201

[Psychic Phantom] !

Severed limbs failing to block the skill fluttered across their heads. Anyone remotely behind the target also found themselves mortally wounded as the perfect-precision attack sent an invisible blade onwards.

Another who was lucky enough to dodge the phantom attack soon found himself paralyzed.

[Death Call] 

Kozumi was quick to throw multiple poisoned darts, poisoning the man and leaving him for dead as he remained paralyzed. Her hands were quick to enter her satchel only to find it empty. Her potion stock bottomed out. She glanced backwards to see Mizumi and the 10 young dhans running across the wooden bridge that connected the two mountains. Beneath the bridge was a raging river that threatened all that entered.

Kozumi stood her ground to buy as much time as possible. The little ones were greatly fatigued and sluggish. The traitorous Xian Par'Talucca, prince of East Bahran had sent numerous scouts and hunters to capture the girls. Fortunately for Kozumi, the dekans didn't seem interested in the prince's obsession over her.

As an assassin, her forte lay in assassinations and stealth skirmishes. Currently, fighting other rogue-assassins just like here was manageable as she was in fact an elite. Which was one of the main reasons she even managed to bypass the border dragons back when they were still guarding the mountain passes. However, being a rogue type fighter, she knew she wouldn't last long against a platoon of dekans in an open fight.

After catching her breath, she fixated her gaze upon the next platoon of scouts. It was going to be another 5 vs 1. Kozumi quickly turned and made her way onwards, until she found herself at the middle of the long wooden bridge. Her mana and stamina had barely recovered before the 5 dhans caught up to her.

[Psychic Phantom] !

She immediately one-shot the most geared dhan whom she assumed to be their captain. Before engaging in close melee, where the now five exchanged blows and parries with their katars. Having consumed all of her mana, she now had to rely entirely on her skills.

Whilst she decisively dodged critical blows, she allowed the cuts and slashes upon her non-vitals to ensure her own critical attacks landed. Her pristine silver hair now entirely red from all the bloodshed. Her dress, highly damaged, exposing much of her skin. The sweat from her brows fell into her eyes, burning them. Her blood mixed within her mouth with her saliva. Another enemy staggered and fell into the ravine below, as she narrowly dodged another fatal strike.

Within the corners of her eyes, she saw another two groups of scouts beginning to traverse the bridge.

Mizumi and the ten had finally made it to the other side, they shouted and screamed to inform Kozumi, but they were too far. Fortunately, Kozumi was staggeringly exhausted, as were her current opponents who backed away to catch their breath. Kozumi took this chance to check her sister's position. Happy to see that they had crossed, she summoned the last pittance of mana she had within and and sliced the bridge.

The majority of the dhans fell into the ravine, and to their deaths. The ones who were more skilled managed to plunge their weapons into the wooden bridge. However, their heavier muscular bodies, plated armours and freshly sharpened blades made easy work of the wooden boards.  Thus, the boards were easily sliced through and they also fell to their deaths.

On the other hand, Kozumi and her lightweight attire. Her blades that were greatly dulled from the many fights and exchanges she had been thrusted into ensured her blade only impaled, and didn't slice. The girl gritted her teeth as the bridge slammed into the mountain side. Once she managed to refill her lungs with oxygen, she began her long climb up the wooden boards where she and her sister would continue their journey south. Hoping to meet Asai when they arrive.

Unbeknownst to the kingdom of humanity. This small group of dhans had just gifted them a great deal of time before the northern forces could invade.

Kozumi and Mizumi inspected their group, and although they were as starved and tired as the young ones were. The two still made the effort to hunt and procure sustenance. All the while teaching and stuffing an entire crash course of knowledge, skills and wisdom into them. Anything to help increase their chances of survival.

Whilst scavenging for food. The two girls stumbled upon a pack of Devikeys. The large brown furred monkeys sported muscular arms, large hands and a ferocious jaw that could open wide enough to engulf a human's head in one bite.

Mizumi looked back towards her oneechan. She was covered in cuts and bruises all across her white skin that was now covered in dirt and sweat. Kozumi saw her concern and simply nodded. The group needed to eat, and this was their best bet. Scavenging for berries, nuts or plants had been entirely futile. The local wildlife here had been left unchecked for centuries, resulting in the evolution of beasts and monsters and their ability to roam free and scourge across the lands, consuming everything.

The two girls equipped their weapons. Entering [Hide] and simultaneously decapitated one each, before they quickly found themselves surrounded. The Devikeys roared their battle cries as more and more of their horde-members swung upon the branches converging upon their location.

[PSYCHIC PHANTOM] !

[PSYCHIC PHANTOM] !