Chapter 202: He's Actually a...

Chapter 202: He's Actually a...



"Clang!!!"

A dazzling spark erupted in the darkness where the two weapons clashed.

The sound of metal on metal reverberated, piercing the ears of everyone present. They stared, tears streaming down their faces from the blinding sparks, unable to believe what they were witnessing. Despite barely being able to make out anything during the entire battle, their blood boiled with excitement.

After the lightning-fast exchange, Rain and Parix were sent flying in opposite directions.

Parik's legs plowed two trenches over ten meters long in the front yard of the mansion. His right hand, still gripping the axe, trembled uncontrollably. The next moment, a series of loud cracks echoed.

His plate mail gauntlet and arm armor shattered, revealing a mangled right arm beneath. It was evident to all that his arm was rendered useless in the short term.

Rain, too, was not unscathed.

His Pig Head Hammer, imbued with Origin Force, was knocked away by Parik's powerful strike. But even after deflecting the hammer, Parik's attack retained its force, slicing through Rain's brand-new Water Film Steel Advanced Knight Chest Armor.

Rain felt a sharp pain in his chest.

The thick knight's chest armor had a narrow slit at least thirty centimeters long, revealing a distinct red line on his skin, from which blood slowly oozed.

Parik's attack exceeded Rain's expectations. Rain had assumed that his master-level hammer technique, combined with his core skill 'Hammer Specialization lv3', would be enough to match Parik's blow.

But to his surprise, Parik's strike not only deflected his hammer but also breached his Water Film Steel armor and 'Iron Skin lv3', inflicting a wound.

Although it was just a shallow cut on his chest, it was enough to draw blood.

As Rain looked at Parik, he noticed the latter's right arm was almost completely disabled, and a smile crept onto his lips.

Rain wasn't afraid of injuries.

Moreover, his opponent's wounds were far more severe than his own.

Parik, seeing Rain get up, narrowed his eyes in disbelief. Despite tearing open Rain's chest armor, Rain seemed relatively unharmed.

"How is this possible?" Parik muttered.

"That was almost an ultimate technique I just used!"

"I should have gutted him, but how can he have such minor injuries?"

Parik couldn't understand why, but with his right arm nearly useless, he decided to retreat.

However, he couldn't help but glance at Rain with lingering dissatisfaction.

It had been a long time since he'd encountered such an unexpected challenge.

He had thought it would be an easy task, but it turned out to be far more difficult than anticipated.

As Parik's gaze lingered on Rain, he let out a soft exclamation.

Rain had quickly risen but hadn't immediately picked up his weapon to charge at him.

Parik's mind raced with a realization. Perhaps Rain's swift recovery was a ruse to conceal his true injuries, and Parik's blow had already damaged his vital organs.

After a moment's thought, Parik's eyes lit up.

It had to be so.

That made sense!

Otherwise, how could Rain's injuries be so minor after receiving Parik's near-ultimate technique?

It seemed Parik had narrowly won this round.

But as Parik listened, he heard Rain muttering something under his breath.

Curious, Parik strained to hear, and his expression changed abruptly. He realized Rain was reciting a wizardry incantation.

"Damn, this Rain is actually a wizard apprentice!" Parik exclaimed, only to be interrupted by a blinding light.

A sun seemed to rise before him, and his eyes were instantly flooded with tears.

But Parik, a seasoned fighter, quickly understood Rain's intention. Rain had refrained from attacking to cast this wizardry.

Could Rain be unharmed?

Indeed, Rain was casting the wizardry 'Blazing Light'.

When Rain got up, he had intended to attack.

But suddenly, an idea flashed in his mind—the perfect wizardry for this situation, 'Blazing Light'.

Additionally, Rain's opponent was severely injured and unaware of his wizardry skills, making it a perfect surprise.

As the 'Blazing Light' wizardry took effect, Parik's face contorted in horror, and he instinctively closed his eyes.

In that instant, Rain moved.

Like a leopard pouncing on its prey, Rain charged at Parik, scooping up his fallen Pig Head Hammer along the way.

Parik, with his combat experience, sensed the impending danger despite his blurred vision. He turned and ran towards the street he remembered.

Although a Great Knight's body was highly adaptable, his sharp vision was more severely affected than the nearby guards.

Squinting through his tear-filled eyes, Parik saw only a blinding white expanse, accompanied by dizziness, making it impossible to discern the street's direction.

But as he hesitated, a gust of wind from behind forced him to turn and block the incoming attack.

Rain rushed forward with a stride, his arms bulging with muscles, and swung the dark hammer from below, striking Parik's lower abdomen with the Tokkar Hammer Technique 'Ascending Dragon Hammer'.

"Bang!!!"

Parik's abdomen took the full force of the blow, folding his body in half. His limbs stretched out, his tongue lolled from his gaping mouth, and his eyes bulged as if about to pop out of their sockets. He was knocked back seven or eight meters, crashing into the wall of a nearby villa like a meteor.

"Boom!!!"

The exterior walls of the noble's mansion were constructed with high-quality materials, built from striped granite blocks. Although Parik's collision impact was significant, it did not penetrate the wall.

At this moment, Parik's condition was pitiful. He was embedded in the granite wall by over ten centimeters, embedded in the granite wall by over a dozen centimeters, and his entire body was still convulsing. However, his strong will to survive drove him to struggle and try to free himself from the wall.

But before he could make any move...

Rain's toes tapped the ground, causing dirt to fly, and he quickly closed in on Parik's embedded body. He aimed at the other's arms and leg joints and delivered a series of heavy hammer strikes!

"Crack! Crackle! Crackle!"

Each heavy blow resulted in a crisp sound of Parik's joints cracking, accompanied by unnatural twists.

This was because Parik's advanced knight plate mail armor, having lost the Original Force defense of a Great Knight, was completely unable to withstand the power of Rain's hammer strikes.

Every blow from Rain caused severe deformation to Parik's knight plate mail armor.

At this moment, the twisted plate mail became an obstacle, hindering the wound's self-healing process.

After a few seconds, Rain stopped his actions!

He believed that even if the opponent was a Great Knight, they couldn't withstand the pain of having all their limb joints shattered.

Perhaps in this world, there was a way to recover from such injuries, but it was clear that it wasn't something a Great Knight's physical qualities could naturally heal.

"Thud!"

The sound of a heavy object hitting the ground echoed!

Parik, clad in a twisted suit of knight plate mail, didn't struggle this time. He fell heavily to the ground from his embedded position in the wall, solely due to gravity.

With the robust life force of a Great Knight, Parik's body remained intact, thanks to Rain not striking his vital organs or head.

Rain slowly approached, crouched down, and spoke in a low voice next to Parik, "Perhaps, it's time for me to send you on your way."

"However, I'm more interested in what you said about someone trying to get rid of me through you."

"If you cooperate, I'll ensure you leave without pain later, sparing you from the current agony."

Parik struggled to lift his head, glanced at Rain, and laughed maniacally, his smile carrying a hint of madness and other unspoken meanings.

At this moment, Rain heard a commotion from the other end of the street. He looked up and saw the burly man attempting to escape, but he was surrounded by the Night Watch.

"Capture him!"

"Don't let him get away!"

"He's part of the group with the guy lying on the ground!"

Despite the man's skilled movements, indicating a Senior Knight, the Night Watch managed to corner him due to their superior numbers.

Rain stood up and approached the man. After a few seemingly slow but fast steps, he reached the man and with a single punch, sent him flying half a meter into the air. The man immediately assumed a kneeling position, curled up and puking on the ground.

Since the boss didn't confirm it, let's start with the underlings.

However, a Great Knight was no small figure, which was why Rain didn't directly kill him.

After only half a minute, Rain learned the identity of this burly middle-aged man from the underling's mouth.

"Huh? You said you're from the Zalar Resistance Army? This...is Parik, the new leader of the Myester County, Brigadier Parik?" Rain raised an eyebrow and asked.

"Yes...sir." The burly man still had a painful expression, hugging his abdomen, and answered with difficulty.

Rain looked at the man's expression; he didn't seem to be lying.

Brigadier?

The position didn't sound low at all.

Just as Rain was about to 'inquire' further about Brigadier Parik, two familiar figures appeared, leading a large group of Night Watch members in black leather armor.

"Viscount Hamadi, Lord Hamilton." Rain was surprised. Hamadi's presence here wasn't unusual, given the severe security incident in the county city.

But logically, Hamilton should still be in Flash Gold Town, fighting the Resistance Army.

"Baron Rain, it seems you've thwarted the enemy's attack."

Viscount Hamadi surveyed the area, seeing only two people, and added, "The enemy's main force might not have arrived yet. Stay vigilant!"

"That's right! Rain, not long ago, I learned from a Resistance Army leader who attacked Flash Gold Town that their boss, the Zalar Resistance Army, will attack the county city."

"So, I came to the county city to report this to Viscount Hamadi. I didn't expect to encounter an attack on your mansion."

The enemy's main force?

Rain thought for a moment and pointed at the Brigadier Parik on the ground, "Viscount, perhaps this man is their leader."

"Huh?" Viscount Hamadi and Lord Hamilton both looked at Rain in surprise.

At this moment, they noticed the ground behind Rain was full of ditches and ravines under the dim streetlights, along with the completely ruined front yard of the mansion.

Lord Hamilton glanced at Parik on the ground, "He is...?"

"He's rumored to be from the Zalar Resistance Army, a Great Knight in Myester County."

"A Great Knight?"

"Hamilton's eyes widened, and a glint of light flashed in them."

"This person should be valuable for interrogation. Is he still alive?"

"Yes, I deliberately avoided his vital points," Rain nodded.

But as these words fell upon the ears of Viscount Hamadi and Lord Hamilton, they couldn't help but feel something was amiss. Looking at the twisted and broken body before them, even though Rain had avoided the vital areas, the sight was still incredibly pitiful, especially considering the captive was a Great Knight.

"Great, Baron Rain," Lord Hamilton suggested, "I recommend you hand him over to the Empire."

"Recently, there have been signs of rebel activity in various counties of Minster Province. At this critical juncture, capturing the leader of a county's resistance will undoubtedly earn you a substantial reward in merit points." Viscount Hamadi's face lit up with joy.

Rain glanced at Lord Hamilton, who also nodded and smiled slightly.

So, Rain nodded and said, "Okay, Viscount Hamadi, I'll leave it to you then."

"Rest assured, I'll send him to the county prison immediately and keep him under strict surveillance. When Count Habbus returns, he will likely interrogate him personally," Viscount Hamadi said with a smile in his eyes.

"What about that one over there?" Lord Hamilton pointed at the kneeling, burly man and asked.

"He's not important," Rain glanced and replied.

After handing over the remaining tasks to these two, Rain returned to his mansion and reassured his parents, sister, and the beautiful woman, Jennifer.

Since his family and the woman were not skilled in combat, even if they were worried about Rain and wanted to check on the battle, they couldn't see clearly in the dim night. The clash between two Great Knights was beyond their perception.

All they could hear were the sounds of battle—'Bang! Slap! Clang!'—echoing continuously.

Back in his room, Rain checked the system notifications:

[Your skill Giant Bear Sword Technique has improved. Experience gained: 878]



[Your skill Tokkar Hammer Technique has improved. Experience gained: 1051]



[You have engaged in combat. Extraordinary Knight experience gained: 476]



[You have engaged in combat. Extraordinary Wizard experience gained: 53]



After this battle, the Extraordinary Knight reached level 6 (354/3000), earning a skill point and an attribute point as rewards.

Remaining attribute points were restored to 5, and remaining skill points reached 3.

The experience rewards for Tokkar Hammer Technique and Giant Bear Sword Technique were substantial, but they were still a long way from reaching level 10.

However, this wasn't Rain's immediate concern.

Currently, his Kadhar Fist Technique was already at level 5, and he had 3 remaining skill points.

In other words, if he could quickly obtain 2 more skill points, he could immediately advance to become a [Legendary Weapon Master].

---

That evening, the Meyster County Prison was brightly lit.

Team after team of city guards and night watchmen escorted captured bandits in and out of the prison gates, while the words 'Meyster County Prison' were written on the side.

Half a day ago, Magnus received a report from his confidant about a major operation planned for that night, and he was quite excited.

After all, the stronger the organization, the more noise it made, and as the organization's public liaison, Magnus' influence among the Meyster nobility would increase accordingly, making his life more comfortable.

Conversely, if the organization was weak or eliminated by the Empire, he would lose his status and even his reason for existence.

Just then, Magnus was awakened by the commotion and immediately sensed something amiss. The prison was unusually lively!

So, Magnus immediately summoned his confidant and asked, "What's going on? Why are there so many prisoners?"

"Please wait, my lord. I'll investigate right away." The confidant also looked as if he had just woken up.

However, Magnus wasn't concerned.

After all, his confidant had been working tirelessly between the prison and the organization's new base during this time.

A few minutes later, the confidant entered with a troubled expression, saying, "My lord, these captured bandits are from the Wolf Hill Ridge bandit gang. It's said that the organization is backing them."

"Hmm? Did the organization's operation fail tonight?" Magnus' expression changed immediately, and he instantly thought of something.

"It's not clear yet. I didn't see any of our people among the captured bandits."

"Could this be a feigned weakness? Is this Brigadier Parix's new tactic?" Magnus' heart calmed down upon hearing this. Since none of their people were captured, it was intriguing.

"But these bandit gangs are potential forces that the organization can utilize. Is it appropriate to hand them over to the Empire?" Magnus muttered.

After some thought, Magnus waved his hand at the confidant and said, "Contact Brigadier Parix and ask him what he's up to."

"After all, he didn't inform me about this. It will make me lose face among the Meyster nobility. They might think our organization suffered a defeat."

"Yes, my lord! I'll contact him immediately." The confidant, despite his fatigue, bowed and quickly left the room.

He planned to take advantage of the night and the chaos to leave the city and make contact.

But as soon as he stepped out of the prison gates, he saw a very familiar figure being carried by several people into the prison.

The confidant's eyes widened in surprise. If he hadn't covered his mouth, he would have shouted out loud! He peered through the crowd and examined the figure repeatedly.

This was none other than Brigadier Parix, the very person he was supposed to contact! Why was he being carried into the prison like a dead dog?

(End)

Could it be that Count Habus set up an ambush?

No, that's not right!

The intelligence was sent out by us, and Count Habus isn't in the county city these days.

Could it be that the Goddess of Wind and Sea Church intervened?

These meddling charlatans!

After some thought, his confidant knew that he obviously didn't need to go to the base anymore, after all, the person in charge of the base was already here.

Sigh! I'd better report to Magnus right away!

Minutes later.

Magnus' room.

"Knock, knock, knock!"

"Come in!" Magnus shouted.

"Hmm? Why are you back again?" Magnus asked in surprise when he saw his confidant suddenly return.

The confidant looked strange, paused, and seemed to be organizing his words: "Sir, I just saw Admiral Parix at the prison entrance."

Before he could finish, Magnus jumped up from his chair and said, "What's he doing here? How dare he come here with such fanfare?"

"Sir! Sir! It's not what you think. Admiral Parix was defeated and severely injured. Now he's been brought to our prison entrance, and it looks like he's going to be imprisoned here."

"What?" Magnus, who was always good at disguising his emotions, couldn't hide his surprise this time and exclaimed in disbelief.

Hearing the confidant's report, Magnus was as if struck by lightning, standing in place, while his mind was filled with turbulent thoughts.

Damn it!

What the hell is going on here? In Master County City, he couldn't think of anyone other than Count Habus, Bishop Shien, and a few others who could defeat Parix.

But even if Parix was arrogant, he shouldn't have taken action against these people, right?

Moreover, Count Habus was said to be out of town and not in the county city. Could it be that Parix went to attack the Goddess of Wind and Sea Church?

No, that's impossible!

Magnus shook his head immediately.

Only an idiot would do something so stupid!

Besides, even if Parix was defeated, he should have had an escape plan, right?

How could he not even escape?

Magnus couldn't understand why such a bizarre thing had happened!

And just thinking about it, Magnus felt his scalp tingle.

After pacing back and forth in the room several times, Magnus' mood calmed down a bit, and he asked the confidant again, "Are you sure the one who was carried in was Admiral Parix?"

"Sir, I'm very sure about this. Admiral Parix has met with me many times, and his shiny boots are very distinctive. I won't mistake him." The confidant nodded confidently.

"So, he's been brought in now?"

"Yes, he should be sent to the examination room first, as I saw that the Admiral was seriously injured."

"Okay, you go find an opportunity to investigate the situation in the examination room. I'll provide cover for you. Also, arrange for someone to investigate what happened." Magnus nodded.

"Yes, sir."

The confidant soon arrived at the examination room and learned from the city guard responsible for escorting Parix that he was brought from the Noble Quarter.

Immediately, the confidant arranged for an informant within the city guard to investigate.

In no time, the two informants found the site of the battle near the Rain Manor. They saw numerous large and small ditches and pits, which didn't look like a human battlefield at all, but rather like a place where two giant beasts had fought.

The two informants' faces changed, and they looked at each other in shock!

Additionally, the two informants learned the general situation from a patrolling city guard colleague.

Soon, the news reached the confidant's ears.

When the confidant heard this, he was also stunned for a moment.

This...

It's really hard to believe!

The confidant knocked on Magnus' room again.

Minutes later...

"What? You're saying that Rain defeated Admiral Parix like this?" Magnus was incredulous.

During the time Magnus arranged for the confidant to investigate, he also 'passed by' the examination room and glanced inside, seeing Admiral Parix's miserable state.

In his mind, Magnus kept eliminating possibilities, trying to figure out which big shot in the county city could have defeated Parix like this.

The conclusion he reached was that it was most likely a master from the Goddess of Wind and Sea Church, as many of Admiral Parix's injuries were crushing wounds caused by a hammer.

And masters who use hammers are common among the Temple Knights, or even the higher-ranked Punisher Knights, in the church.

"Impossible!!!" Magnus slammed his fist on the wooden desk, instantly splitting it in two.

Previously, he had sent people to contact Parix several times, asking him to take out Rain.

Now, look what happened!

Parix did take action, but he was defeated by Rain instead!

Damn it!

Magnus felt like his whole body was shaking.

If he had died in battle, it would have been better. Now, he's been captured alive!

Magnus had spent over two years in prison and knew that Parix wouldn't be able to withstand several rounds of torture.

It seems he needs to think of a backup plan.

"Sir, shouldn't we consider a rescue plan for Admiral Parix?" the confidant sincerely suggested.

Magnus was taken aback and stared at the confidant for a few seconds before saying, "You have good intentions. However, Admiral Parix will definitely be heavily guarded."

"With just a few of us, the difficulty of rescuing him is too high."

"Sir, with us as insiders, the rescue wouldn't be that difficult. But after leaving the prison, we'll need a powerful force to receive us. Sir, is it possible to contact the higher-ups now?" The confidant thought for a moment and asked again.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end