A dark shadow swept across the night sky.
It carried the eyes of an eagle and the aura of a predator.
The bird spread its wings and discreetly observed the golden lit building below.
Its feathers were stiff and pitch black like a brooding night. Its pupils were round, eerily similar to those of a human.
Below, extravagant lights covered a mansion so luxurious that a farmer could not afford even a single brick of it in an entire lifetime.
…
"Hello, what is your name? Which family are you from?"
"Handsome, can I have your name?"
"Sorry. I already have a girlfriend."
Lunas gently separated himself from the group of noble ladies, his expression cold as if he were already used to this.
Standing beside him, I could not help frowning.
If the lower half of my body still functioned normally, perhaps I would be living that kind of life too.
I held a plate of food, leaned against the banquet table, and looked toward the hall.
A group of people were dancing. Gorgeous clothing. Shining jewelry. The watch on their wrist alone could probably buy two of my outfits.
Why did I have to live like a poor man?
I sighed and glanced toward Emma and Lunas.
The two of them sat under warm golden lights, chatting and laughing as if the world contained only them. Lunas wore a red suit with delicate white patterns that highlighted his red black hair and deep blue eyes. Around his neck hung a silver necklace with a chrysanthemum shaped pendant set with diamonds.
Standing beside them, I was not even worthy of being the third wheel.
And to be honest, I did not want to be.
I was here for a mission.
"Forget about them." I quietly told a waitress passing by. "Keep those two where they are. Leave the rest to me."
BAM.
A person flew past us and slammed violently into a marble wall.
The wall cracked.
The air instantly froze.
A man wearing a staff uniform lay sprawled on the floor, his face swollen and bruised.
Across from him stood a young man around twenty years old, fists clenched, eyes bloodshot.
"What is going on?" I murmured.
"You dared flirt with my fiancée? You dog. You are dead!"
"My love, stop…" the woman behind him tried to pull him back.
"Let go. Today I will teach him a lesson!"
"Sir, I think you may have drunk too much ARGH!"
The second kick landed.
"Someone call the guards!"
"Stop him!"
I sighed.
"Five people." I whispered to the waitress. "Give me thirty minutes."
…
I walked past a man watching the fight from a distance.
Dark purple suit. Sharp eyes. Not a drunk.
THUD.
I grabbed his collar.
The plate in his hand instantly swung sideways, blocking my strike.
Without hesitation, I kicked his knee. He faltered for half a second, enough for me to slide my hand into his sleeve and pull out a banquet knife.
I stabbed toward his lower ribs.
He caught the blade between both hands.
In a crowded place like this, neither of us could use mana. Even a small knife could end a life.
He threw a punch. I leaned aside to dodge. The blade grazed his neck before embedding into the stone wall behind him.
Crack.
His kick was stopped midair by my block. I twisted my hips and shattered his knee.
"Ugh…"
He dropped to one knee.
A few guests turned to look.
I immediately sat down beside him as well, supporting him like someone helping a man who had slipped, and turned slightly as if struggling to lift him.
When the surrounding gazes moved away, the battle resumed.
A fork slid out from his other sleeve. It moved like a venomous snake, slipping past my arm and stabbing toward my chest.
My left hand locked around his wrist.
My right hand touched his neck.
Just one touch.
That was more than enough.
His muscles slackened for a brief moment of hesitation. Yet he still forced his hand into his inner coat, attempting a desperate suicide attack.
I punched his jaw, grabbed his collar, and dragged him backward.
A few seconds were enough.
He had already lost consciousness.
I threw his arm over my shoulder and carried him away like a drunken guest.
Behind me, another man wearing a dark purple suit began to follow.