Chapter 264 (2/2)

And based on the attack, all three of them were at the Artisan level. And their images weren’t flimsy like Randidly’s, they contained power.

“Why?” Randidly asked through gritted teeth, desperately using his will to cause his blood to seep back into his body, rapidly increasing his health. It wouldn’t restore him to full, but it would rid him of any encumbrances, and probably bring him back to about half health.

“We don’t monologue,” The middle figure, the spokesman of the group, said with a sneer in his voice, raising his spear and moving forward. The three figures were all of similar height, and were wearing brown robes. The only way to differentiate them was by their spears. The leader/center had a simple black spear. The man on his left had one that appeared to be brown and made of wood. The right man had a large golden spear.

“Do you think you can do just what you please inside the limits of Deardun?” Randidly said harshly, while feeling inwardly very, very nervous. But just as the familiar fear of death rose in his throat, the cold brutality he had learned in the prison rose to meet it. He produced his large obsidian spear, but winced, looking at the huge cracks running through it.

That… certainly wasn’t helpful.

The figures didn’t answer, but simply attacked.

What was even more intimidating was how well they worked together, splitting up and moving to surround him, as Black Spear blurred, rushing directly forward.

Randidly felt a sinking feeling in his chest, and produced several Walls of Thorns, getting rid of his assailants’ vision. But to his dismay, they simply ripped directly through the walls, not swayed in the least. Spearing Roots already ripped upward to meet them, but all three displayed a high level of agility, weaving through them.

Desperate, Randidly pressed with his will, and Spearing Roots shot sideways out of the previous roots, inflicting some small wounds. Golden Spear was especially affected by this, and a large gash was cut into his side. But it barely slowed him at all.

It was at that moment that Randidly rapidly used Phantom Half-Step, creating distance. But even then, his Stamina was rapidly depleted, and Black Spear was too fast, cutting through the distance faster than he could create it.

Although Randidly was fresh off a win, he had no confidence that he could withstand a direct strike from the other’s spear. Even just being in the area after he had dodged had left him with significant wounds. Aether roared in his body, some inner beat waking. His body began to heat, very, very rapidly, so that his bones began to burn.

With brilliant emerald eyes, Randidly bared his teeth. “Circle of Flame.”

A huge blast of flame rushed outwards, smashing into Black Spear, making even his tyrannical advance pause. Which was just what Randidly needed.

He activated Phantom Half-Step, teleporting towards Gold Spear, the slightly wounded one, twice in quick succession. Very quickly he appeared before the man, whose almost super human reactions meant that a spear was already whistling towards Randidly’s throat.

But it wasn’t an extremely accurate attack, and Randidly activating Phantom’s Embrace and moving rapidly away was enough to avoid the blow. Both of the other two adjusted with equal alacrity, although Black Spear seemed singed, and slightly slower than previously.

Raising his hand, Randidly continued to run away through the hole he had made for himself while shooting several Incinerating Bolts. He may as well not have bothered, the three spear users weaved around the bolts without the slightest decrease in speed. Several beads of sweat wound their way down Randidly’s temples as the Aether inside of him roared in challenge.

Everything began to spin in a furious current, growing stronger and stronger in his chest. Randidly spared the surrounding area a swift glance. Not only had help not arrived, but there was no one on the streets. It’s as if…

They were being kept away by the powers that be. That this attack on him… was sanctioned.

Randidly’s heart sunk as he remembered the words of his attackers, and the warning that Bertarn had given him about proceeding past the top 8. If these people were really supported by the city… Then no foreign help would arrive.

Shal was out of commission, and Divvet was watching him. Aside from them, Randidly didn’t think there were any powerful spear users in the area.

“Hahaha… need help, little boy…?” A dry and almost dead Aether Tether in Randidly’s chest vibrated, and a soft, feminine voice filled Randidly’s ears.