At the edge of the Ashen Swamp, near the Dragon Worship Sect's stronghold, the "Green Scale Nest"
"There he is!"
"Quick, find them!"
Hearing the distant shouts, Adrian half-knelt in the foul-smelling swamp, breathing softly. He plunged his one-handed sword deep into the muck, dark red blood oozing from the dragon claw scratches on his silver armor.
He hid in the swamp's underbrush, not daring to make even the slightest sound.
"Lord Adrian, they seem to have left..." whispered the warrior in leather armor beside him.
Upon hearing this, Adrian first looked around, reassured that no one was nearby, then breathed a deep sigh of relief.
He took the dagger from his waist, igniting it with fire in his hand until the blade was scorching red, then with gritted teeth, he cut away the flesh infected by the toxin.
"Hiss—damn it, these wretches are truly ubiquitous!"
The red-hot blade sliced through his arm with a crisp sound, removing a large chunk of purple-black flesh.
