Chapter 26: Alive
"What is it? Why are you stopping?" Taria asked nervously, looking around.
The alley was dim, moonlight barely cutting through the shadows. Kaedros gently moved Taria behind him, his eyes fixed ahead.
"Come out. No use hiding."
Silence followed, heavy and tight. Taria held her breath as her fingers quietly unhooked her spear. Then—
A harsh laugh echoed, and two figures emerged from the darkness just a few feet away.
Kaedros hissed and pulled Taria farther back, never taking his eyes off the approaching enemies.
"You look surprised, super newbie."
A dagger gleamed in the lead assassin’s hand as he brought it to his mouth and gave it a slow, deliberate lick.
Kaedros narrowed his eyes. Two of them. No, one assassin, one mage. Both at stage eight of rank one.
"For a newbie, you sure noticed us coming."
The assassin’s grin was feral, his tone oozing malice. They wore dark combat gear that left only their eyes exposed.
"It must be a technique. We didn’t hear them at all. Even now their steps are completely silent," Taria said, dropping into a low fighting stance, her face pale.