Chapter 1.13:

“Lady Mina, wait. Please.” I called out as we rounded another street corner.

Lady Mina ignored me and continued sprinting. Her training really showed in her stamina and physique. It didn’t even seem like she had broken a sweat.

After a few minutes, the alleyways got narrower and the streetlights fewer. Every so often, some attractive women would be standing outside buildings inviting us in.

I tried my best to just keep my eyes forward and to focus on Lady Mina’s figure so we wouldn’t lose sight of her.

Behind me was Abram who look winded. Paul was nowhere in sight. Behind him was Lady Vanya who had brought their combat gear in a large backpack. To her credit, she barely looked strained at all even with the extra weight behind her.

Man, they must go through hellish training.

I turned my eyes forward again and Lady Mina was nowhere in sight.

Ah shit.

I stopped at the crossroads where she could have taken a left or a right. I looked around helplessly.

“Your girlfriend took a right, honey.” A woman’s voice whispered in my ear.

I jumped to the side while clutching my ear, startled by the unknown woman’s sudden appearance.

She was around my height, looked to be in her thirties, and was wearing a long red dress that clung tightly to her body. She batted her eyes and gave me a mischievous smile. Her long blonde hair hid the left side of her face.

“She-she’s not my girlfriend.” I stuttered. The others had already caught up.

“Oh? Well, isn’t that interesting.” She winked. “No need to catch up to her then. How about you keep me company, handsome?” She took a step forward and I took a step back.

“Madam, please.” Abram stepped in between us. He was still wheezing from the run. “My son’s only thirteen.”

The woman clicked her tongue at that. “Shame. See you in three years then.” She started heading back to the small building across the street, her hips swaying with her every walk.

“Stop staring.” Lady Vanya scowled at me.

“I-I wasn’t.” I replied weakly. Lady Vanya narrowed her eyes at me. “A-anyway! We need to catch up to Lady Mina!” I ran down the alleyway that the woman pointed to. It led to a narrow corridor of old walls. At the very end, I saw Lady Mina standing perfectly still.

“Lady Mina!” I yelled as I reached her. She didn’t even turn my way. Her eyes were just fixed on the gray door in front of her.

She closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and then opened her eyes again. “The scabbard is still inside.”

“Alright, but let’s try to come up with a plan.” I offered.

Abram had reached us and he stood between Lady Mina and the doorway. “Adi’s right, my lady. We need to be smart about this. We don’t know how many are inside and what kind of danger awaits us. This is an unnecessary risk to your person.”

Lady Mina pushed him away and I tried to catch him. We both stumbled back a bit. Lady Mina’s eyes remained fixed on the building before her. “I don’t care. I’m going in. You can come with me or stay here.”

“Vanya.” She snapped her fingers.

Lady Vanya immediately put down her backpack and started pulling out pieces of armor. Without a word, she started equipping Lady Mina.

Once Lady Vanya was finished, Lady Mina gave her one look and she started casting spells that seemed to empower Lady Mina.

I looked at Abram who could only wring his hands. “Dad, are we going to let her do this? What if they’re armed?”

“Son.” Abram replied in a hush tone. “If I believed that you and I could somehow overpower Lady Mina, I would have suggested it already. But even Lord Chase advised me not to get in her way when she’s on a rampage.”

“Okay, so we just sit back and wait for a massacre?” I replied in disbelief.

Abram shook his head. “I told Paul to send an urgent message to Lord Chase about the situation. I expect he’ll be sending Lily and some soldiers to assist us. We just need to hold out until then.”

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I remained skeptical.

I don’t know who I’m more worried for, Lady Mina or whoever is behind this door.

“I’ll go with them inside, son. Stay out here and wait for Paul.” Abram instructed.

I nodded my head.

Lady Mina then kicked down the door like it was made of cardboard. She and Lady Vanya rushed inside. Abram followed right after.

Please be okay, please be okay.

I leaned against the wall fronting the door. Counting the seconds since they went inside.

Suddenly, there was a loud explosion and a blinding light erupted from inside, lighting up the doorframe.

I stood straight up and ran inside.

I entered the doorway and took an immediate left. In the next room, I saw a hooded figure and a well-dressed portly man that seemed familiar.

“Lord Yorica?” I called out, unsure if I correctly remembered the name of the nobleman we often came across during the annual Banquets. The portly man reacted to the name and looked visibly shaken.

“I-I didn’t do anything.” He stammered.

I looked around the room and saw Lady Mina, Lady Vanya, and Abram slumped on the floor.

“What did you do?” I asked in confusion. I took a step towards them and the hooded figure pulled out a knife.

“Stay back kid. This doesn’t concern you.” The mysterious man warned. His voice was hoarse and he sounded old.

“Are they… dead?” I asked, still staring at the three figures on the ground that weren’t moving.

“They’re just stunned. Overloaded their senses. They’ll come to, eventually. This doesn’t have to get ugly, kid. Just walk away and pretend you didn’t see anything down here.” The hooded man said menacingly.

“I had nothing to do with this!” Lord Yorica repeated. He had backed up against the wall and kept his hands up to emphasize his non-involvement.

Lord Yorica’s voice seemed to pull me out of the daze I was in.

No. Catching these guys has to be the priority. They have to pay.

“Just let us leave, kid. I don’t want to hurt you.” The hooded man reiterated his warning. He took a step forward and brandished his knife.

“No.” I replied defiantly. I took a step back to completely block the passage behind me. “You’re not going anywhere until the city guards get here. We already alerted them before coming.” I bluffed. “You’re both thieves and criminals and you’re going to pay for this.”

The hooded figure froze and he let out a sigh. “I’m not a murderer, kid. But you’re tying my hands here. I’ve got my client’s interests to protect. I’ve never failed a job, and I don’t intend for this to be my first.”

“Murder?” Lord Yorica interjected. “You’re not going to kill him. I don’t want to be party to a murder!”

The hooded figure turned around and addressed the noble directly. “Sir. Either we take him out, or we both get caught here. I don’t think you want that kind of scandal. He’s the only witness, the other three didn’t see your face. If I get rid of him, there will be no loose ends.”

I started to panic inside.

Crap. Crap. Crap. Crap. I wish I brought something with me to defend myself.

Lord Yorica seemed to be considering his options. He let out a sigh. “Fine. But do it quick.”

My anxiety and fear grew about ten times.

CRAP. I DON’T WANT TO DIE.

My desire for self-preservation was warring with my desire to make sure these guys didn’t get away scot free after assaulting my family.

The hooded figure turned again to face me. He took off his cloak. Underneath was an old man with a muscular figure, white hair, and a short-trimmed beard. He took a fighting stance and he seemed comfortable holding the knife.

Before I could ready myself, he lunged at me and swung the knife.

It was by complete accident that I stumbled backward and avoided getting slashed. My feet flailed as I fell and they seemed to have knocked the knife out of his hands. I looked up at the old man who had a surprised look on his face.

Yeah. I’m surprised too, buddy.

Before I could get up, he positioned himself over me and put one knee on my chest to stop me from getting up. He grabbed my neck and started squeezing hard.

I hit the side of his arms with my fists but that didn’t even make him flinch. He just continued to glare at me, concentrated in trying to snuff me out.

What can I do?

I racked my brain for a way to fend him off as I felt the air leave my lungs. That’s when I did the only thing I could think of, I channeled mana into my hands and made it as hot as I could. Then I grabbed his face.

The smell of burning flesh filled the room. The old man screamed as he leapt away from me. He covered his face, and I could see smoke billowing from between his fingers.

I kept coughing and trying to take rapid breaths, as I backed away from the writhing figure in front of me.

The man struggled to get up. “I CAN’T SEE ANYTHING!” He yelled, flailing wildly. “WHAT DID YOU DO TO ME?!”

I inched back further. I tried to suppress my coughing but I couldn’t help it. I let out a sound and the old man turned in my direction and rushed at me. His face looked melted, his skin still red and raw.

I looked around and saw a small stool within arm’s reach. I grabbed it and threw it in the old man’s direction. It hit him right in the chin and he tumbled forward, knocking his head on the wall beside me. He stopped moving.

I shook him once and he didn’t respond.

I slowly got up and kept my eyes on Lord Yorica. My throat was throbbing like crazy and it felt like dozens of pins were stuck inside.