Chapter 30 - Lurker Among The Shadows

"Man, you guys sure are persistent, aren't you? I think I can easily beat you up with just my non dominant left hand."

The Commander placed his left hand behind his back.

"Don't think for a second that it is not going to hurt, though."

His blue eyes scanned the enemies approaching him.

The nearest one drew his broadsword and attempted to slice at the Commander vertically.

Luken blocked it immediately with his bracers.

But he was shocked that it was even damaging them.

"Damn, those really are the same quality weapons as the ones we give out to Slayers."

He thought to himself.

Just as he blocked the blade, there was already someone behind him, swinging a mace with all his might.

Luken pulled the man attacking him earlier by the collar and used him as a shield against the mace-wielding hooligan.

This prompted the latter to hesitate for just a split second, this was all the time the Commander needed.

He threw the guy he pulled at the other guy's direction, causing them to collide against each other.

After that, he noticed countless luminescent arrows from up above.

It was five archers shooting a volley of arrows at his direction, they were enchanted with their affinity which was fire.

"T-They are actually using battle tactics!"

Yin remarked.

"We should take cover. Don't want to get caught in it."

Suna calmly said.

The projectiles were dodged by the Commander with little to no effort, just as he was about to traverse the rooftops and close the gap between them, he looked back and saw that the fire arrows were going to engulf the houses in flames.

To counteract this, Luken held out his palm and blasted streams of water at the fires, putting them out with no hesitation.

"Sorry for this! Just think of it as rain or something, I am sure it's better than getting burnt to a crisp!"

Luken shouted so the residents could hear him.

The archers were positioned at the highest point of Rizako, the tallest house there was.

The Commander locked eyes with one of the archers from afar.

Luken Regalia's gaze was enough to petrify the archer.

This was a person who has slain countless monsters.

Enough to earn him the rank of the Commander.

And they made the mistake of targeting him with such fickle things like an arrow.

The Commander sprinted at them, closing the distance in a couple of seconds only.

"H-How is he this fast?"

"I don't know, keep shooting arrows at him!"

They were panicking heavily now.

Red gloves were raised by the group's supposed leader, it was a signal to reload their arrows.

"Quick! He's gettin' closer!"

He immediately put his hand down.

Another volley of arrows was fired at the Commander.

With a couple more thugs hot on Luken's heel, he outran them with sheer speed as he drew closer and closer to the archers.

The Commander planted his foot on the roof just below where the archers were firing from and leaped so high that his face was ten inches away from the fiery arrows at mid-air.

There were four, no, five arrows in total.

Luken moved his head in order to avoid them from hitting his head.

"Right, I really want to make this quick, so let us get on with it."

"I'm gonna kill ya filthy Slayers!"

"That is not very nice, mister. But you're always free to try."

The red-armored thug ran straight at the Commander armed with a knife.

He easily overpowered the thug with a clean punch straight in the face.

His subordinates were too scared to even move.

Luken took this opportunity to turn back, lifted his left arm and formed it like pistol.

Five fiery arrows were still mid-air.

The Commander aimed at them, closing his other eye.

"Bang."

With that, the Commander's finger discharged a highly concentrated beam of water.

The arrows and their flames were immediately snuffed out.

"You guys really do not know how to fight close range, right?"

Footsteps of the other thugs catching up to Luken were approaching nearer.

Luken picked up the knife from the unconscious thug from before.

"H-Hang on, he's not going to kill them, is he?"

Yin asked worriedly.

"Let's hope not."

Suna answered nonchalantly.

The Commander readied as the remaining four dashed at him.

He used the knife's butt to disable them.

But he was still careful as to prevent himself from killing these thugs.

"Ouch, I really had to hold the blade as a handle in my palms for you guys, not worth it, if I'm going to be quite honest."

Silhouettes of the red-wearing hooligans pounced at the Commander.

"My, my, you just can't seem to wait for your turn, can't you?"

Gavin was busy fighting the others as well.

Not that they even stood a chance, anyway.

Suna watched intently, absorbing every little move and information that her superiors did.

"I still can't fathom just how strong these two are."

Yin was shocked.

"Yeah, you said it. You know, in my entirety of training under the Six Blades, I have never seen them go all out, not even against that time they were battling Adam."

"R-Really?"

"Well, they are S and SS ranked Slayers respectively, that should tell you a whole lot about their physical prowess and Anima skill capabilities."

"I'm really glad I became a Slayer."

Yin said while teary-eyed.

"I'm glad you're with us now, as well, Yin. Every single time I went outside for a conquest, I was worried about you."

Just as Suna finished her sentence, they both felt the presence of someone lurking in the shadows.

An unfathomable evil carefully observing the situation up above.

As the bodies of the red-wearing thugs were sent flying to the streets below, he gradually stepped out of the darkness.

"I'm glad to be here as well."

The deep voice of someone they did not seem to recognize was heard.

"W-Who's there?!"

Yin asked in a shaky voice.

"Mind your manners, boy. Or I am going to have to discipline you."

"Show yourself!"

Suna was in attack mode now.

"Who do you think I am, you insolent cretin?!"

Still hidden in the shadows, he peeked his head out, revealing a red, grotesque crown.

[ Quest : Exterminate the Red King ]