Tonight was when it would start.
I went to the boss of the inn and offered him a royal coin to leave the bathhouse open and ignore anything that happens next. Good thing he was extremely gullible and greedy. All he needed to do now was to keep quiet and say he had nothing to do with the events that are about to proceed.
Anyway…
I had Kiyomi wait in our room while I wander down the hall, making sure those three were going to the bathhouse.
All they've been doing was drink and eat so if I was guessing correctly, they would go to the bathhouse any minute now since it is open. We only told them that the bathhouse was open and only them. The others in the inn took the regular bathtime schedule.
Soon I encountered two of them in the hall. The Berserker and the Mage. When they spotted me, they waved and I waved back while giving them a bright smile.
As I continued down, I looked over my shoulder and watched as they entered the bath.
Looks like the Assassin stayed back. Well, guess we can kill him first.
I walked back and knocked on our room door, then I went to blow out the torches in the hall.
I then approached the Assassin's room. From the information the Innkeeper has given me, this is his room.
I quickly used stealth and waited till the door opened.
Creak~!
I watched as the door slowly opened and then the Assassin himself poked his head out.
"Hello?"
Quickly, I drew my dagger and Flash Stepped in front of him. I swung my dagger swiftly, but he managed to dodge.
"Hmm?"
I watched as he stepped back and threw thin needle darts at me.
I quickly ducked, barely managing to avoid the needles. Once I got on my feet, I used Flash Step. When I appeared in front of him, I swung my dagger again which clashed with his own.
"Who are you?" He said as we wrestled with our daggers.
It's a good thing this disguise really helps. I was wearing a black scarf that covered my nose and below. Though I had nothing to hide my eyes, I doubt he can see much in the dark.
Suddenly, I felt a powerful force hit my stomach and I stumbled back.
"Heh, bet you didn't see that!"
Hmm, that must've been Shadow Fist. I couldn't see it but judging by the name and force of his attack, it's some kind of offensive force that uses the dark to engulf itself, making it invisible.
I'm going to have to watch out for that.
I dashed forward and swung my dagger once more but he used Flash Step and appeared behind me.
Luckily I was able to notice and I dropped onto the ground when he swung his dagger. When he realized I was on the ground, I swept his feet and he fell on his side.
"Oof!"
Quickly, I appeared on top of him and grabbed his throat. He then began to choke as I lifted him off the ground.
When he was high enough, I'd slam him into the ground.
"Ough-ough!"
Hmm… did this guy really contribute in killing Kiyomi's family? If they were weak, then I'd understand but it's a bit of a disappointment to see this guy in this state. Oh well, at least it makes this easier.
I'd pick him up and punch him square in the face and then spun him around. Then I slipped my arms under his underarms and then lock my hands on his neck, hindering him from moving his arms.
"…let… go of me…"
"Ho? What's wrong? Can't use Flash Step eh? Well of course you can't. Flash Step can't be performed if you are pinned."
"You! Your voice! I remember you!"
"Oops, I just couldn't help it. Anyway, it's not me you should be worried about, it's her."
I'd face him towards the open door and there was the sound of someone scratching wood. Then a figure appeared at the door with claws extended.
"Kiyomi, there you are."
"Kiyomi?! That little girl?! Your sister?!"
"Sister… well, to be honest, I never had a sister to begin with."
Kiyomi walked out from the shadow and glared at the Assassin.
"W-who are you? For real?" He asked.
I couldn't help but laugh.
"Who is she? She's that Kitsune whose family you guys raped and murdered. Now, I think it's pretty obvious what she's here to do."
"B-but we sold her to slavery! Unless-"
"Yes, I bought her. First I wanted her as a bodyguard but after seeing the look in her eyes I just knew I had to help her. She wanted revenge, and I'm offering that to her."
"Tch, you!"
Kiyomi slowly approached us while giving off an intense heat.
"Now, stay still, or else this will be extremely painful."
"You! How can you do this for a phantom like her?!"
"Because I also yearn for revenge! Revenge against those that tossed me aside like useless trash. Revenge against those that dare to take my privilege to live away."
I'd let go of him and kicked him towards Kiyomi.
"Revenge against my former self for being such a worthless coward who'd let himself get thrown around. And… revenge against the goddess who gave me the insignificant title of the Inept Hero."
"…what?" The Assassin said with a shocked expression before his jaw was mauled off my Kiyomi.
He fell to the ground and Kiyomi jumped on him. Then she continued to swing her claws in a frenzied manner. Blood splattered everywhere and after a few seconds, the only thing left of him was an eyeball.
I watched as blood stretched across the ground. I couldn't help but put up a smile at this scene.
The Assassin's eyeball rolled towards me and I stomped it.
Hmph, that wasn't much of a challenge. I must've overestimated him.
Ding!
[Leveled up!(4)]
[Level: 105]
[Flash Step Leveled up!]
[Grave Robber skill Unlocked!]
[Grave Robber: Attain a single skill from the one you executed| Effects: Gain 1 skill from your deceased target]
[Skill Obtained: Shadow Fist(Lvl.1)]
[Shadow Fist: Fist imbued in mana will allow the Host to launch a force cloaked by the darkness| Effects: Launch an invisible force with the power of darkness| Conditions: Consumes 1000 mana per use; Can only be used in the dark]
Hmm? This is what Grave Robber does? So I gain a skill from the one I killed.
So if we succeed in killing the other two, then I can get a skill from them as well.
Or…
I slowly looked at Kiyomi and my hand twitched.
I can also get a skill from her as well… if I kill her…
I could feel a grin slowly imprinting onto my face but I quickly turned away from her and walked outside.
"What are you waiting for Kiyomi? There are still two more left."
She turned towards me with blood on her face, hands, and clothes.
"…yes…"
***
Upon arriving at the bathhouse, I told Kiyomi to wait till I've gotten them pinned down. But she stopped me, saying that she wanted to do it herself.
"You sure you don't need my assistance?"
"They killed my family. I should be the one to avenge them, and me alone."
"Well then, I can't stop you."
I opened the door and she walked in.
"Hmm? Who's that?" I heard the Berserker say, followed by the Mage who said-
"Wait, isn't that a Kitsune? Now that I see it, she looks a bit familiar."
I walked behind her and stood there, watching.
"Hey, aren't you the guy we met this morning? Wait, why are you-?"
"Kiyomi, go for it. Leave an eye for me though."
That's when an intense wave of heat blasted from her back and she flew forward.
The Berserker got up and ran towards Kiyomi. She jumped over him when he attempted to tackle her.
Kiyomi dove and swung her claws, slashing the top of the Berserker's head and his back. The Berserker quickly turned around and his right fist began to glow. Then he smashed the ground, causing some kind of force to blow Kiyomi away.
I noticed that even though she managed to swipe the Berserker's head, it wasn't that deep and all it did was leave a scratch. Hmm, could be the effect of his hammerhead skill.
She landed in the water, blood spreading. When she got up, she dashed towards the Berserker in blinding speed and immediately, the Berserker's head fell onto the ground. Hmph, he may be thickheaded but his neck is completely vulnerable.
Immediately after that, she was hit by a barrage of waterballs. The Mage got up and continued to launch balls made of mana and water.
When he saw that Kiyomi wasn't being affected by the waterballs launched at her, he resorted to other methods, demonstrating his Dual Elemental Blast skill.
I saw as water and fire mixed with each other and that made me think how it was possible. Then he began chanting.
"My the flames of the fire god and the water made of-"
I yawned as he continued to chant. Damn… this is boring.
Kiyomi was the same as well and she didn't hesitate to slash the Mage's arm off.
The Mage cried in pain and fell back, blood spurting out from his arm.
Kiyomi approached the Mage and I already knew the job was done.
"Pl-please! Spare me!"
I heard the Mage say. Like that's going to work.
But when I kept on hearing the Mage beg for mercy, I turned around to see Kiyomi on the Mage with her claws ready, however she was hesitating.
What is she doing?
I walked towards her and placed my hand on her shoulder.
"What are you waiting for? Aren't you going to finish it?"
But I saw tears go down her cheeks and she fell onto her knees.
"If I kill him, will my family be brought back?"
I clenched my hands. You think of that now?!
"It's a bit too late to be saying that. You've already dealt with the other two, so what are you doing, hesitating to kill him?" I say as I pointed at the Mage.
"I… I just want my family back."
She continued to weep. The Mage took this as a chance to try to escape but I stabbed a dagger through his other arm, pinning him down and hearing him cry.
"Don't you remember the purpose you are doing this for? Their lives are to pay for what they did to your family. If they don't die, how will your family rest in peace? Are you really going to let him go?"
Kiyomi didn't say anything and continued to weep. But I spotted a nod, and that was it. At that point, I didn't care about our promise. The only way to calm me down was to resort to the only thing able to satisfy my bloodlust.
"Fine…"
I took off my left glove and the crest began to glow.
"Then get out of the way and let me kill him myself."
Kiyomi glanced at me with a horrified look as her body began to move against her will. When she backed off, I stood above the Mage with my dagger in my hand. The Mage gave me a terrified look as I brandished my dagger.
"Now that I think of it, I've never killed anyone in this world. Guess you can be my first."
I placed the blade of my dagger on his neck and he begged for mercy. I ignored his screams and cries for agony as I was intoxicated by my own rage.
But before I was able to execute him, Kiyomi pushed me aside and I fell into the water.
When I got up, I glared at her.
"Why'd you stop me?!"
She clenched her hands and placed her hand over her breast.
"I… want to finish the job."
Hearing that, I understood.
The last thing I heard was the Mage's faint cry as he had his throat torn off.
[Title Obtained: Homicidal Tendency]
I walked over to Kiyomi and patted her head.
"Good job."
.
.
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