Black and White

The two attackers, known as the Black and White Sisters, glared at Ash with irritation. "Why are you in our way?" Black demanded.

"We have a quest to annihilate everyone in this village," she added coldly.

Ash frowned, his voice firm. "Leave this village, or I will kill you both."

"Haah? You think you can kill us?" they sneered in unison.

Their laughter echoed around them, mocking his threat. Despite their hostility, Ash couldn't help but notice that they were both strikingly beautiful—tall with graceful curves and flawless faces—but their souls were as dark as night.

"Very well then," Ash said, his expression unyielding. In an instant, he unleashed Pagma's Sword Dance: Restraint, followed by the Mortality Sword technique.

[You have dealt 500,524 damage to Black.]

[You have dealt 558,970 damage to White.]

The sisters' confidence shattered as they realized the extent of Ash's power. "This is impossible," they thought in disbelief as their lives were snuffed out.

However, Ash noticed something peculiar. "Why didn't you kill them for good?" he asked Mercedes.

"I did kill her, but she came back," Mercedes explained, her tone frustrated. And indeed, Black reappeared, seething with rage.

"You bastard, you killed my sister!" she screamed, launching herself at Ash in fury.

Ash narrowed his eyes. "A resurrection skill," he thought.

Once again, Ash struck her down, but this time, he used a Detection spell. "Got it," he muttered.

Black's eyes widened in shock as Ash suddenly appeared in front of her, cutting off her escape. "H-How did you...?" she stammered, terrified.

In a flash, Ash used Blink, materializing directly behind the real Black. Unlike the illusions she created, her true form was far from beautiful—a scrawny figure, more bones than flesh, utterly devoid of the allure her illusions projected.

Black's class was that of an Illusionist, giving her the power to turn fantasies into reality. She could create the perfect beings or places, granting her illusions immortal resurrection abilities. In many ways, she was like a god. The Black that Mercedes had fought was merely an illusion, a puppet in her twisted game.

"DON'T YOU DARE LOOK AT ME LIKE THAT!" Black shrieked, furious at the way Ash regarded her with a mixture of pity and contempt.

"You have an interesting summoning skill," Ash remarked calmly before delivering the final blow, ending her this time.

[The player Black has been killed!]

[The punishment of the wicked has increased your reputation by 2,000!]

Ash glanced at the items dropped by the defeated enemies.

[Ring of Absurdity]

Rating: Legendary

Durability: 7/10

Effects:Reduces the resources consumed by magic or a skill by 50%.Doubles the mana recovery rate.

An artifact crafted by the great magician Pauld, this ring is a masterpiece created by chance, with the power to defy conventional logic.

Conditions of Use: None.

"Wow, I didn't know such overpowered items existed," Ash murmured, surprised by his fortune. He then checked the loot from White.

[Kruger's Pants]

Rating: Legendary (Set)

Durability: Infinite

Defense: 430

Effects:Reduces damage received by 40%.Increases agility by 10%.Boosts jumping ability by 40%.Enhances all lower body skills by 20%.

Set Effect: ???

These pants, crafted by the legendary tailor Kruger, possess infinite stretch and are impervious to wear and tear.

Conditions of Use: None.

Weight: 350

"Whoa, these two must've been top-ranked players," Ash muttered, unaware of how easily he had defeated two of the most powerful rankers.

After securing the loot, Ash returned to Mercedes, who was waiting nearby.

"Did you kill them?" Mercedes asked.

Ash nodded.

Just as he was about to speak, an elderly man approached them. "Excuse me!" the old man called out.

"Yes?" Ash responded politely, not bothered by the interruption.

"I don't mean to impose, but could you help us?" the old man asked hesitantly.

[Old Chief's Request]

Rating: ???

Accept/Decline

Ash nodded, accepting the quest, and the old man began to explain their predicament. They had been forced to migrate three times already, seeking a place to live safely.

"Who's hunting you, and why?" Mercedes inquired.

"The Saharan Empire," the old man, Amon, answered, his voice filled with hatred. "The Emperor fears that another Madra might rise from special tribes like ours, so he's ordered the culling of all minorities."

"I'll help," Ash agreed. He told Amon about his room, which had leveled up to 3, now offering a vast 100 km radius of safe, free land.

After transporting the villagers to his room, Ash turned to Mercedes. "Are you alright?" he asked.

Mercedes shook her head. "I'm not. It saddens me that people misunderstand the Emperor. He never ordered the hunting of minorities; it was Marie and the other Dukes, like Disworth, who are behind this."

"They fear another Madra might emerge, but the Emperor doesn't share that fear," she added, her voice tinged with sorrow.

Ash looked at her silently, then stepped away. Taking a stance, he suddenly unleashed a powerful technique.

"100,000 Army Massacre Sword!" A massive slash erupted from Ash's sword, obliterating a nearby small mountain.

Mercedes watched in shock as she recognized the technique. "This is...?" she began, standing up.

"Sorry for hiding this from you, but I am Madra's successor," Ash admitted.

Mercedes gazed at him intently. "…And?"

"And what?" Ash asked, confused.

"What else are you hiding?" Mercedes questioned, clenching her fists.

"I... was afraid of losing you once you knew my identity," Ash confessed. "But there's nothing else I'm hiding."

Mercedes softened. Approaching him, she gently caressed his cheek. "Maybe I would've fought you when I was the Empire's Knight, but now I am your Knight, remember?" she said. "And I also love you."

Ash hugged her tightly, relief flooding him. "Thank you," he whispered.

"Phew, that could've gone a lot worse," he thought, grateful that nothing had happened to strain their relationship.

Madra, watching from a distance, smiled. Like Ash, he had been anxious about what would happen when Mercedes learned of his identity as Madra's successor, but it seemed his worries were unfounded.

"Now let's go find Piaro, and then we can get married," Mercedes said, her tone firm yet warm. Ash nodded in agreement.

Summoning his Phantom Steed, Ash and Mercedes rode swiftly toward Kesan Canyon. Upon reaching the entrance, Ash dismissed the steed and summoned Randy and Kelly.

"Randy, Kelly, clear out any monsters in our path," Ash instructed. Randy mimicked his stance while Kelly took the lead.

"Aren't you getting lazy?" Mercedes teased, watching Ash leisurely stroll behind them.

"I'm not. The monsters here are just too weak," Ash replied with a shrug.

Mercedes nodded, and soon, after cutting through numerous monsters, they arrived at the canyon's end, where a waterfall cascaded down.

"Asmophel said Piaro would be here," Mercedes reminded him.

Ash nodded and shouted, "Piaro!"

"Sir Piaro!" Mercedes echoed.

A rough voice responded, "What are Empire dogs doing here?" They turned to see a beggar standing nearby.

"Sir Piaro..." Mercedes gasped, tears welling up as she recognized the once-great hero of the Empire in such a pitiful state.

Piaro scowled at the sight of her tears, then shifted his gaze to Ash, trying to assess the situation. 'The girl with Keen Insight… And he… Who is he?' Piaro wondered, wary of a potential assassination attempt by the Empire.

"Sir Piaro, I have a letter from the Emperor for you," Ash said, producing a rolled-up letter.

"I don't want to hear anything from that bastard!" Piaro spat, his anger flaring.

Ash nodded calmly, then spoke again. "Summon Knight: Asmophel."

Piaro's rage intensified as he saw Asmophel appear before him. Drawing his sword, he lunged at Asmophel, who knelt as if ready to accept his execution.

Mercedes wept bitterly, but she didn't interfere. Ash embraced her, shielding her from the heartbreaking scene.

As Piaro's blade descended, it pierced the ground beside Asmophel. "Why?" Asmophel asked, his voice hollow.

"Kill me," Asmophel demanded, his tone lifeless.

Piaro stared at him, then looked over at Ash. "Give me the letter," he ordered.

Ash complied, tossing the letter to Piaro. As Piaro read it, his frown deepened, but soon tears began to stream down his face, and he too fell to his knees, crying.

"This is awkward," Ash thought, observing the scene. Here he was, holding a crying woman in his arms, while another man stood lifelessly staring at the weeping beggar. Could this situation get any stranger?

With a sigh, Ash transported everyone to his room, giving them some time alone. He then instructed Buda to take care of them while he stepped away to allow them some privacy.