Chapter 76: Zaraki the Golden Knight

Nana, taken aback by the creature's healing abilities, jumped back. She raised her red hand and let off a single snap, causing parts of the creature to explode into bits.

Purple blood flew across the entire battlefield as the creature continued its lunge, attempting to slam its enlarged blade down on her. Nana took a defensive stance, ready to parry the blow.

However, before she could react, the creature's arm was sliced in half. An unseen force pushed the creature into a nearby cliff, lodging it inside.

Although it slowly began to regenerate, it struggled to loosen its grip from the wall.

A bit shocked by what had happened, Nana looked over to Ty, who maintained a calm demeanor and stated, "Not me."

Moments later, a shift in the wind occurred, and a man clad in golden armor, with a visor featuring five slits down the middle, bent a knee before Nana.

He asked, "Are you okay, young lady? The battlefield is no place for children," while placing a hand on her shoulder.

Swatting his hand away with annoyance, she states, "I am no child!" A face of shock is slightly seen through the visor, the force enough to bruise his wrist slightly.

Nana catches herself, stating, "I just don't need any help. And if I did, Ty is all the help I would need," as she crosses her arms.

The creature let off a giant roar from among the cliffside, finally dislodging itself and launching towards their direction again, destroying nearby monsters in its path. A line of blood trails from the creature, shadows emitting off the creature's Dark Sickles, leaving the ground slightly covered in darkness.

The man, clad in gold armor, puts his hand back on Nana's chest. Her face showcases tints of red in anger. Ty yanks her by the collar, pulling her back, stating, "Don't take it personally. Besides, like I said, I want to keep your power as hidden as possible. Just relax, okay?"

Nana, his face a bit red, just states, "Fine."

Moments later, the man clad in golden armor pulls out a small metal object, rounded in cylindrical fashion. His fist begins to emit a golden aura, vibrant and pulsating.

Then, an immense amount of energy jets from his hands, shooting out from the palms in a spiraling form. It's a spectacle of light and power, each twist of the spiral shimmering with kinetic energy.

The air crackles with the force of the unfolding magic, a sound that resonates like distant thunder. As the energy takes shape, it forms into a pure black staff.

Falling to a knee, he takes a gasp of breath, removing his helmet to reveal glistening blond hair, with bright bits of brown at the ends.

His chiseled jawline is marked by a scar covering the right side of his eye, yet somehow, his eye remains unchanged.

His piercing blue eyes shimmer with an intensity as they fixate on the dying creature, his face a canvas of disdain and hatred.

Ty, walking up to the man, places a hand on his shoulder and remarks, "Wow, you must be really strong. I heard you called your weapon a name. Is it alive by chance?"

A bit perplexed by the question, the man states, "Well, in a spiritual sense. I can slightly hear and feel what he wants, but not in a physical sense." As he speaks, the serrated double-edged blade retracts into a small cylindrical object again.

Ty, extending a hand towards him, says, "Well, it's a pleasure to meet you, nonetheless. The name's Ty Hockenson."

The man in the gold armor, struggling a bit to stand, catches Ty's handshake and introduces himself, "I'm Armond Zaraki, head member of the 3rd house." He offers a brimming, fierce smile, leaving Ty a bit confused.

"So, are you like in charge of the house?" Ty inquires, curiosity evident in his tone.

Armond lets off a small chuckle, lighting the mood momentarily. "Oh goodness no, it just means my father is in charge of the house, and I am one of his kids," he explains, a hint of amusement in his voice.

"My job the last couple of years has been directing the growth of the under division of house three, and dealing with any shadow creatures that surface out here so they don't make it to the capital.

But they have slowly been becoming stronger, and casualties have been on the rise." He places a finger over his lip, his expression turning pensive as he ponders the current state of affairs.

Looking up to Ty, he states, "Sorry, I shouldn't be laying my problems onto you. But you really shouldn't have a child around here."

Ty responds with a hint of irony, "Well, it's funny you say that. She actually belongs to the 3rd house, and I've been instructed to bring her back after she was found at the border."

A shocked expression, painted with slight horror, sweeps over Armond's face. The news clearly takes him by surprise, his eyes widening.

"This isn't what I was expecting to hear at a time like this," he mutters, sweat dripping from his forehead, his entire face contorted with shock.