[You have killed a Thelessian Infantry Lieutenant]
[Mastery +110]
[You have reached enough Mastery points]
[Mastery Increased]
[Basic Shot Accuracy increased by 10%]
[Skills Cooldown decreased by 10%]
[Product Quality Increased]
The giant of a man fell like a tree cut down, collapsing on his back and almost breaking the wooden platform. The clangorous fall got everyone's attention, and they saw something that sent shivers down their spines.
The executioner laid lifeless, plunged in his blood, with an obvious cause of death, a spear impaled into his head. Beside him, now standing, was Anthony, without his bruises and his wounds, and smirking with a throwing spear in his hand.
"What is this sorcery?" said one soldier in disbelief.
While they were distracted, Anthony summoned a knife to sever the rope, drunk a health potion, and killed the executioner who had briefly forgotten him.
Shouting, the soldiers stormed the stage, but all wielding melee weapons, no one would be able to get near. The cooldown for the 'Spear Throw' skill, had decreased to three seconds, and it became overpowered. He was able to kite several soldiers before they could even reach the stairs. The dead bodies, in turn, became helpful obstacles that slowed down the attackers.
The crowd, after seeing the massacre that was unfolding before their eyes, dispersed. Both fearing the arrival of the imperials and the vengeance of the man they condemned.
"Damn. He's not a normal person, we're going to get annihilated. Retreat! To the horses!" ordered another lieutenant, before the piercing shot skill tore a hole in his chest.
But the instructions were received, and the rest of the soldiers retreated from the stage, leaving ten of their dead and wounded comrades.
Still filled with rage, Anthony will not spare even the wounded. He had heard the same pleas before from the Imperial Cavalrymen in Myrtiri, and if he was untouched then, then more so now.
Relative silence took over as the dying were finished off and with the villagers staying off the streets, and barricading their doors. What was a noisy village just a few minutes ago, became as quite as a graveyard.
The only noises to be picked up, were the neighing of the horses and the distant shouts of the soldiers. Everything coming from the direction of the stables.
Anthony was not finished with them, not after the insult and humiliation he got. And knowing what they will do next, he knew just where to position himself.
He switched to Bowhunter Attire, summoned his bow, bought bodkin arrows, and stood in the middle of the street.
The first soldier rode out from behind one of the houses and into the street, ready to flee out of the village, and in the opposite direction of the coming imperials.
Anthony summoned an arrow, stretched the bowstring, and aimed at the rider, riding in full speed.
[Used 'Longshot']
It wheezed, cutting through the wind, and after a second, reached its destination. The bodkin tip overcame the coat of mail, and the soldier was hit near his shoulder blade. He lost control of the reins, and came crashing down off his horse and unto the ground.
The second rider to come out, saw the whole thing, but already near the road, he continued. He rode as fast as he could, hoping that his speed would make it difficult for Anthony to aim.
It did not.
[Used 'Longshot']
[You have killed a Thelessian Infantryman]
[Mastery +100]
The second shot was more successful than the first. This time, the arrow hit the left shoulder blade, and harpooned the rider's heart. And lifeless, he left the horse and hit the ground like a rag doll.
The soldiers next to them were wiser, and instead of riding away, attacked him head-on. Knowing that it was the proper way to deal with long-ranged opponents. Unfortunately for them, the Bowhunter Occupation was formidable enough.
[Used 'Rapid Shot']
Time slowed down, and Anthony watched every motion of the riders that were less than meters away from them. He released five arrows, and the big targets were all hit, right on their unprotected faces.
When the five seconds passed, the full impact of the attack was felt. All three were unseated from their saddles, and all that would reach near Anthony were their riderless mounts.
Two Infantryman and a lieutenant, met their end.
The rest of the soldiers, expectedly, chose not to cross the road, and detoured through the fields. He could go after them and be able to finish them all, but finally, he recalled that he did not arrive in the village alone.
Fearing for their lives, he hastened towards the inn. He reprimanded himself for forgetting about them. The window of their room were closed, and he could not hear anything suggesting their safety or danger.
Before entering, he switched to the huntsman attire and equipped a throwing spear, in preparation for some close quartered brawl. He feared that if they got hostage, then things might go back to zero.
The door was not locked, and he found the large hall empty. He continued towards the stairs, and before he traversed the corridor, he bought a torch, should someone try to use the dark corners to ambush him.
Light-footed, not even a creak would be produced by his steps. In turn, he would hear other customers, hiding behind the door and fearing for their lives. Oblivious that he was just outside their door.
He knocked when he reached their room, fearing for the worst.
"Who is it ?" the fearful voice of Irene answered.
"It's me."
He heard hurried footsteps and the door was soon opened. The tearful Irene greeted him and hugged him as tightly as she ever could. But the warmth she expected from him was not there.
"Why is he here?"
The innkeeper fell to his knees after hearing his angry tone.
"Please spare him, Lord Anthony. He is very sorry of what he's done. And isn't he, after all, our fellow Thelessian." she tugged on his clothes, but the eyes that stared back at her, was something she had not known.
"I am Ron and I have no allegiances in this world."