Chapter Eighty-Eight: Janen Is Unstoppable Now!

The sword light streaked through the air at astonishing speed, surpassing even Jen’s own rapid advance. Upon hearing the voice, Viscount Barf’s face, once pale with despair, was suddenly transformed—hope and joy flickered within his eyes. Yet faced with the incoming sword light, Jen neither dodged nor flinched, as if entirely unaware of the threat, pressing forward without hesitation, both man and blade unwavering.

Just as the sword light was about to pierce Jen’s body, a sharp, clear shout rang out. A silver-white figure darted from the cavern, placing herself in front of Jen. Patilina raised her shield high, her expression unchanging as she met the silver sword light head-on. Shield met blade with a ringing clang; the sword light dissipated instantly, and though Patilina’s petite frame shuddered from the impact, she quickly regained her balance.

At that very moment, Jen’s sword plunged mercilessly into Viscount Barf’s heart.

“You…!” Viscount Barf stared wide-eyed at Jen, utterly shocked. He could not have imagined such cold cruelty from the man before him, who gave him not a single chance. The flame of hope that had barely ignited was now snuffed out by the chill wind of death. In despair, Viscount Barf reached out, grasping for something, but darkness swiftly enveloped his vision.

Before him, Jen extended his left hand. Golden energy was drawn from Viscount Barf’s body, condensed, and finally transformed into a pentagram-shaped badge resting in his palm. At the same time, a system message appeared before Jen.

[Quest complete. Obtained fusion item: Legend Star.]

[Legend Star: It pulses with legendary power and the sweetness of souls, the supreme delicacy of this world. (Usable by designated hero units; can forcibly evolve once.)]

The reward was his.

Jen glanced with satisfaction at the item in his hand, nodded, and then withdrew his sword. Viscount Barf’s corpse fell backward, lifeless, like a heap of refuse on the ground.

“No!” The man who had attempted to ambush Jen let out a cry of anguish as he watched Viscount Barf fall. Whipping around, he glared at Jen with fierce intensity.

“Why did you kill him?”

“What a strange question,” Jen replied, lifting his head and gazing at the would-be assassin, half-smiling. The man appeared to be in his forties or fifties, dressed in fine clothes and wielding a sword. He bore a striking resemblance to Viscount Barf, with rage burning in his bloodshot eyes.

“He brought men to kill me. Isn’t it only natural that I killed him in return?”

“Very well! Excellent!” The middle-aged man nodded heavily, drew a deep breath, and raised his sword to point at Jen.

“Then you shall die!”

“Patilina, attack together. Kill him.”

At Jen’s command, a cruel, ferocious smile twisted his lips. As he issued the order, Jen’s figure surged forward, trailing afterimages, his sword whistling through the air, straight for the middle-aged man’s chest.

“Milord, beware!” Four or five well-armed attendants rushed out from either side, blocking Jen’s path. The leading guard raised his sword and slashed at Jen with a furious shout. But Jen didn’t even spare them a glance. His form flickered like a coiled serpent, slipping past their attacks, and his right hand thrust forward—the sharp blade pierced the attendant’s skull. With a twist and a drill, a gaping hole burst open at the back of the attendant’s head, blood and brain matter splattering those behind.

The sudden, grisly scene stunned the others, slowing their reactions. At that instant, Jen appeared before them like a specter; his sword traced a straight line, and with a series of soft thuds, three or four heads flew into the air, falling to the ground like balls.

“Bold!” The middle-aged man’s fury blazed at the slaughter of his attendants. He flipped his sword, exploiting a gap in Jen’s whirling blade to stab at Jen’s neck, aiming to kill the arrogant intruder in one stroke.

But Jen was not fighting alone.

Clang!

Just as the man’s sword thrust out, a sharp, gleaming warblade swung from the side, striking his sword heavily.

Patilina leapt forward. Though this was her first time fighting alongside Jen since being summoned, their coordination was as seamless as if they had fought together for years. As Jen’s sword danced in combat, Patilina advanced, covering the opening left when Jen withdrew his blade. She brandished her spear single-handedly, and after blocking the man’s attack, thrust forward, like a knight charging on horseback, aiming straight at him. Sensing the fierce momentum of the girl, the man was startled, and quickly retreated.

Two legendary warriors?!

Feeling Patilina’s aura, the man’s expression changed. In fact, this man was none other than Viscount Barf’s father, Gustav.

Barf’s reckless antics at the stronghold had spread swiftly among the nobility. As his father, Gustav had heard the rumors. He hadn’t paid much attention at first—his son was young and talented, but had never faced real setbacks. Gustav believed it was time for Barf to experience adversity, to learn humility, as he would eventually inherit the family and couldn’t go around with his nose in the air just because he was a skilled swordsman.

But when Gustav learned that Barf had mobilized the personal guard, he grew uneasy. He knew his son well—Barf was gifted and strong, but his smooth life had bred arrogance and stubbornness. If he was willing to mobilize the guard against a fallen noble, it meant he was maddened, acting without regard for consequences. Though the Temple of the War God’s influence had waned, this operation was led by the Sanctuary Order. As a noble of Valkyrie Principality, to openly mobilize troops in the Sanctuary’s territory was a direct challenge to the Sanctuary!

With that thought, Gustav hurried over, hoping to stop his son’s foolish actions. As for the fallen noble, he hadn’t given him a second thought. His son’s arrogance aside, his strength was undeniable—surely he couldn’t lose to a fallen noble.

But he hadn’t expected his opponent to be so formidable—not only had the guards been slaughtered, but his son had fallen to the sword as well. A viscount, killed without a moment’s hesitation. Such cold-bloodedness was chilling; even after Gustav’s arrival, Jen showed no mercy, striking for the kill. This ruthless streak was beyond comprehension.

Just where had these people come from?

“Who are you?” Gustav demanded.

“Enough talk. Attack!” Jen had no intention of answering. Killing Viscount Barf had netted him three thousand experience—if he slew the old man, the dungeon system would level up. How could he let him live now? With that thought, Jen swept his sword once more, sending a cascade of sword lights toward Gustav. Meanwhile, Patilina raised her shield and smashed it down upon him.

As a legendary swordsman, Gustav’s strength was not far from Barf’s. Now facing the relentless assault from Jen and Patilina, he was thrown into chaos. Jen’s form was ghostly, his sword strikes thunderous and irresistible. Patilina, meanwhile, was the opposite: if Jen was lightning, she was a raging flood. Though the narrow tunnel was ill-suited for sweeping combat, Patilina pressed on, left hand lifting her shield before her, right hand gripping her spear and stabbing forward, charging at Gustav like a knight in full tilt.

With two legendary opponents attacking in concert, Gustav might have retreated under ordinary circumstances. But now, having watched his son’s murder, his fury burned. As a noble, Gustav was accustomed to high status—never had he been so disregarded. Now, murderous intent surged within him as he gritted his teeth and held his ground, seeking an opening to slay both adversaries and avenge his son.

Jen’s sword swept three afterimages, dazzling lightning bolts stabbing at Gustav, who stepped back, unleashing a whirlwind from his sword. He flung the blade forward; a cross-shaped sword aura erupted, tearing toward his foes. Seeing Gustav’s attack, Patilina let out a soft cry, raised her shield, and blocked the incoming sword aura. Her spear struck out like a battering ram, whistling through the air to pierce at Gustav. He dodged aside; the spear slammed into the stone wall with a boom, spiderweb cracks spreading outward.

With three legendary combatants fighting at full strength, no one else could intervene; anyone who got involved would be crushed. The tunnel shook violently from their clash, alarming those at the nearby stronghold. The ground trembled madly; looking up, they saw the once-smooth ceiling now riddled with cracks, chunks of stone falling to the floor.

Jen feinted, forcing Gustav to retreat. Glancing at the distance, Jen’s brow furrowed. He gripped his sword tightly and lunged forward.

With a hiss, Jen’s attack rushed toward Gustav, whose face darkened. He raised his sword high, and a whirlwind sprang up, forming a barrier of wind to block Jen’s strike. But this time, Jen unleashed his full power, disregarding everything, and with one blow pierced through the storm barrier, his blade driving straight for Gustav’s throat.

“Bold!” Gustav roared, raising his sword and hacking down hard, clashing fiercely with Jen’s blade. Sparks burst with a series of clangs, and powerful currents roared through the cavern, spraying stones and dust everywhere.

Gustav retreated, and at that moment, the smoke parted. A gleaming warblade shot from within, stabbing at him once again.

Despicable! Gustav cursed inwardly, but after matching Jen’s blow, he had little strength left. Patilina’s blade was relentless, giving him no room to dodge. Resigned, Gustav clenched his teeth and swung his sword forward.

Another resounding clang, and Gustav was flung back like a battered scarecrow. Injured and exhausted, he could no longer fight. Retreat was his only option, but Patilina had no intention of letting him go.

Patilina’s eyes gleamed as she watched Gustav. She raised her left hand, and an arm-thick shell materialized from the void. She loaded it into her spear with a loud snap, squinting and aiming ahead. Her right hand gripped the bolt beside the spear and pulled with force.

A thunderous explosion rang out; the shell shot toward Gustav.

“Cease this instant!” An angry shout echoed, and a barrier of holy light appeared, shielding Gustav. The next moment, Patilina’s shell struck the barrier without mercy.

With a bang, fire blossomed, and the barrier shattered like glass. Gustav’s figure was engulfed by the explosion.

Meanwhile, a system message appeared before Jen’s eyes.

[Legendary Sword Duelist defeated. 3,500 experience gained. Dungeon level upgraded to level four.]