Chapter 42 - The Ark Of Ashley

"Who are you?" asked the Time Mage, hands instinctively on his twin daggers.

"No one special. Just someone who has come to kill the Mage who burnt the mob," said the stick man, as he drew out an unfamiliar weapon.

Raiyen was shocked, that weapon was still a rarity. Not only that, it had no scope at all. It came from his back. It was a long metal pipe connected to a few more metal parts and a wooden end. The man then aimed it towards the Time Mage.

"Duck!" shouted another voice, as the weapon fired.

"I can't believe I would ever have to face against a sniper rifle," said Raiyen as he pushed the Valkyrie onto the grass.

"A sniper rifle?" asked the Valkyrie, shaken.

"It's another weapon. It can kill by using powder to launch a metal thing out from that barrel at fast speeds and power."

"And I hoped to see you again, White Rat," replied the stick man, looking at the trees.

"Ashley. I told you, we have to work with them. Not kill them," replied Minwoo, hoping down from the trees.

"I'm quite impressed. How your thick skull could ever figure out to ally with them, is beyond my comprehension. Working with the mafia is fine, but with the Mages..."

The stick man shook his head and scoffed. He then glared at the two children.,

"Is akin to being insane."

With that as a reply, Ashley leaped and fired a few good shots at the kids. His reloading speed surprised Minwoo as he tried running from Ashley's sights.

The Valkyrie had summoned up her wings as she tried to dodge the new weapon's range. Though some shots landed at her wings, she did not feel any pain. The bullets merely bounced off.

Raiyen, on the other hand, had summoned up his daggers as he tried to kill the mysterious man. He ended up deflecting most bullets.

"Why do you protect them so much, Minwoo?" asked Ashley, pointing the gun at his old friend.

"They are just children."

"They are killers."

"She did because she was scared. You would, everyone's done that before."

"I did it because I want to rise the ranks. I didn't do it because I was afraid."

"That doesn't justify anything. You are a killer as well, so if you punish them for their crimes makes you a hypocrite."

Ashley laughed as he aimed his rifle right at Minwoo's head. And then proceeded to c.o.c.k the gun and reloading a single bullet.

"But I kill criminals. Not innocent people. Sorry, White Rat, your reign is over," said Ashely as he pulled the trigger.

As another gunshot followed, Minwoo squeezed his eyes tightly. But when he reopened them, he was amazed to find himself covered by Mavislin.

"No hurting..." mumbled the Valkyrie as she fully unleashed her wings.

Her eyes were blazing orange while her hands were trying to form another new spell. They trembled as an orange and black swirl started forming in her hands.

"Of my family!" yelled the fierce Valkyrie as the new weapon appeared in her hands.

The shockwave of the new weapon nearly tossed the Time Mage off balance. But Ashley remained indifferent as he reloaded his sniper rifle. Minwoo looked concerned.

A huge bow laid in her hands, black as night as she held it up to an attacking stance. It had intricate carvings and designs, similar to a dragon's tail. Its string was just a long stream of Fire. Using another hand, she conjured up a single arrow.

"That weapon is ranged, right?" asked Mavislin, her eyes unblinking.

Both Minwoo and Raiyen nodded. She then smiled as her Elemental Aura reached dangerous heights.

"Ma taught me how to do Archery. But I never thought I would use it. I'm not good at aiming. But I don't think that would be a problem if I have Magecraft," said Mavislin, slowly putting the arrow on the bow.

"Don't be so dependant on your 'Magecraft'. A bow is still a bow. It will never win against a gun," smirked Ashley as he began to aim at the Valkyrie.

"Let's see, shall we?" asked Mavislin, producing a terrifying grin.

As she launched the first shot, Ashley could not foresee how much damage could that thin arrow do. He was lucky as he managed to dodge the first shot. As he fired more shots, the ammo had run out.

"Damn it," cursed Ashely as he looked at the oncoming shot.

He was desperate as he tried to find the extra bullets in his shoe. But it was too late as Mavislin delivered a massive shot.

"Ignis Sagitta (Fire Arrow)," whispered the young girl, releasing the bow.

Ashely was lucky that he had abnormal reflexes, or else he would've been done for. The arrow completely disintegrated his sniper rifle.