Return to Jorgaldur Volume IV: Reunion

Assassin (I)

Although caught by surprise, the assassin was quick to react. He was a veteran professional, who had had to make a hasty escape many times.

Without hesitation, he picked up the cloak, thus exposing his figure. Immediately, he executed Straw Doppelgänger, which left a solid illusion in place with a straw base. It would only last a few seconds, but it was enough.

Along with the skill, he released a small sphere. As it was smashed to the ground, thick smoke engulfed him. It half exposed his Doppelgänger, but hid him. While Gjaki and the lynx could see at night, that didn't mean they could see through that gaseous barrier.

It took him just an instant to execute Retreat. It was a skill that gave him extraordinary speed for five seconds, which was very useful for escaping from a dangerous situation. Maybe, the darkness of Night was blinding him, but he only needed to go in the opposite direction of the newcomers, whose breathing he could feel.

After gaining distance, he would have to decide what to do. He didn't know how they had found him, but it meant he couldn't follow the previous plan. Therefore, he threw a tiny artifact to the ground. It would surreptitiously attach itself to the first living being that came near, thus allowing him to follow them from a safe distance.

Despite all his preparations, his run was stopped by a structure of intertwined grasses. Although she couldn't see him clearly, casting Plant Prison surrounding a certain area wasn't a problem for Goldmi.

However, the Plant Prison composed of prairie grasses wasn't very resistant, both due to its composition and because of Goldmi's level, which was lower than the assassin's. He reacted quickly with Hundred Cuts to break through.

"Damn! This must be a joke!" the assassin cursed.

After breaking the barrier and losing a valuable second, he found himself behind some ice bars that blocked his path, a Frozen Prison. He didn't hesitate to attack, nor to go through the Burning Prison, despite the burns. The shock from the Lightning Prison surprised him, and he had to grit his teeth hard to get past it.

If it wasn't for the level difference and his equipment protection, he couldn't have escaped. However, they had delayed him long enough for Retreat to wear off, and now he was facing a Darkness Prison. Not only was it very corrosive, but he could sense the mana fluctuations even exceeding his level.

Though reluctant, he clenched his fist to break a small, cylindrical-shaped wooden object. A barrier enveloped him, and helped him get past the Darkness Prison. Although, it didn't prevent him from taking some damage. Some of his clothing had been burned, torn, and corroded, and his skin wasn't much better.

At least, he had overcome all the obstacles thanks to his quick reaction, and his enemies were a bit far away. The sacrifice hadn't been small, though, and executing a second Retreat put considerable stress on his body.

Despite this, he did it. The assassin couldn't help but smile as he escaped from the cloak of darkness, despite his disheveled appearance and injuries. Nonetheless, that smile froze when he met a fast object that was approaching him.

The goshawk had been observing the scene through her sister's eyes, so she had Plummeted to meet the assassin and Collided with him.

Despite the difference in level, the force of the crash completely destabilized the elusive assassin. It had taken him by surprise, and the bird's speed had been added to the speed from Retreat. Even the goshawk felt the blow, despite the protection of her skill. She shot backwards uncontrollably.

Goldmi reacted quickly to heal her sister through Life Link, and herself after sharing the damage. This helped the bird to recover, so she was able to regain her balance in the sky. Luckily, the impact had sent her up, not to the ground. Perhaps, more than luck, it had been her experience.

Confused and slowed down by the bird, when the assassin got up, he found a Rock Wall in front of him. That forced him to take a detour, or try to jump over it, although that wasn't what surprised him the most.

"It's him!" he exclaimed to himself.

That brief indecision was enough for the lynx to pounce on him. Sensing danger, he turned to throw a poisoned dagger at her, but feline reflexes are no hoax. The supposed wolf easily dodged it, although she missed the opportunity to reach him. Still, she had managed to distract him.

Three Rough Arrows with Accelerate slammed into the assassin's chest. They pushed him against the Wall, as an Abyss loomed beneath his feet. Given his situation, he was unable to avoid it, and fell again. Since it was an axe technique, it confirmed the identity of his target, though it was too late to think about it.

As soon as he fell, he tried to get up, but a Telekinetic punch sent him back to the ground. Before he could react, the grasses were Tangling around him, immobilizing him. Perhaps, they weren't strong enough to hold him for long, but they were enough for his enemies to arrive.

Blood Bind strengthened the plants' immobilization, and the arrival of the three companions made it impossible for him to flee. He couldn't help but look at them helplessly.

"Who're you and what do you want?" Gjaki asked, while holding one of her daggers to his neck.

Instead of answering, the assassin smiled bitterly. He had been captured, and his enemies wanted to question him. He only had one option left, to execute Burst.

It was a skill that all assassins had to learn before becoming an official member of the Guild. It wasn't very difficult or very powerful. It served only to Burst a cavity in one of his molars, and release a powerful poison.

"He's an assassin! He wants to commit suicide!" Gjaki exclaimed.

The vampiress had experience dealing with assassins. More than one had they tried to kill her, until their casualties had become too high. Also, the Blood Queen's reputation had reached every corner. The Assassins Guild had canceled all the contracts against her. They had even taken the initiative to contact Gjaki, and assure her that they wouldn't attack her again.

While it was a dangerous and powerful group, they didn't want to have her as their enemy. Nonetheless, the vampiress hadn't assured them that she wouldn't retaliate.

After many years, she had met one of them again.