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"

at my now scattering rings I

circles could only last for two seconds and had

having come to Hollberg,

didn't stop me from improving my second sword art

increase the time the rings

hitting a ring was the same as hitting

car on its backside, I disrupted its momentum causing it to spin

a similar tactic to the PIT maneuver that police used, but without the need for me

-Plack!

"Ah, shit!"

individual with short brown hair

middle of the road, the handsome

one of those rats sent from the

and apart from a few shards of

felt a surge of confidence rise from within him as

that I was a possible target. I hoped that it wouldn't have come to this, but it seems that in the end, you pests from the lock are planning of cleansing the whole

guards behind him to come forward, the handsome individual smiled

chance, leave now before things get

my head and looked at the handsome individual who hid

if I don't kill you, there's a high

It was true.

theoretical grades were absolute garbage, if I didn't complete this mission, there

I had no other option but

crumpled as he darkly

a chance but

to three of the four guards before him, instantly

no choice, I guess you

earpiece back into my ear, I channeled the mana inside of my body and accustomed myself to

drifted away from the fourth member that kept standing next to

was wearing a black suit. He had long black hair the fell right onto his shoulders and his angular

hiding it,

to the other three. It felt as if a vicious python was staring at

on

"...hm?"

Karl frowned and looked at

guard nodded his head and stepped

-Vuam!

pressure that was on a different level compared to the three

smiled as he slowly licked

since I've

of confidence

"Kill him!"

three ranked guards instantly moved and ran

direction, my eyes slightly

that he was most probably going to

to attack as soon as he saw an

Therefore...

"Fuuuuu....."

breath, my ranked aura instantly enveloped the entire street as white light started emanating

a bright white light instantly engulfed the whole

movement of the [Keiki style]

-Click!

-Thud!

-Thud!

-Thud!

three heads could be

and not looking back, I

just consciously killed

turmoil. Guilt, shame, anger, resentment, many emotions constantly came and went inside of my mind as

I couldn't crumble yet.

until

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

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

y-ou can kill him

recovering from his surprise, the ranked guard, Edmund,

more entertaining than I

Edmund stabbed his

coming my way, I instantly dashed a few steps back and drew a

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

-Clank!

into millions of pieces,