"What do you mean, the men are missing?" Adam asked, frowning beneath his mask.
"Yes sir, as i said three men had gone missing. Out orders were to return under an hour, however they haven't." The other man replied trembling from the pressure Adam and Derek radiated.
"What should we d-do sir?" Meekly the man asked however Adam was quiet for a moment.
"Let's tell boss, first. It's confirmed, that those two are in the forest. If they passed tried to even touch the barrier we will know anyway."
Adam finishing himself moved. Derek also followed him. At the same time, their Boss was also done with his conversation it seems.
"Boss, we have found the rats but there's a problem it seems." Adam said.
Listening to Adam's first words the Boss face lit up, however it also turned sour quickly when he learned their was a problem.
"What is it?" .....
Adam filled the boss in, on what had happened and finally asked for orders.
The Boss frowned deeply. Just Derek for the first time spoke up.
"Boss, how about we all divide into groups and search for them?" He said.
Boss looked at him, then shaked his head.
"No, i can guarantee you that this is what those two will be expecting us to do. Remember, they killed our four men when their mana was drained. Those two are not stupid." The Boss said.
"Ah...then what should we do?" Derek asked scratching his head.
The Boss smirked and spoke up.
"We will do just as they want however much differently than they would ever expect." He said darkly and then continued.
"We have nine men left right. Adam take four with you and search in North while Derek you also take four with you and search in West. Leave one here, to guard the carriage." He ordered and threw a small device towards both of them.
Adam and Derek catching it, glanced at it. It was communicator.
"I will also go and search south. If any of you find them inform instantly. Go now." The Boss said.
"Yes, Boss."
******
High on the branch of a tree, Anaerah sat. Her legs dangling in the air moving with an erratic rhythm.
Zyrus was nowhere to be found. They had decided to separate. It was dangerous, absolutely however there was reason for taking on this danger.
If they fought together, their power would be more however it also brings them the danger of being surrounded from all sides and that would be it.
Anaerah can likely handle herself as she is high ranked just below the Boss. However, Zyrus a novice. No...it would be impossible unless...
So they had decided to be separate but stay close enough to each other that they could help.
"What do you say, can i handle them?" Anaerah spoke smiling even even though no one was there.
As if listening to something, she stopped for a moment.
"Oh, that's sad. However, you are correct. Fine, then, For The Next Ten Minutes, You Are Allowed." She chuckled lightly at first, however then spoke in serious revering tone.
Anaerah's whole atmosphere changed.
As she sat, the people she was waiting for finally came. They were four assilitants doned in black hoods with a black mask on their faces, that seemed to be crying.
Two of them were Novice's. While one of them was mundane human. And the last one who seemed to be their leader was Intermediate-.
"How unremarkable." A cold voice different than before came out of her mouth. It was her's and yet it wasn't her's.
Like a fairy whistling through the forest, she glided in the air as she jumped and landed lightly in front of Adam.
Adam tensed, he hadn't even noticed her presence till now.
"Y-you are the Duke's Daughter. Finally, found you." Adam didn't wasted a second as he instantly took out the communicator to message however just then a thin trail of fire moved above his palm.
Quickly, he noticed. It was gone. The communicator had gone, burned black in ashes and he couldn't even follow it.
He stilled, then...
"You all, Attack." He shouted pointing at her and ordering the others to attack. They moved their weapons bared.
"Too late." Anaerah said with a snap her fingers, a fountain of fire erupted from the ground instantly burning the three to crisp.
Just like that in less ten seconds. Three were dead. Gone like they never existed...
Adam trembled slightly.
'I am on same rank as her, so what...what is this oppressive feeling?' He thought as he took out his daggers.
As, his daggers glinted with sliver metal, a sheen of black and murky red energy quickly covered the whole daggers.
Anaerah for the first time showed a reaction.
Disgust.
Utter disdain radiated from her being, as she glanced at the blade of daggers.
It was Demonic Energy.
Both were the same ranks, both had a weapon, and both were ready to kill.
Adam moved frist, flick his daggers in the air. He sent corrupted slashes towards Anaerah. Anaerah didn't flinch, instead she raised a large wall of fire.
Boom
Smoke came out as, fire and corruption met. However Adam was already gone. He moved through the smoke like a devil targeting his prey.
Though, it seems he had underestimated it. Just then, he was about to close in on the girl. A pillar of fire erupted from the ground.
Twisting, his body just barely in time Adam saved his life. However, it was too late. His instincts roared as he quickly turned his head towards side.
His eyes widened as he watched, fist writhed in fire coming for him. He ducked doing his best to dodge however the punch still grazed his face slightly burning it.
"You-" he roared however it was cut off.
"Just die." Anaerah said, as she thrusted her hand towards his head. From, her fingers a bullet of fire came out and shot threw Adam's head.
Just like that, without even breaking a sweat. A new transmigator had killed an Intermidiate.