Eve has night vision . But her ears are more amazing than her eyes, especially when she’s focusing on it . It actually feels more of a sensor when she does so . It seems to be one of the traits of a were-leopard . At that time when the second team had been approaching... I had her check out the second team while hidden in the dark . After that, she put her ears against the ground and listened for footsteps . The number of people that she had estimated based on the number of lights carried and the number of footsteps she heard . There was a gap between the two . She had inferred that there were around 30 people from the number of lights she sees . Though, she estimated there were approximately 45 people based from the footsteps . There’s a measurement error of about 15 people . These measurement errors must have been a detached force . En route, Eve reported that there were some footsteps that separated from the main group . It seems the detached force finally left their main unit . After giving instructions to Seras, I entered the forest together with Eve . I asked Seras to earn me some time... From that unit who carried lights . If it’s that girl, I can rely on her . However, I don’t really expect her to do it perfectly . Excessive hopes on someone could end up just pressuring them instead . She someone who’d always do her best . I thoroughly know that . Therefore, I will never complain about any kind of results that happen . That’s what it means for me to “entrust” something to them . That’s what I’m trying to convey to her . I separated from Seras and went through the forest... Towards the direction where the detached force went into . Along the way, I brought along Eve and Liz with me . Eve is fully concentrated on her hearing . [There were about 14... no, 15 people that were heading here through the forest... I’m sure of it from this distance...] Eve whispered into my ear . It seems that she had grasped the number of people just based on sound . ..................... I may have acquired quite a bargain without my knowledge . [I understand . Go back and hide together with Liz . ] [Are you alright facing all of them alone, Touka?] [You know you can’t leave that girl alone, right?] [Don’t worry . There would be no problem . ] Currently, the moon is hidden behind the clouds . It’s really dark inside the forest . Really deep darkness . It’s quite a good stage for me . I tap a finger in my temple . [I may not be as good as you, but I’m quite receptive when it comes to using this . In that certain place, I spent a couple of days standing beside death . Thanks to that, I’m also quite sensitive to their presence . ] I put my hands on my robe . [Besides, I’m not alone . ] Pigimaru squeaks out a small reply . After Eve and Liz went back, I also hid behind the shadows of the bushes . The detached force were finally approaching . Because the moon is hidden behind the clouds, the darkness in the forest deepened . And that was the moment I was waiting for . Taking advantage of the darkness, I activated my skill . I also made sure that most of the people were inside the range of my skill . For original chapters go to NoveI[F]ire.net Immediately, I used afterwards . It’s so that they wouldn’t be able to make out any kinds of sound . Taking out my dagger from its sheath... I cut down each of their throats . While quietly counting in my mind, I quickly disposed of them . Hiding my body back into the darkness... I killed all of the members of the detached force . Just as I planned, I didn’t miss a single one of them . I think these 15 people were fairly capable . However, they were nothing compared to the Five Dragon Warriors . There’s also the proper protection of the darkness . [...You really are quite great . ] Currently, there’s a thin layer of Pigimaru’s protrusion clinging under the soles of my shoes . His protrusion is quite flat . It feels like a cushion that absorbs the sound of my footsteps . Thanks to this, the sound of my footsteps were almost non-existent . Aside from that, Pigimaru would take care of the sound that may come out while I’m moving . Thanks to that, I could do my job quite easily . I gently pat the protrusion under my coat . [You’re really a great partner, Pigimaru . That helped me quite a lot . ] Pigimaru looked like he’s in quite a great mood as he lightly purred . Now then, next would be... I heard the voice of a man just now . I’m not exactly sure what he said . However, I know that he speaks in quite a loud voice . It’s someone from the main unit who were carrying torches . Perhaps, he’s that aforementioned Muaji . I don’t know if Muaji is within that detached force I’ve just killed . I skipped interrogating them because I wanted to get it done as quickly as possible . Whatever the case it may be anyway— [This would only end with Ashinto’s complete annihilation . ] I’ve confirmed that there were no other presences nearby . I check my position based on the information I had in my head . After remembering where I am, I returned back to where Seras was . Currently, the Ashinto fellows have stopped their advance . It seems they’ve noticed a broken branch along the way . A man who could easily see through that something’s out of place with Eve . I think he’s quite excellent with these two points . If that’s the case, I expected that he will notice that branch . After that, Muaji would feel that something suspicious may be nearby . Then, he will anticipate the situation as there might be a trap if they were to step inside . In that case, they wouldn’t step into the forest . However, on the contrary, that’s my real aim . This is to keep them from stepping into the forest . The leading voice had spoken that all of them shouldn’t move . Don’t approach that place . In other words, they wouldn’t enter the forest . And with this, our plan would be successful . As I got closer, I could gradually hear their conversation . The leading voice is telling something to someone . It must be Muaji saying something to Seras . It looks like Seras revealed her true appearance . Or perhaps, Muaji realized the true existence Seras was trying to hide? “As much as possible, try to show them that you’re pulling them over into the forest . ” That’s the instruction I have given here . I left it to Seras on how she would earn time . As I listened to the conversation, it looks like she’s doing quite well . Muaji really is an excellent scammer . He’s wise and alert . There is a trap waiting in his path . At first, Muaji must have felt something was out of place . And Muaji would solve the mystery of what he felt . Seeing that he solved the mystery, he would be satisfied . He’d gain self-confidence . He would get the feeling that he’s omnipotent and what he’s saying is absolutely right . And that is where he stopped thinking . The next part is his turn . He has already seen through the plans of this pathetic loser of a woman in front of him . What else could he be afraid of? He had a strong army within his disposal . There’s also that detached force he sent behind the woman . There’s no way she could escape . Everything is all according to his plans . Muaji probably is in that kind of situation right now, huh? I could clearly understand it based on how he’s speaking . Muaji currently feels like he’s filled with omnipotence . And that omnipotence would turn into a poison that paralyzes his thoughts... I started climbing a tree . Pigimaru could also morph and act as a rope . With his assistance, I could easily climb the tree . He really is quite a handy guy . Furthermore, there was no sound that came out even while I’m climbing the tree . It was a bit far, but I’m in a position overlooking Seras and the others . They weren’t in the maximum range that could be reached by . However, I could now see all of my enemies . Muaji is standing quite far away from the forest . It seems they’ve thought it’s dangerous to approach the forest . On the other hand, they don’t look like they’d retreat a few distance more . At this distance, the enemy’s trap wouldn’t be able to reach them . They probably believed something like that . [.................. . . ] If I have enough time, my abnormal state skills would be able to reach all of you . The moon comes out of the clouds . I whispered to my partner... [Pigimaru... Connection start...] From the back of my head, I could feel his roots stretching out to both sides . While listening to Seras and the other’s conversation, I connected my magic energy with Pigimaru . ——————Creeaaakkkk————— I looked over the conversation I’ve heard so far . The leading voice is Muaji’s . Muaji is revealing each of his tricks to Seras . As I thought, the true identity of their curse is just poison . Something unexpected happened though in the middle of their conversation . Seras revealed her true identity . The effect immediately appeared . All of Ashinto’s members had their attention completely shifted to Seras . Now, all of them lost their vigilance to their surroundings . Even at this distance, I could clearly see that they were quite distracted . Everyone’s attention had been drawn towards Seras . Towards the Seras Ashrain who’s bathing in moonlight . Based on what I heard from his words, it seemed that even Muaji was fascinated by her beauty . The whole area began to be enveloped in darkness again . Seras is also wrapped in the darkness . [............... . . ] Even though she did that so that she could distract them and earn me some time... That’s quite rash of you, Seras . As the corner of my lips lift up, I mutter . [Even when she’s alone, she really did it quite well . ] ——————Creeaaakkkk————— Enshrouding power into my voice, I spoke my signal . [———————Connection complete——————-] Immediately after, a cluster of light appeared between Seras and the Ashinto . It’s the ability of the light spirit . A light that resembles a flare appeared in front and illuminated towards the Ashinto . And with too much light, everyone weren’t able to see . Tens of protrusions flew out towards the Ashinto . Even though there were signs of restless within them, Ashinto still looked quite firm . It seems they’ve never caught up with the idea that they may suddenly be attacked . I could also see Muaji’s expression warping into surprise . However, it’s already too late . I won’t let you escape . To produce the best outcome for our sake, I can’t let you escape . Even if you’re just an ordinary person . I won’t let a single one of you escape . Therefore, it was necessary for us to crush the detached force earlier . I just wanted to avoid the situation where the detached force would notice that their main unit had been crushed and they fled in all directions as a result . If that were to happen, it would be really difficult tracking all of them down . I open up my status and displayed my remaining amount of MP . [I’ll show you the curses that you clearly don’t understand . ] Catching everyone of them... Going down from the tree, I walked next to Seras . I look towards the paralyzed members of Ashinto who have fallen to the ground . Even the strongest siblings were also paralyzed . Of course, that includes Muaji . [You must have not expected that my attack reached even this far, huh?] If they’re within my reach, I should have attacked them long ago . I think it’s reasonable if he thought like that . Because there was no attack so far, Muaji must have anticipated it as they were outside the range of our trap . However, he didn’t think that we’re also trying to earn some time . I needed her to earn some time because of two reasons . Some time to get rid of the detached force . And some time so that I could connect with Pigimaru . [I need to spend quite some time just to prepare this power . ] [Where... is the... detached force...?] [I’ve already crushed them . All fifteen of them while you’re busy running your mouth here . ] [Ngghhh...? That form you had earlier... What the hell... are you...?] [Guggaahhh... ggghhh... . !?] I’ve invoked to Muaji and the others . I quickly began counting all of them . [All of the 30 people were present, huh . ] As for other presences nearby... They’re somewhere behind my back . There were two people at a distance . There were no other presences that I should get bothered with . I exhaled out a deep breath . [How should I say this . Eve really...] I’ve mentioned earlier that all of her reports were just “about” or “approximately” . Isn’t the number of people exactly the same as her reports? All of her conjectures were right . That’s really amazing... Were-leopard’s hearing ability . [Now then... Should we wait for some time for these Ashinto fellows to die from the poison?] I don’t really have anything I need to talk about with the Ashinto . Besides, they don’t look like they would listen when we talk with them . They know themselves their own wrongdoings . Even if they were to die, my heart wouldn’t be ruffled at all . It’s enough for me to know that these people were trash . [Have I met your expectations?] [Yeah, that’s a certainty . You did really well . However, revealing your true identity so that you’d attract their attention, that’s a really daring plan you did . ] Seras looked like she’s reflecting on it . [Please forgive me... I arbitrarily revealed my true identity...] Why did she suddenly look like she’s self-reflecting? [No, I’m actually praising you though?] Seras quickly covers her mouth with the back of her hand . Subsequently, she awkwardly looked away . [I’m sorry, I quickly jumped into conclusions...] The smile on my face distorted . [Well, putting that aside... You did really well . I made the right choice, leaving it to you . ] Seras’ expression loosened up a bit . [Y- Yes... I’m glad that I could be of help . ] Seras looked really glad as she placed her hand on her chest . [Could you go and inform Eve and Liz about the situation? It would also be better if you and the others would return as soon as possible . ] Trotting, Seras runs into the forest . [..................... . ] The first stage is clear . They’ve arrived huh... The first team who had been following the decoy horse . I could see a cluster of lights at the distance . They’re approaching this place . That light Seras used at my signal . Perhaps, they turned back after seeing that . It seems that they diligently returned back . [If they didn’t come back, my plan would have been incomplete . ] The sketch that I’ve imagined is finally approaching its completion .