The Lu Family, revered as the king of this sprawling State, held dominion over a land rich in resources and steeped in ancient traditions. Their influence reached deep into the heart of society, controlling the political landscape with an iron fist. The X group, a shadowy organization operating under their command, was infamous for their ruthless efficiency in carrying out missions that never failed—a reputation that struck fear into the hearts of many. Within this oppressive environment, Kelly perceived her city as a delicate flower garden, vibrant and full of life, yet now threatened by a looming storm. The true owner of this garden, intoxicated by power and pride, viewed the inhabitants as mere insects, insignificant and easily crushed beneath his feet.

  Yet, despite the overwhelming odds stacked against her, Kelly's heart burned with an unyielding desire to save the child caught in the crossfire. Her love for the innocent life, intertwined with her own struggles, propelled her forward, even as she faced the prospect of sacrificing everything.

  Suddenly, as her thoughts spiraled into the depths of despair, a furious voice shattered the silence. “Bitch, I have truly misunderstood you.” The words dripped with venom, echoing with authority. “But I will correct that mistake right now. Because at this moment, you will face my true power and spell, for which the Lu Family is famous even in neighboring kingdoms.” The air thickened with tension, crackling with the anticipation of violence that lingered just beneath the surface.

  With her heart racing, Kelly composed herself, locking eyes with Lu Jo. “Stop, stop! I have a good proposal that you cannot refuse.” Her voice, though firm and resolute, quivered slightly, betraying the fear and desperation that lay beneath. She understood the stakes; lives hung in the balance, and she needed to wield every ounce of strength she possessed.

  Lu Jo, relentless in his pursuit, mocked her plea. “What can a dead person offer me?” His eyes burned with rage, yet beneath the fury flickered a hint of doubt—a whisper of uncertainty about the path he had chosen.

  Kelly responded with unwavering conviction, “You know I still have the strength to fight.” The weight of hope surged within her, igniting a fierce determination to protect the innocent child who had been thrust into this perilous situation.

  Confidently, Lu Jo asserted, “You did, but you no longer do. I will use all my power to defeat you.” Yet, as he spoke, a shadow of hesitation crossed his mind, a fleeting thought of the consequences that might follow.

  Kelly calmly countered, “But I can still fight with you for a few minutes, even if it’s just a minute. Besides, the signs of our fight have already spread almost everywhere here. No matter how desolate it is, I am sure there are blacklisted artists around. They might already be watching our fight from a distance.” The urgency in her voice was palpable as she continued, “If I scream or offer something, some people will surely come out of curiosity or at least hear it. And then, even if I die, the entire city will know about your heinous act.” Her heart pounded fiercely in her chest, each beat echoing her desperation as she gambled for the child’s life.

  “And the biggest issue is that despite the full support of the Lu Family, this is the Academy’s ground. Their rules prevail here. While you might see me as lowerlife, surely not everyone here as like me.” Her voice trembled slightly, yet she stood tall, embodying the fierce love she harbored for the child.

  The conversation unfolded at a rapid pace, a telepathic exchange fueled by the metallic energy that coursed between them. In this moment of intensity, Lu Jo halted his assault, falling into deep contemplation. He realized the folly of his actions, the weight of his choices pressing heavily upon him.

  Initially, he had underestimated his prey, believing her to be two small stages below him and easily eliminated with the Lu Family's powerful skills. Thus, he had casually unleashed his sword skill first. However, his attack fell flat, failing to inflict any damage.

  Lu Jo had expected the woman to be deeply injured or to lose all fighting strength. But instead, she stood resolute, her spirit unbroken. She defended herself with an unexpected strength, destroying his energy sword with a swift, calculated counter.

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  The outcomes were the same for his second and third attacks. It soon became clear to Lu Jo that, although the woman was at the first level of the bronze stage, she was a highly experienced Metalist, her abilities far surpassing his initial assumptions.

  As the conflict unfolded, Lu Jo began to understand that her mind, body, and soul were already resonating at the bronze stage quasi third level—not merely a reflection of her experience. This realization struck him like a thunderbolt—this was not just a fight; it was a struggle for survival.

  Now, if he resorted to using the Lu Family’s powerful spell, “Thousand Palm Catching the Dragon,” he might seriously injure her, but he would not be able to defeat her completely. Moreover, the spell would almost deplete the remaining energy he had, leaving him vulnerable and exposed.

  If she somehow managed to escape or began screaming, people would come rushing to the scene. The mission would fail, and there would be nothing left for him to do. Following the assassination of the woman, Lu Jo would also face certain death for the failure of the mission.

  After a tense silence, Lu Jo angrily demanded, “Alright, tell me your offer first. Then I will think about it.” Each word felt like a heavy stone dropping into a deep abyss of uncertainty, weighing down on both of them.

  Kelly let out a sigh of relief, yet it was tinged with resignation. “You can kill me because I already know everything. But let the child go; he knows nothing. In return, I will give you information about 1000 LGS (Low Grade Metal Energy Gems).” Her voice cracked, revealing the depth of her desperation and the fierce love she held for the child.

  Essentially, a Metalist uses these special colorful gems to transaction with another Metalist. These specific gems contained pure metal energy that capable of transforming into core energy. For a third-level bronze stage Metalist, one thousand LGS represented a substantial amount of power and potential.

  As Kelly's offer hung in the air, Lu Jo was momentarily tempted, but he quickly composed himself. Each mission tied his life to the outcome, and failing meant certain death. The weight of his decision loomed over him like a dark cloud, threatening to engulf him.

  With mockery lacing his tone, Lu Jo replied, “Let him go? The child is not a one-year-old. When he wakes up, he will start telling everyone in his town situation. And you expect me to let him go?” The frustration in his voice was laced with an underlying fear of losing control over the situation.

  Kelly, now anxious, pressed on. “Then you can send him anywhere else. Somewhere he can at least survive.” Her heart ached at the thought of the child’s fate, and tears threatened to spill from her eyes as she imagined the horrors that awaited him.

  Lu Jo scoffed again, “People have already seen the three of us. Where can I send him? No matter where he goes, people will identify him. I can at most give you and the child a painful death.”

  With renewed anger, Kelly retorted, “My condition is to keep the child alive. Not to kill him.” Her determination shone through, a testament to the fierce bond she had formed with the innocent child.

  Sighing deeply, she continued, “You can sell him as a slave in an underground mine. There, he won’t see the sunlight for ten years. And if people hear about the town, they will think he is insane. Because there, people struggle for food, and even if someone dies in front of them, no one helps him with water.”

  Her heartache echoed in the air, a desperate plea for compassion in an otherwise merciless world. “That kind of environment would at least allow the child to survive. If you can assure me of this with the oath of your core, that would be enough for me.”

  After a moment of contemplation, Lu Jo agreed to her decision, a heavy weight settling in his chest. He then looked at the child and said, “We have limited time before he wakes up, so I want to avoid creating any additional complications.

  I am starting the oath now.

  I, Lu Jo, swear by my core that if you give me information about 1000 LGS, I will let him go and ensure that he will live………………..

  I will not disclose any of this to anyone else.”

  Each word felt like a betrayal to his own conscience, the promise of a tragic fate looming over them.

  After listening to the oath of the Metalist Lu Jo, Kelly revealed the location of the 1000's low-grade gems hidden in her carriage. Then, holding the child in her arms, Lu Jo kissed the child’s forehead, sorrowfully saying her final farewell. “Stay alive, young master. I will pray for you in the afterlife. May you be able to keep your father’s promise.”

  The weight of her words hung in the air, a haunting reminder of the sacrifice being made.

  With a long sigh, she gently laid the child down on the ground, glancing at him for a fleeting moment. Her heart broke at the thought of what was to come. With a big smile, she retrieved a small knife from his ring, pressed it against her throat, and with all her might, slit her own throat, sealing her fate in a moment of tragic desperation. The finality of her action echoed through the desolate surroundings, leaving behind an indelible mark of s

  orrow and sacrifice that would resonate for years to come.