4 years later, Hidden bunker 100km north of Linchestin City
Me and Ashley were running through the woods at night.We had worn black cloaks with red outlining them. A skull was on the back of them. We had also covered our faces. Our mission was simple.
[The Black Death Squad is to find proof of the Baron of Walkshire engaging in human trafficking. Execute his expendable subordinates and destroy the trafficking ring. Reward is one million taels]
We both kept running through the trees. Jirael stopped.
"Okay this should be the general area of the bunker. I expect their should be magic detection devices here so you have to adjust the output of your detection magic Ash. I'll leave this one to you."
Ashley breathed in.
"Echo"
She activated her presence detection magic.
"Bunker is 200 metres northeast. 28 guards have been detected."
I tapped her shoulder.
"I found 31 guards. 3 of them are masters at erasing their presence so it's normal you won't find them. Do you know the layout of the place?"
"No."
"Follow me then. I found the most optimal point of entry."
We went into an unguarded section of the bunker. We were in front of a wall. I put my hand on it.
"Void Eraser"
A section of the wall was marked with a magic circle and suddenly disappeared like it was never there. I stepped in with Ashley. We were in a storage room.
"All right. I detected several dozen mana signatures in a room right below us. Two guards are guarding it right now, they're more or less C-rank. 20 metres Northwest there's an office and a man inside. He's B-rank. The rest are all D-rank and they're mostly outside or on the roof. The stealthy ones you couldn't detect are roaming the hallways. This time, I'll let you come up with a plan. You don't have to copy mine."
It's about time Ashley steps up. It wouldn't look good if I who was younger than her was the leader.
After being silent for a while, she smiled.
"I think it's pointless for me to plan since you've influenced me to the point that I just think killing everyone is easier."
"But what if you're put in another team and they make you leader?"
She smiled.
"I won't accept any other partners if you won't be there."
I was dumbstruck. I couldn't form any words in my mouth at all. I simply brushed it off.
"Don't say stuff you don't mean. Anyway, let's continue with the mission."
Ashley pouted.
"Fine...you idiot."
We made our way into the hallway and killed two of the stealthy mages. I left the last one for Ashley and she killed him swiftly by breaking his neck. We were near the door. We spoke in frequencies at which humans couldn't hear.
"Okay Ash. This time we have to be quick."
We opened the door and immediately restrained the Baron with telekinesis. We sealed the acupoint in his throat to stop him from shouting. I smiled.
"Now then, let the games begin Baron. I'll give you exactly 5 seconds to point me to the documents related to the trafficking of humans and I'd also love the documents containing the names of the suppliers and buyers. Now then, the time starts...now. 5...4...3..."
The Baron sat adamantly on his chair, not budging an inch. I continued.
"2...1. Time's up."
I cut of his pinky finger. He squirmed about in his seat as he tossed himself in the floor. I used telekinesis to bind him to the chair again.
"I'll give you another 5 seconds to give me what I want. The clock starts...now."
He panicked as he fumbled about opening desks and pulling out documents. The time was up so I bound him back to the chair with telekinesis again. I picked up the documents.
"Time's up. Let's see here. Proof of transactions and...is this supposed to be a list of women you..."
I sighed.
"Useless. I wanted the names of buyers."
I cut off two fingers. He squirmed about but I grabbed the top of his head.
"Okay I'm bored."
I used interrogation magic and searched for any more relevant information. His brain was filled with nothing but naked women in chains.
"Hey Ash. Before you say I'm being unreasonable again, you may want to search through this bastard's mind."
She searched him. Her face remained calm. I asked.
"Did you se-"
"Cut it off and feed it to the pigs."
I smiled.
"As you wish but I suggest we let him see the destruction of this place first. What do you think?"
"Perfect. Let's do it after we rescue the children."
I took the Baron with me. He was seemingly floating in the air but four invisible mana arms were holding him up in the air. That was my version of telekinesis. We killed the two guards at the entrance and as soon as we entered, we didn't waste time. I opened a void corridor to a small realm of mine. It has one tree on a small piece of land and an artificial sun. We threw all the slaves inside before they could even notice what's going on. I looked at Ashley.
"Now then, shall we erase this place."
"Yes we should."
We both vanished and appeared in the air outside the bunker. We were about 100 metres from the ground. The Baron was hovering next to us. I was still keeping him close with my telekinesis.
"Look at what's about to happen Baron. I hope you'll enjoy the show."
We both extended our hands and made the same magic circle. It was a combination technique we both worked on after Ashley came up with the idea for it. In unison, we both spoke.
"Bullet Blitz."
Loads of mana bullets rained down on everything. The skulls of the guards were crushed as the blitz continued. We rained hell on them for five minutes nonstop. After we were done, we destroyed everything else with one massive attack and teleported back to the Guild as a piece of the Baron's most prized possession fell into the rubble below.
Assassins Guild, 6 km south of Linchestin City
The guild was very well hidden in the mountains. Ashley and I appeared near the entrance after teleporting. We entered the guild and met up with Maria. The mood changed for the worst as she greeted me.
"Um...hello Isaac."
I ignored her greetings and pulled out the Baron from my void realm.
"Could you take a look at this thing here and read it's memories?"
Maria complied. Her face contorted in disgust. I smiled.
"Well then. Do you also think a person like this should be spared?"
"Yes. Every life is sacred."
I couldn't suppress my killing intent. She said the exact same thing 3 months ago. Maria had had a secret stalker for a while who she turned down again and again. It was a famous young master of the Roda family and was known for his debauchery and having a reputation of all his lovers dying after a few months. Despite knowing that, she did nothing except gently letting him down everytime. In the end, the young master lost his patience and had Maria kidnapped by highly skilled mages. When we heard the news, we immediately went to rescue Ashley at the Roda Mansion 50km West of Linchestin City. We killed everyone and eventually encountered the young master. We sliced of his legs and went down to the room where he had kept Maria. Ashley had freed her and I presented the young master to her so she could have her revenge. Instead she begged us to let him go since he's learnt his lesson. She said all human lives are equal. Out of spite, I killed him in front of her. From then onwards, I couldn't tolerate the sight of her.
"You truly are pathetic."
I teleported out of the building and went to the family manor. I greeted the other maids and went to my room.
"I'll leave the Baron to Ash. She's the only one who can bare the sight of that weakli-."
Before I could finish my ramblings, Ashley teleported inside my room.
"Ever heard of knocking?"
She flung herself onto my bed and lied down next to me. She spoke.
"Ever heard of not talking about people behind their backs?"
I clenched my fist.
"I can't help it. I just find her ideals pathetic and annoying."
Ashley sighed
"I'm also confused by this but let's not talk about it anymore. Are you ready for the academy tomorrow?"
"I was but this last minute mission just sapped all the energy from me."
We talked until we fell asleep. It was pretty normal for her to sleep in my room by now since she's done so for four years.
Next day
It was time for our departure but when we were about to get in the carriage, we met Maria carrying a backpack and a suitcase. My father and mother were there.
"Please don't let it be what I'm thinking."
Mom smiled.
"Exactly honey. Maria will be going with you to school this time."
"But mom. Isn't she too old. She's already in her 20s. Won't the school have a problem?"
"It's okay. On paper she's 18 so it's fine."
I kept silent after that and handed my suitcase to the driver. I jumped onto the roof of the carriage and sat in a meditative position. Mom asked.
"Won't you sit inside?"
"I like the breeze here."
Ashley and Maria went inside. Mom and dad offered their heartfelt goodbyes. I took this time to increase my mana capacity. I'm not looking forward to the academy.