The feeling of impending death was like falling into an ice cellar in an instant, the cold penetrating to the bone. A layer of frost formed on the surface of his skin, and his whole body froze, unable to move—as if the chill from the blade had already pierced his heart, even though the sword's edge had yet to touch him.
Brand felt his heart constrict suddenly. At that moment, he had no other thoughts, just an instinctive effort to dodge and avoid that lethal strike.
But it was still a little too late. Time seemed to pause at that moment, and he felt a slight sting on his back. Brand's nerves tightened, and he couldn't help but think:
Is this where it ends?
But at that very moment—
A blue light suddenly flashed from his body, and the sound of intersecting swords immediately echoed through the arena.
