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"

now scattering rings I couldn't help but nod

my circles could only last for two seconds and had no

come to Hollberg, I didn't stop

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

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

right now, hitting a ring was the same as hitting real

backside, I disrupted its momentum causing it

maneuver that police used, but without the

-Plack!

"Ah, shit!"

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

noticing me standing in the middle of the road, the handsome

you must be one of

apart from a

him, the young individual felt a surge of confidence rise from within him as he started

that it wouldn't have come to this, but it seems that in the end, you pests from the lock are planning of cleansing

him to come

leave

and looked at

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

It was true.

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

put, I had no other option

Zar's face crumpled as

chance but

the four guards before him, instantly three ranked auras erupted enveloping the

you leave me no choice, I guess

I channeled the mana inside of my body and accustomed myself to the

never once drifted away from the fourth member that kept standing

other three guards, he was wearing a black suit. He had long black hair the fell right onto his shoulders and

it, he was

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

on another

"...hm?"

indifferent expression, Karl frowned and looked at the guard

nodded his head and stepped

-Vuam!

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

dagger from his pocket, the guard smiled as he slowly licked the

a while since I've had

of confidence wash

"Kill him!"

three ranked guards instantly moved and ran in my

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

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

was probably going to attack as soon as

Therefore...

"Fuuuuu....."

long breath, my ranked aura instantly enveloped the entire

a bright white

movement of the [Keiki style]

-Click!

-Thud!

-Thud!

-Thud!

three

back, I stared at

just consciously

trying my best to not show it, my mind was currently in a state of turmoil. Guilt, shame, anger, resentment, many

I couldn't crumble yet.

least not until I finished

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

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

can kill

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

might be more entertaining

direction, Edmund stabbed his dagger

few steps back and drew

at incredible speeds as it made

-Clank!

soon broke into millions of pieces, and the dagger