Swoosh!
King failed to brace himself. A heavy palm strike hit him before he could even raise his arms to defend himself. No, the palm of the mermaid didn't exactly hit him, but a certain form of energy, like a water ball, was there in her palm, spinning violently like a sinister whirlpool.
When the water ball hit King in the chest, the air before him cracked. Splash of water splattered around, time had as if stopped when water got stuck in midair for a short while. And then, after a moment that felt like never ending, a malevolent and menacing shockwave was created in the impact.
Boom!
King was, no doubt, pushed away by the almighty force. That kind of attack could have killed normal people with one hit, but King was not a normal person. Although he was caught off guard, and he was hit directly and sent flinging away, he easily managed to sustain his balance as he slid his feet on the ground while remaining standing.
He didn't fall or roll on the ground, unlike a certain someone.
When the mermaid released the terrifying attack, Jax was also caught by the shockwave and was pushed away.
Unfortunately, Jax wasn't as lucky as King. He was too weak to withstand such a violent attack as he rolled on the ground multiple times, reaching almost 50 meters away, before finally hitting a massive tree with his back.
He spurted a mouthful of blood from the impact as he felt like his every bone was being broken.
''Damn it! What was with that woman?!'' With a hoarse voice, Jax cursed as he gritted his teeth indignantly. Fortunately, his body had become strong in these past few days he was in that Forbidden Land.
And also, he had already consumed the two Body Enhancement Pills he received as one of the rewards after becoming a Lord. It made his body much stronger and sturdier than before.
If not because of it, he would have been gravely injured, or even worse, killed already because of how many times he rolled. That woman, no, that lady surely was...
Jax swept his gaze at the area as he hurriedly traced the place where he was sent rolling from. He wanted to see who that lady was for her to be so aggressive. However, when he caught sight of her, his eyes couldn't help but widen.
What he saw wasn't a human, but a lady whose lower body was not legs, but a long and slender silver fishtail. Her long silver hair fluttered with the wind as she remained suspended in midair like a certain goddess of beauty.
It appeared like she also had the same ability to fly as the fishes in that place.
Jax was flabbergasted. Was that lady a mermaid? That was a mermaid, right? Right, that must be a mermaid...
Jax kept repeating the same thing in his mind. For the first time in his life, he finally saw a mermaid that he could only see in dreams and movies.
But this mermaid surely was gorgeous, much more gorgeous than most ladies she knew. On top of that, it was also the first time he had seen a beautiful lady with such dark skin. Were mermaids always this beautiful and stunning?
''Humans... As expected, it's you humans again who are causing all the trouble, huh.''
As Jax was mesmerized by the sight of the mermaid, he suddenly heard her speaking. However, her voice was way too cold, as if she loathed humans down to the very bones. Her cold gaze was fixated on King, as if ready to tear him apart at any moment.
Then, suddenly, the mermaid shifted her gaze in his direction. The way she looked at him was as if someone looking at an insignificant, disgusting insect. Her eyes brought shivers down his spine as fear finally started to creep up into him.
Sweating, Jax swallowed a mouthful of saliva. King was correct. Mermaids surely were on the other level. They should have run away already when they still had the time.
But wait.
Now that Jax thought about it, wasn't this also a good chance for him to make King fight? Since that mermaid had already caught up, it was obvious that she wouldn't let them escape easily.
If that was the case, why not fight her instead? King was strong too. If he helped King, then killing that mermaid and stealing her soul was not a dream anymore.
Right, this could also be a good opportunity! He must think positively and see to it as good fortune.
Suddenly, Jax's body stopped shaking in fear. Still, his body was shaking, but not out of fear, but with excitement instead.
If they happened to kill this mermaid, then he could get her soul and would finally be able to use her skills and abilities. That was something Jax really desired.
It was regrettable, since she had a good appearance, and it was also the first time he had seen such a mythological creature, but since she harbored great hatred towards humans like them, he had no choice but to act accordingly.
He would treat her like a monster he ought to kill.
''How disgusting. My mother has already sealed our Sacred Land to forbid entry of any outsiders, and you humans always find a way to enter. Are you cockroaches? You insects surely know how to get on my nerves.'' The mermaid suddenly spoke again. The way she hovered in midair was as if ready to attack at any moment.
''King, it seems like we can't run away like what you said. It seems like we need to kill her before she kills us first?'' Jax also spoke to King and suggested something that would definitely benefit him.
''Hmph, don't even think about it. This little mermaid is easy to kill, but her mother will get too angry if we do that.'' King replied as he harrumphed coldly. ''You should run away now instead. I'll hold her down to buy you some time and follow you later on.''
''What?!'' Jax was depressed. It seemed like King still didn't plan to kill the mermaid. If that was the case, then his plan of killing her and collecting her soul would go all for naught.
He must think of a way to convince King to...
Jax was still pondering about it when a light bulb suddenly appeared above his head. Then a sly smile surfaced on his lips, thinking about something really cunning.
After that, he removed the smile on his face, sighed in regret and shook his head slowly, and then finally replied, ''Oh, is that so? I got scared for nothing. To think mermaids are also too weak for you as what they only have is a big mouth.''
Jax purposely loudened his voice as he continued, ''Alright, I'll leave her to you, King. You better hold back your strength or else, you might accidentally kill that little fish. Just like what you said, her mother might go crazy if she happened to learn that her beloved daughter was killed by a mere human accidentally.''
''Her mother might even die from a heart attack once she learns how miserable and pathetic the death of her daughter is.''
King's face suddenly went dark and gloomy when he heard Jax's response. He subconsciously clenched his fists as veins bulged out of his skin and kept twitching.
That brat...
King wasn't a fool to be ignorant of what Jax was up to. He turned his head halfway, as he couldn't help but glare at Jax coldly.
And then he said, ''Brat, I swear, I will kill you after this.''
''Ha ha...'' Jax suddenly began to sweat as he forced out a dry laughter. He scratched his temple with his forefinger as he struggled to find a word to reply.
Meanwhile...
''Incredible.'' The mermaid, upon hearing such provocative words, revealed an ear-to-ear cold grin. The aura she exuded became exceedingly cold, threatening to freeze anyone around her.
Then, with a growing sense of malice forming in her very soul, she finally let out a sinister laughter. ''Truly incredible. Such a big mouth... I really wanted to see how a mere human like you would kill me.''