Chapter 32: Identify Yourself Old Man
On top of the village walls, the night air was thick with the scent of smoke and lingering blood from the earlier battle. The moon hung low, casting long shadows across the cracked stone.
"Boss, I believe this should be as easy as taking candy from a dead baby," the cloaked figure with the sack swung over his shoulder said, voice booming with confidence as he stood behind the leader, overlooking the quiet village below. "Those auras confronting our boys—once consumed, they may all advance to the return origin level. This trip might actually end up more lucrative than we expected."
"Don't be so complacent," the leader replied, his tone calm but edged with anticipation. "This time, these auras seem a bit special. I can tell the two scariest ones are yet to move. It's almost making me excited."
He slipped a hand into his cloak and drew out a blue orb pulsing with intense light—hypnotic, drawing the eye inescapably. Without ceremony, he popped it into his mouth and swallowed. His eyes ignited with fierce blue fire, steam curling from his lips like frost in reverse.
"Boss, congratulations on advancing to the origin apprentice level," the subordinate said, bowing deeply. "Our clan will only keep rising now that we have three origin apprentices."
"Ah, this has been long overdue," the leader said, a smile spreading that radiated confidence without need for words. "Who would have thought fighting that old man would reap such benefits? Though this advancement isn't far from the return to origin realm, I should still be able to rip apart any return to origin mages if I put in a bit of effort. Anyway, this isn't the time for congratulations—I hear a rat."
"Ah, if I had known it was the vile and repulsive beast-dung Soul Clan," a lazy voice drawled, "what are you doing all the way out in human territory?"
A figure approached, dragging a broadsword that scraped sparks along the concrete walls. The sound echoed sharply in the quiet night.
"Ah, I see," the leader said, eyes shining savagely. "Hello, captain of the spatial fortress elite guards. Who would have thought I'd meet an elite captain so far from the fortress?"
"Where are my manners?" the captain replied, voice calm and mocking as he met the leader's predatory gaze. "Allow me to introduce myself—the 30th and last captain in the elite squad. You don't need to know my name, but who would have thought we were so popular that people recognize us on sight?"
"Hahaha, you're so full of yourself," the leader laughed. "I could tell because a long time ago, I had the opportunity to taste a shard of the soul of a bigwig from your fortress. I've never been able to get the taste out of my head. Though your soul is inferior, since you're here, that means those two auras must be nobles—which means we're gonna have a feast once we're done with you."
His mana flared violently, and sections of the village walls crumbled to dust under the sheer intensity, particles drifting like ash in the moonlight.
"Ah, scary, scary," the captain said lightly. "I'm not sure I can beat one, but I doubt you both are on the same level, so..."
Before he finished, his mana burst forth. He pounced on the second figure carrying the sack.
In the same instant, the leader formed a mana blade with his hand and slashed casually, slicing the approaching captain in two.
But as satisfaction flickered in his eyes, the captain reappeared behind the sack-carrier, yanking the bag free. A blade materialized in his hand, and he slashed in mirror motion—cleaving the cloaked figure in two equal halves from bottom up.
Then he vanished, reappearing on the opposite end of the wall.
"Ah, that was so dangerous," the captain muttered, catching his breath. "I honestly don't think my pay is worth the risk right now. And why hasn't the princess started moving yet?"
He paused, as if conversing with himself, then jumped off the wall and ran from the village—deliberately visible, baiting chase.
"Argh, you fucking coward! Where are you running to?" the bisected figure cursed furiously as his wounds slowly knit. "I'm going to flay you before I use your soul as my toothpick!"
Outside the village, an old man in tattered clothes—body battered, injuries fresh—rushed toward the gates with reckless abandon. His eyes burned with rage.
But as if guided by radar, he abruptly changed trajectory, heading straight for the elite captain still clutching the sack.
Though the captain moved fast, the old man closed the gap in seconds.
"Stop there, you stupid punk!" the old man screamed. "Return my granddaughter to me right now!"
He held back attack, fear of hitting the girl staying his hand.
"Old man, you're pretty fast," the captain said, teleporting a short distance away. "But let me just say I don't know what you're talking about. This place is way too dangerous for someone like you, so scuttle back home."
The old man said nothing, rage etched in every line. Lightning fire wrapped his body, propelling him forward. He caught up again, hand stretching to seize the captain—who vanished once more, reappearing farther away.
"Who would have thought the spatial fortress was as despicable as to send the vile Soul Clan not only to attack my peaceful family, but to kidnap my dear and only grandson—who is innocent?" the old man roared, mana exploding, burning life force. He caught up a third time.
This time, the captain stood firm, long sword pointed at the approaching figure.
"If you do not wish for this to be your grave, identify yourself, old man," the captain said, playful nature gone, voice cold steel. He had put significant distance between them and the village.
"You do not need to know, oh little captain of the 30th squad," the old man replied sarcastically, aura undiminished.
"I didn't think our secret squad was so popular," the captain chuckled disrespectfully. "Doesn't seem so secret anymore, to be honest. While I'd like to chat—interrogate—more, the real bad guy will be here in ten seconds. Save your blood and rage for that."
He pointed back the way he'd come.
"If you're not with them, hand me the bag and I'll believe you're not," the old man demanded, half angry, half alert.
"Way to waste time. Three seconds—catch."
The captain tossed the bag.
The old man caught it, distracted for a split second.
The captain appeared before him.
Sparks of pale blue light erupted as the infiltrator leader—bone sword in hand—clashed with the guard captain.
"Oh, you're pretty smart, luring me out of the village," the leader sneered as blue flames erupted, trying to devour the captain. "Do you think you could both win against me?"
The captain used the clash's kinetic energy to fly backward, knocking the old man aside.
"Hey, kid—that's soul fire," the old man called, leaping clear and ripping his torn shirt to tie the bag securely to his back. "Word of advice: Don't get hit. You can only extinguish it once he's dead. It'll keep eating your soul till nothing's left if he's alive."
"Yo, gramps, thanks for the lecture," the captain replied, eyeing the cloaked figure building mana into a fiery blue dragon coiling around him. "But I'm pretty sure this guy is waiting for you to finish so we can get started."
"Are you both done now?" the leader growled, eyes shining sinister pale blue. "Your soul is mine!"
Dead bodies from the previous battle twitched and rose, animated by his power.
Within the village walls, the female guard panted, hands bleeding from endless hacking, but her body unmarked save for the blood.
"It's like a freaking nightmare," she thought. "I've been hacking away nonstop, and he keeps getting up. I won't believe he's immortal."
"Ah, you stupid bitch," the cloaked figure grinned, leaping to cleave her head. "Look how many souls we lost because of you! I'll use this village to compensate. Your swordsmanship is great, but we can tell you're tired. Guess how many souls we've got in reserve."
His comrade watched, smirking.
The blow fell.
She dodged at the last instant.
As she raised her sword to counter, a foot appeared from nowhere—kicking the attacker square in the face.
The impact sent him flying. The female guard barely perceived the speed.
A young masked girl materialized in the strike's path, unharmed.
"Ugh, you guys are so slow," the girl said haughtily. "We've already taken six down."
The guard recognized that attitude, that commanding presence.
"Princess, I'm sorry I—"
"Save it," the girl cut in. "More training when you get back."
She walked forward casually.
"I'm taking these ones too. Don't interfere."
"Okay," Tor's voice answered from a nearby rooftop. "But the last two are mine."
"Just don't make it as messy as the last two."
With a loud boom, the usually calm Luna vanished—reappearing before the spectating cloaked figure.
On reflex, he slashed, eyes releasing light purple mist.
The slash passed through thin air.
She grabbed his face, momentum slamming him into a wall. Shockwaves rippled, buildings crumbling around the impact crater.
"Ugh, I told you not to make it messy," Tor commented from the sideline.
"Sorry," Luna said calmly, taunt in her voice as she shook the figure. "I swear this time I tried controlling my strength. Hey, don't pass out—I want you awake for what happens next."
The kicked figure regained awareness, staring at Luna.
Her mana flared.
Small rotating sun-like orbs appeared behind her.
"Devourer."
Her aura became a raging arcane beast, sucking life and soul energy from the pinned figure.
"Hey, what are you doing? Stop that!" the other screeched, charging with sword swinging, fiery blue aura erupting violently.
The slash passed through her again.
She materialized, kicking him in the face once more.
"Just be patient."
She dropped the empty shell—additional orb forming behind her.
The survivor watched in horror as his comrade's body fell lifeless, no chance to scream or beg.
"Okay, you can come over now," Luna said, voice calm behind the mask.
To him, it was the face of an arcane demon.
He froze, mind racing for escape.
In his hesitation, she appeared like a ghastly ghost—straightened fingers impaling his chest.
He lost all resistance.
"Devour."
Everything burst into blue mist, Luna's aura absorbing soul energy and essence.
The female guard watched in awe, struggling to process the casual devastation.