Chapter 47 - Rank S Assassin
The wolves touched by my flames began to whine and fall, but more were coming. With a practiced flick of my wrist, I summoned a blazing fire sword, the weapon materializing in my hand. Without hesitation, I launched forward.
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I swung my sword through the pack, each strike leaving blazing cuts on the wolves. As they fell, the flames spread to the ground, creating a barrier of fire between me and the remaining beasts.
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The heat was intense, the air filled with the acrid smell of burning fur and the yelps of dying wolves.
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Haaah, the hell? I thought, gasping for air as I stood amidst the sea of wolves, their yellow eyes gleaming with hunger as they awaited my next move. I'd already taken down what felt like 200 of them, yet their numbers seemed endless. This won't do, I realized, wiping sweat from my brow with a trembling left hand.
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My strength was fading fast. My vision blurred, the wolves before me becoming indistinct shapes in a haze of fur and fangs. The meager amount of mana I had left after the earlier encounters was nearly depleted, each breath feeling like it might be my last. I teetered on the edge of collapse, my legs threatening to give out beneath me.
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In a final, desperate move, I let my fire sword dissipate. Gathering every last ounce of mana I could muster, I prepared for one final, all-or-nothing attack. With a deep breath, I summoned all my remaining power and unleashed it in a massive burst of flame.
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*VRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAKKKKH*
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The sound was deafening as an enormous fire outburst erupted from my body, reminiscent of the inferno I'd used against the bear. The flames engulfed everything around me, a scorching wave of destruction that consumed wolves and scorched the very stone beneath our feet.
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As the last of my mana drained away, I felt a profound emptiness settle over me. The world spun, and darkness crept in at the edges of my vision. I'd given everything I had. Now, all I could do was hope it was enough. I thought to myself before collapsing on the spot.
*THUD*
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"UGH." Cillian groaned as he landed flat on the ground, having been unceremoniously ejected from the mysterious place.
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"CILLIAN!" Kryll, his partner in crime, shouted as he rushed towards his fallen comrade.
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The area was desolate, a barren expanse stretching out to the edge of a cliff, with only a few scattered trees breaking the monotony of the landscape.
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Still running, Kryll called out, "BRO, what happened? Where are the others? I got the news only minutes ago from the organization."
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Cillian pushed himself upright, brushing off the dust that clung to his clothes. His eyes flashed with anger as he spat, "Organization?" He let out a derisive scoff. "F*ck that damn organization." Without another word, he channeled his demonic power and vanished into thin air.
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"HUH?" Kryll muttered, skidding to a halt where Cillian had been moments before. "HAAAhh.........this Cillian," he sighed, his shoulders slumping in resignation. It's probably that girl again, he mused. Nothing else could rile up the usually ever calm Cillian like this. With a shake of his head, Kryll turned back and left.
-The Crimson Phantom Guild (The Organization); Information and Research Room-
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*BANG*
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The cacophonous reverberation of the door's impact against the wall heralded Cillian's dramatic entrance into the Information and Research Room of the Crimson Phantom Guild. The vast chamber, a veritable labyrinth of knowledge and technology, momentarily hushed as the imposing figure strode purposefully across its expanse.
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The juxtaposition of antiquity and modernity that characterized the room seemed to pale in comparison to the intensity radiating from Cillian's determined visage. His footfalls echoed ominously through the cavernous space, each step a portent of the impending confrontation.
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At the far corner of the room, ensconced in the soft glow of his laptop screen, sat a young man, his verdant eyes fixed intently on the task at hand. The serenity of his work was abruptly shattered as Cillian's hand shot out, grasping the collar of his shirt with an iron grip. In one fluid motion, the young researcher found himself suspended, his feet dangling helplessly above his recently vacated chair.
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Cillian's face loomed mere centimeters from the startled man's, his breath hot and urgent. The intensity in his eyes bore into the researcher's soul as he articulated his demands with a mixture of urgency and barely contained fury.
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"Six hours," Cillian growled, his voice a low, menacing rumble. "I'm affording you six hours to unearth the most expeditious route to the Holy Empire, the fabled Land of God." His grip tightened, emphasizing the gravity of his words. "This sanctum, accessible only to priests whose powers have been augmented by divine recognition, is said to be an ancient citadel nestled within a mountainous stronghold."
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Cillian's description painted a vivid picture of a realm both majestic and mysterious. "Envision grand, castle-like edifices intermingled with timeworn ruins, all overshadowed by colossal, arboreal-clad rock formations that arc overhead like nature's own cathedral." His eyes narrowed, the green irises flashing with an almost predatory gleam. "I demand every scintilla of information pertaining to this enigmatic locale."
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With a sudden release, the young researcher found himself unceremoniously deposited back into his chair.
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Cillian, his message delivered with unmistakable clarity, turned on his heel and strode out of the room with the same tempestuous energy that had marked his entrance.
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In his wake, the Information and Research Room slowly returned to its usual hum of activity, but now with an undercurrent of urgency. The young researcher, still catching his breath, turned to his computer with renewed purpose, the weight of Cillian's command hanging heavily in the air.
-The Crimson Phantom Guild (The Organization); Commander Staff Room 12-
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*Knock*
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*Knock*
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The resonant echo of two sharp knocks pierced the air of Commander Staff Room 12, eliciting a curt "Enter" from within. As the door swung open, Cillian's lithe form materialized in the threshold, his keen gaze sweeping across the chamber's lethal panorama.
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The room stood as a veritable armory, its walls festooned with an impressive array of weaponry spanning centuries. Ornate daggers and massive broadswords gleamed under the warm glow of antique brass chandeliers, while sleek firearms shared space with ancient crossbows, creating a deadly tableau that bridged eras of combat.
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At the heart of this martial display, a circular table of dark, polished wood dominated the space. Its surface, etched with intricate cartography and strategic schematics, was bathed in the ethereal light of a hovering holographic display. High-backed chairs, each emblazoned with the insignia of the guild's various divisions, stood sentinel around this central piece.
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In one corner, a state-of-the-art computer system hummed softly, its screens alive with real-time data feeds and mission reports. Adjacent to this, a fully-equipped medical station stood as a stark reminder of the perilous nature of their endeavors.
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The air hung heavy with the mingled scents of gun oil, leather, and the metallic tang of weaponry, a sensory testament to the room's deadly purpose. Yet, beneath this martial atmosphere, an undercurrent of disciplined order prevailed, reflecting the guild's meticulous approach to their clandestine operations.
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As Cillian's presence registered, Commander Jarek's voice rang out with unexpected joviality. "Ah! My esteemed Rank S Assassin! Your reputation precedes you!" He held a coffee mug in one hand while balancing a detailed map in the other, drawing attention from his fellow commanders.
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"Oh? So this is the illustrious figure you’ve been extolling?" shot back another commander, his tone laced with both curiosity and challenge.
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"Quite lean for one of such renown," remarked yet another commander as he took a leisurely sip from his coffee cup.
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Cillian remained unfazed by their commentary as he advanced toward Jarek. The commander maintained his cool demeanor and inquired, "What news do you bring?" His voice was steady but tinged with anticipation.
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With a slight tilt of his head, Cillian delivered his report in a measured tone. "The mission to assassinate the
Circus Joker—he who wields Pinyana magic—was a failure. The operatives engaged in this endeavor, myself included, were scattered across disparate regions of the world from which I am now estranged." He paused momentarily to let his words resonate before adding with an unexpected twist, "As I am among the fortunate survivors, I shall be taking a four-day respite. Thank you." A smile that belied the gravity of his report played across his lips as he turned to leave.
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Jarek's expression shifted from calm to incredulity as color drained from his face. "Wait... WHAT?" he exclaimed, eyes widening in disbelief as he nearly dropped the coffee mug. "You cannot be serious! RETURN at once!" The urgency in his voice commanded immediate attention from all present.
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In a desperate bid to prevent Cillian's departure, Jarek lunged forward with outstretched arms. But in a display of skill befitting his rank, Cillian looked up at the suspended man in the air, shot him a menacing smile as he vanished into thin air, leaving Jarek to crash unceremoniously to the ground with an exasperated "Ouch," as his coffee splattered across the floor and his map fluttered away.
-10 minutes after Luxana rushed off to the Forest; Hunting Ground in Domino, 8.56 AM-
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"ENOUGH NOW!" Lily shouted, her voice cutting through the cacophony of childish arguments and causing the children to abruptly cease their bickering. She turned her head back toward the path that led into the forest, desperately hoping to catch a glimpse of Luxana returning.
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For a moment, silence enveloped Isabella, Idris, Eamon, and Fenris, who had been embroiled in their quarrel for nearly ten minutes. Then, Isabella's gaze shifted to the spot where Luxana had been seated moments before.
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"Where is Luxana?" she questioned, a note of concern creeping into her voice.
Eamon, Idris, and Fenris raised their heads in unison, their expressions mirroring Isabella’s worry as they too noted Luxana's absence.
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"That's precisely what I was pondering," Lily replied, her brow furrowed with anxiety. "She rushed into the forest saying she'd be back shortly, but it has been ten minutes and still no sign of her." Her head moved back and forth as she scanned the treeline, her worry palpable.
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"WHAT?" Fenris exclaimed, suddenly standing upright. "I’ll—" But before he could finish his thought—
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The unmistakable sound of clanking armor interrupted him as two knights approached them with purpose.
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"His Majesty the King has dispatched us to escort you to the hunting festival," reported one knight, his voice firm and authoritative.
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"Oh—" Isabella muttered, taken aback by their sudden presence.
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"We understand your concerns," Lily interjected as she stood up, determination etched on her face. "However, one of the princesses is still in the forest. We must—" But before she could continue,
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"We were instructed to bring you to the festival without delay," the second knight interjected. "The three princes are scheduled to deliver their speeches at the opening ceremony."
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"Blast it all!" Idris exclaimed suddenly, his eyes widening as he recalled the significance of their presence.
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Fenris swallowed hard before responding. "Very well," he said decisively. "We will accompany one of you to the festival." He turned toward one knight and continued, "And you—" pointing to the other knight—"must go find the Princess. She has orange hair and is dressed in a turquoise riding outfit."
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"Understood," replied that knight with a nod before rushing toward the forest with urgency.
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Reluctantly, everyone else followed the remaining knight back toward the festival, their hearts heavy with concern for Luxana as they left behind the familiar safety of their gathering place for the uncertainty that lay ahead in both the forest and at the festival.
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As they walked, Lily couldn’t shake off her unease; she glanced back at the forest one last time before stepping forward.
-Inside the Forest-
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"Princess! Princess! PRINCESS!" shouted the knight who had been scouring the underbrush for the past eight minutes, his voice echoing through the dense foliage. Panic surged within him as he navigated the labyrinth of trees, each shadow concealing potential peril.
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*Crunch*
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Suddenly, he felt a disconcerting crack beneath his boot. Looking down, he noticed that the twig he had just stepped on was charred, a telltale sign of something sinister. Instinctively, he sprinted forward, weaving deftly through the towering trunks, his heart pounding in his chest as he sought to uncover the source of this ominous sign.
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As he rounded a particularly gnarled oak, a shocking sight met his eyes: a massive bear lay lifeless on the forest floor, its once-mighty form now reduced to a mere carcass. But what seized his attention even more was the figure of the princess sprawled flat on the ground a short distance away.
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"What the—" he began, his mind racing to comprehend the scene before him. But before he could finish his thought, a voice interrupted him.
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"Ah! You must be a knight from the Imperial Palace," exclaimed a figure emerging from the shadows—the High Priest of the Shrine of the Hidden Springs Temple. His demeanor was unsettlingly calm amidst the chaos.
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"Ye-yes," stammered the knight, confusion flickering across his features just before—
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A sharp twang pierced the air as an arrow flew from an unseen assailant, striking him with deadly precision. The knight collapsed instantly, life extinguished in an instant.
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"Good," remarked the Priest with a chilling smile as he advanced toward Luxana’s motionless form. The tranquility of the forest belied the malevolence that was about to unfold.
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As he approached her, he raised his hand with an air of authority, and a swirling portal began to materialize before him—a shimmering gateway that pulsed with an otherworldly energy. With a swift motion, he seized Luxana by her wrist and dragged her toward the portal.
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Before fully entering its depths, he turned back to address his unseen accomplice. "Now, go. Inform His Majesty, as per our plan," he commanded, his voice dripping with sinister satisfaction as he vanished into the swirling void.
-Hunting Ground Festival-
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Upon the grand stage, the King stood resplendent, delivering an eloquent speech that heralded the commencement of the Hunting Festival. His voice resonated through the air, captivating the audience as he extolled the virtues of tradition and camaraderie, while the three princes followed suit, each adding their own flair to the royal address.
To be Continued....
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