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

could only last for two seconds and had no substance to

Hollberg, I didn't

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

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

now, hitting a ring was the same as hitting

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

was essentially a similar tactic to the PIT maneuver that police used, but without

-Plack!

"Ah, shit!"

the door of the car, a rather handsome individual with short brown

me standing in the middle of

you must be one of those

nice black suits and apart from

felt a surge of confidence rise

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

at the guards behind him to come forward, the handsome individual smiled

leave

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

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

It was true.

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

no other option but

crumpled as

a chance but you

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

me no choice, I guess you must

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

never once drifted away from the fourth member that kept standing

he was wearing a black suit. He had long black hair the fell right

it,

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

on another

"...hm?"

at the guard that was standing next to

guard nodded

-Vuam!

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

a dagger from his pocket, the guard smiled as

while since I've had some

his strongest guard move, Karl felt a wave of confidence wash

"Kill him!"

Karl's command, the three ranked guards instantly moved and ran in my

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

like he was not going to attack...I knew...I knew that he

as soon

Therefore...

"Fuuuuu....."

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

white light

[Keiki

-Click!

-Thud!

-Thud!

-Thud!

down, three

looking back, I stared at Karl

just consciously killed three

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

I couldn't crumble yet.

least not until I finished

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

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

can kill

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

be more entertaining than I

my direction, Edmund stabbed his dagger in

steps

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

-Clank!

into millions of pieces, and