Marvin turned himself around, his gaze locking onto the faint, pulsating glow of the Chernobog.

  "Here…" he muttered, gripping the weapon tightly. "Is the path."

  With renewed determination, Marvin and William re-entered the Forest of Wrath. Shadows loomed over them as twisted trees clawed at the sky, their surroundings thick with a suffocating aura. The deeper they ventured, the more they encountered—corrupted B-Bots lurking within the darkness, their mechanical bodies twisted and jagged, alongside towering giants that groaned as they moved.

  "Do you really think Afleton is at Chērol?" William asked, his voice cutting through the eerie silence.

  "We’ll have to go there and see for ourselves," Marvin replied.

  Their journey soon led them to a massive gap cutting through the forest, an abyss stretching endlessly below. Before them stood a wooden conveyor, its ancient design suggesting it had been used for ages to cross the divide. Without hesitation, they stepped onto it.

  Marvin raised his Chernobog and, with a swift motion, severed the rope keeping the conveyor in place. It jerked forward, creaking under its own weight as it carried them across the chasm.

  William eyed the gap beneath them. "I wonder how this even formed."

  "Nature, probably," Marvin replied.

  "Or maybe a monstrous B-Bot sliced through the ground, splitting it into two," William suggested.

  Marvin chuckled. "Just maybe, William. We can’t be so sur—"

  A sudden screech tore through the air. A massive B-Bot phoenix, its metallic wings reflecting the dim light, swooped toward them at alarming speed.

  "Duck, William!" Marvin shouted.

  "I know, old man!" William retorted, already diving to the side.

  The phoenix latched onto Marvin’s left arm with its talons, its grip unrelenting. Marvin struggled, trying to shake it off, but the B-Bot held firm. Gritting his teeth, he yanked the Chernobog free and swung at the creature’s leg. The phoenix released him just in time to dodge the strike.

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  The conveyor, unable to withstand the chaos, slammed into the opposite side of the gap, sending both Marvin and William tumbling onto the forest floor.

  Marvin rose to his feet, his breath heavy. He tightened his grip on the Chernobog. "Watch out, William. This one’s intelligent."

  The phoenix soared high before plummeting beak-first, flames erupting from its mouth like a cascading inferno. Marvin squared his stance, gripping his weapon with both hands. His veins pulsed with energy.

  "ErrrrAhhhhh!" he roared, swinging the Chernobog with all his might.

  The impact sent a shockwave through the air, knocking back Marvin, William, and the phoenix. The creature recovered quickly, its wings flaring as it maneuvered away. Marvin lunged, slashing multiple times, but the phoenix weaved through his strikes with uncanny precision. Then, in a flash, it countered—delivering a brutal kick that sent Marvin crashing into the rocks.

  William rushed forward.

  "William, no!" Marvin called out.

  But William was already in motion. As the phoenix aimed another kick, William sidestepped and retaliated with a punch. The blow barely fazed the machine, but it momentarily threw it off balance. Seizing the opportunity, Marvin hurled the Chernobog. The axe buried itself into the phoenix’s belly.

  "Chernobog!" Marvin called.

  The weapon ripped itself free, returning to his grasp just as he sprinted forward. With a single, decisive strike, he severed one of the phoenix’s wings. The creature screeched in agony, lashing out wildly before grabbing Marvin’s head in its claws. It squeezed, attempting to crush him.

  Marvin reacted instantly. He threw the Chernobog to the ground, raised his free hand above the phoenix’s leg, and called for the axe. The blade sliced through the creature’s limb as it returned to its master’s grasp. The phoenix shrieked and stumbled backward, weakened and vulnerable.

  "It’s off guard again!" Marvin growled. "Hold it down, William!"

  William rushed in, tackling the injured B-Bot. He strained against its thrashing form, pinning it in place. Marvin sprinted forward, raising the Chernobog high before bringing it down in a single, clean strike. The phoenix’s head tumbled to the ground, its body falling limp beneath William’s grip.

  Both of them stood still, their breaths ragged.

  "We… we did it," William panted. "We killed the phoenix."

  Marvin exhaled, nodding. "Yes… we have."

  With their path cleared, they pressed on, navigating the treacherous terrain of the forest. They climbed steep inclines, leaped over hidden pit holes, and endured the unrelenting journey. Eventually, they reached the final hill.

  As they crested the peak, a vast city came into view.

  William’s eyes widened. "Woah… it’s big as hell!"

  "Language, William," Marvin scolded.

  "Sorry," William muttered, still mesmerized by the sight.

  Marvin’s gaze remained fixed on their destination. The Chernobog blinked in his hand, as if confirming their path.

  "It’s over there," Marvin said. "Let’s go."

  And with that, Marvin and William stepped forward, entering Chērol.

  City Level due to his intense battle against the B-Bot Phoenix, demonstrating his combat skill, speed, and strength with the Chernobog.

  Wall Level , has now increased to City Block Level . His direct engagement in the fight, successfully helping to restrain the B-Bot Phoenix, and landing attacks that disrupted its movements showcase his growing combat ability.

  B-Bot Phoenix is estimated to be City Level+ , possessing immense durability, speed, and devastating fire-based attacks. Its intelligence and evasiveness made it a serious threat, pushing Marvin and William to their limits.