Water Stream leaped into the arena, barely believing her eyes.
She had unleashed her void power and executed two concealed kill techniques against Blood Hammer, aiming to end the fight quickly and reach Kent before he was defeated.
To her surprise, Kent was now running circles around the arena, with the armored, sword-wielding Splitting Blade chasing him.
Meanwhile, the assassin and mage lay dead on the ground. But Kent was supposedly below level 10. How had he managed this?
As two figures charged from the distance, Kent spotted Water Stream entering the field and realized that Blood Hammer was already taken down. Concerned that he couldn't take them head-on, he had dealt with the other two by leveraging magic and equipment but kept evading to buy time in case of a confrontation.
Now, there was no need to evade.
He turned around and charged at Splitting Blade.
In an instant, one of them was thrown back, colliding with the stone wall and crumbling down.
Kent felt as if his body had fallen apart from the blow, despite the armor dulling the pain. Being thrown back had been unpleasant.
Before he could charge again, Water Stream was already engaging Splitting Blade.
With a swift move, Splitting Blade's sword spun out of his hands and into the air.
Water Stream went straight for his weak points, breaking through his defense. Her hands, like knives, slashed at his exposed neck and ribs, each strike aimed at his unprotected spots. The proud defense of a level 12 armored warrior was no match for her.
Outside, the skirmish was coming to an end. Those not involved had fled, and with Blood Hammer's death, many guards surrendered or perished. Kent's squad gathered by the arena, watching Water Stream's prowess with admiration.
Seeing her relentless strikes, Splitting Blade's body instinctively began to retreat, no longer able to withstand her attacks. In moments, Water Stream had rendered his arms, throat, and knees almost useless, pinning him against the stone wall. As his back hit the wall, she transformed her hand into a fist and delivered a deadly blow to his throat.
A heavy crash echoed as Splitting Blade crumpled to the ground.
In the faint moonlight and the glow of dozens of torches, Water Stream stood by the stone wall, looking up at the sky as she caught her breath. Seeing her frail figure, Kent couldn't help but wonder what she had gone through to turn such a seemingly delicate woman into a fierce warrior.
Kent knelt beside a woman lying unconscious on the ground, healing her with two prayer spells. Her breathing steadied, and the wound on her shoulder slowly closed. He glanced up to see his squad clearing the battlefield.
Water Stream bent down, grabbed a massive axe, and severed the chains binding the unconscious woman.
"Blood Hammer is dead," she said calmly.
"I know," Kent replied, meeting her steady, lake-blue gaze. "I'll keep my promise to you."
Water Stream looked at Kent, then at the unconscious woman, her expression softening. She tenderly touched the girl's face. Despite the dirt on her, Kent could tell she was young—fifteen or sixteen, with messy dark brown hair and delicate features.
But what was her connection to Water Stream?
"She's Lark. She's been with me since childhood, very talented," Water Stream explained, as if sensing Kent's curiosity. "After the war, many women from the plains ended up here. Some were taken in by local tribes, others sold as slaves. She and her mother came to the North with us years ago. Here, we can live with some dignity."
"Why didn't you return to the plains?" Kent asked.
"I wanted to, but my teacher stopped me. She told me my tribe had perished in the war, leaving me as the sole survivor. I don't know where my family is—only this," she said, holding a pendant around her neck.
"Well, you had a teacher. I have no one in this world, just an old horse," Kent joked, trying to lighten the mood. "Now even he prefers to let you ride him."
"My teacher passed away," Water Stream replied, her eyes glistening.
"Ah… I'm sorry," Kent stammered, unsure of what to say.
"It's alright. I have my sisters in the Blood Rose now," Water Stream said, looking up at Kent. "What's our next step?"
"Our next step?" Kent was surprised by her abrupt question. "Uh… maybe we should take over Blood Hammer's stronghold?"
"…"
With the unconscious Lark on the horse and the squad in tow, they moved toward the fortress in the center of the camp.
From the darkness came hurried footsteps. A group of guards, a mix of barbarians, half-orcs, and humans, emerged to block their path.
The squad drew their weapons, preparing to fight.
"Don't misunderstand!" shouted a bald man in the lead, raising his hands high. "Water Stream! Mage! It's me! We've come to welcome you!"
Kent recognized him—it was the bald guard from the camp gate. Behind him, the one-eyed guard and a group of their comrades stared eagerly, each holding weapons from various tribes.
"It's you?" Water Stream laughed. "What, looking to steal my girl here?"
The bald man flushed, pulling the one-eyed man forward by the ear, causing him to howl in pain as he was dragged to the front and made to kneel.
"Water Stream, this fool's disrespect is my fault. Spare us. But if you must punish us, punish us together!" The bald man knelt, gritting his teeth.
The rest of the men knelt as well.
"Didn't expect loyalty here," Water Stream chuckled. "But I'm not the one in charge. Ask Kent."
"Master Mage…" The group on their knees shifted their focus instantly.
"What are you planning to do with this crowd?" Kent asked.
"Master Mage, Blood Hammer has oppressed us for years, and we've lost many brothers. We've despised him all along. Now that he's gone, we humbly ask to join your team!"
The bald man kept his head down as he spoke.
"Please take us in!" The group pleaded in unison.
"Alright, I accept," Kent replied with a grin.
"What?" The bald man and his men were taken aback, and even the squad seemed shocked.
A wave of approval messages flashed: Reputation with Ray's Squad +1520, +1520…
Was he really this casual?
Water Stream had to stifle a laugh.
What a strange man.
"Let's go, lead the way to Blood Hammer's stronghold," Kent ordered, unfazed.
Only he knew that a system notification had guided his decision:
"Human warrior Ray and nineteen others wish to join the squad. Approve or reject?"