Pervard laughed loudly, looking up toward the ceiling as he shrugged off the upper part of his clothing, revealing a tattoo on his chest—a hand drenched in blood.One of the men behind him quickly stepped forward, draping a jacket over his shoulders.“Yes, I am Pervard, the executive of the Crimson Hand—the Cruel Hand,” Pervard declared, grinning as he soaked in the shocked reactions of the crowd.His tattoo glistened under the light as he spoke, “You may know my name, boy, but it won’t matter. You’ll die today, along with Riftain.”Riftain clenched his fists, fury coursing through him.“The Crimson Hand… these bastards. So, I’ve been harboring one in my own town this whole time.”“Pervard the Cruel Hand, huh? Thanks for making it easier to find you,” Oasis said coldly.In a swift motion, he unleashed an even stronger wind magic barrier, this time enveloping the entire manor.The gust of wind swept through the hall as the barrier sealed them inside.Gasps and whispers spread through t
The atmosphere in the manor shifted from tense anticipation to outright horror as Oasis stood over the five mangled bodies, his expression calm, almost indifferent.His hands and legs, not even stained with blood, were all it took to dispatch them.The shock of the scene silenced the onlookers—guards, servants, and even Pervard’s lackeys—all frozen in disbelief.“Is he really a mage?” a servant thought, trembling, her knees buckling under the weight of the spectacle.“How… how can a mage move like that?” one of the manor guards thought, sweat running down his face. “No mana, no spells… just raw strength and precision.”“I’ve never seen anyone fight like this, not even our strongest warriors,”another guard, drenched in sweat, trembled as he struggled to comprehend the sight.“It’s impossible. A mage should be relying on spells, not... this,” Alto thought, his eyes wide with fear. “How can he kill with just his bare hands?”Oasis’s own guards, who had been standing beside Raven, could h
The remaining lackeys began to panic, their techniques growing more desperate. One after another, they attacked, but Oasis was always one step ahead.A man with a curved blade aimed for Oasis’s head, but Oasis dodged with ease, delivering a spinning backfist that caved in the man’s skull.Another, a martial artist using fist techniques, charged forward, unleashing a flurry of punches.Oasis weaved through the blows with fluidity, stepping inside the man’s guard and breaking his arm before snapping his neck with a single, swift motion.Each of the lackeys fought with everything they had—one using fiery martial techniques, another enhancing his body with earth aura—but Oasis was untouchable.He moved like a ghost, anticipating every attack, countering with lethal precision.He dodged a fiery fist, and in the same breath, drove his elbow into the attacker’s spine, paralyzing him instantly.A man with twin daggers tried to slash at him, but Oasis caught his wrists, disarming him effortles
He advanced on Pervard, his aura flaring with renewed intensity, prepared to deliver the final blow.Pervard, blinded by rage and fear, roared as he threw everything he had into one last desperate attack, but his movements were wild and unfocused.Riftain easily dodged, stepping inside Pervard’s guard and delivering a devastating strike to his chest.The impact sent Pervard crashing into the ground, his body convulsing from the blow.Thud. Thud. Thud.Pervard's chest heaved as he coughed blood, his body barely able to keep itself upright.Riftain advanced toward him, his eyes cold with the intent to end it all, prepared to deliver the final blow.Pervard, blinded by pain and rage, could barely comprehend what had just happened."How did he get this strong?" Pervard thought, blood seeping from his mouth."We were almost of equal strength. I’ve been active while he was sick..." He grimaced, spitting out more blood, his thoughts racing with confusion and despair.Oasis stood back, watchi
Pervard’s mind raced as he recalled everything he knew about the Phoenix Clan."Most people might be ignorant about it, but I’ve read on hidden archives about the Volacris family in the Phoenix Clan.""Our Crimson Hand is in deep trouble. I should’ve been allowed to kill myself. My master would’ve known the moment I died."He grit his teeth in frustration, realizing that even biting his tongue wouldn’t end his life due to his advanced cultivation."We’re doomed..." Sweat dripped down Pervard’s face, and fear crept into his heart—a fear that had not been evident earlier.As the speech ended and the mood among the servants lightened with relief, Oasis instructed his guards.“You two, come with me.”The city lord went to reunite with his children, but Oasis made his way to the basement, where Rex and Pervard were held.Both men were suspended, their hands chained to the ceiling and their feet hanging limply.Oasis’s eyes narrowed as he looked at Rex, who was still feigning unconsciousnes
Seven years ago, as Elias Hawthorne was preparing to close his herb shop on a peaceful night in Riverbend Hamlet, a small village located on the outskirts of Verdantia, he had to shut early.Rumors of missing newborns were rampant, and it had been a busy day with many customers. As he closed the shop, the sound of moving carriages at high speed and horses screaming pierced the night. A banner flew into his face, bearing the emblem of the notorious Cursed Artificers Guild, which was allied with the missing babies.Chills ran down his spine as he wondered what they were doing so far east. After the silence that followed, a blast of light struck, momentarily turning night into day. The magical energy emitted shook the entire Aetheria realm.Despite his shock, Elias's body moved towards the Silverwater River. There, he found a white glossy carriage painted in blood, surrounded by a lot of dead bodies and horses.The river ran red with blood. Among the dead were members of the Cursed A
Seven years had passed since the incident that changed the course of Oasis's life.In Verdantia, a kingdom renowned for its lush greenery, dense forests, sparkling rivers, and towering mountains, the verdant beauty of nature thrived.The people of Verdantia were deeply connected to the land, with druids and elementalists harnessing the power of earth and plants to protect their homeland. In the town of Mossy Hollow, located south of the capital city Sylvaneth, life carried on amidst the tranquility of nature.Mossy Hollow was a quaint settlement nestled in the embrace of the verdant forest, its cobblestone streets winding through clusters of wooden cottages adorned with vibrant floral gardens. On a sunny day just after the last harvest, the market square of Mossy Hollow bustled with activity.Merchants displayed their wares under colorful awnings, the air filled with the fragrant aroma of freshly baked bread and blooming flowers.Villagers gathered to barter and trade, their laught
A week later...Oasis continued his clandestine training with a stick, refining his swordplay skills.Determined to grow stronger, one morning he ventured to the nearby Silverwater River to practice in solitude, away from Sister's vigilant gaze.The sight of water flowing in the river was soothing, and the breeze rustling through the nearby forest was invigorating.As Oasis immersed himself in his training, he was approached by three older boys who mocked him for his lack of magical talent."Look at him, he thinks he's a knight training with a stick. He's talentless," one of the boys sneered, earning laughter from his companions. Unfazed, Oasis continued his exercises, ignoring their taunts.But one of the boys, Bozer, grew increasingly agitated by Oasis's silence. In a fit of anger, he unleashed a poorly controlled burst of wind magic towards Oasis, intending to humiliate him.The magic manifested in the form of a sharp arrow, hurtling towards Oasis with deadly intent.Just as the mag