Chapter 226: Rapid Slash

Reiji told his Sword Slaves that they are being tracked by someone…

A magic was used to one of them to trace their location and the enemy would perhaps act once they noticed that their group entered a less populated area…

"What should we do, Master?"

Ruthren inquired. They could consider purchasing Trace Removal Potion in the nearest Apothecary but it appears that their master has something else in his mind. 

"Lure them. Find a place where you won't get easily surrounded and make it difficult for your attackers to move as well... We will be following you behind."

"I understand, Master."

Ruthren and the others answered as they went on to the plan.

In truth, the man already knows that someone is following them… He felt it due to his previous experiences as a professional bandit.

He just didn't mind it since this is quite common to the new faces in towns or cities.

However, placing a tracker on them is a bit too devised and they were definitely up to no good. It is a good thing that their master warned them about this so they wouldn't get caught off guard by these people.

Then, the five Sword Slaves whispered to each other as they decided on a place they can use to confront these people…

This is what happened as they brought the Crimson Reaper to the empty alley and fought against them…

Because of their increase in their Sword Affinity… Wielding their blades felt a lot easier as if they were using an extension of their arm…

Being a sword slave doesn't seem bad at all…

Clang! Clang! Clang!

Ruthren and four ladies did their best but were still outnumbered and overpowered by the Arcane Magic they've used against them…

***

Rufus and Reiji found the alley where his Sword Slaves are facing the gang, however, the Sentient Arcana didn't help them immediately as he noticed something.

They were on top of a roof as they could easily move this way… Of course, Reiji activated his Traceless to ensure that they wouldn't be noticed by passers-by.

'Master?'

'Look, two other groups are lurking in the area… They all have the same mark on their hands.'

Reiji is referring to the red scythe tattoo at the back of their hands… This is the sign of the Crimson Reapers gang in the city.

Apparently, Reiji noticed Yapzor and Ovin that Kevin has instructed to stay out of the alley.

They were supposedly there to deal with the patrols or any people that would dare to stick their noses on their business.

'Rufus, deal with those groups first…'

'Got it… Can I kill them, Master?'

'I don't think that it's a good idea… Use the back of your sword…'

'I understand, Master.'

The Elite Gram Sword is similar to Odachi in Reiji's previous life… It means that it is also suitable for Rufus's Kendo Skills… This is why he wasn't worried that Rufus would have trouble using any Waza during his fight.

Nevertheless, the reason why he instructed not to kill them was due to several guards patrolling not too far from the area… Rufus might have to take responsibility and deal with officials if they killed these people instead.

'You can do it, everything would still be the same but avoid stabbing someone…'

'Yes, Master…'

After answering, Rufus jumps off the roof and decided to take the farthest group of enemies first.

He pulled out the Elite Gram Sword strapped on his back as he made a surprise attack. He wanted to quickly end this and help the sword slaves, so decided to just ambush them like this.

Thud! Thud! Thud!

Rufus used Renzoku Waza or Consecutive Strike Technique to hit the back of the head of the unlucky gang members…

They were immediately sent unconscious and dropped to the ground. Rufus' swift movements and execution impressed even Reiji… Aside from that, the young man is only using Ayumi-Ashi as he got closer to the enemies! 

This gliding foot technique seems to be very suited to the young man.

"What?! Who dares--?"

"You---"

The group only has five of them so only two were left after his strikes… 

However, before the other two could activate their Magic Item and raise their weapons, Rufus slammed his body on the nearest one…

This made the other guy hesitate to use his blade to slice Rufus. He may hit his colleague and that would just help the crazy young man in the battle…

"Aah!"

"You! Do you not know who we are?! We are from the Crimson Reaper! Look at the back of my hand! You will regret this!"

Rufus didn't mind their desperate cries as he quickly dealt with them with a few sword strikes.

'That was swift… I didn't expect that you could that amazing…'

'M-master… I just use the Rapid Slash of this Sword… It has a short cooldown and I can use it two consecutive times as long as I managed to land all my first three strikes…'

'Oh… Now that you said it…'

Reiji finally recalled that aside from the Gram Sword's Illusory Blade, it also has Rapid Slash that Rufus wasn't really using…

'Good, go ahead and try your skills with the other group… This time, try to focus on your Oji Waza, I already know you're good with Shikake Waza…'

'Thank you, I will do my best, Master!'

From the two techniques in Kendo, Shikake Waza is the initiation technique while Oji Waza is the counterattack technique…

Needless to say, the Renzoku Waza and the other technique he used is from the initiation technique, so Reiji decided to instruct Rufus to try the other and to see how he would fare against these gang members.

Rufus smiled at this as he rushed towards the group of other enemies…

They were already close to the alley where the sword slaves are and they can hear clashes of weapons as the five sword slaves were desperately fighting for their lives.

"Hey, did you just killed those five?"

Ovin asked the young man as he pointed his bat at him.

The other group wasn't that far from them so he noticed the brief exchanged they made… This young man ambushed Yapzor's group that was why they were easily defeated using his sword.

If Yapzor was perhaps aware of the incoming assault, the result might be different.

"Don't worry, they're not dead yet… You just have to rescue them as soon as possible."

Rufus taunted the group which seems to be very effective. 

They immediately surrounded Rufus and raised their weapons to attack…

The young man remained on his Water Stance as he moved his feet side to side to avoid their strikes…

It is a simple Okuri-Ashi that was perfectly executed to avoid or parry the enemy's strikes…

Of course, Rufus did not miss the opportunity and used his favorite counterattack, Kaeshi Waza…

In Kendo, this technique is to deflect the opponent's incoming attack and then land a counter by using the swift rotation of the wrist holding the sword. 

Bang! 

Rufus hit the acting leader of the group but he seems to be wearing chainmail so his strike doesn't seem to be that effective… Nevertheless, the young just smiled at this as he decided to increase his usage of Spiritual Energy…

Just like what he promised to his master, Rufus waited for them to attack before using his counterattack techniques like Nuki Waza, Amashi Waza, and his Kaeshi Waza…

The battle lasted for about three minutes before he managed to put them all to the ground…

'Alright, help those five already, they're in trouble…'

'Haa~ Haa~ Yes, Master…'

Rufus took a deep breath before he rushed to the alley.

There, he saw the bloodied Ruthren while the four ladies were also kneeling on the ground as they were exhausted in the battle…

Then, Reiji noticed that the easy-going Rufus emit a blood lust…

'This killing intent… I didn't know that you can actually do this…' Reiji said to himself as he let Rufus deal with these people. He did not instruct what he should do as he let the young man do as he wants…

As a matter of fact, even if Rufus would kill someone now, Reiji felt that it shouldn't matter already… These guys dared to try and kill his Sword Slaves, they should definitely be punished at this point…

'Haa!'

Rufus rushed to the man that appears to be the leader of the gang… 

It seems that he's planning to use Tsuki…

Bam!

However, the nailed bat of the leader blocked the stab…

It hit one of the nails that seem to be very tough as well… It seems to be a Magic Weapon despite what it looks like.

However, Rufus didn't stop and used all the various techniques he learned from his master…

Reiji, who was watching everything felt proud of his student… The young man exceeded his expectations as he gracefully executed the Kendo techniques that he taught… Perhaps, the young man can reach 5-Dan faster than he expected…

'Hmm?'

As Reiji is focused on the battle, he suddenly felt a familiar aura lurking around the alley.