• Chapter #11: [RABBIT FRENZY]

“The Black Zodiac…”, I echoed. Seeing the look of hatred on Kogi's Face, I could guess that these guys were the villains…

Well there’s that, and the thought that who the hell would break in a party wearing suspicious black cloaks, aside from pranksters.

“What is this 'Black Zodiac'?”, I asked.

“The Black Zodiac, is an organization which worships the 6 Evil Gods. They have 12 leaders, each representing an animal on the Chinese Zodiac.”, Kogi answered, who, while still glaring heatedly at the men, was also sweating and quivering a bit due to the aura's of the aggressors and their allies clashing against each other.

“They also took away my mother…”, He added, his eyes flashing deep regret and sorrow.

Gazing back at the ceiling impassively, my brows furrowed and a frown appeared on my face after hearing Kogi's statement.

“Keh! Having a party without us?! I’m hurt!”, The leader sneered at Hiro's grandfather.

“It seems like some pathetic zodiac small fry showed up, thinking that he’s part of the show. It’s time you learned your lesson, child…”, Hiro's grandfather growled out, before his releasing his aura, which dwarfed the auras of his allies. Based on my recollection, this aura is equivalent to individuals within Dominant Rank.

“Kehahahaha! Why don’t you just go sleep and never wake up, old bat!”, The leader mockingly laughed. But still, I think he’s cautious enough, the jeezer is strong after all.

“But enough fallacies! Let me introduce myself at least! Behold! The Zodiac Sign of the Rabbit! The Moon Rabbit of the Black Zodiac!”, He stated dramatically. And immediately after his declaration, the other cloaked men with him descended and attacked anyone they saw.

It was utter chaos, as both sides fought blade to blade and magic to magic.

“Damn it! These people are nuts!”, Hiro cursed, cutting every enemy who came within his range using the Tyrant’s Blade. Raising the blade, an eerie crimson glow coated it, in which Hiro then slashed at the enemies, sending out a crescent wave which sliced down multiple targets.

However, it didn’t scare the others, as they immediately came after the body after the attack ended, making him frown in confusion.

Meanwhile, Hiro's grandfather compressed his aura before releasing it explosively, stunning enemies. Quickly making a flame wall which encircled a large area around the man, he then turned it into a spinning fire dome, burning down everything within the dome.

And similar to Hiro's case, the others were undeterred and continued to attack him relentlessly, making the old man narrow his eyes, before commanding.

“Everyone! Round them up!”

Obeying their leader’s command, everyone fought more fiercely and soon, began to push back most of the hooded men into a single area, despite the struggle.

“Now! The ones near them, make sure they stay in that place! The remaining, prepare your spells!”

People near the cloaked men began to circle them, cutting down anyone who neared their positions. Meanwhile, the old man and the others began preparing their respective spells, resulting in magic circles of various colors to appear.

Finally, after a few moments.

“Back away!”, The man yelled, his hands glowing in purple light.

[Graviton]

The ones containing the enemies was able to back away just in time for their leader to unleash his spell, bathing the area they were once within and the area where the enemies are in purple light, crushing them. At the same time, he called out.

“Now!”

Immediately, the others who had their respective spells ready unleashed them together, bombarding the aggressors in various deadly and powerful magic.

And soon, some of the ones who weren’t caught started to retreat, prompting the others to chase after them with more fervor.

...

Meanwhile, I quickly left the battle and sneaked outside, utilizing my [Shade Walker] ability. It allowed me to enter a shadow and exit another one.

Why did I sneak out you say? Well, I’m not involved by whatever they have and it doesn’t directly affect me. Plus, messing myself with them would cause more headache than good things later on.

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Hmmm… It looks like I’ve arrived at the temple's garden. It was a peaceful place, full of plants I haven’t seen before, arranged beautifully. I could also see a fountain on the middle, and benches made from large logs sprinkled randomly. To me, it looks more of a mini-park than a garden actually.

Sitting down at one of the benches, I let out a contented sigh as I admired the surroundings. I always preferred these things than those fancy parties.

The thought of that organization came to my mind. The 'Black Zodiac', a group which worships 6 Evil Gods. It sounds cliché but I think they’re quite powerful, to be able to attack a place like this without others knowing at the last second.

Though from what I’ve seen, most of their members were destroyed by the efforts of the Kazuto Clan and it’s Allies, so I don’t think that they’re much of a threat…

No…

Attacking so suddenly and being decimated that easily… It sounds like this one’s a mere distraction… But what could they want…?

Ah, right. Ofcourse, the Tyrant's Blade.

From what I’ve heard, the Tyrant of Battles, which was also WarIsLife, had given Hiro the ability to wield the powerful sword. I’m also pretty sure that there’s the wielder of Collbrande somewhere…

But you know, it’s kinda useless for them to steal the blade, since the only ones who can wield it are people granted by WarIsLife his permission.

Haaahhh… Whatever, it’s not really mine to deal with…

Suddenly, a rush of footsteps resounded near the garden entrance.

[Bloodlust: Active]

A sudden surge of power and adrenaline rushed through me. My senses also heightened and my body felt hot, itching for a fight. The footsteps that were barely noticeable before now sounded like they were next to my ears due to my enhancement.

Finally, a man had entered the garden. He was the same man who had led the others into attacking this place. He quickly scanned the area, and when his blood red eyes locked on me once more, he let out a gasp of surprise.

It was short lived though, as his gasp turned into a crazed grin.

“We have met once more. I knew you were strong!” He grinned maniacally, before activating a magic circle, it’s color was similar to the moon. Then finally, he said.

“Let’s have lots of fun!”

Ah shit… Why do I find myself in the midst of these situations. No choice…

[Plotter's Discernment: Active]

Quickly scanning his magic circle, I immediately noticed that the common runes and glyphs that were on it weren’t the ones used on attack spells, hell it wasn’t even for defensive magic…

Supplementary…? Further analyzing his magic, I finally figured out what the spell was. It was a cloning spell.

Wait… Cloning?

“Tch… So that’s why you were so bold, and those people kept going despite their massive losses and injuries. It’s because they were only clones… Your clones to be more specific. And if my hunch is right… You have something you and your friends need.”

He cancelled the spell. However, instead of a frown, his grin widened even more, now reaching his ears. What was already a creepy sight, became more disturbing when he laughed like a madman.

“Kehahahaha! You’re not bad brat! Looks like I’ll be having more fun than I intended! And yes, you’re right! This fiasco’s just a distraction for our true goal!”

Tsk, a distraction huh… If that’s the case, then they’ll get caught off guard again. Though I’m pretty sure Hiro's jeezer would realize soon…

“But enough of this chatter! Let me feast on your blood!”

Without further ado, a sword swing threatened to decapitate my head. Barely evading the attack by leaning backwards. I went further down and placed my palms on the ground, making hap-hazard backflips away from him.

Unrelenting, the man immediately followed after me. Using the momentum I had, I burst away from the ground and met the man. Midway, I summoned my short sword and intercepted his blade.

*Shing*Clang*

Backing away once more, I then summoned lightning magic around my body and weapon to enhance speed and power. In response, the man once more held his magic and summoned several clones, sending them to me.

Narrowing my eyes, I charged ahead. With my speed already being enhanced by Bloodlust, it was taken a step further when I enchanted myself with lightning magic.

The clones were immediately taken down, fading away as they dropped dead. Soon, all of them were taken care of. Turning to the man once more, I was met by a flurry of light orbs which bombarded the area that I stood.

[Barrier]

Golden light surrounded me, shielding me from the attack. Though, the area was now covered in smoke. I used the smoke to my advantage and immediately charged to the man once more

Seeing his surprise, I was right when he didn’t think that I would survive the attack, which allowed me to cut his chest and electrocute him.

Backing away, I prepared myself for an attack. However, I was surprised when the man dropped to the ground instead, dead.

What the hell? Wasn’t he supposed to be 1 of the 12? Why did he die so easily?

My thoughts were soon answered when the man’s body slowly transformed into another person. Taking a good look on the guy, I realized that it was one of the guards back on the village entrance.

Wait what…? Shit… So he’s didn’t actually go here. Instead, he used some kind of spell that allowed him to possess others and transform them into his clone. This clone however, was also able to use magic that summoned more clones of him…

Receding my magic and abilities, I gazed at the shining moon with a frown.

…

“Something’s wrong with them!”, Someone shouted, as he and another man locked swords with each other. However, he suddenly went through the man’s blade and stumbled to the ground.

“Look! They’re vanishing!”, Another one said. Indeed, the reason why he went through his enemy, is because they were vanishing. Realizing it, he immediately yelled in frustration.

“Dammit! They were all clones!”

Everyone who chased the clones quickly rushed back inside. However, they were stopped by a white barrier, who cut off all openings from the building.

The others who were already there, said to the recently arrived:

“Quick! The Elder is stuck inside!”

“It’s a high level seal! Use your strongest spells to blow it off!”

Everyone then began to channel their strongest magic spells to their blades. Being the clan that specializes swordsmanship, they’re able to channel their spells to their swords.

…

“Grandpa!”, Hiro cried out, watching helplessly as his grandfather was stabbed from behind.

After the [Graviton] attack, many of their allies went to chase the retreating Black Zodiac members. Only a few decided to stay and defend their leader, and upon the realization that they were all clones, it was too late. A white barrier immediately covered all exits and openings of the building.

Then, one of their members suddenly stabbed their leader behind. It seems that the sword wasn’t ordinary, as Hiro's grandfather immediately collapsed, with his aura going into it’s jet black blade.

“Pathetic. Is this all the Kazuto Clan could do?”, The man mocked, his disguise now fading. What revealed was a man clad in black suit and white polo, with a red bow tie. His face had a rabbit mask that had a crescent moon on it’s forehead, revealing only his gray hair and white eyes, which resembled the moon’s surface.

Gazing impassively at the others, he could see that many of them were already damaged and exhausted. The only remaining ones that are able to fight is Hiro's group.

“Give me the sword, child. If you do so, I’ll spare you.”, He said to Hiro, making the others turn to the said boy.

The boy however, immediately glared at the man in anger.

…

After my realization, I immediately went to check on the others. It seems that I was right, as a powerful barrier now covered the building. Utilizing my [Shade Walker] ability, I entered the nearest shadow and went inside the building.

One of the uses of the [Shade Walker], isn’t just the power to travel within shadows, but also use them as a pocket dimension to view others stealthily.

Transferring to the shadow on the ceiling, I watched the scene before me. It seems that the masked guy is the real deal and he just put down the jeezer. Hmmm… The Black Zodiac huh? This is real interesting.

[Store]

Quickly using the skill, I bought some chips and soda, as well as a chair and desk. This ability's still too weird for me, but it’s closest explanation is a shop where you can buy everything.

CheckYourInventory said that he gave me a free VIP access for a year, meaning everything that I buy only costs ¥1 within that time.

Settling down my things, I opened my bag of chips and sat down my chair.

“Well, let’s see how things unfold…”, I muttered, before munching down a mouthful.

[•END•]

Revised and beta-read by BaNaeNae.