I focused on creating a protective layer around my neck, ensuring I could remove the dagger without suffering severe damage. Creating a layer at a specific point for protection was much easier than expanding it to cover my entire body.
My enemy attempted to remove the weapon lodged in me, but due to my ability, the knife was firmly stuck to my body.
"You're being quite the annoying fellow, you know?" - As he spoke, he let go of the knife's hilt that was in my possession and, with his other hand, attempted to stab my abdomen. It seemed like his new intention was to pierce my organs.
With my back against the cold stone wall of my cell, I grabbed the chains hanging from the ceiling and, with a sudden impulse, kicked both my feet into his chest. Due to the sudden attack, the masked man lost his balance for a moment. Seizing this small opening, I delivered a series of punches to the muscle connections in his left arm. I used my fortifier power in my fists, making the blows much stronger and heavier than regular punches.
For a moment, the man dropped the knife. His arm would be temporarily disabled, which was a significant advantage. Without wasting any movements, I kicked his supporting leg, causing him to fall. I pulled the dagger from my neck and used my power to channel the energy to stop the bleeding before administering the first aid.
With the weapon in my hand and my enemy on his knees, I struck his neck repeatedly until his life faded from his eyes. His lifeless body now lay on the ground, and I was free. I removed the man's mask, and to my surprise, the one who had been trying to kill me was Elliot, the second butler of the Von Stein household.
'Why was he wearing these clothes and ready to kill me?'
Even with all these questions in my mind, something he had said stuck with me. 'No witnesses.' This should mean that most likely, the entire mansion was under a surprise attack. I searched Elliot's clothes for anything that could help me in this situation. Unfortunately, there was nothing in his pockets. So, I simply took the two daggers he had brought and rushed to the entrance of the dungeon.
***
The outside wasn't much better than my situation with Elliot. Several masked individuals were in a skirmish with the Fangs of Stein. It seemed like Kaden's soldiers had been taken by surprise. This wasn't a joint attack. Probably, Elliot had shared all the information about my relative's personal guard.
The question now was: had he betrayed the masked group, or had he always been one of them? And if the second possibility was the case, what had Kaden Von Stein done for these people to send spies and assassins to his residence?
I couldn't dwell on these possibilities for long because an arrow whizzed past my face, leaving a small cut on my right cheek. That was a warning shot. From behind the small trees surrounding the mansion, three individuals wearing the same attire as Elliot emerged.
Each of them carried a distinct weapon – a bow, a spear, and a two-handed sword. I had to make do with my two daggers and get past them without wasting my strength. I still needed to reach the main house and get my friend out of there safely. It had to be quick, but not reckless.
With a swift motion, the archer fires at me, aiming right between my eyes. If I hadn't reacted in time and cut the arrow's shaft before it hit me. The tip fell at my feet, and upon touching the grass, the vegetation began to wither. The arrow contained a deadly poison. For my own safety, I decided to assume that my enemies' blades contained the same substance. If that were the case, I should also be poisoned since I was struck by Elliot's blade.
But that didn't seem to be true because if the same poison were coursing through my veins, I would already be dead, given the potency of this lethal liquid. I cleared my mind of all these possibilities; I needed to focus on the present and the battle I was about to face.
I quickly looked around to see if I could sense the bloodlust of any more invaders. I didn't want to be attacked from behind while I was focused on this fight against three opponents. That's when I noticed a very bright light coming from the direction of my old mansion and thick, dark smoke billowing from the place. It was then that I realized they had just set fire to the main house.