Chapter Twenty-One: Reckless Freedom

“Perhaps for you all, compromises must be made in reality due to these constraints. But as players immersed in the game, why should we be bound? Why can’t we indulge in a bit of reckless freedom? Isn’t the game itself a form of life?”

“Trapped Hero” murmured lowly, stamping his foot once again. In an instant, the ground trembled over a wide area, and the shadows began to spread outward once more.

“You’re nothing special,” sneered “Idle Talk,” a cold smile curling on his lips as he dashed forward like a specter. His right hand stretched out, fingers splayed, and he delivered a palm strike to Trapped Hero’s chest.

Yet in the next moment, Idle Talk caught a faint, cold smile flickering across Trapped Hero’s face—a smile so chilling that a flash of apprehension crossed Idle Talk’s eyes.

“What now? Help me out!” Huang Hong shouted, preparing to charge at Idle Talk.

“Wait, hold on a moment,” Ye Yu interrupted, blocking Huang Hong’s advance. His eyes narrowed as he observed the unfolding battle cautiously, uncertain whether intervening would aid Trapped Hero or inadvertently harm him.

“Is this all the leader of the Saints’ Realm can do?” Trapped Hero’s voice rang out suddenly. Ye Yu’s eyes widened in surprise as he clearly saw the shadows beneath Trapped Hero’s feet expanding, and at the edge of the shadowy mass, a dark form writhed. Slowly, it rose, taking shape into another image of Trapped Hero.

“What!” Idle Talk exclaimed in shock. As he attempted to withdraw his hand, Trapped Hero’s shadow double stood before him, both hands shooting up suddenly to grasp Idle Talk’s arm. Instantly, black flames erupted, engulfing both figures.

Idle Talk’s face twisted in astonishment as the black flames burned him fiercely, his health plummeting instantly. Trapped Hero’s skill drew energy from the shadows beneath him, converting and amplifying the black flames’ intensity. Such sustained burning damage was terrifying to Idle Talk.

Pain flickered across Idle Talk’s face as he unleashed a surge of inner strength, breaking free from the black flame’s grasp. Yet in that brief moment, the flames had already drained ten percent of his health.

Meanwhile, the entire Saints’ Bond territory was engulfed in shadows, as dark as ink. Trapped Hero stood within, commanding the black mist rising from the ground. In this moment, he was truly the “Witch King.”

Trapped Hero activated his “Witch Armor” skill. Black flames enveloped him in a blazing aura nearly five meters wide. Fearful, the Saints’ Realm members who had intended to close in quickly retreated, wary of the terrifying black fire.

Yet Wind Chaser and Moonlit Song remained nearby, their expressions calm and steady as they watched the scene unfold.

The black flames surged into Trapped Hero’s body, flowing gently around him. But after absorbing all the black fire, Trapped Hero’s health suddenly dropped by fifty percent, shocking those present.

Ye Yu’s heart stirred with astonishment. He hadn’t expected such a turn. Upon reflection, he discerned the uniqueness of Trapped Hero’s skill.

“What’s happening? Why did he suddenly lose half his health?” he wondered aloud.

“Third Brother, aren’t you going to act? This is dangerous,” came a prompt.

“That’s his skill,” Ye Yu realized and explained, “He sacrifices his own health to amplify his attributes and all attack damage, including the damage inherent in his skills, by multiple times. Given the current situation, it’s an ideal time to fight. Even with only half his health remaining, his strength is enough to easily crush players like Idle Talk.”

Ye Yu had deduced that Trapped Hero’s custom talent tree included a mechanism that allowed him to reduce his health to enhance his attributes and attack power. Absorbing the black flames and reaching a saturation point boosted his capabilities, but the health reduction also raised the ceiling on these enhancements.

“At this rate, his overall attribute multiplier and skill damage have increased by fifty percent. His combat power is now formidable, and a single misstep could cause the Saints’ Realm and Battle Song factions to suffer a disastrous defeat,” Ye Yu concluded.

His assessment precisely matched a skill in Trapped Hero’s custom talent tree. Though the attribute cap was raised by fifty percent, the skill damage amplification could reach seventy-five percent.

Within the shadow realm, Trapped Hero’s physical and magical attacks also leech life, enabling him to restore health through offense. With his enhanced attributes, his combat style truly lived up to the name “Witch King.”

Seeing Trapped Hero’s transformation, Idle Talk’s expression darkened, revealing deep unease.

Yet he steeled himself, recalling his hidden ace. With a sneer, he challenged, “Heh. I’ve long heard the Witch King can fight off multiple enemies alone. But I wonder if he can still stand when facing all three of us together?”

The taunt was meant to provoke, but Trapped Hero merely shrugged indifferently. “Whether I can or not, you’ll only know once you try.”

Sensing Idle Talk’s gaze, Wind Chaser and Moonlit Song’s faces grew serious. Wind Chaser looked somewhat reluctant but nonetheless joined Idle Talk and Moonlit Song in encircling Trapped Hero.

Trapped Hero’s expression tightened. Black flame armor appeared around him, not merely a fiery cloak but an actual suit of armor, complete with a helmet. The armor’s patterns emitted wisps of black flame.

Facing this formidable form, the three adversaries’ expressions hardened with wariness, having witnessed this state before.

“Heh, so the Witch King intends to fight seriously,” Idle Talk sneered, raising his right hand. “But don’t forget, I am the leader of the Saints’ Realm, and attacking your Saints’ Bond is not just the three of us. Nearly a hundred elite members have joined this assault. Do you really think you can beat us?”

As Idle Talk, Wind Chaser, and Moonlit Song attacked simultaneously, the elite members of Saints’ Realm and Battle Song brandished their weapons, readying to strike.

Suddenly, a pitch-black stone wall shot up from the ground, blocking Moonlit Song’s path. Yet Moonlit Song remained calm, a cold gleam flickering in his eyes. Drawing his long sword swiftly, a single horizontal slash cleaved the stone wall in two.

At that moment, a tall figure appeared before Moonlit Song. Momentarily stunned, Moonlit Song didn’t hesitate. Whoever blocked his path would be cut down.

This assault on Saints’ Bond had originally required extensive planning, but now it did not. The reason was simple: a fresh catalyst had ignited the conflict, making the destruction of Saints’ Bond an absolute must.

Ye Yu regarded the newcomer without much thought; he didn’t even draw his guqin but prepared to fight with both hands.

Suddenly, a dazzling purple light burst from Ye Yu’s palm. A gust of invisible wind pushed Moonlit Song back several meters. Landing firmly, Ye Yu lunged forward, delivering a right elbow strike that slammed Moonlit Song against a nearby wall.

Boom—

Ye Yu vanished from Moonlit Song’s sight as if he had never existed.

Meanwhile, Huang Hong and Qu Zheng dashed together behind Wind Chaser. Grabbing his shoulders, they pulled him back with force. Both fists struck simultaneously, knocking Wind Chaser’s health down by seventy percent, leaving him on the brink of death.

Qu Zheng drew a dagger and kicked Wind Chaser away. In an instant, two silver streaks darted around Wind Chaser, culminating in a brilliant flash that reduced his health to ten percent.

At the same time, Huang Hong appeared before the elite members of Saints’ Realm and Battle Song. Lo Wei and Tan Cong flanked him.

The three wore cold expressions and spoke in unison, “Sorry.”

Boom—

Huang Hong’s spear swept across the ground five meters ahead, leaving a crimson scar that flared with fiery red flames. His eyes burned with arrogant battle intent as he declared, “Cross this line, and what awaits you is beyond your imagination.”

“You may want to roam freely, but only if you have the chance,” Ye Yu’s figure suddenly appeared behind Trapped Hero. Placing a hand gently on his shoulder, he smiled warmly, a subtle amusement in his eyes.

Trapped Hero blinked in surprise, not expecting “Cool Night” to appear. A smile spread across his face as black flames coalesced into a spear in his hand. He replied, “Reckless and free, joy in freedom.”

His gaze locked with Idle Talk’s in the distance. “I didn’t expect you all here. I sensed a few figures hiding nearby and was prepared, but never thought it would be you.”

“Ha! Does that make you happy? If you thought they were enemies, this fight would have ended badly for you,” Ye Yu teased.

“Indeed, it would have been disastrous if you were hiding in the shadows. Standing with them, I would have been utterly miserable.”

“But let me make one thing clear—help comes with conditions,” Ye Yu smiled slyly, his expression like that of a cunning tiger.

Seeing Cool Night’s smile, Trapped Hero shook his head with a wry grin. “Are you planning to invite me into your Purple Illusion Realm?”

Ye Yu shrugged. “Some things are better left unsaid. You can bring your Saints’ Bond brothers with you, and I won’t interfere with your freedom. All rights remain yours, just as within Saints’ Bond. What do you say?”

Trapped Hero chuckled, “Looks like I can’t escape after all. Ha ha.”

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