n

n

n

"You can come out, I know you're there

" I said calmly.

nI have been feeling it for a while now, but chose not to say anything and merely focus on my slave's battle. But now that it's over, it's better not to leave any loose ends. Besides, our stalker is most likely behind this little mishap.

n

"My my, looks like you're more capable than I gave you credit for

" The mystery person said, walking forward.

nHe stepped out of the darkness and drew closer to us. Of course I already saw him clearly before he stepped out, but now he was visible to everyone. He had a sadistic smile and a confident look, as though we were at his mercy.

nHe looked like a young man, mid twenties at most. He had brown hair and like colored eyes. He also dressed in an exquisite and flashy apparel, even more so than mine.

n

"You are....

" I said slowly in reflection.

nI recognize his face. He is the...

n

"The person you humiliated and stole from

" He said, his face turned intense as he let out a frown.

n

"I don't remember stealing from anyone, or even embarrassing anyone. You must have me mistaken with someone else

" I shrugged.

n

"Oh, I doubt it. You are the one... Who dared defy my bid and stubbornly coveted my wings. How dare you humiliate me?

" He said scowling.

nI knew it. He was the one I saw using enhanced sight in the other Royal Members private bid room. Don't tell me... He sent attackers after us for such a petty reason?

n

"If I remember correctly, you were the one who bid higher than your capacity. Besides, if the wings were truly yours to begin with why would they be on sale?

" I retorted.

nOkay, that last statement is me shooting myself in the leg since that explains my case.

n

"Shut up! Do you know who I am? Who do you think you are?!

" He yelled in anger.

nThis man... Is starting to piss me off.

n

"Hey, don't you think that's enough!

" Talia suddenly spoke up against the man.

n

"What? Who the hell are you?

" He asked.

n

"None of your concern. But you should stop now. It's not too late to turn back

" Talia said to him.

nI smiled.

nI see what she is trying to do, but she's wrong about one thing... It's already too late for him. It was already too late by the moment he attacked me with such small fry, an insult to me.

n

"Shut up bitch! I didn't ask for your opinion!

" The man said.

nWell, serves Talia right for playing peacemaker.

nNow it's Talia's turn to get upset. From her expression I can tell, she is also getting pissed off by this guy. As for my Shadowshifter, he remained quiet and seemed exhausted. Well, that's enough fighting on his end for tonight. As for Talia, without her wings she's also useless to me in combat.

n

"I didn't want to do this, but, looks like I'll have to personally take care of the trash

" I said to myself.

n

"I take it you're the fool who hired these other fools to attack me

" I said to the idiot before me.

n

"F-Fool? Me? How dare you!!!

" He yelled.

nGood grief, this man is an eyesore. I can't stand his presence. It would be best to just kill him off instantly, and the fact that he's alone makes him a cheap target. However, something seems off.

nWhy does he seem so confident when he obviously appears to be alone. He just witnessed dozens of people die by my slave yet he shows no fear. Perhaps he has a Relic he can rely on, or he's a user of Arts.

nNo, Art Users are not usually of Royal blood. He must have a Relic on him, I can sense some on him, but none of them are worth any attention. This is what he's so proud of?

n

"Pathetic

" I muttered.

nTo finish this quickly I have to use Hex, one he has no chance of stopping.

n

"Hex #89 Blast of Destruction

" I said, raising my hand.

nAs I raised it, from it produced an intense surge of energy. The blast rushed to my target, who seemed nervous at this point but still smiled with both anger and bloodlust.

nAs the blast drew nearer, immediately someone appeared beside the foolish royal and stretched their hands. The hand stopped the blast and redirected it upward, preventing any substantial damage around them other than the charred path of the energy surge.

n

"Another person?

" I asked.

n

"Hehehehehe

" He chuckled.

n

"Are you unharmed sir?

" The new person asked the royal.

nThis person wore a white hooded robe, with golden designs on it. They also emanated some form of aura that seemed... Different.

n

"Yeah, thanks to you

" He smiled.

nMy eyes widened at the sight.

nThis is strange. This person seemed to have appeared right beside the man when the Hex was about to hit him. Not only that, but I didn't sense their presence until they appeared. Was it teleportation? No, it didn't seem like it. It felt more like the person had been there all along, I just didn't notice them.

n

"Is that even possible?

" I asked myself.

nI have enhanced senses. No human should be able to hide from me, especially in plain sight. But, am I even sure this person is human? Judging by the way they easily countered my Hex.. There's no way this one is ordinary. I can sense it though... This person is human, but there's something else...

nI can now understand why the man looked so confident earlier, it's because he has someone competent as his guard uhn.

nWell, no matter. It's just a little power anyway. There's no need to get worked up over it.

n

"Who are you?

" I asked.

nThe person kept quiet. This irritated me.

n

"Hehehehe, do you understand your situation now? Your slaves don't seem to be much of a threat, leaving only you to fight. But I'll tell you this now... You can't beat this one

" He smiled cockily.

nThe kind of thing I hate the most.

n

"Hoh, this fool is getting pretty confident just for blocking a single Hex. Let's try this again shall we?

" I said.

n

"Hex #89 Blast of Destruction

" I said again, increasing the power by a large extent.

nThe output was over double the previous one and twice as fast. It destroyed the neighboring buildings and charged for the Royal and his hooded friend.

nThe Hooded person stretched forth both hands and they glowed. Immediately, the Hex began to disperse as soon as they came into contact with their hands, and it dissipated.

nNot just once, but twice now... How unbelievable. To think there exists a human who can counter my Hex. This is a first for me. Who is this person?

n

"Evil. Your power is evil

" The hood robed person finally spoke up.

nEvil? What did they mean?

n

"You... You're using the Art of The Evil One, aren't you?

" They said with a tone of disgust.

n

"Wow, you could tell?

" I said dryly.

nBut indeed I'm surprised. They dissipated my Hex with just her hands. And what was with that glow? Was it a Relic? No! What else could it be?

"

n

"And for this reason, it is only natural I would be able to stop you. For you see... I have been chosen by god, the holy one, to bring down the works of evil and to subject it to divine power

" The person declared, putting down the hood and allowing me to see HER face.

nThe woman looked quite young, with deep blue eyes and white hair. Her face remained cold and expressionless as she stared at me. I could initially tell with the voice she used that she possessed an effeminate attribute, but I couldn't be too sure since I was having difficulty reading her.

nMore importantly, what did she just say? Chosen by god? Divine power? Don't tell me...

n

"You're using Divine power? How?

" I asked her.

nThe woman glared at me and walked forward, leaving the Royal behind her.

n

"I am the sword of god, chosen to purge all that is evil from this world and destroy his works. I have been bestowed power from the heavens for this very reason. Do not think your worthless and evil Art can harm me in any way, for before you is an even more superior Art!

" She said, raising her hand which glowed with white light.

nShe's... Using another Art? There are two types of Arts. Hex, and the other. That's what she's using? But she mentioned being chosen by god and her Art being more superior to Hex. No way, does this mean...?

n

"So you guys also had the same idea, uhn? Who would've thought you would resort to this

" I said to myself.

nAnd those whom I am referring to are none other than the gods.

nIt seems this girl's ability is somewhat related to the Divine Power used by gods, though it is considerably weaker. Nonetheless, it is genuine divine power. This only means one thing.

n

"The gods are granting their powers to humans... That is the nature of this second Art

" I said, looking at the girl in front of me.

n

"Correct. Now, tremble and vanish before the sight of the invincible Art... GRACE!

" She declared, causing her lights to shine even brighter.

nThis could mean trouble.

n