22 – Wizard’s Forest (3)
Barter’s unique magic 【Assimilation】 is literally the ability to assimilate something into one’s own body. Am.
Even for the same human being, if there is an overwhelming difference in rocks, vegetation, and even capabilities.
This is the source of why Barther was called the 【Silent Blade】, and also the reason why he is usually assigned missions of spying or assassination.
Especially in an environment like this where the concentration of magical energy mixed in the atmosphere is high and it is difficult to detect it, the ability shines even more.
Utilizing this point, Barter preoccupied the place where Astesia’s blessing would bloom, and hid himself in a coniferous tree.
‘I’m bored.’
Observing the mid-level spirits roaming around, he had to yawn in boredom.
He would have been less bored if he had killed one or two people on the way.
Unfortunately, he didn’t get blood on his hands because there were no cadets he encountered.
If today’s goal wasn’t Astesia’s blessing, I would have liked to play more intensely, but since I had to prioritize my mission right now, I decided to hold back my urge for now.
Since the forest will be in chaos due to runaway spirits anyway, the cadets thought it would be impossible for the cadets to reach this place.
Slow down.
“…… !”
Then, at some point, he held his breath, forgetting that he was hiding in a tree.
Where I moved my gaze, I saw a dark-haired tortoise hiding behind a tree awkwardly.
A deep smile formed on Barther’s lips.
Like a carnivore that has found its prey, his nose was already smelling the scent of that man’s blood.
‘Looks like you’re aware of the movements of the intermediate spirits.’
He was able to infer his opponent’s psychology through his behavior.
You wouldn’t be able to afford to notice the existence of him hiding in a tree anyway.
That’s why it’s sure to hold its breath, then jump out when the flowering time and the moment the intermediate spirits disappear from sight coincide.
Then what he needs to do is simple.
At the moment the flowers bloom, all you have to do is lightly slit the cadet’s throat, watch the fountain of blood explode with a vain expression, and disappear while taking the flowers.
‘The distance is just right.’
With a fishy smile, Barter focused his attention on the prey hiding behind the tree.
Assassins are usually aware of their own assassination range, which is sure to kill their target in one blow.
From that point of view, the distance between the expected route for the opponent to jump out and the tree where Barther was hiding was just right.
At this point, wouldn’t it be the prey that God bestowed on him, who was sad that he couldn’t get blood on his hands even once today?
Enough to make even the atheist Barther inadvertently think that way.
Hwaaak!
That moment.
Golden light emanated from the feet of an old tree that must have grown hundreds of years.
At the same time, the branches of the trees that were blocking the sunlight moved aside.
A ray of sunlight hit the place where the light was being emitted, and as if energized by it, the golden light brightened the surroundings even more intensely.
The flowering of Astesia’s blessing, which can only be seen once in 10 years, has begun.
‘Good.’
While gazing at the surreal scene that was almost holy, there was only one thought in Barther’s head.
It’s just that bait to lure prey has finally been created.
That’s all.
Eventually, Astesia’s blessing gradually grew, containing the clear energy that seeped in from all directions, and was quickly reborn as a flower with stems and leaves.
At the same time, Namsaengdo’s body, which was hiding behind a tree, leaned slightly forward.
Realizing that his opponent was preparing to jump out immediately, Barther decided to solve the assimilation at any time.
Parbat.
At the end of an invisible confrontation that lasted for a few seconds.
The new model of the black-haired man shot forward like an arrow, passing through branches and bushes.
Just before the man’s body reached Astesia’s blessing.
‘Now.’
Warther’s body, which was aiming for a blind spot for a sure blow, came out of the tree belatedly.
Like a snake that rushes at its prey through its scales with as much silence as possible.
Reaching the back of the male student trying to get his hands on Astesia’s blessing, he immediately swung the dagger in his hand.
Chew!
A sticky red liquid came out of the clean silver blade.
With a cold sound, a line of blood rose into the air.
* * * *
Pretending to pluck flowers, I drew the sword worn around his left waist vigorously at the sign that was approaching me.
Then, the blood spurted from the opponent drenched my arm.
Raise your head and check the opponent’s appearance.
I was greeted by the same waiting for the top as I saw in the illustration.
‘As expected of Barter.’
When I saw the puzzled expression of the guy with his neck cut, I felt happy for a moment.
Took.
Before long, Barter unconsciously dropped a dagger in his hand to stop the bleeding.
My eyes were agitated as if I wanted to regret it even though I did it myself, and I did not miss the opportunity.
“Rone!”
Sending a signal to Lorne, who was hiding in the tree, continued with the next blow.
Hooded!
At the same time, huge hailstones of ice rained down from the sky towards Barthe.
Since the location to drop the magic has been decided in advance, this side can move without being affected by the magic.
Taking advantage of this difference, I narrowed the distance as much as possible and aimed for his uvula once again without leaving any room.
Chaeeng!
Unfortunately, however, my blow was blocked by Barther, who gave up on stopping the bleeding and held up his dagger with both hands to block it.
Fortunately, avoiding Lone’s attack gave up and defended, so there were abrasions on his body as if he had been hit by a stone, but this alone is regrettable.
“Keugh… !”
While drooling in agony, Barter tumbled back to widen the distance.
After all, did the first attack go shallow?
It may have been a failure that I didn’t fully recognize the sense of distance because I hit and came in with as much presence as possible on the other side.
I wanted to end it with that if possible.
“Ha ha ha…. You are this baby….”
Barther glared at me with his murderous eyes as he stopped the blood gushing out of his neck with his hand.
From the looks of it, fortunately, it seems that you don’t have the strength to even counterattack.
Well, the magic that Lone hit earlier was not a light attack either.
Besides, even if it didn’t go in perfectly, he wouldn’t be able to move easily as he was bleeding quite a bit from his throat cut.
‘Still, the trap was quite effective.’
I nodded my head in satisfaction, thinking that it worked well for a ploy I came up with on the spot.
Actually, it was originally intended to be behind Barter, who was trying to take Astesia’s blessing.
However, in the planning stage, I felt that something was not enough.
Anyway, the opponent is a professional assassin who is good at noticing the signs and movements around him.
Besides, can we succeed in a surprise attack against an enemy whose capabilities are similar to those of Aden?
That was the first question.
So the idea came to me was to use myself as bait against the lunatic killer.
Since ancient times, that type of person easily loses the string of tension when he is in the position of hunting.
Besides, as much as he had pride as an assassin, he thought that if he caught the rear, he would hardly think that the opponent could counterattack.
With those two blind spots and Lorne’s hidden attack, it was so easy to drive them into a corner.
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Although it’s a pity that I couldn’t kill him.
“Rone! Come down!”
“Yes!”
Thinking that Barther would not be able to resist any longer, I had Lornet come down from the tree.
I’d like to land a finishing blow, but I don’t think it’s necessary.
Anyway, it was only the best way to defeat this guy on the spot, and even if we couldn’t do that, as long as we safely took Astesia’s blessing, this side would win.
“Bell, are you hurt?”
“Yes, it’s okay.”
As soon as I came down, I gave an appropriate answer to Lorne’s worried question and stroked his head.
But fortunately, the decision was easily settled.
Above all, I’m glad Lone wasn’t hurt.
I just hope that we can get out of the forest safely.
You can’t use the escape magic from Touch with the Spirit while holding Astesia’s Blessing.
Leaving Barther behind, I bent down to pick up the flowers.
No, to be precise.
If it wasn’t for the grotesque laughter that came from behind.
“──Hee hee hee!”
I reflexively turned my head at the sound that sent chills down my spine.
There, I saw Barther, who was grotesquely creaking like a broken wooden doll.
Added to the abrasions all over her body and the blood flowing from her neck, it made me feel uncomfortable just looking at it.
Why is that bastard doing that?
Did you even mean it?
It’s been awhile since I’ve had such doubts.
“Bell. Let’s ignore huh?”
“… Okay.”
Lorne pulled me by the sleeve and gave me advice, so I turned my head away in a daze.
Yes. There’s no reason to pay attention to that guy right now.
Anyway, if I take this flower properly, there will be no variables, and my duty has been fulfilled.
But that laugh was too annoying to pass by so casually.
Exactly, the sound of laughter itself is not a concern.
The fact that you can’t measure the emotions contained in it is troubling.
From my point of view, it wasn’t the dejected laughter of a human who gave up everything.
It was almost like laughing at a prey that had fallen into a trap.
‘Wait, a trap?’
The moment I reached that point, my eyes flashed open.
Retrieving the hand that was about to reach for the flower, he reflexively moves his gaze to the side.
Rather than a command from the head, it was more like the spinal cord reflex of a beast that intuitively senses danger.
I can see something whitish moving behind Lorne’s shoulder.
It didn’t take long to realize that it was a man in a robe for protection.
Yes.
Why did I think there was only one enemy?
Why did he predict that this episode, which had been twisted since Aden came to Class E, would end so smoothly?
Forgetting to even shout her name, I ran towards her and wrapped my arms around her head and shoulders.
I could see a golden flash shooting behind her shoulder as she sat down.
Eventually.
Kwaaang!
All sound was swallowed up by a huge explosion.