The Way of KnightChapter 19 – The Fall of Iron FangThe Battle That Shook the Night
The swamp trembled beneath their clash. Fenrir's molten-red aura and Klaus' stormy blue swirled violently, lighting the mist with searing brilliance. Every strike cracked the mire, every clash of blades rang like thunder.
CLAAANNGGG!
Fenrir's sword shuddered violently, nearly torn from his grip. Blood ran down his fingers, yet his gaze burned brighter than the magma wrapping his blade.
Klaus roared, fury twisting his scarred face. His left shoulder still bled from the earlier wound, but his sheer brute force made him a beast.
"Boy! Do you think you can defeat Klaus, the Iron Fang, with nothing but guts?!"
Fenrir locked his trembling blade against the greatsword, teeth grinding. "I have no choice but to win!"
Klaus raised his greatsword high, aura bursting like a storm.
WUUUUSHHHH—BOOM!
The vertical strike split the swamp in two, mud and water spraying skyward. Three Eisenwald boys were flung aside, broken and unmoving.
Fenrir darted aside, aura leaving red trails like burning embers in the mist. His sword bit into the mire to steady himself.
Raw strength is insane… I can't meet it head-on. I have to wear him down.
Fenrir stepped forward again, his sword slashing quick and sharp—not killing blows, but to force Klaus into defense.
CLANG!
SHRRRAK!
CLANG!
Each exchange drained Klaus further, his wounded shoulder trembling, his grip faltering.
Fenrir pressed harder, his lava aura glowing hotter, making the swamp steam as though a volcano had erupted beneath their feet.
"Gods above… that boy is a demon," a mercenary muttered, fear creeping into his tone.
Klaus snarled. "I won't be beaten by a brat!"
He unleashed Aura Burst once more. A blue tempest exploded outward, forcing even Fenrir back several steps.
Fenrir stabbed his sword into the ground, breath ragged, chest heaving. Yet his crimson eyes gleamed sharper than ever.
"I've learned one thing," he whispered. His voice was steady despite his exhaustion. "Aura isn't just for shielding… it's for piercing, at the moment a crack appears."
He channeled every drop of aura into his sword. The magma-red glow became blinding, as if the blade itself had been forged from a volcano's heart.
Klaus roared, swinging down his massive greatsword. Fenrir charged forward.
BOOOOMMMMMM!
Red fire and blue storm collided, the swamp erupting in searing light. Earth split, mud boiled, air shuddered with the sheer force of their power.
But this time, Fenrir did not falter. His molten aura crawled along Klaus' blade, eating into the steel until it hissed and smoked.
"Impossible!" Klaus screamed, eyes wide with horror.
Fenrir twisted, ripping the greatsword from Klaus' hands. In one seamless motion, his lava sword thrust forward.
SHHRRRAAAKKK!
The blade pierced Klaus' chest, searing his blood as steam hissed from the wound.
Klaus froze, blood gushing from his lips. His once-predatory eyes dimmed. With his final breath, he rasped, "Boy… you are… no mere human…"
His body collapsed into the mire with a heavy bluuuggghh, his aura extinguishing like a dying flame.
Fenrir stood trembling, drenched in blood and sweat, his sword glowing faintly red.
For a heartbeat, silence reigned. Then the Eisenwald militia erupted in a thunderous cheer.
"The commander is dead!"
"Our Baron has won!"
Their cries shook the swamp, while the mercenaries faltered, fear cracking their will.
Status Update
A familiar panel glimmered before Fenrir's weary eyes.
🔻 [Status – Fenrir Eisenwald] 🔻
Age: 13
Level: 6
EXP: 1200 / 4000
Aura: 62
Stamina: 66
Strength: 49
Cunning: 61
Charisma: 47
Mental Fortitude: 58
Skills:
[Aura Control Lv.2] – Aura flows sharper, extends sword reach. [Swordsmanship Lv.2] – Intermediate slashes, thrusts, parries. [Leadership Lv.3] – Grants +15% morale to small units. [Tactical Instinct Lv.2] – Reads flow of battle quicker.
Trait:
[Wounds That Shape] – Trauma fuels growth after battle.
Rewards:
Title Earned: Slayer of Iron Fang Item Acquired: Klaus' Greatsword (Damaged, Aura-Singed).
Fenrir's body trembled, his sword heavy in his grip. Yet as he looked upon the cheering youths of Eisenwald, pride and grim determination filled his heart.
I did it. But if mercenaries of Klaus' caliber are being sent here… then greater powers are moving against us.
The swamp lay still once more, but in its silence echoed the truth: this victory was only the beginning of a far larger war.
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