Leo was intensely focused, his mind clear and his senses heightened. He had already activated his calm crystal, which helped keep his nerves steady. In his left hand, he gripped two more crystals—one for a shield and the other for fire. His right hand rested on his cane sword, ready to draw it at a moment’s notice. Beside him, Carter stood poised with a long, one-handed sword, which now shimmered with an aura of flame as his hand glowed with magic.

Seconds later, bandits emerged from behind large boulders. Six of them stood directly in front of Leo and Carter. Leo didn't glance back; he trusted his comrades to cover his rear and focused on the enemies ahead.

Carter's fiery sword blazed brighter as he assessed the situation. "Either they're idiots who don't know a Paladin captain is with us, or they're confident they can take us down."

Five enemies approached Cirnath. One stepped forward, a cruel smirk on his face. "We know what you’re carrying. Hand it over, and we’ll let you go."

Carter’s lips curled into a strange smile. "Looks like my second guess is right."

Leo felt a knot tighten in his stomach; this wasn’t good.

“Too bad we can’t do that,” Cirnath responded, his voice unwavering.

Their leader smile broadened. “I expected as much. Guys, kill them all.”

Chaos erupted. Some bandits charged while others stayed back, casting spells. Three of them targeted Leo—Two attacked him head-on, while a third stayed back, casting spells. Understanding the gravity of the situation, Leo dropped his cane sword and drew his sword of light. The two charging bandits veered to the sides as the caster hurled a fireball at Leo. He raised his sword and whispered, “Light.” A blinding flash emanated from his sword, causing the two bandits to shield their eyes. The fireball collided with a shield spell, exploding harmlessly.

Seizing the moment, Leo lunged at one of the disoriented enemies. Caught off guard, the man couldn’t react in time. As he lowered his hand from his eyes, Leo was already upon him. With a swift, precise strike, Leo decapitated the man, sending blood spraying. Not pausing, Leo turned to the second bandit, who was now back on his fit. The bandit managed to block Leo's initial strike, but with a deft twist of his sword, Leo disarmed him, a technique he had learned from Rorin. Just as Leo prepared to finish off the second bandit, another fireball flew towards him. He blocked it with his sword, now enveloped in light, and kicked the disarmed bandit, sending him sprawling two meters away.

Leo glanced at Carter. One of Carter’s opponents lay on the ground, engulfed in flames, while the others struggled to stay alive. Carter met his gaze, and without a word, they nodded to each other, understanding the battle was far from over.

Leo dropped into an attack stance, his opponents ready to defend. With a swift motion, Leo charged at the man in front of him while simultaneously conjuring a fireball and launching it at the mage in the back. The mage raised his staff, casting a barrier around himself.

Seizing the opportunity, Leo slashed his sword at the man in front, who was now unsupported. The man's sword turned to shadow as he raised it in defense, but Leo's blade seemed to pass right through him. The bandit stared at Leo's transparent figure in fear before feeling a sword pierce his chest from behind. Leo had used illusions to outmaneuver him. The fireball had already hit the mage, who emerged from the dust only to find his ally dead. Enraged, the mage began casting a spell, but Leo swiftly launched a ball of light from his sword. The mage deflected it with his staff, but a follow-up fireball struck him, ending his life in seconds.

Carter approached Leo, concern etched on his face. “Something is wrong; they are too weak.”

Leo turned around and saw that Wina and Evelyn were still struggling with their targets. He looked back at Carter. “Let's go help them.”

Carter nodded and moved to assist Evelyn, while Leo headed toward Wina.

Leo reached Wina, who was locked in a fierce battle with an agile enemy. Sweat glistened on her forehead, and her breath came in short gasps as she parried and dodged. The bandit, confident in his ability to overpower her, wore a wicked grin. Leo intervened, striking at the adversary from behind. The bandit managed to block Leo's initial strike but was quickly overwhelmed by their combined attacks. Wina was casting one spell after another, and Leo's strikes were relentless. Within moments, the enemy fell, unable to withstand the coordinated assault.

Leo stood back, breathing heavily as he looked around. The tension was still high and his heart pounded in his chest. He exchanged a quick nod with Wina, acknowledging their teamwork.

Carter, meanwhile, had reached Evelyn, who was holding her ground against two attackers. Evelyn's face was set in grim determination, her movements fluid and controlled despite the intensity of the fight. Carter's fiery sword quickly dispatched one of the attackers, the flames consuming the bandit's clothes and flesh. The second attacker hesitated, glancing between Carter and Evelyn, but his indecision was his downfall. Evelyn took advantage, her sword finding its mark with lethal precision.

Leo watched as Carter and Evelyn regrouped, their faces reflecting a mix of relief and vigilance. The air was thick with the scent of blood and smoke, and the silence that followed the battle felt heavy and foreboding. The bandits had been too easily defeated, their confidence suggesting either foolishness or a more significant threat lying ahead.

…

In front of Cirnath stood four bandits. From experience, he knew that the two in the front were roughly C+ level, while the two in the back were likely C- or D+ mages. Suddenly, the mages began to cast a spell together. A shadow tornado started to form around Cirnath, the air growing thick with dark magic. With a swift motion, he summoned a barrier of light that enveloped him and then exploded outward, dispelling the tornado.

As the dust settled, one of the C+ assassins emerged, lunging at Cirnath with deadly intent. Cirnath raised his hand, forming a barrier around the assassin. The barrier started to shrink, the assassin’s eyes widening in terror before collapsing lifelessly.

Seizing the opportunity, the other assassin moved to attack Cirnath from behind. As Cirnath turned to face him, he noticed a small black cube hurtling towards him, accompanied by the assassin’s triumphant grin.

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“Damn,” Cirnath muttered, his mind racing.

A circle of shadows began to take shape around him, with the darkness closing in. Although the situation was dire, Cirnath was calm. He glanced around and saw Carter and Leo approaching, with Wina and Evelyn close behind.

Raising his hand, he cast “Light Enchantment,” sending four beams of light to envelop his teammates. In his final moment, he used telepathy to send a message: “Don’t die until I come out.” The shadow circle tightened, its inky edges creeping closer until they swallowed him.

…

Leo and Carter’s eyes widened in unison.

“What the hell is that?” Leo blurted out, his voice a mix of shock and confusion.

Carter, trying to maintain his composure, glanced quickly at the strange construct. “I don’t know... looks like some kind of temporary prison,” he replied, his tone steady despite the uncertainty.

Before they could say more, Evelyn and Wina reached them, taking in the chaotic scene. Evelyn turned to Carter, her voice edged with concern. “What do we do now?”

Carter’s eyes flicked toward the ominous prison. “The captain used a Light Enchantment, which means he wants us to hold out until he breaks free. They can’t keep a B-rank captain contained for long.”

A low, mocking chuckle came from nearby. The assassin grinned, stepping forward with a predatory gleam in his eye. "You’re sharp," he said, his voice dripping with menace as he shifted into an attack stance. "But if you’re that clever, you should know you’re no match for a C+ rank."

Without warning, the assassin charged, his sword wreathed in shadow. Carter barely had time to react but managed to parry the blow, steel clashing against steel. The force of the impact reverberated through his arm, but he stood firm. Evelyn, quick on her feet, darted in from behind, aiming a strike at the assassin. He twisted out of her reach with a sharp backward dodge, narrowly avoiding her attack.

From the rear, two of the bandit mages unleashed fireballs aimed directly at Carter. Wina, reacting swiftly, raised her hands and conjured a shimmering barrier around him, absorbing one of the fiery blasts. The second fireball streaked toward Carter, but Leo, with a swift flick of his hand, sent his own fireball to meet it mid-air, the two spells colliding in an explosion of heat and light.

The assassin, visibly irritated, threw a glance at the magical prison where Cirnath was held. "That damn priest," he growled under his breath.

His patience clearly wearing thin, the assassin barked orders to the hidden enemies. “Enough of this! Everyone, attack together!”

At his command, ten more bandits emerged from behind the nearby rocks, some already weaving spells, while others charged forward with weapons drawn.

Leo scanned the battlefield, noting that despite Cirnath’s spell enhancing their abilities, their overall magical power still fell short against the enemy. And now, with ten more bandits joining the fray, the situation grew even more dire.

Determined, Leo channeled mana into his sword, knowing that now was not the time for hesitation. The sword’s negative passive urged him on, feeding his resolve to end the threat. With the boost from Cirnath’s buff, he moved faster than ever before. Leo charged at the enemy, his sword glowing with a blinding light. He swung at one of the bandits and the force of the attack was so overwhelming that the enemy’s hands were severed in the blow, sending him crashing to the ground, screaming in agony.

But Leo didn't stop there. As the light from his sword dissipated into a glowing orb, he hurled it at another enemy. At the same time, he released a fireball from his other hand. Three bandits fell in mere seconds, their cries mingling with the chaos of battle.

A caster attempted to strike Leo with a toxic ball of magic. Leo quickly activated his shield, deflecting the attack. Before he could react further, a bolt of lightning struck the caster from behind, causing him and another bandit near him to collapse. Leo glanced back to see Wina.

Suddenly, a D-rank mage appeared near Leo, staff raised high. Leo spun to confront him, but the mage was faster. With a powerful slam of his staff, the ground erupted in a shockwave, sending Leo and Wina sprawling several meters away. As they struggled to their feet, they saw the mage’s sinister grin. Gritting their teeth, Leo and Wina prepared themselves for the next round of the fight.

On the other side of the battlefield, Carter and Evelyn were struggling against the remaining five bandits. As two of them closed in on Carter, he nimbly jumped back. Evelyn, accustomed to fighting alongside him, moved in sync, retreating with him.

The ground beneath the feet of the two attacking bandits began to glow ominously. They looked down, their eyes widening in realization as they saw an orange circle of magic forming.

Carter’s lips curled into a grim smile. It was an "Explosion Trap"—a spell he had set up earlier. The trap detonated with a violent burst, and the bandits were consumed by the explosion, their bodies obliterated in an instant.

From the swirling dust, a shadowy orb emerged. Evelyn and Carter quickly activated their shield crystals, blocking the initial attack. But a shadowy hand reached out, gripping Evelyn by the neck. Her scream was stifled as the hand tightened.

Desperately, Carter engulfed his sword in flames and swung it with all his strength at the shadowy arm. The fiery blade carved through the dark tendrils, releasing Evelyn from its suffocating grip. But before Carter could react further, the C-rank assassin emerged from the darkness and launched an attack. Evelyn tried to assist but was struck by a magical force, sending her crashing into the carriage. She fell to the ground, unconscious.

Carter swung his sword at the assassin, but the figure melted into shadows, reappearing beside him with a vicious kick. Carter was hurled into the side of the carriage, collapsing in a heap.

The assassin loomed over Carter, his presence suffocating. As the other mage closed in on Evelyn, Carter, drenched in sweat, managed a strained smile. He placed his hand on the carriage and whispered, “Activate.”

A massive blue circle materialized beneath the carriage and lightning erupted violently. The bandits, caught off guard, were struck by the surge. The mage near Evelyn was electrocuted and fell lifeless, but the other mage and the remaining bandits, who had managed to distance themselves, survived the blast.

Carter frantically scanned for the assassin. As soon as the spell triggered, the assassin vanished. Moments later, he reappeared in front of Carter, his face twisted with anger.

“I presume that was your last trump card,” the assassin sneered, raising his sword. “Die.”

Crack.

Before the assassin could strike, the prison containing Cirnath began to crack, the sound resonating through the chaos.

…

Inside the shadowy confines of the prison, Cirnath could barely make out the sounds of the battle raging outside. Muffled shouts and clashing steel echoed faintly, but none of it concerned him. His focus was on the darkness that held him captive.

"To be trapped by a C-rank," he muttered with a note of frustration, "is disgraceful for a captain."

He slowly lifted his hand, his gloved fingers flexing. The glove wasn’t just any piece of equipment—it was Edmond’s glove. A small smirk tugged at the corner of his mouth. "At least I was smart enough to bring this along," he murmured, his voice tinged with a trace of relief.

Closing his eyes, Cirnath concentrated. He could feel the intricate threads of magic binding him, woven deep into the shadowy prison. Drawing on the power of the enchanted glove, he began to unravel the spell. His breathing slowed, his mind sharpening as he worked to undo the layers of magic surrounding him.

Minutes ticked by, tension building, until finally, cracks started to appear in the shadowy walls. The confinement wavered, its dark surface rippling as if it could no longer contain him. The cracks widened, pieces of the prison beginning to crumble away. Bit by bit, the oppressive darkness weakened, signaling that his freedom was only moments away.