Chapter 7: Stand Up!

The lush forest, the moist soil, the flowing red blood, and the fragrance of flowers in the air blended with the scent of death. The birds that used to love singing had long disappeared.

The knights of the Ice Kingdom held their swords in one hand and casually leaned against the thick tree trunk. Under their feet were the bodies of the Silver Wolf Bandits, which looked like discarded inextinguishable garbage.

In front of them was the devil-masked female leader of the Silver Wolf Bandits. She held a white ice spear and wore a wolf fur cloak.

"Ice spear... Cold iron? Ha! I was wondering why these country bumpkins were so disciplined! So it's you, Fjolm, the former 'Holy Spear of Ice' of the kingdom. You're high and mighty. Are you secretly training them?"

When she heard this, Fjolm took off her devil mask. She revealed her stunningly beautiful face. She said indifferently, "Cut the crap. Whether you're here for me or the Silver Wolf Bandits, don't even think about returning alive today."

The leading member of the Royal Army snorted coldly and said, "You're quite arrogant! We have twelve Level 5 professionals. We almost have all of the classes. It won't even be a problem for us to fight a legion head-on. You're only one person despite being a Level 5. But you are seriously injured. How can you even fight us? Don't tell me you want to rely on those country bumpkins from the border? Those idiots don't even know any skills!"

Fjolm raised the white ice spear in her hand.

"I haven't tried yet. How do you know I can't beat you all by myself?"

With that, the white ice spear in Fjolm's hand began to gather the power of ice. It was like a white sun, and the surrounding air became even colder. Even the wet soil on the ground froze.

However...

Only a second passed.

The white light of the spear in Fjolm's hand was instantly extinguished, and the gathered ice elements quickly dissipated. Fjolm couldn't help but spit out a mouthful of blood. She leaned forward and half-squatted on the ground.

The opponent burst into laughter.

"Hahaha! Just this? Really? You haven't even recovered from your injuries. Where did you get the courage to resist us? My dear Holy Spear of Ice?"

One of the eight-foot-tall knights licked his lips in excitement.

"I have long heard that our Holy Spear of Ice is graceful, has snow-white skin, and a stunning appearance. You are a beauty. I finally met you today. You lived up to your reputation." The knight then asked, "Captain, do you think we should enjoy her head before we take it to get our reward?"

The leading general revealed a lecherous smile.

"I think…go for it. Do it! Take her down first. Remove her armor and weapons."

Fjolm shouted angrily, "Bastard! You dare?"

She raised the white spear in her hand again, tried to gather the power of ice, and released her class skill to destroy the Royal Army in front of her.

This time, Fjolm had succeeded.

However, the knight with a "Shield Guard" class quickly reacted. He released a transparent barrier that covered the entire field in advance. It blocked all the ice power by the tip of Fjolm's spear. Nobody got injured.

If she were at her peak, Fjolm could have broken through a barrier of this level quickly and killed the knight inside.

After all...they were both Level 5.

There were also differences between geniuses and mediocre people.

However, countless powerhouses of the capital framed Fjolm. She had suffered supremely grave internal injuries and could not exert her full strength.

The current her...was not a match for the Ice Kingdom's knights who had been serving the predators of the border all year round. 

However, even though she couldn't defeat her opponent, Fjolm still had a trump card—an ultimate weapon that could protect her pure chaste body from being violated.

Ultimate magic!

The Ice Crystal was boundless.

Fjolm could sacrifice her life and let the ice take over her. She would be able to detonate her crystallized body and obliterate everything around her. Every living matter would be devoured by the bone-piercing ice.

If it weren't Fjolm's destiny to escape this calamity today...

If Fjolm would be humiliated by these scumbags…

Then...

As Fjolm contemplated, a familiar deep voice came from behind her. It was as majestic as the emperor's voice. It created gusts of wind.

"Stand up!!!"

In an instant, countless Shadow Soldiers stood up from the ground. It was as though immortal warriors descended from the sky. They charged toward the Ice Kingdom's army aggressively.

"What?

"Who was it?

The Ice Kingdom's army fell into a panic.

"Undead creatures... No! That's not it! It is a shadow! A rare professional?"

"Hurry up!"

"Assemble!"

"Form a defensive formation!"

"Don't let these black shadow creatures get close!"

Unfortunately, it was too late. Zhang Yun's shadow summoned a Shadow Legion with a wide range. 

In other words.

This meant that…

The Shadow Soldiers could also appear out of thin air beneath their feet.

The priest in the Ice Kingdom's army raised his staff in a panic. But before he could cast a defense-enhancing skill for himself and his teammates, a Shadow Soldier suddenly appeared beside him and grabbed his wrist.

Immediately after, three Shadow Soldiers suddenly crawled beside the priest, and each stabbed him with a sword that penetrated his stomach and heart.

In a group fight, the healer was the first thing to eliminate.

It was a standard operation.

This "Priest" class with little health and a weak heart didn't even have time to leave his last words before he lost his life. 

The knight beside him widened his eyes in disbelief.

"How could this be!? These guys are only Level 1. How did they kill Laco in just three strikes!!"

The Shadow Soldiers did not answer the knight's question. Instead, they left the dead body of the priest, raised their weapons, and charged at the knight in unison. Their movements were experienced, and each move was fatal.

The knight hurriedly raised the longsword and used his skill. He dodged left and right as he resisted with all his might.

Professionals could easily crush ordinary mortals.

Professionals with skills could also crush professionals without skills.

But this was in a one-on-one situation.

If there were several ordinary mortals and skill-less professionals, then the professionals would be overwhelmed by the simple and crude human wave attack regardless of skills.

The limited physical strength and mana would be a restriction on the ability to continue fighting. It would be difficult.

Unless the strength of the two sides was a dimension apart.

Obviously…

The difference between a Level 1 Shadow Soldier and a Level 5 Royal Knight was immaterial.

The number of shadows far exceeded the quality of the Ice Kingdom's army.

And so…

The white-armored knights were like sheep attacked by wolves.

One after another, they fell to the ground.

In the end, the shadow stabbed the strongest captain of the Ice Kingdom's knights several times. The spear in his hand broke, and he collapsed into a pool of blood. Only then did the massacre come to an end.

Fjolm looked at the Shadow Legion in shock.

She did not understand where these terrifying soldiers came from.

And why did the shadow only help her?

The shadow did not help the army at the border.

Until...

Zhang Yun appeared in front of Fjolm. He half-kneeled on the ground. Under the faint sunlight that shone through the leaves above his head, half of his body was hazy. And he looked mysterious and tall.

Zhang Yun bent down slightly and stretched out his right hand. His head passed through the dazzling light. It revealed the handsome face that belonged to his body.

"Now. Do you believe that I'm your friend this time?"