Chapter 4

**Bang!**

Tang En smashed the bandit's leg bone with a single strike, then helped the woman up and handed her over to Fiona.

The woman, still in shock, trembled uncontrollably, not knowing how to thank Tang En.

"It's okay."

After saying this, Tang En looked at the bandit again, "How many of you are there?"

"You dare to resist? Brother Lake will definitely kill you!"

The bandit was not afraid of Tang En at all, clenching his teeth and refusing to reveal any information.

Tang En's eyes turned cold, "Since that's the case, you die first."

Tang En smashed the bandit's head with a single strike.

To him, the number of bandits didn't matter. Since he wouldn't talk, he would kill them one by one.

Tang En calmly surveyed the surroundings, a habit he had developed from the game. As a mage, he must always be aware of his environment.

Elington was somewhat different from the game. The buildings here were more chaotic, with no overall planning. The ground was covered with gravel, and the gaps between houses were unreasonable, making it easy for enemies to hide.

"Scum of Elington, die—"

Tang En casually smashed the bandit's head with a stick, silently counting, "The eighth one."

As they got closer to the town center, they encountered more and more bandits.

Suddenly, a bandit rushed out of a house, cursing and carrying a large bag of food. Seeing that Tang En hadn't fled, he excitedly threw the food and charged with his sword.

There were still people who hadn't run away...

The bandit grinned and lunged at Tang En.

Tang En took a step back, and when the bandit lunged, he quickly thrust the long stick forward.

*Pfft!*

The long stick, covered in blood, easily pierced the bandit's heart.

"The ninth one."

Tang En pulled out the long stick and flicked it, and the bandit's body fell to the ground.

The residents of the house rushed out to retrieve the food and quickly closed the door after a quick glance at Tang En.

Tang En was speechless.

Where was the Elington militia?

Tang En frowned. In the face of an enemy attack, there wasn't even a single guard to be seen. He shook his head in disappointment.

Tang En continued walking, with Fiona following at a distance, hiding in the corners. She watched Tang En slaughter the bandits with ease, feeling both amazed and admiring.

But she was also full of questions.

He was clearly a powerful mage, yet why was he so skilled in close combat? Although she hadn't seen Tang En use any combat techniques, he had killed so many bandits with brute force—was he that strong?

Tang En's steps paused, and his pupils constricted.

On the square ahead, a little girl was standing there, crying helplessly. The villagers were fleeing in panic, and no one paid attention to her, making her look so lonely and helpless.

The houses were being set on fire by the bandits, and the air was filled with flames, smoke, chaos, and bodies. The dark sky was filled with the mournful cries of birds, foretelling an ominous future.

The little girl stood there, her hair and face dirty from the smoke, with tears streaming down her face.

"Big sister Elisa... sniff... where are you... Ilyas is so scared..."

Ilyas cried and walked, but the fleeing villagers paid no attention to her, even deliberately avoiding her as they ran.

"Die, all of you!!"

The bandits charged into the crowd, their cavalry swords mercilessly taking the lives of the villagers. The air was filled with the screams of the dying and the stench of blood.

This was a slaughter, a cruel and senseless slaughter.

Seeing the bodies of the villagers, Ilyas stood there in shock. Despite being ostracized and discriminated against, seeing familiar faces fall made her terrified.

Death had never been so close to her.

"Brat, die!"

A bandit on horseback grinned and charged at Ilyas, his horse's hooves raised high. It seemed she was about to be trampled to death.

Ilyas stood there, suddenly screaming, and a faint light appeared around her, distorting the air...

Tang En was startled, his face changing. Without hesitation, he rushed forward, scooped her up, and rolled away from the horse's hooves.

"Another Elington scum—kill!"

The bandit spurred his horse, which charged at Tang En with a neigh.

The long sword in his hand glinted with a cold light.

Fiona, standing far away, was terrified and shouted, "Be careful!"

Tang En pressed Ilyas to the ground, and she cried out, lying there. He swung his long stick at the horse's legs, and the horse fell with a thud, throwing the bandit off.

But the bandit had already adjusted his posture and rolled to his feet, cursing at Tang En, "You dare to hurt my horse! I'll tear you to pieces!"

The bandit raised his sword and slashed at Tang En's neck!

Tang En didn't even look at him, striking the bandit's head with a single blow, and then gently asked Ilyas, "Are you okay?"

"I... I'm fine..."

Ilyas, who had never felt the sensation of being held before, was already scared stiff, her face blackened by the smoke, with clear tear marks.

"Okay, I'll protect you. You're safe now."

Tang En patted her head and stood up.

The sound of hooves grew louder, and a cold light approached!

*Clang, clang, clang—*

Tang En held Ilyas with his left hand and blocked the series of attacks with his right hand. The strength of the attacker made his arm tingle, and he was surprised.

"Huh?"

His attacks were ineffective, and Lake couldn't help but exclaim, his mind filled with doubts. The strange woman Elsa had been summoned by the militia captain Ronnie to defend the lord's house. How could someone in this town block his attacks?

He was a Bronze Rank 2 swordsman!

His strength was greater than his!

And he had blocked his attack without even looking, with such skill—like a veteran of many battles—no, even more skilled, this was a master-level technique!

Was he an expert!?

How could this be!

Lake's gaze suddenly fell on Ilyas, and he felt a surge of suspicion. He increased his strength and attacked Tang En with all his might!

The cavalry sword thrust, slashed, and cut, all aimed at Ilyas in Tang En's arms!

Ilyas was terrified by the sword's light, and the faint light appeared around her again.

Feeling the magic power so close, Tang En confirmed his suspicions and was even more surprised.

He defended against Lake's attacks while comforting Ilyas, "Ilyas! Calm down! Calm down! I'll protect you, everything will be fine!"

"Hmph! Big talk!"

Lake sneered, "Prove it by surviving my attacks!"

*Clang, clang, clang*—they exchanged several blows, sparks flying. Although Lake was sweating, his expression was calm, and he hadn't made a single mistake since the fight began—he couldn't afford to.

*Clang!*

Damn! Blocked again!

Lake was furious. His sword skills were among the best in the one-eyed Buck's gang, or Buck wouldn't have entrusted him with such an important task.

But now he found that his strength and skills were useless. His attacks were always influenced by the other party. He aimed for the brat's neck, but the other party's slight push made his attack miss, even hitting the ground!

What made Lake angriest was that the other party didn't even have a proper weapon, just a simple long stick!

And his sharp cavalry sword, which glowed faintly, was a minor light magic weapon!

Someone used a long stick to block a Bronze Rank 2 swordsman's attack, and the swordsman's weapon was a minor light magic weapon!

Who would believe this!?

Lake suddenly recalled the feeling of facing his instructor in the training ground—yes, that overwhelming pressure!

This can't be!

Lake felt fear but quickly suppressed it. How could there be such a powerful person in a small town like Elington?

It must be an illusion!

With this thought, Lake tightened his grip on his cavalry sword and slashed at Ilyas with lightning speed!

"Hmph!"

Tang En coldly snorted, and his long stick shot out like a venomous snake, aiming for the other party's chest!

Lake was startled and quickly withdrew, abandoning his attack!

Hearing the sharp sound of the stick breaking the air, Lake broke out in a cold sweat.

That attack, even he would have died instantly if hit!

"I didn't expect Elington to have such a skilled expert. This is surprising... But since you killed my men, you must be prepared to return to Grithlunds."

"Save your breath, come if you want to die."

Tang En didn't have time to waste words with Lake. He needed to calm Ilyas down. If the little girl lost control and caused a magic explosion, Elington would be reduced to ashes...

"Arrogant fool!"

Before he finished speaking, Lake charged again!

Combat skill—Heroic Strike!

Using blood energy to enhance his strength, his weapon dealt double damage.

The sword glowed red, and the sword energy rushed forward!

Tang En calmly raised his long stick. If it were just him, he could easily defeat Lake, but now he needed to calm Ilyas, which made things complicated.

This little girl was more troublesome and important than Lake.

*Bang!*

Fragments flew, and the wooden stick was shattered by the blood energy.

Lake laughed maniacally and swung his sword at Tang En's neck, "You thought a mere stick could block my combat skill? Die!"

*Clang.*

A light sound, and Lake saw the finger in front of his sword, frozen in place.

"Annoying."

Tang En flicked his finger, and a powerful force sent Lake stumbling back several steps, his face full of disbelief.

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**End of Chapter**