"Excuse me, coming through," I said while half-carrying the suspicious man toward the restroom.
"Ughhh…"
"Hey, don't puke here, damn it.""What's with tonight? Full of drunk bastards."
The man's face turned pale as he vomited onto the floor, his entire body trembling.He collapsed, his complexion growing so white he looked like a corpse.
Pat. Pat.
"Hang in there, almost there. Just hold it a bit longer, buddy."I patted his shoulder, my other hand sliding into my jacket to pull on a glove.
This area was part of the outer hall—quiet, with few people around.Most guests avoided drunks anyway, so as long as I only used a small amount of mana, it wouldn't draw attention.Even if I got caught, I could just claim we were cleaning up a mess.
From behind, a man in a deep violet suit approached.He wore white gloves, a high collar that hugged his neck, and skin so unnaturally tight it looked like a flesh mask.
"I apologize," he said politely, "he seems to be my companion. If you don't mind—"
He bent down as if to check on the unconscious man,but his right hand glowed faintly with green mana.
He pressed a finger lightly on the top of my bowed head.
Without hesitation, I drew my knife, the fork still hidden in my sleeve.The blade plunged into his side—right where the liver should be.Electric arcs flared across the golden blade, a crackling hum echoing in the air.
Pain paralyzed him for two seconds. Two seconds too long.
I turned around, still bent over, face-to-face with him.And smiled, as if greeting an old friend.
"Ah, hello there. Looks like you're with this guy. We had a few drinks earlier, but maybe he overdid it, ahaha…"
As I chatted casually, my gloved hand swung.The mana-infused knife slashed at angles hidden from sight.
The vomiting man served as a perfect shield,blocking others' view while my opponent's crouched posture concealed the rest.
My strikes were precise—inside the sleeve, under the fabric near the chest, an elbow jab, a knee smash.Two seconds later, the man regained movement… but far too late.His limbs were shattered.
Desperation flickered in his eyes.He tried reaching into his vest like the previous one—but nothing happened.He fumbled for something in his sleeve, but his hand wouldn't obey.
Whatever he'd planned to activate, I'd already disabled it with my knife.
Calmly, I withdrew the blade, sliding it back into my sleeve,and reached for his collar as if adjusting it.
"Oh dear, it's been so long, my friend! How have you been?"I smiled cheerfully, unbuttoning his shirt collar.
He tried to punch me, one hand trembling.I brushed it aside, my gloved fingers pressing under his chin.
Rip.
The skin mask tore slightly—just enough for one finger to slip underneath.That was all I needed.
He struggled, but with broken limbs, he was far too slow.I glanced at the first man, still dry-heaving nearby.Both of them were breathing heavily, trembling as though staring death in the face.
"Oh my god, STAFF! HELP!"
My shout drew attention.Several people turned, but only one staff member hurried over.
Our eyes met—understanding instantly.
She nodded faintly.While pretending to help "my two drunk friends," she used telekinesis to lift them up and carry them away.
I simply smiled, thanked her politely, and turned back like nothing had happened.
Behind the mansion was a path leading toward the park,a small lake glimmering faintly at the center.
It was part of the event grounds, but almost no one went there now.
On a wooden bench near the lake sat two men in red suits, laughing together.
"And boom! Those bastards exploded into pieces, hahaha!"
"Damn, I wish I'd seen it myself."
"Ha! That's not even the best part—"
Before he could finish, a flying playing card sliced across his throat.
"Ughhh!"
He clutched his neck, collapsing, trying desperately to heal the wound with mana.
"You bastard—!"
The second man lunged at the shadow in front of him.
"I was wondering what happened after that part.Care to tell me?"
I stepped out of the darkness, wearing a black cloak and a half-mask—the kind used at masquerade balls.A silver cane rested in my right hand, and a tall black hat shadowed my face.
The red-suited man drew a short sword from his spatial ring, muttering an incantation as fire danced along the blade.
He charged, aiming straight for my heart.I tilted my body slightly, countering by striking his knee with my cane, making him stumble.
He spun and slashed again, flames gathering in his free hand.I stepped back, cloak fluttering, the motion disguising a forward thrust with the silver cane.
Slash.
His sword tore part of my cloak, but it didn't matter.
Crack.
My cane pierced through his wrist, black energy spreading as the silver turned pitch-dark.The mana he'd been channeling scattered instantly.
"Damn it—!"
He hurled a fireball at me,but the cloak absorbed it whole.
Fwoom.
Flames erupted around me,yet I stood still, face calm, cane gripped tightly.
Clang. Clang.
Strike. Block. Parry. Again and again.Waiting. Watching. Searching for an opening.
He slowed. His leg still injured, his wrist bleeding badly.
Hesitation showed on his face—just a flicker, but enough.Before he could step forward, my cane stabbed through his foot.
His expression twisted—from rage, to pain, to fear.
He couldn't advance.He couldn't retreat.The flames surrounding me made even approaching a death wish.
Victory was already decided.
Without delay, I thrust for his heart—blocked.I shifted grip, stepped in close, hand pressing to his neck.
The red-suited man coughed violently.
Sleep.
He collapsed.
Only one remained.
That one had recovered, chanting a dangerous spell.
I dashed forward, wrapping an arm around his waist.He couldn't stop now—he knew if he did, he'd die anyway.Either finish the spell and take me down,or fail and perish.
We plunged into the lake.The water boiled from the fire engulfing my body.
Down, down, until the light vanished.Only darkness.
I drove my cane straight into his chest.Didn't pull it out—no need for blood to spread.
"…Ghhkk…"He made a sound—half scream, half breath.
Then the world lit up.
'Tch.'
I pulled my cloak around us both,the black fabric stretching—like the night itself was swallowing us.
BOOM.
The explosion roared beneath the surface, muffled by the heavy water.My body tore apart under the pressure—but the man in red was completely obliterated,his blood and flesh scattered across the lakebed.
When I rose to the surface, my form had already reformed.Skin pale. Eyes hollow.The elegant outfit from earlier was gone, replaced by a new black vest—woven from the darkness of my cloak.
Calmly, I cast an illusion to hide all traces of the battle beneath the lake.Leaving one intact corpse behind as a decoy,I walked away toward the rendezvous point.
Both battles lasted less than twelve minutes.