[Shadow Aura]
Taking advantage of the dimly lit environment, Tristan used his concealment ability. This, combined with his precise analysis of his enemy's movements from the previous attack, proved enough for him to dodge that powerful blow.
The ground where Tristan had been standing just seconds before was destroyed by the impact of the axe, sending stones flying through the air.
'This is my chance!' Tristan had once been a Fire cultivator, so he knew how powerful the physical enhancement provided by that type of cultivation was. But he also knew its greatest weakness: stamina.
The stamina of Fire cultivators was one of the lowest among all; they weren't suited for long battles. They were like a candle with a strong flame but a short wick.
Tristan planted his feet firmly on the ground and adjusted his body to strike at the guard's face!
Due to the significant height difference, this type of opportunity would be rare. He couldn't waste the fact that the guard had to bend his body to hit someone as short as he was.
The guard tried to dodge, but because of the accumulated fatigue from using several abilities, he didn't have much energy left in his body.
Tristan's small, black hand struck the guard's left cheek, slashing across his nose and exiting through his right eye.
The dungeon guard captain screamed in pain, now blinded in one eye.
Seeing the guard's slashed nose, Tristan gave a small smile.
The guard glared at Tristan with such rage that his face turned red. Using the temporary surge of strength that Fire cultivators had, the guard managed to slash the right side of Tristan's abdomen. A deep cut appeared on his body, and Tristan fell to the ground in agony, his blood beginning to pool around him.
The guard laughed in amusement while breathing heavily.
"You little piece of sh*t! I'm going to cut off your arms and legs first. You'll die screaming in agony," said the furious guard.
At that moment, another person appeared, it was another dungeon guard!
He rushed forward, holding a spear in his hands.
'Damn, it's over. I'm done for. All this effort for nothing.'
The guard threw his spear with force.
Tristan saw the powerful spear approaching and closed his eyes, awaiting his death.
But then he heard a scream.
Tristan opened his eyes and was stunned by what he saw.
The spear had struck the chest of the dungeon guard captain!
Tristan turned his gaze to the other guard who had arrived, and he recognized him.
He was the former dungeon captain! The one who had been hired by his mother and was now working as an assistant to the current captain!
"You traitor! I'll kill you too!" The dungeon captain turned, enraged by his subordinate's betrayal.
But there was no strength left in his body. He fell to his knees on the ground, but his determination still gave him one last breath as he leaned on his large axe.
Pressing the cut side of his abdomen and gathering his remaining strength, Tristan lunged at the guard in front of him, and his hand slashed his throat. The guard gave Tristan one last furious look as the light faded from his eyes.
The bodies of both men fell to the ground almost simultaneously.
But only one was still alive, for now.
The battle was over.
***
After being unconscious for a long time, Tristan began to open his eyes. He felt his body swaying. He looked around and realized he was in a forest at night.
He was being carried on the shoulders of the guard!
He looked at the traitor and spoke in a weak, low voice, almost a whisper.
"You? Why did you help me? Why are you doing this?"
The guard stopped, thought for a moment, and then said, "Because I swore to serve Lady Nerix. She was a very kind and gentle person. I'm sorry, young master, for never being able to help you before. I was too afraid of what might happen to me and my family," the guard said, sadness in his eyes.
Tristan remained silent for a moment, then said, "Thank you."
They walked for a few more minutes.
Then the guard said, "Unfortunately, I can't take you any further, young master. My family still needs me."
The guard placed Tristan on the ground.
Then the guard took out a large black axe made of obsidian and a spherical red gem.
"Here! The artifact and the core of the dungeon captain might help you on your journey."
Tristan looked at the red gem; the essence inside it was so dense it looked like small stones floating inside.
'A solid red core! That's quite valuable!'
Then he looked at the axe.
'But this axe is even more valuable. Artifacts are very expensive since there are so few forgemasters. Unfortunately, this thing is too heavy for me right now.'
Without hesitation, Tristan took the red sphere.
[You acquired 4 red fragments.]
The sphere in his hand disappeared in a golden light.
Then he held the heavy axe and let his vital energy flow through it, imprinting it with his energy signature.
[You acquired an artifact.]
Again, a golden light enveloped the axe, and it disappeared.
"Good luck on your journey, my Lord," the guard said, bowing before turning and leaving.
Tristan looked around at the silent forest.
He was still afraid that someone might follow him and take him back, so he gathered his strength to begin an arduous journey.
He knew where he needed to go. Or more precisely, he knew the direction.
The East.
The Eastern region was his destination.
His mother had told him that his ancestors had a sanctuary in the Eastern region and that the secrets of her Clan were there.
The journey would be dangerous, but Tristan knew that if he wanted to achieve his goals, he would need power.
And the inheritance of his ancestor, one of the Gatekeepers of the great Pandora Tower who served directly under one of the Supremes of this world, would probably be something that could help him on his journey.
Tristan looked toward the horizon with determination.
His journey to the East begins now.