Chapter 39 – The Final Duel
The Eisenwald Marsh trembled under the roar of war. Thick fog swirled, blood mixed with water, and steel clashed without end. The stench of iron and mud pressed heavily upon every chest.
At the center of the chaos stood two figures.
Fenrir Eisenwald—young, battered, yet burning with an aura as red as molten lava.
Baron Klausen von Rottweil—old, broad-shouldered, his eyes sharp like a beast of prey.
Their auras collided—fiery red against piercing blue—splitting the fog into a whirlpool that consumed the battlefield.
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BOOOOM! Steel struck steel. Fenrir's longsword clashed with Klausen's greatsword, and the impact erupted like thunder. Water and mud splashed high into the air. Soldiers, mercenaries, and militiamen staggered from the shockwave.
Fenrir stumbled back, his knee sinking into the marsh. His breath was ragged, his shoulders soaked in blood. Yet his eyes remained sharp, blazing with defiance.
"You're still standing… brat," Klausen growled, his voice like rolling thunder. "But before true strength, your tricks are worthless!"
Fenrir gave a faint smile, his face drenched in sweat and mud.
"Strength is a storm, Klausen. A storm destroys. But I am the marsh. And the marsh devours all who enter it."
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Fenrir leapt back, raised his sword, and shouted his command.
"Eisenwald militia! Tight formation! Attack in waves! Let him burn his strength away!"
The ragged militia reformed like a rising tide. Lines of spears bristled, archers drew their bows, their eyes cutting through the fog.
Klausen roared and charged forward. His greatsword swept wide, shattering spears, splitting men in two. But every step dragged him deeper. Every swing left him open to another thrust, another arrow, another wound.
Fenrir seized the opening. Ssstt! His blade slashed Klausen's arm, a spray of crimson arcing through the mist.
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Klausen roared, unleashing his aura in a devastating wave. The marsh churned, the fog was blasted apart, soldiers stumbled back screaming.
"How dare you, insolent brat!" his voice thundered. "I'll crush you under my power!"
Fenrir's body trembled, yet he drove his sword into the mud, bracing himself. His aura flared brighter—red, scorching, oppressive. Steam hissed as it touched the swamp, clearing the fog around him.
Two auras collided. Blue waves against crimson lava.
BOOOOOOM! The clash deafened the battlefield, hurling men to the ground, shaking earth and sky.
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Blood poured from Klausen's wounds, yet his eyes still burned with fury.
"You're no ordinary baron's son… What have you done to these peasants? They fight like demons!"
Fenrir raised his sword, his voice calm despite the blood dripping from his lips.
"They fight because I fight with them. I bleed with them. That is a strength you will never understand."
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Klausen lunged, his greatsword a whirlwind. Fenrir charged to meet him, his sword blazing red.
KLAK! KLAK! KLAK! Blow after blow shook the marsh. Sparks lit the fog, water sprayed, mud exploded in every direction.
Klausen's sword nearly cleaved Fenrir in half, but the boy ducked and countered, carving across Klausen's chest.
The older baron kicked Fenrir away, blood spattering from his mouth. Yet before his body fell, Fenrir's sword thrust forward.
STAAAB! The blade pierced Klausen's shoulder, driving deep.
The battlefield froze. Soldiers on both sides stared, breath held.
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Klausen staggered, blood pouring freely. He tried to lift his greatsword again, but his body shook, strength spent.
Fenrir stood before him, crimson aura swirling, his eyes cold.
"Baron Klausen von Rottweil. You came to devour this marsh… but this marsh devours you."
With one final swing, Fenrir cleaved.
Ssstt! Klausen's head fell, splashing into the mud with a sickening plop.
Silence.
Then, the Eisenwald militia erupted.
"WOOOOOOHHHHHH!!!"
Klausen's mercenaries faltered, their spirits shattered. Weapons dropped. One by one, they surrendered.
Fenrir stood tall amid the carnage, drenched in blood, his sword dripping red into the swamp. His aura still blazed, crimson flames licking the fog.
That day, the Eisenwald Marsh consumed Klausen and his ambition.
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Status Panel Update
🔻 [Fenrir's Status] 🔻
Name: Fenrir Eisenwald
Title: Baron of Eisenwald, the Red Wolf
Age: 17
Level: 14
EXP: 8000 / 20.000
Aura: 125
Stamina: 120
Strength: 100
Cunning: 134
Charisma: 120
Mental Fortitude: 112
Skills:
[Aura Control Lv.3] – Improved aura manipulation in battle.
[Swordsmanship Lv.4] – Advanced techniques, precise strikes.
[Leadership Lv.5] – +25% morale, stronger unit cohesion.
[Tactical Instinct Lv.3] – Advanced battlefield adaptation.
Traits:
[Scars that Shape] – War trauma permanently boosts Mental Fortitude.
[Lord of the Marsh] – Fighting in swamp terrain grants +25% Cunning and +15% Strength.
[Eisenwald Wolf] (New) – Victory against a stronger foe boosts all troops' morale by +30% for 24 hours.
Active Missions:
1. Defend Eisenwald from Klausen's Invasion (Complete).
2. Expand Eisenwald Territory (Pending).
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🔻 [Baron Klausen – Final Status Before Death] 🔻
Name: Baron Klausen von Rottweil
Title: Northern Border Lord, "The Butcher of the North"
Age: 43
Level: 18
EXP: 0 / 40,000 (reset after defeat)
Aura: 160 → 95 (blood loss)
Stamina: 175 → 80 (critical exhaustion)
Strength: 150 → 95
Cunning: 90
Charisma: 85
Mental Fortitude: 120 → 60
Skills:
[Aura Control Lv.4] – Strong, oppressive aura mastery.
[Greatsword Mastery Lv.4] – Deadly heavy strikes.
[Battlefield Intimidation Lv.3] – Lowers enemy morale within 30m.
Traits:
[Northern Butcher] – Grants +15% Strength when morale is high (ineffective once morale collapses).
Active Mission:
Conquer the Eisenwald Marsh (Failed).
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