I stretched my body lightly, using the motion to signal Fang, who seemed to notice it too, to stay oblivious.

“Ahhh… Shall we go home then?”

I told the girls while narrowing my eyes.

One, two… There were twelve people scattered around us. All of them were extremely familiar, though, making me think of where I saw their weak auras.

‘Ah… The drunkards that the girls beat up yesterday!’

As the memory resurfaced, I quickly realized their aim. An ambush to exact revenge for yesterday’s embarrassment, for sure.

“…!”

No, wait. It wasn’t just the twelve of them; there were also another two who were mixing in with the pedestrians. They were hiding their presence, but I could still feel their gazes on our backs. Furthermore, they’re powerful!

As we walked along the quiet road, heading for the inn, I sent telepathic messages to Ember and the others, relaying what was happening. Their auras quickly changed, but it wasn’t something that could be seen by amateurs like those twelve. However, the two powerful presences completely disappeared. Did they escape? Or are they going to attack now?

Just as I was wondering what to do, an unexpected voice echoed within the silence.

“W-We should turn on this alley… It’s a s-shortcut.”

Hekate said, pointing at the narrow alley that was a few steps away from us. Just from that, I quickly realized her aim and nodded along.

“Yeah, it should be a shortcut. Let’s go, everyone!”

I ushered the girls toward the alley, and after we turned the corner, everyone went outside of their sight. Twelve presences moved around in panic, as if trying to catch up, and were about to enter the alley…

“Hey~!”

But we weren’t walking; instead, we stopped right at the entrance, at the part where we wouldn’t be seen unless they peeked from the corner.

The twelve, or rather, the six who came first, visibly flinched after seeing us waiting for them. However, Fang was already moving before they could even blink. A black bolt flashed past their bodies before they fell to the ground, unconscious.

Fang even went to the other six, who were a little distance away, clearing all twelve of them in a split second.

“Good job, Fang.”

I praised her as she was walking back to us.

“… However, the main dish just arrived.”

As if in concert with my words, Fang quickly stopped in place and turned around. Her claws, clad in darkness as deep as the night, blocked an incoming sword attack, gleaming with killing intent.

“Uguh!”

However, Fang wasn’t able to block it completely. The sword was too powerful for her, so she moved it to the side, attempting to parry.

As if waiting for that moment, however, two claws approached her from the spot she was inching toward. The claws appeared out of a small crack in space, meaning there was also a space element monster with the assailant.

Fang was shocked; it was as if the enemy had completely read her like a book. Out of desperation, she stomped her feet, activating Shadow Skip and moving back to us, taking a long and deep breath to calm her mind. 𝘦𝘯𝑜𝘷𝘦𝑙．𝑜𝑟𝘨

“Leader…”

Her voice was deep and focused, as if she couldn’t lower her guard even a little. Even without her finishing her words, I nodded my head deeply.

“I know. These two are powerful.”

To be specific, now that they’re pretty close to us, I could estimate that they’re at the limits of the 8th stage!

“They?”

Ember asked. As to her eyes, only one enemy plus the two monsters that attacked Fang were present.

“Oh, so you can detect me?”

A voice echoed in the silent alley. I looked up at the dark sky and snickered.

“You aren’t even trying to hide. Why would I not be able to see you?”

“Hahaha! Interesting, brat! Is that your last words?”

“No? But be careful, though, as you might lose your fingers if you come any closer.”

“…”

A strong gust of wind washed across the alley, ruffling our hair chaotically. I quickly drew my sword and raised it to my back.

*CLANG!*

“What…?!”

A surprised voice echoed as I blocked the sword coming for me. Before he could recover his posture, I let his remaining momentum take him forward until his body, invisible as it may be, went past me.

*SHIIIIIIING!*

Flicking my sword, I aimed for the fingers holding the sword tightly, but the assailant was able to move his hand a little, using the butt of the blade to push away my sword.

“You can see me?!”

He shouted in fear, as if he completely didn’t expect it. He must’ve thought I was bluffing him before, but to my eyes, his energy was so clear as day that it was much harder to unsee it.

“Oops!”

I waved the sword once more as I saw space energy congregating at my side. As soon as a claw appeared out of it, my sword was already on its way to cut it off from its base.

*SCREEEEE!*

A wild scream echoed as the monster’s hand fell. Looking closer, the chopped-off claw was still squirming and rampaging around. Fang quickly stomped on it, completely destroying whatever reflex was left in it.

“Master! Be careful!”

Ember quickly entered brawler mode, covering her entire body in what looked like an exoskeleton. Looking at it now that it’s closer, I can see that there were no tubes or anything that connected each part. It wasn’t hydraulically powered?

Just as I was lost in thought, another hole opened in the space above us; this time, it was much wider. However, Ember was already on it and quickly created a portal of her own, redirecting the incoming slash to the back of the other tamer.

“Ugh! Hey!”

The slash destroyed his robe, revealing his clothed figure to us. His frown deepened as if he wasn’t expecting a supposedly easy battle to make them struggle like this.

“Damn it! Who said these guys are weak? They’re so hard to face head-on!”

The one who got exposed roared at the other in anger. However, the invisible one didn’t even bother to reply as he moved around stealthily, creating no vibrations in the air as he stopped it using a skill.

Just as he was a step away from my side, I heaved a deep sigh.

“I told you, I can see you.”

Without wasted movements, I swung my sword, aiming for his neck. The invisible man groaned, bending his body in an unbalanced stance, and forcefully dodged my strike. However, I took a step forward and used my elbow to slam against his chest, letting him crash against the ground with a thud.

“Buuufuu…!”

Saliva flew out of his mouth as his chest slightly caved in. However, at the last moment, he managed to kick the ground and send himself flying away, far from my connecting attack.

“Y-You brat…! No more playing around! Kill them!”

The man, no longer invisible, was revealed to be a thin and tall person with sunken eyes. He looks like someone who was left alone without food or drink for a month, almost like a skeleton, but was as fierce as a starving lion.

As if to respond to his order, five presences appeared behind us. Looking back, portals appeared where 5th to 6th-stage tamed monsters appeared, baring their claws and fangs against Ember and the others.

“Master, leave this side to us!”

Ember and Fina moved, hampering the five new enemies by themselves while protecting the little ones, Yorm and Judy, Minerva, and Hekate.

“You… We were told to teach you a lesson after you messed with our lackeys…”

The skeleton guy suddenly spoke, confessing the truth behind the matter.

“But f*ck orders! You’re going to die here, you motherf*cker!”

“Hey, watch your language! There are kids over here.”

“Die!”

As if unable to hold back any longer, he lowered his stance and dashed forward. His speed was no longer comparable to his previous one, as he was moving like he was teleporting, almost making me unable to catch his movements.

“Fang!”

I raised my sword and threw it at Fang. Surprised, she reflexively raised her arms. At that moment, the skinny skeleton guy appeared between me and Fang, and my sword slapped his hand, about to catch Fang.

“…!”

Using the short instant that the assailant stiffened from the pain, Fang quickly sent a kick. However, it was easily blocked, causing no damage at all.

“Don’t forget about me!”

I roared as I caught the sword, which rebounded after hitting the man’s hand. As soon as I took hold of the hilt, I swung down, aiming for the enemy’s left shoulder. But alas, I was still a step too late.

A sword appeared to block my attack, intercepting it. Looking at the man holding the sword, I frowned. It was the person who attacked Fang first.

“Move!”

Using the impact from the hit, I vaulted myself to Fang’s side. As I landed, however, the thin man’s hand was already right before my eyes, while his sword was reeled fully to his back, ready to hack at any moment.

“… D*mn it! You guys forced me to do this, so no hard feelings!”

Having no choice, I used Lifeblood.