Chapter 203: Rogue’s lie

“This is easier than I thought,” the man with a scar voiced proudly. The three behind held knives, no killing intent behind the eyes. They wielded the knives as if it were toys, not even a proper grip, they held it as if it were a kitchen utensil and not a tool for slaughter.

‘What’s the proper way to deal with these idiots.’ Staxius thought; the mind wandered with countless possibilities and outcomes. ‘A bit of intimidation should work fine,’ the eyes emotionless, he watched, ‘-these guys aren’t killers. Just people trying to play tough,’ from emotionless, it turned into a glare, ‘weaklings trying to act tough, how annoying.’

“Ay, don’t glare at us,” the leader of said band spoke, the voice higher but wasn’t clear. It felt as if something was caught in the throat, a sluggish tone of an old man paired with the vigor of a teenager.

“Before we do anything,” Staxius asked, “-have you ever killed someone?” the voice and emotions changed to a man afraid and not wanting to die.

“O-of course not,” one of the three behind added without much thought.

“Shut up you idiot,” the one in the middle elbowed the first who spoke.

“What does that have to do with anything,” the leader asked in turn, “-killed or not have killed, who cares, there’s a first to everything,” he licked the knife, “you can be my first. The first to deflower my consciousness and turn me into a murderer,” the eyes firm and grip tightened, the leader meant business.

.....

“Pathetic,” tired of the game, Staxius’s aura changed, “-I don’t know how idiots like you managed to join the outposts,” he gave a side-glance to the military office, *Death Element: Unleash Aura,* the pressure that oozed forced the little gang on their feet.

“W-what is h-happening,” asked the leader whomst could barely stand much less kneel, their whole body laid on the floor face first.

“The answer is simple,” he walked and turned the leader’s head with his feet, the intent was to stare into that man’s eye, “-you see, killing someone doesn’t have much merit. After all, once a person is dead, there’s no coming back and no having fun.” Discreetly, he bit part of his inner cheek, a small cut that allowed blood to flow, *Blood-Arts: Crimson Thread,* the blood dripped from the side of the lips. Unnoticeable unless getting close, “-if one wants to kill,” the blood raced down his arm and off the index finger, it attached itself with the knives, “-then one must be ready to be killed,” an upward motion later, the weapons levitated and placed themselves headfirst on their necks. Unable to speak from the pressure, tears formed, it dripped on the dusty ground which turned moist.

“Now tell me,” with killing intent, he spoke, “-are you ready to die?” the knives began to slowly pierce the skin. The idleness changed to moans, they hummed frantically and tried to get away, the feeling of dread as if face to face with death himself, the men gulped and struggled.

“That’s the difference between people who kill and people who pretend,” unleash aura dispelled. Three of the four knives now hovered behind Staxius, one remained on the leader’s neck.

“W-we’re s-sorry,” they begged, “w-we won’t do a-anything of that s-sort no l-longer,” they cried, “f-forgive o-our f-foolishness.” Not feeling generous, *Slash,* the fourth knife sliced, blood poured – even after all that begging, no mercy. As if disgusted, Staxius turned and walked.

“M-monster, d-don’t you h-have a heart,” they cried and rushed over to the man who laid in his blood. *SNAP,* the three knives thrust as if bullets, it narrowly missed the three follower’s head and landed behind. Only the tip of the grip was seen, the force at which it was sent made the weapon bury itself.

“You have five minutes before he dies, either go get a healer or buy a potion from one of my companions,” the metal door opened.

“Unbelievable,” Adete commented.

“What’s wrong with that?” he fired back.

“Five minutes to find a healer or he dies, how cruel can you be?” she voiced with a joyful tone.

“At least I gave them a time-limit, those who are destined to live shall live, and those who’s time have come to an end, shall die.”

*Knock, Knock,* a few turns here and there, at the back of the facility, protected behind barriers and cameras, the control room stood. Jannette and Reinhardt were inside trying to relay messages across the network.

“Who’s that?” the sergeant asked for it was rare to have someone visit this part of the building.

“Check the camera, I’ve got people to contact,” Reinhardt sat in the middle with a C-shape desk which faced a giant screen upfront. The sergeant was seated on the lieutenant’s immediate right-side.

“On it,” she replied and sent the footage on the giant screen.

“Holy...” what they saw was Adete staring deep into the camera, she purposefully shook it to garner their attention. “Get back here,” a voice in the background was heard followed by knocking.

“Break down the door,” she gave up and returned to Staxius’s head.

“My pleasure,” the stance taken was one of a man about ready to kick down the door.

“Open the door quick,” urged Reinhardt to which Jannette ran.

*Bam,* “-I apologize for the intrusion,” nonchalant, Staxius walked in, the sergeant stopped midway. Confused, the lieutenant sighed. The door, supposed to be military-grade protection that could stop gunshots and explosion was kicked in as if nothing.

“How do you have so much power?” Jannette asked and returned to her desk.

“I got lucky,” the tone smug.

“I’d like to thank you for saving the outpost,” Reinhardt was reluctant to start a conversation, “-but I’ve got people to contact. Last night was more than we could handle,” the tone sincere, he went back to work.

“I see,” uninterested, he changed targets to Jannette. “If I can’t get information out of the lieutenant, then,” he stood and stared, the lady could but feel intimidated. Feeling her demeanor, Staxius changed tactics, “-there’s no need to be threatened. I’m here just to ask a few questions,” the voice friendly and approachable, her guard lowered.

“As you wish,” from the desk, she leaned back and stood, “Sergeant Jannette at your service, how may I be of help?”

“I’d like to know more about the wall and how adventurers are being recruited. The whole process from start to finish,” from standing, he took a seat facing Jannette and sat.

“As you wish,” she breathed, “-I’ll try to make it as short as possible. To which we’ll start with the wall. Tis a project started around a year ago, during the time monsters became a threat. Seeing their strength increase daily, the kingdom contacted the main-land for support. Thus the idea came into play, to seclude off a rather unusable province from the general populous. I know not the details of how this came to pass but its how we ended here. At first, it was the military who was in charge. Sadly, after the first checkpoint of the first sector of the wall was built, we realized that monsters could not be beaten using ordinary means. Hence, the idea for adventurers to help. It was already obvious that people wanted to fight on the front lines to get loot and grow powerful. It was there that warriors of any rank could partake in the battles. Since the wall was being built far away from prying eyes – it went unnoticed. Many clueless adventurers remained at Reforge where they fought without knowledge of what was happening. With each passing day, the intensity grew, the project had to be made known to those who were willing to fight on our behalf. To that end, the roads leading up to the south were blocked off. The reason used was that the monster had infected the area,” she paused and breathed.

“That’s how it all began,” it resumed, “-reckless fools in search of glory were sent to their death without any guidance nor help. The death count was unthinkable – Raulf decided that enough was enough. Restrictions had to be put in place, to which six high-ranking officers talented in strategy would be sent to Hidros. Tis was when we arrived, each outpost had their platoon of which contained three to four squads of five members each. As time went on, the braves died and the cowards survived. We could but rely on adventurers; those who sought out to come aid in our battle were welcomed. Only tier-9 and above are admitted. Too high a limit and there’d be no one willing to fight. Of course, they would not fight for free. Fighting here proved to be a boon – ranking up and getting stronger was easier than anywhere else. The money was good as well – for each beast slain, the party responsible would be rewarded by the guild. Funding for said system came from monster drops,” she ended, “-that’s about all I know.”

“I see,” he paused, “-but,” the eyes narrowed, “-you still haven’t told me about the wall itself.”

“That’s self-explanatory, there’s nothing special about it. Just a robust wall that stands between us and the devils. The bricks used are imbued with high-tier protection magic. One that has the property of pushing back small monsters – though it’s hit and miss at the moment, the research has yet to be done.”

“Thanks for the help then,” he stood, “-any news about what happened to Updust?”

“I’m afraid not,” Reinhardt spoke, “-there’s a scouting party who should be reaching Stonegrove later today. From there on, they’ll head to Updust. Not only us, but Fusefall has sent a party of their own. Rumor has it that a burning wall of flames had laid siege to that territory. But as said, tis but rumors.”

“Guess there’s nothing to be done,” he headed for the door, “-I’ll stick around till Reforge is ready to stand on its own. Afterward, I’m headed to Stonegrove, keep me informed about the situation. If anything arises, a call for back-up by the other outposts, then call me immediately,” to which the details were given. The door closed and all returned to their duties.

“Staxius...” stood outside, Achilles waited with arms on her hips.

“What’s the matter?” unbothered, he asked as if tired of speaking.

“Did you really injure a man so that he would have to pay us to buy a potion?” her stare filled with doubt and disappointment.

“Listen,” he walked, “-they wanted to kill me,” the voice changed to one dramatical and as if shocked, “-I was but a scared little fledgling who tried to seek help from the Lieutenant,” the face matched his tone.

“Very funny,” she laughed sarcastically.

“Well, they asked for it,” the melodrama ended, “-trying to steal at the break of dawn is uncalled for.”

historical

“I-its h-him,” they approached the courtyard where a crowd had gathered. The man stood with another scar on his head, Avon and Viola tended to his injuries. The looks received were those of disdain.

“He assaulted me and my men when we were just trying to mind our own business,” he continued to lie. The face had a smug look but none cared for they were malicious towards Staxius based on prejudice.

“Oh,” Staxius proclaimed as if surprised. He walked forward, the man sat with Viola and Avon on either side.

“Is what the man says true?” Viola asked for she could not have cared any less.

“Poor fellow,” he approached and knelt, the voice filled with pity and woe, “-how could anyone do this,” he asked, “at the break of dawn in a state of drowsiness from waking up, how could someone attack those who had fought tirelessly the night before. It’s shameful, after a hard night of deprived sleep and not to mention the dim lighting, how could someone know who attacked who. I’m sorry,” Staxius apologized, “-I’m sorry that the world isn’t as peaceful as we might have thought,” he patted his shoulder, “you need rest, my friend.” Time was around 7 in the morning. “-I’ll make sure to find who did thee wrong,” dignified and polite, the crowd had second thoughts.

“At least you weren’t hurt,” cheered one.

“Be grateful for his party,” another yelled.

“Get some sleep,” to which many returned to their prior activity.

“Now then,” Staxius whispered, the crowd dissipated, “-try that again and I swear I’ll kill you without a second thought,” he stood. *Death Element: Unleash Aura,* it forced the man onto the ground, *CRACK,* mercilessly, Staxius stomped onto both of the rogue’s arms.