Chapter 166: The Sahuagin (1/2)

As the beautiful orange sun's rays reflected on the blades held by the group of five, they looked at each other once more with a cruel, predatory glint in their eyes. In the next moment, as if on command, with loud, raging battle cries, the Blood Dagger adventurer's group began their charge with weapons first at the two boys. Two at the left charged at Cole while the rest, including the leader aimed at Aiden.

Seeing as how the man was closing in, Aiden smirked, then in the next moment, he simply vanished.

Startled by this development, Jack and the two thugs halted their steps, looking at the empty spot he stood a moment ago with confusion.

Suddenly, a painful shriek hit their ears coming from the left. Looking at the source of the noise, they saw Aiden's figure blur and seemingly warp back into reality at the same as the two thugs that were aiming for Aiden were suddenly flung back into the air. The sound of bones cracking could be heard as they rocketed with high speeds towards the nearby river, only to fall below into the clear blue surface a second later.

Shocked and frightened by this turn of events, they looked in horror as their friends emerged from below the surface and desperately try to swim their way back to the riverbank.

Their attempt to escape the deathtrap they all knew the river meant was futile. 6 blueish membranous hands came from below and grabbed on the frightened rogues, pulling them back.

As their ribs were shattered by the hammer-like impact they received from the black-haired youth they couldn't cry out for help, they only managed to rattle garbled words that vaguely resemble something similar to 'HELP!'.

They gave one last despaired look at the remaining three, as they were pulled below the surface. The bubbling watery surface quickly died down, returning to its peaceful state in mere seconds.

Stunned by what just happened, Jack and his remaining two companions, looked at the river with wide-open eyes. As the black-haired youth slowly turned around, and the same cruel grin that they all had a moment ago was revealed on his face, they instinctively took a step backward.

Meanwhile, Cole who just witnessed the 'true' power of Aiden, could only stare at him with shock in his eyes.

”W-what have you done?! Just what are you?! H-how can you be so strong?!” With a shaky voice and hands, Jack pointed his right dagger-holding hand towards the boy. His two mates were already another step behind, still nervously holding their daggers but not daring to charge or attack anymore.

”What do you mean? Didn't you want to teach us a lesson a moment ago? Where's your fire now?” Looking at the frightened trio, Aiden slowly began to approach them. His eyes were glowing brightly, radiating their golden hue. Despite his grinning expression, his voice kept his unnaturally calm, cool tone.

”N-no… S-stay away from us… you... M-monster! Y-you are not human!” The approaching terror that this young boy suddenly meant, Jack took another step back. His companions followed behind.

Seeing as how the boy kept approaching, they couldn't hold their composure any longer. The trio threw their weapons away, and turned around, and rushed towards the safety that the road meant.

Unfortunately, before they could cross any meaningful distance, the boy's figure flickered and appeared a few steps in front of them. He raised his arms to the air as if inviting them into a hug. His cruel grin turned to a strange friendly one, as he looked at them.

”Why are you running away? Do you want to leave us alone to go against these Rank 2 creatures? Shouldn't you be showing us how it's done? No… You can't leave yet!”

His figure flickered again. Just as his still blurry silhouette appeared right in front of them, they felt a hammer-like strike against their chest. As the pain began to spread and they could hear their own ribs cracking under the pressure, they could also feel as breathing suddenly became a chore.

With a splintered bone seemingly ripping a hole in their lungs, they didn't even register the fact they were on-course in the air towards the watery surface just like their companions a moment ago. Everyone, besides Jack, who was pushed down the ground and forced to watch as their companions, friends and mates were flung to their doom.

Regret and anger filled his mind. He knew that they were all doomed. Still, he couldn't accept the fact that a fragile, weak bronze-skinned, brown-haired, golden-eyed youngster was their reaper. No. This rookie, this Rank 1 newbie… how could they all die to him?! There must be something else at play!