Chapter 18: The Shadow Witch

In the castle's rear garden, David was engrossed in his Frostwolf Breathing Technique training.

Thanks to recent dual cultivation, his Frostwolf Bloodline had reached new heights.

Just moments ago, he felt as if he could grasp the pinnacle of Tier 3 knights, the threshold of breaking through to become a Tier 4 Earth Knight.

Of course, this was only a feeling.

Countless knights had reached this bottleneck, but only a select few geniuses ever managed to break through. Even with the aid of secret potions, most knights needed years to make progress at this stage.

On the continent, any knight who reached Tier 4 before the age of thirty was considered extraordinary.

"It seems I need another transformation from my bloodline," David mused.

If his Frostwolf Bloodline advanced to Tier 5, it might help him surpass this barrier.

Looking at the darkening sky, David noted that winter nights arrived particularly early. Although it was only around five o'clock, the world was already shrouded in darkness.

Thinking of his two beloved wives, he ended his training and began walking back to the castle, intending to dine with them before resuming his practice to hasten his breakthrough.

As he neared the castle, David suddenly halted.

His nose twitched as a strange scent wafted through the air. His expression hardened.

"Who's there? Show yourself!"

Drawing his knightly sword, he activated his Frostwolf Bloodline.

Before he could take another step, a figure darted from the shadows at astonishing speed.

Clang!

David reacted instantly, thrusting his sword forward.

The figure parried with a dagger, but the sheer physical strength of a Tier 3 peak knight sent them flying backward.

It was only then that David got a clear look at his attacker.

Dressed in tight black clothing, with a veil and hood obscuring their face, long black hair spilled out from beneath the hood.

"A female assassin?" David speculated instinctively.

Before he could say more, the assassin turned and attempted to flee.

But David wouldn't let her escape so easily.

Frostwolf Breath!

The chilling power of his Tier 4 Frostwolf Bloodline erupted, freezing the air around them.

The assassin's movements faltered as a wave of icy cold stiffened her muscles, leaving her unable to move.

She could only watch in horror as David's sword slashed toward her throat, the icy blade carrying a lethal edge.

At the last moment, the assassin's shadow writhed unnaturally, transforming into dark tendrils that intercepted the attack.

David's sword cleaved through the tendrils, but more emerged, writhing and reaching to ensnare him.

David retreated swiftly, his eyes narrowing. "A witch?"

The Shadow Witch dropped all pretense, muttering incantations under her breath. Dark tendrils surged from all directions, intent on binding David.

Slashing at the tendrils proved futile; the severed darkness reformed almost immediately.

Ordinary physical attacks were useless against this dark magic.

David's expression sharpened as he activated his internal battle energy. With a single empowered slash, the dark tendrils dissipated into black smoke.

"Tier 4 Earth Knight!"

This time, it was the witch who was stunned.

Battle energy was a power exclusive to Tier 4 Earth Knights.

She had been astonished to find the Frostwolf Duke had awakened his bloodline and possessed the strength of a Tier 3 knight. But now she realized the rumors were far from accurate.

The Frostwolf Duke wasn't a mere weakling—he was a monster rivaling the Silver Moon Kingdom's brightest star.

To reach Tier 4 before the age of twenty was beyond extraordinary. Even legendary knights had barely achieved such feats in their youth.

Overwhelmed, the Shadow Witch sought only to escape.

"Die!"

David unleashed his full power, refusing to let her go.

With another slash, his battle energy obliterated every dark tendril in its path, piercing through all defenses and striking directly at the witch.

The force of the attack shattered her barriers, and she felt the oppressive blade's energy rushing toward her.

At the last second, the Shadow Witch activated her shadow-walking ability. Her form dissolved into the shadows, narrowly avoiding the lethal strike. The blade's energy grazed her, severing her veil.

Beneath the veil was a face of unparalleled beauty. Even David momentarily faltered, his eyes flickering with surprise. But his hesitation lasted only an instant. Gripping his sword tightly, he prepared to deliver the final blow.

Yet, in that brief pause, the Shadow Witch vanished entirely into the shadows, escaping into the night.

"A shadow-walking ability?" David muttered, swinging his sword at the remaining shadows.

But the witch was already gone, her escape aided by her enigmatic powers.

The uncanny nature of magic was undeniable. Despite David's near Tier 4 strength, he hadn't managed to kill the witch who wielded shadow magic.

Picking up the fallen veil, David couldn't help but recall her stunning face. He sniffed the fabric, using his heightened senses to confirm that the witch had truly fled.

"Next time, I won't let you escape," he growled.

Though he didn't know her intentions, her stealthy approach was clearly hostile. He had no intention of sparing anyone who posed a threat to him or his domain.

Even if she was a witch, there would be no mercy.

David tucked the veil away, keeping his Frostwolf Ice Armor active as he scoured the area one last time before returning to the castle.

That night, Frostwolf Ridge was far from tranquil.

David, fueled by the adrenaline of battle, abandoned his usual tenderness, in

stead channeling his energy into relentless training. His determination to grow stronger burned brighter than ever.