"How did they find this place?" Will asked, perplexed.
"I don't know. But given the Shadow Council's power, they surely have their methods. What I find curious, however, is why they only sent one person. After all, they know that ten years ago, four of them couldn't even manage to kill Master Hakin. Yet now, they dare to send just one."
"There are only two explanations: Either they are overconfident, or they have grown far stronger." Will replied.
As they conversed, they hurriedly made their way toward King Sam II's chambers.
...
Meanwhile, slightly ahead of Will and Jin, Arno had already entered King Sam II's room.
"Ah, it's been a long time, little king," Arno sneered as he gazed upon the slumbering King Sam II.
"It seems you're unconscious. No matter. Poisoning you seems pointless. I'll just take your head and offer it to Lord Cole," Arno mused, drawing a short knife from his waist.
"Ten years... it's finally over!" Arno grinned, his grip tightening on the dagger as he lunged toward the slumbering king.
"Not so fast!" Just as the dagger was about to strike, Will and Jin arrived in time. Without hesitation, Jin executed a swift kick, sending Arno crashing into the wall.
"As long as we are here, you will not harm him," Jin declared.
"Ah, so you two are the troublesome little ones Marcus spoke of. You're the ones who killed that fool Merlin, aren't you?" Arno stood up, brushing the dust off his clothes.
"I don't know any Marcus. But it seems you must be allied with Merlin, part of the Shadow Council," Jin said with a grave expression, assuming a battle stance. He dared not make the first move, fully aware of Arno's abilities. This man, Arno, possessed a speed equal to his own and had an expert knowledge of assassination techniques. If Jin wasn't careful, he might end up like Master Hakin, struck by Arno's paralyzing poison.
"Two of you? It should be three, unless someone else is hiding outside?" Arno seemed neither fearful nor anxious, his eyes scanning for a third opponent.
"Two of us are enough to deal with you," Jin's eyes locked onto Arno, resolute.
Knowing Arno's strength, Jin knew he would have to hold nothing back. If he showed any hesitation, it would be fatal—not only for the king but for himself as well. With that, he summoned the fiery breath of the Red Dragon, a powerful force within him.
"Ah, such potent energy. No wonder Merlin the fool failed. Let's see how you stop me from killing the little king!" Arno laughed as he drew another knife and threw it toward King Sam II.
"Tch!" In an instant, Jin leapt onto the bed and kicked the knife away just in time.
"Hm, quick reflexes," Arno commented, seemingly unperturbed. He swiftly retrieved another knife and threw it at Will, who was standing defenseless by the door.
In a flash of red, Jin appeared in front of Will, catching the flying knife between his fingers.
"Poisoned," Jin muttered, bringing the knife to his nose. Indeed, it was coated in deadly poison.
"Hey," Arno sneered, watching with amusement.
"You used this to harm Master Hakin," Jin said gravely, his eyes narrowing.
"Correct. It's paralyzing poison. But with Master Hakin, I used a slower-acting version. You have about an hour before the effects fully take hold."
"I guess you're not going to give us the antidote," Jin said, his tone resolute. "Looks like we'll have to defeat you." With that, he hurled the knife at Arno.
In response, Arno was equally swift, throwing a knife of his own. The two blades clashed in midair, ricocheting in different directions.
"Hmph," Arno scoffed.
Suddenly, a red flash streaked through the room as Jin, like a bolt of lightning, appeared before Arno. He swung a powerful punch, landing squarely on Arno's face. The force of the blow sent Arno crashing into the wall. Without a moment's hesitation, Jin continued his assault, throwing punch after punch into Arno, who made no attempt to fight back.
"Ah!" Jin shouted, delivering a crushing blow to Arno's abdomen. The immense power of the strike sent Arno crashing through the wall, and both he and Jin were thrown out of King Sam II's chamber.
"Will, get the king and go!" Jin shouted, relentlessly pounding on Arno.
"Ah, right!" Will, hearing Jin's command, rushed to the king's side, picking him up without a second thought.
"Not so fast!" Arno, battered and bloodied, finally spoke. Despite the assault, his voice carried no sign of distress. Lying on the ground, he reached for a spherical device at his waist and hurled it to the ground. The device exploded, releasing a cloud of yellow gas.
"Cough, cough, cough!" Jin, who was closest to the explosion, inhaled a heavy dose of the gas and immediately began coughing uncontrollably. Soon after, Will, unaware, inhaled the gas as well, and began to cough.
Seizing the opportunity, Arno, his strength unaffected by the gas, kicked Jin off him. With a powerful thrust, he sent Jin crashing into the ceiling. Arno rose, unfazed by the toxic gas, and moved swiftly behind Will. He swept his leg at Will's heels, sending both him and King Sam II crashing to the floor. The king's head struck the ground with a sickening thud.
"Don't think you can escape," Arno sneered coldly, his eyes burning with a predatory intensity. Slowly, he drew a small knife from his waist, eyes fixed on Will and the fallen king.