One-Eyed Monster

"What a thrill!" Court Chief Est laughed heartily, his body already covered in scars.

"It’s been so long since I’ve moved like this!" Bruto twisted his neck, his arm completely broken!

"This opponent has never spoken, always attacking us with Spirit Power. Luckily, we’re tough and can endure!" Est mocked himself.

The two of them stood back-to-back, forming a powerful defense system. They had no choice; despite their skills, they couldn’t see where the enemy was, unable to deliver a blow effectively.

Initially, all they could do was defend, watching their subordinates fall inexplicably was painful, but ultimately they formed a Spirit Power Defense Circle, reducing their subordinates’ casualties.

The battle for Kruz was intense. Est held onto Kruz’s body tightly while Bruto continuously released Spirit Power for exploration, yet each wave of Spirit Power was fiercely hurled back by the opponent!

And Est also suffered heavy blows at that time.

However, the result was good; they reclaimed Kruz.

Though Kruz had lost consciousness, they still managed to retrieve him.

The entire Circus, the Brass Hotel staff, all participated in this struggle. Without their help, Est and Bruto would not have been able to reclaim Kruz.

The process seemed nothing special.

The scene back then was extremely bizarre: an unconscious man kept moving backward, retreating while being pulled. Even with Est holding tight, the unconscious Kruz continued to retreat, while those pulling along suffered attacks from the air...

Eventually, Est and Bruto forcibly formed a Spirit Wall to block Kruz’s retreat, but this mysterious enemy could tunnel, causing Kruz’s knees to gradually sink into the earth.

The Circus, the Brass Hotel staff, and the Court of Guards all came to assist Est and Bruto, pulling desperately like uprooting a turnip, preventing Kruz from sinking further.

With this support force, Est also freed his hand, releasing his Spirit Power to help Bruto reclaim Kruz.

The Spirit Power battle has always been abstract. Both Est and Bruto are Fighters, somewhat dull in this aspect; apart from walls and shields, they had nothing new.

If a Wizard were fighting here, the scene would be much more spectacular; at least in terms of imagination, Wizards are far richer than Fighters.

Est and Bruto relied on Spirit Defense to hold until now, having no temper for this enemy, setting their defensive line wide as the Brass Hotel behind them is the object they must protect, with injured subordinates, innocent travelers, and Circus members...

They had no other moves, just used their Spirit Power to form a defense, resisting everything. Fighters’ Group Attack Skills are not many; they couldn’t even ascertain the enemy’s location, let alone how many people there are. They could only identify the opponent’s attack.

Their entire Spirit Sensing only sensed this one point, thankfully establishing this, or they’d be blindly resisting again.

The Spirit Defense Wall successfully repelled the opponent’s invasion, with Est and Bruto’s Spirit Defense Wall covering the entire hotel. Hence, the opponent must break this defense.

Without breaching this defense, the opponent couldn’t approach the Brass Hotel.

Without approaching the Brass Hotel, the opponent couldn’t take Kruz away.

Though they didn’t know the opponent’s true purpose, Bruto and Est could still sense Kruz is the target.

"Tell me, old buddy, do you regret today?" Est looked at Bruto’s arm almost touching the ground.

"Regret? I never dwell on past actions; today really showed me there’s always something beyond."

Indeed, the strength of Est and Bruto in the Kayne Empire is considered top-notch, yet now they can’t even touch a finger of the enemy.

This disparity is bewildering; however, recognizing the opponent’s immense strength, they wisely chose not to attack rashly, conservatively protecting the Brass Hotel behind.

Covered in wounds, they felt they’d reached their limit but still persevered here. Nobody stronger than them could withstand it, they must block, even if it means being shattered to pieces.

No matter if reinforcements arrive, they must guard this place.

As for why protect this Circus member Kruz, they couldn’t explain.

Est’s question about regret meant whether this random protection of a stranger was worthwhile.

They’re guarding Bistal, the invader wants only a stranger, someone not belonging to Bistal.

Engaging all of Bistal for a stranger, is it worthwhile?

Nothing is about worth or not.

Est and Bruto only knew that at that moment, they had to save Kruz.

For no other reason, just for Lord Popovich’s instruction.

Though slightly confused then, they could see those two teenagers were deeply concerned about Kruz from the Circus. Reasons were unknown, but now it seems undeniably deep.

Part of Est and Bruto’s unwavering guardianship of Kruz was because of Igor.

They felt the youth gave them a sense of trustworthiness.

"I believe my first instinct, Bruto!" Est continued laughing, "Such trust is unprecedented; I feel as if I’m protecting not just a Circus member but all of Bistal!"

"You’re right, I also believe that feeling, that trustful feeling really is a thrill!"

Though covered in wounds, the two faced it calmly, never regretting.

"Old buddy, it’s coming!"

"I felt it too, all we can do might end here!"

Est and Bruto felt the rhythm of the opponent’s attack at that moment; soon, the opponent would strike heavily.

"Let’s brace ourselves, old buddy, even if heading to the Eternal Tranquility Realm, hold your head high!" Est remarked boldly.

"Humph! Don’t speak defeatist words; we’ve yet to attack, a little longer, it’s our turn to strike..." Bruto at this moment was encouraging himself; in such times, they have no retreat.

This struggle will likely have a conclusion soon...