On the road leading out of the forest, four other Skullbreakers were diligently feasting on human remains. Several injured humans lay on the ground, groaning in pain. It appeared that these four Skullbreakers were eager to get their share. Scattered on the ground were goods, overturned wooden carts, and leftover Shaclaw bones. They belonged to a merchant convoy traveling between cities but had been wiped out by a Skullbreaker attack while passing through the "Paradise" border.
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However, in the center of the road, a young man was desperately wielding a giant sword, fighting against two Skullbreakers. That person was Cloude. He was covered in wounds, engaged in an uphill battle against the two creatures, and if this continued, he would soon become their meal.
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Fortunately, due to their insatiable hunger, the other eight Skullbreakers were preoccupied with devouring their victims and didn't come to the aid of their companions. Otherwise, Cloude would have been overwhelmed.
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Seeing the situation, Mock immediately drew his sword and charged forward. With his sword, he cleaved the two Skullbreakers at the waist. The other Skullbreakers that were feasting halted their actions and picked up weapons, preparing to counterattack.
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"Stay behind me," Mock said, his left hand forming into a fist, and blue Weapower gathered into a gauntlet. With his right hand, he unsheathed his sword. Working in tandem, the gauntlet and the sword made quick work of all the Skullbreakers, incapacitating them.
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Cloude had been sitting on the ground, exhausted and watching the fight. Mock sheathed his sword on his back and turned to Cloude. "Impressive, you managed to hold your own against two Skullbreakers."
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"I didn't even know how I did it. I kept getting injured during the fight, and I lost a lot of blood. I initially thought I was a goner this time, but as the battle went on, I felt a surge of energy, my body became lighter, and my strength increased. That's how I barely kept up with their movements."
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Cloude was still catching his breath as he spoke. He went on to explain that he had met this group of merchant uncles on his way to the border. Suddenly, these "Skullbreakers," which shouldn't exist in the border region, had attacked out of nowhere. Everyone else had died, leaving him to fend for himself.
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"But you, you can wield a sword with one hand and make it look so effortless. You're really amazing," Cloude said.
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Mock chuckled and lightly tapped Cloude on the head. "Of course, because I'm standing at the pinnacle of strength in Homeland..."
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"...The legendary Huntector Lion Leo's grandson, Lion Mock, right? I've heard it many times, Master."
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Mock gave a knowing smile. "I keep reminding you of that because I want you to aim high, after all, I consider you my own son."
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Speaking of sons, Cloude asked, "Master, you're 32 years old now, why haven't you married or even had a girlfriend? Are you not interested in girls?"
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Mock smiled knowingly again. "Because I'm waiting for someone..."
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"Waiting? Are you planning to wait until you're old and gray?"
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"Adult emotions are something you kids wouldn't understand." He gazed at the sky as if the person he was waiting for was painted on the cloudless, azure canvas. A hint of sweetness filled his heart, showing that even a tough man had a softer side.
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"Let's head back; you're all beaten up. You'll have to explain to your mom," Mock said. They gathered the injured and the remains onto the wooden cart and transported them back to Grandecy for treatment.
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Meanwhile, on a commercial path leading to the "Paradise" village, which had been forcibly cleared through the forest, trees lined both sides of the road. Leaves drifted gently to the ground, scattering on the path. It had been almost half a year since the Secretary-General's assassination, and all important officials on inspection tours were escorted personally by the "Kingside," without exception.
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Although none of the officials on these tours had been attacked by "Fakeslave" or the new "Skullbreaker" in the past six months, Skullbreakers and other creatures still posed a threat, so everyone remained vigilant. Enyama was in charge of this particular escort mission, positioned at the rear of the procession, watching over the team's safety. He didn't dare let his guard down.
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Ahead of him, several guards encircled a middle-aged woman. She wore a solemn white robe and a white veil hat. Though her face beneath the veil showed signs of aging past forty, her mature elegance was no less captivating than that of a young girl.
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In front of the procession was a slightly portly man. His head was nearly bald, with just a small tuft of hair on top, and he had sunken eye sockets. He had no eyebrows, and he held a bag of chips in one hand, munching away. He also carried a bag filled with various food items on his back.
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