As Rojen clashed with the Vice Admiral on the southern coast of Baterilla Island, the sky unleashed a torrential downpour, and thunder roared across the sky.
Jason, accompanied by Lordling and Rouge, sprinted swiftly toward a hidden forest.
Lordling, perched on Rouge's shoulder, held an umbrella aloft to shield her from the rain.
"Boom!"
A deafening explosion echoed in the distance, sending tremors through the entire island. The trio's pupils narrowed as they felt the ground shake beneath their feet.
"That's his move." Jason and Lordling exchanged a glance, their expressions hardening.
To ensure their safe escape, Rojen had chosen to reveal himself and confront the enemy head-on.
"Let's go!"
With a low shout, they quickened their pace.
A quarter of an hour later, Rouge gazed curiously at the dense forest ahead. They had reached a remote corner of Baterilla Island, a place rarely visited by anyone. Yet, what she saw next left her stunned.
A ship?!
Setting aside her surprise at finding a ship here, she was even more baffled by how it had come ashore. The vessel wasn't massive, but it was roughly 20-30 meters long— its sheer weight would make it nearly impossible to return to the sea once grounded.
Rouge glanced toward the ocean, three hundred meters away, and her confusion deepened.
There was nothing else around; this was indeed the most secluded part of Baterilla Island.
"Meow, meow meow!"
Lordling began urging Jason forward.
Jason took a deep breath, his eyes fixed on [The Logan], and stepped toward the ship.
Rouge watched him, bewildered, unsure of what he intended to do.
But just three breaths later, she witnessed something astonishing.
"Ha!"
Jason exhaled sharply, pressing both hands against the hull of [The Logan].
"Boom!"
The massive ship let out a thunderous groan as Jason, gritting his teeth, lifted it with sheer physical strength.
"Up!"
Rouge's eyes widened in disbelief. She had never seen anyone capable of such a feat— lifting a ship with raw power alone!
"Creak, creak!"
Jason took another deep breath, hoisting [The Logan] onto his shoulders, and began to move.
"Let's go!"
He even managed to remind Rouge, who was still in a daze.
Compared to the enormous size of [The Logan], Jason's robust frame seemed almost small. Yet, it was this very body that carried the immense weight of the ship forward.
"Boom, boom, boom, boom!"
Each step left a deep imprint in the ground as Jason trudged onward.
After a grueling ten minutes, the trio finally reached the coastline.
"Boom!"
Amidst the thunder, Jason exhaled once more and gently placed [The Logan] into the sea.
"Alright, we're getting on the ship and leaving immediately!" Jason's voice was firm as he spoke.
Rouge couldn't help but steal another glance at him. This man's strength was nothing short of extraordinary.
"Almost there. Once we're out of this sea region, the captain can make a swift escape." Jason reminded her.
The two, along with the cat, quickly boarded the ship. Jason took the helm, steering them through the storm as they sped away from Baterilla Island.
"Crackle!"
Golden lightning split the sky, illuminating half the heavens.
Raindrops streamed down Rojen's face as he stood on the deck of the warship, locked in a fierce stare with Vice Admiral Moya. Their eyes were sharp, and in that brief exchange, both recognized the other as a formidable opponent.
In an instant, lightning flashed again.
Rojen's foot shifted, and he surged forward.
This time, he didn't draw his blade, nor did he employ the Dugu Nine Swords.
"Sing!"
The sharp ring of steel cut through the air as Rojen surged forward like a shooting star, his blade aimed squarely at Moya.
To Moya, Rojen seemed to transform into a coiling dragon, spiraling skyward with thunderous momentum, sending a shiver down his spine.
"What kind of swordsmanship is this?!"
Confusion flickered in Moya's eyes once more.
"Dá dá dá dá!"
A rapid series of footsteps echoed, growing faster until they merged into a single, thunderous rhythm.
In an instant, Rojen's sword was already within striking distance.
"So fast!"
Moya's pupils narrowed; this strike was even quicker than a blade draw. But there was a crucial difference— the blade draw relied on the speed of unsheathing the sword, while this attack was about the sheer velocity of the swordsman himself.
Rojen's sword, his body— everything seemed to blur into a streak of light. Moya could no longer see Rojen's figure, only the blade slicing through the endless rain.
It was as if the sword itself had taken flight!
"Hundred Steps Flying Sword!"
A fierce glint flashed in Moya's eyes as the sword closed in silently, almost imperceptibly.
"Clang!"
Moya's heart pounded as he swung his dual swords to block the strike.
He'd parried it!
For a moment, he allowed himself a breath of relief, but the sheer speed of the attack left him disoriented. He couldn't read Rojen's movements, and this unfamiliar style put him at a clear disadvantage.
But a heartbeat later, Moya's eyes widened in shock, his pulse quickening.
"What?!"
The sword he'd just blocked suddenly slipped from Rojen's grasp.
"What's happening?"
Moya had never seen anyone dare to release their weapon mid-battle.
That was suicide!
His eyes narrowed, and he prepared to counterattack.
Yet, the long sword that had clashed with his dual blades seemed to move of its own accord, the blade spinning with terrifying speed.
The sound of steel slicing through rain filled the air as the sword darted toward his neck.
Then, with a swift slash, it was over.
In the same instant, Rojen brushed past him.
Everything happened in the blink of an eye, a fleeting moment amidst the thunderous storm.
Dazed, Moya reached up to touch his neck, his fingers coming away warm with blood.
"I'm injured!"
A surge of rage erupted within him.
"Good, very good!"
"Strong, you're truly strong!"
Meanwhile, standing back-to-back with Moya, Rojen gripped his sword in his left hand, his expression grave.
"Is it still not over?"
The two stood motionless, letting the rain pour down, neither turning to face the other.
"Hoo, hoo!"
Moya's heavy breathing was audible; even with his tekkai activated at the last moment, it hadn't been enough.
His neck, the most vulnerable part of his body, had still been struck. The wound was severe, and he could feel his life force ebbing with every labored breath.
Yet, he refused to yield.
As long as he stood, he hadn't lost!
"Rojen!"
With a furious roar, Moya spun around, his dual swords slashing through the air as he launched another attack.
(End of This Chapter)
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