Battle at the forest’s edge.

She’s nearing the western edge of the Noble Woods. If the assassin wants to lose them, coming here is a good idea, but dangerous nevertheless. There’s always a chance they’ll encounter a monster stronger than them.

The trees of the Noble Woods are big. They’re tall and have thick trunks. At this time of the year, during summer, the leaves are green and plentiful, letting very little sunlight in. The mix of heat and shadows make the place somewhat humid.

After her first steps into what could be considered the “inside” of the forest, she hears the sound of metal clashing, then shattering. She hurries up in the direction of the sound, only to find the younger guard with his back against a tree and trying to peek behind it.

His shoulders rise and fall with his breath. Has he been fighting? For how long? Why did she hear the clash of blades when the assassin is nowhere to be seen?

“Where are they?” Marina asks, needing to be informed of the situation if the guy wants help. However, she doesn’t get a response. Instead, the guard just looks at her with wide eyes, shocked to see her. He then clicks his tongue and runs toward her, holding his sword at the ready.

“Hold it, you fool! I’m here to help!” She yells, but still readies her own weapons to defend herself. She wonders what to do. She can feel the prana signal coming from him. It’s ridiculous. If she compares it to flowing water, he’s like a river when most people are a gentle stream. This might be his first real fight, but that power and form still say he can be a threat. The true problem is that, with her eyes on that guy, she doesn’t feel the true danger until it’s right next to her.

She turns her head and sees a sphere of magical energy coming directly at her face. Her whole body screams for her to get out of the way, but there’s no time to move. That thing’s going to hit her… and it will kill her.

Again, the sound of metal hitting metal echoes through the woods. From her point of view, all she sees is a sword striking the magic projectile from above, creating sparks as they clash before the magic shatters like cheap iron.

She sees the boy smirk and turn his head up to the trees.

“There you are, lady.” He mutters with excitement. “How many more of those can you shoot, I wonder?” He then backs away from her and hides behind another tree. “Hide!” He yells at her, his smile vanishing. “The woman has my boss and is hiding at the top of the trees, shooting those things.”

Marina curses herself and hides. She’s always been aware that **** in battle can be swift, unannounced and without glory, but she still can’t help the feeling of disgust that settles in her throat. Everything she’s worked for could’ve ended right there. She feels her senses sharpening. This assassin is not like the two previous bandits.

“How many times has she shot that?” She asks with urgency. There’s not even time to thank him for saving her life.

The guard starts counting in his head before he answers. “Five.”

Five.

Marina clicks her tongue. They’re dealing with someone truly skilled here. She still doesn’t fully understand the theory behind it, but what the assassin is doing could be called the halfway point between [Martial Arts] and [Magic Spells]. In other words, an [Arcane Art]. Giving form to the prana inside the body and pushing it outwards.

Should they also stop Prana Flow and hide? No. If they did, not only would they be defenseless against a surprise attack, the assassin could very well take the opportunity and escape.

How can they get her?

“She’s… throwing it outwards…” She hears the guard mutter. Does he know what an Arcane Art is? There’s something about the glint in his eyes that warns her of something, but… She can’t really say she dislikes that look.

She sees the guard lick his lips. She watches in confusion as he comes out of hiding and points his left arm in the direction they last felt the assassin’s presence. With his palm open, she can feel the huge amount of Prana flowing through his arm and into his hand.

Is he trying to shoot Prana, just like their opponent!? Does he know how to do it? He has to, right? He couldn’t be so stupid as to try it for the first time mid-fight, right?

The magic is **** out of his arm, but instead of being shot like a projectile, it bursts the moment it’s out. The idiot lets out a pained scream as the Prana practically explodes in his arm. She can’t see the wounds because of the sleeves of the gambeson he’s wearing, but blood is dripping from his hand. Did he just tear off his skin? Or was it worse and he completely ruined his arm?

“Fuck!” The guy curses, letting his arm hang limply as his eyes are still focused on the last known location of the assassin.

“Are you an idiot!? Did you just try that out without knowing how to do it!?”

“You tell me how we’re supposed to get her, then.” He answers back through gritted teeth.

The guy really is a daring idiot, but he has a point. While they’re here tiring themselves by keeping a constant flow of Prana, the enemy is resting and conserving her strength. They need to do something quickly.