Caster's eyes narrowed, and he felt a profound indignation well up inside him.
"Honestly…I can't believe they have the gall to just come through the front door."
From his vantage point, he spied a dozen or so Awakened warriors, their Memories out and gleaming with a promise of violence. There had been no subterfuge, they simply walked in like they owned the place. Indeed, they seemed totally at ease.
"With all the shit that I've had to deal with in this nightmare of a place…what makes a gang of mongrels think that they have any right to even step foot here?" Caster growled. Then, he stepped off the side of the building. He kept himself close to the wall as he fell, and at the last moment he pushed off, slightly cracking the stone from the Dream Realm while also changing his momentum.
Caster landed with a loud crash, and a cloud of dust covered his figure. About 50 meters away, all the Awakened mercenaries took battle positions.
"You're trespassing. Leave." Caster's authoritative voice cut through the air like a knife, causing some of the Awakened to flinch.
Caster hoped that the Awakened wouldn't feign innocence, and sure enough they didn't even try to hide their purpose.
"Your Master is gone, you know? Why would we listen to you…in fact, it should be the other way around," one of them called out. It was a thin woman, but she exuded an aura of cockiness that lit a flame in Caster's heart. He couldn't quite place why seeing her with an easy smile made him snap, perhaps it was just an expression of hatred for these low-life scum…or perhaps it was a painful reminder of what Gehrman had been nagging him about.
Arrogance.
"Arrogance gets you killed," Gehrman had said for the 28th time before he left to deal with the Gate just a few minutes earlier. "You've come a long way. I doubt there are any Awakened who could put up a fight against you. But don't drop your guard."
"I'm not a fool," Caster had angrily retorted. Perhaps he was extra angry because even before Gehrman had said those words, Caster had said them to himself in his head. Somewhere along the line, Gehrman's "teachings" had started to sink into him.
"Indeed, so I'll give you a bit of an extra challenge for this one," Gehrman had turned to him, his creepy eyes gleaming their yellowish-orange hue.
"Try to keep them alive."
Of all the things that Gehrman had told him, it was that last thing that put him in such a foul mood. These mongrels were declaring war, which meant they should be slaughtered with extreme prejudice.
But Gehrman didn't see things that way for some reason.
Whatever he had planned for these Awakened was probably worse than death anyway. But it still irked Caster to go against his instincts like this.
He let out a deep sigh, returning to the present.
Caster removed a sword from a strap on his back. Though this was a Memory, it was not his, and thus had to be carried manually. It was a weapon that was not too different from his preferred jian. Still, it had taken some getting used to, especially because of what happened next.
Caster winced as he felt several piercing sensations in his hand. The blood from the already closing wounds did not trickle down, but instead traveled up the blade, forming a red line against its edge.
As soon as it reached the tip the blade seemed to throb with power. Caster felt a rush as the sword grew lighter in his hand. He could feel its lethality skyrocket, nearing the level of a Transcendent weapon.
This was Gehrman's latest gift: the [Prideful Chikage].
Caster took in a deep breath, filling his lungs with air and power. His muscles bulged, boosted both by [Crows Vow] and the attire-type Memory he was currently wearing. Unlike the weapon and charm, this was something he acquired for himself. It was from a nasty Fallen Devil, and it had the powerful ability to provide a boost in physicality. Such an enchantment usually only applied to Charms, the fact that it was found on attire, and that it could stack with [Crows Vow] made it incredibly powerful.
At the moment, Caster felt like he could take on an Ascended and win. He glared at the motley crew before him, letting his distaste for them grow and his own pride to swell. In answer the curved sword seemed to shiver in excitement.
The mercenaries, who had been eyeing him with amusement, were now both serious and wary. They noted the oppressive power coming off him. Though he was a mere Awakened, they were suddenly glad there were 12 of them.
Five of the mercenaries made the first move, all attacking in unison. Caster's eyes dilated as he took in information. Noting how they ran, the angle at which they approached, and the distribution of their weight.
At the same time, an arrow and a bolt shot forward, covering the approaching warriors. Caster saw them cut through the wind, only barely influenced by natural laws.
He knew where those projectiles would land, he knew it better than the archers themselves. With minimal movement, Caster took a step to the side, dodging the bolt. At the same time, he brought his sword down. The enchanted arrow split easily, and a burst of wind appeared in the wake of the casual swing.
These two would keep firing, but Caster could deal with them and the melee fighters simultaneously.
Though he had originally felt that his victory was assured due to being a Legacy, and thus far superior. He was startled to realize that his confidence came more from the analysis of his opponents that he compiled.
In other words, he was not arrogant because of his ego, but because he accurately predicted their strength, and he knew that they were simply not enough.
With speed rivaling that of an Ascended, he burst forward. He felt his body push against the sound barrier, and when he brought his sword down it finally broke under his tremendous speed. As a Sleeper, he had been able to do this with ease. His Dormant Ability granted him unparalleled speed. And it was only with several considerable physical boosts that he was able to come close to his old speed.
But even without that quickness, he was a far more deadly fighter now then he had been on the Forgotten Shore.
As he brought his blade down, the armor of two fighters gave way, causing a decent amount of blood to pour from their bodies. It wouldn't have been fatal even for a normal human, he did not hit any major arteries or organs after all, but it was more than enough to put them down for a while.
In one continuous motion he continued, weaving between the Awakened and dealing devastating blows.
The others had now joined in, and 8 Awakened surrounded him while 2 more shot projectiles.
Caster's mind entered a state of extreme focus. His eyes moved quickly, taking in everything in his periphery. He reacted instead of thinking, not even taking time to make a plan, but instead trusting his own instincts.
He was far stronger than them. But they were still Awakened. One of them suddenly had a Memory in their hand, and a pillar of flame shot towards him.
Caster gritted his teeth and dodged low, using the opportunity to sweep one more off her feet, and then breaking her nose before putting her down for the count as well.
As the fight continued, Caster started to notice patterns appearing. There were faults in all of their fighting styles, and despite them pressing him, he was quickly picking up the cadence of their dance.
The thrill of a battle, a battle between humans was causing his already ecstatic heart to beat even louder.
It was…incredibly satisfying. Seeing these Awakened stumble in frustration, dumbfounded at being so outclassed.
The [Prideful Chikage] cut down four more in the next minute.
Caster moved to finish off the next one, a woman who had shown to be quite dexterous. But when he moved to make the finishing blow, he was shocked to have his blade met by two swords.
Suddenly, two of the others moved in perfect unison to block the blow. They staggered under the weight of the weapon, but their Memories did not shatter.
'Awakened Memories should have broken from that…how do Mercenaries have Ascended Memories?' Caster thought.
But then, his thoughts were cut short as a dagger cut into a tendon in his sword arm.
It was perfectly placed.
Alarms started to blare in Caster's head. He moved to disengage, but one of the archers had changed their timing, and after being cut he had missed it.
Caster grimaced and his mind whirled.
"That technique…" he growled. His mind was having a hard time processing what he just saw. But fortunately, they appeared to be giving him space.
The remaining 4 melee fighters were taking deep breaths and beyond them…the one with the crossbow had fallen to the ground.
5 Awakened were left standing. And though they were all exhausted, they each had something in their eyes that was very different from the others.
Caster ground his teeth.
"What is this? Who are you?"
The brows of the Awakened creased, only the dexterous girl remained generally unperturbed.
"You don't remember a senior? The Han Li clan may not have interacted with other Vassals that much, but I distinctly remember meeting you," the girl smiled, but mirth filled her voice. "Han Li Caster…what do you think you're doing?"
Caster's blood ran cold at the mention of his name. His old name. He had cast it off, he was no longer a Vassal to Valor. At least, not officially. In his mind, he didn't have the right to serve the great King of Swords until he could offer up something as valuable as those 100 promising Awakened or Changing Star's head.
That's what he had thought. But now he was presented with something he hadn't even considered.
"Aris of Aegis Rose?" Caster asked. The name felt unfamiliar and dirty on his tongue. To even address an established Awakened from a Vassal Clan that had a Saint at its head felt indecent.
Just moments before Caster had felt more than confident in his ability to dispose of them, but now that he looked closer. Each and every one of them had the bearing of a Legacy. Their stances were those of people who had gone through rigorous training.
"So you do remember me?" Aris shook her head. "I heard that you had failed in your mission, and then again when you were given a second chance. It was disappointing to see such a talent fall so low…but this…" she sneered. "This is so much worse."
Caster felt a sense of indignation rise in him like sparking fire. To his surprise, it was not due to her cutting reminder of his own failure, but because of the disdain in her voice and gaze as she observed the New Workshop.
"Still," she said with a disgruntled sigh. "Apparently this mad Master is sitting on a pile of Ascended and Transcendent Soul Shards. And since he appears to have outfitted you with a few very impressive Memories, I think it would be appropriate for you to give up this slumming and return to the real world."
Caster's grip on his sword tightened subconsciously.
"Oh? What are you proposing?"
She gave him a lazy grin. "In your current state you could very well become a Master some day. I'll allow you to marry into the Aegis Rose clan, maybe a cousin or distant relative. And then you will return to your station as a Legacy. All I ask is that help us pack up those Soul Shards and cut ties with that Ascended freak who runs this mongrel infested pit."
Caster stared at her. Aris was also slotted to become a Master at her current rate. She would eventually be someone who could support the Transcendent head of the clan. Her words were quite powerful.
But something was wrong.
'Why…do I feel so insulted?"
Caster had come here to eventually make his way back to Valor, to be of service to the King.
He had the opportunity to once again bask in his strength.
But something had changed.
Caster recalled meeting Aris now. She had slyly mentioned the lack of a Saint in the Han Li Clan and belittled him and his family. Back then, he had cowered before her. She had seemed so powerful. So strong.
But now…
"You're too weak," Caster said. His voice came out as a hollow whisper. "I know that I have fallen low. I know that I am not worthy to be in service to the King."
Caster's gaze hardened into a jarringly sharp blade. It sent shivers up the other Legacy's spines.
"But now I am starting to see that none of you are any better. No, you were never any better. It's pathetic. Even now you believe that you are in the right and that everything is going according to your will, despite numerous signs that you are out of your depth."
Aris's face contorted with rage.
"You dare!?"
"I do," Caster growled. "I have given you multiple chances to prove me wrong and take a look outside yourself, but you have failed each and every time."
"Are you trying to slander me? Me!? Whilst you waltz around, mucking it up with mongrels!"
Caster let out a long sigh.
"You continue to prove my point."
He let his gaze fall downward.
"I wonder if I was also this embarrassingly naive back then…I guess that's why he beat the shit out of me back then," he lamented to himself.
Then, Caster looked upwards, and spoke in a loud booming voice.
"You have trespassed onto the New Workshop. Home of Hunters. And never once did you think that you might be prey?"
Aris's eyes widened and a new swarm of white sparks appeared as she summoned new Memories. And that was not all, two Echoes also appeared, both of them of the Awakened Rank. The other Legacy's also summoned superior Memories and each had one Echo.
"I'll kill yo–" Aris started, but she never finished.
"Shoulders and knee caps!" Caster yelled.
Aris could only furrow her brows in confusion for one second before she heard a loud bang.
A gunshot went off.
Then another.
They layered on top of each other.
Aris used her Aspect, manifesting crystalline shields out of thin air…but when the bullets met her shields they shattered.
She didn't have time to register surprise before searing pain shot through her. Her armor had blocked most of the damage, but she still felt as if a strong Awakened had landed a direct blow on her.
Quickly taking in her surroundings, she saw a horrifying sight.
That single volley of shots had left her three companions on the floor, crying in pain. Aris turned her head.
"Cover fire!" she called to the archer. But when she turned to run, she saw an impossible sight.
A boy with sandy hair and two oddly curved daggers stood over the fallen and bleeding form of their ranged specialist.
The boy gave her a smug smirk, and then he disappeared. It was as if he had fallen through the ground and out of existence.
An entire cohort of Valor Squires were put down in mere seconds.
Just as Aris processed this, she felt a heavy blow on the back of her head.
Caster had moved silently and brutally, striking down the last Awakened standing.
As he looked down on the figure of the one he used to think was indomitable, Caster couldn't help but smile.
And with this smile, the [Prideful Chikage] grew even lighter and deadlier in his grip.