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Chapter 37 - 18: Battle In The Street

Amid the roar of battle, the crack of a roof tile broke through the chaos. Ebren had just stepped over a fallen enemy when a shadow dropped onto him from above. It happened in the blink of an eye— A man had leapt from the edge of the rooftop, both hands clutching short blades, ready to plunge them into Ebren's back.

But someone saw it.

Terna didn't flinch.

He snapped his gaze upward and reached for his belt. His fingers found the dagger before thought could form. He bent his knee, shifted his weight slightly, drew back his arm—and hurled it.

The dagger sliced through the air and struck the airborne man square in the forehead.

The man didn't even gasp—he just spun mid-air like a bird with shattered wings.

He hit the ground flat on his back, eyes still open… staring at nothing.

Ebren turned around, but the attacker was already dead. He glanced at Terna, who merely shrugged and said with a calm edge:

"I've built reflexes for things dropping out of second floors."

Then he turned and drew his sword again.

The fight wasn't over.

In the narrow street, all hell had broken loose. Dust, blood, and the sound of clashing steel blurred into a single roar.

No one could see far—each man was locked into his own battle.

But then, a scream rose above it all.

A scream that tore into the bone.

One of the soldiers was caught in the grip of something monstrous. His attacker was no ordinary man. He was a giant—twice the size of the rest—like a walking siege weapon.

He wore a half-mask, and his eyes burned with brutal delight.

He stood behind the soldier, one hand on his head, the other pressing down on his shoulder. His eyes were red with bloodlust.

He paused.

Then slowly, he pushed his fingers into the soldier's eye sockets.

The scream that followed came from the man's soul. He thrashed, kicked—but the brute only laughed.

"Ah… I missed the fear of your kind," the giant whispered.

Then, with one hand still dug into the man's skull, the other drove down hard on the shoulder.

A crack

A rip

And a final, choking scream

The soldier's head tore free like a flower from its stem. The body slumped forward, knees buckling, then collapsed sideways.

The giant stared at the severed head for a moment, then tossed it aside like garbage.

His eyes locked with Attila's.

A grin stretched across his face.

"Now… it's your turn," he growled.

Bora saw the look in that monster's eyes and felt his blood turn to ice. He stepped back—but only for a moment. Then he clenched his jaw, balled his fists, and stared at the giant's back. The fallen soldier's face flashed before his eyes.

He drew his sword and charged.

With everything he had, he drove the blade between the brute's shoulder blades.

Steel bit into flesh and bone.

The beast let out a primal roar.

"GHHRRAAAGH!"

The giant slowly turned his head, eyes boring into Bora's soul. That was the moment Bora understood—this thing was no mere man. The sword was still lodged in the beast's back. The brute suddenly spun, swung his massive arm, and hurled Bora aside like a rag doll.

Bora hit the ground hard, face-first, breath knocked out of him.

The giant reached behind, grabbed the sword with one hand, and tore it free.

He looked at the blood, then at Bora.

Death gleamed in his eyes. He raised the sword

But then: vzzzt!

A dagger cut through the air and buried itself dead center in the monster's forehead.

The giant froze. The blade jutted out from his skull like a cursed relic.

He staggered. Dropped to one knee.

And finally collapsed with a bone-shaking thud.

Dust rose. Bora opened his eyes—barely.

Death had nearly claimed him, but not today.

He turned his head and saw Terna.

His face was stone cold,fury and relief fused into one. His left arm still hung in the throwing stance.

Terna said in a low, gravelly voice.

"No one gets to stab my friend in the back."

Then he walked over, reached out a hand.

"Come on, old wolf," he said with a smirk.

"This is just the beginning."

Bora was just about to grasp Terna's hand when...

Suddenly, Terna's eyes widened. A moment later, his body collapsed hard onto the ground.

"Terna?!" Bora cried out in horror.

Then he saw it— The dagger sticking out of Terna's back. Terna writhed in agony, his face twisted with unbearable pain. His breathing turned ragged, his hands clawing at his back. Blood was spilling fast, painting the cobblestones crimson.

Bora froze. His eyes slowly lifted.

A shadow.

Someone had crept up behind them—a hidden enemy. A smug glint of victory sparkled in the man's eyes. He raised his bloody dagger again.

Now it was Bora's turn.

A moment of silence...

Then: "fffSHHT!"

A sharp slicing sound tore through the air.

The man's body jerked.

His eyes went blank.

His head slumped to the side

The headless corpse fell like a felled pillar.

Ebren's sword was still raised. That earthy brown light pulsed at his forehead like a heartbeat. He stepped forward through the dust, each step heavy and calm. In his left hand, the bloody blade slowly lowered.

Bora was still stunned. Then he snapped back to reality, dropped to his knees, and leaned over Terna.

"Hold on, brother. Don't you dare close your eyes."

Terna's lips curled into a faint smile. He was in pain, but still conscious. He grabbed Bora's arm with a trembling hand. Bora's voice cracked with emotion as he whispered:

"That's twice now… you've saved my life."

Bora shook his head, eyes welling up.

"Damn this cursed city," he growled.

"I swear—we're getting out of here alive."

Ebren reached them, eyes sharp and unwavering.

"Get him inside. Find Tomris. We're not losing him."

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