^What?^ The stalker gasped internally, stepping back with sweat running down his face. “He still has this much power in him?^

He dodged the claw strike and swung his dagger at Arad’s wrist.

Arad twisted his fist, blocking the dagger with the side of his palm. BAM! He immediately swung a kick at the stalker.

^Those claws! A werewolf.^ The stalker rolled to the side and jumped back. He then pulled three throwing knives from his pocket. CLING! He threw them at the slaves in the back.

CRACK! Arad lunged back, standing in the knives’ way, and they bounced off his large torso. He glared back at the slaver.

“Sorry!” The slaver cried, glaring at his slaves, “Move the ** away!” He thought the stalker was after his slaves and that Arad was helping him.

Arad turned toward the stalker people started running away from the bridge. An enraged smile crossed his face, with veins popping on his forehead.

He then reached into his pocket to pull out a potion. Arad wasn’t dying, and he could heat instantly, but he doesn’t want to do it in front of everyone.

“No! You aren’t healing!” The stalker jumped forward and threw a small bottle at Arad and then followed it with several throwing knives.

Arad jumped back as he gulped the potion down. It didn’t matter if he drank it all or not. All he needed to do is pretend to heal and then use the blood.

After that, Arad took his hand off his neck he was fully healed. “You dare attack someone else? Don’t you have the courage to come for me directly?”

The stalker clenched his teeth, “The ** did you survive having your throat split? I’ve been in this job for over a decade. And I only saw it happen seven times.” He then pulled a second knife.

“You’re dead anyway. I only wanted to finish the fight quickly.” The stalker glared at Arad, “And courage means risk, and that isn’t the way of rogues, let alone assassins.”

Arad looked at the assassin. He took a deep breath and lunged forward with a heavy punch.

CLANG! The assassin swung his dagger at Arad’s fist, deflecting with a sweaty face. ^That sounded like metal. How hard is his skin?^ he growled internally and swung his second dagger.

Arad didn’t bother moving and launched a kick at the assassin. ^Just stay in place so I can burn you with one hit.^ Arad got a fire kick ready. He knew the assassin would dodge if he ignited prematurely.

The assassin dodged anyway. “That kick had more intent behind it. What do you have prepared?” He smiled, Twin Fangs

Arad saw the daggers racing toward his neck and chest. Something was off about that attack. He lifted his arms to block the daggers, but the assassin quickly shifted the direction, stabbing Arad in the kidneys.

“It’s over! You’re strong but lack fighting experience. Even your feints are those of an amateur.” The assassin laughed, letting go of his dagger and jumping away before Arad could catch him.

^Nimble bastard.^ Arad growled inside, glaring at the assassin as he grabbed the two daggers.

The assassin smiled. ^Good, pull them and bleed out, you idiot.^

PLUCK! Arad pulled the daggers out of his torso, instantly closing the wounds with blood. “Only a flesh wound. Next time get something longer.” There was still some blood on Arad’s sides, so the wounds seemed to remain open.

The assassin blinked twice, ^I’m sure I hit his organs. And I put so much force behind it to pierce his tough skin.^ He growled, ^This stupid werewolf hasn’t even transformed yet.^

Arad looked around, there were still some people watching, but they were far away enough that he could fake something. He slid his hand into his pocket and pulled the sword Alcott gave him.

“It’s time to settle this,” Arad grabbed the sword with two hands, his eyes fixed on the assassin.

The assassin scratched his head. “This will cost me a pretty penny, but it’s worth it to take someone like you.”

The assassin pulled two daggers from his belt and stood still with his legs tugged together. He looked at Arad as his necklace started glowing, and his wristbands flashed with blue lightning.

The assassin’s body started floating as he glared at Arad with a smile, “This is the end of you.”

BAM! Arad lunched forward, swinging his blade down. “Fire moon!”. Fire blade SWOSH! The sword left a crescent moon of crimson flames as the assassin dodged, flying behind Arad.

The assassin swung his daggers at Arad’s back with a smile.

Arad shifted his stance and swung the sword back. “Fire wheel!” He shouted as he blocked the daggers, sending a large blast of flames and forcing the assassin to fly away.

“I see! A magic item with commands. It’s rare to see one of those. Rich kid.” The assassin smiled, glaring at Arad from the sky.

Arad pulled his hand back and thrust the sword toward the assassin. “Fire thrust!” BAM! He fired a Firebolt from the blade.

The assassin dodged with an amused face.

“Fire thrust! Fire thrust! Fire thrust! Fire thrust! Fire thrust!” Arad kept firing at the assassin.

“How about you look at mine?” The assassin smiled as he flew around Arad. CRACKLE! His body disappeared in a burst of lightning and appeared behind Arad. “I don’t need silly commands like you!” He swung the draggers at Arad’s back.

CRACK! Arad silently turned around at an extreme speed, swinging his burning sword at the bandit’s neck.

The assassin looked shocked for a moment, but he then smiled. CLANG! His dagger deflected Arad’s strike. SWUSH! And he then swung up, cutting Arad’s wrist off, and flying away.

“You made me sweat for a moment.” The assassin laughed, “Pretending to need commands to make me lower my guard. You have some skill in you.”

Arad looked at the assassin. ^I was going full speed at that slash, and he still dodged? How strong is he?^

That man is no joke. He’s faster than your normal speed. And he has the arm strength to cleave your wrist.

^I can’t finish the fight without an action surge.^ Arad wanted to rumble, but that was too risky in front of everyone.