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"

rings I couldn't help but nod

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

having come to Hollberg, I didn't stop training

amount of time I trained was cut considerably, it didn't stop me from improving my second sword art

the rings could remain in the air, I managed to add substance

a ring was the

backside, I disrupted

tactic to the PIT maneuver that police used, but without

-Plack!

"Ah, shit!"

individual with short brown hair

middle of the road, the

must be one of those rats sent from

They all were nice black suits and apart from a few shards of glass on their

the young individual felt a surge of confidence rise from within

this, but it seems that in the end, you pests from the

to come

you a chance, leave now before things

one of my earpieces, I shook my head and looked at the handsome individual

Zar. You see if I

It was true.

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

put, I had no other option

face crumpled as

chance but

of the four guards before him, instantly three ranked

me no choice, I guess you must

three auras directed in my direction, I remained indifferent. Putting my earpiece back into my ear, I channeled the mana inside of

eyes never once drifted away from the fourth member that kept standing next

He had long black hair the fell right

he was hiding it,

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

on another

"...hm?"

at the guard that

guard nodded his head and stepped

-Vuam!

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

out a dagger from his pocket, the guard smiled as

while since I've

guard move, Karl felt a wave of

"Kill him!"

ranked guards instantly moved and ran in

my eyes slightly darted towards the ranked guard who was behind

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

going to attack as soon

Therefore...

"Fuuuuu....."

breath, my ranked aura instantly enveloped the entire street

a bright white light instantly engulfed the

second movement of the [Keiki style] : Horizon

-Click!

-Thud!

-Thud!

-Thud!

soon as the light died down, three heads could

looking back, I

consciously

not show it, my mind was currently in a state of turmoil. Guilt, shame, anger,

I couldn't crumble yet.

not until I finished my

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

almost fell over as he looked at the heads of the

can

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

more entertaining

in my direction, Edmund stabbed his dagger in the

instantly dashed a few steps back and drew

dagger coursed through the air at

-Clank!

of pieces,