Chapter 21: The Assassin and the Fury of the Waters

Charlie and Luke were wading through the waterlogged tunnel when the sound of heavy splashes echoed around them. More Drowned Walkers emerged from the shadows, slowly surrounding them.

Then came the splash.

Something massive charged through the water with terrifying momentum. Luke’s instincts kicked in—he blinked sideways with Assassin’s Dash just as the creature lunged into view.

[Enraged Drowned Walker – Lv 9]

It was larger than the rest, bloated beyond human shape, with algae and rot tangled in its limbs. And in its grip—

A war hammer.

“GRRR!” it bellowed, surging forward like a berserker.

Princess Charlie met it head-on, deflecting the hammer’s first swing with her blade. The force of the impact sent her stumbling back, almost losing her footing in the water.

Before the monster could strike again, Luke dashed in low and sliced its leg.

The swollen flesh split open, dark blood spilling into the water. The creature roared and spun, just as the other walkers leapt onto Luke, dragging him under.

He thrashed and kicked, trying to hurl a blade—but underwater, he couldn’t get the force. Teeth gnashed around him, hands clawing at his throat. With a violent surge, he broke the surface—only to feel a crushing blow slam into his back.

The war hammer.

He flew, crashing into the cavern wall with a grunt.

“Shit…!”

Charlie was fighting two more walkers nearby, her sword flashing in tight arcs.

The hammer-wielding brute came for Luke again, swinging wide. Luke dodged, and the hammer smashed into the stone, sending a tremor through the ground. The beast reeled from the force.

Luke hurled a kukri, which duplicated mid-flight and slashed across the walker’s face. With his second kukri, he lunged forward and carved into the creature’s wrist.

“AAARGH!”

The hammer dropped.

Luke shoved the monster back and called both kukris to his hands. With a sharp flick, he threw them again—this time at the two walkers trying to ambush Charlie from behind.

They dropped into the water with twin splashes.

He reached for throwing knives and flung them straight at the brute’s eyes. At the same time, he charged. The monster raised an arm to strike—

And screamed.

From behind, the kukris returned, spinning like twin saws. Luke had positioned himself perfectly, using the magnetic return as a trap.

He didn’t hesitate.

Three more knives went into the creature’s face. It staggered, roaring blindly. Luke caught his blades mid-air and buried them both into the monster’s skull.

[You have slain an Enraged Drowned Walker – Lv 9]

He turned, panting.

Not far off, Charlie was still locked in combat. Her strikes were fast, precise—she lacked raw power, but made up for it with movement.

[Princess Charlie has slain a Drowned Walker – Lv 5]

Then three more walkers tackled her.

One grabbed her sword arm. Another locked her torso. A third reached for her skull, fingers trembling with the intent to crush.

Luke moved.

Fast.

He hurled his kukris, striking the Drowned Walker holding Charlie. The blade hit clean, forcing the monster back. But Charlie was still trapped.

Luke didn’t stop.

He sprinted through the water, throwing a flurry of knives. His kukris returned to his grip just in time to cleave through the remaining two Walkers, cutting them down before they could react.

Charlie grabbed her fallen sword and finished the job, driving her blade into the ones still trying to rise.

[Princess Charlie has slain a Drowned Walker – Lv 6]

[Princess Charlie has slain a Drowned Walker – Lv 6]

[Princess Charlie has slain a Drowned Walker – Lv 5]

Luke turned toward the next group. Three more came at him—he met them head-on.

A slash to the leg.

A thrust to the chest.

A brutal stab into the skull.

He moved like liquid, even in waist-deep water. His muscles felt tighter, stronger, more responsive. Every motion was efficient. Lethal.

He threw one kukri, catching a walker in the face—then recalled it mid-air, making it reverse course and slam into two others from behind.

[You have slain a Drowned Walker – Lv 6]

[You have slain a Drowned Walker – Lv 7]

Charlie sprinted toward the last one crawling in the water and cleaved it down with a single blow.

[Princess Charlie has slain a Drowned Walker – Lv 6]

*The [Warrior] class of Princess Charlie has reached Level 2! (Class Bonus Points Acquired)*

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[Princess Charlie has gained a new Class Skill]

The battle was over.

Blood stained the water, swirling with the soft current that flowed from the waterfall behind them, slowly washing the gore away.

“That was close,” Luke muttered, catching his breath.

He checked her newly acquired skill.

[Heavy Strike (Common)]: Channeling raw strength, the Warrior delivers a devastating blow with +20% base damage. Simple—but deadly in the right hands.

Charlie held her sword in both hands and tested it, swinging downward in a powerful arc. The blade cut through the air with a loud hiss and splashed into the water, sending ripples in every direction.

Luke nodded. “That’s going to come in handy.”

She gave a proud thumbs-up.

Opening her system panel, Luke reviewed her updated stats.

Name: Princess Charlie
Level: 1
Rank: F
Class: [Warrior – Lv 2]
Race: Skeleton
Titles: [Servant of the Dark Lord]
Health Points (HP): 76/100

Mana Points (MP): 20/20

Stamina: 72/80

Stats:
Strength: 13
Agility: 7
Endurance: 8
Vitality: 10
Perception: 3
Intelligence: 2
Free Points: 1

He stared at her for a long moment.

If she had lost a leg… or an arm… what would he have done?

Would he have carried her on his back for the rest of the climb?

“Maybe I should just leave you at the elevator…” he murmured.