...…

Cling!

Clang! Clang!

Cling!

The intense battle between Shin and the fake king was already reach the ten-minute mark. And the flow of the battle was surprisingly still at equal grounds.

Going with the logic, the fake king should be the one that was dictating the battle. He was an NPC after all. So, he should be more difficult to handle than a powerful but mindless monster.

But currently, this supposedly more powerful, much stronger, and even smarter opponent was being tied down in place by a player that was not even surpassed the level 100 mark yet.

The fake king might be powerful and quite strong, but the current Shin was able to close the gap with his technique alone. His current level of swordplay inside the game might be slightly subpar compared to the topnotch swordsman, the different sets of footwork on his arsenal was more than enough to protect himself.

What's more, even if the fake king had superior stats originally, that advantage also became his weakness. It was because the double effects of Shin's domain skills were even more effective against opponents that have higher stats.

On the other hand, the AI of the NPCs was set in a high level. In fact, their intelligence was somewhat on the level of a player; and their battle intellect was also set to be on par with plyers. It might be quite scary if you look at it with the perspective of average players.

But in actual fact, if you asked the peak experts about it, that so-called high intelligence could be use against them. It was because if they have a battle intellect of a player, it would be easy for these experts to lead them in the battle.

And just like what was happening with the fake king currently, even if he had some strong skills on his arsenal, he couldn't find any opportunity to use them. It was because was battle intellect was telling him not to use those skills yet since things would get even more messy if he did. Even if he had a high intelligence, that intellect also became a weapon against an NPC with advance AI.

With that, the fake king was forced to have a melee battle with Shin, which was clearly in favor of the latter. And naturally, this situation pretty much enraged the fake king. But he couldn't do much about it.

But the fake king also had a comrade that was with him. It was because time was also against Shin; and as long as the fake king managed to hold himself until the berserk skill and domain skills of Shin wore off, he was sure that it would be the time for his counterattack.

But due to him being too focused at Shin, the latter managed to achieved his original goal despite being in his unusual state.

And since all of the attention of the fake king was fully attracted to Shin, the former forgot about the fact that Shin was not alone.

And after a few more minutes, the berserk skill and domain skills of Shin was getting near to its end. That was also the time that the fake king was waiting for. Then he prepared himself for that very brief moment when Shin became weakened.

At the same time, Simba and the others were also done dealing with the two minotaurs on their side. And with that, Lawless and the others were already planning to jump back in action and help Shin and Zero.

But before they managed to make their moves, Simba immediately stopped them.

"Wait! Hold your horses guys!

"

Hearing his voice, the others quickly halted themselves and looked at him with confused look at their faces. And before they could ask Simba about it, the latter immediately said to them.

"You guys should takeover at the NPC on the other side and let Zero and me to take care the things here.

"

The others were still looking at him confusedly when they heard that. But Simba felt the urgency of their current situation, or Shin's situation rather. That was why he didn't bother to explain his side at them and just said.

"I don't have enough time to explain things so do as I say.

"

Then he turned his head at Zero and yelled.

"Hey, Sword God! Leave that guy to them for now, I need you for something!

"

Zero knitted his brows after hearing that. But since he also knew that they didn't have enough time for talks, he didn't ask the reason why Simba was telling him that and just waved one of his swords, telling the others that he was waiting for the others to takeover.

Seeing that, Lawless, Faker and the others didn't have any other choice but to comply with them and started taking their position to take care of Archbishop Hervil. And when Lawless, Seven and Hayden arrived at the frontline, Zero quickly hopped backwards and let them took over his place. And immediately after that, the Sword God went the spot where Simba was currently standing.

And when Zero arrived beside Simba, the former said to the man on his side.

"So, can you give me a brief reason why did you called me.

"

Simba was currently starring at the on going battle between Shin and the fake kin when he heard that. Then he replied without removing his sight at the two.

"We don't have much time so I'll make it quick. Help me stop that guy from going in rampage.

"

Hearing that, Zero turned his head at the direction of the battle and said.

"That NCP? No problem, he is currently in the weakened state, so if we attack him now, it will only take us a few minutes to burst his HP down.

"

Zero was about to make his move when Simba suddenly added.

"Not that him, but the other guy.

"

The Sword God suddenly stopped himself after hearing that and turned his head at Simba with a confused look at his face. And feeling that gaze, the latter explained a littler more.

"I know what you are thinking but it is really hard to explain things at this time. All I can say is that guy will turn into someone troublesome when he completely loses his mind.

"

Zero knitted his brows and muttered.

"He has some talent, yes. But he is weak. What's more, his swordplay was just so-so. Nope, that sword style looks quite good but the way he uses it-… is not that good.

"

Simba suddenly shook his head and smiled bitterly before saying.

"Well, that may be right. Even his Martial-Art Master said that his talent with sword is only subpar. He is unlike his brother that can achieve the 'One with the Spear' attainment the moment he touches a spear for the first time.

"

"But there is a thing that only me and his brother knew. Even this guy himself was unaware of it-...

"

Simba was in the middle of talking when Zero suddenly cut him in.

"Why are you telling me this?

"

Simba was still focus at Shin's battle when he gave his reply.

"Because I want you to help him.

"

At this point, Zero suddenly frowned his eyebrows and asked.

"And why would I do that? I didn't even know him.

"

This time, Simba turned his head at Zero with a wide grin with his lips.

"Because this guy is able to reach the attainment of 'Being the Sword itself' whenever he is entering that berserk state of his. Didn't you say before that that you are still in a bottleneck to reach that stage?

"

"Imagine if he was able to control that state of his and maintain that sword attainment? He is better that you in terms at sword, right? And what if the that the two you have a good exchange of sword insights at that time? Will that be enough for you to finally reach the that sword attainment?

"

And this time, Zero became really interested at this matter as he fell into a deep thought. After few seconds, he looked at Simba and said.

"You better not tricking me War God. Or else I am going to make sure that you will pay for it. But how am I going to help him?

"

Simba started chuckling after hearing that and said.

"Sure! You are always welcome. As for your latter question, that guy over there already have a plan,

" while pointing at Shin at the distance.

Then Simba turn his head at the ongoing battle once again and estimated the time since Shin first activated his berserk and domain skills.

"It is about time. Remember, we are going to take down that NPC as fast as we can before knocking off some sense on that guy.

"

After that, one of the Beast Elemental Spirits of Simba was summoned. And he chose the BearKin-like spirit this time. Then that spirit fused with Simba as he activated his version of Elemental Possession.

Zero clicked his togue and said.

"Tsk! I know, you don't have to repeat it multiple times.

"

Then he also summoned his one of his Elemental Companions to also activate his own version of Elemental Possession. And that was when a figure of an elemental spirit with white-colored Mana, manifested on Zero's other side. But before it managed to complete its manifestation, Zero immediately ordered it to fuse with the longsword on his right hand.

After these two Peak-Godlike Players finished their Elemental Possessions, they quickly rushed towards the battling pair in the distance without further ado.

...…