Turning the Tables

Turning the Tables

Within a few breaths, Luo Ning was the first to enter the woodland by the roadside.

Using the trees and small slopes to block their line of sight, he immediately summoned the Seven-Day Login Interface and claimed the reward for Day 1.

Countless pillars of light instantly rose from the ground before him, a mesmerizing sight like the Tyndall effect created by shining lights.

The pillars traced a complex, obscure, and mystical Summoning Array across the ground, radiating a faint aura.

A fierce wind swept through the area as a figure slowly emerged from within the pillars of light.

The man was as imposing as a mountain. Beneath his simple Leather Armor were broad shoulders and powerful arms. His expression was resolute and calm, the sort that would not change even amid a raging storm.

"Macken Salliton greets you, my master!"

With a booming voice and a respectful manner, the man summoned through the Magic Array slammed his right hand against his left breast and gave Luo Ning a standard Knight's Salute.

"It's good to see you, Macken, but our situation isn't very good right now."

As soon as Luo Ning finished speaking, the guards who had stabbed him in the back caught up.

They stared in astonishment at the unfamiliar blond man before them, unable to understand why someone had suddenly appeared in the forest in less than ten seconds.

"Who are you?"

The leader of the traitors watched Macken warily, the unease in his heart growing stronger.

Macken had already sensed their intentions. With a flick of his left hand, he brought out a shield and drew the longsword at his waist. "Anyone who seeks to harm my master must first step over my corpse!"

Standing one step behind Macken, Luo Ning watched the other side and noticed a small Attribute Panel appear beside him. Its contents were extremely simple:

Macken Salliton: Beginner Knight · Earth (0/100)+

Clearly, Luo Ning could add points to Macken, consuming Energy Essence in the process.

To ensure that nothing went wrong in this battle, he did not hesitate to use up all his Energy Essence.

Macken Salliton: Beginner Knight (0/100) → (60/100)

Macken froze for a moment. He felt his strength surge tremendously in an instant, as though the Battle Qi Seed in his heart had come alive and was beating with incredible force!

He could not help turning to look at Luo Ning. He was certain that such an improvement had come from his master.

At the very moment he turned around, the traitors seized their chance.

"Kill!"

Luo Ning drew his sword and shouted, "Macken, deal with these traitors!"

"As you command, Master!"

Macken took one step forward. The explosive force of it sent dirt flying from the ground, and his figure moved with unbelievable speed.

These traitorous guards were all ordinary people. At most, they caught thieves and beat up commoners. When had they ever fought a Professional Knight?

And Macken was not merely a knight—he was a knight born with combat instincts. Before him, these traitors were lambs awaiting slaughter.

"Pfft!"

The longsword pierced through the chest of the fastest-charging traitor, killing him instantly!

As Macken pulled out his sword, he used nimble footwork to evade the incoming blade. In the instant he dodged, he lashed out with One Kick, sending the two men rushing at him flying.

A single exchange shattered the traitors' Aura.

Before they could react, Macken had already drawn his sword, charged forward, swept it across, and slit the throats of two more traitors.

The scent of blood spread through the forest with the wind.

Luo Ning had initially thought he would need to step in and help, but he had not expected Knight Macken to be so fierce—killing three men and knocking down two in an instant.

The deaths of the three traitors utterly broke the remaining men. Their fear of betraying nobles and knights once more filled their minds.

Escape? Resistance? They had cast such thoughts aside. All they could think of was throwing down their swords, kneeling like dogs, and wagging their tails as they begged Luo Ning for mercy.

"My lord, spare us!"

"My lord, spare us!"

The courage that had driven them to Betrayal vanished in an instant.

"Heh."

Luo Ning sneered. Ignoring the traitors, he gave Macken a thumbs-up.

"Knight Macken, your abilities have truly opened my eyes!"

The traitors' faces turned ashen at those words. Sure enough, this brutal man really was a knight!

They suddenly found themselves utterly ridiculous for naively believing that no knight stood at the Baron's side to protect him.

"This was all bestowed by you, Master!" Macken stood to one side without continuing the slaughter.

"My lord, are you all right, my lord?"

The servant Chahar stumbled into the woods, only to find himself confronted by this scene.

"Chahar, I have seen your loyalty. You performed well!"

Although Chahar had not been of much help, in that desperate situation, the servant had not betrayed him and had even tried to rush forward to help.

For that loyalty alone, Luo Ning had to give him a nod of approval.

Holding his longsword, he slowly walked up to the leading traitor. Looking at the man kneeling on the ground and begging for mercy, his eyes were filled with coldness.

"You incited and planned this Betrayal, didn't you?"

Luo Ning frowned deeply, his voice icy. "What gave you the courage to betray me?"

The man did not dare raise his head. His body trembled in fear. "M-My lord, I never thought... never thought there would be a kn-knight by your side."

"Oh?"

Luo Ning drawled mockingly. "If you had known there was a knight, you wouldn't have betrayed me, would you?"

"My lord, spare me! I won't dare do it again, never again!"

"Perhaps there is something you still don't know." Luo Ning's voice revealed neither joy nor anger.

"What?"

The kneeling traitor could not help raising his head. From his angle, Luo Ning had never seemed so tall—so tall that he could barely breathe.

"Actually, I am also a knight!"

"Even without Macken, you would still not have been my match!"

The sharp sword plunged down through the man's chest, making the traitor's eyes widen. Perhaps he had never expected to die.

Luo Ning still had some reservations about killing. On one hand, his Previous Self had never killed anyone, and neither had he, having crossed over into this world.

But now that he was in another world, as a lord, he sometimes had to make choices.

If he had possessed nothing, then he would have been the one to die today. His enemies would not show mercy.

Watching the man collapse into a pool of blood and lose his breath, Luo Ning's emotions churned violently. After all, this was his first time.

Yet soon, amid his unease and anxiety, a trace of joy appeared as well, because a line of text flashed before his eyes—

"King of Slaughter" achievement completed. Attribute Points +10, Energy Essence +20

The King of Slaughter achievement required him to kill any unit. The traitor was an ordinary person, so he naturally counted.

He glanced at the Achievement Panel and saw that the King of Slaughter achievement had updated:

King of Slaughter: Kill any Level 1 Transcendent Unit. Reward: Attribute Points +30, Energy Essence +60

"Achievements really are progressive in nature, just like when I designed the Game System."

Level 1 Transcendent Units referred to Beginner Knights, Beginner Mages, and Level 1 Demon Beasts. Completing this achievement was still somewhat difficult for Luo Ning.

Although he possessed the strength of a Level 1 Transcendent, he lacked actual combat experience.

What he had just said to the traitor—that even without Macken, he could turn the tables—had actually been a bit of a bluff.

If he truly had to fight, even if he did not die, he would be severely injured. There was no way he could frighten his enemies out of their wits as instantly as Macken had.

When he had time, he needed to properly hone his combat skills.

Now that he had Macken, he had a teacher.

"Master, there is no need for you to deal with the rest. Allow me to finish them!" Macken volunteered.

Luo Ning raised an eyebrow and looked at the five remaining "Elite Soldiers" kneeling on the ground and trembling.