Chapter 72

System: Health 67/300

System: Warning! Host's health has dropped below 100, entering critical injury state.

System: "Swordsmanship Subtlety" activated.

System: New mission, kill the target in front of you, level up to 31, skill tree unlocked.

...

A series of system messages appeared in Xiaolan's mind, but he did not let them distract him, as any distraction in battle would only hasten his death.

His sword burst forth at its fastest speed, forcing Geiger to retreat in an instant. As he backed away, the short blade that had pierced his abdomen pulled out, leaving a trail of bright red blood splattered on the green grass under the moonlight.

He clutched his stomach, the flow of qi within his body rapidly controlling the muscles to stop the blood loss. Large beads of sweat slowly slid down his cheeks, and even his usually tough face showed a subtle sign of pain.

If the short blade had been just a bit off, it would have struck a vital spot, but it didn't. Otherwise, he wouldn't even have the strength to stand now.

The system messages, which provided a brief moment of safety, made his hand holding the sword tremble even more, but this time from excitement.

"Swordsmanship Subtlety": When the host is in a critical injury state, the skill activates automatically, bringing the host's swordsmanship to a subtle state. It deactivates automatically when the host is no longer in a critical injury state.

Xiaolan had a good reason to stop and face his pursuer. "Swordsmanship Subtlety" was his greatest reliance. He knew that to defeat a stronger swordsman of the same rank, apart from type-specific advantages, the skill that could tip the balance was the key to victory.

He was a man who feared death, and fighting without a chance of winning was no different from seeking death.

He knew his own abilities better than anyone. He was not a genius, and without the system skills, he would be weaker than many swordsmen of the same rank, for he lacked a true fighting spirit.

Fighting without fear.

Even in the face of the threat of death, a true hero would dare to draw his sword and fight. Xiaolan would not, not unless he was truly cornered, at which point he would burst with courage.

"Scared?"

The voice came from Geiger, perhaps noticing his trembling. The moonlight cast a cruel smile on his face, making it look eerily cold.

"When I decided to catch you, I swore to drain every drop of blood from your body. Do you think you could have survived until now otherwise?"

He had held back.

This was the first thing Xiaolan thought. If he hadn't held back, that strike would have hit a vital spot and completely incapacitated him.

This also explained why the blade had been off target, as he didn't believe anyone would hold back in a life-or-death struggle.

He suddenly felt an urge to thank him.

"Don't worry, I won't let you die easily. You can be grateful for the extra time you have in this world. Of course, if you want to thank me, I'd be happy to accept."

Geiger licked the short blade that had pierced the other's body, the remaining blood slowly disappearing with each lick.

Salty, sweet.

"Thank you."

The pain made his breathing heavy, but Xiaolan looked at him with a serious expression.

"Interesting."

Geiger seemed surprised by Xiaolan's response, then his smile grew wider. "To show my gratitude, I'll make sure your death is even more painful!"

"To show my gratitude, I'll make sure your death is quick." Xiaolan said seriously.

"Ha ha ha—"

After Geiger's laughter, his face turned grim. He didn't like this joke.

So, his body moved again, and the cold light of his short blade returned.

Xiaolan's body was relaxed, and his sword made no movement, as if he was willingly waiting for death.

Geiger's brow furrowed slightly, unnoticed, as he had questions and was puzzled.

But this did not stop his steps.

Xiaolan watched his short blade, watched his attack. In his eyes and mind, every move, every detail of the opponent was completely exposed.

His mind was incredibly calm and rational at this moment.

The subtlety of swordsmanship was not just in the sword, but also in observation.

He could clearly see what the opponent was going to do and what he would do next. All he needed to do was swing his sword before the opponent made a move.

So, he swung his sword.

His speed was not as fast, but the advance prediction completely made up for this gap, even surpassing it.

The blade aimed at Xiaolan's neck was like a venomous snake's strike, swift and ruthless, but Geiger's blade did not cut down, because the opponent's sword moved, blocking his attack trajectory.

If he didn't retract the blade, his wrist would be cut off.

But this was not the first time he had encountered such a situation. His reaction was quick. As he decided to retract the blade, another short blade in his other hand quickly stabbed at the opponent's face, aiming for the eye socket.

If the opponent blocked this blade, the other short blade would follow through; if he retreated, the opponent would be completely on the defensive.

His combat mind was meticulous, but he did not expect the opponent's sword to not block, as his body bent like a soft ribbon, making his attack miss.

Impossible!

This was the first thing Geiger thought, because the opponent's reaction actually exceeded his speed.

But he had no time to ponder this surprise. As the opponent bent, his sword moved upward, drawing a silver slash toward the exposed part of his body.

After the dual blades crossed in front of his chest to block the attack, the force of the slash was not strong and did not pose a serious threat. Just as he was about to push the sword away and prepare to attack again, Geiger suddenly felt the blades lighten. The instinct of his body under the threat of death made him turn his head.

A cool sensation, a spray of blood.

As Geiger retreated, he clutched his neck. The moment the pain hit his brain, he realized he was injured.

A shallow but not deep sword cut opened on his flesh, and blood slowly flowed down. Geiger did not pay attention to this minor injury; the flow of qi within his body would quickly seal the wound.

His eyes fixed on the opponent, this was the first time he felt cautious.

From the aura the opponent exuded, he could tell that the opponent was indeed a newly promoted high-ranking swordsman, and one with a similar specialization.

He was not stronger, this was an undeniable fact.

From his pursuit and the strike that pierced him, he could see that he was not his match.

But this person had injured him.

An unbelievable reaction, an incredibly precise counterattack, such a sudden change.

"Who are you?"

He asked.

"Delan Xiaolan."

"Seo Geiger."

Geiger took a deep breath, whenever he encountered a powerful and interesting opponent, he could not stop the excitement in his heart. He needed to calm his agitated mind.

"Now, you are a worthy opponent for me to take seriously."

Geiger's words did not affect Xiaolan. In his view, as long as the opponent was not a peak high-ranking swordsman, he could kill him.

In his eyes, the opponent was already a dead man, and he did not take a dead man's words seriously.

He enjoyed his current state, although his speed and reaction were reduced due to his critical injury, once he entered the subtle state, these were no longer important.

He felt as if he had grabbed the thread of the opponent's fate, tightly pulling it, controlling the opponent like a puppet.

But, time did not allow him to enjoy this any longer.

He needed to end the fight quickly.