Astrid followed Dolk as they relocated to another spot to have their confrontation. They leaped from building to building, putting a considerable amount of distance between them and their respective allies.

  As they continued, Dolk decided to strike up a conversation.

  “Where did you come across that human? Judging from her level and class, she’s quite powerful. Especially after witnessing her kill a good majority of my guys without much issue.”

  “You should be more focused on me instead of Hazel, Dolk. Because once we start this scuffle, you won’t be making it out alive.” Her voice was cold and venomous as she declared this to her former ally.

  Dolk sighed after hearing this. “Look, I understand that you’re angry-”

  “Angry doesn’t even begin to describe what I’m feeling right now!” Astrid snapped. “You killed our friends and allies and nearly killed me, your closest friend! And for what? At the behest of my brother so you could help him become Chief of the village?!”

  Astrid had been racking her brain about what happened right before she was teleported to the Tutorial Dungeon. How she watched her allies get killed in an ambush that was orchestrated by not only her closest friend since childhood but also her brother. Her own blood.

  Even since that day, Astrid had focused solely on surviving that hellish dungeon so she could return and get revenge for what they did. She wasn’t just getting revenge for being betrayed but also for their betrayal of the village.

  And her first act of vengeance would be upon Dolk, the dark elf that carried out the Master mind’s plan right to the letter.

  Dolk did not give a reply to Astrid’s question, remaining silent and continued to move. This only angered Astrid further, solidifying the fact that she could never forgive him. Or her brother for what they’ve done.

  A few moments passed by before Dolk finally stopped and landed in a forest area. No, not a forest...it was a park. Astrid landed near the dark elf traitor, taking note of the trees and grass around them. Despite witnessing the various industrial buildings around them, this was a place that was miraculously untouched by it all. It was like it was being preserved.

  Astrid continued to scan the park looking somewhat bewildered by the sight, only for her attention to be pulled away by the sound of Dolk’s voice.

  “I thought this place could serve as our little battleground. Much like the other elves except maybe the High Elves, we thrive in the domain of nature.”

  Dark elves were known for being forest dwellers, similar to regular Elves and the Lunar Elves. The forest was their home and territory, and nothing could change that. Even after being experimented on and evolved into their current species at the hands of the other High Elves, their drive to live in the forest never left them. It was practically embedded in their DNA, with no way of eliminating it.

  And now that they were in a forest-like area, they could fight like they always did back in their village without feeling restricted.

  “Before we do this,” Astrid spoke up. “I want you to tell me why you did it.” She declared with a stern expression.

  Dolk stared at Astrid for a moment, looking hesitant to answer. “Does it really matter why?” He shrugged his shoulders.

  “It matters to me,” She said with a calm tone, not even going up a single decibel. “I need to know why you betrayed us for my brother. Was he threatening you? Did he offer you something you just couldn’t refuse?”

  If Dolk was only doing this because he had no other choice, then there might be something that Astrid could do to help. But if he did it willingly even knowing that he would not only kill his own kind but also those close to them, then she wouldn’t bother sparing his life even if he begged. If that was it then he needed to be punished for his actions.

  Hearing this, Dolk let out an exasperated sigh, like he found the entire conversation annoying and dull.

  “Kollr didn’t threaten me, Astrid. Everything I did was done by my choice.”

  You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.

  Astrid clenched her hands upon hearing Dolk’s confession. However, before she could say anything regarding this, he continued.

  “But, I did feel like I didn’t have much of a choice at the time. It was either joining forces with Kollr or ending up getting killed with the rest of you guys.”

  “You would rather save your own skin than protect your village? Are you even a member of the Legion with that kind of mentality?!”

  Becoming a Legion of the Greyvolk tribe meant putting your life on the line for your home and people. You were to defend them with your last breath, no matter what you were facing. And yet, here Astrid was hearing someone part of the Legion say something so cowardly and disgraceful.

  Dolk simply groaned at Astrid’s outrage. “Oh please, you wouldn’t be acting like that if you knew what I knew.”

  “And what’s that, huh? What does my little brother have in store that you would willingly kill and betray your people? What is it?!”

  “You mean aside from the fact that he made a deal with the damn High Elves?”

  At the mention of the high elves, Astrid suddenly froze while her mind tried to process what she just heard.

  “What...do you mean by that?”

  Noticing Astrid’s reaction, Dolk could only snicker at the sight. “Seems like I got your attention, huh?”

  “Answer the question!” She snarled, not in the mood for his games. “What did you mean by Kollr making a deal with the High Elves?! Why would he do something like that?!”

  Kollr was many things, but even Astrid knew that he wouldn’t stoop so low as to make a deal with the very people who wish for their destruction. To even do such a thing was beyond ridiculous and just outright impossible.

  The High Elves only viewed Dark Elves as a failed experiment. A mistake that those high and mighty bastards wished to exterminate until the last dark elf was slain, erasing their mistake from existence. And much like how the high elves despised her kind, the Dark Elves felt the same way toward their heartless creators.

  And yet, somehow, Kollr had made a deal with them? That shouldn’t have been possible.

  “I don’t know much of the details myself,” Dolk stated before giving her a daring smile. “And if you want to know the rest, you’ll have to fight me to get it.” He gestured for Astrid to come at her, waving his hand toward her.

  Astrid narrowed her eyes angrily, knowing that Dolk wasn’t planning to give the information so easily. In a fit of rage, she blurred toward him using [Quick Step], closing the distance in an instant.

  Instead of using the same skill to move away from her, Dolk stood still and took her attack. She swung her fist at him, to which he shifted his head to the side. He swiped his leg under Astrid, causing her to trip. But she wasn’t that easy to take down and flipped backward to avoid falling on her rear.

  Landing on her feet, Astrid then hurled several throwing daggers toward Dolk, hoping to take her down with them. However, that didn’t work when he utilized his [Quick Step] skill to maneuver around her barrage attack.

  Thankfully, Astrid took account of this and prepared accordingly. She soon pulled out her bow and activated her [Quick Shot] skill, firing a barrage of arrows toward Dolk. Despite being bombarded with projectiles, he barely looked fazed at the sight as he leaped out of the way. Dolk then delivered his own attack and hurled several throwing daggers of his own at Astrid.

  Much like before, she activated [Quick Step] and dodged the arrows with ease while drawing another arrow. This time, with the assistance of [Snipe] and her kinetic bowstring, she made this shot a far more lethal one.

  Dolk noticed the blue energy crackling across the bowstring before coursing into the arrow itself, filling it with power. When he saw that, he immediately took a defensive pose, knowing that if he let his guard down, he was done for.

  Astrid then loosed the arrow, watching his whistle through the air while barreling toward its target. Thanks to her [Snipe] skill, her precision was off the charts as it maintained course toward Dolk’s skull, barely diverting course from the wind and other factors that could possibly derail it from its current path.

  Despite believing that her shot could hit, Astrid was sorely mistaken when Dolk pulled out a dagger, and with a single motion, slashed the blade at the arrow, slicing it in half. Astrid stared with widened eyes, completely surprised by Dolk’s improved skills.

  After successfully slicing the arrow, Dolk whistled while maintaining his defensive stance.

  “I got to admit, you’ve improved quite a lot, Astrid.”

  “I’d rather you not praise me, otherwise I’ll get indigestion.”

  “How harsh,” He tried to sound offended, but his cocky smile ruined that image.

  Although Astrid hated to admit it, Dolk had gotten pretty strong as well. They’ve only been fighting for a little while, and yet she could tell that his skills have improved tremendously. It was not just because of his level being higher than hers but also his sheer dedication to improving himself and getting stronger. If only he committed himself more to the Legion like that. Then maybe he wouldn’t have betrayed her and the rest of the tribe.

  Putting her bow away, she then pulled out two daggers, prepared to commence their close-quarters combat. However, Dolk did something rather surprising right after.

  “Well, as much as I would love to continue this fight...I think it’s time for me to leave. Goodbye for now!”

  A split second later, the dark elf traitor then turned tail and ran away, leaving Astrid in the park as she aimlessly stared at his fleeting figure. However, she soon recomposed herself upon realizing that her enemy was escaping.

  “Get back here, you bastard!” She shouted while giving chase.