It was a night with many clouds. Not willing to be outdone. The full moon shown through everything that was too thin, giving the city a slightly lit look with a lot of dark corners.

The streets were not densely populated. Groups of individuals would frequent a few places. This late at night, gave the city a desolate feeling. Only in parts where such places that had anything running, would there be traffic.

That being said, meant that the majority of people moving through this part of the city, would be found in those areas. Very few people were found returning from outside the city. Very rarely would anyone leave their house and move to darker portions of the city.

One such person had exited a house. It was a single story black stone building. Outside was simply two windows and a door. Because of the density of the city, it wasn’t possible to see the sides.

With a robe with a deep hanging hood, it was impossible to make out any features. Black in color, almost as if trying to blend in and not be seen. They had a short build, possible a woman or a dwarf. At least if one had to guess.

Turning down a corner, they would move forward before erratically stopping and turning around. Making sure they weren’t being followed or watched. Only then would it be deemed save to continue. This individual was so secretive and slow that it took them half an hour to move a distance that could easily be traveled in ten.

Having come to a corner of the city. It was easy to see that the outside was within reach. There was no wall, nor was this their goal. Making a few left turns, going in a circle in two different areas. With great confidence, this person watched a shabby and desolate house in a corner.

A sign was on the door, marking it as condemned. The building was a rare wood house. Reaching a staggering three floors, it was rickety. Not entirely possible to trust that it wouldn’t collapse if someone took a wrong step. At the bottom, in bold, was a date that showed it was to be demolished in less than a week.

As the hooded figure was about to take the third step up the softly creaking wood steps. Stopping suddenly, without turning their body, their head spun to the side. Because of this, it wasn’t possible to see that their hands were by the chest area.

Reaching into a hidden pocket was a unique dagger. The side of a short sword, it was able to hide within the robe with nearly no defining features being seen from outside. What was truly unique about the dagger was the sheath.

Not a normal size, the handle didn’t match the thickness of the sheath holding the blade’s edge. Bulky and oversized, however, only once the blade was edged out slowly to now draw attention. Only then could it be possible to see a completely transparent liquid.

Only being visible by a few drops that made nearly inaudible hissing as they made contact with the wood. Unable to be seen as the steps were in the shadow of another building. If one could see it they would see that the near rotting wood was stained black in those spots as some of the wood was corroded away leaving droplet shaped indents.

This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

Not pulling blade out entirely. Without seeing anything behind them, they impressively put it away in a way that didn’t draw any attention. Turning around without finding anything after a few minutes. Their figure paused, unsure if it was safe to continue.

With a bit of hesitation it was clear to see them look at the notice, more specifically their head seemed to show a lower incline, possibly looking at the date. With another few minutes of waiting and watching. They decided to go through with it.

Moving up the final steps, they slide open the door very softly. With a cleaver trick of using a small letter opener, to lightly peel the notice, they were able to slip in through a small opening. Once the door was closed, it was nearly impossible to see that it had been tampered with.

On a roof behind where the man had just entered was another robed figure. They were slightly taller than the first figure. Features clouded by shadows, they brought their hand up to their head as they seemed to scratch their head in a bit of wonder through the hood.

“That minx.” A softly uttered phrase was all that was heard.

Inside, the man was not at risk. If he took a step upstairs. From the outside, it was not as bad inside. Even still, likely to cause a collapse if a step was taken on any of the rotting spots. Instead, they moved downstairs through a door that was hard to find.

With a last look behind them, they moved through the door before closing the door. Without any light, they were using memory to move through the soft spiraling slope. As they turned around, they stopped.

Without light, all that was possible to see was that beneath the hood, a pair of red eyes flashed lightly. It wasn’t enough light to see anything in the darkness.

However, if it could. It was possible to see that, there was already someone here. Using their arms and legs to hold them up, they sat in waiting. Only once the door was closed and darkness returned, did they make a move.

Letting go, this person released mana. As the mana was released, there was an audible click, following which was a light so bright the entire passageway was lit up. So brightly that the red eyed man’s face could be seen. His eyes were squinted shut, unable to do anything but bring his hands up to protect his face from the approaching shadow.

This figure was Jessica, she had her eyes closed as the light was so bright she too would be unable to see. It was the only way to guarantee that her ambush would completely work. Reaching the ground, she in one motion ran with her hands in front of her at shoulder height.

Reaching the man, she first hit the man with her elbows. She couldn’t guess his height completely, therefore she found this method to work in most scenarios she ran. With practiced movements, she jumped flipping over the man, using her elbows as leverage to just flip over him.

Not to be outdone, the man went to punch out in front of him with one hand. His other hand was already on the hilt of his dagger. Only, he discovered what his assailant was up to.

With horrible realization, his punch ended with shock and awe at the pain, far worse than what his eyes had experienced. Before he could do anything, he felt a slight tug at his neck before he could no longer feel anything at all.

Jessica didn’t stop and continued to pull. Once the wire cut through all resistance, she didn’t lower her guard. Moving as far as she could, releasing a second burst of mana. Another click was heard as the lights lowered to a reasonable level.

Only once she saw that he was now a corpse did she relax.