Then it was as if a cannonball shot out.

With a series of crashing sounds, it smashed into a nearby workshop.

Fang Hong coughed a couple of times, clutching his neck as he got up from the ground, looking at that direction with lingering fear—but a cloud of dust filled the air, and the opponent never climbed out of it. He let out a sigh of relief; ever since the battle at the Elf Ruins, even underground in Fenris, he hadn't taken such a hit.

In the previous fight with the Sorcerer-Ghoul, he almost didn't make it, but that was different from this time, then it was a matter of hard power—no profession would fare well against a Black Knight over level thirty.

Only this time did he finally feel the frailty of the Combat Artisan class in close combat.

He couldn't help shaking his head; there was no helping it, after all, the Alchemist class determined the stature of a Combat Artisan. Even those Combat Artisans leaning towards the Supreme One rarely engage in melee combat, and would rather keep combat in mid-to-close range.

That's why Baihua uses a chainsword, and he himself uses a Rocket Fist, for this very reason.

He rubbed his neck, about to stand up, when suddenly a great force came from behind. It was as if someone had charged at him from that direction, pushing him away, and as the two of them leapt forward—

Fang Hong heard a sharp whistle coming from behind.

He turned his head to see a wind blade sweeping past them, leaving a deep crack, at least thirty-four centimeters deep and several meters long, at the spot where he had been.

He almost immediately realized that it was that Magic Guided Conductor woman who hadn't gone far after getting injured; she had been preparing a spell using Silent Spell Technique just for this fatal blow.

Fang Hong could almost imagine, if he had been held by that Fighter earlier, this wind blade was definitely aimed at Hilveld.

But the incident happened so suddenly, the woman probably didn't expect her Captain to be overturned so quickly.

As thoughts raced through his mind, he heard a somewhat gentle, youthful voice coming from behind: "Be careful, don't raise your head."

"The woman is hiding on the left, at our seven o'clock direction."

"We can't reach that direction."

"Find a way for your companion to take her down."

Fang Hong immediately recognized it as the voice of the target he had been searching for all along.

The Duke's young son.

But he didn't speak immediately, trusting that Miss Ship's Officer would make the right judgment—sure enough, as soon as the Magic Guided Conductor made her move, Hilveld had already turned her gun.

However, after that fierce fight, the snow dust still lingered in the air; she hesitated for a moment before firing. The flash missed, and that Magic Guided Conductor girl, being very keen, dodged like a mongoose, leaping from her hiding spot.

Narrowly avoiding the shot.

Seeing the scene, Hilveld put away her gun and did not attack again.

Because although the opponent avoided the shot, she had exposed her position. Fang Hong saw that direction and understood Miss Ship's Officer's intention—he raised his hand, and a Clockwork Fairy hovering in midair suddenly plummeted down.

Heading straight towards the direction the girl tried to escape to.

Since he had a clear view of the opponent's movement path, the Clockwork Fairy also chose a route that was difficult for the opponent to notice. When the Magic Guided Conductor girl heard the buzzing sound approaching, her face immediately changed as she looked up, abandoning her spell to dodge.

But she was met with a bright flash, the street shook again, and scattered icicles fell to the ground.

The Fire Giant had swept that direction clean, blowing a big hole in the buildings behind; naturally an outcome with such a frail physique as a Magic Guided Conductor's, leaving no remains. Fang Hong watched as the snow dust fell, finally able to breathe a sigh of relief.

He guessed that the Fighter, the Crossbow Shooter, and the Magic Guided Conductor were likely Elite Members of the Shadow Throne, possibly main force or troupe members, given their skill level.

Such level of ability would make them members of a core team in a top-tier guild.

At this moment, the person behind him released him.

Fang Hong lifted his head, saw the other person had already stood up and was extending a hand down to him. He froze for a moment but didn't hesitate, grabbing the offered hand to stand up—the earlier throw from the Fighter had left him with weak limbs.

This was also due to the Alchemist's paper-thin build; if it were a warrior, he'd probably be able to endure a few more tumbles without a problem.

Fang Hong brushed the snow off his body, then looked at the Duke's young son. It was his first time getting a close look at the boy, who wore a black fur coat speckled with snowflakes but seemed unperturbed.

His hair was jet black, fluffy and slightly curly, eyes bright yet somewhat quiet, exuding a scholarly aura. At this moment, he looked at Fang Hong with a somewhat curious gaze: "Who are you?" he asked, glancing to the side, "I guess those people were after me; I recognize them, they're with the Shadow Throne—"

"Indeed." Fang Hong nodded.

Snow was falling lightly at night, gently descending.

The two of them were actually about the same age, similar in age. Enan thought for a moment, then asked: "Are you with the Southern Region Alliance?"

Fang Hong just shook his head.

He looked across the street, also filled with curiosity—where exactly had the other person been hiding before? Not only had the Shadow Throne people failed to find them, but even he hadn't spotted the hiding place until the end.

But the other person seemed to see what he was thinking, answering: "Actually, I was just checking if anyone was tailing me, so I stopped in front for a moment."

"Stopped in front for a moment?"

"Yes, I didn't actually go past that intersection." Enan glanced at a lonely bus stop not far away: "Just behind there."

Only then did Fang Hong understand.

This guy hadn't even come over in the first place.

But the Duke's youngest son clearly had keen insight; he looked at Fang Hong and suddenly said: "Are you here to help me?" after saying that, he glanced around again, then turned to Fang Hong and said: "This place isn't safe for long, no matter what questions you have—or what questions I have, let's change location before continuing."

Only then did Fang Hong realize his calmness was abnormal. In fact, his earlier judgment couldn't be said to be inaccurate—

But he glanced back and said: "Wait."

"Waiting for your companion?"

Fang Hong nodded.

...

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