As Lu Jo encountered unexpected resistance during his assault, he abruptly halted his attack and took a cautious step back.
**Tap... tap... tap!**
This unusual response sparked a wave of suspicion in Kelly, prompting her to withdraw instead of continuing her offensive.
In a swift motion, Lu Jo discarded his sword and uttered the incantation "Silent Sword," summoning ten small, floating red swords that surged toward Kelly at twice the speed of his previous energy sword.
From a distance, Kelly was overwhelmed by dread and anxiety at the sight of this formidable onslaught. Control-type spells, known for their rarity and potency, required not only immense patience and talent but also years of dedicated practice. While Kelly possessed natural ability, mastering such spells seemed far beyond the reach of an artist from a remote town.
Without hesitation, Kelly unleashed her most powerful spell, 'Wind Tempest,' conjuring a whirlwind that spiraled violently 10 to 15 meters ahead of her in the still air.
**Shoooo!!! Bannnnnnnng!!!!!!!!!!! BoomMMM!!!!!!**
The ground quaked with explosive sounds as two of Lu Jo's attacking swords were obliterated by the tempest. Four others veered off course, crashing to the ground nearby and demolishing an additional 10 to 15 houses.
Exhibiting remarkable control, the remaining four small swords navigated around the whirlwind, launching a multi-directional assault on Kelly. In a desperate attempt to protect the child on her shoulder, Kelly raised her ‘hand shield’ and activated the Water Shield skill, successfully deflecting one sword while three others struck her in the chest, head, and right leg.
**BoomMMM!!!!**
With a thunderous impact, Kelly employed her hardening skill to safeguard her leg and chest. Finally, she used her ‘hand sword’ to block the blow aimed at her head.
**Drip! Drip! Drip! Drip!!!**
Blood fell like rain onto the ground beneath Kelly's feet. Despite her body having significantly strengthened, she was left severely wounded from the direct hits of the energy swords. Her second-grade silver vest was nearly shredded, leaving a two-inch gash on her chest and rendering her right leg nearly incapacitated.
In that moment, illuminated by the moonlight, a beautiful woman stood bare-chested, radiating like a jewel through her tattered clothing. Yet, no one noticed, not even Lu Jo, who had been labeled a pervert by his peers.
In this desperate moment, Kelly summoned her remaining energy to staunch her bleeding wounds, taking a deep breath to regain her composure. Although much of her energy had been depleted due to her powerful spell, she identified that Lu Jo was similarly drained; control-type spells required vast reserves of energy.
Suddenly, Lu Jo's maniacal laughter echoed in the air: “Let’s start again. Ha ha haha!”
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With that, he unleashed a barrage of silent-type spells and skills upon Kelly. The thrill of battle coursed through him as he became fully absorbed in the confrontation.
On the opposing side, Kelly endured Lu Jo's relentless and frenzied attacks. She continued to shield the child, disregarding her own suffering.
**Boooom!! Booom!! Booom!!!!!!!!!!!**
The clash of attack and defense transformed the dark, silent alley into a vibrant spectacle of color, reminiscent of a distant festival.
Previously, in encounters with greedy artists who had fled from her town, Kelly had sustained injuries that had cost her two levels due to the use of forbidden spells.
Now, engaged in a frantic battle against Lu Jo, she reached her mental limits and struggled to think clearly about either offense or defense. Her body was nearing collapse, as several internal parts were severely damaged, leaving her solely reliant on sheer willpower and determination to protect the child from Lu Jo's onslaught.
Kelly had devoted her life to metal art, selflessly supported by her genius lord who dared to traverse the wilderness alone. Now, it was Kelly's turn to safeguard her lord's child, even at the cost of her own life.
After a series of frenzied attacks, Lu Jo, unable to secure a decisive victory, regained his composure, raising his trembling hand in astonishment at the battered but resilient Kelly.
"Remarkable. You appear to be two stages below me. Yet, I can't fathom how your energy signature reflects Bronze First Level while your mental, physical, and spiritual powers seem to align with Bronze Quasi Third Level. This shouldn’t be possible unless you’ve employed some formidable forbidden spell."
Despite his suspicions, Lu Jo was mistaken. Kelly had utilized a forbidden spell to escape during her earlier fight outside the city, causing her to fall from a higher stage to a lower one rather than elevate.
Consequently, Kelly's metal core had diminished from Bronze Stage Third Level to First Level. Still, her mind, body, and soul were nearly at Third Level.
In the silent alley, receiving no response from Kelly, Lu Jo erupted in fury: "Regardless of whether it’s First Level or Third Level, it no longer matters. You’ve completely provoked me. I’m done with my damn pride; now this brat will be my prey."
**Baannngggg!!!**
In mere moments, they clashed again. During this exchange, Kelly could only defend herself and the child, unable to launch any counterattacks.
From their earlier confrontation, Kelly had discerned that Lu Jo was a skilled metal artist from the ‘Lu Family.’ He was equipped with Grade 2 full-body armor and possessed knowledge of many formidable spells, skills, and life-saving techniques.
Even if Kelly had been at her previous Third Level Bronze Stage, defeating Lu Jo would have been a significant challenge. Thus, despite enduring relentless onslaught in this brutal encounter, she was committed to employing all her skills and abilities to safeguard the child from the metal artist's assaults while searching for a way to save the child.
With her energy reserves nearly depleted and no energy pills remaining, she realized that replenishing her strength was nearly impossible.
Drip!...Drip…
Blood seeped from numerous wounds across Kelly's body, indicating severe internal damage. Yet, she remained resolute in her vow to protect the child, desperately seeking a way out of this dire predicament.
‘I will protect this child with my life, the one whom my lord entrusted to my care. However, my condition is so critical that I can only shield the child from attacks for a few more minutes at best. Escaping seems impossible, and even if I could flee, where should I go?
If what the man said was true, my town may have been obliterated. Even those seeking refuge in neighboring towns are likely being hunted by the Lu Family's secret team X. I am certain they would track us down shortly after we escape, and that situation might be more dangerous than now. So no matter what, I need to find a way to save the young master.’