CLEAVER OF SIN - Chapter 373

Chapter 373: Speed
Samuel moved with pure, unrestrained speed. Unlike Daniel, who relied on brute strength and overwhelming force, Samuel’s movement was a blur, sharp, controlled, and impossibly fast. In a single zipping motion, he appeared before an Orc. Before the creature could blink, roar, or even comprehend his presence, Samuel’s blade had already traced a straight, pristine line across its thick green neck. Flesh parted smoothly, almost elegantly, as blood cascaded downward like a calm, uninterrupted waterfall.

A sudden explosion of air erupted behind him. Samuel did not need to turn to know what it was, an Orc swinging its crude weapon at his back with desperate ferocity. With a blitzing burst of movement, he shifted to the side, his steps light and immaculate in motion. He turned just enough to face the creature as its club smashed into the earth, sending debris shooting skyward with brute force. Dust billowed out in a thick cloud, temporarily veiling the surroundings.

The Orc’s green eyes swiveled toward him, filled with primal fury. But before it could launch another attack, Samuel’s sword moved, so fast, so fluid, that it appeared less like steel and more like a streak of lightning. The silver blur cut across the air, and for an instant, the Orc doubted its own senses.

With a low growl, the Orc attempted to lift its club again, but found it could not. Confusion creased its brutish features. A heartbeat later, the confusion vanished, its entire arm had been separated cleanly from the elbow downward. The severed limb thudded heavily against the ground, green blood gushing forth in violent spurts.

Another streak of motion, another flash of silver, and the Orc’s head was already detached from its shoulders. It toppled to the earth with a heavy thump. Samuel did not waste even a fraction of a second. He vanished again, accelerating toward the third Orc while Daniel continued dismantling the fourth.

He arrived in front of the third Orc just as the creature released a roar filled with rage and desperation. Watching its brethren die in rapid succession, the monster had activated its innate ability, its muscles bulging and veins pulsing as its physical attributes surged.

Samuel could sense the increase in speed and strength, but he did not care. He had no intention of blocking any of its attacks. Even amplified, the Orc’s new speed could not possibly match his base movement, let alone his true capabilities.

In a single blur, Samuel flickered out of sight. He appeared behind the Orc as it swung its enhanced arm forward, missing him entirely. He sheathed his sword in one smooth, elegant motion. The moment the blade settled in its scabbard, five bright, thin silver sword lines flashed across the Orc’s massive body, so fast they seemed to appear simultaneously.

A heartbeat later, the monster’s body fell apart, cleanly dissected into pieces.

Blood splattered in every direction, but none of it touched Samuel. His silver eyes shifted calmly toward Daniel, who was currently driving his hammer into the chest of the final Orc. Daniel glanced at him, their black and silver eyes meeting in silent acknowledgment. A moment later, both nodded and went to work.

They moved through the carnage with efficiency born of practice. Each collected the corpses of the slain Orcs, storing them in their space rings without hesitation. They understood the urgency, if they lingered too long, the stench of blood and the tremors of battle would inevitably draw another wave of monsters, delaying the entire mission.

Throughout the entire encounter, Norman and the rest of the team had not stopped or slowed the carriage. It was not abandonment; rather, the Orcs were trivial foes. Their group was too strong for such minor threats to warrant stopping the mission’s momentum.

Once their task was complete, Daniel and Samuel bent their knees slightly, and with explosive force, shot forward like projectiles from a massive siege weapon. Their bodies cut through the air with rapid speed, leaving faint trails behind them. Within seconds, they had already closed the gap, the carriage and the rest of the team coming into full view.

A moment later, they reappeared beside their Enduron horses, still galloping at full speed. With seamless precision, they mounted their horses in one fluid motion, their speed and balance flawless.

Norman glanced toward the two of them. In response, they offered a brief nod, a silent confirmation that the situation had been handled. With that, the journey continued in silence. Everyone’s senses remained sharp, their awareness heightened in case of the slightest change in their surroundings.

Nearly an hour passed before the eerie sound of wolves howling echoed throughout the forest. The team did not slow. Their expressions remained unchanged, focused and calm. Although Enduron horses were superior to ordinary horses in speed and endurance, they were destined to remain at the Whisper rank forever. There was no possibility of outrunning wolves, creatures built for speed, agility, and possessing a higher rank altogether.

“Clara,” Norman called out, his voice steady as the wolf pack closed in. Their numbers were large, easily twenty, possibly even thirty. But the number held no weight in Clara’s mind.

Her form vanished instantly, slipping into the shadow cast by her galloping Enduron horse. Moments later, she emerged beneath one of the wolves. Her dagger sank into its abdomen effortlessly, slicing through hide and flesh as she tore open its gut. Blood and steaming innards spilled across the forest floor.

She vanished again.

The wolves attempted to ignore her presence and push past her toward the carriage and the rest of the team. But each time one of them moved forward, she materialized in perfect timing, her daggers driving into their necks with surgical precision before she dissolved into shadow once more.

One strike was all she ever needed.

Realizing the threat she posed, several wolves activated their innate abilities. Frost spread beneath their paws, ice crystals forming rapidly as they attempted to seal the earth beneath their paws.

But it was pointless. Her ability allowed movement through shadows, not directly through the earth. Their countermeasures were irrelevant. Another blur of motion, another silver flash, and a wolf’s head flew cleanly into the air.

Understanding the limitations of their ice ability, Clara stepped out of the shadow completely. Her figure became a streak of zigzagging black motion, weaving through the battlefield with chaos and grace. Each movement ended with another corpse collapsing, until the final wolf fell.

Their bodies landed heavily on the ground. Without hesitation, Clara stored their corpses in her space ring. Then she slipped into a nearby shadow.

A moment later, she stepped out of the shadow beneath her Enduron horse and mounted in one swift, graceful motion.

Although she had used her ability freely, despite certain mission rules, Norman said nothing. Clara’s unique trait allowed her to employ this particular shadow ability without placing strain on her Astra reserves. Her capacity was simply different.

With their enemies cleared and their formation restored, the journey continued in full force. Their path was littered with blood, but every threat they encountered had been eliminated with overwhelming efficiency and literal effortless ease.

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AUTHOR’S NOTE: Thanks for reading. Also, thanks for the golden tickets.