At the southern gate, Luis entered calmly, hands behind his back, observing everything as if nothing were happening.
Behind him, Luci walked with her sword unsheathed, radiating a cold aura that sent chills through anyone who looked at her.
—It seems like a beautiful night, don't you think?
—To me, it feels the same as any other.
Luci answered, indifferent.
She watched the guards coming to block their path.
But this meant nothing to her.
The strongest among them barely reached Body level 9.
She let out a cold smile.
—With this power, now I understand why this kingdom is the weakest. I can't believe it still exists.
Luis responded calmly.
—Easy. Kingdoms have sects that protect them. If someone wanted to attack, they would have to defeat the sects first.
His voice was firm, measured.
—Even though it seems simple now, it's only because no one has realized. Otherwise, it would be more difficult.
Luci kept her eyes fixed on the guards.
—But once they do, won't they want revenge?
Luis nodded slightly.
—Maybe. But since we have a plan, it won't matter much.
His words were cold, calculated.
—Although, I'm sure there will be some we'll need to make disappear later on.
It was only a partial truth.
In reality, he had already decided to dismantle several alliances.
This was just an excuse.
Then, Luci attacked.
Without mercy.
Her cuts were precise, ruthless.
Arms. Legs. Heads.
The scene was drenched in blood.
For those who still breathed, she stabbed their hearts, ensuring that none remained alive.
As she moved, she left no survivors.
Everyone looked at her in terror.
To them, this woman was no human.
She was the reaper herself.
Wherever her icy blade passed, someone fell.
They tried to stop her.
They tried to surround her.
But no one could hold her back.
Luis, on the other hand, watched indifferently.
He gazed at the night sky.
To him, this was just child's play.
Then, a voice boomed from above.
—Stop!
A guard descended from the sky, landing with force.
The last guardian who protected the king.
He had been assigned to the southern gate.
If he had known this enemy was worse than the one at the northern gate,
he would have gone there instead of here.
He stood tall with authority.
—Kneel and present your credentials! In the name of the king, I sentence you to death for treason!
Luis laughed loudly.
He looked at him with disinterest.
—I'm bored of killing quickly. Let's not waste time on sect trash.
Luci obeyed without question.
She summoned a frost mist, engulfing the entire area.
Then, several ice arrows shot toward the guard.
He formed a black shield to block them.
But his shield shattered into pieces.
The impact forced him to retreat.
With his sword cloaked in shadow, he slashed through the remaining attacks.
But at that moment…
He felt a chill at his back.
He turned immediately.
And collided with an icy blade.
He tried to counterattack.
But a sharp pain pierced his back.
When he looked, an ice arrow was lodged deep into him.
He ripped it out quickly, falling back to recover.
But he felt cold in front of him.
He looked forward.
The ice blade grazed his neck.
He moved just in time.
But a brutal kick sent him flying.
He crashed onto the ground.
Tumbling.
Uncontrolled.
The remaining guards froze in place as they saw him fall.
Fear consumed them.
They knew that if he died, they would perish too.
They tried to help.
But their bodies felt heavier.
Then, their bones shattered.
They collapsed.
Writhing in pain.
A harrowing scream echoed through the battlefield.
Luis's voice rang out.
—Do not interfere. Otherwise, you will die in agony.
Luis hadn't moved from his spot.
He simply observed the fight.
As if everything else did not exist.
The few guards left shook in terror.
Not only was that woman frightening.
But this man seemed even worse.
He hadn't moved.
Yet he had killed many without lifting a finger.
Luci continued attacking relentlessly.
She wanted to end the battle quickly.
She was already getting bored.
The guard sent by the king recovered and deployed multiple layered shields, simultaneously leaping into the air.
He swung his sword.
Dark shadows materialized, slashing downward with force.
Luci shattered his defense with ease.
When she saw his attack, she created an even denser ice mist, vanishing from sight.
The slashes struck the ground.
The impact rumbled across the battlefield.
But nothing else happened.
No screams.
No curses.
No sound at all.
It seemed the attack had missed its target.
Then, the guardian felt a sudden chill crawl up his spine.
He spun midair, slashing behind him.
But there was no one there.
That moment of hesitation…
Was fatal.
A sharp pain pierced his neck.
He tried to turn his head.
But all he saw…
was the world spinning around him.
As his vision focused, realization struck.
His body remained behind, suspended in the air.
His head was separating from it.
He wanted to say something.
But his sight turned to darkness.
His life ended instantly.
The guardian's body crashed onto the ground.
Shattering on impact.
His head rolled to the side.
Luci landed beside Luis, her expression unreadable.
—It's done. Sorry for the delay.
Luis barely glanced at her.
—Don't worry.
His voice was calm, unaffected.
—He had a fair amount of combat experience.
Besides, you still need to refine your techniques. But you're progressing well.
Luci bowed her head slightly.
—Thank you, Master.
She meant it.
At first, when he bought her and made her his personal guard, she had doubts.
But she followed him because of his strength.
The more time she spent with him…
the more she learned.
The stronger her cultivation grew.
Over time, she realized something else.
Luis did not need her.
On the contrary.
She was the one benefiting from staying close to him.
She also came to understand his true nature.
With his friends, he was protective.
But when he had something to teach them…
even if they were on the brink of death, he wouldn't intervene.
He wanted them to learn their lesson firsthand.
And with his enemies…
Luis was sheer terror.
He spared no one.
He killed without hesitation.
Without regard for status.
Without regard for skill.
Without regard for age.
There was only one path.
You were his friend.
Or you were his enemy.
There was nothing in between.
Luis's voice pulled her from her thoughts.
—We've wasted enough time.
He raised his hand.
—I'll do this quickly and finish it.
The remaining guards tensed at his movement.
They prepared to attack.
But when he lowered his hand…
The atmosphere shifted.
An overwhelming pressure descended upon the battlefield.
In an instant, their bodies were crushed.
Shattered beyond recognition.
Not a single guard survived.
No one had time to react.
No one had even drawn a final breath.
Luis crossed his arms behind his back once more.
He glanced at the night sky one last time.
Then, he lifted his foot…
And kicked the door.
The wood split in two.
He grinned.
But it wasn't a normal grin.
It was maniacal.
He was enjoying every second of this.
—Let's go in. Time to take the king's head.
His laughter was low.
And he walked forward without hesitation.