Chapter 3: Shadow Dwellers

I managed to get away from the maze of a building which is the middle-aged club's hideout.

Outside the castle-like infrastructure was a huge forest. I know that running into the unknown forest is a huge gamble, but after seeing the army of knights currently raiding the place and killing everyone who went on their way, this is the best place to run.

The entire forest was shrouded in darkness due to the absence of the moon, the only light source I had was a small fire in my hand as I ran through the thick forest.

I have so many questions in mind, but for now, I need to escape from this place.

However,

Out of nowhere, a dagger sliced its way toward me, if I was not fast enough to jump out, the attack would probably slit my neck.

[Skill [Mana Concealment] was acquired.]

[Skill [Mana Perception] was acquired.]

I immediately activated my Fire magic to drive the attacker away, but to my surprise, it's not alone, the other 2 attacked me from behind leaving me almost no time to react.

By letting my arm take the damage and dodging the attack aiming for my head I managed to get out with only an injured shoulder.

To prevent them from attacking me again, I activated my Fire magic to make them fall back away from me.

Too much for a first-time fight to death battle, huh?

I repeatedly jumped back and gazed upon them. On my last jump, my headband with a demon horn fell to the ground due to it already being cut in half.

All 3 of them who were standing a few meters away from me instantly stared at my cut horns with great shock in their eyes, which was the only visible part of their faces due to the black mask they're wearing.

I hate to break it to you, guys, but it's fake.

I stood up straight. "3 vs 1? Isn't that too unfair? As you can see, I'm just a youngster who happens to be in this place. How about you let me go and I will forget about this?"

"You can't fool us, we can clearly see your mana manifestation even from a distance."

[Mana Concealment.]

[The ability to hide your mana manifestation.]

[Mana Perception.]

[The ability to perceive mana manifestation.]

I see that's why.

Wait a minute, the people who summoned me don't have these skills?

What kind of nincompoops summoned me here?

I activated my newly acquired Mana perception and what greeted me was my black aura brimming over me as if I was in the middle of a small tornado.

I have been running around with this thing in me since earlier? No wonder they easily found me.

I activated my Mana concealment and reduced my mana manifestation to the same as them.

"How about this, it no longer looks threatening, right?"

They assumed a battle stance.

What a pain.

I touched my currently bleeding and swaying arms and activated my healing magic.

I faced them and shrugged, they just shook their heads and proceeded to move.

3 of them jumped towards the shades of the trees around me. They're moving fast without making any sound, however, I could see them using the Mana perception, at least the mana around them. 

As if I'm using a freaking wallhack!

And with synchronization, the 3 of them jumped towards me, I jumped back, activated my Fire magic, and blasted multiple fireballs towards them.

But, as expected, they're fast and could easily dodge my attack. They rushed towards me, all I could do was to drive them away by unleashing a fire attack around me.

However, even with it, one of them managed to get near me and almost sliced off my face, before I could even fight back he's already gone and ran back to the shelter of the trees.

I brushed the blood coming out from my cheek as I watched them running around me, like freaking ninjas!

I didn't expect to get into a life or death situation the moment I arrived, however, losing my life here is the very last thing I want to happen.

They were encircling me again, waiting for the best chance to attack.

With synchronization, all 3 of them jumped from the trees towards me just like what they did before.

As expected.

I activated my Fire magic to drive the other 2 away and as I predicted, the other one took the chance and jumped on me.

He's far faster for me to dodge his attack and at the same time fight back, this time, I chose to deliver my attack than to dodge it.

I blocked his dagger using my steel vambrace and held a grip on his hand while aiming my other hand to his neck. He's fast, but I don't think he can dodge my hand mid-air.

I grabbed his neck and immediately burned his head to crisp.

And if my calculation is right, this is the best time for the 2 to finish me off.

At least, that's what they will think.

I turned to face the 2, I aimed my hand on the one currently mid-air aiming his dagger on my head, and instantly burned him down at the same time burning the foot of his astounded remaining ally with my other hand.

The other one screamed in pain while rolling on the ground as the fire devoured him alive.

"Don't expect the same tactic to work on the same target twice, much more thrice."

The remaining one tried to crawl away from me using his arms.

I walked towards him.

"Curse yo-" before he could complete his sentence, he screamed in agony while being burned alive due to the Fire magic I just cast.

Don't scream like that, you're making me feel like I'm the bad guy here. It's just self-defense and safety precautions.

This is the very first time I intentionally tried to kill people. I can't believe I'm capable of doing such things, even though I'm doing it as self-defense.

My hand was shivering, so this is what deliberately killing someone feels like.

The terrifying part is, why can't I feel anything?

I'm glad it's finally done, however, I need to escape before more of them arrive.