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

could only last for two

having come to Hollberg, I

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

now, hitting a ring was the same as hitting real

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

essentially a similar tactic to the PIT maneuver that

-Plack!

"Ah, shit!"

of the car, a rather handsome individual with

and noticing me standing in the middle of the road, the handsome individual's

must be one of those rats sent from

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

felt a surge of confidence rise

possible target. I hoped that it wouldn't have come to this, but

guards behind him to come forward, the handsome individual smiled

chance, leave

one of my earpieces, I shook my head and looked at

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

It was true.

this mission, there was a high chance I would

no other

Zar's face crumpled as he

gave you a chance but you blew

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

me no choice, I

I remained indifferent. Putting my earpiece back into my ear, I channeled

three ranked individuals, my eyes never once drifted away from the fourth

He had long black hair the fell right onto his shoulders and

was hiding it, he was

as if a vicious python was staring at me

on another

"...hm?"

and looked at the guard that was standing

nodded his head and

-Vuam!

on a different level compared to the

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

since

a wave of confidence wash over him as he commanded

"Kill him!"

the three ranked guards instantly

coming in my direction, my eyes slightly darted towards the ranked guard

attack...I knew...I knew that he was most probably going to

probably going to attack as soon as he saw an

Therefore...

"Fuuuuu....."

ranked aura instantly enveloped the entire street as

a bright white light instantly engulfed the

of the [Keiki style] : Horizon splitting

-Click!

-Thud!

-Thud!

-Thud!

light died down, three heads could be seen rolling

lips and not looking back, I stared

just consciously

of turmoil. Guilt, shame, anger, resentment, many emotions

I couldn't crumble yet.

not until I finished

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

looked at the heads of the three guards on the floor. Staring at his

can kill

Karl's voice and recovering from his surprise, the ranked guard, Edmund,

might be more entertaining

direction, Edmund stabbed his

my way, I instantly dashed a few steps back and

at incredible speeds

-Clank!

circle, it soon broke into millions of pieces, and