Chapter 768 (2/2)

Randidly raised a hand to stop them. “Do you truly require another demonstration? I don't’ have time to waste on you all. You are lucky I’m in a giving mood.”

Then his hand clenched into a fist and the air filled with Frigid Ash, Devouring Storm. For added effect, Randidly used the Skill itself, not just relying on the image. The difference was like heaven and Earth. With the skill itself helping him along, the tent behind him was frozen into a popsicle in seconds. The four approaching figures skidded to a stop, their faces aghast.

All but one. The one who had been the cause of trouble yesterday, Darrune, seemed to have a gleeful smile on his face as the three in front of him were struck dumb by the power of Randidly’s Skill. As seconds ticked past, the ground frosted over and small flecks of snow began to form as the wind that passed by Randidly condensed into snow and sleet. Around him, the wind began to howl.

Randidly’s eyebrow quirked upward. Oh? Not so simple as he first assumed. Even if this was an ambush, this Darrune intended to use Randidly to teach a lesson to these three. Darrune had obviously been aware of Randidly’s power and that the attack would fail. But all he had to do was convince those he didn’t like to strike first and Randidly would do the work for him.

Clever, but not clever enough.

Randidly let the Skill drop. Bits of ice clattered to the ground in a tinkling staccato. Stepping forward, Randidly arrived next to one of the three individuals who had joined Darrune. The one he chose was a woman.

After coughing awkwardly, he patted her on the shoulder. “That should be enough, right? No hard feelings.”

This his gaze focused on Darrune and it turned sinister. “And you… I’m going to grab some supplies and when I return you are going to lead me to Hastam. Are we clear?”

Randidly obviously didn’t need the man to take him to Hastam, but he figured setting a brutal pace would be a nice way to torture the poor man for what he had attempted. In addition, it would keep him away from the people who lived here, for whom it was very clear Darrune caused trouble.

Randidly took great satisfaction in Darrune’s wide-eyed expression as he walked past and headed toward the cooking fires.

At least in this instance, I’ll keep a handle on the consequences, Randidly thought with a wry smile. Then he sniffed and caught the smell of bacon. His pace quickened.

*****

“You really are his student,” The tall man said.

The quiet one, who was their fourth member, shook his head wordlessly.

“You two are going to Hastam?!?” The woman hissed. “How can you get in? Why are you going? How high up in the command structure is he? He might be a Pontiff, but he’s so young!”

“Now, now,” Darrune said lazily, drooling from all the attention he was getting. “My master’s business is his own. Even I have only heard the broad details during our talks… let us not spend the time dwelling on casual acquaintances like you three.”

The three glared at Darrune, but they could say nothing. After all, he was actually telling the truth this time. Even if they hadn’t wanted to believe it, what other interpretation could they have of the events after the tall black haired man left his tent?

“Oh, did you make any gains while witnessing his profound moves?” Darrune asked teasingly.

The tall man rubbed his nose. “Uh… a few. It all happened so fast.”

The silent one nodded furiously.

After grinding her teeth for several seconds, the woman nodded.

“Ohoho,” Darrune forced himself to laugh in a creepy manner while waving a hand in front of his face. “Well, I must depart. In the meantime, please gather other like-minded people. My master has need of them. When I- ah, when I return it will be with his orders.”

“How many do you want?” The woman asked, her face scrunching up.

Darrune smiled. “An army.”