With every step the woman took, a dark footprint was left on the ground.

In the next second, like transforming into black snakes, they drilled into the darkness of the forest behind.

Anthony didn't hesitate, gripping the knight's longsword in his hand, he stepped quickly forward a few steps to stand before the woman's shadow.

The five centimeters wide sword blade slashed directly down from the shadow woman's shoulder.

However.

This blade, capable of slicing a person in two, hit as if striking air, the sharp tip landed directly on the ground.

On Anthony's face, there appeared a rare expression of shock.

He realized, this woman's body had no physical form!

Dragging his knight's longsword, Anthony hurriedly retreated.

The shadow that was cut had been broken!

But, in the middle of the woman's shadow, strands of black quickly coalesced.

The woman's shadow reformed into one once more.

Hall swallowed, in a horrified tone he asked, "Sir... what is that ghostly thing?"

Anthony didn't speak, his gaze fixed intently on the woman's shadow.

Under the eyes of the crowd, the shadow woman took steps once more towards Anthony.

Walking atop some dried branches, yet emitting no sound whatsoever.

Seeing the shadow coming ever closer, Hall wished to flee.

Anthony's voice sounded in his ear.

"Don't move!"

Hall's lifted right leg slowly descended.

"Sir... this..."

Anthony didn't answer, but stood beside Hall, observing carefully.

When the woman's shadow took strides toward him, Anthony had already noticed.

The target of the shadow was Hall beside him.

Hall clearly sensed this, his heart crazily pounding.

He wanted to escape but found his legs as if shackled, unable to move an inch!

Looking down, Hall saw the shadow underfoot was tightly gripped by two black hands.

Hall shuddered within, shouting urgently, "Sir! Save me! Save me..."

Anthony furrowed his brow, gripping his knight's sword tighter, witnessing the scene.

Hall's eyes quickly sought out the Brotherhood members nearby.

"You all! Just standing and watching? Hurry and rescue me!"

Dozens of Brotherhood members exchanged glances, but not a single one stepped forward.

Hall opened his mouth, just about to say something else, when the woman's shadow had already arrived before him.

Slim, delicate hands fell upon Hall's shoulder.

Before Hall could utter a word, the shadow woman's body melted, transforming into tentacle-like forms, pouring into Hall's mouth.

Woo~

A painful sobbing sound arose from Hall's mouth.

In just an instant, the shadow woman standing before Hall vanished.

Hall's body slumped weakly to the ground, no longer moving...

Tiny terrified whispers arose among the Brotherhood members.

"What's going on?"

"What is that ghostly thing?"

"Did it enter... enter Lord Hall's body?"

"What should we do? Even the leader can't do anything?"

"This..."

"..."

In this eerie atmosphere, every minute and second seemed to drag slowly.

Hiss~

Hall, who had always been drooping his head, suddenly lifted it, his mouth slightly parted continually inhaling cold air.

Emitting sharp breathing sounds.

Hoo~

After several seconds of inhaling, Hall exhaled a breath of warmth.

Kneeling down, his body slowly rose up.

Hall turned, looking at Anthony not far away.

Anthony's eyes instantly narrowed.

Hall's eyes were devoid of normal pupils, instead showing a deep black like ink.

The sharp voice sounding both feminine and masculine came from Hall's mouth.

"Lord Anthony, I think... you need my help!"

Anthony tightened his grip on the knight's longsword, questioning aloud, "Witch?"

Hall's face showed no change, the sharp voice sounded again.

"What I am... that isn't important."

"What's important is, with my arrival, your Iron Blood Brotherhood will attain salvation!"

...

Morgan Town, Kelly Village.

Approaching winter.

The nighttime temperatures in Morgan Town carried a chill.

Inside a wide double-door wooden cabin.

Several figures were sitting around the fireplace, flames flickering on their faces.

A young man with pale skin clad in beast furs, mouth curving up into a smile, glanced at the side.

"Master Aiden, I think you ought to settle the final payment now?"

Aiden's expression turned slightly somber, looking at the young man beside him, he questioned, "Final payment? What final payment?"

The young man's smile remained unchanged, continuing, "Naturally, for exterminating the Iron Blood Brotherhood Bandit Corps."

Aiden exclaimed, "Fan Ke! Have you forgotten our agreement with your Storm Mercenaries?"

The young man called Fan Ke laughed calmly.

Aiden continued, "The agreement was to completely eradicate the Iron Blood Brotherhood! Understand? Completely!"

"Let me tell you, unless Anthony and Hall are dead, you won't get a penny of the final payment!"

Aiden glared fiercely at Fan Ke, rising from beside the fireplace, heading outside the cabin.

As he reached the door, Aiden, with his back to Fan Ke, said, "If you want the final payment, bring their heads to collect!"

Having spoken.

Aiden walked out of the cabin.

Ackman glanced warily at Fan Ke, following him out.

In the bright-lit cabin, only Storm Mercenary Corps leader Fan Ke and his deputy Tyrone remained!

Tyrone walked to the wooden door, glanced at Aiden and his followers who had gone far.

With caution, he closed the door.

"Sir Fan Ke, seems this fat pig is unwilling to fork out more money!"

Fan Ke spoke with a smile, "Since he's summoned us over here, he has no choice..."

"Call the brothers back, without the pursuit, when food runs out and they can't stand the hunger anymore, those bandits will naturally come out again."

"I refuse to believe they can stay hidden in the forest forever?"

Listening to Fan Ke's words, Tyrone's eyes shone.

"When they come out to loot the village again, Aiden the fat pig suffers, naturally he'll then give the money?"

Fan Ke glanced approvingly at Tyrone, "That's the idea."

"Now, mercenaries trying to make a living can't be like before, just working for employers as paid tools."

"Must learn to use one's brain, complete tasks to uphold reputations, while also squeezing out more Gold Pounds from employers!"

"Otherwise, with so many mouths among the brothers, how could we feed them all?"

Tyrone nodded hurriedly, "Sir's insights are truly enlightening!"

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.