, his sword flashing like a rainbow, his Dou Qi exploding, knocking away Kang De's other short sword.

The Crimson Blood Flame Edge soared into the sky.

Kang De no longer had any cold weapons at his disposal.

Lost let out a fierce roar, and his sword plunged straight in, aiming for Kang De's heart.

Kang De released the shotgun.

Bare-handed, with a burst of Dou Qi, he clasps his hands together and catches a blade bare-handed.

It only needs to stop for one second.

He caught Lost's longsword with both hands.

The mental power enhanced by the intelligent potion suddenly spread.

Ability activated.

Its name is Extraction.

Lost's blade suddenly shattered, disintegrating into many Element.

Kang De drew upon the sharpest edge.

Strengthen the nail tips and scratch them out.

A flash of blood.

Kang De looked at Lost, who was standing almost touching him, and smiled indifferently, "Got you."

He released the shotgun with his left hand, reached up and grabbed the Crimson Blood Flame Edge that had been lifted into the air, then thrust it with all his might.

The short sword pierced through Lost's chest and emerged.

Lost unleashed his Dou Qi, his muscles tensed, and he gripped the short sword tightly, letting the flames on the blade scorch his flesh and internal organs.

The deranged madman revealed a sinister smile, "Got you."

With his other hand, he drew a small sword from a hidden compartment in his armor.

Named Death Coil, Night's Silent Kiss.

It is a cursed treasure bestowed by the First Prince to deal with the Sword Saint Cascading Snow who came from the Battle God City. It can inflict an indelible curse on living beings, causing their hearts to slowly stop beating. It is inescapable and impossible to break free from. Even a powerful sword saint will die once he is hit.

Now, neither so-called responsibilities nor so-called wealth matter.

The important thing is revenge.

Lost sneered, "Die!"

The curse is activated.

￥￥￥￥￥￥￥￥￥￥4

PS1: Second update, 3000 words. That's all for today. The next chapter will be super exciting! You can all guess the plot. If you can't guess correctly, how about giving me all your May recommendation tickets and monthly tickets?

PS2: By the way, it's almost the end of the month, so let's calculate the bounty situation. This month, we received a total of 48,000 blades. Subtracting the 4,000 before the bounty was opened, we received 44,000 blades from the bounty, which is equivalent to 44 chapters and 88,000 words. Starting from the first chapter, chapter 87, after the bounty was opened, we have updated a total of 74,000 words in six days. Subtracting the basic update of 4,000 words per day, that means we have repaid a total of 50,000 words. All chapters are the main text, and the author's note and PS are not included.

PS3: I haven't been sleeping well these past two days, so I haven't written much, and this is already more than halfway back. Are you guys even capable? Should I bring out that post you were so sure you'd make me look good when you opened the bounty? It's a good thing I haven't written much these past two days, to save you some face. If I finish paying off the bounty before the end of the month, where will you put your faces... (laughs)

PS4: So, how about extending the bounty period by three days? At this rate, I'm afraid I'll finish writing the bounty in a few days in May. It's so boring. (laughs)