Air Rabbits

After memorizing the looks of the party, Felix began to scan the surroundings, searching for any signs of their presence. To his advantage, they weren't particularly cautious, making it easy for him to spot them. They were casually sitting in a pub, enjoying their breakfast. Felix strategically positioned himself across the room, ensuring a perfect overview of his targets. Taking advantage of the opportunity, he decided to order his breakfast, having not eaten yet.

Observing the targets almost finished with their meal, Felix promptly settled the bill and left the pub ahead of them. After a brief wait, he witnessed the adventurers exit the pub, donned in their armor and armed with weapons. Felix discreetly followed them, keeping a safe distance. As they approached the entrance to the Dark Forest, the group engaged in hushed conversations, presumably discussing their plans. Though Felix couldn't overhear the details, he anticipated that things would unfold favorably.

As they ventured into the Dark Forest, Felix took the initiative to camouflage himself. Dressed entirely in black, he concealed his identity with a cloak and activated his Illusionary Mask. Now effectively blending into the shadows, Felix silently trailed behind them, maintaining a cautious distance and patiently awaiting the opportune moment.

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The Execution Monster Party's POV

in the Dark Forest unfolded with Reginald cautioning, "Okay, guys, we are near the territory! Don't forget not to get bitten, as the Air Rabbits have poison in their fangs!"

Seraphim snorted at Reginald's warning, retorting, "As if we would make beginner mistakes? We are all S-rank adventurers; don't worry; it's just simple monster killing. Did you forget what our party name is? We are the Execution Monster Party!"

Reginald sighed and reminded Seraphim, "I know that we are not beginners, but always remember, all things are possible."

Before Seraphim could say something proudly, Elara intervened by hitting his head and shaking hers in disappointment. "When you are this proud, then you should always remember the most beginner rule of adventurers: do not look down on the monsters, even when they are low-ranked monsters. All things can kill you!" Seraphim clicked his tongue and fell silent.

Cyrus redirected the conversation, saying, "Let's not get involved in other talks; let's just concentrate on the mission and go home as fast as possible. I want to read a few books by a professor from the Imperial Scholar!" Xander silently nodded in agreement, focusing on the impending mission.

The five adventurers proceeded towards the territory of the Air Rabbits, embarking on a seemingly simple execution mission of 50 Air Rabbits. Despite the mission's apparent simplicity, Air Rabbits were high awakened rank creatures, with their leader at a low rank 1. The party, consisting of two low rank 1 members, Reginald and Elara (the leader and vice-leader), and the rest high awakened rank members, found the mission relatively straightforward.

Upon entering the territory of the Air Rabbits, they encountered their first target. Despite its innocent appearance – white, fluffy, with long ears – these Air Rabbits reached a substantial 1 meter in length, and with their red eyes, they appeared more terrifying than cute. Their primary affinity was Air, a menacing trait as they could manipulate and even steal the air around them.

Elara effortlessly dispatched the first Air Rabbit using a powerful high awakened rank spell, "Wind Slash." Xander, with precision, collected a piece of crystal from the rabbit's corpse, stashing it in a pouch on his hip. Reginald signaled the party to proceed deeper into the forest to continue their mission.

As more Air Rabbits approached, the party systematically eliminated ten of them. Despite their proficiency, the exertion of being silent in the dark forest took a toll. They had to be cautious, particularly in the Air Rabbit territory, where their acute hearing could detect sounds from a distance of up to 20 meters. However, a slight slip occurred when Seraphim's annoyance betrayed him, snorting audibly and drawing the attention of the Air Rabbits. In their pursuit of stealth, the party now faced a challenge as a group of Air Rabbits closed in.

Reginald, raising his voice to be heard, commanded, "Attack them as fast as possible! We will leave the territory and rest in the neighboring area! Seraphim, shut up and listen!" With Seraphim nodding in acknowledgment and momentarily setting aside his pride, the party engaged in a swift and intense battle against the approaching Air Rabbits.

Cyrus, utilizing his stone affinity, began casting the spell "Stone Spike," creating sharp stone protrusions on the floor to limit the agility of the Air Rabbits. Simultaneously, as the rabbits attempted to dodge the spikes, Elena unleashed her "Wind Slash." While two of the slashes found their targets, the others evaded, prompting Seraphim to cast a "Water Ball" toward one of the dodging rabbits. Although the water ball didn't cause significant damage, it created confusion, allowing Xander to swiftly dispatch the disoriented rabbit with his daggers.

Despite the combined efforts and spellcasting, the party found themselves exhausted after facing the aggressive Air Rabbits. Nearly depleted of mana and having killed only 30 rabbits out of the required 50 for the mission, they decided to retreat and headed towards a supposedly peaceful region. Unfortunately, they were confronted by ten more aggressive Air Rabbits.

With diminished mana and their lives taking precedence over completing the mission, they sought refuge in a safe cave outside the forest, commonly known among adventurers. However, to their surprise, five Air Rabbits awaited them in the cave, seemingly prepared for their arrival.

Elena contemplated their situation, stating, "We can kill the five of them, but that would mean I would exhaust my mana, and then only Reginald can cast powerful spells." Despite the odds, she unleashed three powerful and swift "Wind Slashes," eliminating three of the five Air Rabbits. Reginald, armed with his sword, infused it with fire mana, creating an ignited sword for each lethal strike against the remaining rabbits.

After successfully clearing the cave of monsters, Reginald, the only one with sufficient mana remaining, observed a dagger aimed at him. Xander, in his exhausted state, managed to dodge the dagger targeting his shoulder but fell victim to another dagger that pierced his stomach. Although a second dagger was aimed at Reginald and missed, it grazed some stretches on his body. The contemplative words echoed through the cavern, carrying with them a profound insight into the complexities of mortality and the nature of taking a life. "It really is hard to kill people without your own hands. Well, good to know for the future," the voice intoned, their voice a cryptic melody that reverberated through the shadows.

The mysterious figure, clad in black attire, revealed only its hands, a small black pouch on its hips, and a black sword scabbard. The face was concealed by a Fox Mask, an ethereal beauty capturing the regality and cunning allure of a fox. Delicate whisker-like details, almond-shaped eyes with a subtle shimmer, and pointed ears added to its mystique. Secured with a satin ribbon, it transformed the wearer into a symbol of grace and intrigue. The party recognized the mask belonging to the most wanted man in the Lionhard Kingdom, infamous for killing a princess in her own kingdom and humiliating the king with her death—the "Traveling Fox" or "Princess Slayer." 

The revelation of the "Traveling Fox" or "Princess Slayer" sent shockwaves through the party, instilling fear and despair within their ranks. The mysterious figure, shrouded in black attire and adorned with the ethereal Fox Mask, represented not just a formidable adversary but a symbol of infamy that had transcended the borders of the Lionhard Kingdom. The party's exhaustion from the relentless battle with the Air Rabbits paled in comparison to the newfound threat they now faced.

Reginald, Xander, Seraphim, Elara, and Cyrus exchanged uneasy glances, their minds racing with the implications of encountering such a notorious figure. The Fox Mask concealed the person's identity, making it impossible for the party to discern the true intentions or capabilities of their unexpected guest. The mere mention of the infamous moniker, "Princess Slayer," triggered a chilling realization that they were dealing with an individual who had committed heinous acts and defied even royal authority.

As the Traveling Fox calmly observed the party's distress, their presence became a tangible manifestation of the dangers that lurked beyond the Dark Forest. The cave, which had initially seemed like a sanctuary, now echoed with the tension and uncertainty of an impending encounter with a legendary fugitive.

Reginald, the leader of the Execution Monster Party, clenched his ignited sword tightly, attempting to maintain composure in the face of adversity. His gaze met those of his comrades, silently conveying a mix of determination and concern. The party members, despite their individual strengths and skills, were acutely aware that they stood against someone who had successfully eluded capture and become a symbol of rebellion.

The Traveling Fox, unmoved by the party's inner turmoil, slowly raised a hand, revealing a set of sleek, gloved fingers. The mask's fox-like eyes gleamed mysteriously, and the atmosphere in the cave seemed to thicken with each passing moment. The party, gripped by a sense of powerlessness, awaited the next move from their enigmatic visitor.

In the midst of this tense encounter, the cave's shadows danced playfully, casting an enigmatic ambiance on the unfolding drama. Felix, with a silent elegance, took a step forward, the satin ribbon securing the mask fluttering gently. The party, caught between the remnants of their exhausting battle and the enigma before them, braced themselves for the unknown chapter that lay ahead.

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important Announcement!!!:

I wish to inform my dear readers that the regularity of chapters will experience a reduction in frequency starting from today. This adjustment is due to the commencement of my school schedule from Monday onwards, necessitating a heightened focus on my studies. Consequently, there will be no chapter releases on Tuesdays and Fridays. On Wednesdays, only one chapter will be published. However, readers can anticipate two chapters on Mondays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays. For today, only this chapter is scheduled for release. I appreciate your understanding, and I hope you have a pleasant day!