Bridge of Sacrifice

It took about a day and a half.

Xia Tong finally arrived at this pass.

"Fuck, I'm exhausted!"

He had dodged and weaved all the way here, killing more than a dozen Wandering Nobles and Noble Sorcerers. Though those monsters were weak and died after only a couple of strikes, they always traveled in groups.

Xia Tong was truly grateful for that!

Besides, he couldn't summon Spirit Ashes on a large scale. He only dared summon the Fanged Imps to share the pressure, lest he attract even more enemies.

The Fanged Imps were agile enough and small enough that they were unlikely to draw attention.

Whenever he encountered mounted Kaiden Sellswords, Xia Tong gave them a wide berth and refused to provoke them.

He took out the waterskin he had swiped from the Kaiden Sellsword he had hunted earlier, took a hard swig, then surveyed the surrounding terrain.

Towering cliffs surrounded the area. After hiking for over a dozen kilometers, he hadn't had much chance to rest properly along the way.

But now was not the time to relax.

He crept toward the lone Godrick Soldier ahead.

Then he covered the man's mouth and backstabbed him!

The Lordsworn's Straight Sword in his hand viciously plunged into the soldier's body before being yanked free.

Blood sprayed everywhere.

The little grunt didn't even have time to make a sound before his life ended.

Xia Tong had become utterly proficient at sneak attacks and assassinations, every move smooth and natural.

After dealing with the sentry, Xia Tong looked toward the Bridge of Sacrifice in the distance. He didn't rashly try to charge straight across.

The bridge's front was heavily defended. Forcing his way through would be suicide.

He summoned Torrent, mounted up, and rode toward the nearby cliffside.

There was a pillar of white air shooting skyward there—a Spirit Spring.

As Torrent's hooves stepped onto the current, a huge yet gentle force hurled Xia Tong and his horse high into the sky!

Whoosh—!

The wind howled past his ears.

Xia Tong turned Torrent around and used the rising current to land steadily atop the towering cliff above the side of the bridge.

Gentle, yet powerful.

It was like a pair of warm hands swiftly lifting you up, then gently setting you down.

Xia Tong lay prone at the edge of the cliff, staring intently at the Bridge of Sacrifice below.

At the front of the bridge stood rows of spiked barricades, along with soldiers carrying greatshields.

Though these soldiers wore equipment similar to the Godrick Soldiers, they belonged to the southern Castle Morne, and their combat training was not to be underestimated.

But the true danger lay in the middle of the bridge.

A giant explosive ballista had been set up there.

Xia Tong had personally experienced that ballista countless times in the game.

Its power was immense, its range extreme, and its bolts exploded upon impact!

Once caught in the blast, nearly 80% of one's health could vanish in an instant.

If he didn't drink a flask before the second shot landed, it would absolutely be GG.

The sky gradually darkened.

Yet the Castle Morne Soldiers and archers on the Bridge of Sacrifice remained at their posts, constantly patrolling with tight vigilance.

Xia Tong really wanted to complain. Castle Morne behind them was probably already in complete chaos, but the guards here likely hadn't received the news and were still stupidly standing watch.

Damn it!

"Let's begin."

Jingle, jingle!

Xia Tong shook the Spirit Calling Bell and summoned two Fanged Imps, along with three Stray Wolves.

"Gulp!"

He took a huge swig from the Cerulean Tear Flask, replenishing the massive amount of FP he had expended.

Immediately afterward, Xia Tong rang the bell again.

This time, he summoned the Spirit Jellyfish, as well as the pair of Godrick Soldier brothers he had obtained not long ago.

For this battle, he had practically gone all-in with his FP.

"You'll have to suffer a little more."

Xia Tong rubbed the heads of the three Stray Wolves, a trace of guilt flashing through his eyes.

As highly mobile units, they were the best bait.

At Xia Tong's whistle, the three Stray Wolves took the lead and charged!

They were incredibly fast. With a running start and a light leap, they cleared the tall spiked barricades and charged into the enemy formation.

"Wolves!"

"Enemy attack—!"

Much like the Godrick Soldiers at Gatefront, the soldiers of Castle Morne were no better.

By nightfall, they were practically nodding off.

However, there were many of them, and they were all gathered on the bridge, making them extremely troublesome to deal with.

Soon, two or three soldiers holding greatshields began forming up to surround the wolves.

Just as they slowly gathered together.

A pale-blue cracked pot suddenly arced through the night sky and landed at their feet.

Boom!

The Magic Pot exploded.

Two Fanged Imps leaped out from the darkness like specters.

They landed directly on the Castle Morne Soldiers' necks and viciously drove their Forked Hatchets into gaps in their armor!

Blood sprayed wildly, staining the thick night with a splash of crimson.

"Now! Torrent! Charge!"

Xia Tong shouted.

Torrent was a spectral steed, an otherworldly beast. It transformed into a gust of wind and burst from the shadows!

Double jump!

It easily leaped over the spiked barricades and landed in the middle of the bridge.

"There's someone else!"

A scrawny Godrick Foot Soldier wearing an iron conical hat and sporting a sharp, monkey-like face spotted Xia Tong.

He immediately shouted at the top of his lungs.

The man's body was exceptionally nimble, and he held a dagger in his right hand.

But at that moment, he had no intention of engaging in close combat.

Instead, he retreated at high speed and leaped onto the explosive ballista platform positioned at the center of the Bridge of Sacrifice.

Explosive bolts?!

Xia Tong was on horseback and couldn't reach him in time.

He could only pull out the throwing knife strapped to his leg and hurl it with all his strength!

Whoosh!

The throwing knife shot through the night and embedded itself straight into the wooden planks of the platform.

Unfortunately, in his haste, his aim was off. It missed the "skinny monkey" foot soldier by a little.

Creak—creak—

The heavy winch slowly turned, producing a teeth-grinding sound.

At the same time, the thick sinew bowstring was stretched inch by inch.

It let out a low, oppressive, unbroken hum, like Death whispering.

Then, the enormous tension was suddenly released!

Twack!

The bowstring disturbed the air as a massive bolt burning with gunpowder tore through the night and shot viciously toward Xia Tong.

"Torrent, right!"

Xia Tong sharply yanked the reins, immediately following it with a desperate double jump.

Boom!!

Massive flames surged up and exploded across the Bridge of Sacrifice.

A rolling wave of heat crashed into him, singeing the loose hair on Xia Tong's forehead.

That was close!

"Here's my chance!"

Xia Tong and Torrent didn't hesitate. Taking advantage of the gap while the enemy reloaded, they charged forward like mad!

The ballista was powerful, but its reload speed was painfully slow!

Clop, clop, clop!

Hoofbeats rang across the Bridge of Sacrifice.

Behind Xia Tong, the two Fanged Imps, three Stray Wolves, Spirit Jellyfish, and Godrick Soldiers were locked in a chaotic battle with the group of Castle Morne Soldiers.

Using a double jump, Xia Tong and Torrent landed steadily atop the firing platform!

He drew the Lordsworn's Greatsword and, using the momentum of Torrent's charge, slashed fiercely forward.

The "skinny monkey" foot soldier dodged in terror.

Xia Tong's sword cut through empty air.

Crack!

The blade smashed into the ballista's main beam, sending wood chips flying.

With a single strike, Xia Tong destroyed the deadly explosive ballista!

Though he had destroyed the ballista, the tremendous inertia of the Lordsworn's Greatsword's heavy blade still left Xia Tong open.

The "skinny monkey" foot soldier's eyes turned vicious as he lunged in!

His dagger flashed coldly and stabbed violently toward Xia Tong's chest.

Because he wore no heavy armor and only cloth-like protective gear, he was extremely agile.

Xia Tong was startled and rolled sideways, not even having time to retrieve the greatsword in his hand.

Rip!

The enemy was simply too fast, and still managed to cut a gash across Xia Tong's waist.

Blood seeped out.

"Fuck! I got careless! I didn't dodge!"

Xia Tong was furious.

I was a level 20 warrior now, damn it!

And the two attribute points I had gained from leveling up recently had both gone into [Dexterity]!

In terms of agility alone, I was no less capable than this skinny monkey who only knew how to operate a ballista!

Xia Tong immediately changed tactics.

Rather than making another broad, sweeping slash, he gripped the hilt of the Lordsworn's Greatsword with both hands and pointed its tip forward.

He kept the "skinny monkey" firmly at bay.

There was very little room to maneuver on the high platform.

The Lordsworn's Greatsword had a long blade, nearly four feet in length.

With the sword tip aimed at him, the "skinny monkey" foot soldier's movements were already restricted, preventing him from closing in.

Xia Tong refused to let up, pressing forward step by step.

He stomped hard!

Thud!

The entire firing platform began to shake violently.

Before his opponent could regain his footing, Xia Tong thrust the sword tip forward and forced the "skinny monkey" foot soldier straight off the platform!

"Ah—!"

He screamed as he fell.

Neigh!

Torrent had been waiting below for a long time.

It raised both front hooves high, then brought them crashing down!

Splat!

That stomp crushed the falling soldier's chest, collapsing his ribs and rupturing his organs.

On the other side, his Spirit Ashes were locked in an intense battle with the other Godrick Soldiers!

The enemy had too many people—more than a dozen—and most of them carried shields!

They had even vaguely formed a battle formation.

If not for the Fanged Imps' agility, their occasional sneak attacks, and their ability to throw Magic Pots with explosive damage, they might truly have been no match for them!

Xia Tong picked up the Lordsworn's Greatsword and rushed over to support them.

Skill—Stamp!

With a stomp, he dipped low and gathered power.

Then came an Upward Cut!

Clang!

A Castle Morne Soldier holding a greatshield was instantly staggered by Xia Tong's tremendous strength, his shield knocked high into the air.

After increasing his Dexterity, Xia Tong discovered that the [Dexterity] attribute did not merely improve physical agility.

It also significantly enhanced the technique and precision of exerting force.

With the same amount of strength, Xia Tong's attacks were now far trickier than before.

The blade pierced through his chest.

Then Xia Tong repeated the same method, working with the remaining Spirit Ashes to take out the rest of the soldiers guarding the bridge.

Blood splattered across the Bridge of Sacrifice.

The battle was over.

Xia Tong skillfully stripped them clean of their equipment.

Then he continued onward with Torrent.

With so much loot and such a heavy load, Xia Tong could not bear to ride Torrent. Instead, he had it carry the mountain-like pile of equipment while he led it along by the reins.

Before long, they reached the end of the bridge.

There was a new Site of Grace there, radiating golden light.

And atop a large rock by the roadside beside the Site of Grace—

sat a young girl.

She wore a long dress with an exotic flair, her golden hair falling over her shoulders. Her hands rested folded atop her knees. Though beautiful, her eyes held no focus, clouded by a faint haze.

She sat blankly atop the boulder, listening to the wind in the distance.

She seemed cold and lonely.

She was Irina, daughter of Castle Morne's lord, Edgar. Xia Tong recognized her at a glance.