Chapter 34: Chapter 34

A FEW MINUTES BEFORE 

GRAY'S POV 

As we run through the maze of streets, the cool night air whipping against our faces, time seems to slip away from us. I cannot be certain how long we have been searching for Ash and Sack, but it feels like an eternity. The darkness of the night is all-consuming, the only illumination coming from the twinkling stars above. Despite the deserted streets, our task is far from easy. Not a single clue to guide us, the task of finding Ash and Sack seems like a futile endeavor. The location of their whereabouts is a mystery, adding an extra layer of uncertainty to our quest. The streets are abandoned, eerie and silent, adding to the sense of unease that permeates the air. 

Carl, who is perched atop the highest vantage point, scanns the landscape meticulously, but is unable to detect even the slightest hint of the whereabouts of Ash or Sack. Similarly to myself, Carl has expended a significant amount of mana in an effort to locate something, anything that might provide a clue as to their whereabouts.

As the moments tick by, the deafening echoes of boots striking against the concrete floors can be heard all around us. The sounds seem to emanate from every alleyway and crevice, as if an unseen force is on a relentless quest to find something or someone, possibly even us. The relentless march of these unseen figures fills the air with a sense of dread and unease, making it impossible to shake the feeling that we are being watched and hunted at every turn.

The ominous sound of boots striking against the hard concrete floor fills my ears as I can't help but question how these individuals were able to evade my detection. I have my mana sense set at its highest level, allowing me to reach even the most distant of places, places that cannot even be seen by the human eye. Yet, despite my heightens abilities and vigilant efforts, these individuals are able to slip past my detection unnoticed.

Carl, who had been stationed at a higher vantage point, also heard the sound and quickly descended to stand beside me. Together, we both acknowledge the oddity of not being able to sense their approach, despite our best efforts. The sound of their boots echoes throughout the area, growing louder and more distinct with each passing moment. The crunching of gravel and the clanking of metal can be heard as they draw closer, their presence becoming increasingly clear.

The realization that these individuals have been able to evade our detection left us both feeling perplexed and concerned about the potential threat that they poses. We stand there, silent and alert, unsure of what lay ahead but ready to face whatever challenges may come.

With a steady grip, I unsheathe my sword and hold it firmly in my right hand. My companion Carl and I have prepared ourselves for battle, with him holding a spear in his own hand. We both share the same thought - the enemies we are about to face are powerful and well-hidden. I voice my suspicions aloud, "It's either they possess some sort of powerful artifact, or each and every one of these people are extremely powerful - powerful enough to evade our detection." 

Carl nods in agreement, his expression determined and his eyes scanning the area for any sign of movement. He speaks with conviction, "This can't be a coincidence. They are here for us. We must stay alert." With a sense of purpose, Carl takes a step forward and bellows out, "There is no need for hiding any longer. Show yourselves!" His words echo through the area, the challenge clear in his tone as we stand ready for whatever may come our way.

And as if waiting for one of us to speak, the hooded and robed figures that we had encountered earlier during our battle seem to materialize from thin air. They emerge from every nook and cranny, from the shadows of the alleyways and from the rooftop of the surrounding buildings. These are the same individuals that we had fought against earlier, but this time they are not content to simply observing us from a distance. 

They are actively closing in on us, encircling us with the clear intention of engaging in combat once again. Their presence is ominous and the air is thick with tension as they approache, weapons at the ready. We brace ourselves for another fierce battle, knowing that this time, the stakes are even higher.

The man who had previously outsmarted us stands before us, his sword gleaming in the moonlight as he holds it firmly in his grasp. He is dressed in a hooded cloak, obscuring his face and adding to the air of mystery and danger that surrounds him. He speaks to us with a hint of sarcasm, addressing us by name with a sly emphasis on each syllable. "We meet again, Carl and Gray," he says, as if relishing the moment and the power he holds over us. 

"I am certain that you both remember the last time we met, when I, like a slippery eel, managed to evade capture and flee from the confrontation with grace and ease. But I assure you, that will not happen this time. This time, you two will fall at my hands," the hooded man declares with a menacing tone, his voice echoing through the empty space between us. The way he holds his sword, his body language and the way he looks at us, all of this indicates that he is confident of his victory.

With a menacing and threatening tone, I exclaim, "Do not let your confidence deceive you. If my recollection is correct, the last time we met, you had brought a whole group of individuals with you, yet you were only just able to escape by the skin of your teeth. And now, here you stand once again, with even more followers in tow. How pitiful." My voice echoes with a sense of disdain and contempt, directed not only towards the individual I am speaking to, but also towards all of those he has brought with him.

The man standing before me, tall and imposing, with a self-assuredness grin spread across his face. He seems unfazed by my words and instead lets out a deep, hearty laugh. "Ha! And yet I escaped," he declares confidently. "But this time, things will be different. This time, I will use all of my power and defeat you with it." He pulls his robes tighter around himself, clearly bracing for the impending confrontation. His determination is evident in the way he carries himself, and it is clear that he is willing to use all of his abilities to come out victorious in this battle.

As I grip my sword, I imbue it with a powerful flow of mana, causing it to glow with a brilliant blue hue that illuminates the night sky. "How amusing," I remark with a hint of sarcasm in my voice. "In order to properly train a dog, one must first show it its place. Come, I'll show you your place," I say, addressing the group of hooded figures who are now advancing towards me. The intensity of my mana continues to build, crackling with energy as I prepare for battle. The sight is both intimidating and mesmerizing, as the blue light casts an otherworldly glow upon the scene. 

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The tension in the air is palpable as I stand ready, my breathing steady and my focus sharp. I channel my energy and infuse my feet with a powerful surge of mana, the familiar tingling sensation spreading through my limbs. With a fierce determination in my eyes, I lunge forward towards the robed figure before me, my every muscle straining as I propell myself forward with all the speed and agility I possess. My goal is to end this battle as quickly as possible, to strike a decisive blow and emerge victorious.

But my opponent is not so easily defeated. To my surprise, the robed figure deftly blocks my attack, his movements precise and fluid. And then, before I can react, he counters with a powerful punch that sends me hurtling backwards, my body colliding with the ground with a deafening crash. The impact is so great that it sends concrete pieces flying in every direction, the dust and debris choking the air. Shockwaves ripples through the ground beneath me, causing the very buildings around us to shake and tremble.

"What's the matter? Surprised? Did you really think I would be that easy to defeat?" as he gestures towards the other robed figures who are advancing towards us, ready to attack. Their faces are obscured by their hoods, but their intent is clear. They mean to do us harm. But before they can even make a move, the ones in the front are met with a swift and deadly onslaught as Carl unleashes a flurry of spear strikes, piercing their bodies with precision and speed.

Carl descends from the sky as his powerful landing creates a loud thud that echoes through the surrounding area. The impact of his landing causing the ground beneath him to fracture and break, sending chunks of earth flying in all directions. Despite the destruction he has caused, Carl stands tall and confident, his gaze fixated on the robed leader of the group that is before him. 

A disdainful sneer is etched on his face, as he speaks in a disdainful tone, "Unlike you, these weaklings are nothing special." The individuals who have accompanied the robed leader are visibly shaken by the gruesome scene that has just transpired, they stand frozen in shock and awe as they survey the extensive damage that has been caused by Carl's arrival. The once peaceful and tranquil area is now a scene of chaos and destruction.

The leader of the robed group stands tall and imposing, his long, flowing robes billowing in the wind as he surveys the scene before him. His face, hidden behind the shadows of his hood, reveals nothing but a hint of a smile, as if he has been expecting this outcome all along. He has a calculating look in his eyes, as if every move and action has been meticulously planned and executed to perfection.

The members of his group, dressed in similar robes, look on in awe and admiration at their leader, who appears to have complete control over the situation. As he speaks, his voice is deep and commanding, carrying a hint of disdain as he addresses those who have fallen in the ordeal. "Those who have fallen are nothing more than a group of imbeciles," he says, his words cutting through the silence like a knife. "I had warned them time and time again of the potential consequences of their actions, yet they persisted in their foolishness. Such is the fate that befalls those who refuse to listen to reason."

He continues to speak, his words becoming more condescending with each sentence. "That is why those who blindly follow orders, the so-called 'mindless puppets', are far superior to these fools. At least they possess the sense to follow instructions, unlike these hapless idiots." As he speaks, the members of his group nod in agreement, their faces etched with a deep-seated loyalty to their leader and his teachings. Even though he is referring to them.

I rise to my feet as the man before us continues to speak, his words carrying a sense of defiance and determination. He stands tall and proud, his eyes burning with a fierce intensity. His voice booms across the battlefield, commanding attention and respect. "Do not be fooled," he declares, his gaze sweeping across the area to land on both myself and my companion Carl. "The fact that a dozen of our comrades have fallen does not mean that victory is yours."

"For I stand before you, unbroken and unbowed, ready to continue the fight." A confident grin spreads across his face, as if to emphasize the conviction in his words. He scans us both with a knowing look, as if to challenge us to dispute his claims.

As I utter the words "Confident are we" with a hint of mockery and amusement, the man launches himself towards me with his sword held high above his head, ready to strike. But I am not one to be easily caught off guard. I quickly parry his attack, expertly redirecting his sword to the side as I take advantage of his weak spot. With lightning fast reflexes, I strike with my fist on the left side of his stomach with such force that it sends him hurtling to my right with incredible speed.

The man crashes into a building with a deafening sound, not stopping there as he continues to penetrate through not just one, but three buildings, leaving a gaping hole in each of them. The force of the impact is so powerful that it creats a shockwave that can be felt for miles around. 

As the chaotic scene unfolds before him, Carl reacts with quick precision. He swiftly grasps his spear, expertly wielding it as he charges towards the group of robed figures. With deadly accuracy, he swings the spear in one fluid motion, striking multiple individuals in a matter of moments. The spear slices through flesh and bone with ease, leaving a trail of bodies in its wake as more than twenty lives are brutally taken. The robed figures crumple to the ground in a lifeless heap, unable to defend themselves against Carl's skill attacks.

Suddenly, without warning, a voice echoes from across the area, "what is going on here" catching the attention of both myself and Carl. As we both turn our gaze towards the source of the voice, we are met with the sight of a knight dressed in gleaming, polished armor, standing before us. The knight is a striking figure, with hair that is almost golden in color, cascading down his shoulders in loose, silken tresses. He has a strong, chiseled jawline, and piercing blue eyes that seem to look right through us. A long and elegant sword, with intricate designs etched into the blade, hung from his back. The armor he wares is flashy and eye-catching, with gold trim and engravings that seem to shimmer in the moonlight.

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