After parting with Hilda and Deneve, I started making my way back to the institute with Raziel and Torris. So far, the night has been good, even considering Hilda's defeat, but unfortunately, I had a bad feeling walking through the dark city streets.
Before I didn't believe that I attract so much trouble because I'm unlucky, for I was just me being present at a bad time and my normal actions made me get involved in other people's problems. But before the day is over, I'm going to have to admit that I'm unlucky and attract trouble simply because I'm breathing and moving.
The way back to the institute wasn't very light and today was a moonless day so the city was really dark, but the lighting problem wasn't caused because the city's mayor doesn't want to spend his tax money on magic tools so the street is lit, but because of the fact that this part of the city needs to undergo a much bigger renovation than simply putting light on the streets. As far as I know, the mayor has been postponing this big project using several different excuses, the last one was that the conflict between the nobles has caused several expenses for the public coffers and therefore the revitalization project has to be postponed for a while, but not even a person who has a bit of coincidence and knowledge believes this blatant lie, the nobles are fighting each other in their territories, the arias that are administered by the city hall have not suffered even attack because they belong to the royal family and not a noble family whoever has the courage to attack the lands that are under the name of the royal family, at the very least they would be accused of high treason if they tried to steal the royal family's land.
But that's not the problem I'm going to face today, but the explanation why this city aria was and will become a dangerous aria again. Several meters away from us to a figure covered in darkness walking through the city streets, this figure is looking for prey, I could only see this figure when it had already decided that we would be its prey for today.
My conversation with Raziel was interrupted the moment I felt I was being chased by an enemy and when I looked in the direction, I saw a figure formed by elemental energy of the shadow circling towards us. He was at quite a distance from us, but he was fading very quickly and I couldn't see the core of this warrior or mage, the elemental energy was extremely concentrated around his body and behaved in a wild way is the first time that I see this type of behavior even the energies of beasts and monsters move that way.
"We are in trouble, there is a black figure coming our way. Run!"
I started to lead the way down the dark street, but unfortunately Torris and Raziel's maximum speed isn't very high even though they aren't carrying heavy equipment, in reality they are without armor and without their weapons, at most they must have some. knife with them. Who goes out to go to a fight club in a city full of mercenaries without carrying a weapon, what's their problem now I'll have to defend them since I'm wearing my armor.
I throw my sword to Torris and two throwing knives to Raziel, I think now I'll have to fight with just my hunting knife, but I don't intend to fight here. We keep running away from the stalker but he's approaching us easily he just didn't attack us because he was surrounded by us, this is really weird I thought he was a murderer but now I think this guy is a freak who can be a killer since I'm feeling like I'm being the prey on a hunt.
I think I could see the color of your aura but if I'm right we're pretty screwed because your aura appeared to be orange or red, I'm not sure there was a layer of energy on top of it beyond the shadow element cover that darkens the color of the aura. But it doesn't really matter if your aura and orange or red we're screwed all the same because I doubt, we'll be able to put up any resistance against this freak.
When he was on top of us and ready to jump towards us, he dodged his way in the air, it looked like he gained support to jump into mine from the air. This comeback is no ordinary warrior, but for some reason he is pulling away from us and the reason for that is in front of us now.
We just ran into a really big group of mercenaries and I recognize a few faces on mine from that small military unit, the familiar faces were mercenaries who faced Hilda earlier and the other warriors who are with her, but it looks like they called a few more friends because their total number is now almost fifteen. The mercenary who must be a member of the Pruma family detached herself from the group by taking a few steps towards us.
"Good night boys. Looks like you guys are stuck, but how about stopping for a while to rest and talk with us."
Nice line for a friendly kidnapping, but I think they're pretty unlucky because the shadow that was ready to attack us is still close to the group, and I doubt he's too happy to be interrupted by them.
"Hi, I really didn't expect to bump into such a pretty young woman on this dark street that looks like a great place for ambushes, but today is a bad day for that. So, I think it's better that we all leave here quickly and preferably in the direction of the institute, what do you think of my idea?"
The girl's companions start to laugh at my question, but the girl from the Pruma family seems to have sensed that there's something wrong going on, I think the fact that we're running like crazy holding our guns in mine from a dark street, and a good one clue that something different is happening here.
"Good night boys. It looks like you're in a hurry, but how about stopping for a while to rest and talk with us?"
"I would rather go to the institute being escorted by my new friends, but considering that this doesn't seem like a viable option anymore so I think I'll choose to go with you, but I'll warn you that you'll regret doing it. this today."
One of the mercenaries doesn't seem to like my friendly warning very much.
"Are you threatening us boy? Our plan might not involve hurting you before, but I think now I make a point of making you suffer a little before we release you later."
"Shut up!"
It seems she doesn't have complete control over her men, but I'm delighted to find that torturing us wasn't part of her old plan and I'm hoping it's not part of the new one now.
I see the shadow approaching us again, I think we better get out of here as soon as possible.
"How about we get out of here soon? Where do we go first? An inn? Or a fort full of mercenaries to protect us?"
"I liked that last option."
"I wish that last option was the right one too Raziel, Torris?"
But before Torris could agree with me and Raziel, we were surrounded by the mercenaries and obviously didn't resist a bit. Who would deny human shields when being chased by a terrifying shadow?
"Then? Who will lead the way?"
The mercenaries are looking at me like I'm crazy, if I wasn't too scared to be the target of a dark figure who probably wants to kill me, I would think this situation is funny but I doubt things will end up being calm. The shadow approaches and the noble who pretends to be a mercenary is looking at me like I'm the biggest enigma she's seen in her life, she's smarter and has better insight than her helpers.
I hope she doesn't die. I hope I don't die and neither does Torris, Raziel I wouldn't mind losing him too much.
"Let's go, I have a bad feeling. You three behave yourself or my men are going to have to break some of your bones, understand?"
The three of us waved in a very polite way and so we followed the mercenary who led our bodyguards. I've kept my awareness focused on the deadly shadow surrounding the group, I have no idea what the problem with this thing is.
She doesn't attack, but she doesn't go away either, she keeps circling our group. The mercenaries have no idea there's a reaper ready to kill our party, I wonder how long he'll be waiting to attack us.
I just hope he attacks when there are a lot of people around us and that he targets others not me. I should have listened to the mistress's warning.
If I survive today, I will lock myself in the intention forever.