I only wanted to retire, but I ended up becoming an extremely popular character.

Chapter 100 Shadow Footwork

[Congratulations on acquiring the ultimate martial arts technique: Shadow Step!]

"Shadow Step: Encircle your legs with "potential" to move faster than your body's limits. The speed limit of Shadow Step is determined by your agility."

To fully unleash the "potential" of one's legs, one typically needs to master the "potential release" technique, a martial arts secret that can only be unleashed through practice.

Note: If the host does not master "Potential Unleashed" and forcibly uses the Shadow Step technique, it will cause great burden and fatigue to the legs.

Overuse may cause complete loss of function in both legs. Please use with caution!

Zod quickly scanned the text in his mind.

In other words, "Shadow Step" is a skill that only a level 2 "Hakuja" can master.

It was just that Zod had extracted it beforehand.

In particular, the "Caution" entry mentions the side effects of forcibly using the Shadow Step without mastering "Potential Unleashed".

First, it will put a huge burden and fatigue on the legs. Second, overuse may cause the legs to lose their function, that is, become disabled.

Zod paused for a moment.

The significant negative effects on the legs are something to consider after the battle.

If Zod doesn't win the current battle, he might not see the sun rise tomorrow.

The battle between Zod and Patrick continues.

Zod's speed slowed down noticeably, and his breathing became very heavy.

Lieutenant Patrick keenly grasped this point.

There's no need to prolong this battle any longer; it's time to end the fight with Zod.

For Lieutenant Patrick, Zod was already at his last gasp.

Victory will belong to Lieutenant Patrick.

His attack speed actually increased, and the chain sword, like a snake that had smelled blood, lunged forward even more fiercely.

Patrick smirked and flicked his wrist.

In that instant, the chain sword's speed suddenly surged to a level far exceeding its previous speed.

The blade, which could barely track the trajectory before, was now just a blurry afterimage in Zod's eyes.

The chains no longer traced arcs in the air, but rather streaks of silver light, weaving together into an impenetrable net of death.

Each blade seemed to possess an independent life, attacking simultaneously from different angles and directions, sealing off all of Zod's space to dodge.

The air was torn apart, emitting a sharp whistling sound.

If Zod were in his prime, he might have had a chance to escape.

But at this moment, his physical strength was nearing its limit, and his speed was far less than before.

The "snake" finally bared its fangs.

Patrick pulled his hand on the hilt of the sword sharply backward.

The countless blades surrounding Zod tightened instantly, like a giant python constricting its prey.

The sharp blades converged from all directions, seemingly about to strangle Zod in the entanglement of the "snakes".

"It's over," Patrick said softly.

In that life-or-death moment.

Zod let out a soft breath.

Shadow Step

He poured almost all of his 'potential' into his legs.

In that instant, his legs felt as if they were being scorched by flames or pierced by countless steel needles at the same time; the intense strain contorted his face instantly.

He could clearly feel his legs working beyond their muscle capacity.

At this moment, he somewhat understood why it was said that one needed to master "potential release" to unleash the ultimate martial arts technique.

If he uses it a few more times, his legs might really be ruined!

But Zod couldn't care less about anything else at the moment; he gritted his teeth and didn't make a sound.

Just before the chain swords were about to close.

Zod's figure suddenly disappeared from the spot.

"What?!"

Lieutenant Patrick's pupils suddenly contracted.

The chain swords retracted, their blades clashing against each other with a piercing metallic clang, but they only managed to shred a wisp of air.

He didn't have time to think; he instinctively looked around.

A familiar figure seemed to step out of thin air and quietly appeared three steps behind Patrick.

"How is this possible?!"

Lieutenant Patrick's face was filled with disbelief.

He stared intently at the figure that had suddenly appeared behind him, his pupils contracting sharply.

Just a second ago, Zod was on the verge of physical collapse, panting heavily and moving slowly, like a candle about to burn out.

He saw clearly that exhausted state of mind.

But at this moment, the opponent suddenly unleashed such terrifying speed.

Could it be that they were holding back their strength from the very beginning?

No, it's impossible.

Patrick gritted his teeth and quickly dismissed the idea.

The helplessness on Zod's face and the barely suppressed anxiety and exhaustion between his brows could not possibly have been an act.

His eyes couldn't fool the genuine reaction that came from being on the verge of collapse.

Moreover, if Zod had such strength from the beginning, why did he have to wait until now?

Why waste so much effort and energy when you could have ended the battle much earlier?

The only explanation is that, in that instant, Zod completed a qualitative leap in his 'Hakuja' status, ascending to a realm that even Patrick had not yet reached—a Level 2 'Hakuja'.

On the battlefield, it is rare for soldiers who have faced life and death to suddenly comprehend the "Hakuja" ability or to be promoted in the midst of battle. However, such cases do exist.

He had only heard of the kind of potential that is forced out in desperate situations, but he had never witnessed it firsthand.

And now, he saw it with his own eyes.

That kind of speed that surpasses the limits of the human body.

Patrick was almost certain that Zod had mastered the secret techniques of physical combat that only a level two 'Hakuja' could perform.

In that moment of surprise and doubt.

Zod's Imperial sword slashed down, aiming straight for Patrick's shoulder blade!

The sword's edge, accompanied by the sound of wind being cut, was incomparably sharp.

Patrick felt a chill run down his spine. In a haste, he flicked his wrist, and the chain sword was pulled back as if it were alive, resting just across his shoulder.

A deafening clang rang out, sending sparks flying.

Patrick blocked the sword, his entire arm trembling slightly.

But he didn't even have time to breathe a sigh of relief.

Zod's attacks did not stop.

He then raised his leg and kicked Patrick hard in the stomach!

"Iron Wall—!"

Patrick instinctively channeled his 'potential' into his abdomen, causing his muscles to harden instantly.

However, the force of that kick was too fierce, and his feet slid for several meters before finally stopping, leaving two deep grooves on the ground.

Dust rose up.

Patrick knelt on one knee, clutching his abdomen. A sweet taste rose in his throat, and a trickle of blood seeped from the corner of his mouth, dripping down his chin to the ground.

He slowly raised his head and looked at the figure not far away, who was also panting but still standing straight.

His eyes changed.

From surprise and doubt, to solemnity, and then to an irrepressible fighting spirit.

"In that case, I will do my best." Patrick slowly stood up, raised his hand to wipe the blood from the corner of his mouth, his voice low and hoarse.

This time, it's Patrick's turn to act quickly.

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