I was waiting for the right time to go back but in front of me was a person dressed in black releasing a strong killing intent.

"Who might you be?"

"I'm Kazu, the one who's going to kill you."

He was saying that he was going to kill me. I assume he was the one who's gaze I kept sensing since a while ago. He's quite big and also his staff is gigantic, very similar to the burly guard. I wonder what relation do they have. Well, I got no time asking these questions since he's about to strike.

He raised his staff creating a disturbance in the wind. He whispered in a low voice

[Haunting Wind]

The temperature has suddenly dropped to a minimum where it was difficult to breathe. He didn't stop there. Another spell was cast while I was adjusting with the change of environment.

[Cutting Gale]

It was a familiar spell. But unlike the Royal mage, the number of sharp blades were lesser.

He was guiding the blades to hit me. Too bad for him, it was slower than I had experienced. His aim is also very poor because of the darkness. I was able to dodge them all while getting closer. He didn't expect I was able to be in front of him within seconds after the first wind blade was thrown.

He panicked when he saw the silver blade brush over his face. Without any hesitation, he jumped backward with the help of wind magic. A small cut on his cheek was left after the quick exchange.

I didn't give him any breathing room and rushed over for another attack. This time, I made sure he won't be able to do the same thing. I threw a couple [Fireball] to confuse him where I would strike next.

He tried to raise his staff and cast another spell to stop me but he was late. He was forced to defend the incoming fire projectiles.

[Barrier]

A wall made of liquid water formed in front of him. The fireballs have vaporized when it hit the barrier. It created a thick vapor that was impossible to see through at.

'So he also knows water magic. Doesn't matter, I got him.'

Because of the vapor formed around him, he didn't see me sneaked up behind. I heard him casting another spell but I didn't let him and thrust the blade right into his chest.

"Cutt- ugh"

A dumbfounded face was the last expression he did before losing his life.

I removed my sword in his chest and wiped the blood off the blade using his robe. At the same time, I checked his pockets for any valuable thing I could loot. There were two health potions and one mana potion in his pockets. From the look of its quality, all three were the lowest grade. He seems to be very poor since that was all that I found that has any use. Even a single copper coin he doesn't have.

Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

There was one more thing that could be somewhat useful. I look over into the weapon that he dropped and examined whether it was worth it to carry this gigantic of a staff. I decided not to at the end because it would only be a hindrance especially when the fight isn't over yet.

I'm a hundred percent sure he didn't come here alone. He also looks pretty similar to the burly guard.

'I should immediately go back to the camp. I have a bad feeling about this.'

I ran as fast as I could but running in a dark forest is not the easiest. It was a mistake from my part. I should have not gone that far.

All I was able to arrive at were the knocked out horses and scattered stuff everywhere. It was clear that something happened here and it was not done by the burly guard alone.

I checked inside the carriage to check if my theory why they came here was right. The wooden boxes that should be here were nowhere to be found. They have gone and stole it.

It seems it was only their purpose since everything was still here. The sword of Yukio and his two sets of armor which I just recently knew he has an extra one.

I looked for any clues that could tell where they have gone and luckily, those guys are bad. They have not removed their trails leaving footprints behind. From the looks of it, they are at least three to four people including the burly guard.

While I was placing Yukio's sword on my waist, it began to drizzle. So I waited no more and followed the trails before it would be gone due to the rain.

******

A group of people was finding their way through the forest under the raining night sky. Two of them were carrying an unconscious person each while the other was having difficulty holding three wooden boxes. The only person who was free of anything was the woman named Mitsu. She was leading the group.

"Faster! It would be morning when leave this forest." Mitsu scolded them.

As they proceed their trek into the woods, the rainfall was getting stronger and it was getting more difficult to walk because of the muddy puddles that resulted from the rainy weather for the past few days.

The one who was carrying the boxes was struggling to keep up. He stumbled on a piece of rock resulting in him almost drop everything he carried.

"HEY! Be careful with that. The next thing we don't want is to sleep because you break the box handling the flower."

"I'm sorry big sister."

"Ahhh! How annoying!"

Mitsu was clearly getting frustrated. Not only because of their slow advance but also the mud keeps getting on her shoes.

"Tsuchi! Can you not fix the ground with your magic!?"

"I'm sorry big sister. I don't know any spells that would help it."

"How useless!"

Mitsu's complaints were non-stop for the whole time yet no one talks back to her. She even removed the magic that was protecting his men from the rain. They were then forced to create their shield from the rain. From the looks of it, everyone was able to use water magic but it took a much greater toll to them than when Mitsu cover them with her magic.

They were getting tired at a faster rate but their fear of Mitsu gave them the adrenaline to move faster.

Tsuchi who was already gasping for breathe suddenly asked,

"Big sis, where will we meet Kazu?"

"We should have seen him by now."

It was the first time that Mitsu's voice didn't carry any loudness to it. Instead, there was a hint of worry behind her answer. Although she wasn't able to think about it more because Yukio who was unconscious the whole time started to make some noise.

"Where am- Ah! Let me go, you bastards!"

Yukio who just woke up realized the situation he was in right away and began to struggle in the arms of the man carrying him.

The man was startled by the strength the smaller frame Yukio has made him loosen his grip that has resulted in his successful escape.

Yukio regained his balance and created some distance from the abductors after falling on the ground. He also ripped off the tie on his hand with brute force alone.

This caught the group surprised but they were able to equip their staves immediately.

"You've got some power, handsome boy. It makes me want to keep you for myself." Mitsu said seductively.

"No thanks. Who are you people and what are you after."

"We came for the Miracle Flower this merchant has." Tsuchi was the one who answered

"Idiot! Why are you telling him? You don't just give information like that, Tsuchi."

Mitsu scolded him once again. Yukio who was observing his enemies saw their faces with the little light his eyes can perceive.

"You're the strange guard. So you're one of them."

"Yes, and I have fooled you with my amazing acting skills."

"Not really, you were very suspicious from the get-go. You are really bad when it comes to acting."

For some reason, this triggered the Tsuchi. He was the first one to start casting a spell during the standoff. Although he was stopped by Mitsu before he completed it.

"We can't damage the goods too much. It would lessen his value. And I doubt he would let himself be hit captured like that."

Tsuchi followed her words and brought his staff down. All her men seem to have realized that they need to coordinate their attack if they want to bring Yukio back to how Mitsu wants.

Seeing this, Yukio readies up himself for the upcoming battle. It was also at this moment that the sound of someone running could be hears coming from their side.

"Good timing. It looks like Kazu is already here."

Mitsu confidently said. It made Yukio worry that they have another companion coming to their side. He already was weaponless, now he needs to deal one more enemy along with the four people at his front.

The person who was coming didn't take long for any kind of suspense to build up. The man who entered the scene was carrying two swords on his waist.

"There you are."