They were almost at the hotel when they started to realize the presence was following them. Eric was the first one to speak.
"Hey, have you noticed already, or have your senses gone numb?"
"Of course, I notice, we're taking the right in the next corner. Don't make them suspicious, idiot"
"I was just asking since you have been acting weird after leaving that building. Do you think one of your ex-partners is following us?"
"Definitely. I even have an idea of who is dumb enough to go against the boss's orders" Back at the Red Dragon headquarters, Yu Bo gave him a full day of immunity. He said it loud enough so everyone could hear, and the fact that someone was going to attack immediately means he was doing this of his own volition. Adel only knows one person stupid enough to do something like this.
They spent a few more minutes moving in a different direction, trying to take them as far away from the hotel as possible, until...
"THAT´S ENOUGH! You are clearly trying to buy time by going in circles. I don't have the patience to give to a traitor like you" A figure appeared in front of them. He was wearing leather black and red armor. From his side, two curved swords were hanging. His hair was dark with a tinge of red at the tips.
"Kain..." Adel was correct; it was exactly who he expected. "Going against the boss's orders, you haven't matured at all."
"Shut up I don´t have to give the fucking time to a traitor scum like you. I always knew that you didn't have loyalty to the Dragon, so I'm just taking care of the problem a day earlier." He snapped his finger and three more men showed up in the back.
"You abandoned us for some other syndicate. Isn't that right, Adel? Even when the bosses show you mercy, you're going to join this organization and try to oppose us. How ungrateful. You make me sick. I will deal with you right now, so the Dragon has one less thing to worry about in the future." He took his swords and assumed a battle pose.
"Uuh. How can you still be such an idiot, Kain? I will do you one last favor and tell you what your problem is. You are a jealous rat, Kain. No matter what you do, the bosses never take notice of your achievements. You do anything trying to please them and make them notice you, but they just give you a pat on the back and ignore you once again."
Adel did not stop his monologue. "You wonder why? Why won't they recognize my efforts? So, you become jealous of your companions, the ones that do get acknowledged. You envy them and despise them like a rat."
"But the true reason that you don't get praise is because you're a fucking idiot. A reckless moron who always acts first and thinks of the consequences later. You think you are so smart, but in truth, you end up causing more trouble than benefits. Your only saving grace is your strength, and that is the only reason they haven't kicked you out of the syndicate. I mean, you can't even show my head to the bosses because they will kill you since you went against their orders. Have you even thought of that part?"
Even Eric was surprised after hearing Adel go on rambling like that. He really didn't like this person.
"I can wait a day to present your head. Well, I wasn't expecting more from a filthy traitor like you. I hope you enjoyed your last words." With an explosive jump, Kain closed the distance immediately with Adel and one of his swords aimed directly at his head.
In a single moment, the sparks of metal clashing against each other were flying. Adel blocked it with his own sword. Kain tried to cut with a second strike from below, but Adel jumped to the side.
"I take care of Kain; you deal with his goons."
"Got it" Eric responded without hesitation and launched himself against the three subordinates.
"By the way, don't think this is going to end with your death. I'm going to torture that guy until he tells me all about your little syndicate. When I'm satisfied, I will kill them too for trying to oppose the Red Dragon." Kain went on the offensive again.
The battle continued; the cuts were flying from all directions. Adel was at a disadvantage since Kain had two swords, so his attacks could come from completely separate directions. Slowly, Kain managed to cut the arm, the thigh, and the cheek. He was an idiot, but his swordplay wasn't to be taken lightly. With his back against the wall, Adel decided to use his special ability.
"[Flame]" A burst of fire erupted from the tip of his sword. Kain had to fall back for a moment.
[Flame] was the special ability that Adel had trained himself alone. The ability to produce fire on a weapon. It was simple but effective. The toll it took on him was that while he was using it, his body temperature would continue to rise. If he kept using it for too long, he could die from fever. So, he had to end the fight quickly.
Despite all of that, Kain was still determined to kill him. The offensive resumed and the attacks from both sides were relentless.
Adel managed to get a bit more space thanks to his fire, but Kain was still the better swordsman. Right, left, up, down, right again, down again, the strikes didn't cease for a single moment.
Adel tried to jump from the wall and make a strike from above, but Kain blocked with his right sword, and with the left one, he almost managed to severe Adel's arm. The blood was pouring from the wounds; they weren't deep enough, but the fatigue and fever were starting to build up.
On the other hand, Eric was having trouble too. The three goons were still members of the Red Dragon, so they had battle experience and skills to back them up. He was dodging knives and punches, but he couldn't find any opportunity to put them down. I could take them out with [3 points] but the bastard with the swords will still be standing. He seems by far the most dangerous. Even Adel is having trouble with his fire sword. Mmm, what should I do?
Another cut to the abdomen of Adel spills more blood on the ground. It was hard to keep dodging all the attacks and trying to find an opening. Kain was relentless; there wasn't a single doubt in his attacks. It took only a few more seconds, and one of the swords cut Adel's leg right in the center.
Immediately, Kain launched another strike against the face. Adel barely managed to dodge it, getting his left cheek cut. Another thrust to the chest. Adel had to deflect with his sword. He got so close to his chest and face that he got burned a little for his own ability. It was a small price to pay, considering the alternative was death.
It was after seeing that close call that Eric decided to finish the small fry. That idiot is not going to make it so...
"[3 points]" With a scream, the muscles of Eric contracted the force inside of him, multiplying its magnitude by several times.
"One" The first punch hit a grunt right in the jaw, breaking it. Before the other two could react, the second grunt was launched into the air, vomiting his own blood as his intestines were crushed. "Two" Finally, the last one managed to put his arms up and try to defend himself, but "Three!" The arms were pulverized into a bloody mess. The impact was so strong that even with the arms, the chest couldn't handle the impact and the rib cage was broken.
Eric was spent. His muscles were hurting, and he couldn't move a single step, but still, he had to help Adel.
"AAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH" Using all his will power he started running. The pain was unbearable. Every step he took, his muscles released screams of pain. Forming a punch with his hands, he threw it against Kain.
"Pathetic!" A single motion of his sword was enough to block it. At the same time, he was blocking Adel's attacks. Both of them were still not enough, but they didn't lose hope. They had a reason to fight to become stronger.
They both screamed at the same time and launched another attack.
"Useless! [Double strike]" Kain launched a simultaneous attack on both. Adel and Eric managed to dodge out of the way, but the true power of his special ability resided in the second strike. It was faster and stronger. An automatic movement that Kain didn't control, he could only use it about two times per day, but it was enough.
Both Adel and Eric were completely defenseless against the second strike. Two quick slashes cut open the belly of Adel and the chest of Eric. The blood erupted like a bottle of wine breaking on the floor. Wounds that are too deep to walk away from.It was over...
Except it didn't happen. The swords never reached the opponents. In fact, Kain's arms were stuck in place. No, someone had grabbed his arms. Someone was strong enough to stop his [Double strike]. He looked with shock at the arms that were wrapped around his own. They were attached to a man dressed like a noble. His green eyes were looking at Kain, but it was more like they were looking at his soul.
"I don't know why, but you tried to kill my partners, so you need to accept the consequences." Those green eyes were showing only one thing to Kain: Death.
He wanted to run away. He tried to move his arms, but they were firmly being held. He tried with all his might, but they didn't move an inch. Was it the power of this guy or the fear paralyzing him? Kain had no idea; he just wanted to run.
"Please don't kill him. If he dies, the mercy that the Red Dragon showed me will have gone to waste. They will attack as soon as they notice what happened."
"Eric already killed a few of them, there is no going back" Thanatos didn't move his eyes from Kain.
"No, there is a way. Kain will return alive and explain the situation. That way, they would not seek vengeance. Right Kain, you'll go back and explain yourself to the bosses. Promise and you can leave" Adel begged him to accept.
"I-I promise..." His voice was full of fear.
Thanatos didn't want to, but he had to listen to his subordinate's request. Adel was clearly desperate to resolve this peacefully.
"Then go back and don't let me see you again." He finally let Kain go. The frightened man jumped back into the alleyways and ran back to his base without looking back.
"Thank you for letting him go, Master." Adel relaxed and breathed with relief.
"It's fine, we need to attend to your wounds in the first place." Adel was beaten down with a lot of injuries. Eric had a few scratches, but besides the muscular pain, it was fine.
"Boss, you are amazing. You beat that guy like it was nothing. We still have a lot to learn from you." Eric praised his boss, trying to lighten the mood, but...
"You almost died because I was late. I can barely do what is expected of me."
"What, no boss?"
"Master?"
"I'll carry you. Castess must be at the hotel so he can take us to a doctor." He picked up Adel by the shoulder.
It was clear that something happened to his leader, but none of them knew what it was or how to act on it. So, they follow him in silence back to the hotel.