I have to end this as soon as possible.
Sure, I managed to defeat Bete, and weakened Amazon Sister but my situation didn't change much.
I'm still outnumbered by the strongest familia in this city. Luckily, we fight in this limited space, and from what I heard, most of the two elf's magic is wide area. That may be the reason why they still haven't done anything yet.
Still, even one of them could wipe me out if they get a clean shot.
I have to play smarter.
Wait,
"Hmm... Tonight is the full moon?" I asked, my voice echoing slightly beneath the Vanir mask.
No answer.
Loki Familia stood silently, weapons drawn, eyes locked on me.
Tension hung thick in the air.
That's fine.
I wasn't really expecting an answer anyway.
"Kukuku…Fuhahahahaha… What a perfect night! Of all the evenings you could have chosen… Finn Deimne…" I chuckled darkly, hands raised to cover my face in over dramatic flair. "I must thank you for choosing tonight. Truly, I am grateful."
With one smooth motion, I reached under the overturned table and grabbed the bow I'd stashed earlier.
"Garreth protect Lefiya!" Finn shouted.
You don't have to concern about that, Brave.
My arrow flew past the group.
Hitting the lantern behind them.
Then another. And another.
Thunk. Thunk. Thunk.
Five shots. Then six.
By the time Finn caught on, it was far too late.
"His target is not us, it's the light!" Finn shouted as he realized something when my sixth arrow hit the lantern again.
Correct, Brave.
But you are late.
Really too late.
... Twelve.
I shut down the last lantern inside the tavern.
Twelve arrows. Twelve lanterns.
Gone.
Darkness fell.
My plan is simple.
Full Blackout.
This is not a modern Japan. When you turn off your light here, it means you can only hope for the moonlight. Sadly, we are in tavern. Moonlight can't reach inside.
But all of that is not my problem since I have {farsight}
Then,
"{Bind}"
Zzzt!
Magical ropes appeared from thin air and wrapped around Tiona.
"K-Kyaa! What is this? Ah, don't come herYAAAAAA!!!" Tiona shouted as I drain her with full power.
"One more down~" I said in a mocking, echoing tone, just loud enough for them to hear.
"FUHAHAHAHA! Still can't do anything? Even after I've taken your companions one by one?"
"YOU PIECE OF SHIT!!!" Tione screamed and rushed in the direction of my voice.
They clearly can't see me, but when our range is about 1 meter, she somehow can guess my position.
Not as good as daylight but that's indeed a crazy instinct.
"{Bind}" Another magic rope appeared out of nowhere and wrapped her body.
Then just like her sister I also drain her until she can't even stand properly.
Same trick? Boring? Repetitive? Screw that!
As long as it's works you can do it hundred times.
Only stop when enemy know how to counter it.
But still… Maybe it's time to try another tricks.
The remaining group gathered in a tight formation—Finn's orders, no doubt.
I could sneak behind Riveria but at close range, all it takes is one mistake, and I'm done.
How troublesome.
How Irritating.
Let's spice things a bit.
"Hey, Finn. I will be a little harsh now. Try to not die, okay."
Using ignite in my index finger, a faint light flickered, revealing my masked face to them in the dark.
Their eyes adjusted. Just barely.
I let them see me.
Then, with a smirk, I tossed a small object at them.
Tinymite.My own replica of dynamite.
Just as it reached them—
{Ignite}.
One second.
BOOM!
The blast shakened the tavern.
Smoke. Heat. Dust, broken furniture.
But when the dust settled, I saw it.
Unshaken. Immovable.
Garreth.
He instinctively move in front of them and tanking them with his big shield.
"…Seriously?" I muttered.
This one is no joke.
If he's still standing… I have no chance of breaking their defense.
"Finn, I will handle him myself." He said confidently.
His eyes locked into me. "Come to me, kid."
Sigh... I don't want to do it but this is the only way.
He charged at me, shield first.
I easily dodged his momentum and grabbed his neck from behind.
Activated {drain touch} at full power.
Garreth not even shaking, he grabbed my body to not let me run and slammed my body to the wall.
The impact is crazy, I can feel the world shaken around me.
"Your physique is insane, old man…" I coughed. "So how about this—"
I jammed my hand into his mouth and nose.
"{Create Water}."
Then—
"{Lightning}!"
A shock raced through his body, his muscles seizing, his beard practically sparking.
Still… he slammed me again.
"ARGHH—! You really leave me no choice… {Freeze}!"
The water inside him solidified—mouth, throat, nasal cavity.
All froze.
He stiffened.
Then stopped.
I stepped away, panting.
My gaze turned into the group—
and my blood ran cold.
They'd relit the lanterns.
The room flooded with dim light again.
And behind the group—
Lefiya looked like she already finished her chanting.
No.
This is bad. Seriously bad.
"NOW, LEFIYA!" Finn shouted.
Lefiya gave a sharp nod, raising her staff.
"Fusillade Falla—"
"{Skill Bind}" I shouted before she unleashed her magic.
CRACK. Magic circle tear apart like a broken mirror.
Her spell fizzled. Gone.
Lefiya gasped, her chant collapsed.
"What… What was that…?" she stammered.
Lefiya looked shocked, the same goes for Riveria.
No, all of them looked really confused. Couldn't understand what's happening.
I know how it feels. Really.
I was the same like them the first time I realized how broken this magic is.
Glad, I learned this from Chris. This magic should be considered cheating. Able to canceled and prevents any magic or even special skill for a moment.
I never heard any other thieft class able to use this, so it's maybe some kind of divine magic? Since Chris is actually Goddess of Fortune— Eris in disguise.
Oh! I can felt their ill feelings.
Delicious.
Very delicious.
"So..." I said, straightening up with a tired grin beneath the mask, "How about we call it off now?"
No one moved.
No one spoke.
Even the air felt like it was holding its breath.
I took a step forward.
They all flinched.
Yeah.
I'm out of mana.
I'm out of strength.
I'm just bluffing, hope they fall for this.
But reality always betray our expectations.
"Ais, have you analized his fighting style?" Finn's voice cut through the tension.
The stoic Ais give him a slight nod. Her expression unreadable.
"Good. Then we attack him together. Riveria, give us support, and Lefiya, help the others with healing magic!"
They all nodded in unison.
And in the blink of an eye, Ais appeared beside me, her sword whistling through the air.
Her attack sent a jolt of primal fear through me, the hairs on the back of my neck standing on end. A cold sweat trickled down my spine.
The phantom sensation of my severed head, a memory when we faced winter shogun, resurfaced with chilling clarity.
"Shit!"
In the last desperate moment, I managed to dodge. It was thanks to my {Auto Evade} skill again, but I couldn't rely on it. The slightest dip in my luck, and my head would be decorating the floor.
"{Lurk}!" I chanted, a faint shimmer enveloping me. It wasn't much, but it bought me a precious few feet of distance.
Finn lunged forward, his spear aimed squarely at my chest. Without hesitation, I countered. "{Steal}!" A bright light erupted from my hand, and in an instant, Finn's spear was no longer in his grip but firmly in mine.
Ais ready to another strike but I move faster "{Steal}"
A white triangle fabric appeared in my hand.
Jackpot!
I held it aloft, displaying my prize. "Either I sell this in the black market or inherit this as a family heirloom to my great-great-grandchild. Which one do you prefer?"
There was silence.
Disgust.
Murderous intent.
Then Finn shouted—
"Everyone, charge—!"
Too late.
"{Teleport}"
With a blinding flash, I vanished, leaving behind a thoroughly demolished kitchen, an enraged elite team, and Ais standing in stoic, bewildered horror.