Vengeance Upon Fate - Chapter 40

Forming his battle stance, Kurogane dashed backwards and offhandedly held his sword before him.

(Invisibility… I’m most likely dealing with a type of assassin.)

“Who are you? Quit hiding and show yourself already.”

…

“With pleasure.”

It seemed almost too generic of a response. Was the individual really going to just show themselves before him like that?

It suddenly clicked in Kurogane’s mind that the voice he heard wasn’t from the person before him, but rather, someone else to his left.

(What the hell..?)

Kurogane, clutching with his quick, last second instincts swung his head backwards, bending his body back just enough to dodge a pair of metal projectiles which he slowly made out as they flew by. He hardly made it in time, and could feel the light, whistled gusts touch his face between the few inch gap when it passed by him.

They appeared to be two bladed, metallic small shurikens which sunk deep into the tree trunk he sat by earlier.

(It’s definitely them. There’s no running away now, I either kill or be killed.)

“Was I not kind enough when I initially asked?” said Kurogane, now raising his voice more than before.

“For the record, our duration is almost over.”

This came from the same person from Kurogane’s left side. The voice sounded like a female’s – a young lady’s to be more precise.

“A female? Is she referring to her invisibility?”

Suddenly, a figure could slowly be seen fading away from its camouflage.

There stood a young female rogue, glaring into Kurogane’s eyes.

(Damnit, this alliance also has additional killers hunting for me? This will be difficult if I have to fight them head on.)

…!!

Kurogane dodged what he felt to be a swing from the figure still hiding before him.

(I need some distance between these two. Standing around like this won’t be enough) Wuxiaworld for visiting.

Kurogane jumped upwards, then began to charge his sword.

<>

As his sword began to burst with shadow energy, he took the time to scan the floor and see if he could detect any movement.

After closely looking through, he noticed the sudden formation of a deep shoe imprint on a piece of of the land.

(They must have jumped from that area. Now’s my chance.)

<>

Kurogane swerved his sword and created a large wave of shadow energy, sending it soaring downwards into the hidden person’s direction.

The projectile exploded midair, creating a black cloud in the sky and sending a gust towards Kurogane.

He safely landed further away and started to think to himself.

(That had to be a direct hit. Whatever it was, it should be hurt badly from that explosion.)

“Quite impressive, but not nearly good enough,” said the girl, who was now confidentially smiling.

(Why is she so confident? This partner of hers is probably suffering right now.)

“Not sure if that’s the right expression to use after what just happened.”

“Oh please, like I have any need to worry over something sluggish like that.”

(What in the world? Did my spell not damage him?) Kurogane thought nervously.

Another figure slowly appeared a few feet before her.

It was a male rogue, seemingly unscratched and fiercely glaring at Kurogane while occupying a battle stance.

Amongst the eight different classes, the Rogue was a quick, deadly and efficient class. Having an insane output of damage was the result of their sacrifices for almost all kinds of defenses. A well delivered blow could take out a Rogue… If you could catch one of the elusive tricksters, who always had a few diversionary skills up their sleeves, along with their sharp, short range weapons such as daggers and sickles. They also specialized in throwing weapons such as shurikens and knives.

(Shit. He’s unharmed despite the direct hit… Just how powerful are these people?)

“You’re with them, aren’t you?” Said the male assassin in a soft yet eerie tone.

“I have no idea of who or what you are referring to”

“So their self esteem is that low as well? Gives us another reason to eradicate them.” said the girl.

“Agreed. Lying will only dig your grave further down” added the male rogue.

(Who are they referring to? Are these people even a part of the alliance at this point? Something isn’t right.)

Suddenly, the male Rogue dashed, startling Kurogane with the boundless momentum.

…!

Before he could anticipate what would happen next, the person was right before him, milliseconds from landing a deadly slash with the razor sharp sickles.

{Trrnnngg}

He managed to underhandedly block the attack just in time, however, after a small delay, a powerful gust took place, breaking the collision of their weapons and sending Kurogane tumbling several feet away.

Kurogane managed to tumble back on his feet, placing his hand on the floor as he slid backwards.

“That definitely had to be the use of the wind element.”

Kurogane had an eye closed and breathed heavily, since the gust had a strong impact on his body.

“Damn, that hurt…and that lady… she’s gone.. where did she go?”

<>

As the ground began to crystalize and freeze, Kurogane casted another skill to dodge it.

<>

Kurogane vanished a few meters backwards, but quickly had to swing his sword and knock away the shurikens that flew towards him, generating sparks from the impact of his quick reflexes.

The frozen area now had a broad, roughly seven foot tall, sparkly piercing icicle.

Kurogane grit his teeth, since he was now feeling aggravated from everything that was happening.

“Stop it already!”

He quickly turned around, swinging his enchanted sword to the female, who had dashed from a different direction with her long dagger ready to strike.

Kurogane’s sword made contact, but this time his force was much greater, causing the female to soar backwards and mildly bump against the tree.

Both assassins were now mixed with shock and amazement at Kurogane’s strength.

Mildly panting, Kurogane was willing to do all he could to resolve the misunderstandings.

“Listen, you both have it all wrong. You are clearly mistaking me for someone else.”

“Just how far do you plan on dragging that act of yours?” replied the male Rogue who looked very unconvinced.

“There is no act. I have yet to understand what is even going on right now…”

The female rogue frowned and raised her voice slightly.

“We’re going to end you in a way you are most deserving of, nothing more has to be said!”

“Then I no longer have a choice then…” said, Kurogane, who’s expression darkened.

<>

Their eyes couldn’t help but widen out of intimidation.

Kurogane’s sword began flowing with shadow energy to the point it became very clear on what his element was.

“Brace yourself!” warned the male rogue, who worried for his partner.

<>

As the ground darkened and the shadow energy erupted, Kurogane hid behind it briefly and muttered another spell in a low tone.

<>

After the spell ended, both rogues could see Kurogane, who was now nearly out of sight, sprinting away past the hills.

“We shouldn’t let him get away…” said the female rogue in an aggressive manner.

The male assassin used his arm to block her from moving forward, as he thought that it was better to not chase Kurogane anymore for the time being.

Both watched closely as he vanished in mere seconds.

Sprinting as fast as he could, Kurogane knew that he had to find the nearby city before the worst could go down. There was no telling what would happen if he remained outside any longer, whether he would encounter the two rogues or other potential enemies.

(I doubt they serve under that alliance, but seeing that they wouldn’t stop, this was probably my best option. What matters now is that I can’t settle down until I reach Kardirie, and that’s a fact.)

Kurogane continued to run, barely taking any breaks on the way until finally reaching what appeared to be the front gate of a city.