Even when the masked man hasn't removed his mask, and nobody knew how Ace learned that he was Elder Payn, none doubted him in the least.
"E-Elder Payn?"
"Elder Payn f-from the Vicious S-Snake sect?"
"Why would he attack us?"
The disciples muttered in fear, though Elder Payn wasn't someone very important, the fact that Vicious Snake Sect, one the 4 strongest sects is behind this attack… just this much was enough for them to despair in helplessness and fear.
Not only disciples, even the elders, and the Sect leader had complicated expressions.
Elder Payn, on the other hand, wasn't bothered about what the sect members were thinking, the words Ace spoke were echoing inside his mind. The icy cold look on Ace's face confirmed that he wasn't joking.
"No… NO! You are pushing your luck too far, you bastard!" Elder Payn shouted in rage as he turned to his allies.
"What the hell are you waiting for!? Attack him, if we are going to die, then we should at least take him down with us!"
Elder Payn never believed Ace was stronger than the other Sect Leaders, therefore, he was sure that they could defeat him. The only reason he didn't directly attack was that he wasn't sure if they could defeat Ace and the whole Inferno Sword Sect at the same time.
But now that it has come to this, attacking without care for his life was the only way to ensure his family's safety.
Yup, he was a man who was ready to die.
"HYAAA!!"
Maybe others following him had the same line of thought or they were just plain stupid and doing whatever he told them, but they all decided to attack simultaneously without the care for their life.
"Hmph, desperate attempts"
Ace merely snorted before he waved his hand and,
*Whoosh*
Bright Red Flames appeared above his hand before it scattered into countless minute particles.
"…"
The place turned silent. It was clear that the spell failed but be it enemies or allies, no one believed that was the case. The enemies were stupid enough to wait for something to happen or maybe they were just holding that thin thread of hope that Ace somehow failed.
Of course, that was but hopeful thinking. A second later,
*Whoosh* *Whoosh* *Whoosh*
The same colored flame, but bigger appeared all around the courtyard, 59 places to be exact, with fixed targets of course.
Starting from the legs, to the knees, the thighs, the groin, and continuing. Slowly but agonizingly steadily, the flames continued to devour their targets, and before long,
*Thud*
A body fell.
And as if on cue,
*Thud* *Thud* *Thud*
Other bodies fell on the ground. Each body had one thing in common, the clothes turned into ashes, the flesh was burnt black, and the last but the most important part, the whole area above the neck was undamaged. Aside from their expressions distorted in pain, the rest of the face was completely untouched. Clearly recognizable as well.
Oh, of course, that goes without mentioning, they were all dead, aside from Elder Payn, that is.
"Wha- Ho-How…?" Let alone Payn, even the members of Inferno Sword Sect had wide eyes. Some have the expression of absolute terror on their faces, some even rubbing their eyes while pinching themselves only to realize that this was indeed, the reality.
"Fools. You weren't the only ones trying to buy time."
Ace commented and listening to that, Elder Payn's widened eyes widened even more.
"What? Did you really think I didn't understand what your stupid plan was when I sensed those 6 idiots hiding around my house?
I knew from the start.
The only reason I talked to you was that I was sure your plan won't work and I needed some time to cast my Advance Fire Spell, which you gave me quite easily."
Ace generously explained.
Oh, Of course, that was all bullshit, he only needed an instant to cast something like that. Ace just wanted to give Payn a mental blow. Though he wouldn't deny the part of the reason he said that was because it sounded cool.
Someone might talk about it in the future and there will be a small chance that his nightingale might hear them and…
Just imagining Gracie praising him while her big golden eyes shine in excitement,
It was quite a good feeling.
Maeve would have shaken her head sighing 'He is beyond saving' if she was here.
"Y- You are a monster…"
Elder Payn muttered in fear, not fearing death, but just fearing this 'youth' standing in front of him. He could only curse himself for listening to his Master and going along with this plan!
Going against this monster!? That's absurd! Too stupid!
"Alright, alright, disciples of the Inferno Sword Sect, the show is over. I appreciate you all coming here and fighting with your life to save the sect. You all have done a great job.
I would have loved to let you all go so you can get rest but I have a little request and it is quite urgent"
"Just say it, Elder Ace. We will do everything in our power to fulfill it!" A disciple cried.
"Yeah!"
"Yes!"
"Of course, you saved our life, after all!"
The disciples cried.
Ace nodded before he instructed with a smile.
"I want you all to unmask these people; we might find a few familiar faces."
'Can't leave free money hanging like that'
Ace thought to himself and smiled quite evilly.