Chapter 28

"Hmm?"

While I was laying down on the ground, resting, basking in the middle of my own thoughts, waiting for my Spells' cooldowns to be finished, I suddenly heard some commotion on the lower floors of the building I was in.

And since I've been hearing some gunshots, screams, and basically lots of violent noises, it wouldn't take me that long to realize what those commotions mean.

They are already here.

"Wow, they got here super fast."

The fact that It's not even one minute since I escaped their encirclement but someone already got here, greatly weirded me out.

Anyways, as much as I want to ponder more about how is that even possible, or happened, I stopped thinking about it because there are more important things that I needed to take care of before that.

Especially in this situation where my time is limited. Cause judging by the ensuing chaos on the lower floors, it seems that they decided to not waste any more time finding me secretly and just go in guns blazing.

It would not take them that long before they reach me here.

Fortunately, my cooldowns are almost done and my overall stamina, since I've rested well enough, is pretty okay now. The moment they get here, I am surely, already battle ready.

"So this is where you are hiding hehe."

But, as per tradition, again, as I was being smug thinking that I still have some free time for battle preparations, I suddenly heard a voice close behind me.

So close that I felt that whoever that was, is just talking right behind my ear.

!!!

So, all my instincts immediately screamed at me, and purely on reflex, I quickly cast a Teleportation spell to relocate.

At that moment, it did not matter where, or if the cooldown of my Teleportation is already over. All I thought is that I need to get out of my current spot and put space between me and whoever is speaking behind me.

Fortunately, I achieved my plan... at least I like to think so. That's why upon disappearing and reappearing to god knows where I am looking at earlier, thinking that I managed to successfully relocate, I immediately grasp my rifle, swiftly turn around, then quickly started firing at my previous position.

Though I immediately stopped cause... I saw no one there. What I did right now is literally fire on an open space like a crazy person.

But I know that wasn't the case cause, I clearly feel another presence in the room I am currently in.

I can't understand how or why but I just do. For some reason, I know that I am not alone.

And that fact will be proven not long by now since as I was standing on my ground, heightening my senses to their maximum in order to find the little rat here with me, a voice rang.

"Okay, that was impressive."

What follows after that is the voice's owner showing himself, appearing out of nowhere right in front of me. Looking so relaxed while holding something that looks to be a jar that is filled with severed fingers.

"Keep impressing me more."

Now obviously, I immediately recognize who was talking to me right now even though this is literally my first time meeting this guy. There's no way I can't.

"That way, it will be more satisfying the moment I finally put yours into this jar."

As far as I know, his name is One. And he is just, the leader of the same clan that was chasing me right now and wanting me dead. Eight.

"BHAHAHAHHAA!!!!"

He is also the owner of one of the most broken Sigil in the entire series. Beelzebub. A sigil that allows its user to manipulate space to some degree.

No wonder he managed to sneak up on me without me noticing.

In any case, as much as I want to refute and talk sh*t back to him... which I would usually not do anyway, I can't. I'm too busy catching my own breath.

"HAA~ HAA~"

Well, it turns out that my Teleportation spell is actually, still on cooldown. That means when I used it just now, it was counted as, a recast. And since I already used my Teleportation spell three times earlier, that made it the fourth. Making its Casting cost, very expensive.

So expensive in fact that if it weren't for me having a little rest before this, I would have passed out right after teleporting.

But as joyfully this information might sound, this did not make me happy at all. Yes, I was indeed still awake, but that did not change the fact that I can barely do anything since I am so out of breath because that damn spell took almost all my stamina.

Besides standing, breathing heavily, and looking menacing, I can literally do nothing else.

I desperately need a couple of seconds in order to fully function again... which, One-san, fortunately, generously gave me.

"Out of all my victims, the one that I like the most is those that struggle. My slaves think otherwise, but that's just because..."

As per anime tradition, his monologuing is so damn long that I managed to get my sh*t together first before he could even finish whatever he was trying to say.

Well, I am still extremely fatigued, I obviously did not get a full recovery, but at the very least, I rested well enough... Enough to take the first action.

That's why after taking one last deep breath, while he is still in the middle of his speech, I immediately pointed my rifle at him and quickly started firing.

*ra-that-ta-taht-*

Though I know that I won't hit him. In our current state, it's almost impossible to do that. I am aware.

That's why when he suddenly appeared beside me the moment I started firing, I was not surprised even by a little.

"HAA!!"

Immediately upon appearing, One immediately made a slashing gesture toward me. And judging by the direction of where that slashing gesture is going, it is obvious that he wants to cut my arm.

"hup!"

I obviously dodged such predictable action by simply jumping backward.

*Thud!*

Sadly though, my rifle did not make it as it was the one that got the hit instead and was then cut in half. I didn't have time to mourn for my loss though as I immediately discard it by throwing it at my sides, simultaneously, taking something out of my back pockets, skillfully unpinning it, then quickly dropping it right beneath me.

That thing that I dropped, it was a smoke grenade.

*Tssssshhh~~*

And before One could even process what I just did, the whole area where he last saw me standing, was already engulfed in a cloud of thick red smoke. Obviously making me disappear within his sights.

Right after that...

*tanhk!*

*tanhk!*

*tanhk!*

Three more smoke grenades were thrown out of the smoke and landed on different parts of the current floor we were in.

Now, not long after this, One, who's standing in the very middle of all this, literally cannot see anything other than red smokes.

"'HAHAHA! Interesting! But if you think this smoke can hide you from me, then you're wrong!"

Well, even though the entire situation seems to be against him, he is still laughing out loud. Instead of panicking, he instead looks like a kid on a playground, having fun.

"... Alright! I'll play your petty little games."

Oh well, a lunatic is a lunatic I guess.

"Be careful with your steps now alright? Cause the moment I hear you, you are finished you little rat! HAHAHHAA!"

Besides, he has all the right to be cocky given the sigil he possesses. If I can control the space too, I probably would think that I am pretty unstoppable.

Hell, even I need to be extremely creative just to try countering his broken-ass ability.

In any case...

"[Light Barrier]"

"FOUND YOU!"

Just as I cast a light barrier on me, which creates a small burst of light, I was obviously found by One immediately as he quickly, suddenly, appeared behind me and is about to, based on the direction of his swiping gesture, cut me in half.

But before that could even happen... did I forget to mention that the smoke is extremely flammable?

Hmm. Oh well, now you know.

"[Fireball]"

*BOOM!*

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