God of Mist

Chapter 46: Shadowblade 4

The gray sky enveloped the morning, casting a tense aura that seemed to seep into one's very bones. Lucas, among other participants, wasn't there by mere coercion; he coveted the prize on offer.

They assembled in the wilderness, within a forest still under the dominion of the Shadowbale family.

This forest was a natural enigma, a labyrinth of tall trees that stood like mystical guardians harboring ancient secrets.

"Hey, look, Lucas the trash is joining too," sneered a participant under their breath.

Despite Lucas having proven his mettle previously—having vanquished a man in fair combat, even to the death—his peers still dismissed him as worthless.

An organizer, draped in a black robe with an inscrutable face, approached bearing small flags. "The main rule," he announced in a raspy, deep voice, "is to seize these flags without resorting to killing. The one who secures the most flags will be declared the victor."

The competition was set to be fierce, a ruthless scramble where alliances