"Metallic energy is recognized as one of the most powerful and ancient forces on Earth, believed to influence the planet at every level.
As humanity gradually learned to harness this energy, it unveiled extraordinary capabilities, discovering ways to enhance living standards and extend life itself. By mastering this formidable natural force, humans not only ensured their survival but also utilized it for a multitude of purposes, reshaping the trajectory of human history.
In ancient times, mythological beings regarded humans merely as sources of sustenance and servitude. To these formidable creatures, humans—fragile beings of flesh and blood—were inconsequential, even less significant than ants. These fearsome beasts treated humans like livestock, preparing them for their next meal.
Over time, humanity learned to manipulate this energy to prolong their existence, developing powerful weapons and structures to defend against the overwhelming strength of historical beasts.
In their struggle for survival, humans harnessed this metallic energy, banding together to form villages, cities, and ultimately powerful kingdoms, empowering both themselves and future generations.
The ability to harness and control this force of nature is arguably one of the most transformative milestones in human history. The foundation of humanity's dominion over this planet rests upon this metallic energy. Its potential is limitless, and even today, humanity continues to discover new applications and techniques for its use."
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**Present Time, Evening.**
Great Wilderness Continent.
Territory of the ‘Divine Water Mystic Academy.’
Serene City, East Division.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, the sky was bathed in a warm orange glow, while a brown moon began its ascent in the eastern expanse.
In a carriage, a strikingly woman gripped the reins with fierce determination, steering her horses toward the looming city gate, illuminated by the flickering light of stone lamps. The road ahead stretched straight for ten kilometers, divided into two lanes—one for incoming traffic, the other for those departing.
Drawing closer, she admired the city gate, crafted from a unique stone that shimmered under the lamplight, its impressive width of fifteen meters accentuated by a grand wall clock at its center. This modern timepiece, a creation of the illustrious inventor John Abraham, had replaced the ancient hourglass that once marked the passage of time. Alongside the clock, Abraham also introduced hand compasses, stone lamps, auto-carriages, farming tools, and other innovations that propelled humanity into a new era.
A throng of hundreds gathered at the gate, their murmurs blending with the evening air. In front of the entrance, a small booth housed two clerks meticulously recording names and addresses while collecting entry fees.
As Kelly approached her carriage, her heart raced in sync with the rhythmic clatter of hooves against the cobblestones.
“Next, what is your name?” called the man on the right.
“Kelly.”
“What is in the carriage?”
“My nephew... a boy. He is asleep; nothing else.”
“Where are you coming from?”
“From Elena Town.”
“Elena Town, good. And what is the purpose of your visit?”
Kelly hesitated, the weight of her recent trauma pressing heavily upon her. “A few hours ago, our town was attacked by beasts. I have come seeking shelter.”
The man raised his hand, signaling two guards with a flick of his finger. “Guards, check the carriage…”
Before he could finish, the man on the left, dressed in an elegant long red shirt emblazoned with the Lu family's insignia, black trousers, and a small black hat, interjected authoritatively, “My lady, you will come with me.” He stepped out of the booth, gesturing for her to enter the gate.
Surprise flickered across Kelly's face, but before she could voice her thoughts, the man on the right called out again, “Next.”
An elderly woman behind her shouted, “Why are you still standing there like a fool? Move your carriage; it is my turn now!”
Startled, Kelly climbed back into her carriage, complying with the man’s directive as she passed through the gate. After securing her carriage and horses at the stable beside the entrance, she collected her carriage token and began to follow the man, the child resting securely on her shoulder.
Moments later, anxiety coursed through her, prompting her to ask, “Sir, could you please tell me where we are going?”
“To the Lu family's residence,” he replied tersely.
Kelly's brow furrowed with concern. “To the Lu family residence? Why? I do not understand. Our town has already been attacked…”
Before she could finish, the man raised his hand, irritation creeping into his tone. “Support has already been dispatched to your town. Additionally, orders have been issued to nearby towns to safeguard those fleeing in fear.”
Internally, Kelly scoffed, a bitter realization settling in: 'Help to protect? If there were any ordinary people here, he might have believed it, but not me. Surely, the Lu family's officials have some hidden agenda, or perhaps they have made a significant demand of Lord Jihun.'
Doubt unfurled in her mind, yet her current situation urged her to trust the man. Moreover, they have already been seen by hundreds of people at the city gates and this was not the Lu family's territory, where they could act without consequence.
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As they navigated the bustling night street, the darkness deepened.
After a while, they arrived at a crossroads branching off in three directions within the city. The man confidently approached the fork and chose the third road on the right. After about ten minutes of walking, they took another right turn, delving deeper into the city's core.
In the dim light of the stone lamps, Kelly noted the houses and shops growing increasingly disordered and unkempt. Few individuals lingered nearby, their ragged clothing and furtive glances indicating this was a lawless area, inhabited by thieves and the destitute.
After trudging further, they encountered two roads diverging in opposite directions. Kelly followed the man down the dark right-hand path. Ahead, a few narrow alleys appeared like shadowy pits, waiting to ensnare the unsuspecting.
Suddenly, a foul odor assaulted her senses. As she looked around, she realized the stench emanated from heaps of garbage and nearby underground sewers. An unsettling silence enveloped the area; there were no signs of life.
Kelly forced herself to look ahead, suppressing any revulsion. The man had already begun moving toward the narrow alley.
The atmosphere grew heavy with darkness, silence, and decay, while the broken road was nearly swallowed by grass that reached up to her knees.
Anxiety surged through Kelly, causing her to freeze in her tracks. The seed of doubt had blossomed into a suffocating vine.
Placing a trembling hand on the boy's head, who slept peacefully on her shoulder, she said, “Sir, although I have never been to the city before, I am certain this road is not leading toward the esteemed Lu family residence…”
The man replied, his voice laced with excitement, “You are moving too slowly, and this is not taking you to the Lu family. It is leading you to your hell.”
This revelation hung in the air, a dark promise that left Kelly’s heart pounding, the shadows around them deepening as her fate spiraled out of her control. The tension thickened, each step forward becoming a descent into uncertainty, where trust and fear danced perilously close.
****
Kelly halted abruptly, her breath hitching as she felt the weight of the 10-year-old child resting on her left shoulder. A surge of anxiety coursed through her veins. “What are you saying? We’re in real danger here. Moreover Hundreds have seen us, So don't act funny..”
Lu Jo chuckled softly, a wicked grin curling at the corners of his mouth. “Your town is doomed. The authorities have ordered the complete annihilation of anyone who dares to escape your city. This isn’t just confined to this City; they’ve deployed forces to hunt down those fleeing in cities that remain unscathed by the blacklisted or evil metalists.”
“Is this some kind of sick joke?” Kelly’s voice dripped with disbelief. “How can people be so heartless? You’re worse than beast!!”
Lu Jo’s demeanor shifted, irritation lacing his tone. “Believe me, we’re just as shocked. While the powerful metalists of the East Region protect our homeland, at the same time, the blacklisted and evil metalists seize this chaos to unleash devastation across towns and cities. And yet, the higher-ups have deemed it necessary to eliminate a few cowardly souls escaping from a forgotten backwater town.”
Her voice softened, tinged with sorrow. “Cowards, perhaps. But they fled to save their lives and families. Their punishment doesn't have to be death. Even Lord Jihun has shown mercy.”
Lu Jo's eyes darkened, his voice slicing through the tension. “Enough with the family drama. Are you know why am I tell you this? Because When my enemy realizes there’s no escape, their death becomes inevitable. Watching them squirm is exhilarating, and that’s what I see in you now.”
Kelly's face drained of color as shock washed over her, instinctively stepping back. Lu Jo’s chilling laughter echoed ominously, “Ha! Don’t even think about running. You’re already within my sensing range. Defeating a first-level bronze stage like you will be child's play.”
The faint moonlight struggled to penetrate the oppressive darkness of the alley, surrounded by dense jungles and crumbling buildings. Though Kelly couldn’t fully discern Lu Jo’s brutish features, the madness in his laughter sent icy tendrils of fear down her spine. Realizing her precarious position, she steadied herself, bracing for the inevitable.
In the suffocating silence of the alley, Lu Jo sprang into action, intent on overpowering her and savoring the torment of his helpless prey. Without warning, he vanished, reappearing before her with an uncanny foot style, striking her abdomen with his right-handed claw.
This location held an internal core—a weak point for metal artists. Despite her vigilance, Kelly was caught off guard. With a swift sidestep, she twisted her body, narrowly evading the lethal blow.
BooooooooommmmmMmmm!!!!!!
The deafening sound reverberated in the air as Lu Jo's residual energy left a brownish imprint, crashing into the ground and creating a gaping hole over ten meters deep.
As Lu Jo advanced, Kelly retaliated, driving her left foot into his chest. Reacting swiftly, Lu Jo activated his defensive skill, 'Fourth Wall,' summoning a transparent yellow barrier that enveloped him, halting her attack and pushing her back slightly. Alarmed, Kelly retreated a few meters, creating a crucial distance between them.
Without hesitation, she cast a low-power binding spell, ensuring the child remained secure on her shoulder. A magical rope bound him to her side, a lifeline amidst the chaos.
Lu Jo, somewhat taken aback, remarked with surprising calmness, “It seems you excel in hand-to-hand combat. An ordinary bronze stage metal artist would have already been injured.”
With that, he summoned a sword from the ring on his right hand—an artifact crafted by formation masters, capable of holding countless items within its confines.
“Let’s see how my sword’s new spell fares against you. Try to block it if you can,” he challenged, the sword in his grip glowing a deep yellow, flames flickering around it like a fiery aura.
Kelly wasted no time, drawing her own sword and shield from her ring. Her weapons glowed with a light brown hue, slightly more subdued than Lu Jo's.
Lu Jo raised his sword high, conjuring three energy swords of deep yellow, each about one and a half meters long, floating ominously above him, aimed directly at Kelly.
With an arrogant laugh, he brought his ‘hand sword’ down in a swift vertical slash toward her.
Slash!!!!___Sinnngggghhh!!!!
The three energy swords surged toward Kelly with blinding speed, and her eyes widened in shock. Reacting instantly, she quickly invoked the visualization spell 'Water Shield,' conjuring a transparent magical barrier of brown color right in front of her shield.
Boooommm!!!Booommmm!!!!……. sheshshessh!!!!
Chaos erupted as the two swords collided with her shield, the third sword grazing it and striking Kelly.
Ttnnnnnggg!!!!! SheshhBooooooom.
In a deft maneuver, Kelly redirected the third energy sword with her own weapon, deflecting it away.
The energy sword struck an empty area, creating yet another ten-meter-deep hole.
Ultimately, the two energy swords breached her energy shield, surging toward her with relentless force. Yet, with perfect timing, Kelly shattered them with her handheld shield.
Tinnng!!!!Boomm.
The clash unleashed powerful energy waves, sending violent winds and deafening noise spiraling outward. The intensity obliterated nearby debris and crumbling concrete buildings into dust. The stench of destruction hung thick in the air, overwhelming any ordinary person.
As the dust settled, Lu Jo vanished from view, reappearing directly in front of Kelly, launching a powerful kick to her abdomen.
Pannnnnnnng!!!!!!!!!!
Despite her desperate attempt to block with her shield, the force sent her flying back nearly ten to twelve meters. Before crashing to the ground, she executed footwork art to regain her balance.
Cough!!! Drip!Drip!!? Hah__hah__hah.
Coughing blood, panting, and weary, Kelly steadied herself, placing her right hand protectively over the child’s body. Against the backdrop of chaos, the child remained blissfully unaware, resting against her shoulder, unscathed. A sigh of relief escaped her lips.
The rapid exchange between Lu Jo’s assault and Kelly’s defense unfolded in a heartbeat, beyond the comprehension of ordinary beings. To an untrained eye, it would appear as mere flashes of movement.
Lu Jo, surprised yet exhilarated, called out, “You truly are an experienced metal artist. Now, let’s see how you handle this attack.”
Boobooooooooooooom!!!!!!
***
