【芙宁娜：What happened? I just logged in and saw Chelsea asking for help.】
【达斯琪：The assassination failed.】
【妮可：No! The assassination was successful, but we were exposed on the way back. And the worst part is that we ran into Esdeath. She's said to be the Empire's strongest 'Teigu user'.】
【芙宁娜：Isn't she in the north suppressing the tribes?】
【切尔茜：The intel was wrong! Damn it! I don't know either! She came back early. Anyway, Su Zhe, please save me! @苏哲】
【琪琳：Can you handle this? I think Su Zhe is away @达斯琪.】
【切尔茜：No way! Esdeath is at least a Level 2 city-destroying strength. If you come, you'll just be going to your deaths.】
Although she hadn't fought Esdeath directly, Chelsea had a rough idea of her strength.
With just one swing of her sword, Esdeath pierced through Hill's chest.
Her strength was definitely Level 2 or higher.
Even though Hill managed to deflect Esdeath's long sword with her Teigu "All Things Severed" - "Soul Eater,"
It still went off target!
It pierced her right lung.
She was spitting blood.
As for herself?
Her Teigu, "Transformation at Will - Gaia Foundation," was only suitable for assassination and reconnaissance. Her combat ability was probably not even as good as Qi Lin's, who was a police officer.
Even though Dasqi used the chat room bug to master "Rokushiki,"
Her Level 1 strength was no match for Esdeath.
At most, she could use "Soru" or "Geppo," which she had mastered, to escape.
But she was still carrying Hill.
With their combined weight, Dasqi couldn't carry her.
If they went, they would just be delivering themselves to death.
...
Empire, outskirts of the capital city.
Night.
Dark clouds rolled across the sky, obscuring the bright moonlight.
A fierce wind howled, carrying with it a chilling aura, suffocating everyone.
Under the dark sky, a figure darted quickly.
"Cough cough~"
"Put...put me down."
"You go ahead. We... can't... both... die here."
Hill spoke weakly.
"Don't talk nonsense."
"I've already called for help. He's a very powerful guy."
"Hold on! I don't want my first mission to end with a dead comrade."
Feeling the warm blood splatter onto her neck, Chelsea's tears streamed down.
"Cough cough~, it's... no use."
Her right lung had been pierced.
Every breath she took hurt from the cold air.
Hill knew she wouldn't survive.
"Shut up. He can save you."
Chelsea yelled.
Clack!
A barrage of ice blades flew from behind.
Chelsea cursed under her breath.
She stomped hard on the air.
Her Rokushiki "Geppo" activated, rapidly treading on the air, "whoosh" she shot up into the sky.
She barely dodged the incoming ice blades.
Then!
Her Rokushiki "Soru" activated, continuously stamping on the air dozens of times in an instant, rapidly dashing forward.
"Hmm?"
"Interesting technique?"
"This isn't the ability of 'Gaia Foundation.'"
Below, Esdeath's boots pounded the ground, pursuing her like the wind.
As she moved, the ground froze, block by block.
The cold was intense, as if the surrounding air was solidifying.
"I've changed my mind."
"I won't kill you."
"But I hope you can withstand my interrogation."
A cruel smile crossed Esdeath's lips.
She raised her hand, and a barrage of ice spikes shot out, following after Chelsea.
Attacking while pursuing at high speed.
She could tell.
The technique, although somewhat strange, was extremely draining.
Especially with someone else to carry.
The little girl wouldn't be able to hold out for long.
"Soru" once again dodged the incoming ice spikes.
Chelsea coughed up a mouthful of blood.
Esdeath's eyes were sharp and ruthless.
...
Indeed.
Chelsea couldn't hold out for many more uses of "Geppo."
A few more rounds.
Her legs would be broken.
Rokushiki could be purchased individually.
Each individual skill cost 400 points.
Chelsea considered herself an assassin, so she didn't need "Tekkai," "Shigan," or "Rankyaku."
"Busoshoku" would be useful.
But she had sharper weapons.
So, to save points, she chose "Soru" and "Geppo," which were useful for escape.
Turning into a bird still had some drawbacks.
It was also slower.
But her "Soru" and "Geppo" were only at the mastery level. She was far behind Dasqi's proficiency.
She hadn't trained specifically for stamina either.
Their original plan was to assassinate the Imperial minister during a suburban outing.
It was successful.
But the unfortunate thing was that they ran into Esdeath on her return.
Even though they disguised themselves well.
The smell of blood couldn't be concealed.
Esdeath suddenly attacked, unleashing a barrage of ice spikes with her hand.
Although Hill blocked them, it created a cloud of ice mist.
A thin sword pierced out from the mist.
Hill was hit.
She was pierced to save her.
Chelsea, having risked injury to take Hill away, how could she abandon her now!
"Give up."
"You can't escape!"
"If you keep going, your legs will be ruined."
Below, Esdeath, sprinting at high speed, kept throwing ice spikes and blades, forcing Chelsea to keep turning with "Geppo."
Increasing her stamina burden.
"Get down here!"
Just before Esdeath threw another ice blade.
Hill gritted her teeth and, with all her remaining strength, decisively pushed Chelsea away, falling from the sky.
"Live!"
Suddenly feeling empty behind her.
Chelsea turned her head sharply, Hill's smiling face quickly shrinking in her vision.
"No! Hill!!"
"Su Zhe, please come!"
"Woohoo, I beg you."
"Call me anything, maid, lover, slave, anything!"
"Please save Hill!!"
...
"Oh, really?"
"Chelsea, I didn't expect you to play so open!"
A cold glint flashed in Esdeath's eyes, and she slammed on the brakes.
She looked in disbelief at the black-haired youth who had appeared out of nowhere.