Rise of The Abandoned Husband

The black-robed figure stood before me, the precious herb clutched in his pale hand. Everyone in the clearing had gone silent, the battle momentarily forgotten as they stared at the unexpected thief.

"Dudley Lowell," I growled, recognizing those cold, calculating eyes beneath the hood.

He pulled back his hood, revealing his face fully, his lips curled into a mocking smile. An eerie aura emanated from him, making the air around us feel heavy and oppressive.

"Surprised to see me, Liam Knight?" His voice was smooth as silk yet carried a deadly edge. "You're not the only one seeking rare treasures in these woods."

Guy Noble stepped up beside me, his hand gripping his sword tightly. "Hand over the herb," he commanded.

Dudley laughed, the sound utterly devoid of humor. "Or what? You'll attack me with your little toy?" He glanced dismissively at Guy's weapon. "Even a Martial Saint like you isn't my equal."

I clenched my fists, assessing the situation rapidly. The herb was my only chance against Broderick. Without it, all my plans would crumble.

"You don't understand what's at stake," I said, my voice low and dangerous. "I need that herb."

"Oh, I understand perfectly." Dudley rolled the glowing plant between his fingers carelessly. "That's precisely why I want it."

I channeled energy into my limbs, preparing to strike. "This isn't a negotiation."

Without warning, I lunged forward, unleashing my Absolute Beginning Sacred Fist directly at his chest. My attack was blindingly fast, but Dudley merely smiled. As my fist should have connected with solid flesh, it passed through him as if he were made of smoke.

"What the—" I stumbled, off-balance, my momentum carrying me forward.

Dudley reappeared three feet to the left, still holding the herb. "Spatial manipulation," he explained casually. "One of my many talents."

Around us, Ms. Hayward's forces and the other cultivators had begun to move in, forming a loose circle. They were waiting, calculating their own chances at claiming the prize.

"He's toying with us," Guy muttered beside me.

I straightened, my mind racing for a solution. If he could turn insubstantial at will, how could I possibly land a blow?

Dudley smirked, clearly enjoying the moment. "I think our business here is concluded." He raised his hand in a mocking salute. "I'll put this herb to good use, I assure you."

His body began to shimmer, the edges blurring as he prepared to transport himself away. Panic surged through me. If he disappeared now, everything was lost.

"Wait!" I shouted desperately, but he was already half-gone, his form becoming transparent.

Suddenly, a familiar voice called out from behind me. "Not so fast, you spatial-jumping bastard!"

The Man with the Mustache darted forward, his hands a blur as he flung a series of paper talismans in a wide circle around Dudley. The moment the talismans touched the ground, they burst into brilliant blue flames, forming a complete ring of fire.

Dudley's expression changed instantly from smugness to alarm. His body solidified again as he stared at the flames in obvious consternation.

"What is this?" he demanded, his voice no longer smooth but harsh with anger.

The Man with the Mustache grinned, twirling his mustache with obvious pride. "Ancient binding talismans. They trap the space within their circle, preventing spatial movement. Picked them up from a tomb in the western mountains. Quite rare, actually."

I couldn't believe it. The cowardly tomb raider had just saved our mission with his obscure knowledge. For once, I was genuinely grateful for his grave-robbing habits.

"Now!" Guy shouted, signaling his men.

More than twenty Marquis-level cultivators converged on Dudley, who suddenly looked far less confident. I didn't waste the opportunity, charging forward again with renewed purpose.

This time, when I struck, my fist connected solidly with his chest. The impact sent him flying backward, though he managed to keep his grip on the herb. He crashed into the ground, sliding several feet before coming to a stop against a tree.

"Give me the herb," I demanded, advancing on him as Guy's men formed a tight perimeter.

Dudley struggled to his feet, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth. His eyes darted around, seeking an escape route, but the talisman barrier held firm.

"You're outnumbered and trapped," I continued. "This doesn't have to end badly for you."

For a moment, he seemed to consider his options. Then, his face hardened into resolve. "Very well," he said, holding out the herb. "Take it."

I approached cautiously, suspecting a trick. When I was within arm's reach, I snatched the precious plant from his outstretched hand, immediately checking that it was indeed the genuine article. The herb pulsed with living energy in my palm, each leaf radiating power.

Relief flooded through me, so powerful I nearly staggered. The key to defeating Broderick was now in my possession.

"Before you kill me," Dudley said suddenly, his voice eerily calm, "don't you want to know about Evelyn Norton?"

I froze, my eyes snapping back to his face. "What do you know about Evelyn?"

He smiled thinly, seeing he had caught my interest. "I know how to wake her from her coma. That's valuable information, wouldn't you say?"

Guy moved to my side, his sword pointed at Dudley's throat. "He's stalling," he warned.

"Maybe," I conceded. "But if there's even a chance..." I focused on Dudley again. "Talk. Fast."

"You need another Demonic Beast Spirit Core," he said promptly. "Identical to the one that caused her condition. Only by using its counterbalancing energy can you pull her consciousness back."

My mind raced, processing this information. It made sense, aligning with what I knew about spiritual energy imbalances. But where would I find such a specific core?

"Where—" I began to ask, but was interrupted by a blinding flash of golden light.

Guy had thrust his Martial Saint Weapon forward, piercing Dudley's shoulder. The wound instantly began smoking, dark energy pouring from it as Dudley screamed in agony.

"That's for the ambush you orchestrated last month," Guy said coldly. "Six of my men died."

Dudley clutched his wounded shoulder, his face contorted with pain and hatred. "You'll regret that," he hissed.

Before anyone could react, his body suddenly collapsed inward, transforming into a bolt of black light that shot upward with incredible speed. The talismans around us burst into flames and disintegrated.

"He's escaping!" the Man with the Mustache shouted.

I prepared to give chase, but Guy's hand on my arm stopped me.

"Let him go," he advised. "We have the herb, and there are at least a dozen more Marquises approaching from the north. We need to leave now."

I hesitated, torn between pursuing Dudley and securing our prize. Ultimately, I knew Guy was right. The herb was too important to risk.

"Fine," I relented, carefully tucking the precious plant into a secure inner pocket. "Clara, are you okay?"

She nodded, her small face serious. "I'm fine, but we should hurry."

As we gathered our group to depart, I couldn't help glancing back at where Dudley had disappeared. His information about Evelyn could be crucial—if it was true. Either way, I had no doubt we'd cross paths again.

"Let's move," I ordered, and our party quickly melted into the forest, leaving the battlefield behind.

Twenty minutes after our departure, Ms. Hayward returned to the clearing, her face flushed with anger. She had pursued another group she'd mistakenly believed had taken the herb.

"Where is it?" she demanded, scanning the empty area where the celestial grass had appeared. Finding nothing but disturbed earth and signs of combat, her expression twisted with rage.

Her gaze fell on Baldwin Daniels, who shrank back under her furious glare.

"You said it would be here," she snarled. "You guaranteed I would claim it!"

Baldwin raised his hands defensively. "I-I don't understand. It should have been—"

"Because of you, I missed the ten-thousand-year-old herb! You damn bastard!" Ms. Hayward's mournful voice reverberated throughout the surroundings, promising vengeance against whoever had claimed her prize.