*Chapter 40: Ambush!*

The night was as dark as ink, and the crimson was like blood.

A sinister grin appeared on the man's face, his pale teeth chilling to behold. His low laughter was like the growl of a beast erupting from his throat.

The man held Mrs. Pence by the neck with one hand, lifting her off the ground.

Blood had already covered her face, but she wore an excited smile.

He extended his tongue to lick the blood from Mrs. Pence's face.

But then, he frowned.

"Not enough!"

"Still not enough!"

"It needs to be more delicious!"

He roared and kicked the butler's corpse towards Morey.

Then, with a flick of his wrist, he tossed Mrs. Pence in Morey's direction as well.

Morey raised his right hand, catching the butler's corpse. Using the force from the body, Morey spun around and caught the incoming Mrs. Pence.

At that moment, the tall and burly assailant had already charged towards Morey.

Simultaneously, Gawain raised his revolver.

Bang!

The gunfire flashed.

But the sparks were even more dazzling!

The bullet struck the assailant but had no effect; instead of penetrating the body, it bounced off as if it had hit steel!

'A Son of Flesh'!

The more terrifying defense of this entity compared to a 'Flesh Cultist' immediately confirmed its identity to Gawain.

However, Gawain did not stop shooting. He aimed at the opponent's vitals and pulled the trigger again.

But a gust of wind arose behind him.

Whoosh!

The dull sound of the wind sent chills down Gawain's spine. Without thinking, he bent down and rolled away to dodge.

Bang!

A heavy spiked club smashed into the nearby sofa, tearing the leather apart. The filling and wooden frame were instantly pulverized.

Cotton and wood splinters flew into the air.

Then, the spiked club swung down again.

Gawain didn't even have time to shoot back; he rolled away once more.

Bang!

Bang!

Bang!

A series of dull thuds followed one after another.

The floor shattered piece by piece.

After the third strike, Gawain was cornered against the wall.

"You can't escape!"

The assailant wielding the spiked club roared loudly, raising his weapon once more.

With no way to evade, Gawain immediately played his trump card.

【Using 'Bloody Honor' to enhance 'Unarmed Combat'!】

……

【Unarmed Combat (Proficient) → Unarmed Combat (Expert)】

【Unarmed Combat has reached Expert level. Please choose one of the following as your expert-level specialization: Dual-Handed Combat Mastery, Dual-Legged Combat Mastery, Grappling Mastery, Locking Mastery, Evasion Mastery】

- *Dual-Handed Combat Mastery*: You excel at using fists, palms, and elbows to attack, making it difficult for opponents to defend against you; Effect: When choosing dual-handed attacks, Body +0.3, Skill +0.3.

- *Dual-Legged Combat Mastery*: When using your legs to attack, your strikes are not only powerful but also incredibly fast; Effect: When using dual-legged attacks, Body +0.3, Skill +0.3.

- *Grappling Combat Mastery*: You prefer using throws to deliver heavy blows to your opponents; Effect: When throwing an opponent, Body +0.3, Skill +0.3.

- *Locking Combat Mastery*: Your grappling skills catch opponents off guard, instilling fear in them; Effect: When locking an opponent, Body +0.3, Skill +0.3.

- *Evasion Mastery*: Compared to offense, you prefer defensive counterattacks; Effect: When evading an opponent's attack, Body +0.3, Skill +0.3.

【Choice made: 'Evasion Mastery'!】

……

【Unarmed Combat (Expert): Having stepped into the realm of professional fighters, through trials and tribulations, you've developed your combat style, bringing you closer to the champion's throne; Effect: Body +0.5 (Basic, Beginner, Skilled, Proficient, Expert 0.1), Skill +0.4 (Beginner, Skilled, Proficient, Expert 0.1)】

【Well-Trained: Years of training have made your physical condition far superior to the average person; Effect: Constitution +0.2】

【Evasion Mastery: Compared to offense, you prefer defensive counterattacks; Effect: When evading an opponent's attack, Body +0.3, Skill +0.3】

……

In this intense scene, Goethe finds himself in a life-or-death struggle. As the enemy's spiked mace is about to come crashing down on him, Goethe seizes a critical opening. Not only does he spot a way to survive, but he also identifies a chance to counterattack.

With enhanced reflexes and combat experience, Goethe skillfully launches himself off a wall, colliding into his foe’s chest with agility and precision. As his right hand rapidly fires his revolver, each shot makes the enemy’s body shudder. The enemy’s weapon falters, dropping weakly to his side.

Taking full advantage of the opening, Goethe strikes with a vicious knee to the groin, causing the enemy to double over in pain. With cold determination, he then aims his revolver at the enemy’s face and pulls the trigger multiple times. The close-range shots leave the enemy’s face a bloody mess, with his eyes reduced to gory craters.

The formidable opponent falls lifelessly to the ground. Without wasting a moment, Goethe turns his attention to Moray.

At this moment, Moray is in dire straits. Already gravely injured, he had been thrown back by the "Son of Flesh" when he tried to catch the bodies of Mrs. Pence and the butler. The impact sends him crashing onto a sofa, which overturns and pins both him and the bodies beneath it.

The "Son of Flesh" sneers as he steps forward, preparing to crush them underfoot. But before he can do so, Goethe, having dispatched his own opponent, rushes forward and delivers a powerful kick to the back of the enemy's knee. The unexpected blow halts the enemy's movement, sparing Moray for the moment.

Goethe, however, feels like he just kicked a brick wall. The enemy barely falters. Despite this, Moray seizes the opportunity to pull Mrs. Pence to safety.

The "Son of Flesh," now fully focused on Goethe, roars in anger at the sight of his fallen comrade. "Die, you worm!" he bellows, charging at Goethe with deadly intent.

But Goethe, having faced members of the "Flesh Church" before, knows what to do. He keeps his distance, knowing that while the "Son of Flesh" is stronger and tougher than the "Flesh Believers," he isn't much faster.

With his unarmed combat skills now at an expert level, Goethe's physical attributes have improved significantly. His strength, perception, and agility have all been heightened, especially with the "Dodge Mastery" ability that temporarily boosts his physical and technical prowess while evading attacks.

Goethe deftly dodges each of the "Son of Flesh’s" attacks, using acrobatic maneuvers to stay just out of reach. Every time he evades, he counters with a well-placed shot from his revolver.

As the "Son of Flesh" lunges at him with outstretched arms, Goethe leaps onto a wall and flips onto a beam above, landing a precise shot on his enemy from above.

His movements are nimble, almost monkey-like, as he continuously outmaneuvers the "Son of Flesh," who grows increasingly enraged by his inability to land a hit.

"Kill you! Kill you!" the "Son of Flesh" roars in fury.

When Moray finally places Mrs. Pence safely aside, he witnesses this remarkable display of skill. He marvels at Goethe's combat abilities, which are allowing him to hold his own against such a formidable foe.

Recognizing this as a rare opportunity, Moray gathers all his remaining strength and unleashes a powerful strike.

The "Son of Flesh," realizing the danger too late, tries to react, but it's already over.

A massive sword of light descends, slicing the "Son of Flesh" cleanly in two.

Despite this victory, neither Goethe nor Moray feels any relief.

For outside the door, the fog begins to churn ominously.

(Chapter ends)