Noah moved swiftly as he ran through the woods. He deftly incorporated his Martial skill, Dragon Steps and the Battle skill, Flicker into his climbing skills as he jumped from tree to tree. This was his way of working on his improved version of the movement skills, a skill that involved both the momentum building of Dragon Steps and the teleportation of Flicker.
Still this would take a long time, he would probably only be able to perfect this once he was an Exalt Stage Battlesoul master and was able to fully use the Azure Dragon Art. Paying attention on both the Essence and Blood Essence that circulated at the same time was the challenge, he probably needed the upgrade only Exalt Stage Battlesoul masters got, the Soul Core. Apparently it boosted the intelligence and mental strength of one.
But for now, his current use of the new skill was good enough for him, not in an actual fight of course. But if it were used to run away, it would be enough.
His brows furrowed in total concentration, Noah leapt from tree to tree, either twisting his ankles to change his direction or just teleporting past an obstructing tree. He would only stop for some time to consume an Essence core or Beast meat to replenish his energy. (A/N: In case I didn't say this before, properly kept beast meat is capable of increasing the rate of regeneration of Blood Essence)
This only stopped when a loud shout interrupted Noah's concentration. His bloodshot eyes widened as his state of concentration being destroyed left his Essence circulation in shambles, leaving him crashing face first into a tree. "Fuck!" With a thud, the youngster fell to the ground holding onto his bleeding nose. "Motherfucker! Who the hell is here?!"
"Help! Help us!" As if responding to his curses, two voices shouted out even louder, drawing his attention to his left.
Noah cursed once more looking at the scene before him. Four people were being chased towards his direction, two of the men, one looking about 60 dressed as a butler and the other, a teenager, were carrying the third one, who looked middle aged. The last individual was a teen girl running along side them. Sensing their aura, he could tell that the young ones were at the Peak of the Novice Stage while the adults' strengths were somewhat at the middle of the Intermediate Stage. It appeared that they had suffered an ambush judging by their wounds and the large gash on the middle aged man's chest. That wasn't his concern though, it was the group chasing after them. The ambushers.
A group of 5 Intermediate Stage bandits chased after the group of 4, laughing maniacally as they ran. The lowest of them was already an Intermediate Stage Battlesoul master but the highest only reaches the Middle of the same stage. Still, with only 2 Intermediate Stage masters on the other group it was easy for the bandits to rise as the winners of the previous clash.
So seeing this, Noah barely hesitated as he turned around and ran away using his Dragon Steps to dash forward.
"Wait!" The young boy shouted with desperation in his voice. "Please help us."
Noah chuckled. "Hehe, help you? Your problem has nothing to do with me." He could actually help them, he believed he had the ability to stall at least 2 of the bandits. But when was he someone who would help others just for shits and giggles. He wasn't some main character in a book, he also has things to do at the moment and wouldn't waste his time with the drama going on behind him.
"We're part of the Star Kingdom's Merchant Association!" The girl shouted, seeing as their plea for help wasn't enough.
Noah actually gave in to his urge to look back at her with a raised brow and an expression laced with mockery. "You think I give two shits about that?" Not bothering with them anymore, he increased the circulation of his Blood Essence and tensed his legs as they were pumped with more energy, making him run faster.
"Wait! We can offer you something in return!" The butler was the one who shouted this out, hoping for the youngster to stop.
"Hmm?" Noah, hearing this, slowed down. His eyes narrowed as he looked at their expensive clothing and top notch equipments. "You better keep your promise or I'll kill you myself." Saying these words, a burst of killing intent revealed itself from his body scaring even the moderately far bandits.
Knowing that the butler must have seen him when he was practicing his Flicker and Dragon Steps combo move and since he hadn't been wearing his cape and mask then, Noah decided to reveal only his Silver Dragon Emperor Battlesoul.
A roar resounded as the now 5 meters tall Silver Dragon Emperor Battlesoul revealed itself once more. It's light shined on the 9 individuals making their mouths open up in shock as they knew that the Battlesoul before them had to be at least a King Grade one. It shocked the 3 of the first group more as they knew this Battlesoul was most definitely an Emperor Grade Battlesoul.
Noah dashed forward with his Silver colored Essence coating his two arms to form a draconic arm shape that layered over them.
After he had realized the normal enhancement that Battlesouls gave to their masters he had of course sought to gain it so as to keep his secrets as he knew human emotions much too well. The normal enhancement was quite much, but still less than when he actually transformed his arms. Even more sadly was that he couldn't stack the enhancement with his transformation, it was either one or the other.
Bringing out his silver red Longswords, Noah stared calmly at the 4. "Leave the three behind us. Butler can you handle two of them?"
"Indeed sir." The man nodded carrying the middle aged man alone and setting him by a tree to rest.
"We can help too!" The teen boy seeing this, yelled as he heard this. He was already dumbfounded by the aura Noah gave, one which was obviously much stronger than his. He couldn't fathom how the boy younger than him was even more powerful than him. But that didn't mean, he would allow them to baby him like a princess.
The girl, feeling the same as her brother, nodded and summoned her sword. "Yes, we can."
Glancing at the two, Noah could hardly give a damn. "Okay then, you two will handle the weakest of the 5. But if you die, it's your business." Looking at the approaching bandits, he assumed a stance and tightened the grip of his sword. "Go!"