The Author's POV

Swiftly moving around the alleys of Hollberg, taking out my phone, I quickly checked the map of the surroundings.

Despite not knowing the current position of the car, I could estimate how long it would take for it to reach the main road that was a few blocks away from my current position.

If things were going as I predicted in approximately fifteen minutes they would reach the main road...

Staring at the red dot on the map that marked my position, I lightly frowned and increased my speed.

"Fuck, I should definitely get a movement art after this..."

As I ran, I couldn't help but curse at my speed.

Though my rank increased and my speed along with it, it felt as if I still lacked in the speed department.

Fortunately, because I was directly cutting through the buildings to reach my destination, the distance that I covered was much less compared to the car which needed to go through a couple of adjacent roads that connected to the main road.

"Huff...huff...this must be the right road"

Panting heavily, after having run at full speed for ten minutes straight, I supported myself with my knees and looked ahead.

In front of me stood a deserted road that was dimly lit by the streets lamps that stood on the side of the road.

The sidewalks were empty, and all the houses next to the road had their lights turned off.

Checking my phone and confirming that I was at the right destination, I took out my mp3 and scrolled down my playlist.

I needed something to take my mind off of what was to happen next.

...and what better way than through music

"...let's go with this"

Moonlight Sonata

Beethoven

0:00 ▶----------------------- 15:00

+ Volume -

Feeling the breeze of the night, I stood in front of the deserted road.

-Vroom!

"...about time"

As soon as I pressed the play button of my mp3, on the opposite side of the road, a black car sped in my direction.

Glancing at the oncoming car, I closed my eyes and savored the music that was playing in my ears.

"Fuuuu...."

-Beep! -Beep!

Ignoring the beeping coming from the incoming car, letting out a long breath, I channeled my mana at the tip of my sword and drew a circle in the air.

Slowly a yellow translucent circle appeared in front of me.

Following the first circle, I drew a second and a third one.

"Go..."

Stacking them up together, I pushed them towards the incoming vehicle.

-Vuam!

-Skreeech

Noticing the circles heading their way, the car screeched and swerved to the side as the driver tried to avoid the rings.

...However, it was too late.

Despite the driver's attempt to dodge the circles, they still hit the car on its backside causing it to spin a couple of times before slamming against a street light.

-BAAAAM!

"Not bad"

scattering rings I couldn't help but

my circles could only last for two seconds and had no substance

Hollberg, I didn't stop

cut considerably, it didn't stop me from improving my second sword art

the rings could remain

that right now, hitting a ring was

backside, I disrupted its momentum causing it to spin and crash against

similar tactic to the PIT maneuver that police used, but

-Plack!

"Ah, shit!"

individual with short brown hair and green eyes came

middle of the road, the

you must be one of those rats

They all were nice black suits and apart from a few shards

him, the young individual felt a surge of confidence rise from within him as he

this, but it seems that in the end, you pests from the lock are planning of cleansing the

the guards behind him to come forward, the handsome individual

leave now before things

earpieces, I shook my head and looked at

afraid I'd have to disappoint you there Mr. Zar. You see if I don't kill you, there's a high chance I

It was true.

absolute garbage, if I didn't complete this mission, there was a high chance I would fail this

put, I had no other option but to complete

crumpled as

chance but

fingers to three of the four guards before him, instantly three ranked auras erupted enveloping

you leave me no choice, I

direction, I remained indifferent. Putting my earpiece back into my ear, I channeled the mana inside of my body and accustomed myself to the pressure

never once drifted away from the fourth

He had long black hair the fell right onto his

he was hiding it,

entire presence was drastically different compared to the other three. It felt as if a vicious python was staring at me ready to strangle me at any

was on another

"...hm?"

expression, Karl frowned and looked at the guard

Karl, the guard nodded his head and stepped

-Vuam!

a pressure that was on a different level compared to the three guards

smiled as he slowly licked the blade of the

been a while since I've

move, Karl felt a wave of confidence wash

"Kill him!"

Karl's command, the three ranked guards

coming in my direction, my eyes slightly darted

was not going to attack...I knew...I knew that he was most probably going to attack me when

to attack as

Therefore...

"Fuuuuu....."

my ranked aura instantly enveloped the entire street as

sword, a bright white

of the [Keiki style] :

-Click!

-Thud!

-Thud!

-Thud!

light died down, three heads could be

looking back, I stared at Karl

consciously

to not show it, my mind was currently in a state of turmoil. Guilt, shame, anger, resentment, many emotions constantly came and went inside of my mind

I couldn't crumble yet.

not until I finished

"w-w-hat j-just happened?"

Karl almost fell over as he looked at the heads of the three guards

can

recovering from his surprise, the ranked guard, Edmund, licked his lips

more entertaining

direction, Edmund stabbed his dagger in the direction

way, I instantly dashed a few steps back

the dagger coursed through the air at incredible speeds as it made its

-Clank!

the circle, it soon broke into millions of pieces, and the dagger soon