Chapter 67: Kill the Enemy!
“Clang—”
A dull, heavy crash turned into a soundwave that shattered everything around Ion and the Bloodline User.
Ion felt a slight sense of regret at that moment he even regretted not bringing that black sword with him. If he had it, the slash just now could have easily cleaved the enemy, weapon and all.
Instead, the strike had been blocked, and the erupting black flame had mixed with the opposing blast of airflow, transforming into a rampaging storm of black fire.
But even from this single true clash, Ion could already be certain—
The opponent before him had been completely suppressed!
‘Damn it! Damn it! Damn it!’
Unlike Ion's regret, the Bloodline Knight from the Eastern Mountain Territory could only be described as shocked and enraged.
Since the three lords of the Fertile Plains had long been plotting against the White Mountain Territory, they had naturally gathered intelligence on it.
They knew exactly how many Bloodline Knights the White Mountain Territory had and how capable each one was.
That was why this bald Bloodline Knight of the Eastern Mountain Territory had been stationed in the rear, to avoid encountering Ion.
After all, his bloodline ability originated from the [Wind Rabbit]’s [Redirecting Impact], in essence, it created a blast of airflow, useful for slightly redirecting the spread of flames in fire tactics or reducing the lethality of arrows during an enemy's ranged attack.
Fundamentally, while it had some offensive capability, compared to other bloodline abilities specialized in combat and slaughter, it was clearly inferior.
Especially when facing an ability like [Blood Flame], which even Third-Tier Bloodline Users would shy away from if the user dared to go all out, this made things especially painful for the bald Bloodline User.
In fact, if it weren’t for his naturally superior strength, he wouldn’t even be qualified to face Ion head-on.
The bald Bloodline User roared, muscles in his arms bulging as he lifted his spear upward, shaking off Ion’s longsword.
But Ion wasn’t some combat novice.
He wasn’t like the other Bloodline Knights who cared about appearances.
To him, once a battle began, there were only two outcomes: win and live, or lose and die.
So, in the instant his sword was knocked aside, Ion kicked the opponent in the chest, sending him flying, then charged forward, sword in hand, in hot pursuit.
Still, the bald Bloodline Knight wasn’t lacking in combat experience either.
The moment he was kicked away, he immediately adjusted his posture, and upon landing, swung his spear forward in a fierce thrust aimed directly at Ion’s throat.
A stream of air gathered at the tip of the spear and then fired forth.
In this world, bloodlines capable of condensing and releasing airflow weren’t uncommon.
Even the [Flame Demon Hound] and the [Flame Sparrow] had abilities with similar effects. But similarity in effect didn’t mean the same essence, there were still significant differences.
For example, the [Wind Wolf]’s bloodline also manipulated airflow, but its ability, [Wind Blade], compressed the air into high-speed, blade-like gusts with strong cutting power. In contrast, the [Wind Rabbit]’s [Redirecting Impact] compressed airflow into bundled streams for penetrating attacks, delivering piercing damage with rapid deployment and concealed attacks.
At this moment, the burst of airflow erupted from the bald Bloodline User’s spear. While it looked like a straightforward thrust meant to stall Ion’s advance, the true killing move had already been launched.
Ion continued his charge.
But the moment the spear was thrust, he already tilted his head to evade.
He didn’t know the exact nature of the opponent’s bloodline ability, but from their previous clashes, he could surmise that it had to be wind-related.
Ion lacked bloodline aptitude, but that didn’t mean he was lacking in intelligence.
Quite the opposite, in fact, surviving as a scout in the border army, the unit with the highest casualty rate, proved his sharp instincts were anything but weak.
So, after just one glance at the distance between them and another at the opponent’s thrust, he deduced that some hidden attack was incoming, one definitely related to the bloodline ability.
Unlike [Blood Flame], which once triggered was a desperate gamble, this ability was something that could be used without risking everything, and thus wouldn't be activated without careful timing.
This was also why, years ago, when Ion’s family was fleeing, the Bloodline Knight they encountered hadn’t immediately activated [Blood Flame].
But this time, the situation was different.
Ion was indeed gambling with his life!
So ending the fight quickly was his top priority.
A sharp gust tore past his ear.
Ion felt a sting on his cheek, he knew that stream of air had grazed him. But such a minor wound didn’t faze him. Back in the border army, there were times he had fought with seven or eight arrows sticking out of him.
At worst, he would die in battle.
What was there to fear?
The distance between the two shrank once more.
The bald Bloodline User bit his teeth grimly. His bloodline ability appeared concealed and its damage wasn't weak, but in truth, it required a significant distance to be effective. If activated at close range, it was easily interrupted and couldn't be triggered at all.
Especially when facing the most ferocious of all Second-Tier flame-type bloodline powers, [Blood Flame], he couldn’t even lift his head.
It was precisely for this reason that he had been suppressed during those last two clashes.
Now, a third failed attack only deepened his humiliation.
But Ion paid no mind to what the other was thinking. He raised his sword and brought it down.
The Kingdom’s Military Swordsmanship in his hands might not have been as refined or fluid as Yam’s, but after years of practice, it had long become instinctive, like breathing.
The bald Bloodline User tried to dodge sideways, but Ion stepped forward as he slashed, turning the cut into a direct thrust.
“Pshhh—”
A sharp sound burst forth.
The bald Bloodline User’s right flank was immediately gashed open by the longsword, the wound deep enough to expose bone.
Black flame clung to his flesh and ribs like a parasitic infection. In an instant, a pungent stench filled the air, not the savory aroma of roasted meat, but a foul, gut-churning stench thick with sulfurous undertones.
The bald Bloodline User howled in unbearable pain and swung his spear wildly at Ion’s lower body without hesitation.
“Clang—”
Ion naturally would not allow the spear to strike his legs.
Bloodline abilities had all manner of activation methods.
Although the bald Bloodline User had so far only shown the ability to emit airflow blasts through his Rare Iron Longspear, Ion couldn't be certain he couldn’t use other body parts to do the same, just as he, though usually channeling [Blood Flame] through his longsword, could actually release it through his unarmed left hand or any part of his upper body.
So, Ion immediately raised his sword to block.
The sweeping spear strike was intercepted.
A faint airflow surged, only to be quenched by the black flame on Ion’s longsword.
The airflow popped faintly, then faded without a ripple.
The bald Bloodline User seemed to have expected this outcome. There was no surprise on his face. Instead, he seized the chance to stand up swiftly.
Though the black flame was agonizingly searing his right flank, he knew that continuing to entangle with Ion here would likely cost him his life. With his ability thoroughly restrained, he had no desire to keep fighting.
Not even a thought of delay.
But Ion clearly had no intention of letting him go.
After blocking the sweep of the opponent’s spear, Ion lunged forward and grabbed the now-standing man in a tight embrace.
“You! What are you doing?!” the bald Bloodline User cried out in terror.
But he barely managed to say those words.
Because Ion's right fist had already smashed into his face.
He mounted the man, then began raining punches down with both fists, left and right, hammering the man’s face.
Black flame accompanied every blow of Ion’s fists, landing heavily on the man’s face.
After just a dozen punches, the man’s features were mangled and his skull was deformed. The real torment, however, came from the black flame that clung to his face like maggots, refusing to disperse.
That black flame burned and gnawed at the flesh and bone of the bald Bloodline User, allowing Ion to crack his skull with ease.
The bald Bloodline User did try to fight back.
But his weapon was useless at this range, and if it came to barehanded combat, Ion, who had activated [Blood Flame] had nothing to fear.
After beating the man to a near-death state, Ion stood up and picked up the Rare Iron Longsword nearby.
He glanced around at the dozen or so female corpses scattered across the room.
Some, more fortunate, had already been tortured to death. Though their corpses were gruesome, at least their suffering had ended. The living ones, however, were blank-eyed, their bodies battered beyond recognition, and had clearly lost the will to live.
One of them looked at Ion.
Her eyes suddenly flickered with life.
But the words she spoke made Ion feel miserable.
“Kill… me.”
“Kill us.”
She said, “Please…”
Ion’s eyes welled with tears. He nodded slowly. “Alright.”
He lifted his sword and first severed the head of the bald Bloodline User. Then, one by one, he granted those pleading women the final release.
When Ion finally stepped out of the house holding the long spear with the bald Bloodline User’s head impaled on it, black flame was already roaring through the building behind him.
All the villagers had gathered around the house, silently watching Ion emerge through the door.
Ion looked once at the sea of people, then handed the spear to an old soldier nearby.
Then, he spoke in a deep voice.
“Plant this spear in the village’s Assembly Square!”
“Behead every enemy! Pile them up!”
“Burn all supplies that can’t be carried!”