Tilea's Worries

A few days later--

I had to use the forbidden technique.

Casey sighed to herself.

The forbidden technique "Old Rain" that I had vowed never to use. It was my personal secret, kept hidden from the clan.

Once activated, the technique consolidates all the clan's magic into me. It grants immense power in exchange for the life of the entire clan. It was a backup plan in case of an unbeatable enemy.

A trump card... its value lies in not using it, yet I did.

Surviving at the cost of the entire clan, what would become of my Jet Black Slaughter Corps?

Rebuilding the organization from scratch, training a group with such assassination skills again would take countless years.

It’s like an octopus eating its own leg. While the forbidden technique has benefits, the drawbacks are significant. If it could be resolved by sacrificing myself alone, I would do so.

But it was an unavoidable situation.

Ortissio's relentless demands were the final straw.

Hah, this isn’t like me. Enough regrets. Now, I just need to escape!

Today, most of the guards had moved to the diplomatic mission’s quarters for a visit from the Demon King’s envoy. There would be no better opportunity to escape.

My magic power had risen to nearly 30,000. But this level alone wasn't enough to escape this monster-filled mansion.

I’d use the highest risk assassination technique, Magic Shun Ken. It temporarily boosts one's magic power. Of course, there are risks. There’s a time limit, and the recoil after using the technique is severe. For three days, I’d be unable to move. I had to escape beyond the influence of the Evil God Army within that time.

Secretly leaving the slave quarters, I entered the food storage area.

Ortissio was inspecting the food storage. On such an important day of diplomatic negotiations with the Demon King’s army, he was here.

Was he being sidelined?

Anyway, he was the only officer in the underground empire. If I could defeat him, the first barrier would be broken.

"Ortissio-sama."

"What? Where were you? The refrigerator temperature has risen by 0.5 degrees."

"I apologize."

"Stop dawdling and freeze it quickly."

"Yes, sir."

I replied obediently and slowly approached Ortissio.

I couldn’t let him sense my killing intent. I concealed it as I walked.

"Casey, wait."

"Yes?"

Had he noticed?

Though he was an idiot, he was still a high-ranking officer in the Evil God Army. I couldn’t underestimate him.

A cold sweat ran down my back.

"Before you freeze it, move the vegetables. Don’t you think the vegetable compartment should be in the middle?"

What a trivial matter! It was another one of his whims.

Damn it, he kept making us rearrange the fridge, saying things like "the placement of the food is wrong" or "increase the egg stock."

Moreover, since it was a whim, it was incredibly inefficient.

No, I couldn’t let my anger show. I maintained my composure as I moved the vegetables according to Ortissio’s instructions. I finally managed to get behind him.

"Casey, move the vegetables."

"..."

"Casey?"

"Magic Shun Ken!"

I amplified my magic power all at once.

"What!? Casey, that magic power--ugh!"

Using Magic Shun Ken, I struck Ortissio in the face and escaped from the food storage area.

The first barrier was broken.

Now, only the ordinary soldiers of the second division were left. Without their leader, their chain of command would be in chaos.

I used Magic Shun Ken to sprint towards the exit.

"Commander Ortissio!"

"Damn it. Commander Ortissio has been defeated."

"Alert! Escapee! There’s a runaway slave!"

Of course, it wouldn’t be that easy. The guards quickly detected the commotion. Pursuers were closing in.

"Death March!"

Using the assassination technique Death March, I took down the pursuers with my fists. By boosting my magic power to nearly 60,000 with Magic Shun Ken, I struck them. This attack could crush an A-rank adventurer in one hit, but it only managed to temporarily disable the Evil God Army soldiers.

But this was enough!

There was no need to kill them. Delaying them would attract reinforcements. Magic Shun Ken had a time limit. The recoil was significant.

I had to avoid combat and escape quickly.

I knocked out several guards and approached the exit.

Almost there--.

Just as I felt relieved, I sensed someone and quickly hid.

"What’s the commotion?"

"Commander Nielsen! You’re just in time."

A dignified voice of an old gentleman with a mustache was met with relieved responses from the guards.

Damn, an unexpected problem.

The core of the Evil God Army, the invincible Nielsen, had returned.

Had the meeting with the Demon King’s army already ended?

Too fast. This was bad. If I lingered, Camilla and the other monsters would return. If that happened, escape would be impossible.

Fortunately, Nielsen hadn’t noticed me yet.

I dashed past Nielsen’s side.

"What!? She’s already this far...!"

"Damn, she’ll escape."

The guards warned, but it was too late.

I punched Nielsen and the others in the face as I passed by.

Nielsen and the others staggered from the surprise attack.

I did it. Luck was on my side. The successful ambush was pure luck. The exit was now in sight.

I accelerated my running speed, but...

A chill ran down my spine. My instincts, honed through countless battles, warned me.

Be on guard!

I immediately set up five layers of barriers.

Just as expected. Nielsen thrust out his fist, sending a wave of energy.

That was close. If I’d been a moment slower--gah!

No... way...

Nielsen’s energy wave easily shattered my barriers, which had been boosted by my magic power to nearly 60,000. I had created five layers of barriers, but Nielsen’s energy wave broke through each one, hitting my ribs.

What a powerful strike. If I hadn’t used the forbidden technique, my body would have been shattered.

I must... escape...

The severe damage made me feel faint. Forcing myself to stay conscious, I moved away from the area. Using my assassination stealth techniques, I managed to escape the underground empire.

Panting heavily, I felt my legs grow heavy.

The previous battles had left me with various injuries. I wanted to cast healing magic, but my magic power was depleted. Natural recovery wouldn’t be enough.

Especially the rib injury from Nielsen was severe. I needed to rest or I’d lose consciousness.

Panting, I had to keep moving, further away...

If the pursuers came, I couldn’t fight. Exhaustion and injuries had left me in bad shape.

This... this might work.

I hid in an abandoned house nearby.

Panting heavily, I leaned against the wall and took deep breaths. I needed at least a day or two of rest to have any chance of escaping.

Those monsters. My self-confidence felt pitiful. I had revealed all my cards and escaping was the best I could manage.

As I sighed in self-deprecation,

I sensed a presence near the door.

Damn, already?

I quickly took a combat stance.

"Where are you looking?"

"What!?"

When did you...

She had perfectly taken my back.

Even though I was injured, for a top assassin, this was a grave mistake.

"It’s been a while."

"Ca-Camilla..."

Standing before me was the silver-haired, bewitching demon smiling eerily. The number two of the organization had come herself... my luck had run out.

"What’s the matter? You broke through the surveillance of my subordinates. Show me that power."

Camilla provocatively taunted me.

Even at my best, she was an unbeatable opponent. Now, injured and weakened by the Magic Shun Ken’s recoil, it was hopeless.

Despair took over.

Surrender or die?

Even if I fought, the chance of victory was zero.

As I racked my brain for the best move,

"Gah!"

Suddenly, Camilla hit me with a wind pressure punch.

My head felt hot, and blood trickled from my forehead.

"What are you dawdling for? You lost focus. When facing me, be on full alert!"

So fast. Such speed.

Trying any tricks was useless.

I made up my mind.

This was the only way.

I took the Evil God's Earth Demon Strike stance.

"Oh, imitating your sister’s stance, are you?"

"No stance is more logical."

"Interesting, very interesting."

Camilla laughed heartily and raised her hand.

This... healing magic...?

The healing magic rained down on me, to my utter surprise.

My open wounds closed up instantly. What an effect, I was fully healed.

"... What’s the meaning of this? I was ready to die. Mercy is an insult."

"Heh, you react just like Nyger. You do resemble Nyger’s combat style."

"Nyger and I once fought together. We even trained together."

"I see. That makes sense. Very well, let’s have a match. Normally, I’d execute an escaped slave immediately, but I’ve changed my mind."

"What do you mean?"

"Show me your power. Prove you’re too valuable to kill, and I’ll spare your life."

"... I’d rather die than return to slavery."

"Don’t worry. I don’t make those I favor mere magic slaves. I’ll treat you as a subordinate, a warrior."

"I see."

Greed surged within me.

If I could become a part of this monstrous group...

Thanks to Camilla, my stamina and morale were fully restored. I could use Magic Shun Ken up to three times.

"Magic Shun Ken!"

"I see. So that’s the technique you used to defeat my subordinates. Very interesting. It’s due to the curse marks within your body."

Sharp. She saw through it immediately. As expected of Camilla, the pioneer of magic systems. I couldn’t hold back.

"Magic Shun Ken... threefold!"

I boosted my magic power to nearly 100,000 and aimed a punch at Camilla,

"Impressive, well-honed punch. I commend you."

Camilla easily caught my punch. Despite my attack, she remained unfazed.

It was over.

Using Magic Shun Ken at threefold, I could only maintain consciousness for ten seconds.

The recoil hit me, and I collapsed on the spot.