From the shadows, a figure emerged—swift as death, silent and precise. A murmur escaped its lips, "Storm Swordsmanship Style: Line Drive."
A silent, deadly blue line crept behind the aging Ren Restes like a phantom, followed by a cold, sharp whisper, "Checkmate."
The assassin aimed a dagger at Ren's vital spots on his back. Noticing the incoming strike, Ren merely smirked and quipped, "Nice try, Sweety." Yet, beneath the surface, the assassin sensed that something was amiss.
Clang…
Just as the assassin's dagger was poised to deliver its fatal invitation into Ren's back. A dagger, thrown from a shadowed distance by an unknown hand with lethal precision. The assassin uttered, "What the…"
In that suspended heartbeat of time, the assassin's instincts ignited like wildfire. His eyes narrowed as he pivoted almost imperceptibly, redirecting his momentum to parry the glinting projectile with her own blade. The clashing steel sent sparks dancing in the air.
The assassin retreated towards Commander Darius location with a catious gazed, she thought to herself, "She's dangerous." as she smirked, "Hey princess, you should sleep be asleep by now."
At that very moment, Cero Restes appeared—calmly advancing with a relaxed grip on the dagger he held. As he moved, he thought to himself, "She's fast." Locking eyes with the assassin in a calculated gaze, he stated, "Is this how the South greet with a dagger? My name is Cero Restes."
The assassin's face was an enigma beneath the mask she wore, revealing only the piercing depth of her monolid eyes, framed by the striking pink cosmetics. Her hair, woven into a single braid, trailed down her back.
Her attire was a striking blend of elegance and lethality. Her sleek, form-fitting pink leather armor clung to her toned frame, reinforced with intricately stitched shoulder pads and a hood draped over her back—left unworn.
Her pink chest piece was a sculpted, tube-like structure, molded to accentuate her form while leaving her cleavage daringly exposed.
Flowing with effortless grace, her lower attire featured a long, slit-front pink skirt. Beneath it, black net leggings clung to her legs. Apair of well-worn leather boots completed the ensemble.
The assembled warriors were taken aback—they had all assumed Cero was a girl. The assassin's eyes gleamed with a mix of surprise and derision as she sneered, "A lad! Your soft, innocent face contrasts sharply with your lethal, piercing voice. My name is Sarah Eldrath. Remember my name before you die."
Allen stared at Cero and remarked, "It's just a kid—be easy on him. And tell me, do you know the answer to the riddle?"
Cero replied coolly, "I know the answer, and I'm not telling you."
Clearly frustrated, Allen thought to himself, "Once we're finished dealing with this lukeworm, I'll pour a fortune into uncovering that riddle's answer."
Gareth retorted, "He's the son of the witch…A witchborn. He's dangerous to be alived."
Cero remarked, "What nonsense are you spouting?"
Gareth splattered, "People of your kind covetted with the Demon lord. "
Cero thought to himself, "Those who shunned the light of reason aren't hero. They distort truth, create misunderstanding and preach ignorance. I hate this kind of assholes."
Sarah's thoughts churned darkly: "My surprise attack has failed. It's no use now. I suppose I'll have to take on Ren Restes myself—and deal with that kid later."
Just as she moved to confront him, a shiver ran down everyone's spine. Ren Restes unleashed a massive surge of red mana that froze everyone in its wake. The torrent overwhelmed the elite knights, suffocating them into unconsciousness as their fatigue and wounds overpowered their will. In the aftermath, only Commander Darius, his marshal, Mage Allen, Sarah, and twenty elite knights (Gareth among them) remained standing.
Mulling over the scene, Sarah mused, "So, this is the power of the hero who fought in the apocalypse? I cannot face him on my own."
Ren scowled and snapped, "How dare you brand me as a witch! I am merely a humble tower master living a steady, peaceful life."
Commander Darius bellowed, "Everyone, prepare for battle!" He unleashed his immense blue aura, clashing with Ren's menacing mana. The collision of aura and man generated overwhelming tension as both powers vied for dominance on equal footing.
Cero mused to himself, "Commander Darius is someone I cannot beat—that's for sure."
While locking eyes with Cero and licking her dagger, Sarah declared, "That kid is my prey."
Ren Restes raised his staff and announced, "Combo magic: Protect, Propel, and Repel!"
The magic of Tower Master Ren amazed Allen. He thought, "Multi-casting with three distinct spells—and on top of that, without any incantation. After all, he is known as the Hero of Multi-Casting in the Apocalypse." Smirking with excitement, he added, "Bring it on, Senior Ren Restes."
Commander Darius's units braced themselves for the incoming magic, only to be surprised when the spell was directed at Cero. Cero cried out, "What are you doing, Father? You aren't planning to fight them yourself, are you?"
With a knowing smile, Ren Restes glanced at Cero as he uttered, "I a merely fulfilling your wish."
Cero thought to himself, "This isn't the freedom that I wanted."
A spherical barrier enveloped Cero as he began levitating, and a surge of gravitational force propelled him at immense speed. Sarah, the fastest among Commander Darius's unit, employed her Swordsmanship: Line Drive to slash at the barrier. Although the barrier sustained damage from her stab, Sarah declared, "Boy, I'm coming for your head. You're not getting anywhere." In that moment, both Cero and Sarah penetrated the chamber wall and vanished into the passage. The elite knights attempted to follow, only to find the wall impenetrable.
Ren uttered, "Nice try but you guys will be playing with me to death."
Gareth, grinning broadly, he extended his thumb and, with a smooth, deliberate horizontal motion, pressed it against the side of his neck as he uttered, "Your kid is finished. Sarah is the South's Strongest Assassin. And old man, do you really think you can win against us?"
A cold sweat broke out on Ren Restes's face at Gareth's taunting, but he quickly regained his composure and retorted, "Southern folk are really talkative. Why don't we prove it with the best of our abilities?"
Commander Darius commanded, "Allen, you need to assist me. I will charge at Ren and keep him occupied… Romeo, I will create an opening, and you will deliver the final strike." With authority, he then bellowed, "Elite knights of the South, form ranks!"
As he tightened his grip on his greatsword, he thought to himself, "Crossing paths with a hero who fought in the apocalypse one hundred and forty years ago is sure to lead to casualties. After all, he is an eight-core witch—and my units are exhausted. Bad luck, indeed."
To be continued…