Chapter 40: Skeletal Assassin (2/2)
The two stood there silent in a tense face off, neither side moved an inch as they glared at each other. *crack* As Big 4’s spiked mace descended once more onto another skeleton, a loud crack echoed through the air, signifying the end of the skeleton army. All that was left was the assassin.
As if on cue, the assassin burst into action. All that remained where it once stood was a bone-white afterimage, the stillness now replaced by a speed that could only be achieved by one unbound from the limits of flesh.
With a graceful bound of its skeletal feet, it nimbly dodged the mass of spikes crashing down upon its head, landing softly upon the giant round shield that covered the span of No.3’s body.
Did it plan on taking No.3 head on? However, in a logic-defying feat of acrobatics, it somersaulted over No.3, using his shield as a springboard!
This unexpected move shocked and mesmerized everyone present, including me. With its feet on solid ground once more, it took off in a straight line. Perhaps it was merely coincidence but the path it took led straight towards Big 4 and several other guardsmen.
“Haha, that’s more like it!”
From the way it ran after passing No.3, it was likely trying to escape. While it’s unthinkable for a low level undead to ever consider running away, this was the only logical explanation for its actions. Since it planned on escaping, if Big 4 interfered now it couldn’t be counted as offending No.3. After all, his inability to defeat the skeleton meant that the skeleton was now up for grabs.
He readied his shield in a charging stance as he prepared to ram the incoming assassin. This might seem like an illogical move against the nimble skeleton, given the precedent of No.3; and you might even think that Big 4 was a moron for doing so; but you would be making a big mistake by assuming that.
Upon seeing the round shield charge towards it, the assassin employed its mesmerizing acrobatics once more. It dove at the shield, and with what could only be described as godlike reflexes, reached out with its bony arms momentarily grabbing the shield before launching itself into the air with a mighty push of its palm.
However, this was exactly what Big 4 was waiting for. He was naturally a part of the audience and witnessed the assassin’s previous display of acrobatics; so this leap was well within his expectations. As the skeleton began its somersault, he raised his spiked mace high into the air, right into the path of the assassin’s leap. Unless it changed course mid-air, there was no was escape for the assassin.
Unfortunately for Big 4, the skeleton did just that. Having seen through his tricks, the skeleton forcefully changed its course with a fierce twist of its wrist. With its center of gravity shifted, the skeleton fell awkwardly to the ground beside Big 4, narrowly dodging the mace.
That dazzling display ended with the skeleton disappearing from Big 4’s line of sight before he could even react. Big 4 continued his charge for several steps before braking suddenly, a look of confusion appeared on his face as he swivelled around looking for the missing skeleton. By now, all that remained was the shadow of a skeleton leaving.
Ahhh, what’re you doing! You’re even dumber than No.3 by a mile!
This was the last straw for me. I abandoned my passive role as an observer and with a wave of my arm, cast a bone wall in front of the assassin. However, the assassin had already retreated a step as if it had predicted my move, completely avoiding the wall.
With its 1.6m stature, leaping over the 3 meter tall bone wall was definitely possible, but that would take time and this wasn’t what the skeleton wanted. It tried to circle around the bone wall but before it could even take two steps to the side, another bone wall was erected in front of it, blocking its route.
The soul flames within its eyes flickered as it threw me a glance, after which it immediately gave up the idea of circling around the wall. However, instead of charging at me in anger, it chose to climb over the bone wall. I was well aware of this possibility beforehand so I had already prepared a darkness arrow.
This was my only long range attack, and while it didn’t have much offensive power, it could still be used to harass an enemy.
By the time it reached the top of the wall, the darkness arrow had almost reached it as well. Facing the incoming arrow, the assassin was left with only two options, leap into the air or give up on climbing the wall. If it leaped into the air, my arrow would definitely hit it. Given its undefended state, the damage would definitely be severe.
If it chose to give up on climbing the wall, the next bone wall would be ready and waiting, along with another darkness arrow. Checkmate, or so I thought, as the skeleton chose not to abandon climbing the wall. Instead of colliding with the arrow as expected, it backflipped with one hand on the wall. With the other hand, it took out its dagger and threw it!
As the dagger careened through the air, it landed squarely in the center of the incoming arrow, blocking it.
With my arrow successfully blocked, there was nothing stopping it from escaping. However, instead of jumping down the wall immediately, it straddled the wall and gazed at me, its intentions unknown. After that gaze, it leaped over the wall and made its escape…
Casting magic usually required vision of the target, if one couldn’t see or sense the target, casting most spells was impossible. Bone wall was one such spell where line of sight was important. As such, I wasn’t able to hinder the assassin’s escape once it leaped over the wall and left my line of sight. By the time I thought to cancel the wall…it was too late…
…I guess even I had occasional bouts of stupidity…
That skeleton must’ve at least been a two-star undead, from its agile and unpredictable movements, one could tell that it must’ve been a powerful expert in life.