The next one attacked with an axe.
Zaber let his sword fall from his hand.
"What?!" the bandit exclaimed in shock.
But it was too late.
Zaber seized his wrist, twisted it inward. The axe dropped.
He drove his forehead into the man's nose. Then his knee smashed into the ribs.
Close-quarters combat—intimate. Bloody. Merciless.
The soul chain stirred again.
This time it pierced straight through the archer standing behind the shield and yanked him forward.
Zaber slammed him to the ground. He retrieved his sword.
One strike. Two strikes.
The second ring began to collapse.
But a voice came from the center.
"Enough!"
The leader emerged.
He was tall. Eyes cold. Body forged by countless battles.
"Who are you? Why are you attacking us?" he demanded.
Zaber gave a thin smile.
"Even if I told you, you wouldn't recognize me. As for why I'm attacking… there is no reason."
He raised the soul chain.
The leader took one step forward.
