A/N: Recently I decided to remake the story from the first chapter, so for those of you who have just read this chapter, please refrain from reading the next chapter, because the storyline will be diverted. (Please read chapters that have additions (Re-make) in the title)
(I will add the word (Re-make) to the chapters that I have finished)
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Fawwaz, still exploring the dark alleys of Serenia City, expanded his search.
"Ugh, why is it so hard to find them?" Fawwaz complained. It had been a whole day since he started looking for the beggars yesterday.
As someone who watched Dawnfall from behind his smartphone, Fawwaz had no idea of Avan's exact location or the timing of the theft.
"Is it possible that their whereabouts haven't appeared yet? Because it should have happened a year from now." Fawwaz began to worry that his efforts would end in vain. He had initially considered retrieving the magic book earlier than in the original story, but with the current situation, he began to doubt his decision.
"Maybe I should be a little more patient," he thought, "but considering that my time here is only a few days away, I may have to let go of this magic book if I still haven't found it and go to the dungeon that I have set."
Fawwaz went to Serenia City with two main purposes. Besides being the place where Genesis Avan acquired the magic book that Fawwaz was after, he also intended to visit the dungeon located in the middle of the forest to the west of the city.
Reflecting on his search in the mansion library, Fawwaz concluded that the dungeon matched the one in the original story.
While walking down the dark alleys, Fawwaz spotted a shabby old tent, its ends supported by two weathered bamboo.
Judging by its condition, even a slightly strong wind could easily blow the shabby tent away.
Observing this, Fawwaz cautiously approached the worn tent.
Despite the sun confidently illuminating the city of Serenia, the remote alleys remained relatively dark, overshadowed by surrounding buildings.
Thus, the atmosphere between the city of Serenia and these alleys presented a stark contrast, a complete 180-degree difference.
Nevertheless, the darkness posed no obstacle for Fawwaz, the wielder of the Third Eye.
The Third Eye bestowed upon him various abilities. With these eyes, Fawwaz could conserve mana more efficiently than most other mages. Additionally, he could discern good and evil entities based on their mana signatures.
Such was the innate power of the Third Eye. Furthermore, it granted Fawwaz other abilities, including the 'Third Perspective.' This ability expanded his vision, granting him a wide field of view, and enabling him to see in the dark as clearly as in daylight.
Moreover, when activated, this ability provided Fawwaz with a tactical advantage in battle, allowing him to anticipate the trajectory of mana and predict his enemies' attacks.
However, despite these advantages, activating this ability requires a considerable amount of mana. Fortunately, the Third Eye's innate ability enabled Fawwaz to sustain its use for extended periods.
"As long as I have mana, I don't have to be afraid of the dark," Fawwaz admired the ability of the third eye as he finally arrived in front of the shabby tent.
"Hmm, the tent is empty," Fawwaz observed inside, but there was nothing to be found as far as he could see.
Inside, there was only a shabby and dusty mat, with an old and fragile cup that would shatter with a little pressure.
Seeing that, Fawwaz concluded that this tent was inhabited, but he found no one around it.
"Hmm?"
As Fawwaz observed using the Third Perspective, he sensed the presence of several people approaching.
"Five, no, twelve people?" Fawwaz sensed that the number of people approaching was increasing as time passed.
"These people... they have abilities," Fawwaz realized that the people approaching were not a coincidence. He could discern their intentions through their mana.
"Eight warriors and four mages, huh?" Fawwaz correctly guessed their path using the Third Eye.
"Looks like this will be my first," Fawwaz began to prepare for battle, his blue eyes shining brightly in the darkness of the remote alleys.
.
.
Boss, is he here?" One of the men from the approaching group asked his leader.
"Shut the fuck up. I'm considering how to use the money our client gave us," the boss snapped back, his bald head and towering, muscular frame intimidating anyone who dared to look at him. At 187cm tall and carrying a greatsword on his back, he exuded an aura of menace.
The rest of the group, apart from their leader, had slender builds and swords at their waists. The four mages trailing behind them wore robes with hoods pulled over their heads.
"But do you cowardly mages need to come with us?" the boss sneered, showing his dissatisfaction.
"Speak again, and I'll burn your bodies, you barbarians," retorted one of the mages, his tone defiant.
"What did you say? I think beheading these cockroaches can be a warm-up," the boss threatened, his hand tightening around the hilt of his greatsword.
"Oh really? At least burning a pig won't make 'her' angry," the mage shot back, a magic circle appearing in front of him as he prepared to attack.
Tension crackled between them, reaching its peak just before—
-Whoosh
"What?" The man was startled as a fire projectile suddenly crashed into them at high speed.
-Boom
An explosion erupted, hurling the group of people, except for the leader and the mages, backward.
-Whoosh
Smoke billowed from the explosion, leaving the leader and the mages still standing, albeit with slight burns on the leader's body.
A human figure emerged in the darkness, illuminated by bright blue eyes that announced its presence.
Approaching closer, the figure revealed itself to be a teenage boy with snow-white hair, milk-white skin, and eyes as bright as the summer sky.
"So he's the one?" The boss realized that the man who appeared before him was the target of their hunt, the one who caused the earlier explosion.
"Oi, baldy, be careful. That man... is hazardous," one of the mages warned the leader, recognizing the threat posed by the newcomer.
Hearing this, the leader glanced at his unconscious subordinate, a casualty of the previous magic attack.
"Damn useless bastard," the leader cursed under his breath, realizing the extent of the danger they faced.
"I know, damn it. And I have a name. Hey brat, remember my name too, Aiden. Carry it with you to the end of your life," Aiden hardened his voice, a faint red aura enveloping him as he drew his greatsword and lunged at the man before him.
-Screeching
The greatsword slashed toward Fawwaz, but Aiden felt a strange resistance as if he had hit something solid.
"Oh, Aiden, huh? Nice name for a lowlife. Well, remember my name, Fawwaz, and carry it until your death," Fawwaz remained motionless, creating a barrier between himself and Aiden's sword.
"Wh-what?"
Fawwaz raised his hand, unleashing magic that slammed Aiden into the far wall.
"Damn it, prepare offensive magic and aim it straight at him," the leader commanded, rallying his mages.
"It's useless," Fawwaz declared, dispersing the gathered mana pool with a gesture.
"Wh-what?" The mages were shocked by Fawwaz's ability to disrupt their magic. It would require a royal mage to achieve such a feat, yet here stood a mere teenage boy.
Fawwaz regarded them with a cold gaze. "Let's end this," he said, summoning a magic circle beneath the mages' feet. "Burn to ashes, 'Ignis Field'."
"ARGHHHH!" The large circle erupted in flames, engulfing the group and preventing their escape with hot rocks that crushed their feet.
In their dying moments, one of the mages recognized Fawwaz's stature and realized he was a member of the Strongest family.
"Curse you... Everglen..." And with that, they met their end, consumed by flames and reduced to ashes.
.
.
Aiden, witnessing the gruesome scene in a split second, attempted to flee with all his strength, but a searing pain tore through him.
"Ahhhhh!"
His vision blurred as he realized his legs were no longer attached to his body. "AHHHH, THAT HURTS," he screamed, the excruciating pain overwhelming his senses.
-Step Step Step
Footsteps reverberated in the alleys, signaling someone's approach.
"Where do you think you're going after trying to attack me?" Fawwaz advanced toward Aiden, the mage who had severed Aiden's leg with wind magic now moving to sever his arm.
"ARGHHHHHHH," Aiden screamed hysterically, the agony driving him to the brink of madness. The thought of ending his own life crossed his mind, but with an arm missing, he lacked the means to do so.
As Fawwaz drew near, he pressed his boot onto Aiden's bald head. "Hey, baldy. Tell me who sent you if you want this to end quickly."