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 couldn't help but nod

last for two seconds and had no

having come to Hollberg, I

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

though I didn't manage to increase the time the rings could remain in the

hitting a ring was the same as hitting real

to hit the car on its backside, I disrupted its momentum causing it to spin and crash against

to the PIT maneuver that police used, but without the need

-Plack!

"Ah, shit!"

individual with short

around and noticing me standing in the middle of the road,

you must be one of those rats

him, four more individuals exited the vehicle. They all were nice black suits and apart from a few shards of glass on their clothes, they seemed to be

of confidence rise

hoped that it wouldn't have come to this, but it seems that in the end, you pests

to come forward, the handsome individual

chance, leave now before things get

I shook my head and looked at the handsome individual

you there Mr. Zar. You see if I don't kill you, there's a high chance I might fail

It was true.

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

I had no other option but to complete

Zar's face crumpled

a chance but you

before him, instantly three ranked auras

choice, I

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

individuals, my eyes never once drifted away from

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

he was hiding it, he was

three. It felt as if a

was on another

"...hm?"

frowned and looked at the guard that

the guard nodded his head and

-Vuam!

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

his pocket, the guard smiled as he slowly licked

been a while since I've

felt a wave of confidence

"Kill him!"

guards instantly moved and

eyes slightly darted towards the ranked guard who was

attack...I knew...I knew that he was most probably going to attack me when I least

going to attack as

Therefore...

"Fuuuuu....."

ranked aura instantly enveloped the entire street

bright white light

the [Keiki style] : Horizon

-Click!

-Thud!

-Thud!

-Thud!

light died down, three heads could be seen rolling on

my lips and not looking back, I stared

consciously killed three

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

I couldn't crumble yet.

least not until I finished

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

the heads of the three guards on the

can kill him

the ranked guard, Edmund, licked his lips and

might be more

direction, Edmund stabbed his dagger in the

my way, I instantly dashed a few steps back and drew a circle in the

snake, the dagger coursed through the air at

-Clank!

millions of pieces, and the dagger