The [Chronos Sphere] scroll slowed time to a crawl for Jack. I hope this skill works with a sabre. He activated his First Strike skill and prayed it would work. He sped towards Argil and slashed down through his right shoulder, but the blade stopped less than six inches deep. He tried to pull the blade free, but the hook was stuck on bone.

  “Shit!” Jack drew his dagger with his right hand as time resumed to normal.

  Argil ignored the hooked blade like it wasn’t there and lunged at Cain. Jack was dragged with him, ruining the enraged Baron’s sword form.

  With a wide, bloody grin, Cain sidestepped and buried his sword through the Baron’s heart, twisting the blade as he withdrew it. “Die, you bastard!”

  Argil gasped. Blood spilt from his lips as he tried to speak, “Kend…” then the blood mage fell to his knees.

  Jack stabbed his dagger in Argil’s neck. His right palm burned like he’d picked up molten iron, but he didn’t let go. No, he gripped tighter and twisted. He sensed a strong surge of power flow into him; the largest transfer of power he’d felt yet. His knees felt weak, but at the same time, he felt powerful. His entire body did. The thrum of excess energy buzzed through every part of him.

  All Jack’s wounds healed. His crooked nose cracked and crunched back into place. “Aargh! Fuck!” Despite the Endure Pain skill, the pain was excruciating and caused his eyes to run. Whatever was happening, it was no soft healing skill. Dropping to his knees, he clenched his teeth as the arrow tip and broken shaft were pushed from its wound by mending flesh. He moaned as he fell on all fours, dagger still in hand, while shaking from the pain.

  Every scratch, bruise, and wound was gone. All his exhaustion was gone, and a new skill formed. After the pain receded from the vicious healing process, he was left feeling empowered, like he’d just woken from a restful night’s sleep. Even his mana recovered. Wow… that was terrible and amazing.

  Cain sagged, wounded and heaving. The Journeyman Warrior smiled. “Got one of you noble bastards.”

  Jack began healing his ally and friend. Fenton screamed and charged past the guards.

  Greaves shouted. “Fenton! Fenton, stop! By the Gods, Fenton!”

  Fenton ignored his uncle. He reached Jack with his blade swinging.

  Jack turned from healing Cain and tried to dodge, but he was too slow. Fenton’s sword cut clean through his raised left wrist and scored a deep cut down his left cheek. He screamed at the pain and trauma of losing a hand. His world turned white before Endure Pain took the brunt of the agony.

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  Shit! I… I… The shock took his thoughts. He dropped his dagger and cradled the stump as blood poured from his severed wrist. He fumbled with a Heal spell, closing the wound to a raw, weak scab. The bleeding almost stopped, but the ache and shock remained.

  Fenton loomed over him. “Pathetic. All this trouble for a damned commoner rat.”

  Jack stared into the eyes of the tall noble. He could see his disdain in his twisted grin and the way he looked down at him over his hawk-like nose. I will not die to this noble brat. He still expected to die this day, but not to a teenage noble with an inferiority complex towards a commoner.

  He activated a [Chronos Sphere] scroll. He had only two left now. Time slowed as he crouched, aimed at Fenton’s chest with his right hand, and activated the Pseudo Mage skill, [Fireball].

  Fenton’s chest flared blue while surrounded by searing hot flames. The [Fireball] dispersed as a waistcoat button disintegrated in a burst of blue sparks. Protected by an enchantment.

  “Fuck!” Jack spat. Touching his tender stump to his breast pocket, he used his last [Frost Breath] scroll, “[Frost Breath].” He aimed at Fenton’s chest, praying he didn’t have an enchantment that protected him from the common mage spell. His right hand shook from pain and shock as the freezing plume of air flew towards the young noble.

  The [Frost Breath] hit Fenton’s left shoulder; his waistcoat glowed blue. Another enchantment flared, another button turned to sparks, but no damage.

  Protective enchantments burned out with each spell absorbed. Most nobles had two, maybe three, enchanted items to protect them from common mage spells. After the protections were exhausted, they became vulnerable.

  Time returned to normal, and Jack slumped, holding his tender stump while feeling the residual cold from the [Frost Breath] spell.

  Fenton smirked. “Are you done, commoner?” He brushed the remnant frost from his shoulder like he’d just walked through snow before kicking Jack in the face.

  Jack’s jaw cracked, his teeth shattering. He fell to the ground, choking on his own blood and teeth.

  Fenton laughed. “You’re out of tricks, scribe.”

  Cain was on one knee, leaning on his sword, spent. With sheer willpower, he pushed himself to a standing position.

  Baroness Vampese flashed forward; she was so fast, it must have been a skill.

  Fenton lifted his blade to end Jack.

  “Fenton!” Greaves yelled. “I want him alive. Do not ignore me, boy!”

  Fenton hesitated. He looked across at the fight between Cain and Vampese. Cain raised his sword and swiped at the incoming noble, but Vampese caught his sword arm with her free hand while stabbing him in the heart with a dagger.

  “For Olivia,” she whispered, twisting the blade. “She’ll meet you in Tartarus.”

  Cain gasped, dropped back to one knee, his sword falling to the side with a clunk.

  She smiled and kissed Cain on the forehead, only for Cain to grab her with both arms, locking onto her in a tight bear hug. “Bitch!” he spluttered through bloody lips.

  Cain’s eyes met Jack’s one last time. There was no fear, just peace and a wide, bloody grin from the giant adventurer. Then, with a final grunt, he picked her up and ran them both over the edge. “It was an honour, Jack,” Cain yelled as he fell.

  Vampese screamed as they disappeared into the raging torrent of water below.