This anonymous person has changed the tide of the battle by himself. He might have not done any significant damage to us yet, but his presence alone brought out that he can do anything that he wanted in this clash.
Their leader was late to notice that this man has already join the battle. From eight, there were now down to five with no casualty to our side yet. I have not yet taken any damage, but the same does not goes for the rest of my group. Even though the lackies of Filan Soja was weaker in ability compared to us, they were still in a favourable position because we have not came here in fully prepared. A part of it because of Aria.
Although there is no point in crying over the spilt milk because the black-clad man started to move again. This time it looks like his target was Michelle, who was closest to him. But I will not let that happen.
When I noticed where his gaze was pointing at, I aimed my bow already in preparation for another backstab.
"[Rapid Arrow]!"
I use one of my first skills to try and hit where he would be appearing next. I spread out the five arrows that was released in quick succession to where I think he would be appearing.
It is difficult to move the bow and have different targets while this skill is used. But because I got used in activating this skill, I was able to understand how to handle the bow while Rapid Shot takes place. Things like these are one of the clear advantages of high skilled players compared to normal players. Fighting is not a simple click and wait for something to happen like many games are. As players level up more, these things are needed to survive in the harsh world of Astrea.
Well, back to the fight. Michelle is also a player not to be underestimated off. Knowing that she is highly the next target, she has already used one of her life-saving skills. It was a skill that made her invulnerable for a few seconds, and those who attack her during the duration are left in confused state--But she will not be able to move a single finger in return.
However, this was all for naught because the black-clad man somehow was able to see the subtle change within Michelle before she activated her skill. This means that he was able to change his target in a matter of milliseconds. The person who in turn receive the end of his sudden reversal was ChickB who was planning to take advantage of Michelle's skill which was unsuccessful.
The enemy ChickB just disengage, is now targeting his back while the black-clad man kept him busy from the front. Thankfully, the person carrying the sword with killing intent was not that good of a player, or else ChickB will suffer the wrath of dangerous attacks from both sides. He was able to dodge away using simple footwork, but the black-clad man does not care and still went for the kill.
On the corner of my eye, I saw a blade coming right at me. With no other choice, I looked away for a second to focus on my side. But before that, I dropped an [Arc Shot] on their side to disrupt the momentum of the black-clad man.
I must say, they really have a lot of assassin type characters in this guild. Four out of eight of them were wielding daggers. This includes the person who went right at me.
I used [Roll] in perfect timing to avoid the sneak attack of one of their assassin. Legionnaire who was busy with three enemies, will not be able to help me at the moment. However, that does not mean I cannot fight against melee.
This person charge at me does not stop, but I can see he became overconfident when he though he got an archer in close range. His reckless action is something is an opportunity I will not waste.
[Illusion Charge] plus [Stealth] is my go-to combo whenever someone comes close to me. Using the illusions to distract the enemy while I created some distance, I immediately focused and aim towards the flabbergasted assassin who keeps attacking my fakes selves.
"[Heart Piercer]!"
A pre-mature release of the charging time of this skill will reduce the damage greatly, but it was enough for it to kill the defenceless assassin.
*Thud*
His body dropped lifeless to the ground, so I went back to observe the battlefield to identify which member needs the help most. Aira was still busy with her one on one against Filan Soja. Michelle has already recovered from her immobile state to join ChickB and Legionnaire dealing with five of BraveHearts.
I was about to pull my bow and help them when I noticed, the black-clad man is somehow missing within the group.
"Looking for me?"
My question was quickly answered when I felt a cold steel on my neck. He was too close for comfort and I can feel my soul leaving out my body. It is not a figure of speech, but rather it was the effect of a rare skill which is best suited for assassin type characters.
"[Last Words]. Now you can't do anything."
A skill which disables every active skill of the target. This was a high levelled skill that is difficult for average players to fully utilize because one needs to hit the target's body in five different location. Only people with the fastest hands can use this skill to its perfection and this assassin just did that.
I have not noticed the five hits that is required to activate the skills, but that just means this guy was able to do it fast enough for my reaction time to kick in. Now, I am literally a helpless animal waiting for the butcher's knife to slice down my neck.
*Slice*
A tingling sensation is felt through my neck and I can feel my HP going down in rapid rate. Using normal stabs to slice of my HP to zero, I should be falling down on the ground right now.
[Hopeful Prayer Activated]
"Tsk~ You still got that annoying item."
I heard him grumbled silently. He also knows not to attack me when Hopeful Prayer is activated. With his remark and strange knowledge of it, I can somehow guess who this person is. But that will come later because my pendant's life-saving passive skill has come into effect and gave enough time for Last Words to finish its duration.
"[Final Spurt]"
Another skill that is inscribed in one of my equipment, my movement speed has increased enough for my retreat. I immediately went close to my party whereas ambushing me again would be difficult. Not only that, I need to worry about the sluggish state that will happen ten seconds after I used this skill.
In contrast the short duration bonus this skill gives me, the sluggish state is exactly the opposite of it, except it last five minutes rather than ten seconds. I hate to use this in desperate situation like this.
"That sneaky bastard vanished in front of me to target Miss Cherry Winter."
"Cherry! Are you fine?"
"He got my passive skill. I'll also be in sluggish state in a few seconds, so let's finish these minions while I got my Final Spurt active."
We got no time discussing when time is not on our side anymore. It would be six versus four after the me and their assassin join the fray. But thankfully, the five enemies that kept the Michelle, ChickB, and Legionnaire busy were already near death by the looks of it. When my ten seconds is up, we can probably gang up against the only obstacle to win this Territorial War.
The only person close to his strength, Filan Soja, is now being pinned down by Aria on their side. I will not be surprised if she successfully stole the Territory Title. However, the following sequences is something no one can ever imagine.