Kelly halted abruptly, her breath hitching as she felt the weight of the 10-year-old child resting on her left shoulder. A surge of anxiety coursed through her veins. “What are you saying? We’re in real danger here. Moreover Hundreds have seen us, So don't act funny..”

Lu Jo chuckled softly, a wicked grin curling at the corners of his mouth. “Your town is doomed. The authorities have ordered the complete annihilation of anyone who dares to escape your city. This isn’t just confined to this City; they’ve deployed forces to hunt down those fleeing in cities that remain unscathed by the blacklisted or evil metalists.”

“Is this some kind of sick joke?” Kelly’s voice dripped with disbelief. “How can people be so heartless? You’re worse than beast!!”

Lu Jo’s demeanor shifted, irritation lacing his tone. “Believe me, we’re just as shocked. While the powerful metalists of the East Region protect our homeland, at the same time, the blacklisted and evil metalists seize this chaos to unleash devastation across towns and cities. And yet, the higher-ups have deemed it necessary to eliminate a few cowardly souls escaping from a forgotten backwater town.”

Her voice softened, tinged with sorrow. “Cowards, perhaps. But they fled to save their lives and families. Their punishment doesn't have to be death. Even Lord Jihun has shown mercy.”

Lu Jo's eyes darkened, his voice slicing through the tension. “Enough with the family drama. Are you know why am I tell you this? Because When my enemy realizes there’s no escape, their death becomes inevitable. Watching them squirm is exhilarating, and that’s what I see in you now.”

Kelly's face drained of color as shock washed over her, instinctively stepping back. Lu Jo’s chilling laughter echoed ominously, “Ha! Don’t even think about running. You’re already within my sensing range. Defeating a first-level bronze stage like you will be child's play.”

The faint moonlight struggled to penetrate the oppressive darkness of the alley, surrounded by dense jungles and crumbling buildings. Though Kelly couldn’t fully discern Lu Jo’s brutish features, the madness in his laughter sent icy tendrils of fear down her spine. Realizing her precarious position, she steadied herself, bracing for the inevitable.

In the suffocating silence of the alley, Lu Jo sprang into action, intent on overpowering her and savoring the torment of his helpless prey. Without warning, he vanished, reappearing before her with an uncanny foot style, striking her abdomen with his right-handed claw.

This location held an internal core—a weak point for metal artists. Despite her vigilance, Kelly was caught off guard. With a swift sidestep, she twisted her body, narrowly evading the lethal blow.

BooooooooommmmmMmmm!!!!!!

The deafening sound reverberated in the air as Lu Jo's residual energy left a brownish imprint, crashing into the ground and creating a gaping hole over ten meters deep.

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As Lu Jo advanced, Kelly retaliated, driving her left foot into his chest. Reacting swiftly, Lu Jo activated his defensive skill, 'Fourth Wall,' summoning a transparent yellow barrier that enveloped him, halting her attack and pushing her back slightly. Alarmed, Kelly retreated a few meters, creating a crucial distance between them.

Without hesitation, she cast a low-power binding spell, ensuring the child remained secure on her shoulder. A magical rope bound him to her side, a lifeline amidst the chaos.

Lu Jo, somewhat taken aback, remarked with surprising calmness, “It seems you excel in hand-to-hand combat. An ordinary bronze stage metal artist would have already been injured.”

With that, he summoned a sword from the ring on his right hand—an artifact crafted by formation masters, capable of holding countless items within its confines.

“Let’s see how my sword’s new spell fares against you. Try to block it if you can,” he challenged, the sword in his grip glowing a deep yellow, flames flickering around it like a fiery aura.

Kelly wasted no time, drawing her own sword and shield from her ring. Her weapons glowed with a light brown hue, slightly more subdued than Lu Jo's.

Lu Jo raised his sword high, conjuring three energy swords of deep yellow, each about one and a half meters long, floating ominously above him, aimed directly at Kelly.

With an arrogant laugh, he brought his ‘hand sword’ down in a swift vertical slash toward her.

Slash!!!!___Sinnngggghhh!!!!

The three energy swords surged toward Kelly with blinding speed, and her eyes widened in shock. Reacting instantly, she quickly invoked the visualization spell 'Water Shield,' conjuring a transparent magical barrier of brown color right in front of her shield.

Chaos erupted as the two swords collided with her shield, the third sword grazing it and striking Kelly.

Boooommm!!!Booommmm!!!!……. sheshshessh!!!!

In a deft maneuver, Kelly redirected the third energy sword with her own weapon, deflecting it away.

Ttnnnnnggg!!!!! SheshhBooooooom.

The energy sword struck an empty area, creating yet another ten-meter-deep hole.

Ultimately, the two energy swords breached her shield, surging toward her with relentless force. Yet, with perfect timing, Kelly shattered them with her handheld shield.

Tinnng!!!!Boomm

The clash unleashed powerful energy waves, sending violent winds and deafening noise spiraling outward. The intensity obliterated nearby debris and crumbling concrete buildings into dust. The stench of destruction hung thick in the air, overwhelming any ordinary person.

As the dust settled, Lu Jo vanished from view, reappearing directly in front of Kelly, launching a powerful kick to her abdomen.

Pannnnnnnng!!!!!!!!!!

Despite her desperate attempt to block with her shield, the force sent her flying back nearly ten to twelve meters. Before crashing to the ground, she executed footwork art to regain her balance.

Cough!!!!!!DripDrip!!? Hah__hah__hah.

Coughing blood, panting, and weary, Kelly steadied herself, placing her right hand protectively over the child’s body. Against the backdrop of chaos, the child remained blissfully unaware, resting against her shoulder, unscathed. A sigh of relief escaped her lips.

The rapid exchange between Lu Jo’s assault and Kelly’s defense unfolded in a heartbeat, beyond the comprehension of ordinary beings. To an untrained eye, it would appear as mere flashes of movement.

Lu Jo, surprised yet exhilarated, called out, “You truly are an experienced metal artist. Now, let’s see how you handle this attack.”

Boobooooooooooooom!!!!!!