A straightforward spear attack, such a simple offensive method... Dox should be able to block it, right?
Though Vay thought so, his expression clearly began to tense up. Despite the usual banter and rivalry between Vay and Dox, akin to frenemies, at critical moments, Vay still feels concern.
Just like now, Vay’s heart was hanging high, his gaze unblinking, eager to see how Dox would manage a desperate counterstrike.
According to Vay’s understanding of Dox, this face-to-face attack should definitely be blocked. If nothing else works, activating the bloodline, bolstered by the thick as Enigmatic Gold skin of the sword-backed Sandworm should make defense not difficult.
However, an unexpected change occurred at a crucial moment.
That bizarre call of "Yuna" echoed as if passing through mountains, resonating in the sky above the dueling platform.
Upon hearing this call, Vay’s expression became even more tense. Previously, Dox had continually reduced the number of sword thrusts due to this strange voice; appearing again at such a critical juncture, would it affect Dox again?
Vay’s guess was right.
Under the echo of "Yuna’s" call, Dox lost his focus.
Even if it’s just less than one-tenth of a second, an irrecoverable fatal crisis appeared.
Accompanied by the sharp and manic laughter of the vile woman, the blood-colored light spear suddenly accelerated. It was already as fast as lightning, but now it reached a speed nearly capable of penetrating space.
Thud—
The air was split with a violent sound, as the blood-colored light spear, at a speed not visible to the naked eye, instantly pierced through Dox’s chest!
Seeing Dox pierced, both Kaier and Vay were stunned.
At that moment, in their eyes, even time seemed to slow down. They could distinctly see the perplexed expression on Dox’s face, as he lowered his head to look at the large hole in his chest, transitioning from bewilderment to astonishment, and finally complete helplessness.
Judging by Dox’s changes in expression, they could probably guess that even Dox himself didn’t know what happened at that moment.
The slowed-down time was ultimately just a sensory delay; it cannot remain stagnant forever.
When they regained the sense of passing time, the first thing they saw was the fountain-like spray of blood bursting from Dox’s chest.
Then, only hearing a soft thud, Dox powerlessly half-kneeled to the ground, using the Red Sword as a crutch, stubbornly keeping himself from collapsing.
The fighting spirit on him remained undissipated, and his gaze at the vile woman in the sky grew increasingly blood-red.
Still, it was all in vain.
This scene had a tragic sense of a hero defeated by old age.
Kaier and Vay couldn’t bear to look directly, averting their gaze. Only Angel and the Black Earl were still pondering, continuing to watch.
The vile woman’s laughter grew more rampant, looking down from above, using a condescending gaze to scornfully watch Dox.
"Does the brink of death feel great?" The strange and insane voice emerged from the vile woman’s mouth: "It’s a feeling that can become addictive, like countless hands pulling you from the harsh human world into a soft, comfortable, worry-free underground realm... Do you want to go?"
"Do you want to go? Haha, thud, of course, I want to." Dox said while spitting blood, lifting his bloodshot eyes: "But I want more to take you down, then return myself!"
From the strands of her hair, the vile woman squinted her eyes, hostility surging: "Still struggling? Then I’ll send you on your final journey!"
The vile woman’s words were harsh, but when it came to action, she remained cautious. She hadn’t forgotten that the referee above might be on the same side with Dox; if he intervenes, she would immediately react and withdraw.
However, the vile woman was overthinking.
The Wise Sovereign indeed stood on Angel’s side, but he had his principles; without breaking the rules, he wouldn’t impact the duel.
Even if the vile woman executed Dox on the spot, the Wise Sovereign would merely watch coldly.
Besides, Dox was not important. The truly important ones hadn’t entered the stage yet.
After feigning an attack and seeing no response from the black-robed referee, the vile woman’s mouth twisted into a grin, feigning attack becoming real: "Your sword stabs hurt so badly, let me savor my Blood Spear, consider it tit for tat?"
With a mocking tone, the vile woman’s wounds beneath the bandages bled profusely, transforming into blood-colored spears. These blood-colored spears looked exactly like the one previously piercing through Dox.
But previously it was just one; now in front of the vile woman, there were ten, each aimed at Dox’s weak spots.
If these ten stabbed down, Dox would have no chance of survival.
And now Dox’s current state, in everyone’s view, left little room for a comeback.
Vay had kept a tense face without speaking before, but now seeing Dox in mortal danger, he couldn’t hold back. He turned, seeking help with pleading eyes from the Black Earl.
In his eyes, the only one who could save Dox now was their esteemed lord.
Vay and the Black Earl were already in tune, needing no words; the Black Earl understood his meaning.
However, the Black Earl gently shook his head, communicating with Vay through their mental connection: "Intervening in the duel now would break the rules. The person behind the scenes desires nothing more than the heir of Noah to break the rules; according to protocol, even the Wise Sovereign would take action against us."
Vay: "But... Dox is my only friend."
Black Earl: "Even so, I cannot save him."
Vay’s face filled with astonishment: "Why?"
Black Earl: "Because... the curse."
In all major branches, there are different types of curse abilities, based on blood, hair, skin, nails... etc., to curse others.
However, this curse is not as effective on Official Wizards. A curse is a kill skill; once such a skill descends upon a Wizard’s head, even from a thousand miles away, a Wizard’s instincts would sense danger and dodge.
Therefore, in the Southern Domain, curses are the means of lower-level Wizards.
Of course, there are curses capable of affecting Official Wizards, such as Wizards from the Efa Lineage of Western Lands; their curses can affect not only Official Wizards, but even Legends.
But the Efa Lineage has never set foot in the Southern Domain, so this can be ignored.