Alden ran through the crumbling ruins of the city.
He didn't just run—he used Shadow Steps, flickering through the terrain to reduce the distance as quickly as possible.
Explosions and magical shockwaves echoed from the centre. It had to be Sorin, still clashing with the Demon Contractors.
Alden too had already defeated dozens of enemies on his way—most of them were Initiate Rank contractors.
The majority of the invaders were either initiates or, at most, low-level apprentices.
Only a handful ranked higher. Their job wasn't to win. It was to stall. To buy time. To keep the academy professors occupied.
Most of the instructors who had joined the expedition were around Master Rank.
Even Sorin was only at the peak of Master Rank.
Aziel's location was near the centre.
And as Alden walked towards the centre, the number of demon contractors was increasing.
That increased Alden's urgency even more.
He has to reach Aziel as soon as possible.
Just then, two figures jumped out from the shadows.
Initiate Intermediate Rank. Ambush tactics.
Alden didn't even draw a breath. He vanished into his own shadow —and reappeared behind them in an instant.
One swing. Two heads hit the ground with a dull thud.
He didn't even stop his steps.
The group attacking them was just another one of the lower-level cults spread throughout the empire. Most of them had formed contracts with some low-level demons.
So they weren't a threat. Not worth a second glance.
Alden soon arrived near the location of Aziel.
Aziel was unconscious. His body was covered in blood, but he didn't have any injuries.
Cecilia was on top of him. Her arms wrapped around his body tightly.
A robed figure was standing in the opposite direction. Half of his face was masked, leaving his mouth unmasked, but Alden could sense the power radiating out of him.
Advanced Apprentice Rank.
He released a huge, black, ominous sphere of energy in their direction.
Alden quickly activated his Shadow Steps.
Just before the sphere could make contact, he reappeared—arm stretched out.
[Abyssal Soul Is Activated]
The sphere collided with his hand —and vanished.
Alden felt the impact. His mana dropped sharply as the energy was absorbed.
The robed man's smile faltered. "...You caught that?"
"I'll handle him," Alden said to Cecilia without even looking back. "Take Aziel and run."
"But—" Cecilia tried to say something, but Alden didn't have any intention to listen.
"I have my own way out. I'll hold him off."
He couldn't afford to be distracted. The enemy was a complete major level higher than him.
He activated his [Spirit Domain] and his [Eyes of Supreme].
He felt Cecilia picking up Aziel's body as she walked off reluctantly. "I'll be back. With help."
Alden's eyes never left the robed figure.
The enemy stood silently throughout all this. He didn't even try to attack the escaping Cecilia. Half of his face was covered in a mask, leaving his mouth open.
He held an amused smile.
"You seem even more interesting, kid. How did you stop that attack?" He asked Alden.
Alden looked at him for a moment.
No visible weapons. No heavy armour.
A mage or an assassin, probably.
If I play it smart, I can defeat him.
I just need to utilise my abilities well.
Alden's mind focused completely on his enemy.
[Voidheart Is Activated Strongly]
All the unnecessary thoughts vanished.
I can't win in a direct confrontation.
Alden used his shadow steps as he reappeared behind the robed figure.
He activated his move. The katana sliced through the air cleanly before it collided with a barrier which had come alive out of thin air.
"Why are you so rude, kid? Attacking me directly instead of answering." The robed figure turned.
Alden didn't answer. He wasn't here for a conversation.
He was waiting for the perfect moment.
From the impact he had felt, the defence of the enemy was unnaturally strong. He couldn't cut through it.
It was stronger than what an apprentice rank person should be capable of.
All these calculations happened within seconds, and a plan formed inside Alden's mind.
It would've been easy if he had used Limit Break, but Alden decided against it.
Currently the whole place was swarming with demon contractors, and he didn't know when another would come. If he used Limit Break, he would become a sitting duck.
He couldn't afford that.
His stance grew laxer.
His eyes grew a little dimmer.
He played the part– A desperate, overreaching student.
The masked figures' expressions changed. His face twisted. "Fine if you don't want to talk now. I'll ask once I rip your limbs out one by one."
With those words, the masked figure vanished.
Appearing straight in front of Alden. His hand stretched out to punch.
Alden had sensed the attack with his Spirit Domain and Eyes of Supreme.
Still, he didn't react until the very last moment.
Just as the fist was about to be connected, he tried to dodge awkwardly.
His body was hit. The punch originally launched at his ribs connected slightly off trajectory, flinging Alden backward like a ragdoll.
He crashed into a pillar with a loud thud.
Alden had used his shadow to cushion his fall as much as possible.
The punch was powerful, but it too didn't do much damage.
Alden's awkward moment wasn't without reason. He had shifted his vital part out of the impact zone.
He had even received a punch he could've dodged.
It was a gamble. If the punch had landed just a few centimetres closer to his core, he would've been too injured to follow through.
But sometimes, risk was the only path to victory.
So, he took the risk.
The reason? To make the enemy let his guard down.
He had a plan…and for the plan to succeed. He had to make the robed figure let his guard down as much as he could.
And just from taking the punch, Alden's plan was succeeding.
The enemy's expression turned into disappointment as he walked towards the barely kneeling figure of Alden.
He was underestimating Alden.
Alden coughed out blood—but inside, he smiled.
Just a little closer.