As the guard was set on fire, an inexplicable force suddenly grabbed Tepo’s body. It was the effect of [Chaotic Evasion], but now it carried him away from the attacker.

Not far away the vice leader gritted his teeth while blood died his arm red. A revenge-fueled smile formed on his mouth. He saw the sneaky enemy shooting towards him.

A savage light shot through the burly man’s eyes. He focused his mind, staring at the hooded figure. Suddenly he stomped his foot on the ground. His spell activated. An earth spike shot out of the floor under Tepo, threatening to impale the warrior.

But the vice-leader miscalculated as Tepo suddenly sped up. The young man crossed the short distance in an instance. His eyes appeared below the hood for a moment.

Tepo stared calmly at the vice-leader as time seemingly slowed down. The look in the man’s eyes changed from savageness to horror. It felt as if he could already see the man’s soul about to leave his body.

A moment later Tepo came to a stop behind the vice-leader. Blood spurted out of the latter’s throat.

But Tepo had no time to posture. A vicious, dark saber reeking of blood slashed towards his own neck.

The warrior turned towards the side, defending hastily. His wrist shook slightly as he was pushed back.

“Do you know how much trouble you are in?!”, yelled the gang leader brutally.

Not waiting for an answer, he swung his saber again. But this time it was accompanied by a frightening smile. The Vicious reached out with his hand as he activated an ability. Suddenly a metallic plate separated from the wall and shot towards the lean man.

Tepo’s body tensed. He felt a danger from his front and back. He hastily used [Chaotic Evasion].

Without Tepo’s guidance the spell pulled on his body. The young man dashed to the side, almost crashing into a wall.

“Stay still, b*stard!”

The gang leader shouted again as he caught the metal plate in his hand. With bulging muscles, he suddenly threw it at Tepo.

A fist raced through the air. Tepo trusted his defense as he punched the metal plate away. Instantly the ground cracked below his feet as he shot at The Vicious again.

A mocking grin appeared on the gang leader’s face. Suddenly a plate Tepo was just about to step on loosened and flew towards the tanned man.

Tepo’s eyes shot open. He awkwardly made a wide step, almost tumbling.

Suddenly the gang leader’s eyes lit up. He was a chance. His saber swiped sideways as it domineeringly sought to sever its enemy’s waist.

Tepo was in a precarious position. He hastily used [Chaotic Evasion]. But this time he was too slow. A saber heavily cut into his defense with a grinding noise. After only a moment it vaguely cut through, drawing blood.

Letting out a paid groan, Tepo barely reacted to activate his [Heated Defense].

But the gang leader wasn’t stupid. He had seen this trick before and wouldn’t stay in the flame’s path.

Still, the [Infectious Flames] weren’t so easily avoided. With fervor they climbed up the saber, ready to devour the gang leader.

For a moment the bloodthirsty man was slow to react. His instincts told him to throw the saber away, but this wouldn’t solve his problem.

Just as the flame already began searing the man’s tanned skin, did he come up with a solution.

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A green flame shot out of the saber. It struggled against the orange fire before the two spells canceled each other out.

But Tepo gained precious time. A bang rang out. The gang leader turned around in shock. Out of instinct he managed to activate his defensive skill as the metallic armor he wore was rapidly reinforced.

Instantly a small explosion rocked the room. The building made ominous noises, close to caving in. A strong impact ripped the gang leader’s shoulder around as he screamed in pain:

“AHH! You little sh*t! F*ck! I will rip your head off!!”

As soon as the explosion’s effect died down a little, Tepo appeared before the gang leader’s eyes.

Now the young man regained the upper hand. He stuck close to his enemy. Cold eyes followed his every movement.

A knife flashed through the air. The gang leader could only defend awkwardly. He had no room to swing his precious saber.

Clanging sounds rang through the room. They got faster and faster. Tepo circled the gang leader, not giving him any chance to use his ability. He weaved between [Infectious Flames] and [Rapid Pierce].

The gang leader gritted his teeth. He swung his heavy saber wildly, shouting every insult he could think of.

Tepo’s wrists hurt, his leg growing tired, but he held on. The room shook vaguely. Sparks flew in the air as orange and green fire canceled each other out.

The two combatants were locked in fierce combat. They weaved between moonlight and shadow, a dangerous dance unfolding.

After only a few minutes the two warriors had exchanged hundreds of blows. Tepo panted heavily. He realized that he needed to find an opportunity if he wanted to end this fight.

Instinctively the warrior activated an ability. It was [Time Dilation: Body]. His brain went into overdrive, processing all information at double the speed.

Suddenly Tepo’s eyes lit up. He saw his chance! Just now he saw how the gang leader’s injured shoulder moved too slow.

The warrior used his newly acquired [Subtle Strike]. His knife slashed out stealthy, fast, ruthless. Its sharp tip buried into the gang leader’s armpit, where his armor was the weakest.

The Vicious’ body stiffened as another scream left his mouth. Tepo activated [Infectious Flames]. Fire wreaked havoc, burning his enemy’s blood directly. The arm twitched uncontrollably.

Tepo turned his body sightly, standing behind the gang leader’s back. He punched out with his clenched fist. With a cracking sound the warrior’s punch hit the back of his enemy’s head.

The gang leader stiffened. His vision blurred. His saber fell to the floor.

Moonlight shone through the holes in the wall. It illuminated Tepo’s knife as he ruthlessly swung it again.

Blood splattered. It shone mysteriously, white and red, eerie and gorgeous. A head directly followed as it sailed through the air.

With a disgusting quelching noise the gang leader’s head landed on the floor. It rolled for a second before dropping through the hole on the ground.

Tepo panted heavily. He closed his eyes with a solemn expression.

This one is for you, mother.

Next to him the headless body lost all its strength. It fell over with a low thud. Red liquid dyed the floor below it.

Now only Tepo was left in the room. The other guards had long chosen to flee after the vice-leaders were easily eliminated. They had no loyalty to speak of.

Tepo also knew he had to leave the scene. The guards might notice the commotion here any minute.

He hastily stuffed some valuable equipment into his storage bag before dashing off.

Escaping the same way he came from, Tepo soon reached the entrance of the alley. He looked back at the junkyard with a complicated expression. It was uncertain if this action of his might have consequences in the future.

The young man took a deep breath before returning to the entertainment district. He looked around, observing the people hiding their bitterness behind a façade of joy.

He even spotted some of the gangsters outside who didn’t know yet that their boss was dead. They behaved high and mighty, bossing around others as they felt no one dared to touch their backer.

And maybe they were right. Maybe the mayor would just replace his goons, and everything continued as it was.

No! I can’t think like this! This time I made a change!

In my old life it felt as if all my efforts were futile. But now it is different! In this world, I can have an impact! And the stronger I get, the more influence I will have!

Tepo motivated himself as he strolled down the road. He tried to look inconspicuous and not attract attention, preferable walking in the shadows. When the guards came to ask for the culprit it was best if no one remembered him.

Soon the young man even took a turn, entering some back alleys. A rancid smell dominated these alleys. In the dark, lost people lingered here, doing things which weren’t meant to be seen by others.

Tepo hurried up. He passed alley after alley, eager to get home. But suddenly he heard unpleasant noises.

A loud thud echoed in the alley. Glass shattered against the ground.

Punches and kicks could clearly be heard among taunting voices.

Tepo furrowed his brows. There was only one organization which dared to behave high and mighty within the entertainment district.

But he had just given those gangsters a heavy blow. And now he stumbled upon some pretentious hooligans again?

Should I take a look? If those are gang members again, I don’t mind wiping the floor with them.

Tepo only thought about it for a moment before pulling his hood further and turning towards the alley.