24 Intense battlefield

"Ahh, Brook you old bastard, does Skylark mercenaries want to be the enemy of Blood Hawk mercenaries." A loud shouting voice came from far north of the city. Lucas could see smoke rise from afar, determining the direction Lucas swiftly weaved through the shadows.

"Joe, you have to understand. it's just business nothing personnel."

Lucas jumped to a roof of a high building and lied down and blended into the darkness.

In a open square some distance from the building, about ten men were fighting. There were four corpse scattered around in the battlefield. Looking at their attire and comparing them, Lucas found that among the four three belong to Blood Hawk the remaining one was of the other side.

Right now Blood Hawk mercenaries were outnumbered. The four men of the surviving Blood Hawk mercenaries were covered in blood, even the outnumbered Skylark mercenaries were not well off.

"Our captain took this mission not for money, but have treated this as a training trial for the newbies. Our Captain will not enter the field unless in special circumstances."

"On the account that our both mercenary group have fought together for sometimes, we Skylark mercenary group can give you a slim chance of survival, you can start escaping or surrender to our Skylark. We will not discriminate and welcome talented members." One of the less injured in Skylark mercenaries shouted loudly.

Some of the mercenaries in Blood Hawk mercenary group unknowingly for a moment slightly relaxed their grip on their weapon.

"Don't listen to his nonsense, he want to dull our fighting spirit and then kill us. They have taken the order of kill, and no mercy should be expected. Don't forget that Skylark is similar to our Blood Hawk, they are here to kill us and only for that. Don't drown in false hope and fight."

"We just have to hold on until vice-captain Rain comes back. He will avenge our fallen comrades."

"We all know how strong our captain and vice-captain is, we only need to stall for time." Another Blood Hawk mercenary supported.

The older mercenary in the Blood Hawk camp immediately tried to to increase the falling morale of the remaining mercenaries.

Mercenaries of Blood Hawk were no common mercenaries, they were battle hardened veterans, quickly they stabilized their mind and immediately increased their vigilance.

Swish! Swish!

From the rear of the Blood Hawk mercenaries two black clothed people came. Upon seeing the two intruders, both mercenary groups were startled and they quickly moved in a defensive position and raised their guard, both groups didn't knew from which side the strangers was.

""Who are you?""

The leaders of both squad asked simultaneously.

After being silent for a moment, one of the black clothed person took a insignia from their inside pocket.

A blood red circular insignia with two small black star. When light reflected in the insignia, a pattern similar to scales could be noticed on the insignia. The bloody red glow filled horror to the onlookers.

When the mercenaries saw the insignia, both group took a step back involuntarily and their eyes shook, their face went pale with despair and fear filled them. Their heart thumped as hammer weighed upon them.

'Blood Hall!!'

'A two star assassin from Blood Hall. Who did he came for? Who?'

Both mercenary group screamed in their minds.

A small disturbance filled the atmosphere, but none dared to raise their voice.

In the dim moonlight Lucas could plainly see that both mercenary group are frightened and in a panic due to the two strangers. And from their facial expressions it was obvious that both group recognized the two black clothed strangers.

Lucas have definitively heard about Blood Hall but all he knew were some terrifying facts and rumors. So when the one of the two men produced his insignia Lucas couldn't identify the symbols or insignia.

Due to distance between them, Lucas couldn't hear what they were saying. Lucas wanted to move closer but since all of them being constantly vigilant any movement may inadvertently alert them, so he reined in his impulse to move and put extra effort to reduce his presence and assimilate with his surroundings.

The two person from Blood Hall looked at the mercenaries and in a low voice asked.

"Where is Rain of Blood Hawk mercenaries?"

Skylark mercenaries released their breath involuntarily where as the despair in the face of Blood Hawk mercenaries reached it's peak and they shivered.

One of the older Skylark mercenaries took a step forward and pointed towards the north-east directions and said, "Our vice-captain is fighting with the Mr. Rain at that place."

Without giving any response the two black clothed men rapidly moved towards the direction pointed.

Lucas was wide-eyed noticing the movement of the two men. It was simply a rapid, swift and a ghostly way of footwork.

As soon as they moved away, color returned to the faces of Skylark mercenary group and they exclaimed.

"Was that Ten-Step to Ghost movement skill."

"Most likely, there aren't much movement techniques that give speed and such a eerie movement. And Ten-Step to Ghost movement skill is one of the signature skills of Blood Hall."

"Looks like our employer also called for Blood Hall."

"Ha ha, that's right, this time Blood Hawk will be wiped out."

The Skylark mercenary group laughed as they talked, they treated the remaining surviving Blood Hawk group as they were invisible.

One of the older members shouted with a trembling voice. "Don't forget our Vice-Captain is no easy target. Blood Hall came for Vice-captain Rain, that Antonio can't defeat our captain, so we just need to hold until captain win and he will personally come and eradicate you scums."

That old man knew the truth behind the two month long chase and purpose of battle. There is a precious treasure 'Realm Crystal' in the rune box belonging to captain Hawk and the key is in Antonio's hand. Whoever win the battle shall get the treasure.

City of Datura is the trap designed by Antonio, he will never let anyone else interfere.

Skylark mercenaries sneered and their response was, "Kill!!"

Lucas for a while watched the tangled warfare, combining the bit and pieces of from their shouting, Lucas could roughly guess the situation.

After determining a direction Lucas moved.

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The ground was filled with pits and broken constructions, fire and poison raged in the surroundings. The moonlight soaked ground emanate an unnatural feeling, two men were fighting and both of them were nearly at their limit.

One looked pale and when the dim moonlight shined upon him, his blood drained face, ragged look and desperate appearance may remind others of a poor beggar. He stood still, when cold wind brushed past him, he shivered. This man was Antonio.

One the opposite of Antonio about 15 meters from him a man with disheveled hair, a bare upper body was kneeling. His body was covered with blood and in some places his body have turned purple and greenish color.

No one would associate the pitiful man to the captain of renowned Blood Hawk mercenary group.

Hawk and Antonio looked at each others eyes and didn't move.

"It seems like you have spent plenty"

"Yes now I am complete broke. I don't even have money to buy spare clothes."

After being silent for a while Hawk continued, "I didn't thought you will finally let your brother will die? "

"I can understand." Hawk nodded slightly.

"In the pursue of power many things need to be sacrificed. Compared to that your only remaining family member dying is not a big deal."

Hawk was going to continue, but that was then he noticed the strange smile of Antonio. He had a bad feeling at that moment.

"Did you know?, With money many things can be bought and many things that was thought to be hard or impossible will become quite easy."