Corbin, with his awakened 1-meter Perception domain, plunged back into the close combat with the surging enemies. He felt as if he had entered a completely new realm of battle. It was no longer guided by vague instinct, but by spiritual power attached to his perception, every movement precisely synchronized with the crystal-clear world within one meter around him. The ultimate speed granted by the Lightfoot Charm, in close coordination with this 1-meter "absolute domain," was unleashed to its fullest. He dodged, parried, and counter-attacked, his movements fluid and precise, his efficiency greatly increased. Although the magic from the black-cloaked figures posed a huge threat, with the synergy of his Perception and physical speed, he could always, in the instant an Ice Spike was about to hit him, by precisely perceiving, capture that sliver of survival, making reactions that defied common sense, preventing the spells from locking on or hitting him accurately. Within the 1-meter range, he was an undisputed reaper, a deadly dancer beyond normal imagination. As the battle continued, Corbin constantly stimulated the soul power within his body. Under extreme pressure and in the life-or-death crisis, his Perception range continuously broke through, the invisible domain expanding outwards—Perception range expanding and breaking through from the initial 1 meter.
2 meters!
His Perception range now extended further from "arm's reach," covering the "sword tip range." New perceptive information surged into his mind like a tide. He could "see" the subtle tremors in enemies' muscles signaling their intent within two meters, the slight deviations in weapon angles. He didn't have to think; his body instinctively made judgments based on his Perception beforehand. He could plan his dodge or parry routes before enemies even entered the 1-meter fatal range, more effectively tearing through gaps and moving flexibly within the enemy ranks, like a fish in water, weaving freely through the tide of blades. He began to consciously focus his Combat Aura only on his legs and sword tip, further increasing his speed and attack efficiency. Each strike was delivered with deadly precision.
Knight Owen was also under immense pressure. He had sustained several new grazes, and the light of his Combat Aura appeared somewhat dim; he began to conserve its use. He breathed heavily, but his eyes were still sharp, like a wounded but unyielding old lion, wielding his longsword with one hand, relying on experience and skill to maintain a solid defense, sharing the pressure with Corbin and defending flawlessly.
Occasionally, enemies attempted to circle wide, charging towards the direction where Matthew and the others had retreated. Corbin immediately utilized the speed advantage of the Lightfoot Charm. Like a ghost in the night, he flashed over in the instant the enemy tried to circle, dispatching them with the quickest, most lethal moves, and then swiftly returned to the defense line. He didn't even have time to carefully observe the enemies' appearances, simply fighting based on his extraordinary Perception and instinct.
Several times, he picked up stones from the ground and, in the instant an enemy closed in, threw them with Combat Aura wrapped around them. The stones whistled through the air, accurately hitting the enemies' heads or joints, making them collapse or killing them. This combat style was swift and efficient, all done to buy time.
Corbin and Owen had to hold these enemies off until the figures of Matthew, Rhodes, and Lyra completely disappeared. Corbin noticed that due to the effect of the Veil of Shadow, enemies who had crossed the mountain ridge and attempted to creep in from the flanks quickly gave up the pursuit. Perhaps the distance and the darkness made it difficult for them to accurately judge the figures of Matthew and the others, allowing them only to quickly confirm and focus on sniping the two in front of them. When they closed to a certain distance, the concealment effect of the Veil of Shadow would greatly weaken. However, the enemies pursuing further behind were significantly more affected. This bought Corbin and Owen precious warning time. But ultimately, the enemy force was numerous and very familiar with moving in the mountain woods at night, like a continuous tide, constantly assaulting Corbin and Owen's defense line.
Finally, after repelling several more smugglers, Corbin looked back. Under the moonlight, the figures of Matthew, Rhodes, and Lyra had completely disappeared into the forest below. A sense of relief flickered in Corbin's mind, but it was immediately replaced by greater pressure. They had successfully covered their companions' retreat for reinforcements, but now, Corbin and Owen had to face a greater threat alone. The main vanguard of the smugglers' force had fully pressed forward, like a snarling maw, charging ferociously along the undulating mountain ridge. These smugglers were not all disorganized rabble; among them were many seasoned veterans accustomed to violence, bringing a suffocating sense of oppression in the night.
Corbin and Knight Owen did not retreat. They stood their ground, side-by-side or back-to-back, beginning to clear out the surging low-level enemies and smugglers. It was like a brutal harvest. Corbin's twin swords were the reaper's scythe, Knight Owen's one-handed longsword a solid bulwark. The fight became even harder; killing each enemy required expending more stamina. The surging smugglers, their weapons carried a faint whistling sound as they cut through the air. With each swing of Corbin's longsword, he could feel some of the smugglers' weapons carrying a hint of recoil, their blocks were not as easily broken as the previous Refugees', clearly using Combat Aura. But this was not enough to stop Corbin's lightning speed and precision. He could always find gaps in the dense attacks, disengaging before enemies could encircle him. Each swing of his sword aimed for throats, necks, or hearts, precise and deadly. Occasionally, the attacks of some smugglers, imbued with a trace of Combat Aura-enhanced swiftness, required Corbin to make more precise dodges. Some well-equipped smugglers brought more cunning attacks and greater force. Each clash made Corbin and Owen's tiger's mouths numb, their defense line enduring immense pressure. However, relying on the extraordinary Perception brought by his soul power, Corbin could always find gaps in the dense attacks, disengaging before enemies could encircle him. Each swing of his sword aimed for throats, necks, or hearts, precise and deadly.
Arrows occasionally struck from the shadows, whistling sharply through the air. Some arrows even glimmered with faint Combat Aura light, their trajectories slightly skewed, as if guided by an unseen force. Corbin had to remain constantly vigilant. The speed granted by the Lightfoot Charm, combined with the perceptive premonition brought by his soul power (that feeling of spiritual power projecting outwards, providing all-around perception), made Corbin's dodging movements exceptionally swift and effective. To conserve stamina, he could always, at the last moment, avoid a fatal arrow, or choose to take a minor injury rather than be encircled when complete evasion was impossible. Knight Owen also used Combat Aura to block or deflect arrows with his sword, but this also consumed his本就不多 strength. Corbin and Owen both sustained new wounds, though not severe. The cumulative pain and blood loss intensified their fatigue, each sword swing accompanied by aching muscles, every breath burning in their lungs. This was the cost of continuous battle in this meat grinder.
Just as Corbin and Owen were struggling to hold on, Corbin noticed the two black-cloaked figures in the distance. They no longer hesitated, beginning to move faster, closing in on Corbin and Owen! A chilling aura of death emanated from them.
Corbin caught a few details from his peripheral vision: one of the black-cloaked figures, the one wearing the strange ring, radiated that familiar scorching alien energy and was raising a hand to cast a spell, a faint light flickering at their fingertips. The other, the black-cloaked figure with the dagger, his short dagger's outline dimly visible at his waist or sleeve, also radiated a cold, powerful magical fluctuation and had fixed their gaze on Corbin.
A cold and powerful magical fluctuation suddenly tore through the night sky, rushing towards the crowd like a viper! The black-cloaked figure with the ring had made their move! Using his 2-meter Perception range, Corbin clearly perceived the Fireball's trajectory. It was not aimed at them, but towards the enemy ranks below, the Refugees and smugglers!
Knight Owen gasped, "Damn it! They don't care about their own people!" He clearly recognized this as the indiscriminate attack of the black-cloaked figure with the ring.
Corbin immediately yanked Knight Owen aside to dodge! The Fireball exploded not far from where they had just been, blasting two smugglers and Refugees who hadn't managed to escape into a bloody mist!
Barely having avoided one attack, another cold and powerful magical fluctuation struck! This time, the other black-cloaked figure, the one with the dagger, had precisely locked their magic onto Corbin! That fluctuation brought a powerful death threat! Using his 2-meter Perception range, Corbin clearly perceived the source and trajectory of this fluctuation, and the speed of the Fireball. However, even in "slow-motion" Perception, this Fireball's speed was still breathtakingly fast. Corbin judged that with his current state and 2-meter Perception range, he might not be able to completely evade this fatal blow! Too close!
Corbin's body tensed instinctively, preparing to receive the impact he couldn't fully avoid!
"Shatter!" Just at this critical moment, Knight Owen roared. He drove his feet down hard, and golden Combat Aura instantly enveloped his lower legs, sending him charging forward like a golden lightning bolt! He had used Combat Aura to boost his speed! At the same time, his left hand was also covered in dense Combat Aura, forming a defensive posture.
A thought flashed through Corbin's mind—Knight Owen wasn't letting Combat Aura cover his whole body like he would in his prime; he was conserving strength.
Precisely because of this, when he charged in front of Corbin, clenched his left fist, and his Combat Aura-clad fist slammed into the Fireball, even though the Fireball was shattered, emitting a deafening roar and dazzling light, the explosive magic, carried by the air currents, blasted towards the black-cloaked figures. But the powerful recoil, transmitted through his not fully defended body, still sent him flying backward!
His body suffered a heavy impact. He stumbled back several steps like a rag doll, falling heavily to the ground. Intense pain instantly engulfed him like a tide. He groaned in agony, his vision blurred, his entire body trembling involuntarily.
"Uncle Owen! Are you alright?!" Corbin rushed to his side, his voice filled with uncontrollable urgency and concern.
Corbin's pupils constricted, his heart felt like it was being fiercely squeezed by an invisible hand! Instant fury and hatred ignited in his heart like wildfire! The rage surged straight to his head, making his temples pound!
Corbin suddenly looked at the black-cloaked figure with the dagger. Those cold, indifferent eyes seemed to be staring back at Corbin through the shadow of the hood! They held no emotion, only a sense of lofty contempt, as if looking at an ant that could be crushed at any moment! These eyes pushed Corbin's rage to its peak, almost burning everything! Corbin wanted to roar, to charge forward, but reason told Corbin that Knight Owen was more important! Knight Owen's severe injury, like the last straw, completely ignited the potential of the soul power within Corbin! In extreme anger and grief, Corbin's soul Perception range broke through again, his ability reaching a new domain!
3 meters!
This was not just a simple expansion of range. Corbin felt as if he possessed a temporary "battlefield eye"! In this domain, Corbin's Perception extended from "weapon reach" to cover a three-meter radius around him. He could clearly perceive the enemies' positions within three meters, the trajectories of arrows even further away and the faint energy fluctuations during their flight, and even the intentions of small enemy groups attempting more complex coordinated attacks. In the haze, he could also perceive the positions of the two black-cloaked figures and the flow of their powerful magic, as if he had temporary magical vision. This all-around perception, allowed him to see through everything within three meters. His predictive ability reached an unprecedented height, enabling him to anticipate danger and even attempt to guide enemies into more favorable terrain or towards Owen's attack range. Fury even made Corbin's speed slightly faster. Afterwards, Corbin picked up weapons scattered on the ground and threw them at the enemies using that magical Perception, their flight swift and fierce.
In Owen's eyes, Corbin's figure was astonishingly fast, his movements fluid and deadly, completely different from the Corbin he knew from a casual spar. Tonight's Corbin had grown far beyond his comprehension. Corbin, who was originally only at the level of a squire knight, now displayed techniques and efficiency in combat that approached that of a mid-level knight, or even... Although his total Combat Aura had not changed. He had forced the black-cloaked figures back.
Knight Owen's body twitched. The sharp pain twisted his face, but he gritted his teeth, his eyes still fixed on the direction of the black-cloaked figures. He quickly replaced the pain with that familiar, feigned casualness Corbin knew. He struggled to rise from the ground, breathing heavily, his left arm hanging at an unnatural angle, clearly dislocated. He nudged Corbin's body lightly with his still-functional right shoulder, as if saying "Don't just stand there." Then, pulling Corbin, he immediately turned and began to retreat.
"Heh... Don't lose focus, kid," he said, his voice hoarse, carrying a hint of stubbornness as he walked. "Guess I can't deny getting old. Even a little Fireball can dislocate my arm... Back in the day, I could blow out ten of those with one breath, hmph. It's nothing... just looks a bit scary..." Knight Owen stood up leaning against a tree, then coughed up a mouthful of blood. Corbin's heart grew even heavier. Corbin knew that although Owen was putting on a brave face, his injuries were too severe. He had paid a huge price to protect Corbin.
Corbin and Knight Owen exchanged a look. No words were needed; they understood each other's decision—in their current state, a frontal confrontation would mean certain death. They did not choose to wait and die.
The silver moon had now climbed over the mountain ridge, pulling the shadows in the forest even longer. The night was deep, the air filled with the smell of blood and earth. With Knight Owen severely wounded, the battle situation took a sharp turn for the worse, becoming even more difficult. Corbin had to bear all the pressure alone, while fending off the surging smugglers and the constant cold arrows from the shadows, and also remaining vigilant of the two black-cloaked figures who were further shortening the distance and bringing the threat of death. The black-cloaked figures were now close at hand, and their magical deterrence constantly squeezed the two men's space for survival.