The World Is Mine For The Taking Chapter 362: Epilogue 7 - A Brewing Showdown (2)

When I arrived, I was greeted by the sight of a massive swarm of people closing in. They didn't look like they belonged here, and I could instantly tell they were mbers of the Eclipse.

There were so many of them, it was like they'd brought a whole army with them. The guy the big man had stashed away in that barn had to be soone important—so high-level official—because that was the only reason they'd show up in numbers like this. There was no other explanation that made sense.

Erick, the big man, stood his ground, his face calm, but the way his fingers wrapped tightly around his halberd told a different story. His knuckles were turning white from the grip. The tension in the air was thick, and despite his outward composure, you could feel the weight of the storm brewing inside him.

"Visitor, you ca here just to investigate, didn't you?" His voice was steady, but the weight behind it was palpable. "Do a favor—get out of here with the others. Save them."

"You're gonna hold them off?" I asked, feeling a knot form in my stomach.

"Yes. Even if it costs my life," he replied, his eyes burning with a conviction that was almost tangible. He wasn't bluffing—he was dead serious. "I have a daughter. My wife died before she even knew what it ant to have a daughter. I swore on her grave that I'd protect our daughter, no matter what.

That's why I'm begging you—get her out of here. Save her, save the people of this village."

"D-Dad!" a voice pierced the air from behind us. A woman, stunningly beautiful with flowing blonde hair, ca rushing over. She looked completely out of place here, like she belonged to a world far more polished, more elegant. Honestly, if you told she was from royalty, I wouldn't bat an eye. "L-Let's go together! You can't fight them all on your own!"

"I have to, Anna!" Erick's voice exploded, ripping from the depths of his lungs. "You need to go with the other villagers! Get to the next village and tell them what happened here!"

Tears welled up in his daughter's eyes, her voice cracking with defiance. "I don't want to! I want to stay with you, Dad!"

The tension between them hit hard. Watching their pain, I made my decision, stepping forward.

"You go and save them yourself," I said, my tone cold and unyielding. "I'll handle the fight."

Erick's eyes widened in shock. "You can't take them all on," he stamred, disbelief and concern mixing in his voice.

I t his gaze, unwavering. "Don't waste ti worrying about . You should be more concerned about your daughter. If her father dies here, who's gonna protect her from what cos next?"

Even if he was determined now to protect his daughter, it would still be useless in the long run. The danger was always out there, lurking in the future. What if sothing bad happened to her then? Was he supposed to rise from the dead to save her? That idea was ridiculous.

"Normally, I wouldn't go this far, but I'm moved by your bravery," I told him, my tone softening just a bit. "You're risking everything for soone precious to you. If I was even half the man you are..."

I released a powerful surge of mana, the air crackling with its intensity. I concentrated it until it ford into a blade of pure energy, shimring with lethal potential.

"You don't need to worry about a stranger like ," I said, casting a glance at his daughter, who was still clinging to hope. "Focus on staying alive for her. She needs you—you're all she has left. And honestly, there's nothing to worry about when it cos to . Even with all this, they still can't take down."

Erick's eyes widened in shock as he looked from to the glowing sword. Then he hesitated before asking, "Do you have soone you've promised yourself to?"

"I have," I replied.

"Then, are you willing to take concubines?"

"D-Dad?" His daughter's voice wavered, her eyes widening as she seed to grasp the gravity of what he was suggesting.

"Well, the person I'm promised to has no issue with taking concubines. In fact, she encourages to have as many as I can handle. So, yes, I'm willing to take concubines," I answered with a steely resolve.

"Alright," he said. "If you manage to survive this, fight off, and defeat all these scumbags, I'll give you my Anna as your concubine. Is that acceptable?"

"Dad!" His daughter shouted.

I looked at him and smiled. "I'll gladly take her," I said.

"Haha!" he burst out, his laughter booming and harsh. "If you manage to save our village, I'll be more than happy to hand her over to you! You seem like a man worthy of her, after all!" he added, giving a hard clap on the back that stung. "So, best of luck."

He turned to the other villagers, his voice commanding. "Alright, everyone, let's clear out and head to the next village!"

"Dad, you're not seriously going to give away as soone's concubine, are you?" I heard Anna's voice, full of disbelief.

"The young man seems to have so promise," Erick said with a nod. "I figured he'd be more deserving than any of the dirtbags trying to win you over in this village."

"But how co... I an... Sure, he's handso, but I can't just go with him. He's already promised to soone, right?"

"Yes, that's right," he said, his tone matter-of-fact. "That's why you'll need to get along with her when he takes you. And try to be a good wife. It's not entirely impossible that you could end up as the legal one."

"Dad!"

The argunt between father and daughter buzzed faintly in the background. I, however, kept my gaze fixed on the throng of people advancing toward us.

I reached into my suit and retrieved my mask—a smooth, faceless piece with no distinguishing features.

With a reward on the line, it was ti to get serious.

I slipped the mask over my face.

Then, without a second thought, I hurtled forward into the fray.