Fireballs streaked with long trails collided with the magic shields held up by four mages. Instantly, the ground shook, smoke filled the air, and the hastily erected shields gradually cracked under relentless impacts.
The four mages held their wands high, reinforcing the shields nonstop, but they couldn't match the destruction's pace.
Finally, after withstanding all fireballs, the pale blue shield shattered like glass smashed by a hammer. The mages suffered magical backlash, rendering them temporarily unable to cast spells.
Blinded by smoke, the Slave Catcher Squad members saw only churning ashen dust. They stood on high alert, braced for Witt's assault.
Witt burst from the black fog, using his descent momentum to charge straight for the shield wall before Kaelxi. If he tore through this line, he could snatch her away in the chaos!
His blade stabbed a soldier's iron shield, slicing open a gash. The blade crumbled inch by inch but he repaired it instantly. Using gravity, he pierced the shield and stabbed the soldier's chest, taking the Bronze warrior's life.
Nearby soldiers had vision blocked by fireball dust, unaware of what happened. They only heard booms, comrades' screams, and glimpsed a fleeting figure in the smoke.
Earlier, from the sky, Witt counted fifty-one Slave Catcher Squad members. With four mages, that made fifty-five. The mages and warriors were likely all Bronze Rank, but he couldn't gauge the squad leader's strength. Still, he created "Sunblast" at top speed, ready to charge in and fight these unknown foes to the death.
Witt landed at the formation's rear. Frontline members heard booms behind them, clueless about the chaos. He shook the corpse off his sword. Close to Kaelxi now, with the squad still disordered, this was the perfect chance to take her away!
In the black smoke, Witt couldn't see Kaelxi clearly. He relied on memory to approach where he thought she was. "Kaelxi, where are you!" he shouted.
Kaelxi couldn't see Witt in the fog but heard his voice. "Witt, I'm here!" she yelled back. As she finished, Witt rushed over and grabbed her hand. He turned, signaling with his eyes for her to stay silent. Kaelxi clamped her mouth shut and nodded vigorously.
Holding Kaelxi's hand, Witt bolted toward the teleportation array's edge. He thought those blind fools couldn't see them. Escape now, and they'd get away for good.
The next second, a powerful punch slammed into Witt's chest. Just one blow sent his whole body flying. He didn't have time to release Kaelxi's hand, so he shielded her in his arms. They rolled on the ground several times before stopping.
Witt lay on the earth, Kaelxi dizzily atop him. That punch nearly destroyed his heart. He vomited several mouthfuls of blood. Kaelxi, dizzy from rolling, saw her vision turn red. She snapped awake, spotting Witt beneath her vomiting blood profusely.
Kaelxi scrambled off him, frantically trying to cut her finger to feed him blood. But no sharp object was in sight. "Witt, don't die, don't die..." In desperation, she tried biting her finger open, but trembling, she couldn't apply any force.
Witt's magic was nearly gone. Watching her panic, he conjured a small knife and handed it to her. Kaelxi immediately cut her finger, dripping blood into his mouth. Yet Witt kept vomiting, swallowing little. The blood couldn't work instantly; he could only move slightly.
Enduring chest pain, Witt struggled upright. He faced the figure walking out of the smoke, hands behind his back. It was the Slave Catcher Squad leader. He stared coldly at Witt, eyes devoid of emotion, yet exclaimed in surprise, "Huh, you're not dead?" "Seems you have some skill after all." "Guess I'll have to punch you again."
Kaelxi shielded Witt. "No, stop! I'll go with you, just stop!" She glanced back at Witt, so gravely injured he could barely breathe, and whispered, "Witt, run away."
"I said I'd protect you!" Witt steadied his breath. Kaelxi's blood helped him feel better. "You're brave, and it's touching," the leader applauded, tone dripping with contempt, "but can a Bronze Rank like you defeat a Gold Rank like me?"
"Why are you after her?" Witt ignored the sarcasm, buying time for his wounds to heal. He knew even at his peak, he couldn't beat this leader. "The Slave Catcher Squad captures disobedient runaway slaves—isn't that only natural?" Seeing them cornered, the leader revealed part of the truth. After all, he admired this powerful young man. Though his life would end here.
"So, if Kaelxi is captured, she'll become someone's slave and plaything?" "Don't you know the kingdom forbids trading non-human slaves!" "Aren't you even following the kingdom's laws!"
The leader sneered, "The kingdom's laws only apply to commoners. Hearing you say that now, I feel like laughing. I'll give you a chance—charge at me, challenge me. If I win, you die, and she becomes a slave."
Witt had recovered some magic, ready to fight. "And if I win?" "You? Hahahaha!" The leader laughed as if hearing something hilarious. "If you win? Defeat all the Bronze warriors behind me. Only then do you win!"
Smoke cleared. Dozens of warriors behind the leader formed a neat line, swords drawn, glaring menacingly at Witt and Kaelxi. The four mages had recovered, poised to attack.
Kaelxi knew Witt was strong but couldn't win against so many. Her tears had long dried up. She pushed him. "Witt, go!" "Go far away. Don't come looking for me again." "This morning, I lied. I didn't want to be with you." "But I do!!!"
Witt, a Bronze Rank, raised his fist and roared, charging the enemy ranks. His magic hadn't recovered enough to conjure a weapon. Before him stood one Gold Rank and fifty-three Bronze Ranks. Witt was doomed to lose.
