The difference was immediate.

Aiden blocked the dual-axe orc’s strike with his longsword, and the impact was weaker than before while the orc’s Aura wasn’t as bright or oppressive. The greatsword orc’s movements were slower. The chain-wielder’s attacks lacked the enhanced speed they’d had minutes ago.

All three generals could feel it.

The Shaman’s buffs were completely gone.

The dual-axe orc spoke first in translated speech, his guttural voice rendering into English. "Something has changed," he said, lowering his weapons slightly. "The Shaman’s magic is no longer flowing through us."

He looked at Aiden with what might have been respect. "Which means the fire mage succeeded," he continued. "Our brother is dead."

The greatsword orc said nothing, just adjusted his stance and gripped his weapon tighter while his expression remained blank.

The chain-wielder spat blood onto the pavement. "The Shaman was always weak anyway," he snarled. "We don’t need his magic to kill these pathetic humans!"

Aiden was bleeding from multiple wounds sustained during the earlier fighting, with his ribs cracked from the greatsword orc’s earlier strike while his armor was dented and torn. But he could feel the difference too—the pressure from the generals was lighter now, and their attacks were manageable.

Callum stood beside him with his short sword ready, breathing hard while blood ran down his arms from cuts.

Number One repositioned with its gatling cannon tracking all three targets, though warning lights flashed across its damaged chassis showing the robot was running on borrowed time.

The fight was more balanced now without the Shaman’s buffs.

The dual-axe orc stepped forward, and the other two generals moved back slightly giving him space.

He addressed Aiden directly. "I am called Kravax," he said in translated speech. "A warrior of the Red King’s vanguard. I have fought across twelve worlds." He raised both axes. "You fight with comprehension beyond simple strength. Your sword carries Intent. That makes you worthy of a proper duel."

He tilted his head. "What is your name, warrior?"

"Aiden," he said briefly.

Kravax nodded. "I will remember it."

Then he attacked.

Both axes came at Aiden in a coordinated assault with the right axe high and left axe low, forcing Aiden to defend both angles simultaneously. Aiden blocked the high strike with his longsword reinforced by third-stage Sword Aura, then sidestepped the low strike using Phantom Step before his body blurred to the left. He countered with a thrust aimed at Kravax’s ribs but the orc parried with his left axe and swung the right at Aiden’s head.

CLANG!

The exchange was rapid and technical with both fighters displaying high-level skill.

They fought across the blood-soaked street with blow-by-blow choreography that tore up pavement and sent sparks flying. Kravax swung both axes in a cross-slash and Aiden blocked but the impact drove him back two meters while his boots tore trenches in the ground. Aiden responded with a horizontal slash enhanced by third-stage Sword Aura and first-stage Sword Intent working synergistically, the blade carrying not just power but fundamental comprehension of cutting.

The strike cut through Kravax’s Aura defense, drawing blood across the orc’s chest.

Kravax grunted and acknowledged the hit. "Good strike," he said, breathing heavily. "Your blade carries true understanding, not just technique. You comprehend what it means to cut."

He countered with a spinning attack using both axes that forced Aiden to use Phantom Step to dodge, and the axes missed but created wind pressure that CRACKED the pavement.

Mid-fight Kravax spoke about warrior code. "On our homeworld Valdris, warriors who master Aura are given titles and respect," he said while swinging his right axe. "You would have been honored there as a blade master. Your comprehension of the sword surpasses mere technique."

He blocked Aiden’s counter-strike with his left axe. "Does your world have similar traditions?" he asked.

"Had martial arts before the system came," Aiden responded briefly while defending.

Kravax nodded. "Some things are universal," he said. "Warriors recognize warriors regardless of world or species."

The fight continued with both taking damage.

Kravax landed a hit with his right axe that cut deep into Aiden’s left arm, and blood soaked through his sleeve. Aiden let second-stage Slaughter Intent flow through him, and the crimson pressure radiated outward making even Kravax hesitate for a fraction of a second. In that moment Aiden struck with a horizontal slash enhanced by both Sword Aura and Sword Intent cutting through Kravax’s armor and severing muscles in his right shoulder.

The right arm went partially limp and Kravax dropped that axe.

CLATTER.

Kravax fought with one axe now but didn’t complain or rage, continuing to press Aiden with strikes that were still deadly despite having only one weapon.

"This is how a warrior should die," he said between attacks. "In combat against a worthy opponent. Not in bed from age."

Aiden’s Slaughter Intent intensified, the crimson pressure growing heavier while his mismatched eyes went cold with killing focus.

Their final exchange was brutal.

Kravax swung his remaining axe in a powerful overhead chop with all his strength behind it. Aiden blocked with his longsword, then pivoted and drove the blade up under Kravax’s ribs with full Sword Aura and Intent behind it.

THUNK.

The longsword punched through armor, through flesh, through vital organs.

Kravax coughed blood and dropped his weapon, looking at Aiden with eyes that were already fading. "You fought with honor," he said in translated speech. "Your comprehension is worthy. Remember my name as I will remember yours."

Then his eyes went vacant and he fell forward.

THUD.

Aiden pulled his sword free and the body hit the ground heavily. One general dead. The dual-axe orc who fought with honor died standing his ground.

While Aiden dueled Kravax, Callum and Number One were fighting the chain-wielder.

The chain-wielder was laughing and taunting Callum throughout the fight. "Fight harder boy!" he yelled while his chain whipped in complex patterns. "Where’s your strength? You’re too young to be playing warrior!"

His chain came from multiple angles that kept both Callum and Number One on the defensive. Callum was bleeding from multiple cuts where the smaller spikes on the chain had caught him, and Number One had taken damage with dents across its chassis while one arm moved slowly from earlier impacts.

Then mid-swing Number One suddenly froze.

Its internal systems displayed a timer hitting zero as the six-hour summon limit expired. The robot’s eyes went dark and its body began dissolving into particles of light that faded away within seconds.

Callum watched in horror as his primary weapon and shield disappeared completely, leaving him suddenly alone with just his short sword against an Aura-wielding general.

The chain-wielder saw this and his grin widened showing sharp teeth. "Oh no, did your toy break?" he said in translated speech, laughing loudly. "Now what will you do little warrior?"

He started laughing and advanced on Callum with his chain spinning in a wide arc.

WHOOSH. WHOOSH.

Callum tried to block with his short sword but the chain wrapped around the blade and YANKED it from his grip, sending it clattering across the pavement ten meters away.

CLANG. CLANG. CLANG.

Callum stumbled backward now completely unarmed. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝐰𝚎𝕓𝐧𝚘𝘃𝗲𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝕞

The chain-wielder didn’t kill him immediately—instead he started toying with Callum deliberately. He swung the chain in strikes that came close but didn’t quite hit, making Callum dodge desperately while laughing the entire time.

"Dance for me boy!" he shouted. "Scream louder! Where’s your bravery now?"

Callum tried to reach his sword but the chain-wielder blocked his path with another swing that forced him to dive to the side.

The chain-wielder’s name was revealed through his taunting as Zar’goth, and his personality was fully shown now. He wasn’t interested in worthy opponents or honorable combat like Kravax—he specifically enjoyed tormenting the weak and powerless.

"Across twelve worlds the ones who scream the loudest are always the young ones!" Zar’goth yelled in translated speech. "The ones who thought they could be heroes! I’ve seen thousands like you, boys who picked up swords thinking they were special!" He swung his chain. "And I’ve killed every single one!"

The chain came down and the spiked axe head caught Callum’s shoulder, tearing through flesh.

RIP.

Callum screamed and Zar’goth laughed loudly. "YES! That’s the sound! That’s what I live for!"

He swung again and caught Callum’s leg, dropping him to one knee while blood poured from the wound. Callum was bleeding badly now with his left shoulder mangled and his right leg cut deep.

Zar’goth circled him slowly. "I’m going to make this last," he said, grinning widely. "Quick deaths are boring. The real fun is in watching hope die in their eyes before the body follows."

Callum tried to crawl toward his sword but Zar’goth stepped on his back, pinning him to the ground.

The orc leaned down. "Where’s your brother now?" he whispered in translated speech. "Where’s your metal pet? You’re alone boy, and alone means dead."

He raised his chain preparing to bring the axe head down on Callum’s spine—not to kill but to cripple.

But Aiden had finished killing Kravax and he saw what was happening.

Aiden moved with Phantom Step blurring across the distance, and his longsword came down in a vertical slash aimed at Zar’goth’s head.

WHOOSH.

The chain-wielder barely reacted in time, spinning away while the blade missed by inches.

Zar’goth snarled. "The big brother comes to save the little one," he spat. "How touching."

Aiden didn’t respond verbally, just positioning himself between Zar’goth and Callum. Second-stage Slaughter Intent erupted from him like a tidal wave, crimson pressure rolling outward in visible distortion of the air. The killing intent crashed down on Zar’goth making even the Aura-wielding general stumble backward with his eyes widening.

Zar’goth realized he was now facing Aiden one-on-one and that crushing crimson pressure was making his instincts scream danger.

But he was arrogant. "One human is the same as another!" he yelled. "I’ll kill you then finish the boy properly!"

Before he could attack the greatsword orc stepped in.

The silent executioner moved without warning, positioning himself between Aiden and Zar’goth while raising his massive blade and pointing it at Aiden.

It was clear he was claiming Aiden as his opponent.

Zar’goth cursed but accepted it, turning back toward Callum who was trying to stand.