Seeing Adrian, the burly man felt as though he'd been struck by lightning. "How can this be?! You’re dead!" His complexion paled, clearly struggling to comprehend Adrian's presence.

Adrian appeared nonchalant, shrugging casually. "You mean that whole stabbing myself in the heart thing? It was merely a ruse to deceive you into bringing us here."

"Why you..." Realization dawned on the burly man, replaced swiftly by anger. His eyes glinted fiercely, though he couldn't suppress a laugh. "Hahaha. Do you think this will suffice? How amusing," he jeered.

Adrian arched an eyebrow, wary of the hidden intentions behind the burly man's demeanor.

"As long as I'm here, you'll never triumph. Die!" the burly man roared, conjuring forth countless tendrils of black mist that surged toward Adrian like a relentless tide.

Adrian swiftly summoned the Divine Frost Slayer Blade, meeting the onslaught with a resounding clash. Though the sword held firm against the assault, Adrian found it challenging to