Call out--!
A black streak of light pierced through the gaps in the building, pointing directly at the swift figure below.
Golden Storm suddenly arose, and a greatsword danced to form a barrier.
The terrifying kinetic energy of the Darksteel Heavy Arrow was gradually weakened by the dense sword strikes, and it finally fell to the ground with a mournful cry.
"[Kazimierz's profanity]! This guy is really just Caprinae?!"
Young Darksteel could hardly believe his eyes.
In sight, having missed its target, the Black Knight had already disappeared into the shadows of the building.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Amidst the towering buildings, dull thuds echoed one after another.
The dents constantly appearing on the wall showed that the golden figure was leaping forward at an inhuman pace, closing in on the sniper position!
"Damn it..."
Young Darksteel felt a chill run down his spine, but his finger remained firmly on the trigger.
Fortunately, he wasn't alone.
Almost at the same moment, an ordinary-looking crossbow bolt was fired silently.
Jian's pupils contracted slightly; he was in mid-air and had no time to completely dodge.
He suddenly exerted force from his waist and abdomen, forcefully twisting his body, and slashed the sword towards the arrowhead.
Sizzle--!
A piercing metallic scraping sound erupted as the arrow grazed the sword, leaving a terrifying crack.
The arrow kicked up a cloud of blood as it struck the side of the mace, eventually embedding itself deep into the metal ground below.
"Pity."
Old Darksteel Tie remained expressionless, his figure vanishing from his original spot in an instant as he moved to another sniping position.
"Tsk, such poor compatibility."
In the alley, the back of the mace leaned against the wall, pressing hard on the wound on his waist and abdomen with one hand.
The muscles tensed, and the bleeding visibly slowed down.
After extracting information from the captured Darksteel and destroying several strongholds of the Armorless Union, she knew the other side would retaliate.
She should have fled immediately, but... her curiosity about the legendary old Darksteel's strength, and the fighting spirit that had grown from being lonely at the peak of the arena for too long, made her choose to stay.
However, it turns out that warriors who can't get close are truly helpless when kited by archers.
Another arrow came flying, but she casually swatted it away.
A fierce glint flashed in his eyes as he slashed through the rusted metal pipe beside him, sending the steel pipe hurtling towards the arrow's trajectory like a javelin.
Boom--
The deafening crash of the building being pierced mingled with the brief screams of the Armorless Union Assassin.
Jian's gaze swept over the terrified eyes peering through the cracks in the alleyway, and he hissed irritably:
"If you want to live, don't show yourself! Hide!"
I have to leave.
The Armorless Union was clearly driving her into a pre-set encirclement, and several probing attempts to break through were met with planted Originium Bomb.
At the very least... this place cannot be used as a battlefield.
Boom--!!!
Just then, a violent roar accompanied by the tremor of the Daichi came, and scorching air rushed into the alley, blowing hair backward.
Jian's eyes sharpened, and he leaped to the top of the building, looking in the direction from which the hot wind was coming.
In the distance, in the center of the steel building complex, a huge circular void appeared, seemingly molten.
The air in the central area was violently distorted due to the high temperature, and only a blurry outline could be seen.
Jian's breathing became somewhat rapid.
It wasn't fear, but rather an excitement and fighting spirit bursting from the very marrow of my bones.
Suppress the urge to rush over and compete.
Jian knew now was not the time.
At that very moment, a burning gaze fell upon him.
Another explosion rang out, and the figure sped toward her location.
Jian Shen immediately lowered his center of gravity and assumed a fighting stance.
A direct confrontation with Originium Arts of this scale would put her at a significant disadvantage in terms of physical strength and martial arts alone, and reason told her she should retreat for the time being.
But--
The Black Knight never retreats.
Just as she ignored the repeated warnings from the Business Federation, she single-handedly shattered all the rules with three championships.
She never believed that she, who was born without Originium Arts, was weaker than anyone else.
Just as his fighting spirit reached its peak, a needle-like stinging sensation came from his back.
The Darksteel is still there!
Without hesitation, he dodged to the side, the specially crafted Darksteel arrow embedding itself in the spot where he had just stood.
It didn't penetrate; instead, it caused a shockwave!
The top floor of the building beneath his feet suddenly collapsed, and Jian's body lost its support amidst the smoke and rubble.
The next instant, the true killing blow was fired at her, who had nowhere to gain leverage in mid-air.
At the same time, a massive lava sword aura slashed towards her.
The mace, which was already prepared to withstand the Darksteel arrow head-on, paused for a moment and immediately abandoned its blocking stance.
The lava sword energy swept past her, meeting the incoming heavy arrow of Darksteel.
The arrow vanished silently, but the lingering force of the lava sword energy continued its trajectory into the distance.
The mace landed lightly on the ground. Watching the figure, its flames now extinguished, approach, he raised a hand to his forehead, his tone complex:
"You saved me again."
Gregor walked over to her, his gaze sweeping over the wound on her abdomen.
"Come with me."
Watching the two depart, the young Darksteel said unwillingly:
"Old man, could that person next to the Black Knight be...?"
[Let's retreat...]
"What about the Business Federation?"
[Retreat.]
"..."
High up in the building, Old Darksteel watched his target leave against the Gale.
The faint light illuminated half of his body, and glancing to the side, he saw the building that had been cut in half diagonally.
The molten section glowed, and Old Darksteel tossed down the charred cloak, letting it burn along with it.
The figure vanished, and a sorrowful sigh drifted on the wind.
"What a monster..."
"My God! It really is the Black Knight!"
"Three-peat! A living legend!"
"I want to get an autograph! Want to come along?"
Do you have any paper?
"Can't I just sign it on my person?!"
Did you bring a pen?
"..."
The Infected whispered excitedly, all because of the golden figure in the center of the platform.
The triennial championship, the three-time champion, her legend even transcended the barriers above and below ground, reaching the ears of these Infected struggling to survive.
It's no exaggeration to say that many people grew up listening to her legends.
"Your potion is very effective." Jian lifted the torn corner of his clothes and glanced at his healed waist and abdomen.
"How much? I don't like owing favors."
Before Gregor could answer, she added:
"Of course, I won't renege on what I've already owed. What do you want?"
My friend wants to see you.
Jian's brows furrowed immediately, a glint of something flashing in his eyes.
The word "boredom" clearly equates "friends" with the Business Federation or certain forces trying to recruit her.
"... He wants to recruit you as a bodyguard."
After Gregor finished speaking, Jian's brows furrowed even more.
"If you're looking for security, recruiting me isn't a wise choice."
Jian raised her greatsword, the weapon that had accompanied her in battle for many years, now covered in terrifying cracks.
"As you can see, getting involved with me is equivalent to being blacklisted by the Business Federation, and trouble will follow."
After a few seconds of silence, Gregor stated a number, revealing it to Jian amidst his puzzled gaze.
"He wants to buy you and take you away from Kazimierz."
"I refuse."
Jiang answered without the slightest hesitation, which puzzled Gregor.
In his view, given Jian's current situation, leaving this place of trouble is clearly the best solution.
Jian noticed his confusion and gave his reasons:
"If your friend had the courage to stand before me and make this request in person, instead of having you relay it, I might consider it."
"If you want to control me, you must at least have the courage to face risks with me."
"Hiding behind an agent and knocking on doors with coins? Ha."
Gregor: "..."
So, it was SilverAsh who personally confronted the Business Federation to win her approval?
Did I mess up again?
Seeing the conflicted expression on the electronic screen, Jian's lips curled up slightly.
"Of course," she said, her tone slightly teasing as she changed the subject.
"If it's about using the favor I owe you, I could consider it. However..." She looked Gregor up and down.
Do you really need it?
"Then please come with me to see him."
Seeing that Gregor was directly using personal connections, Jian clicked his tongue lightly and looked away.
"It seems... the favors I owe aren't that 'worth' after all."
"I don't lack money."
"Yeah?"
Jian suddenly turned around and stared intently at him.
That look didn't seem like he was looking at a potential employer or middleman; it was more like he was sizing up an opponent worth fighting with all his might.
"Have you ever considered 'buying' me yourself?"
Gregor: "..."
Although that sounds a bit ambiguous... why do I feel like your real purpose is to find a reason to fight me?
Sona, who had been listening to the entire conversation, remained expressionless.
"I must be dreaming. How could the Black Knight possibly be selling himself to others... Wait a minute!"
Sona glared at Ifrit, who was holding her tail, and Ifrit stroked it a couple more times, saying with a serious expression:
"I can feel it, so it's not a dream."
"... Thank you so much!"
Sona gritted her teeth and snatched the tail back, while Ifrit, under the awe-inspiring gazes of the other children, returned to the group with her head held high.
"You're amazing! You actually dared to touch Sister Sona's tail!"
The children gasped in quiet amazement, Ifrit smugly basked in this "glory," but soon one of the children revealed his true intentions:
"Big Sister, can we still watch that cartoon later...?"
"Big Sister?"
Ifrit was taken aback, then her eyes lit up instantly.
"Yes! I'm the boss! Of course I can!"
"Yay--!" x N
After their conversation, the two were quickly surrounded by a crowd, with Gregor's side filled with children eager to watch the animation.
On the other side, after discovering that the Black Knight did not reject the Infected, everyone rushed to ask for his autograph.
Centaurea huddled in the shadows, too afraid to move. She hadn't accepted any missions related to the Black Knight, but she had no doubt that the blood on his sword belonged to the Armorless Union.
As time passed, amidst the groans of the crowd, Sona suggested sending them away.
Will she come back? Will the boss come back!?
Seeing the expectant looks in her new friends' eyes, Ifrit looked at Gregor with a troubled expression.
"Tomorrow won't work."
"Oh..."
"The day after tomorrow is fine."
"Oh--!"
The group left in silence amidst the farewells of the Infected, until they reached the exit, where Sona stopped.
"Going out from here will take us to the edge of Block Zero. I'm Infected, so I won't be going out with you."
Sona turned to leave, Gregor stopped her and handed her several gold bars.
Sona's eyes widened, and she immediately waved her hand in refusal.
"Wait! I won't sell myself!"
Gregor felt helpless and simply put the gold brick down.
"It's for you."
Sona froze, and the group turned to leave, leaving behind the girl's deep voice.
"Why..."
Gregor stopped in his tracks, Sona shouted excitedly.
"We are Infected! Aren't you afraid at all?"
Sona displayed the Originium crystals on her body and walked straight over the gold bricks on the ground.
Even if you give us this money, we can't bring you any benefit at all!
"I know."
Gregor nodded calmly.
"Then why!"
I think you are good people.
The same steady electronic voice made Sona's chest tighten suddenly.
Gregor turned around and stared at the girl who was barely up to his waist.
"In the world I envision, kindness will not be met with malice."
"Although I know it's unlikely, I still hope..."
"Every act of kindness will receive the same response."
After saying this, Gregor didn't linger and turned to lead everyone toward the exit.
The sound gradually faded away, and Sona lowered her head, her hands clenching slightly.
"Where did this idiot come from...?"