[3rd Person POV]
On the other side of the forest area, three instructors were chasing a woman. She was one of the four assassins sent to execute Brian.
The woman leapt from tree to tree with incredible speed.
"Flame Shoot!"
A burst of fire magic shot toward her rapidly, but the woman easily dodged by jumping to the side. However, Instructor Torun was already in front of her, ready to attack. He waited for Foxy to leap into the air, making it harder for her to evade his strike.
"Stone Cold!"
Torun's right hand became coated in earth, and he threw a punch toward Foxy.
"Shove!"
But Torun's punch was dodged by Foxy. She kicked the air, creating an air pressure that pushed her body away from Torun's attack.
Bam!
Foxy countered with a kick aimed at Torun, but the instructor managed to block it with both hands. However, the force of her kick sent Torun flying backward until he collided with a tree.
"Got you! Crescent Slash!"
Foxy turned around, spotting another instructor who was charging at her with his sword raised. However, he felt an odd, slippery sensation as his blade made contact with Foxy's skin.
His sword couldn't harm her body at all.
Bam!
Foxy landed a powerful kick directly to the instructor's face, sending him crashing into a tree that toppled over from the impact.
"Fire Pillar!"
Foxy glanced downward, spotting a burst of flame rising up, aiming to engulf her. She activated Shove once again, dodging in mid-air.
However, Foxy's face showed surprise as she saw Erina—the Mage—rushing toward her at high speed. Flames propelled Erina's feet, allowing her to reach Foxy, who was still in the air.
The two women faced each other, making it nearly impossible for Foxy to dodge at such close range.
"Fire Damnation!"
"Unreality Field!"
Both women activated their spells. Foxy released a defensive mechanism, while Erina unleashed a level-four fire spell.
Boom!
An explosion erupted, and both women were thrown back, crashing to the ground.
Foxy felt pain all over her body. She tried to stand, then quickly fled before the three instructors could resume their pursuit.
"Tch, those instructors aren't bad," muttered Foxy. "Especially that female mage—it's rare to see one bold enough to close the distance just to ensure her spell hits."
Every assassin from Ouroboros had combat skills on par with an instructor. Foxy was one of Ouroboros's top assassins, capable of taking on two or even three instructors simultaneously.
"I wonder if the three of them have already killed our target?"
---
[Raul's POV]
I arrived a bit too late; three students had already died in this test due to external factors.
"Ariel, get out of here," I commanded her. "I'll hold them off here."
"Eh, how… do you know my name?" Ariel asked, sounding confused.
"No time to explain, just go!"
Hearing my urgent tone, Ariel stood up and began to run away from this place.
I refocused on the three assassins in front of me. One was likely a Sword Dancer, the muscular man beside him was certainly a Brawler, and the last one was clearly a mage.
"Well, well, well… looks like someone wants to play the hero," the Sword Dancer sneered.
"He's wearing the academy uniform, so he must be a kid taking this test," the Brawler commented casually.
"Hmm… That mask of yours… I feel like I've seen it somewhere, but I'm not sure where…" muttered the Mage. "I think I'll take it for myself after I kill you, kid."
They were ready for battle.
These three Ouroboros assassins had power levels similar to the Instructors in the game. That meant they were all far stronger than I was.
Facing highly experienced enemies with my current strength would be difficult.
They started to move. The Sword Dancer lunged at me, slashing horizontally.
I dodged easily, but the man didn't stop there. He launched a flurry of attacks, forcing me to focus solely on his movements.
Not wanting to stay on the defensive, I tried counterattacking.
Bzzt…
Sparks flew as our swords clashed, sending a jolt up my right arm and nearly making me drop my sword from the shock.
That sword… it wasn't ordinary. Maybe it's been augmented with lightning magic?
"Oraaa!"
From my left, the Brawler threw a punch, which I blocked with my left hand.
His punch was powerful; it pushed me back even as I braced myself.
Not giving me time to think, the Sword Dancer lunged again, thrusting his sword at me.
I sidestepped and countered, aiming a slash at his stomach. But my attack had no effect. A strange, slick sensation met my blade as it touched him.
Bam!
The Sword Dancer kicked me, sending me flying.
I flipped in midair and landed on both feet. Looking up, I saw the Brawler leaping down toward me, his right hand glowing, signaling a powerful punch was coming.
From this distance, I could dodge before he landed.
Grrruurr…
Suddenly, the ground under my feet shook and rose, bringing me closer to the Brawler.
"Now, Ape! Finish off the kid!" shouted the Mage.
"Of course! Take this, Kong Gun!"
BAAMM!
The Brawler's punch hit hard, and I blocked with both arms. The force sent me flying from the momentum of his strike.
My arms felt shattered from taking that punch directly.
Ughhh… Even with my Repel magic activated, the impact was brutal, as if I hadn't used any defense at all. I guess it's to be expected, considering my magic is only low-level.
"You didn't hit him hard enough, Ape," commented the Sword Dancer.
"Heh~ Don't worry; that was just a warm-up," the Brawler replied.
My slash had no effect on the Sword Dancer earlier. Now I remember—Ouroboros assassins share a Profound Codex skill called Slippery Skin, making their bodies immune to sharp objects. I need to break through their special skin with blunt attacks.
I sheathed my sword. It was time to pummel them into submission.
"Hoo~ Sheathing your sword and going barehanded?" mocked the Sword Dancer. "Turns out you've got some brains."
"Looks like he's figured out our special abilities," said the Brawler, settling into his stance again.
"Let's teach him a lesson, Ape!" yelled the Sword Dancer.
"Absolutely!"
The two of them lunged at me again, while the Mage behind them started chanting a spell.
The Sword Dancer swung a diagonal slash from the left, and I tried to dodge, but the Brawler was already waiting with a punch aimed at me.
Bam!
I blocked with both hands, activating Repel, but I was still pushed back from the punch.
Then I saw the Mage firing five Earth Missiles toward me.
This time, I focused my vision on the Mage's shadow. I'd show them the Nature Mana I'd been saving.
As the five large rocks came at me, my vision blurred, and my body felt light. I blinked, and suddenly I was right in front of the Mage, who looked shocked that I had appeared so suddenly.
"Radical Blow!"
I pummeled him with an eight-hit combo, leaving him beaten up. I ended it with a hard right hook to his face.
Crack!
I heard a shattering sound like breaking glass as he flew from the force of my punch.
It seemed his special skin was now broken.
"Zed! Are you okay?!"
"How did he get there so fast?!"
The other two looked panicked and ran toward me.
"Shadow Link…"
I vanished into my own shadow, then reappeared instantly from the Sword Dancer's shadow.
"…"
The man was stunned as I appeared in front of him. He swung his sword horizontally to cut me down.
I ducked to dodge and delivered a Temper-enhanced punch to his solar plexus.
"Bughhh!"
He dropped to his knees, clutching his stomach, and I followed up with a combo of punches, ending with an uppercut to his chin.
Crack!
He flew back, and I heard a crack that signaled his special skin was shattered.
"Dammit! Don't think you've won, kid!"
Apparently, one of them was foolish enough to attack me from behind while shouting. I easily dodged his punch by stepping aside.
Turning around, I saw him coming at me again, but I ducked under his strike and punched his right side hard, making him scream in pain.
I followed up with a six-hit combo to his ribs, chest, and head until his special skin broke.
As I prepared to finish him off with my sword, I noticed the Brawler smiling. I quickly leapt back, using my Axio magic to put distance between us.
Clap!
My instincts were correct; the ground where I'd just stood folded, attempting to trap me there.
"Damn! My spell activation was too slow!" cursed the Mage.
"Tch, he got away!" spat the Brawler, blood dripping after my previous hits.
I was panting. Just from using two spells, my body was exhausted. I really needed to work on my mana capacity after this. But for now, I'd done enough to shatter their special skin.
"Be careful, you two! He has unique magic!" shouted the Sword Dancer. "He uses our shadows to teleport as he pleases!"
Turns out they weren't so clueless after all.
It's true that the Shadow Link allows me to connect with shadows within a certain radius around me. I can appear and disappear at will, as long as there's enough shadow in this place.
"Zed, use your magic to counter the boy's annoying tricks!" commanded the Sword Dancer.
"Alright, Dome of Darkness!"
As the Wizard activated his spell, the ground around us began to rise and seal us tightly, as if we were inside a giant dome.
No light could penetrate, plunging the place into absolute darkness. Without light, no shadows could be created here.
"Now, you won't be able to use shadows anymore, boy!" sneered the Sword Dancer.
"Let's show him our true power, Marlin!" said the Brawler.
"Prepare yourself, boy!"
This was bad. It seemed the three of them were getting more serious this time. Their eyes glowed, indicating that they'd activated Night Vision magic. I did the same, allowing me to see clearly in the dark.
The Brawler took a stance to punch. But wasn't he too far from me? Was he planning to hit thin air?
"..."
My question was answered when I saw the Brawler's hand extend, shooting toward me. Moving to the side to dodge, I swung my sword vertically to slice his hand, but it didn't work.
It seemed this extended arm was still under the effects of Slippery Skin. Should I strike at the base of his arm to cut it?
But the Brawler didn't give me time to analyze further. He launched his other hand, extending it to shoot toward me again.
I sprinted to evade once more.
"It's pointless! My hands will move faster as they extend!"
Glancing back, I saw his two hands chasing me, seemingly able to turn at will. Could he have a Profound Codex related to Transfiguration?
I turned and narrowly avoided his hands by a hair's breadth.
But suddenly, the Sword Dancer appeared in front of me, faster than before.
Clang!
Our swords clashed, and I had no choice but to block his strike.
My hand went numb again from the contact with his blade. I leapt back using Axio magic to create distance, but I noticed a dozen stone projectiles shooting toward where I was about to land.
After landing, I quickly slashed through the incoming projectiles. But a few struck my body, and one sent me flying back.
Landing on my feet again, I sensed something approaching from behind.
I dodged the Brawler's hands again, but the Sword Dancer appeared in front of me just like before.
Damn, this will keep repeating unless I do something!
Clang!
Once more, our swords clashed. This time, the shock from his blade was stronger, stunning me for a fraction of a second.
The Sword Dancer then delivered a kick that landed directly on my head.
My brain rattled violently, causing me to stagger sideways. But it didn't stop there. I saw the Brawler's two hands racing toward me from the front.
I wouldn't be able to dodge.
BAMMM!
Both hands slammed into my head hard. I was pushed backward, my vision blurred. I couldn't afford to lose consciousness now.
Once my sight cleared, I found the Wizard standing right before me, his palm aimed at me.
"Fire Blast!"
My body was flung back as I took the fire spell head-on. Burn wounds covered my body, and I could see my hand, blistered and smoking.
"Are you done yet, boy?"
Blood trickled down the right side of my head, making me feel an intense dizziness. But slowly, I tried to stand.
"You've got talent, boy," said the Sword Dancer. "It'd be a shame if you died here just to protect those worthless students."
"Join us," suggested the Wizard. "You'll be able to unlock your full potential within our organization."
"That's right, boy. Is your life worth as much as those foolish students?" asked the Brawler.
Foolish students, you say? Ariel, Brian, Valeria, Elena, Geralt, and the others will surpass your strength soon enough. They're the most gifted young talents of this generation. Give them two or three years, and even I'll struggle to hold them back.
Their words made me want to laugh. "Hahaha! You? Recruit me? Why would I join a weak organization like Ouroboros!"
Hearing my words, their expressions changed. They seemed angered by my insult.
"Tch, you're spouting nonsense even in your dying state," said the Sword Saint, readying his sword again. "I offered you mercy, boy. Don't regret it when death comes for you."
My breathing grew erratic; it seemed the wizard's fire magic had slightly scorched my lungs. I had to activate it now.
Removing my mask, I began gathering the remaining mana I had left to activate one of my Profound Codexes.
"Hoo~ An undercover mask, is it?" muttered the Mage. "An impressive artifact, kid."
It seemed that my hair had returned to its original state.
Taking a deep breath and exhaling slowly, I began reciting a spell to activate my powers.
"I am the Bone of My Sword…"
My body began reacting the instant I uttered the first chant of the incantation.
"He's going to use his Profound Codex! Quick, take him down!" ordered the Mage.
"Embrace the Darkness… Become Death… Destroyer of Worlds…"
A dark aura started to emerge, enveloping my body. The Sword Dancer was already in front of me, ready to swing his sword.
"Villain Destiny—Prince of Darkness…"
The Sword Dancer swung horizontally, but I easily dodged and kicked his chest hard, sending him flying back toward his two companions.
"Tsk, he activated it!" cursed the Mage.
But I ignored him, as a powerful killing intent suddenly invaded my mind.
Kill! Destroy!
Annihilate! Obliterate!
Take! Fulfill your desires with blood!
I heard these terrifying voices inside my head.
So this is what the real Raul felt when he activated one of the skills from his Profound Codex, Bloodlust? A murderous intent so intense it was difficult to contain even with my own willpower.
Prince of Darkness is one of the Profound Codices from the Bloodlust theme. This skill grants the user a speed boost that strengthens as the surrounding area darkens.
"That doesn't matter," said the Brawler. "We'll kill him even if he's activated his Profound Codex."
Hearing his words made me want to laugh. "Oh, is that so? Is it? Ghahahahaha!"
The Mage was muttering something, seemingly preparing to cast a spell.
Soon after, five magic circles appeared around his body.
"Meteor Rain!"
Large fireballs then began forming within the circles, shooting toward me.
He can easily use magic from other elements? Is that one of his Profound Codices?
I began running toward the three of them.
Seeing the three fireballs approaching, I ran in a zigzag pattern to dodge. The sound of a massive explosion echoed behind me as the fireballs collided with the ground.
Seeing me evade his fireballs, the Mage fired two more toward me.
I quickly leapt into the air using Axio to dodge. However, the Sword Dancer had also jumped into the air and appeared directly in front of me.
"Take this! Electro Cut!"
He swung diagonally toward my body. But I dodged mid-air by twisting my body, then kicked his chest hard, sending him crashing to the ground.
Landing on both feet, I saw the Brawler extending his arm toward me. However, with the speed boost from the Prince of Darkness skill, I evaded easily.
I then planted my feet firmly on the ground and charged quickly at the Brawler. He looked startled by my speed and hastily retracted his arm.
He pulled both arms back and swung them toward me.
"Hadron Cannon!"
His arms, now coated in a purple glow, shot forward like missiles, causing debris to fly as they tore through the ground.
But his efforts were in vain—I dodged again.
Using a Charging Technique, I increased my speed to reach the Brawler quickly.
He was shocked to see me appear in front of him suddenly. As he pulled his arms back, I swiftly slashed them, severing both.
"Arghhh! My hands!" he screamed, collapsing in pain.
I jumped as I felt the ground beneath me tremble. A cage appeared, trying to trap me.
"Damn it! He dodged again!" the Mage cursed, visibly frustrated.
Shifting my focus to the Mage, I charged toward him quickly.
He started chanting and aimed his palm at me. The ground around him began to float, shattering into thousands of small fragments.
"Million Rain!"
The fragments shot toward me like bullets from a gatling gun.
I veered to my right to avoid his magic, which resembled a rain of bullets aimed at me.
With the speed of Prince of Darkness, his magic wouldn't hit me this time.
Once his spell ceased, I resumed running toward him.
The Mage chanted again, and three new magic circles appeared around his body.
"Maximize Triplet Magic: Full Power Earth Missile!"
Three large, bullet-shaped rocks emerged from the circles and hurtled toward me.
I slid beneath the first rock, passing through the gap below it. Then, I used Axio to leap over the second. Lastly, I extended my left palm toward the third rock hurtling through the air toward me.
"Reject Impact…"
Boom!
The massive rock shattered into pieces.
I landed directly in front of the Mage, whose face showed utter disbelief at what had just happened.
"I-it's impossible—"
Before he could finish his sentence, I plunged my sword into his throat, slicing his head in two.
As soon as the Mage died, the giant earthen dome enclosing the area finally crumbled. The light of the full moon once again illuminated our battleground.
"No, Zed!" cried the Sword Dancer, shocked that his comrade had been killed by an academy student like me.
"…"
Wasting no time, I activated Shadow Link and appeared in front of the Sword Dancer.
We stabbed our swords at each other simultaneously.
His sword pierced my left shoulder, leaving my left side numb. However, I managed to stab my sword directly into his heart, causing him to drop his weapon and die instantly.
After killing these two Ouroboros agents, only one remained alive.
"Th-this can't be…"
I turned around to see the Brawler on his knees, unable to believe that all three of them could be defeated by an academy student.
I approached the armless man.
"Wh-who are you really…?"
I stared into his eyes, filled with the terror of his impending death.
"I am… the god who created this world…"
Slash!