Alice and Kent reached their meeting spot, an underground chamber beneath the mansion where Nova Academy students were housed. The chamber exuded an eerie atmosphere, with dim lighting casting shadows on the stone walls. The air was tinged with a sense of secrecy and anticipation.
Forty individuals stood in the chamber, each wearing a red mask concealing their faces and dark cloak hoods adding an element of mystique. Alice and Kent arrived punctually, avoiding the severe consequences that would befall them if they were late.
The leader, distinguished by his commanding presence, addressed the assembled members, revealing a picture of their target, Lucas Darkheart. "His name is Lucas Darkheart, and he is the focus of our mission. If anyone interferes, eliminate them," the leader declared, met with silent nods from the masked individuals.
With determination, the leader opened a door behind him, providing direct access to the mansion's interior. "Now let's go," he commanded, signalling the beginning of their mission. The group, shrouded in mystery and united by their shared objective, moved forward with a sense of purpose.
Kent's frown deepened as he heard Alice express her unease about their mission. The weight of their first assignment pressed heavily on their shoulders. Turning to face his wife, he responded with a mixture of determination and a hint of sadness in his eyes.
"Alice, this is our first mission, and we must succeed no matter what. Remember what 'Red Sun' did for us. If it weren't for them, both of us would have been dead on the streets long ago," Kent recounted, his voice carrying the weight of past struggles.
Flashbacks flooded Kent's mind, memories of the dark days when he and Alice were struggling to survive. 'New Sun,' the mysterious organization that had intervened in their lives, had provided them with a lifeline. They were on the brink of despair, facing an uncertain fate, but 'New Sun' had offered them a chance at a new life.
In those challenging times, Kent and Alice found solace in each other, forging a bond that went beyond the hardships they faced. Now, as they embarked on their first mission, that history echoed in Kent's words, reminding them both of the debt they owed to 'New Sun.'
Alice silently nodded, acknowledging the truth in Kent's words and the gratitude they harboured for the organization that had given them a second chance.
"Let's go, Alice," Kent said stepping into the door followed by Alice in silence.
***
-Swoosh!
-Thud!
"Ouch, that's hurt a bit," I said to myself as my back hit the concrete ground.
Glancing back at Sarphina, I frowned.
'At least pretend that you are sorry.'
I picked up myself from the ground and stairs ahead and found out that I was in front of the mansion gate.
I didn't even notice when I reached here, it was so fast that I had to shut my eyes as Sarphina used [ Flesh Step ].
'Thank god I'm alive.' Earlier I made some stupid decisions I have made in my entire life.
What are those stupid decisions?
Well, for first instead of running away from the doumgen gate outback I decided to stop upcoming monsters until heroes arrived.
I did that thinking it was the best solution at that moment but who knows that demons would be coming from Doumgen Gate and not any demons but Titan Shifter demons.
'I was lucky that I survived there, As for others...'
My thoughts went to the Six heroes who stood there with me to kill the monsters. Two of them are already dead and for other four must have died as well.
I felt sorry for them but only for a moment.
What, I'm being heartless? But let me tell you that we were practically strangers to each other.
After navigating the long corridors, I arrived at my apartment and opened the door. The familiar surroundings did little to ease the gnawing uncertainty within me. I stepped inside, the door closing behind me with a soft thud.
I frowned as I sensed an unfamiliar Man in the air, it was very faint but it was there.
'Who is here?'
Turning on the lights whilst keeping an eye on the living room, I slowly took off my shoes.
Though I couldn't see the whole living room due to the corridor narrowing his line of sight, I knew that someone was hiding inside the living room.
Looking left and right, I summoned my sword and channelled my mana towards the tip of his sword.
I also picked up Vass which was side of the corridor.
I slowly pushed Vass forward toward the living room.
The Vass slowly rolled on the ground making a voice.
-Shua! -Shua!
As soon as the Vass crossed the corridor and entered the living room, two black-clad silhouettes appeared out of nowhere and attacked the Vass.
-Crack!
Breaking into a million pieces, the Vass scattered in the ground.
Staring at the broken Vass in the ground for a split second and noticing something wrong, the two silhouettes immediately turned towards the entrance of the room.
-Tap -Tap -Tap
The two silhouettes immediately turned towards the entrance of the room.
-Tap -Tap -Tap
Appearing from the other side of the living room, I indifferently walked out.
"Who are you?" I asked, my voice carrying an edge, and I took the stance of Celestial Parry, ready to respond to any aggression.
Instead of answering, they tightened their grip on their weapons, a silent acknowledgement of the impending confrontation.
Without wasting time, I initiated my attack. The second movement of the [Celestial Parry]: Luminous Riposte. Seamless and fluid, my sword danced through the air.
The blade connected with precision, cutting through both of their arms. The sound of their weapons hitting the ground echoed through the room. As they grunted in pain, the confrontation shifted in my favour.
From my perspective, every move was calculated, every strike purposeful. The familiarity of my sword art, the muscle memory ingrained in my every motion, allowed for a swift and decisive response. The room, once tense with anticipation, now held the aftermath of a battle.
As the dust settled, I awaited answers from the subdued figures, determined to unravel the mystery that lingered in the air.
'Who are they?'
I don't know.