Rebirth and Responsibility

Shao Tan stumbled back, his face contorted in pain and frustration. The old woman, Kana, moved with surprising agility for her age, her nails tearing through his flesh and leaving long, bleeding gashes.

"Damn it! This old hag is relentless!" Shao cursed, his voice ragged. He brandished his sword, desperately trying to ward off another attack.

Beside him, Mo fought with equal desperation. His blade, once gleaming and sharp, was now broken in two, the metal dulled and stained with blood. His body was a tapestry of injuries, each one a testament to the fierce battle.

Kana, fueled by a twisted sense of justice, launched another attack. Her claws ripped through the air, aiming for Shao's throat.

With a surge of adrenaline, Shao narrowly dodged the attack, his heart hammering against his ribs. He retaliated with a powerful sweep of his blade, aiming for Kana's midsection.

Suddenly, Mo lung forward, a desperate glint in his eyes. He aimed for Kana's ankle, hoping to disarm her and create an opening for Shao to deliver a decisive blow.

But Kana was too quick. She anticipated Mo's move and spun around, her claws finding their mark. With a sickening crunch, they pierced Mo's chest, pinning him to the nearby wall.

Mo's eyes widened in shock and pain. A guttural scream ripped from his throat as he realized the gravity of his situation. In that moment, the reality of his situation hit him like a tidal wave. This wasn't a game. This was real.

As Mo hung there, his lifeblood draining away, a wave of bitterness and anger washed over him. He had lived in this world for so long, yet he had treated it as nothing more than a game. He had isolated himself, refusing to connect with the people around him, believing them to be mere NPCs.

A harsh laugh escaped his lips, laced with pain and regret. "Damn you, Blazers!"

Kana, enraged by Mo's defiance, raised her claw to deliver the final blow. But before she could strike, a loud roar echoed through the air.

A hulking figure, his face contorted in grief and fury, descended from the rooftops. In his hand, he wielded a massive axe, formed from his own flesh and bone.

"Savages! You will pay for your crimes!" His voice boomed, carrying the weight of his righteous anger.

Kana's eyes widened in recognition. It was Gordon, a man she had thought long dead.

Before she could react, Gordon swung his axe with devastating force. The air crackled with power as the blade met its mark, cleaving Kana in two in one swift motion.

A wave of shock and relief washed over the battlefield. The battle was over.

**Rewards:**

* +100000 TExp (Shared TExp, Killed Blue Brand 1st mark warrior)

* +20 new stat points

* +4 new skill points

* TExp: 0/250000

##

A blinding white light bathed Mo's battered body as a cascade of notifications flooded his mind. He winced, his body still riddled with pain, but a spark of determination flickered in his eyes.

"Kid, you look like you've gone through the wringer, but the poison's gone." Gordon's voice was thick with sadness and relief.

Mo, struggling to sit up, managed to reply, "Don't worry about me, help Shao Tan first. He's poisoned too."

Gordon nodded, his grief etched on his face. He rushed to Shao Tan's side, gently lifting him and placing him beside Mo.

"Listen carefully, kid," Gordon said, his voice grave. "I don't have much time left. I'll transfer the poison from both of you using my Noble Sacrifice skill. You must take Young Master Shao and my second son to Dawn City."

He placed his hand on both Mo and Shao's backs, chanting a low incantation. The air crackled with energy, and Mo felt a tingling sensation as the poison left his body. The mark-up effect healed his wounds instantly, restoring him to full health. Shao, still unconscious, showed visible signs of improvement, his wounds healing at an accelerated rate.

"Argh!" Gordon grunted, his face paling as the poison coursed through him. He coughed, a crimson stain appearing on his lips.

As the poison left Mo's system, he felt a surge of strength and vitality. He looked down at Shao, his own injuries miraculously healed. He felt a deep sense of gratitude towards Gordon, his heart heavy with the weight of obligation.

"Kid," Gordon continued, placing a small, sealed chest in Mo's hand, "do me a favor. Take Young Master Shao and my son to Dawn City. He'll know who to find when you arrive. And please, deliver this chest to the 4th Prince of Balrog Kingdom in the future."

"But..." Mo began to protest, but Gordon cut him off.

"I'll tell my son to meet you at the port. Please, do this for the Kingdom of Balrog, kid!" With those words, Gordon rushed towards his office, the body of a young man who resembled Mo draped across his shoulder.

Mo stared after him, the weight of the world settling upon his shoulders. He looked at the small chest in his hands, a symbol of responsibility and trust. He felt a surge of anger towards his own weakness, realizing the true value of human life and the emotions that ran deep within each individual. He swore to himself that he would honor Gordon's sacrifice, protect Shao Tan, and fulfill the task entrusted to him. In that moment, he wasn't just a player in a game; he was a protector, a friend, and a bearer of hope.