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

to coming to Hollberg, my circles could only last for two seconds and had no substance to

to Hollberg,

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

didn't manage to increase the time the rings could remain in the air, I managed to

hitting a ring

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

a similar tactic to the PIT maneuver that police used,

-Plack!

"Ah, shit!"

the car, a rather handsome individual with short brown hair and

standing in the middle of the

be one of those rats sent from the

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

confidence rise from within him as he started speaking with more

that it wouldn't have come to this, but it seems that

him to come forward, the handsome individual smiled

chance, leave

shook my head and looked at the handsome individual who hid behind his

there Mr. Zar. You see if I don't

It was true.

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

had no other option but

face crumpled as he

you a chance but you blew

him, instantly three

me no choice, I guess you

three auras directed in my 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 coming from the three

individuals, my eyes never once drifted away from the fourth member that kept

three guards, he was wearing a black suit. He had long black hair the fell

hiding it, he was

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

was on another

"...hm?"

my indifferent expression, Karl frowned and looked at the guard that was standing next to

the guard nodded his head

-Vuam!

was on a different level compared to the three guards engulfed the entire

guard smiled as he slowly licked

since I've

wave of confidence wash over him as he commanded the

"Kill him!"

Karl's command, the three ranked guards instantly moved

guards coming in my direction, my eyes slightly darted towards the

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

probably going to attack as soon as he

Therefore...

"Fuuuuu....."

ranked aura instantly enveloped the

my sword, a bright white light instantly engulfed the

of the [Keiki style] :

-Click!

-Thud!

-Thud!

-Thud!

light died down, three heads could

back, I stared at Karl and the other

consciously killed

shame, anger, resentment,

I couldn't crumble yet.

until

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

few steps backward, Karl almost fell over as he looked at the heads of the three guards on the floor. Staring at his remaining

can kill him

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

more entertaining than I

stabbed his

at Edmund coming my way, I instantly dashed a few steps back and drew a circle in the air

a snake, the dagger coursed through the air at incredible speeds as it

-Clank!

millions of pieces, and