The forest was filled with silence after Joe's words. Neither of the two assailants responded to his question. Instead one of them, the shorter of the two, stepped forward. It was the same individual who sent Joe plummeting from the sky. They cracked their knuckles menacingly, showing no intentions of backing down.
Joe's grip on his blade tightened, if words couldn't resolve the issue, Joe was also ready to escalate matters.
Shelly who stood next to him whispered something in his ear. “You see that?” She asked, studying the cloaks the enemies wore carefully. “That badge on their uniform. They must be members of the Amber Family.”
Tracing Shelly’s gaze, Joe landed on the badge she was referring to. It was a silver and metalic insignia crafted in the shape of a hexagon. Both foes had the emblem pasted on the left side of their chests. It had the drawing of a fire wisp, very similar to the shape of a mana signature. Joe didn't know the significance of the badge or the Amber Family. But based on how Shelly spoke, it was something important.
He was about to question Shelly for more information but was interrupted.
“These guys aren't the Flame Troopers Frank.” The enemy in front was first to speak. “What do you suggest we do with them.” Their voice sounded male, his tone was casual and relaxed despite the circumstances.
“We can't leave any traces behind. The fact that they know we're here means that they must be eliminated. Make it quick Tom. We don't want to keep the princess waiting.” The figure standing a few paces back had a scratchy voice, his tone was less casual and more direct. Joe guessed he was the older of the two and possibly the boss.
“Alright then.”
As soon as the order was given, Tom surged forward in a rapid dash. He reared back his right arm before flames engulfed his fist yet again. He punched the air itself before a wave of fire erupted from his hand. It blasted towards Joe and Shelly like a tidal wave, ready to devour them whole. [Skill Activation: Fire Fist]
A shining green light manifested around Joe and Shelly before the flames crashed into them. Following the collision, a wave of dark smoke filled the air, shrouding Shelly and Joe in a dark void.
“I guess that does it.” Tom said, ready to walk away.
But something happened.
The smoke parted ways seconds after its formation. Joe cut through it like a razor sharp knife. His movements so quick, it produced a fierce breeze that blew away the smoke cloud. He closed the distance between him and Tom instantly. He crouched low, his hand forming a tight fist. Mana coalesced around his knuckles and he launched a thunderous jab, targeting Tom's stomach. [Skill Activation: Outsider’s Enhancement]
[-215 Mana Pool Points]
[Current Mana Pool: 3, 580]
[Total Skill: 91 → 175]
[Total Strength: 94 → 174]
[Total Speed: 94 → 174]
Tom couldn't even react, Joe's fist dug deep into his stomach, he gasped, before a wave of mana assaulted him immediately after the fist made contact. It was like getting hit by two attacks in one. His body flew across the field, and he collided with a tree trunk. Cracks tainted the tree's solid exterior as it groaned from the force of the impact. Tom's body slumped to the floor, immobile and unconscious.
His hood fell off in the process, revealing a man with red eyebrows and spiky red hair. He looked to be older than Joe and Shelly but not by much. Blood trickled down his head and lips as he lay with no sign of movement.
Frank turned his head to see Tom's battered body before he swung it around seconds later, shifting his attention to the perpetrator, Joe. Frank's wrists were each wrapped with crimson bracelets, very similar to the one Stan wore. The bracelets glowed faintly before flames erupted around Frank's hands. The flames shifted and morphed into two 3m long katanas made entirely of crackling fire. [Skill Activation: Burning Twin Blades]
This novel is published on a different platform. Support the original author by finding the official source.
Frank dashed directly for Joe, his speed was something to be marveled. He eliminated the distance between him and Joe in a seconds. He swung both blades with the aim of incinerating Joe's figure.
Unfortunately for Frank. That didn't happen..
A green barrier materialized around Joe's form. Frank's swords struck the barrier with force but failed to scar its surface. The sharp recoil sent Frank staggering back, almost losing his footing.
He turned his head and found Shelly already closing in on him.
Shelly swung her staff like a baseball bat targeting Frank's chest.
Frank could only put up a flimsy block with both swords forming an X formation over his chest.
The contact was tremendous, even with Frank shielding himself. His form was hurtled across the field and he smashed into a tree, The tree creaked on impact and was left trembling. Frank slid down the trunk and slumped to the floor. His hood was removed in the process, and he was left exposed.
The hood revealed a wrinkly and bald old man. He had a red mustache but it was losing its color. Blood streaked down his forehead. The flames around his hands fizzled out and he was left motionless. Despite this, Frank's crimson eyes were wide open, he was still alive.
Joe and Shelly strolled towards him, as they did, Joe couldn't help but notice just how small Frank's mana signature was. He thought he was concealing it at first, but that no longer seemed to be the case.
“What do you want from us old man!” Joe asked, as he sheathed back his blade.
Frank groaned as he attempted to lift himself up, but his body wouldn't allow it. He slumped back to the floor, his chest wheezing from the effort. Sweat mixed with blood as Frank moved a hand to assess what looked like damaged ribs. When he touched them, he winced confirming his suspicion. Even as he took labored breaths, he still glared at Joe and Shelly's approaching figures.
“You guys aren't your average adventures..” Frank said, his voice low. “Are you bounty hunters?”
Joe and Shelly exchanged confused glances.
“Don't act dumb, You guys are after the Princess aren't you? Well too bad she's already far away by now.” Franklin said, with a triumphant smile on his face. His body was subjected to painful coughs, but he didn't seem to mind.
Joe and Shelly were a few steps from Franklin when something popped into Joe's view. A mana signature. “Shelly watch out!” He shouted.
A blue light lit up the shadows, before a crackling and sizzling ball of fire whisked past Franklin's tree. It closed in on Shelly and Joe ready to embrace them in its searing embrace .
Shelly was first to move, she threw herself in front of Joe and pointed her staff towards the incoming threat. With gritted teeth, she casted a protective barrier over them both. [Skill Activation,: Green Orb]
The fireball struck the barrier and a wild shockwave pulsed throughout the forest. The trees wiggled and the branches were rattled. Leaves fell to the ground as the intensity of the wave increased with each passing second.
The force behind the firball increased and Shelly squinted her eyes under the pressure. Her arms trembled and the barrier started to feel the strain. Deep fractures marred its surface and Shelly collapsed to one knee seconds later. “It's too strong….”
The barrier finally gave in and shattered into fragments of light.
Joe acted swiftly however, he became Shelly's shield and with mana shrouding his body. He swung his blade vertically, producing a sharp arc that sliced through the fireball splitting it into two halves. [Mana Tool Skill: Mana Slash]
[-190 Mana Pool Points]
[Current Mana Pool: 3, 390]
[Total Skill: 175 → 270]
This sent the flames sideways, creating an open divide that left Joe and Shelly unscathed from the attack.
Coming out from the shadows was the perpetrator. Dressed in a crimson dress that danced around her ankles. She took slow and deliberate steps with her high crimson heels. The weight of each step reverberated the entire forest. She came to a stop next to Franklin's slumped form. Her hand darted to her shoulder and she flicked her smooth and flowing hair, allowing it to cascade down her spine.
Shimmering golden bracelets covered her wrists and two round earrings dangled from her ears. She had a red mark resembling a diamond on her forehead, and her piercing eyes looked down on Joe with disgust.
She looked to be a girl around 20 or 19 years old, but her tall stature also gave the appearance of a much older individual.
She turned her attention to Frank who was still lay on the ground. “What is the meaning of this Franklin?” She asked, coldly. “How could you allow yourselves to be beaten like this?” Her eyes looked down on Franklin, unflinching and fierce.
“My princess, we told told you to wait untill we assessed the situation.” Franklin said, as he slowly pulled himself up. He used the tree to balance himself, gritting his teeth through the discomfort.
“if I hadn't come you'd both be dead. And to think you'd lose to a mere party of 2 adventures?’
Franklin panted, his right hand pressing against the tree. “My princess, I don't believe they are just adventures. They must also be bounty hunters.” He said, with a degree of certainty.
The princess turned her eyes to both Joe and Shelly with a curious look on his face. “No, they're not bounty hunters. At least I know she's not.” The princess said, glaring at Shelly who slowly reclaimed her footing.
As soon as their eyes met. Shelly knew exactly who she was looking at. Sweat dripped down her forehead and her eyes were widened in astonishment. “It's her… one of Diana's Princesses. The Cursed Princess of the Amber Family. Princess Bella!”