Silas gazed intently at the group of trees where he had seen the shadow.
"Why did you stop?" Finn asked.
He gestured for Finn to be quiet, putting his index finger to his lips. But those who were hiding took that as an opportunity to strike first. A blade rushed toward him; Silas summoned his staff and, with a fluid motion, cast a [Barrier] before them. The translucent violet shield blocked the speeding blade, vibrating upon contact. Six bullets followed, causing small cracks to appear in the shield as it successfully deflected the last one.
"Not even close," a mocking laugh echoed.
"Reveal yourself!" Silas demanded.
Two familiar figures emerged—a tall, sturdy figure with short-cropped hair and a pale man with thick, discolored skin beneath his eyes. Allan and Fredren were clad in black from head to toe.
"Who are they?" Finn whispered.
"They're the ones who tried to kidnap Kara."
Finn's expression darkened as he stared at the two figures. Silas's eyes never left them.
From his peripheral vision, he saw fast-moving shadows shifting from trees to trees, slowly surrounding them. The unnatural and simultaneous rustling of branches, leaves, and bushes told him that there were more enemies hiding in the forest.
"O wise one, I didn't expect you to venture into our territory," Fredren said with a grin. He touched his face, his eyes narrowing sharply. "Remember what I told you last time? It's time for me to keep that promise."
Silas smiled. "You can try."
The smile on Fredren's face grew. The wind blew, carrying dried leaves across the ground. Fredren dashed toward him, pulling his longsword. He touched the blade with his meaty hand, causing it to emit a red aura. He swung the sword downward, fire pouring from the thick blade and ripping through Silas's [Barrier].
Grating sound erupted from the [Barrier] as the skill sustain the attack.
Silas gritted his teeth, trying to keep the shield intact, but the earlier damage combined with the fire's intensity proved too much. The barrier shattered, sending glass-like shards flying. The fire snaked toward him. Silas cast [Air Burst], the air before him collapsing inward and pulling the fire with it.
"Jump!" he shouted, dragging Finn with him.
He shielded his face just in time for the two magic spells to explode. Boom! Dust and soil flew in every direction. He felt waves of warm air coming to his direction that gradually put him to his knees. When it finally subsided, Silas found himself unable to hear. It was his ears were overflowing wit water.
He hadn't expected to use this dirty trick once again.
Hissing, Silas stood. The only thought in his mind was the need to escape from his pursuers. He dragged Finn to him and cast [Water Blessing]. Blue light cascaded from above their head, enveloping their body like mist. The two felt the sudden increase in their speed. From the corners of their eyes, their surroundings started to blur as the blessing took effect.
Silas tried to say something about escaping, but his own words sounded muffled to his ears. They ran into the forest. Silas lost count of how many times he almost tripped over roots and rocks, but slowly, as they went deeper, his hearing returned. When the effects of the [Buff] wore off, they decided to stop.
"Let's leave this place," he said.
Finn opened his mouth as if to object. But he looked where they came from before he nodded in submission.
Silas tried to comfort him by promising him something. "We will avenge what happen to Kara… but not today."
Finn nodded and started walking. But before Silas could take his first step, a sudden prickling sensation made him turn back. A glint of light among the leaves caught his eye. He tilted his head, narrowly avoiding a speeding blade. He touched his cheek and felt the blood from the wound.
Behind him, he heard something fall. He froze. All thoughts, reason, and sanity vanished. Fear gripped him. When he turned, he expected to see the blade buried between Finn's eyes. But luckily it had only hit his shoulder. The boy hissed as he pulled it out.
Finn looked up. "Do you have anything I can use to patch this?"
When Silas didn't move, Finn shouted his name.
The wizard rushed to his side, pulling out a cloak from his [Inventory]. He tore it into strips and handed them to Finn along with a small potion bottle. But there wasn't enough time to help him patch the wound, as two new figures arrived.
He summoned his [Staff] and slashed it diagonally, casting [Flickering Fire]. The balls of fire sped toward their enemies, who deftly avoided them. Silas cast another spell. [Water Dart] shot toward them. The nervous he felt earlier still hadn't left his system. Silas improperly aimed the skill. The first two darts missed, hitting a tree behind them, but the last one shattered a man's ankle.
The man fell to the ground, screaming in pain. Silas raised his staff and threw [Magic Pierce]. The violet spell passed through the man's chest before it vanished. Silas finished him with a [Magic Pierce], the spell passing through the man's chest. The remaining enemy, a young man not much older than them. He took on a defensive stance, pulling a brass pistol from his waist. His hand tightened on the pistol, but a blade struck him between the eyes. His body trembled.
"W-what…" the young man stammered, pulling the blade from his forehead. He staggered, dying. As he took his last breath, he tried to shoot Silas, but death came first.
"I didn't expect to land that," Finn said from behind.
Silas turned and saw Finn sitting on the ground, sweat covering his forehead. He looked sick. Finn thrust his hand out to stop Silas from approaching. He lurched forward, a strangled cry escaping his throat as he violently retched.
'Ah,' Silas thought sadly. 'It is his first time killing someone.'