The reddish-orange layer covers the horizon, signaling that the sun is setting.
A strong wind sweeps through the empty streets of the city, guiding them toward the guild.
Suddenly, a man is thrown through the guild's wall, flying across the city and destroying houses. He lands, nearly dead, among the rubble. Almost at the same moment, a fireball pierces the guild's roof and explodes into the sky.
Silent had guided the arcanist's hand upward, making him miss the Ancient Art. Then, Silent strikes the arcanist's neck, extinguishing him instantly.
Inside the guild, a fierce battle rages between Silent and dozens of adventurers.
Turning his body, Silent hurls the arcanist at the other adventurers. Everyone dodges and charges forward.
A swordsman swings his blade downward but misses. Silent delivers a kick that sends him flying.
More adventurers rush forward, and Silent quickly takes down an elf, strikes another in the stomach with an elbow, blocks the fists of the beastman, and counters with hundreds of rapid punches, sending the beastman flying.
An adventurer charges at Silent, wielding a spear and shield. Skillfully, he thrusts the spear, attempting to pierce him, but Silent dodges, traps the spear under his arm joint, and advances, ready to strike a punch.
The adventurer raises his shield quickly, but it shatters on impact. The punch lands squarely on his face, sending him through the guild's wall.
A quartet of assassins, brandishing daggers, approaches. Silent effortlessly evades their attacks. In a swift move, he strikes one in the back of the neck, dropping him instantly. The other three leap back, but Silent grabs two by their feet and slams them into the wall.
Their backs crash against the guild wall, yet they return to the fight.
An arcanist points his staff, reciting an Ancient Art.
-Chain Binding!!
Hundreds of chains erupt from the ground, restraining Silent. At that moment, many adventurers take the opportunity to attack together.
Silent breaks the chains and charges at them.
In an instant, the adventurers are thrown to the ground.
Those who remain standing stare in disbelief. Nobody can comprehend what just happened.
The same arcanist attempts to conjure the chains again, but Silent is faster.
He points the staff at Silent while shouting.
-Impact!
A powerful wave of pressure pushes Silent back, but he plants his feet and keeps advancing, completely unfazed. The arcanist watches, horrified.
Silent vanishes from everyone's sight, then reappears right in front of the arcanist, strikes him in the stomach, grabs his head, and slams him to the ground.
-...oof...oof...You… Monster… o...
Silent lifts him by the head, studies him, then drives his arm through the arcanist's body, killing him instantly.
The adventurers, though shocked, continue to press forward.
Their attacks are fierce, but none land on Silent.
A human swordsman in light armor attempts to strike him. Silent dodges, grabs the swordsman's arm, and punches him, sending him flying.
Quickly, an arcanist and an assassin support the swordsman, but even so, the three collide with the guild wall. They lay the swordsman down.
The oni arcanist, dressed in a black robe, speaks to the swordsman.
-What do we do, Titio?
-He's too strong!
Titio frowns.
-(Damn it!)
-I don't know, Bruno!
He takes a deep breath.
-The rumors were true…
-He's much stronger than I imagined. I was arrogant to think I could stop him just because I'm Rank S. But now isn't the time to fear. We need to kill him fast!
He grips his sword, ready to return to the battle, but his assassin companion catches both of their attention.
Titio.
-What is it, Marcos?
The human assassin Marcos, dressed in green clothes and black pants, replies.
-I have an idea...
They crouch, forming a circle.
Marcos glances at Silent, then back at Bruno and Titio.
-…This is how we'll do it. You two distract him, and I'll come from behind to decapitate him.
Everyone nods in agreement. It's not the most elaborate plan, but it's all they have.
They rise, ready for combat.
Titio looks at Marcos and Bruno.
-Ready, everyone! As planned!
He grips his sword with both hands and activates his Fire and Light Skills, enveloping the blade.
He murmurs the Ancient Art softly.
-Acceleration.
He moves so fast that he disappears in midair.
Behind where Titio stood, arcanist Bruno withdraws a simple but powerful wooden staff from his spatial ring.
He holds the staff firmly, focusing on the Ancient Art and accumulating Source.
-…
Beside Bruno, Marcos pulls up his hood, grips his dagger, and whispers his Ancient Arts.
-Concealment.
-Acceleration.
-Invisibility.
He vanishes from sight.
….
…
..
.
Minutes Earlier
Silent defeats adventurers effortlessly, making many faint or die with a single blow.
Two sisters appear before Silent, each wielding a spear. One comes from behind, the other from the front.
Silent dodges by rolling on the ground and rises.
Side by side, the two sisters advance toward him.
The tip of one spear aims at Silent's foot, while the other tries to pierce his arm. But with such a direct approach, Silent could easily intercept them.
They were feints.
The first redirects the spear toward his head, while the other lifts her weapon to pierce his chest.
It doesn't matter. With swift movements, Silent leaps and lands on the guild's roof.
The two sisters raise their weapons high, ready to jump and reach him. But Silent is no longer there.
Through their eyes, a shadow passes very close.
-!!!
-!!!
Before they realize it, pressure points around their bodies are struck, and moments later, Silent grabs them by the neck.
They struggle to react, but their bodies do not move. All they can do is stare at Silent. Then he hurls them out of the guild, smashing through the side walls.
A very tall man, appearing like a giant, muscular and bearded, swings his axe down at Silent, raising a cloud of dust.
The man smiles, showing his missing teeth, believing he has landed a hit.
When the dust clears, Silent stands unharmed.
With just one hand, he grips the axe blade firmly.
The man frowns and tries to pull the weapon, but fails.
Silent then pushes the axe forcefully, causing the back of it to smash into the man's forehead, making him stagger.
-Grrr! Damn it!
He rushes forward furiously, holding the axe with both hands, swinging more blows. Silent dodges.
Again, he unleashes fierce strikes, but Silent continues to evade, leaving the man increasingly enraged.
Silent leaps, reaching the man's head height, and swiftly lands an elbow to his face, sending him crashing heavily to the ground.
Silent is still descending.
Behind him, a wolf-type beastman runs and jumps.
-Silent!!!
In midair, Silent twists his body.
Silent's punch and the beastman's collide, but the beastman is pushed back, bouncing across the ground.
One of his companions, a fairy race warrior in golden armor, approaches calmly.
-Martins, are you alright?
Martins, his body covered in wounds, lifts his head. Even without speaking, his expression clearly says, "Are you seriously asking that?"
With all the sarcasm he can muster, Martins replies.
-Of course I'm fine, Celina. Can't you see?
Celina smiles, matching his tone of mockery.
-Ah, good… Then I guess Rit doesn't need to help you.
An elf dressed in green robes approaches the two.
Raising his hand toward Martins, Rit casts a healing Ancient Art, and the wounds vanish without a trace.
Martins rises from the ground and steps in front of them.
Rit.
-And now? What's the plan, leader?
Celina crosses her arms.
-What plan?
-Martins is just going to go there and try by luck, to land a hit on Silent.
Martins ignores Celina's comment and answers Rit's question.
-I'm analyzing.
-(Damn it, looking at that bastard is infuriating.)
-(But I have to admit, defeating several adventurers alone is for the few.)
-(But that's not necessarily bad. If they can't stop him, it means more reward for us. But how am I supposed to defeat him?)
-(I need an action plan.)
Looking to the other side, Martins sees a group of adventurers forming a circle. They appear to be discussing something and quickly take a combat formation. Two disappear from view, while another concentrates energy, accumulating Source.
Martins knows what to do.
-People, come closer. I have an idea.
Celina and Rit approach. Martins shares his plan. Once they understand their roles, the three look at the oni arcanist, then at Silent.
Martins begins to feed his rage with thoughts.
His fur bristles, his fury so intense that he growls.
So much rage pushes him into berserker mode, growing larger and more robust, his fur thickening, snout elongating, gaining even more lupine features.
His companions feel his strength multiply several times.
Martins' words come out mixed with growls.
-Grrr… on my… Grrr… signal…
-Now!
In an instant, Martins charges at Silent.
Trying to keep up with his speed is Celina, glowing intensely, radiating golden (solar) light.
Rit stays behind, beginning to invoke an Ancient Art.
….
…
..
.
Silent turns his gaze toward Martins, sensing him advancing.
Martins approaches and attempts to punch him, just like last time. Again, it has no effect.
Silent slashes his claws toward Martins, but before the attack can land, a column of stone erupts from the ground, summoned by Martins, blocking the strike.
Spikes of stone fly toward Silent, who destroys them with minimal effort. Martins tries to cut, punch, and grab Silent, but Silent defends, dodges, and counterattacks. One strike lands directly on Martins' chin, sending him flying backward.
Celina appears beside Silent and throws a punch, but he blocks it effortlessly. In a swift counterattack, Silent's strike hits her stomach squarely.
Celina's armor dents under the blow.
She momentarily loses focus in her eyes and spits blood.
-(What the hell!? One strike and I'm already bleeding!?)
Her eyes lock on Silent, who is about to strike again.
-(What kind of monster is he!?)
But a column of stone rises from the ground, blocking Silent's attack. Martins appears, delivering a flying kick. Silent crosses his arms, blocking it without difficulty.
Martins spins in the air and lands on his feet, raising his fists.
Martins and Silent face each other.
Silent throws a punch. Martins blocks but is pushed backward still, his defense holds firm.
He stomps the ground and lunges with a direct punch.
Silent raises his arm to defend. His body shudders slightly from the impact but does not budge an inch.
Martins attacks again, but none of his attempts succeed. Silent counters with a powerful punch. Martins crosses his arms to defend but feels the full weight of the strike. Despite planting his feet firmly, he is thrown far away.
Above Silent, Celina appears, launching two orbs of light. Silent dodges. Celina's ring glows, summoning a sword. She grips it, channeling her Solar Light Skill.
She charges at Silent and swings her sword.
Silent's fingers converge, making his claws appear as a single blade.
He blocks the strike. Celina attacks again. Silent defends and counters. Sparks fly with every clash.
Celina suffers a cut on her shoulder and must retreat.
-Tch!
-(How is this possible!?)
-(I'm wearing armor, my sword and body are shrouded in solar light… yet he still injures me!?)
Silent presses the attack, forcing Celina back.
New cuts appear on her body, though none are severe.
-(Is he playing with me?)
Celina grits her teeth.
-Damn it, you bastard!
The solar light around her intensifies, and a beam shoots toward Silent.
The blast destroys the guild's bar, leaving a trail of destruction. Dust rises, covering the surroundings.
Celina scans the area, trying to locate Silent. Her eyes widen, and she lifts her sword reflexively.
She blocks the incoming strike. Silent launches new attacks.
Celina defends, but with every block, she suffers damage.
Her strength wanes. Silent brings his claws down toward her neck. Before she can be decapitated, Martins jumps in, blocking Silent's hand.
Blocking the strike is nearly impossible. Silent's fingers sink into Martins' arm, inflicting intense pain. Moments later, Martins is flung away.
A sword strikes from behind Silent but misses.
Titio advances, swinging his blade engulfed in flames. He moves faster than before, but Silent remains unpressured.
Titio clashes with Silent.
Every collision sends pain through Titio's body.
-(Damn assassin.)
On the other side, Celina feels Rit's healing taking effect and returns to the fight.
She appears beside Titio. Both swordsmen charge.
Silent dodges, blocks, and creates space.
Silent raises his leg for a side kick. Titio dodges, but Celina tries to block. She fails, losing her footing, and is thrown away.
Martins forms stones in his hands and hurls them at Silent, who easily evades. Titio swings his weapon, but Silent sidesteps.
A stone curves toward Silent's face. It strikes his head.
The perfect opening!
They do not hesitate.
Bruno, focusing intently, seizes the moment.
He points his staff at Silent.
-Ancient Art!
-Gravity!
Silent's body freezes. The gravitational pressure is so strong that the ground cracks, trapping his feet in the earth.
The force, however, affects only him. Everyone else advances.
Titio's sword is about to strike Silent's neck, but in a swift motion, Silent punches his chest, smashing through his armor.
Titio screams in pain and is thrown outside the guild.
Next is Martins, attempting to decapitate Silent from behind. Silent lifts his feet from the ground and delivers a swift kick. Martins defends, but before he can react, Silent's hand pierces his chest. A punch to the stomach sends him crashing into the guild's ceiling, then the ground.
Bruno, witnessing this, intensifies his Ancient Art, trying to stop Silent from moving.
-(I have to hold him!)
-(How can he move under increased gravity!?)
He strengthens the gravitational force, but Silent remains indifferent.
Before Silent can act, thick silver chains burst from the ground, binding his arms and legs.
Bruno stares in astonishment, then realizes the source of the technique. He glances at an elf on the other side of the room, performing an Ancient Art.
Rit nods at Bruno, who returns the gesture.
With a wave of his hands, Rit drives the chains into the ground, trapping Silent's knees.
Silent struggles, but stones strike him, keeping him pinned. Martins, already healed by Rit, charges at high speed. In an instant, he stands before Silent, ready to strike mercilessly.
Silent raises his gaze and sees Marcos descending from above, dagger in hand, aiming for his skull.
Titio feels the healing surround him, easing his pain. He stomps forcefully, his sword glowing red, and swings to split Silent in two.
On the other side, Celina fires a concentrated solar light attack, aiming to pierce Silent.
Rit summons more chains, further restraining Silent's arms.
Time seems to slow as an invisible force takes hold.
Some adventurers smile, others remain serious. All know that even Silent cannot escape unscathed.
At least one of these attacks will hit and it will be fatal.
Martins smiles.
-(Victory is mine, though I'll have to share the fame and reward.)
Celina keeps her face serious.
-(Someone like him must die now. We can't miss this chance.)
Rit remains focused.
-(Finish this!)
Bruno does not flinch.
-(Kill him!)
Titio is outwardly serious but smiles inwardly.
-(I'll be the hero of this era. Legends will tell of how I defeated the feared Silent.)
Marcos grins.
-(I'll surely become the most famous assassin… maybe even called the King of Assassins.)
Silent sees Martins' claws, Marcos' dagger, Titio's sword aiming to split him, and Celina's solar light beam.
Inescapable.
Suddenly, just as all attacks are inches from hitting…
Silent's body releases electricity.
The smiles of the few adventurers vanish. Panic fills their faces.
It's too late. The electric discharge catches them off guard. The shockwave obliterates the guild, hurling everyone in different directions.
The force destroys not only the guild but surrounding houses, setting the street ablaze. Many adventurers die instantly.
Far away, Martins, Rit, Celina, Titio, Marcos, and Bruno lie buried under rubble.
Flames consume houses, entire buildings collapse.
Amid the fire, Titio and Martins rise from the debris.
Martins on one side, Titio on the other.
Despite severe wounds, stiffness, and muscle spasms, both advance toward Silent. Titio's sword ignites fiercely. Martins reaches Silent first.
But Silent is no longer joking. He trembles before vanishing right before them.
Martins.
-!!!
Titio.
-!!!
Before they realize it, both suffer piercing attacks. Multiple holes appear in their bodies, leaving them unable to comprehend the strikes' origin.
They fall to the ground, powerless. The last thing they see before losing consciousness is Silent with bloodied hands.
Silent… the only one still standing.
He surveys the scene, seeing dead and unconscious bodies scattered. Though his face remains unreadable, he appears… inscrutable.
The same scene, always, bodies lying on the ground.
Silent lowers his head, a seemingly respectful bow to the fallen.
….
…
..
.
A minute passes, and Silent walks out of the destroyed area.
He reaches the city's commercial center. The ruined guild sits on a corner relative to the square, where a fountain with a statue stands in the middle of the main street.
If someone follows this street straight ahead, they would exit the city through the main gates.
As Silent takes a few more steps, an arrow whistles through the air toward him.
He dodges easily, but the arrow embeds itself in the ground, sparking before it explodes. The blast hurls Silent, slamming his back into the wall of a nearby house.
Suddenly, figures emerge from the shadows, carrying away the wounded and the dead before vanishing.
Silent senses the presence of many people and quickly raises his guard. But for now, the priority is to identify who fired the arrow.
Turning his head, he feels her presence. Atop the tallest building in the city, a tall woman with a ponytail, dressed in red from head to toe, stands. She grips a majestic flaming bow, ready to release another arrow.
In an instant, hundreds, perhaps thousands of arcanists and archers appear on rooftops, surrounding Silent. Soon after, entire armies advance, closing the streets.
Silent notices the house behind him about to collapse. He leaps, landing atop the fountain.
As expected, the house crumbles, swallowed by the battalion. Many soldiers wear golden or silver armor. The army forms a circle around Silent.
The number of troops seems endless. Soldiers keep coming continuously through the city's main gates.
Amid the ranks, four mounted figures approach. Two men and two women. They appear to be commanders. They survey the partially destroyed city before locking eyes on Silent.
The four raise their weapons toward him and, in unison, shout.
-ATTACK!
-Aaaaaaaaah!!!
The army responds with deafening war cries.
Everyone charges at Silent. Archers release volleys of arrows, and arcanists chant Ancient Arts.
Silent lifts his gaze and advances toward the army.
….
…
..
.