"Oh? You want to fight me?" The blond man chuckled softly. "I know you're confident in your power since you beat them. But, kid, I have to tell you one thing—there's a huge gap between you and me."

His eyes narrowed, flashing cold lightning. "Our strength is like heaven and earth. If you don't want to die, give up now. At least you'll live."

Faced with that threat, Merlin did not flinch. Instead, a defiant smile bloomed on his lips.

"Give up? Hehe... Do you think I'm that weak?" Merlin shook his head dismissively. "I know you're the Ninth Spirit Core, but that doesn't scare me. My master is the First Spirit Core, one of the strongest mages on the continent. Just you? Ninth Spirit Core? Don't joke."

The Ninth Spirit Core was a level he hadn't reached yet, but he was sure he'd reach it in a few days.

After all, his twelve days of training had perfectly laid the foundation to level up to the Ninth Spirit Core.

"First Spirit Core?" The blond man was startled. His vigilance spiked—Merlin was no longer prey but a threat. 'Apparently I have to kill him now. Otherwise I'll be the one killed by his master.'

Judging by the seriousness in his expression, he realized the boy was not joking.

So the safest move was to kill him, then flee to a secluded place to avoid the master's pursuit.

Having made up his mind, his eyes blazed with murderous intent as he darted toward Merlin at incredible speed.

Merlin was startled and hastily crossed his arms in front of his chest.

Bang!

A powerful punch slammed into him, sending his body flying fifty meters.

Boom!

His back crashed into a tree trunk with bone-jarring force.

"Argh!" Merlin's eyes widened as excruciating pain spread through his body.

Before he could fully process it, the blond man reappeared beside him, twisting his body to strike at Merlin's neck.

His intention was clear—break it.

Sensing the attack, Merlin channeled his mana through every part of his body and vanished in the blink of an eye.

Boom!

The man's kick hit the tree trunk, shattering it instantly.

"What quick reflexes. Seems I underestimated you," the man muttered, a faint grin forming.

He turned his head—and Merlin was already in a fighting stance, eyes locked sharply on him.

"System, what chance do I have of winning?" Merlin asked.

"[Hmm… approximately… 5%]," the system replied hesitantly.

Merlin chuckled softly. "Low, but I'll take it."

Even from that brief exchange, he could sense the vast gulf between them—truly like heaven and earth.

Yet Merlin was undaunted. With determination, he vanished and reappeared above the man's head.

"Taste this!"

His body spun horizontally, delivering a powerful kick aimed straight at the opponent's head.

Bang!

The kick—powerful enough to crush an adult's skull—was effortlessly blocked by the man's right arm.

Merlin's eyes widened. He twisted his body and clenched his right palm, driving a punch toward the man's face.

Bang!

Once again, his punch was effortlessly blocked, and Merlin froze in shock.

Before he could recover, the man's left fist lunged toward his stomach.

Luckily, Merlin dodged, using the man's momentum to spring backward.

Rubbing his stinging fist, he muttered softly, "His body is hard as stone… Could he actually be made of stone?"

System: "[Your analogies are… unusual, Master.]"

"Kid, you've surprised me more than I expected. But sorry—now I'll finish you off!"

He spread both palms, and suddenly, two black swords materialized, cutting through the air and thickening the tension.

Merlin's eyes widened. "Rare Ranked Weapons?"

His heart raced. Rare Rank was only the second-lowest level after Ordinary, but don't be mistaken—these weapons were still devastatingly powerful.

They were extremely rare and expensive. Even the weakest could sell for thirty to fifty thousand gold coins.

Don't think fifty thousand is small just because he now held a hundred thousand—an ordinary person would likely never see that much in their lifetime.

'Could it be that he's not really one of these kidnappers? Or… is he the real boss?' Merlin thought.

From the very beginning, something had felt off. The kidnappings had been executed flawlessly, leaving not the slightest trace.

The thin man's use of the scentless drug powder was equally suspicious—its effect was so fast that there was no time to react.

Lost in thought, Merlin suddenly noticed the man appear in front of him. He swung both swords toward the sides of Merlin's neck.

Merlin had anticipated it and quickly stepped back. He opened both palms and shouted, "Primordial Twin Daggers!"

Whoosh!

Two identical red daggers materialized in his hands.

With a swift leap, he spun like a top, darting toward the man.

Startled, the man crossed his swords to block the attack.

Clang!

The clash rang out sharply—but in the next instant, his swords cracked and shattered.

"What?" His eyes widened in horror, but there was no time to react.

Merlin's attack was just centimeters from him. Realizing that a hit could be fatal, he summoned all his strength to dodge. Then, he brought his right fist down, striking Merlin on the right side of his face.

Bang!

The unprepared Merlin was sent flying, crashing into another gnarled tree. The impact was so violent that the tree split and collapsed.

Cough!

He clutched his mouth, choking as blood trickled from the corner of his lips. The pain nearly made him pass out.

"You son of a bitch…" The blond man grumbled, stepping forward. "You broke two of my swords! Do you know how much they cost? Bastard!"

He had spent seventy thousand gold coins—his entire savings—on those swords.

He had been certain the boy would be easy to kill, yet now his prized weapons lay shattered.

His gaze fell on the two red daggers on the ground, and his anger melted into delight.

"Well, since you dared destroy mine, you should replace them with yours."

Just as he reached for them, the daggers suddenly glowed red and shot straight into Merlin's body.

"Tch!" the man clicked his tongue in frustration. "Looks like I'll have to kill you before I can get them."

He didn't know their exact rank, but they were clearly legendary—maybe even mythical. He had to have them at any cost.

Without hesitation, he clenched his right fist, ready to deliver the finishing blow.

But suddenly…

"How dare a lowly creature touch my young master!?"

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