The Man’s Decree

Ricky barely registered the blur before Jared was upon him. The Dragonslayer Sword gleamed in Jared’s hands, its lethal arc already driving toward Ricky’s chest.

Instinct took over as Ricky raised his blade in a desperate defense, but the sheer power behind Jared’s strike was unrelenting.

Spurt!

A heartbeat later, Jared’s blade punched through his guard, piercing his chest with ruthless precision. A crimson torrent erupted, staining the ground as Ricky staggered back.

His eyes widened, a cocktail of shock and disbelief twisting his features.

Jared stepped closer, withdrawing the Dragonslayer Sword in a fluid, almost casual motion. “I warned you,” he said, his voice like steel on stone. “But you had to court disaster.”

Lying on the ground, Niel watched the scene unfolding before his eyes. When he saw Ricky pierced through by Jared’s sword, he was utterly devastated.

He had initially believed he was spared from death, that he had been saved. But now, he found himself devoid of hope. Even if Ricky could have managed just a few moves against Jared, it might have bought enough time for his brother to rescue him. But Ricky was taken down in just two moves-slaughtered as easily as a chick.

The arcane array set up by Ricky and the other guards, something they had invested heavily in and cultivated through countless nights, had failed to withstand even a single strike from Jared’s sword.

gasped, fresh blood trickling from the corner of his mouth,

and knew Jared was no pushover, he had never imagined him to be this overwhelmingly strong. Even the prison’s painstakingly cultivated arcane array had been broken so effortlessly. If

letting Jared escape from the

Ricky as he admitted his mistake. Suddenly, a thought crossed his mind, and a cruel smile spread

could spare your life, but you must do something for me,”

the matter?” Ricky

at Niel, who lay helpless on the ground. “If you kill him, I’ll let you

Ricky hesitated, his face

said coldly. “Either you die, or

murderous intent. Trembling, he gripped his sword and began advancing toward Niel, his

it anyway. I hope you can understand my predicament. After all, I have an elderly mother to care for and a child to raise.” As he spoke, he

Niel’s voice trembled with fear and fury, a desperate edge sharpening his words. “My father will annihilate your entire family! He won’t rest until your entire lineage is

far as to incite Ricky to kill him.

the future,” Ricky muttered, his tone resigned. “Right now, I need to focus on staying

on the long sword and swung it