He had three seconds.

The second Ice Split Arrow was released but still missed, the third arrow hit the Ghost Knight's waist—after the silver ice powder exploded, a grey mist shrouded half of its body. Ben saw on his retina readout that he caused 13 points of damage, almost negligible to the Ghost Knight, but the frost-covered armor extended its attack and withdraw times by 12.5% each.

Ice Split Arrow's effect was just as he remembered, Ben let out a sigh of relief. Although the Ghost Knight is a spiritual body, Magic Arrows aren't physical attacks, so they don't suffer from penalty losses. It was just a pity that the elemental mage sisters' level was too low, otherwise, the opponent's attack rate could at least be halved. But it was enough for now; he still had four arrows left.

"It actually works?" Hu Que also had a keen eye; although he couldn't see the data as intuitively as Ben, he immediately noticed the Ghost Knight's movements slow down slightly.

"No shit," Ben replied irritably, knowing this guy would only drag him down.

"But even then, we still can't beat it, Lord."

"So what?"

"Let's retreat; I'd rather fight the Black Fire Sect believers than this guy!" Hu Que shouted.

Ben ignored him, threw another bundle of green Magic Arrows to Hu Que. The Mercenary Captain instinctively caught it, dumbfounded, and asked, "What for?"

"No shit, to help me. Are you here just for show?"

Although Hu Que didn't understand what "for show" meant, he could guess Ben was displeased with his earlier performance, making the Mercenary Captain blush, but he couldn't help but grumble inwardly. He thought, did Ben think everyone was like him—able to face these terrifying, human-shaped cannons head-on without flinching? He didn't know if it was gutsy or foolish.

Nonetheless, the Rubis mercenaries who have been mercenaries for generations still admired brave and battle-hardened warriors. Though he didn't say it verbally, he naturally had a sense of respect and awe for his summoner in his heart.

At that moment, Ben had already shot the fourth Ice Split Arrow within three seconds, hitting the Ghost Knight's right shoulder, causing a thick layer of ice crystals to cover its armor. The Ghost Knight's efficiency had already dropped by more than thirty percent. Normally, people would be ecstatic to beat a falling enemy at this point, but the young man said nothing, grabbed his Mercenary Captain, and ran.

Just as he left, the Ghost Knight and its evil spirit mount indeed turned and began accelerating—not a regular chase, but the most commonly used skill of knights and warriors—Charge.

Ben also activated the Charge skill.

One man and one undead chased each other like a black line and a silver line in the forest. Though it lasted a moment, the scene was eerily beautiful. It was like on a dark still canvas, a striking silver-white line extended infinitely forward along a black line, the picture still, time still, everything still, but the two lines kept moving forward.

One pursuing, one fleeing.

When Ben stopped, Hu Que almost couldn't speak, "Lord, that was..."

"Charge, a knight's essential skill." Ben glanced at him, "As a battle-hardened Rubis mercenary, you wouldn't be unaware of this, would you?"

"No, I meant how did you know it would charge at that moment..."

"Ah, in Orkash's mountains, Hunting Cavalry mainly fight Ghost Knights. Haven't I told you that story?" Ben absentmindedly replied. He was actually so nervous that he didn't know what he was saying; a battle where he could die at any second made his heart pound too. He turned back, seeing the Ghost Knight indeed stop almost simultaneously—an elegantly near-purely beautiful monster, its long, silver-armored gloves tightened on the reins, pale flames lit under the visor, staring in this direction.

That gaze seemed like another question—who are you? A troublesome opponent? Where are you from?

Before the chase, they were about a hundred meters apart, but now it's only fifty meters; Ben realized his estimation error was less than a meter.

He was almost fighting on instinct.

The warrior's instinct.

...

In fact, it wasn't just Hu Que who didn't believe him. When the two straight lines split the forest, Antitina couldn't help but exclaim. The mercenaries behind her were silent—Ben and the Ghost Knight's movements and decisions were identical, as if the latter's every move didn't escape the former's eyes. In fact, when this scene happened, it took nearly a second for them to react to how dangerous everything that had happened was.

Romantic pursed her lips, her sparkling eyes looking in that direction, a slight excited glow shimmering in her eyes.

"If Karasu's Highland Knights' young generation were all like this, Erune would already be a top-tier power!" The noble daughter took a short breath, "This liar..."

But in reality, Ben wasn't as optimistic as she was. The Ghost Knight was very fast, its Charge had a minute cooldown, and its Soul Fire was rekindling, not to mention its other big moves were far from used. The young man stopped briefly and gestured to Hu Que to follow, swiftly leading them through the valley's central lowlands, where the interlocked rocks would prevent the Ghost Knight from exploiting its horse-riding advantage.

But Ben didn't just retreat; the Ice Split Arrow bought him time, and now he needed to use that time—

"Hu Que."

"Here."

"Use Wind Arrow."

"What?"

Ben gestured, Hu Que paused, then understood.

Although the Mercenary Captain had opposed fighting the monster, at this moment, he found himself instinctively integrating into the battle.

...

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