Meanwhile in a quiet part of town...

* * *

Vajra POV...

Walking through the street, I snatch a small piece of bread off the shelf and keep going. It's interesting to see what the slums looked like in a basically alternate version of Cleras.

"So you're telling me that the archmage of this generation turned into a... pickle?"

[Correct.]

"That doesn't sound very funny at all," I respond, chewing on the bread. It's a little moldy, so I just pick those bits off.

[It varies from person to person.]

"Did he at least turn back?" I ask the system, now crossing over a small bridge.

[Eventually.]

I lean against the railing on the bridge, taking a bite of the bread again. I lean my spear against the railing as well, just letting it sit. It tastes terrible, absolutely awful. I should steal some better food.

I wonder what the sewers look like here? Are they constructed better or worse. Likely worse. Who cares?

Still, maybe the secret to beating this dungeon is in the sewers. I tried to just walk as far away from the city as possible, but that didn't work. There's a distance barrier or something, keeping me withing 3 miles of the city.

It's also possible that the secret is in the castle, the second place of interest I can think of. I haven't found anything that acknowledges my existence yet, which isn't terrible! Just... boring. I pick up my spear, taking a bite of the bread.

I turn around and finish crossing the bridge, tossing the bread into the river behind me. Rest in piece, my carbohydrate compadre. May we meet again, outside the dungeon.

I keep walking, left hand in my pocket and right hand holding my spear. I bump shoulders with a guy despite the street being extremely empty, turning around to look at him. He acknowledged my presence.

He has black hair and blue eyes, slim frame and tall. He pulls out a knife, immediately swinging it to drive it into my shoulder. I sidestep, swinging my spear towards his knife. His expression looks like mine, boredom.

His hand gets pushed back, but he brings it around shortly after and attempts to slash my neck. I step back and channel mana into my fist, swinging it upwards towards his chin.

He tanks it, stabbing through my left elbow. Ouchie.

I stab towards his right arm, leaving my spear stuck in his shoulder. I back up, his knife still stuck in my arm. Now seems like a good time for some enlightening talk.

"Why are you trying to stab me?" I ask, tilting my head.

"You're a craven," He responds simply, grabbing the spear and attempting to pull it out of his shoulder.

Unfortunately, the spear is barbed, so good luck. His knife is serrated as well, so I have the same problem.

"Is that like an elf?" I ask, continuing the talk.

"No, but almost as bad."

"How so? There's nothing worse than an elf."

* * *

Galatine POV...

Swinging my axe towards his head, I find his head no longer where I thought it was. Only cowards dodge, so I allow him the privilege to strike me with the pommel of his sword.

It impacts me in the stomach, doing minimal damage. Weak man... in comparison. Probably because it's high noon.

I kick my right leg outwards, sending the guy back a few feet. He's an annoying swordsman... like a worm. He jets forward again, slicing towards my midsection. I block with the haft of my axe before simply punching him.

He steps back before getting hit with my other fist, causing him to step another foot back. I lift my axe up, preparing yet another heavy down swing.

I'm still pissed that wizard was able to push me back, add on the fact that this asshole just broke my nails?!? Someone's dying today if I've got anything to say about it.

Sadly, he dodges out of the way of the slash and tries to stab me. I deflect his blade to the side before grabbing his arm and punching his elbow really hard. Get mikiri-countered, lol.

I watch as he casts a wind blade directly in my face, the audacity! I lean my head back, watching the mana construct pass by my face. I look down at his stupid face only to notice... MY FUCKING NECKLACE!

* * *

Gram POV...

At this point, me and the lady are just watching. Valory is about to put this kid into an early grave and we're just watching in horror. I've never seen someone pick someone up by the ankle and slam them like a ragdoll before, but damn.

He didn't deserve this... I should probably stop her. How do you even stop something like this??? She's just terrifying... maybe I should just wait until she stops.

"Hey, uhm... she's with you, right?" I hear my opponent ask, looking at me.

"I, uhh... I think so."

Man... this fight just got way more concerned. I didn't think anyone was fighting to kill until I looked over at her. Man... this is way awkward. I think I'll just go pick up Arthur now.

I slowly scooch across the field, keeping my distance from the beatdown. I throw him onto my shoulder and turn around, about to run away only to witness lightning striking from the sky.

I turn around, deciding to pick a different direction to retreat. Immediately sprinting, I absolutely book it before someone tells me to come back. I'm sure that Valory will stop soon, maybe. I mean, how long can you just hit one dude into the pavement?

* * *

Vajra POV...

Throwing the spear again, I roll to the side and evade a dark needle. Close range, long range, summoning, stealth... what doesn't this guy have?

He summons another wave of skeletons from the ground after muttering something, likely an invocation phrase or whatever. I call down a bolt, using my metal spear as a conduit and assistance to aiming.

I turn around, kicking horizontally before a knife can enter my spine. My foot impacts his ribs, knocking him away before he disappears into shadow once again. This is starting to anger me slightly.

I call the spear back to my hands, throwing it once again. I release a pulse of electricity that chains from skeleton to skeleton, taking down a few out of the crowd only to deflect yet another assassination attempt.

* * *