Theron dashed along the river, his steps light. With a water source beneath him, the odds that a beast would come running out of the forest were low. And with his Water Mana control, the odds that a beast would be able to sneak up on him from below were even lower.
As confident as he was, he remained on high alert, constantly replenishing the energy he used with the dense Water Mana around him.
He thought about sinking into Veinsong, if for no other reason than to see if he could enter that mysterious state once more. But he decided against it.
While his leash with Veinsong was particularly long, it wasn't infinite. He had passed out for a reason. It was best to save it for a moment he really needed it.
Hopefully, when that moment came the river would be the difference in the battle.
Theron preferred the rain much more than a stream or body of water like this one. The Water Mana was far more accessible in that state. But this was still a decent second option.
…
Theron was attacked several times as he moved forward. The good news was that they were all just feral beasts.
Most of Theron's combat strength came from his intelligence. It was rare that he simply overpowered enemies. For example, when he killed the Soul Mancer, he relied on [Bursting Water Shield]'s dispersing ability to disrupt her Quasi Third Eye.
That sort of thinking on the fly was what he did best. But against opponents like these, especially after reaching Sixth Resonance, it was hardly necessary.
He found that his body was even more under his control than usual, and his short sword and dagger became true extensions of himself.
At the same time, his three main techniques, [Touch of Mirage], [Water Bullet], and [Bursting Water Shield], had all reached the Consummate Boundary unexpectedly.
Once at the Adept Boundary, one could already begin manipulating the technique beyond its normal bounds. Casting multiple [Water Bullets], for example, was a characteristic of Adept Mastery.
At the Consummate Boundary, though, Theron certainly wouldn't have to chant to focus himself like he had against the Soul Mancer. The technique was akin to a breath.
Not only did the Mana cost fall drastically, but the speed of casting was also exceptional now.
Before, it took at least 7% or so of his Mana to cast [Bursting Water Shield]. He had barely been able to cast it in an impotent form when his Mana fell below 10%. Now it would take half that.
The elephant in the room, though… was that it had been at most two weeks since he picked the Bronze Resonance techniques up but he was already at this level.
…
Theron suddenly came to a stop.
'There's someone.'
Not once had he stopped paying attention to his surroundings. Even as the journey seemed to become easier, it only made him more alert.
Thistle Brook was one of the ten largest cities in the Empire. It was impossible for it to not have large roads leading to it. As he got closer, the odds that he would run into others would also increase.
His gaze flashed.
Whoever it was didn't realize he had noticed them until it was too late to run. A [Water Bullet] curled out of the river. There was no need for him to waste his own Mana with this much water around him.
In a wide area, the concentrated bullet of water curled right around a tree.
Theron heard the shift of the grass, a slight gasp, and the unsheathing of a blade as his [Water Bullet] was cut in two.
The person rapidly retreated, leaping back with light steps. Or rather, what would have been light steps had there not been a slight imbalance to them.
'They're injured.'
Theron moved first and thought to ask questions later.
A sphere of water followed behind him as he dashed toward the shore. He hadn't been very far to begin with. Nearer the shallows, it was less likely a large and truly powerful creature would be able to sneak up on him.
Because of that, he covered the distance in a flash, his blades already poised for attack. He didn't have his cloak anymore, so his simple linen clothing stuck to him as the wind flew by.
His short sword hung low, his dagger crossing his body in a reverse grip. In the night, his icy blue eyes tracked the movement of the figure like a hawk.
Was there a chance this person was innocent?
Sure.
But he wasn't taking chances on someone lurking in the dark, watching him from the shadows.
His dagger flew forward, his arm jetting out in a slashing motion.
The figure reacted with deft skill, their singular blade parrying the short blade and gliding up its side. With a twist of their wrist, their sword was already shooting for Theron's throat.
But Theron had two weapons.
He hardly reacted to the coming blade, his short sword stabbing at the figure's injured leg.
The instant he did, he caught a whiff of something in the air and his eyes narrowed. Rather than slowing down when he recognized the person, he accelerated.
This was the woman he had pushed to fight the Metal Mancer. He had ignored the rules before, and he would ignore them again.
There was no doubt this woman would have a grudge against him. It wouldn't be surprising if the reason she was injured at all was because of his actions.
She needed to die.
Caught off guard by Theron's aggressiveness, and the sudden attack to the leg she thought she had hidden the injury of quite well, the assassin stumbled.
A whirlwind of wind surged around her body and she tried to curl out of the way.
'Wind Mancer… Not enough.'
There was no way she could gather enough wind in such a short time, not as a Bronze Mancer.
She managed to dodge Theron's slash at her injured leg, but he had already flowed into his next attack. Recovering his parried dagger and adjusting his grip, he sliced down right toward where she would land.
Her death was sealed.
She crashed into the ground, her eyes opening wide in shock.
"THERON!"
Theron froze, his dagger grinding to a halt in the night.
How did this woman know his name?
His real name.