A few days ago, just after the incident where Orion and others defeated Kratos and Zander, Location - Anti-Libra Base.
"What do you think Nova? Who would have killed Covurt?" I asked.
"I do think that one of the arbiter might have done that, Sir Aeon. However I don't know exactly what happened back then."
"It's possible that one of the Arbiter might have done that.... Jystice and his little group managed to capture Kratos and Zander too." I said.
"....."
There is someone who knows what we are trying to do, whoever they are, it seems they might know that Covurt was keeping an eye on the Voila and Ryuji or should I say that Ancient Demon Regal.
"You there, come here I want you to give the message to Curie."
The member silently approached.
"Shawn, I want you to give a message. Tell Curie to reveal a little information, that is the name of Shadow Tear. Only it's name will be revealed that might pose a threat but this gamble is not risky that much. This will lead me to the artifact that is the natural threat for Shadow Tear." I said.
Shawn silently nodded.
I don't know what happened but some third party is trying to get that artifact, If they are aiding Libra it's possible they are acting in shadows trying to hide their intentions from us.
"Make sure your conversation is heard by Voila, because that is the very purpose of spreading the information." I said.
She is already acting like a puppet and now I want to improve the performance of this puppet while also making sure she is improving her bond with Regal.
"...." Shawn didn't replied but nodded again.
"And after its revealed to Voila, then kill Curie because she is now useless. I believe the person who killed Covurt might know that Curie is on our side. If Curie is actually being revealed and that person is looking for opportunities to know about our plans from Curie then it simply means Curie is no longer needed."
Curie already knew some of our plans, not correctly but still I could not get careless so she must die.
"...." He nodded silently and left.
"Are you sure about this? We would have called Curie here and she is strong too." said Nova.
"There is a merit system rule in our group as you already know Nova. People who disappoint me will have to die, because they might do same mistakes again."
Nova went silent and nodded.
Just like her, Kratos and Zander is now useless too. They were loyal but they failed. They might reveal some information about us if they change their minds, but that's fine with me. All I need is results, If someone disappoints me then they have no rights to be alive.
Shawn is a professional killer, he is neither an assassin nor a fighter. He refined his skills only to kill not to fight, he might be similar to an assassin but not exactly. He handled all hard tasks I had given to him. I will not let anyone interrupt in my plans and this third party will also pay for what they are trying to do.
Part 2- Killing is a profession
"....."
I'm Shawn and I always liked to murder monsters and people. I'm not assassin who can keep my presence hidden or do any task related to that just like Covurt nor I'm Nova who has a brute strength to fight for a long time. I'm just someone who likes to kill. My profession is killing no matter how weak or strong my target is...
"..."
I was silently watching a strong monster in this forest that is eating the fresh meat, and behind it there was another monster looking for opportunity to ambush the monster who is happily eating the meat. The monster suddenly noticed the monster who was hiding and it tried to attack but surprisingly that monster who was eating the meat a while ago became the dead meat itself. I saw that the monster was not trying to hide but to distract the flesh eating monster so that another monster could attack from behind. The two monsters planned this out and they succeeded and enjoyed their meal.
"..."
That's right, you don't need to be strong or act as the assassin. All you need to do is finish the enemy and it's all over...
"....."
I didn't wanted to kill anyone in my childhood but....
"...I will....reach Rednaught city soon..." It might take some time but I was already near.
...My parents were living their life normally with me. They loved me and gave me everything I needed. As I grew up, I noticed that my father was secretly having affairs with a woman and my mother was unaware of it. I tried to warn my mother but she never believed me. My father already made the murder plan against my mother.
"....At last."
My mother knew of their plans but it was too late, she was going to get killed by my father and the woman. Mother was not afraid, she tried to protect me so that I can escape. I knew my mother was in pain deep down because of father's betrayal but she showed me a smile saying "you don't need to worry, your mother will always be with you" and that were her last words.
"....No, I think was not the kind of guy who would...."
.....be so kind towards anyone. My hands were stained in blood and I saw my mother lying on the ground. My father and the woman next to him looked so terrified. It's obvious because I was the one who murdered my own mother, both father and that woman tried to escape but it was late. I killed them too. Why did I killed them all? It's because there was a strange feeling that wanted blood, devouring it and enjoy the taste of blood.
I loved this feeling that was inside me for a long a time since birth and I was unable to hold this feeling anymore. Whether someone is kind or evil, it didn't mattered because I just loved killing. The more I killed the more it felt good but it also increased my thirst for blood.
One day a man, wearing the black hoody jacket with mask, came in front of me, he was the leader of Anti-Libra and offered a deal. The deal was that, I can enjoy killing as long as I can and in return I would devote myself to Anti-Libra. I accepted this offer because It was the opportunity to feel and taste even more blood. I wanted to be painted by blood all over my body. He said that my talent and lust for killing can never be beaten by anyone.
".....where should be the location when I kill Curie?.....Maybe it should be Raven Cave." I muttered.
Come to think of it, this name of the cave is just like that arbiter's name. That arbiter got defeated by one of the arbiters.
"Only if I was sent instead of him, maybe I would have won..." I muttered.
Part 3- It was the time when Voila and Ryuji met on a location nearby Raven Cave to see what happened and after that-
"Excuse me, can you tell me where the culprit is gone who did this?" I asked the paladin.
"It seems that the person who did this went to Raven Cave and we sent some paladins to check and if he is really there then he would get captured by us." replied paladin.
"Alright, thanks for the information."
"Hey! Where are you going young lady!? You are not all-"
"I'm Voila from the guild." I showed my guild card.
".....Oh! My apologies, I heard from Jystice that you are allowed to come here and investigate yourself. But please don't spread this news." He said.
"I'm aware of it."
"Alright then please take care, we don't know how many numbers or how strong they are..."
"Yes I will, thanks for warning me."
"So, did you confirmed it Voila?" asked Ryuji.
"Yeah, it seems that the culprit is hiding in the cave."
"Alright let's go then."
"Hm." I nodded.
We entered the cave, searching for the culprit. There were many paladins who were also searching for them. Ryuji and me, were killing monsters while trying to search and go to deepest part of this Cave.
"This is!" Ryuji saw the blood on the ground.
"It's from the deepest part! Let's go it must be that person who killed Curie!" I said.
We headed towards the deepest part and we saw something that we should not have seen...
"No...."
First reaction was Ryuji's...
"There are..." I muttered.
So many dead bodies of paladins who came here, they were all slaughtered by one man standing in front of us. He was wearing a gray cloth, wearing black bandana around his neck and he had knuckle dusters on his hands with huge claws.
"Why? Why did you do that? You even killed your own comrade...Just what you guys upto?" Ryuji angrily said.
"....."
"....he is not replying..." I said in confusion.
"To enjoy the taste.....of blood...I enjoy this.....very.... much."
"!?" Ryuji was surprised by this reply.
"You... murdered everyone here and you say you enjoy it!?" I said.
I also let my emotions take over me because of his reply.
"Why?....what they did to deserve it?"
".... Didn't I said?.....I enjoy.....I enjoy... killing them..."
"You! You will pay for this!" I said while letting my emotions run wild.
I tried to attack him with my sword but he countered smoothly and slashed me. I defended but I was still hurt badly.
"...!?"
"Voila!"
I was on the ground groaning in pain. Ryuji stood up and used earth spikes on the enemy but enemy dodged the attack with insane speed, he almost looked like he teleported.
"Wh-"
The enemy slashed Ryuji and Ryuji was thrown far away from the enemy. Ryuji was hit by the wall and he fell down, unable to stand up.
"Ugh...." I never felt such pain.
What would had happened if I was defence less? I would have been killed right away. What's with this insane strength? He is stronger than the demon that we fought in Hage village. But something was off, I sensed that he used the magic ability.
"Your ability to increase your attack power...is really higher than others...." I said when I found the answer.
"...."
It didn't looked like he was assassin nor a warrior but rather it looked like he is focusing on killing. He is not really strong or weak, he is average but his magic buff to increase the attack is truly terrifying.
"...."
I'm unable to move and he had chance to kill me but he stopped and started staring at me.
"....ugh.....what....what are you doing? You have chance to kill me but it's late..."
I stood up again and I saw that Ryuji was also standing because of little break we got, ready to attack.
".....I'm done killing everyone here and it was fun now I will just go and take a rest.... please step aside..." Enemy said.
"You think we will let you go so easily from here? You are being overconfident now..." I said.
"....."
"!?"
I was attacked by him suddenly without any hint and got kicked by him, I was pushed back by this forceful kick. Even his normal kicks are insanely dangerous. His magic buff to increase attack was really incredible.
"....I said step aside....you both are in the way...."
"Haaah!"
Ryuji launched the powerful attacks, he generated the small rocks while enhancing its magic strength. Enemy dodged everything but was hit by one of the rocks and he was hurt too much with that attack.
I noticed that his defence was not that high rather it was around average.
"..."
"He is still standing up?" Ryuji said with a surprise look.
Ryuji's magic powers are growing day by day. Slowly but surely he was improving. His one of the rock with powerful enhancement was enough to cause much damage if Ryuji used a little bit more magic energy into it.
"This guy is still standing up despite getting hit by the powerful attack." I remarked.
He doesn't seem to have healing abilities though since he is still injured.
"..."
"...take this!"
I used light projectiles and sent it towards the enemy, he was dodging and deflecting but he was also hit by some of my projectiles.
"What is going on? I believe I used a little bit more strength in my attack!" I said while being confused.
"Voila....I think he posses a magic ability that allows him to ignore any pain he get to avoid getting distracted..." Ryuji understood what was going here.
"What!"
So thats why he looks like he is fine but this magic has side effects. When this magic is wore off then you suddenly feel all the pain that you ignored while using the magic ability. You can suppress it but cannot remove the pain for permanently however if you use this ability correctly knowing the risks then it will be your advantage.
"Step aside, I'm tired a little bit.....I want to rest." Enemy said.
"Yes, you will rest in the prison..." I said.
I rushed towards him and attacked him with my sword, trying to slash him enough so that when his magic wore off he would not handle and collapse. He was dodging and deflecting my attacks but he was not able to do it very often and got hit so many times from my sword.
"...!?"
He suddenly tried slash me when he saw the opening, but I deflected his attack just in time. What makes him dangerous is high level of buff magic to increase his speed or attack strength.
"I believe you will run out of magic sooner or later, because you might have never trained to fight for long."
I noticed that he was just focusing on increasing attack not speed because I was sensing that his magic energy was depleting and it looked like he had not much capacity to hold magic energy.
"...."
Just a little more and he will be at disadvantage. Ryuji was also attacking, throwing magical rocks with high speed.
"...."
He was forcefully pushed back due to my heavy slash on him.
"Just give up, your magic is depleting and you can't handle the pain when your magic wore off." I warned him.
He still attacked me despite knowing the risks. His movements were showing that he can't handle this fight for a long time, he looked really tired maybe because of so much magic energy he used and the fact he had low capacity to hold magic energy than average. He was now badly damaged by my attacks now.
"I already warned you." I said.
I did make sure not to damage him much so that he won't die the moment his magic wore off.
"..."
He is not showing any sign of backing down, if this keeps going then he will die. Should I just wait for his magic energy to get consumed completely? But it will backfire if I don't try to counter because dodging and being on defence will not be so beneficial for me.
"Ryuji!"
Ryuji understood my signal when I waved my hands in a certain way. Ryuji quickly, with speed, generated four ground walls around the enemy and sent four of them towards the enemy with insane speed, by enhancing its magical speed, to grab him and block his further movements.
".....!?"
He was caught off guard and before he could do anything he was trapped in between the walls. I don't know why but he seemed to be holding himself, like he didn't wanted to hurt us. Is it because of Ryuji? That's right, Ryuji is needed for their plans but something was bothering me for a while. Why did he not tried to attack me? And I noticed that Anti-Libra was not really focusing on Ryuji and me. I wondered why, but suddenly I sensed someone came here.
"So, you are in a tight postion Shawn..."
The voice came behind from me.
"Who are you?" I asked him.
"It doesn't matter who am I, I just want to help Shawn escape with me."
"You are also from Anti-Libra then..."
"What if I am?"
"I won't let you escape then." I was readyto take him down too.
"You are brave but-"
He suddenly made a close distance and punched me on my abdomen and I was sent flying back.
"Voila! No!"
I was bleeding too much, I was losing consciousness...What was that attack? It was too strong.
"Voila! Damn it don't close your eyes!"
Ryuji was holding me, did I get too much damage that Ryuji's reaction became overwhelming? I'm losing..... consciousness...
"She is heavily Injured! Please step aside we are taking her to hospital!"
"That guy already killed many paladins!"
"Let's report to lord Jystice!"
Before losing my consciousness, I can hear some voices of other people like they are in panic or in a hurry...
Part 4- Mission Complete
"You did well to complete your job, Shawn. You even murdered many paladins there, as expected from a professional killer." I said.
"....."
"You also did well to protect Shawn, Nova."
"I will do whatever you wish Lord Aeon." he replied.
According to the report I got from Shawn, Voila revealed the information to Jystice. I can use them and they might be useful if they can find that artifact I'm looking for.
"Meanwhile you all, try to find that artifact if you can because I don't want that artifact to go into third party's hand or Libra's."
What a shame that I don't even know the name of that artifact that can counter Shadow Tear.
"Nova, are you sure you didn't hit Voila that hard so she will die? I need to make sure Voila and Ryuji are both alive or my plans would fail.
"No, I just knocked her out so that she won't be able to stand up again, trying to interrupt us."
"That's good."
I can't let her die or else it will just cause my plans to fail.
Part- 5 Present time when Orion might have taken his break, staying in the tower to rest last night and after night at the same time when it was around morning-
"Look! She is waking up."
"Thank God you were not seriously damaged that could put you in danger."
I heard some voices....
"Wh...where am I?" I asked while half awake.
"Voila, you were rescued by other paladins and the guy who attacked you already escaped due to some many paladins coming in the deepest part of Raven Cave. I...I'm glad you are alright." Ryuji was worried about me.
"I see, I was knocked out.... Sorry Ryuji, for making you worry."
"As long as you are alright that's fine." Ryuji smiled looking a little bit relieved.
"Can you tell me what happened when I was unconscious?" I asked.
Then one arbiter came and sat down on the chair.
"I'm Reina, one of the arbiters. I will explain what exactly happened when you were unconscious."
She was one of the arbiters who was fighting alongside us in Hage village. That time no one had time to introduce themselves that much. I already was told by Ryuji what happened in Raven Cave and after that Reina told me that Curie's body was retrieved and it happened 2 days ago that means I skipped this time. She also told me that Curie's death will be revealed today.
"It seems that Jystice got reports that they found the information related to Shadow Tear. He said that available arbiters should be present in the hall at the Libra base." said Reina.
They found some informations? I don't know what kind of information was that but I'm glad they found something that will be helpful.
"This information will be given to the guild too after one or two days." She said.
"I see, alright then. Thanks for telling me."
"No problem and get well soon, you are recovered but please rest a bit more and besides Ryuji looked more worried about you and he was that worried that he was staying all night, waiting for your recov-"
"Hey!, that enough. You can go now Reina. I think you told main information." Ryuji hurriedly stopped her from saying further.
"Why are you shy?" said Reina, trying to tease Ryuji.
"No! That's not true!"
It looked lively and I laughed a little bit.
"Huh? You laughed?" said Reina.
"I can't help but laughing, you two are somehow funny hehe."
We all started laughing a bit and enjoyed a little bit.
I looked at Ryuji, thinking that, was Ryuji really the Ancient Demon who spread the terror in his era? I don't know but I don't think I will let go of Ryuji. He is not the kind of person who deserves to be dead or used by Anti-Libra. He was ready to die to protect everyone, I don't know whether his memories will come back or not but I will make sure to help him to be able get rid of his past memories and not letting those memories take over him.
"Um, what are you thinking Voila?"
"Oh, nothing nothing. It's nothing I was just a little tired I think."
"In that case, let's leave Reina and let Voila rest. Please call for help if you need anything and don't push yourself Voila."
"Yes, thank you Ryuji."
I don't want this kind soul to be deleted by a mere demon who wants destruction.
Part 6- A man was standing in front of the collapsed Blaze Shrine where the Soul Bound Amplifier was taken by Orion.
"So the Soul Bound Amplifier is stolen, huh? It is basically useless but quite the few people were after this artifact..." I said.
What are they after?
"Even sages doesn't know what's happening and they are not taking it seriously either."
But it should be obvious that those sages must have realised something.
"And yet they are confident that this is not true and it will not happen."
But I know and want to believe that something is off. I don't know why most sages are so arrogant and think they are always correct.
"I can't just sit silently just like those sages, I must act now." I said.
I know the use of this artifact and I believe those people, who are after this artifact, already predicted the outcome.
"I heard you when you were left alone for dying, Guardian Alto. You were a kind soul after all who wanted to save everyone or else you would not have requested for a hero to come and save everyone at your dying breathe."
It might be possible...that
"One of these people who are after this artifact may have a kind soul or maybe none of them are really aiming for any good karma."
If these people are just selfish or doesn't think about peace then I must annihilate them one by one as the Guildmaster of this Kingdom.
"Curie was a traitor, I never knew it." I muttered.
I hope I was a little early that time so that I could atleast see the face of the person who stole this artifact.
"..... Don't worry Alto, your last wish will be fulfilled."
I put the flowers on the Alto's grave. I prayed that he rest in peace and watch over me as I will bring down these evils. They only deserve death or maybe even more harsh punishment.
"It's about time to leave, get the things done in a better way."
I can't waste my time anymore, Anti-Libra and these third party will have to be eliminated and I must find the Soul Bound Amplifier. I'm not really a hero, I only want people to be happy and live in peace and these people who are trying to bring choas will have to pay for their sins. Corrupted people like them should not even die but get physical torture every day and night to make them feel the pain that they give to people by killing them or ruining their life for money or power or other. I can feel your pain too Alto, I will take revenge for all innocent people who suffered...
To be continued...