48 DELIVERING A BEATING

After getting his payment for the escort mission, Laz had immediately left his companions to go out on his own. The entire journey to the capital had been one sour affair for him. Everything about that Sage woman left him so angry he wanted to vent his frustrations in a pair of breasts. Because of this his destination after leaving the other members of the Iron Ring was the Red District.

What's up with that woman? He asked himself for the zillionth time as he strode through the Grey District on route to his destination.

His instincts told him that she was someone to be wary of. That was why he had stuck close to her on their journey; to make sure she did not try anything. Even though they had made it to the capital with no incident- or rather, no incident related to her- he still felt that woman was up to something. If he was wrong about it than it would be the first time since he became a mercenary. That was how much he trusted his senses.

Why did Kaylee run after that woman?

The development that happened at the gate surprised everyone. Throughout their entire journey there had been no indication that the two of them knew each other. Why then would a seasoned mercenary like Kaylee give up her cut of the pay and chase after that woman? What was up with that?

It doesn't matter, he thought to himself after a while.

Thinking about these things would just lead to obsessing about them, which would put him in an unstable state of mind. Even though he did not want to, it was better to let go. Since that Sage woman was no longer with them, then even if she was up to something that something would likely have nothing to do with his mercenary group. So she was not his problem. As for Kaylee's actions, they had nothing to do with him either. He would just be careful around her the next time they met.

But I'm definitely beating the shit out of that bitch next time I see her, he thought angrily, recalling what had transpired a few nights ago.

That humiliation of being forced to kneel and apologise; he could not let it go, not until he beat the same feeling into that woman. The next time they met he would definitely make sure to pay her back for it.

However, a frustrated sigh escaped his lips as he marched on. It was unlikely they would meet again, at least not in the short term.

This thought had just crossed his mind when the he saw the very woman he had been thinking about traipse out of an alley, causing him to freeze and his eyes to nearly pop out of his head. Her stride was casual as she hummed a song that was unfamiliar to him. However, that humming stopped when her eyes spied him. Then she quickly hurried back into the alley.

After the initial shock Laz recovered immediately and a warped graced his features. Then he chased after her.

Never in his wildest dream had he thought that he would meet her so soon again. The gods were smiling upon him!

His actions drew the attention of the few who roamed the street at this hour, but their looks were of no concern to him. As fast as he was able to, he dashed into the alley. One of his precious daggers was already drawn, ready to fell the woman if she tried anything.

However, the moment he entered the alley he came to a halt.

The scene that he found in the dark passage was not the kind that he expected. Surprisingly, the woman was no longer running, but stood several metres away as if she was waiting for him. The whole ordeal was strange. It was almost as if her earlier flight had been an act to lure him into the alley. Uneasiness travelled up his spine and he immediately knew he had walked into a trap.

As fast as he could he jumped back while preparing to escape. Unfortunately, before he could act on his plan spell he sensed the Sage woman cast a spell. It was so fast that by the time it registered the spell had already hit him.

Suddenly his movements slowed. Even though he had already initiated the jump it now felt as if he was leaping back in slow motion. Even the movement of his mana to cast a spell had been slowed down.

Although no one in the Iron Ring could use this spell he was familiar with it. It was the 4th Order time spell [Slow]. Its function was usually to slow an opponent that was too fast or to decease one's velocity when falling to prevent injuries. This spell slowed down all functions of the body except the mind. Even though everything else about him had reduced to a crawl his snail's pace his mind was as lively as ever; and the panic that accommodated the effect of being placed under the spell was just as vigorous.

Fuck! He thought mentally, willing his spell to activate faster.

The spell that he had been trying to cast earlier was [Haste], in this situation it was the perfect counter to [Slow]. If only the spell would activate the speed of his movements would return to normal.

Unfortunately, he did not get a chance. Almost immediately after casting her spell the woman charged him and she was surprisingly fast. She closed the distance between them almost instantly and socked him in the jaw, sending him flying.

The blow caused his back to hit one of the alley's walls, but due to the effect of [Slow] the impact was not painful. After the impact his body fell forward, towards the ground in slow motion; or at least that was what would have happened if Sage had not instantly vanished from her spot and appeared above him. Then he felt two feet plant hard on his back and sped up his descend.

This time the impact hurt and he felt some of his ribs bruise. Unable to resist crying out, he looked at the woman in fear and bewilderment.

At least a 4th Order sorcerer, a part of his mind analysed. With a Grade 4 physique that's better than my own.

A few days ago when Taruk had warned him about angering this woman and he had thought it was because his leader had not wanted such actions to sour their relationship with the Delsartes; something like that could be detrimental to their reputation as mercenaries. Now however, he realised that it had not been the case. Taruk somehow knew that this woman was more than she appeared.

The woman got off him and kicked him hard with in the side. The impact caused him to groan as he felt his ribs fracture. To avoid a second hit in the same place he flipped over onto his back and guarded his side.

However, the next blow came and it was far from where he had expected it. The woman stepped on his shin instead of concentrating on his mid-section. Unfortunately for Laz, the stomp was harder than any hit he had taken before. Immense pain immediately filled his head as he felt his tibia snap in the middle. An agonised groan escaped his lips as he tried to endure the pain. However, that proved a fruitless attempt as the woman went on to do the same thing to his other three limbs. A few moments accompanied by groans of pain and he lay splayed on his back with broken arms and legs.

Above him he saw the woman looking down at him dispassionately. The expression on her face ticked him off and, even though he was in pain, he could not help growl at her as he glared furiously.

This humiliation, he was definitely going to make her pay!

"I don't like your eyes." This was the first thing the woman said since their reunion in this alley.

Before he could respond she stomped his face. It was not as hard as when she had stomped his limbs but it was still painful. The worst part about it was that she kept doing it repeatedly. When she finally retracted her foot he could no longer feel his face from all the swelling.

"You fwocking bitsh-" he managed to get out with his swollen cheeks, only for him to stop when he felt the woman's foot at his crotch.

NO! he thought with wide eyes as his gaze returned to her.

He shook his head in a pleading manner. Unfortunately, all he got in response was that masked face shaded by a hat hiding all the evil woman's features except her cruel dark eyes.

"Let this be a lesson for the next time you decide to be such an ARSE!" she said venomously.

The moment she said the last word she brought down her foot hard.

The pain from her resulting actions was so unbearable he could not resist the shrill cry that escaped his lips. It was without a doubt the worst pain he had ever felt, much worse than the flame that had scarred his face. The pain was not something he could bare. Stars filled his vision as he kept on his shrill scream, enlarging every second as his vision whitened. Froth poured out his mouth as all coherent thought was obscured by the hellish pain.

Then his mind went blank.

***

The bastard fainted.

Sage looked down at him in disgust. The beating she had inflicted had unwrapped his facial covering, giving her a clear view of wannabe-ninja's rolled-up eyes and frothing mouth. It showed just what a painful experience it had been for the man, and she was quite satisfied with it. Truly, there was no better stress-relief than beating the crap out of an arsehole like him.

"You can come out now Nyx," she said softly.

A moment after she spoke her familiar rose from ninja-wannabe's shadow and walked over to her. When he stopped at her feet Nyx looked back at the passed-out man with disdain.

"Pathetic," he sneered. "You would think with the way had acted before his confidence came from somewhere. Turns out he was just full of hot air."

"Right?" Sage responded as she scooped him up into her arms. Then she rubbed the back of his ears gently, eliciting a purr from him. "You'd be surprised how many morons act like they're all that when they're pathetic in reality. Still, you did a good job this time. What would you like as a reward?"

"A Grade 2 beast corpse?" the cat replied without hesitating.

Its answer caused her to drop it.

The act was surprising for the cat but it managed to react just in time for it to- as the myths went- land on its feet.

"You're asking for too much," she scowled, squatting over ninja-wannabe's unconscious body. "Most cats would be happy with the treat of a mouse!"

As if there were any Grade 2 beasts anywhere in the vicinity. The appearance of such creatures would immediately incur the quick action from the Mercenary Guild to prevent a disaster. After all, Grade 2 was extremely rare among humans. These beast were capable of destroying cities where such individuals did not exist.

"But Master, I might look like a cat but I'm actually-" Nyx cut off whatever he was about to say when he saw her glare at him.

"If we find a Grade 2 beast I'll let you {Devour} its corpse," she said reassuringly after a moment; all the while her hands roamed around the unconscious man. After a moment she gave a triumphant squeal and came out with a coin purse. Then she stood up. "Let's get going Nyx."

She managed to cripple the bastard who had caused her so much frustration over the past week and even took his money. All in all, this was a successful endeavour.

She was satisfied.