"Run, young master!" Oscar roared, his voice shaken and ragged. His left arm hung uselessly, blood pouring down like a stream.
But even as blood covered the ground, he quickly used the life qi within his body to close. A faint glow enveloped the stump where his arm had been severed, and within moments the bleeding slowed. The wound closed into an ugly scar, though Oscar's face had turned pale from the blood that he lost.
But it was only a temporary solution available thanks to his life seed's ability. And in those few seconds of weakness, the enemy great knights pressed forward with unstoppable attacks. Their blades hammered down on him without pause, forcing him back, step by step, until his heels scraped the dirt at the edge of the battlefield.
His eyes flicked sideways, locking onto Mark's for a brief instant. There was no need for words, only a single shared glance. Both men nodded slightly, as though sealing a silent agreement. Then, without hesitation, they returned to their battles with even greater determination.
---
Arthur's chest heaved as he fought, each breath burning his lungs. The clang of steel on steel rang in his ears, the screams of men pierced through the battle, and the iron scent of blood filled the forest air.
He cut down another masked knight, his blade biting into flesh and armor, and for a fleeting second the battlefield felt like it slowed.
"I have to get out," he thought. "If I stay, I'll only be a burden. But how?"
His mind raced for an escape, his feet still moving, slashing, killing. He barely noticed Mark's approach until the older knight's voice snapped him back to reality.
"Young master," Mark said firmly, his face covered with grime and blood. He pressed a small leather pouch into Arthur's hand. "There's a map, a compass, food, and other supplies inside. When I give the signal, you run. Don't argue. Don't look back. Just run, and keep running."
Arthur stared at him, stunned. "But—"
Mark cut him off with a grim smile. "No buts. When I scream, that's your only chance."
Then, without waiting for an answer, he surged forward, sword blazing with qi.
A few heartbeats later, the cry tore through the battlefield like thunder.
"NOW!"
---
Arthur barely had time to react before the men around him transformed. His loyal knights, men who had sworn their lives to his family, suddenly flushed red as if their blood had became lava.
Their bodies radiated heat, steam rising off their skin, and with that came a surge of strength. Their speed increased, their blows grew heavier, and for a brief moment they looked less like men and more like demons made of fire and steel.
The tide shifted instantly. Masked enemies who had been somehow barely keeping the fight even now found themselves overwhelmed, their lines shattered in seconds.
Screams of the dying filled the clearing as one after another fell to the Lionheart knights' suicidal power.
Yet the one that trully seemed to turn into a demon was Oscar. His presence, already like a mountain, now became even stronger like a raging volcano. Empowered by the same secret technique, his aura exploded outward, his strikes faster and deadlier. One man against five great knights, yet now it was they who struggled to hold their ground against him.
Arthur's heart clenched. He understood. That strange surge of power was no blessing—it was a curse. A forbidden Lionheart technique that sacrificed one's life and future potential for strength in the moment. The red glow wasn't just energy. It was their lives burning away like fuel.
He bit his lip until it bled. They're giving everything… just for me.
Without another second wasted, Arthur turned and bolted. He leapt onto a black warhorse left untended at the edge of the chaos, dug his heels into its flanks, and the animal shot forward.
The forest swallowed him in moments, the sounds of battle fading into the distance, though the echoes of screams and clashing steel rang inside his head.
Branches whipped past his face. The ground blurred beneath the horse's hooves. Wind tore at his hair, but his thoughts ran even faster.
Where do I go? How far can I get before they follow? How long can they hold without me?
The pouch Mark had given him weighed heavily on his waist. Supplies for survival. A lifeline bought with blood.
His grip tightened, I won't waste their sacrifices.
---
Back at the battlefield, the slaughter continued.
The Lionheart knights, fewer in number but burning with unnatural strength, cut through their foes like a scythe through grain. Mark fought side by side with Oscar now, the two knights moving as though they had fought together for hundreds of battles. Fifteen knights remained with them, but every man glowed crimson, their eyes blazing with madness and resolve.
And still, none of them smiled.
Because they knew. When the glow faded, so would their lives.
A masked great knight cursed as he parried a blow that nearly split him in two. "You lunatics! The rumors were true after all, the Lionheart family's secret technique. Burning your lives for strength!"
He spat blood and sneered. "Knights I can understand. They're tools, replaceable. But you, Oscar… you're a great knight! With your talent, you'd be welcomed by any noble family in the empire. Why throw it all away for a single boy? Do you really think saving him now will change anything? We're only the beginning. That brat is—"
His words ended in a strangled gasp as Oscar's sword slammed against his guard, sending him stumbling three steps back.
Trembling arms struggled to lift his blade again. He raised his head, glaring, waiting for some reply, some defense from Oscar.
But Oscar didn't waste a breath. He simply pressed forward, relentless. Silence was the only response that he would give to any Provocation.
The great knight hissed. "Tch. Monster." He turned his head toward one of his allies. "Josh! Go after the brat. We can't let him escape or the punishment will be very severe."
Josh's brow furrowed. "What about you? Without me, you'll be even more outnumbered—"
"Don't worry," the leader cut him off. "The family master gave us something as well. Not a technique, but medicine. It'll be enough."
From his pocket, he produced a small black pill and swallowed it whole. A shudder ran through his frame as his aura swelled, growing thicker and sharper. Not as wild as the Lionheart knights' burning technique, but steadier, without the same deadly backlash.
He passed similar pills to his comrades, who followed suit. Within moments, their strength soared, and the battlefield balance tipped again.
Seeing this Josh slipped away quickly following Arthur's path.
Oscar tried to intercept Josh, but the leader barred his way, blade flashing. "Going somewhere, old man? No, you stay with me."
Oscar gritted his teeth, fury burning in his chest. But he knew. He couldn't break through. His only option now was trusting Arthur.
---
Josh raced through the forest, his movements precise. As the team's scout, tracking Arthur was child's play. It didn't take long before the faint shadow of his prey appeared between the trees, illuminated by slivers of moonlight piercing through the trees.
A cruel grin spread across Josh's face. He pulled a knife from his belt and hurled it with deadly precision. The blade sang as it cut the air, a sharp whistle that sliced through the night's silence.
Arthur's instincts screamed. He twisted violently, the knife grazing past and embedding itself in a tree trunk.
His eyes widened. A great knight.
The gap between them was huge. Even weakened, a great knight could crush multiple high knights. And Arthur was alone.
Josh stepped forward, smirk widening. "You didn't run far, little rat. Be smart. Surrender. I won't kill you… but I can't promise what state you'll be left in if you continue to waste my time ." His tone dripped with menace.
Arthur's heartbeat thundered, but then a strange calm settled over him. His choices were gone. His path narrowed to a single line.
He met Josh's gaze and spat, "Fuck you."
The smirk vanished. Anger flared. "You'll regret that."
He lunged. His sword arced downward with brutal force, aiming to cut Arthur's shoulder.
Arthur barely managed to interpose his own blade, twisting his body to lessen the impact. Even so, the collision sent him flying, his back slamming into a massive tree.
Before he could breathe, Josh was already upon him, slashing again. Arthur rolled desperately, dirt and leaves sticking to his clothes. Behind him, the tree split in two, collapsing with a deafening crash. Dust billowed, obscuring vision.
Josh halted, unfazed, waiting for the haze to clear. He stood prideful,a predator waiting for the prey to reveal itself.
Then movement—fast, from the front. Josh reacted instantly, cutting through it with a horizontal slash. His blade struck true, but the resistance was wrong.
"A tree?" he muttered as the log fell in two.
Too late. From the corner of his eye, a shadow flashed. Arthur. His sword gleamed as it descended toward Josh's head.
Josh twisted, redirecting the blow, but not fast enough. Steel cut flesh, carving a bloody gash above his right eye.
"Bastard—!" he roared, but Arthur pressed, striking again. The difference in strength showed; after only two clashes, Arthur was sent tumbling across the dirt.
Josh advanced, fury burning. But suddenly his instincts screamed. And without hesitation, he leapt back three steps.
A knife slammed into the ground where he had stood, the one he had thrown at Arthur earlier. His own weapon nearly ended him.
A chill crawled down his spine. Before he could recover, a sharp buzz split the air. From his blind side, another knife whistled, plunging into his already wounded eye. The blade pierced through, tearing into his brain.
"AHHHHHHH!"
His scream echoed through the forest as he collapsed, writhing, hands clutching at his ruined face.
Arthur approached slowly, each step deliberate, his sword covered with blood. He stood over the fallen great knight, his expression cold, voice steady.
"You die here because of your arrogance. Don't worry, you won't be alone. I'll send your comrades after you soon."
And with those words, he drove his blade into Josh's skull and heart, again and again, until the body ceased to twitch.
The forest grew silent once more.