Chapter 369: How many times?

Chapter 369: How many times?

As soon as the trio emerged from the doorway leading out into the streets, Silvertide was off. In the few seconds that had passed, Mayreena had already vanished from view, but that didnt seem to hinder Silvertide in the slightest.

He set a brisk pace that forced Noah and Ulya to hover at something between a fast walk and a jog to keep up. They turned down several alleyways, keeping their movements relatively quiet in their pursuit.

After just a few minutes, Noah caught a flash of white hair down the turn of an alley. It was only for an instant, but Silvertide clearly knew exactly where Mayreena was. Noah wasnt sure why they hadnt just sped up to catch her by now, but he suspected Silvertide probably knew what he was doing.

Maybe hes hoping shell lead us back to the hive of puppets, or something like that. It feels like it would be monumentally stupid to just have every single puppet hanging out in the same spot after hours, though. Its not like theres an evil plant puppet nightclub that they all just kick back at.

Fortunately for Noahs dwindling patience, they didnt have to wait much longer. After a few more turns and about a minute of pursuit, Silvertides pace finally slowed. They turned a corner, stepping out into an old town square that looked largely abandoned.

They were well into the city at this point, and not the good part of it. The houses were old and unkept, their walls showing signs of age in the cracks that had started to build up along them. A faint moldy smell just barely drifted into Noahs nostrils even though he couldnt see any mold in the area.

Mayreena stood at the other end of the square, beside an old fountain that didnt look like it had been used in a dozen years. Her arms hung straight at her sides as she stared at them, face as expressionless as the night sky above them.

Well, isnt that an interesting coincidence? Silvertide asked, coming to a stop with a final click of his cane against the stone. I didnt think wed run into anyone on our nighttime stroll.

You say that as if you havent been following me the whole way out of the party tonight, Mayreena said. What do you want?

Ulya stiffened at Noahs side, her eyes darting left and right to peer into the shadows surrounding them.

Us? Were just walking around, Silvertide said with a small shrug. And I would never do something as detestable as trail somebody out of a party. Damned Plains, lass. What kind of person do you think I am?

Noah tried to feel if Mayreena had a heartbeat, but she was still too far for him to check. If they got a bit closer, shed be within the range of his tremorsense, though he would have preferred to have her within his domain to really get a perfect read.

Then again, if shes a clone, something tells me I wont be getting anywhere near close enough to get her inside my domain.

Is that so? Mayreena asked. Youll have to forgive me if I dont believe you. Perhaps you and your friends should direct your stroll in a different direction.

There was a clear threat in her tone. It was a threat that Silvertide chose to completely and utterly ignore.

Im afraid Ive never been a fan of changing my plans because someone else decided to be in the area, Silvertide said. He genuinely sounded apologetic about the inconvenience, which nearly made Noah bust out laughing. Perhaps you should have chosen a different path if youre uncomfortable with my presence. See, were not just strolling around for fun.

Is that so? Mayreena asked. I couldnt have guessed.

We were patrolling the streets for some rats, Silvertide continued. He tapped his cane against the cobblestone. And, as a matter of fact, weve been on the tail of one.

I think we can cut the games now, Mayreena said with an annoyed sigh. She rolled her neck and massaged the bridge of her nose. Youre a real pain in the ass, Silvertide.

Many dead men have told me such, but I tend not to listen.

Simple? Mayreena asked with a laugh of disbelief. I know who you are, Silvertide. Do you really think Id come to challenge you without the strength to bring you down? Rejecting help now is a damn fool move to make.

If that was true, why would you say anything? Silvertide countered. Never stop your opponent from making a mistake. Perhaps you arent as smart as you think you are.

And you arent nearly as strong as you think you are.

I suppose well have to find out, Silvertide said with a wry smile. Care to tell me your name before we fight? I have my suspicions, but it would be nice to have something to think of you as.

You already know my name, Silvertide, Mayreena replied. The monsters at either side of her creaked, the wood on their faces snapping open to form jagged maws. Vines twisted down their arms, forming into menacing axes. Not that itll matter for long. Youre nothing but a Rank 5 soldier that had a few lucky breaks. The only thing I regret is that I wont be able to let anyone know that you fell at my hands. No matter. Your body will suit me well.

The huge puppets surged forward. Noah prepared to draw on his magic, but Silvertide rapped him on the wrist with his cane, shooting him a sharp glare.

I believe I told you that Id handle this, Silvertide said, apparently unconcerned about the monsters stampeding toward them. Every step they took made the cobblestone at their feet jump in terror.

Im calling my puppets, Ulya said hurriedly, pressing her back to the wall. Theyll be here soon, and we can use them to buy time to run. I

Ulyas sentence ended in a scream as one of the puppets leapt into the air, bringing its axe down toward the three of them, likely planning to kill all three with a single blow. Noah wasnt sure how Wizen planned to harvest any bodies if the squashed them all into paste, but he never got the chance to find out.

Silvertides cane tapped against the stone. A grey blur flicked out, slamming into the massive axe and sending it careening to the side. Before the puppet could even land, a second blur slammed into its chest and threw it across the square.

Wood cracked and shattered as the puppet rolled across the ground and slammed into a wall with a loud crash. The second puppet closed in on Silvertide, but it had no more chance to attack than the first did.

Noah didnt even see what happened. One second, the puppet was bearing down on Silvertide. The second, it was tumbling back, its arm severed right above the elbow. Silvertides cane tapped against the stone as he advanced toward Mayreena at a leisurely pace.

Holy shit. Is this guy seriously Rank 5?

The puppets staggered back upright, and wood twisted out of their bodies to repair the damage theyd just taken. They launched themselves toward Silvertide in unison only to be cut down midair by a blur so fast that Noahs mind didnt even properly register the move until it had already finished.

Silvertide continued forward, stepping right past the puppets. They struggled to rise and reach out for him, but every single time they moved, more blurs carved the monsters apart. Within seconds, theyd been reduced to a pile of wooden scrap.

Is that all? Silvertide asked, sending a glance back at the puppets with a frown. He turned back to Mayreena. I was expecting more.

The puppets exploded. Ulya called out a warning as twisting vines erupted from their bodies, wrapping around Silvertide in a split instant. They constricted and splattered to the ground, leaving Silvertide standing where he had been before, completely untouched.

What Rune are you using? Mayreena asked, taking a step back. This is impossible. Youre a Rank 5.

I sincerely hope youve got more than this, Silvertide said, a small smile creasing his face. I brought an audience, you know. It would be a shame if I made them leave the party for no reason.

Im going to kill you, Mayreena growled, her body rippling. Vines erupted from her arm, wrapping around it and forming into a thin blade. And then Ill rip the Runes from your body and take them for myself.

Do you have any idea how many times Ive heard that? Silvertide asked with a laugh, beckoning Mayreena onward. And do you know how many people who made that threat are still around? Youd best make your next attack count. You wont get a chance to make another one.