The Mystic Armor Giant, standing over three meters tall, made Taro Daigo’s eyes light up, and he couldn’t help but exclaim in shock, "It was him who killed the youngest son of the Foster family!"
Carl had been wearing a cloak earlier, obscuring his features, so his specific appearance was unknown. Now, in this form, it was extremely obvious. There was no mistaking it.
Dana and the others’ eyes flickered with surprise, secret joy, and hope. Regardless of the other party’s identity or why he had come, their hopes for survival now rested entirely on him. Of course, they hoped he would win.
The armor that suddenly appeared on Carl also made Robert’s eyes shine, revealing a hint of greed. Armor-type Demonized Items were uncommon, and those that could change size at will were even rarer.
What if it fell into my own hands? How wonderful that would be!
As Carl swung his broadsword fiercely at Robert, a thick earthen wall suddenly rose between them.
The earthen wall exploded. The shattered earth didn’t fall to the ground but instead transformed into numerous earthen snakes, coiling towards Carl’s body.
At the same time, a ring on Robert’s finger began to flicker frantically.
An invisible force slammed down once again, causing Carl’s figure to falter. The coiling earthen snakes tightly bound his legs.
Seizing this opportunity, Robert retreated. A Wizard Apprentice’s powerful spiritual power allowed them to accurately analyze changing situations and provided enough reaction time to cast spells in response. Thus, getting close to an emotionally stable, prepared Wizard Apprentice was no easy task.
"Hmph!" Carl snorted.
Violent Battle Aura surged forth once more. The immense power instantly tore apart the restraints on his body, and he immediately flashed forward. This time, he was even closer to Robert.
The strange sensation as he landed made Carl’s expression under his helmet shift slightly, and he instinctively exerted force again.
"Too late!" Robert wore a faint smile.
Witchcraft Trap—Swamp!
The spot where he stood had, in fact, been preset with a Witchcraft Trap. Once triggered, anyone falling into it would become trapped as if in a swamp, struggling to move. This was a trap a level higher than simple mud; even a Great Knight deeply ensnared would find it difficult to escape quickly.
Robert raised his hand again, and two rings flashed simultaneously.
In an instant, over ten arm-thick vines, covered in sharp thorns, erupted from the ground, binding Carl tightly in place. If not for the armor he wore, the thorns on the vines would have pierced his flesh and devoured his blood.
Simultaneously, an invisible force in the air gathered, and a colossal hammer materialized out of thin air, brutally smashing down towards his position.
Dana and the others’ faces were etched with despair. Robert’s methods were endless; they doubted even a Great Knight could be his match. Although the Mystic Armor Giant was strong, he was being led by the nose at every step, completely unable to retaliate.
Escape? Daigo’s eyes darted around as he began to look for a way out.
Trapped by the trap and vines, Carl held his sword upright before him, his expression solemn and dignified under his helmet. It was as if a layer of pure white halo emanated from his body, coalescing into a solid entity slightly larger than himself.
Battle Skill—Guardian!
The gigantic hammer falling from the sky landed on Carl. The terrifying force made the very earth tremble. Dust flew and billowed, obscuring everything within, making it impossible to see clearly.
A gentle breeze blew, and the dust gradually dispersed.
The figure of someone kneeling on one knee came into everyone’s sight. As they watched, he propped himself up with his sword in both hands and slowly rose.
"’He’s... unharmed?’"
Taro Daigo, completely astonished, then his face filled with wild joy as he exclaimed loudly, "He’s unharmed!"
An attack of that magnitude could have easily smashed a Knight who had activated their Battle Aura into a pile of minced flesh. Even a Great Knight might not be able to withstand it.
And now... the Mystic Armor Warrior had withstood it!
The others also looked overjoyed. Dana, in particular, was so excited her face flushed red, and she gripped her sword hilt tightly.
Carl lowered his head and looked at the grim-faced Robert. "Titan’s Hammer?" he said. "Impressive power."
Indeed, its power was formidable, comparable to a Great Knight-level attack, perhaps even stronger. However, the Martial Art he cultivated, Guardian Ring, was a technique bestowed by the Moon Goddess upon the warriors who guarded the Forgotten City. This Martial Art was especially proficient in defense.
Furthermore, Carl’s own Constitution was not lacking. He had also activated a Secret Skill, was clad in armor, and possessed a steel-like body for protection. It could be said that buffs were stacked layer upon layer.
In terms of defense, ordinary Great Knights were far inferior to him!
Flashing forward, he reappeared before Robert. Carl’s arm trembled, and his broadsword suddenly grew larger.
His original broadsword was only ’broad’ relative to an ordinary person; in his currently giant hands, it was more like a short sword. Now, the broadsword transformed, becoming nearly three meters long, like a door panel, and its weight increased along with its size.
The massive weight brought with it terrifying destructive power.
This time, the earthen wall conjured by Robert barely served any purpose before the giant sword smashed it to pieces.
Just as Robert’s body was about to be torn apart by the immense force, a large hand appeared before the giant sword, gripping its blade tightly.
Hmm? Carl’s eyes narrowed.
"You think I’m afraid of others getting close?" Robert twisted his neck, and his body underwent a sudden transformation. His skin began to take on a cold, hard, grey hue, as if covered by countless tiny stones.
Not just the skin! His muscles and bones also seemed to change, becoming hard and cold, as if replaced by rock. His eyes gradually lost the softness characteristic of humans, becoming sharp, unyielding, and flickering with a cold, eerie light.