Chapter 128: Strip Fighter
The hammer spun through the air. Silent and precise. Cutting through the violet mist like a guided arrow. Straight toward its target.
THAM
It struck the orc’s legs head-on with a dry crack.
The enemy lost balance.
"...—!"
The giant stumbled forward.
And Chloe... was launched off his shoulder. Into the air.
Max’s eyes widened.
"...shit!"
He glanced around. Nothing but mist. The hallway was empty. There was no one else to catch her before she hit the ground.
"...there’s no one—"
He didn’t finish the sentence. He was already running toward her. At full speed.
He jumped, arms outstretched, and caught her.
Or at least... he tried to.
THUD
Chloe crashed down onto him. The impact knocked them both to the floor.
The air left his lungs.
And his face ended up... buried in her chest.
Max froze, turning completely red.
Completely red.
"...mmm..."
Chloe moved. Blinked. Then woke up suddenly.
"...huh...?"
She looked down. Recognized Max beneath her. Frowned.
"...Max?"
Pause.
And then... she realized.
Her clothes. Or rather, the lack of them.
"...seriously?"
She crossed her arms as best she could.
"This is going too far."
Her tone turned accusatory.
"Taking advantage of me after I fell asleep from taking a bath?"
Max’s eyes shot open.
"—That’s not what it looks like!"
He tried to sit up, unsuccessfully.
"We’re in danger!"
Chloe frowned.
"Danger?"
She looked around. Couldn’t see anything. Everything around them was completely dark.
"Max... we’re in the castle."
She smiled.
"With guards."
She leaned slightly closer.
"And clearly in my room. I don’t think we’re in danger."
She sighed.
"Turn on the light."
Her tone was firm.
"I want to see your face while you explain this."
Max swallowed. Tried to look at her...
But couldn’t. He shut his eyes tightly.
"...I can’t right now..."
"What do you mean you can’t?"
"Because if I open my eyes..."
He stopped.
"...I won’t be able to focus."
Chloe tilted her head, confused.
"...what?"
Max tried to explain. But couldn’t.
Heavy footsteps approached. Fast.
The orc. He was coming back. Blind, but heading straight for them.
Max tensed.
"...damn it..."
The orc reached out, trying to grab Chloe.
But she felt it and reacted instantly. Without hesitation.
WHAM
A spinning punch. Straight to the orc’s face. The impact was brutal. The enemy was sent flying.
CRASH
He slammed into the wall.
Max blinked.
"...okay, that was good..."
He remembered Chloe’s insane stats. Her strength.
And then he smiled faintly.
’...of course...’
Chloe frowned.
"...I don’t think you brought company into the room..."
She looked around again. Total darkness. Felt the wind brushing against her exposed back.
"...and my bed definitely doesn’t have a window next to it..."
She let out a small laugh.
"...ah..."
Her expression shifted.
"...we’re fighting in a hallway again, aren’t we?"
Max nodded, though she couldn’t see him.
"They infiltrated the castle. Again."
He took a breath.
"They came to kidnap you."
Chloe went silent for a second. Then smiled.
"...okay."
She adjusted her stance. Got to her feet. Ready to fight. Barely covered by her own confidence and her underwear.
"Do we have a plan?"
Max smiled.
"I can see. I’ll guide you."
Pause.
"And you hit hard."
Chloe tilted her head.
"...I can’t see your eyes..."
Her smile widened.
"...but I’ll trust you."
Max felt something strange in his chest. But didn’t hesitate.
He activated the cloak again.
WHOOM
The violet mist spread once more. Thicker. Deeper. Filling the entire corridor.
The orc was completely blind.
Chloe already was.
But Max wasn’t. He could see everything perfectly.
The orc roared and started throwing anything he could grab. Paintings. Vases. Mirrors.
CRASH—CRASH—CRASH
They shattered across the floor and walls. Desperate.
Max narrowed his eyes.
"Two meters ahead."
Chloe moved instantly.
"Down!"
She ducked just in time. Something flew over her head.
"Right!"
She pivoted.
"Punch forward!"
WHAM
Direct hit to the orc’s chest.
"Down again!"
Another strike to the hip.
"Spinning kick!"
She turned—
CRACK
The orc’s legs gave out. The giant staggered. Tried to counterattack.
He threw a punch...
But hit nothing. Just air.
"Now—" Max said.
His voice firm.
"Uppercut."
Chloe didn’t hesitate. She struck upward.
BOOM
The hit connected with the enemy’s jaw.
The orc hung in the air for a split second, then dropped. Completely knocked out.
THUD
Silence.
The mist still filled the air.
Max exhaled.
"...done."
He smiled.
"We beat him."
Pause.
"...this reminds me of street fighting games..."
Chloe stood still for a second. Then laughed.
"...then I guess..."
She crossed her arms.
"...I’m a Strip Fighter."
Max covered his face.
"...I can’t believe you said that..."
Chloe laughed harder.
Max sighed. Without a word, he removed the cloak... then grabbed the fallen orc’s cape.
He handed it to her.
"Here."
He looked away.
"...put something on, please."
Pause.
"...I can’t focus like this."
Chloe took the cape. Put it on with a playful smile.
"...you really are a pervert."
Max shut his eyes again.
"...that doesn’t help..."
He took a deep breath, trying to regain composure as the mist slowly began to fade.
"...the others are fighting near the guest room entrance," he said, refocusing. "They stayed there to make sure you wouldn’t be taken."
Chloe adjusted the cape over her shoulders, tilting her head.
"...then we’re wasting time here," she replied without hesitation.
Her eyes sharpened with determination.
"We need to help them. Now."
Max nodded.
"The king even sent his personal guard... Neros is there."
Chloe raised an eyebrow, impressed.
"The king’s personal bodyguard?"
She smiled slightly.
"Yeah... then this is serious."
Max turned immediately. No more delay.
"Let’s go."
And they ran.
Their footsteps echoed through the corridor as they rushed forward at full speed, dodging broken furniture, shattered glass, and battle marks along the walls.
The tension in the air was thick. More shouting. More clashing steel. More magic.
Every second mattered.
Max clenched his teeth.
’...hold on...’
Chloe ran beside him, holding the cape in place, fully focused.
And together...
They headed straight for the guest room entrance.
Where the real fight... was still far from over.