MD-Chapter 310 Severed Arm

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The man was still in mid-air when he saw Arthur descending from above. The twin blades in Arthur's hands had shifted into long swords, flipping and thrusting downward with deadly precision!

Had the strike landed as intended, the blade would have pierced straight through the man's throat.

But instead of falling, the man abruptly stopped in mid-air.

Arthur's strike met only empty space, and his heart skipped a beat. He looked up to see the man adjusting his balance, hovering effortlessly with his hands behind his back. 

"You're strong," The man acknowledged. "I'll give you another chance. Make the right choice."

"I've already made my choice."

Arthur exhaled, and suddenly, a pair of thick, mechanical arms extended from behind the man, clamping down tightly around him.

Arthur's long sword shot forward, aiming straight for the throat!

'Clang!'

A sharp metallic echo rang out as the man clasped his hands together, catching Arthur's blade between his palms.

The man's arms trembled as a ring on his finger pulsed with energy. A surge of force erupted overwhelming even Arthur's immense strength, allowing the man to break free from the restraint.

"Raaagh!"

Arthur let out a roar, lunging forward again.

But at that moment, the ground beneath him collapsed, and he was instantly buried waist-deep, immobilized.

Arthur focused, trying to break free, but the unseen force binding him was unrelenting.

"Your backup won't save you this time," The man sneered. "Let's see what else you've got."

Arthur shook his head. "You talk too much."

"I appreciate talent," The man replied smoothly.

Armed guards poured into the scene, weapons drawn. They hesitated, visibly shaken by the spectacle before them— especially the sight of their leader facing off against Arthur. Their entire perception of reality seemed to be unraveling.

The man glanced at them before turning to Arthur. "Look at them, holding weapons but powerless to act. But we… we are different."

He released Arthur's sword and flicked his wrist. A pulse of energy ignited the air— a roaring inferno surged forward like a dragon!

The flames swept through the guards, engulfing them in seconds. Their screams barely had time to echo before they were reduced to ash.

Arthur's eyes narrowed. "Weren't they your men?"

"Killian's men," The man corrected, smirking. "If you're here, that means Killian failed. So there are no reasons to keep his people around."

Arthur exhaled sharply. "The movies really got this all wrong."

"What?" The man cocked his head. "Are you saying you became a hero because of movies? That would actually make sense."

"One last question." Arthur met his gaze. "Are you the Mandarin?"

"Who else?" The Mandarin's lips curled into a smile.

But in the next instant, he vanished— only to reappear inches from Arthur with a punch that flew at blinding speed toward Arthur!

It was a raw force, and pure speed— combined into a devastating strike.

Arthur raised his sword to block, but the impact sent him flying. He crashed through a wall, tumbling into another chamber.

He barely had time to rise before the Mandarin pursued, flames billowing in his wake.

Arthur reacted instinctively, slashing his blade through the air—sending a cutting wind to disperse the firestorm. The room erupted into flames as the Mandarin disappeared once more.

Arthur turned sharply, sensing movement—

A beam of energy shot toward him.

He teleported instantly, avoiding direct impact—only to be met by an incoming fist!

The Mandarin's combat instincts were extraordinary, and his ten rings granted abilities, unlike anything Arthur had encountered.

Arthur pushed off with his feet, retreating fast—

But in that moment, he unleashed a spatial slash!

The air shimmered an unseen ripple distorting reality itself.

The Mandarin's arm was severed cleanly at the shoulder.

Shock flashed across his face as he instinctively reached for his severed limb—

Arthur clenched his fist, distorting the space around the wound.

Blood gushed forth as searing pain consumed the Mandarin. His face twisted in agony. "Damn you!"

He lunged to reclaim his arm—

Arthur moved first, grabbing hold of it as well.

"Give it back!"

The Mandarin's admiration for Arthur had dissolved into pure rage. He wanted nothing more than to rip him apart.

But just as he was about to pull with all his strength— his grip faltered.

The arm was gone.

His eyes darted to Arthur. "Where did you take it?!"

Arthur said nothing, stepping forward with his sword poised for another strike.

A bright, white energy flickered along the blade's edge— something new, something different from their previous exchanges.

But then—

One of the Mandarin's rings pulsed, and Arthur suddenly felt a crushing force bearing down on him.

"Gravity!"

He recognized the power instantly— this was the same force that had immobilized him earlier.

The Mandarin controlled gravity itself.

Before Arthur could react, an unnatural cold spread through the air.

The ground, the walls— everything around him began freezing over at a rapid pace.

Arthur glanced around, then unfurled his wings, propelling himself upward just as the ice closed in.

(End of Chapter)