“What was that?”
“I said I’ll do it, damn you,” he said, raising his head.
I smiled, letting my eyes return to normal. “Excellent choice.” I moved closer to him and drew one of my throwing knives. “There’s just one more thing we have to do, and then you’ll be free to have dinner with your wife.
“To make sure you stay true to your word.” I handed him the blade. “Carve my name into your chest.”
“What?” he nearly shouted.
My hand clamped around his mouth before he could so much as squeak.
“This marks you as one of mine. It's barbaric, but my options are limited. And if you try to betray me…well, just try to explain your way out of having my name carved into your skin.
“You could say that I did it, but that still means I got close enough to mark you. And when I’ve killed everyone else under you, yet spared your life and marked you…good luck talking your way out of that conundrum.”
“Do I have to?”
I shrugged. “It’s that or death. A little pain now is a fair price to pay. Oh, and my name is Elias, by the way. E L I A S.
“Now, get to carving.”
Chapter 24- Preparations
I sank back on my bed and heaved a sigh of relief. “It’s been an exhausting week.”
“Yours and mine both,” Aless said from her side of the bed.
“Your Prowlers have done remarkably well. I’m impressed.”
“Glad to hear it. It was your idea, so we really have you to thank for existing in the first place.” She sighed, shifting on the bed, nearly pressing up against me.
I didn’t know how I felt about it. She’d taken to sleeping next to me since I’d been injured, and even when I no longer needed her, she stayed.
And for my part, I’d grown used to having her next to me.
I liked it. And I didn’t like that I liked it.
As Aless shifted beside me, I opened my status and glanced at the quest I’d given myself at the start of the week.
Quest: Deal with the City Watch Completed!
Difficulty: Hard
Reward: 1200 Exp!
(10% Bonus Exp)
1320 Exp!
Level Up!
Name: Elias McKinley
Age: 29
Race: Human
Level: 2
Exp: 281/12376
Stat Points: 10
Skill Points: 1
Stats
Strength: 29
Constitution: 21
Endurance: 33
Wisdom: 17
Perception: 30
Agility: 42
Charisma: 15
Luck: 19
“Huh. I leveled up.”
Aless shot up from beside me and leaned over, her eyes wide. “Really? Congratulations. What level are you?”
“Two,” I said.
Her eyebrows raised in confusion. “That’s it?”
I nodded, turning on my side to see her better.
“Wow, that’s a letdown. I figured with how talented you are and how much experience you have, you’d be at least close to level four. Hell, even I’m only a level two, and I’m a lot younger than you.”
“Ouch. My wounded pride.”
She ribbed me in the side with her knuckles. “I’m just kidding, so what are you going to put your stat points in?” Her eyes shot open, and she smiled wide. “And what are you choosing for your skill? I’ve been dying to know the skills you get access to.”
Well, let’s find out.
First, I dealt with my stat points since it seemed obvious what they did. I had ten of them to distribute, and I was betting they enhanced my body artificially. They were an instant boost to my skills, which was invaluable.
I added three to my agility, bringing it up, and then I added two to perception. As I talked it through with Aless, she gave me a piece of advice.
“Keep a few points back. Never know when a point or two will make all the difference in the world,” she said, yawning.
It was smart advice, something the logical side of me approved of. So, I took her advice and kept the last five in reserve. She was right, and I didn’t want to spend them haphazardly. I might need them in the future. It was best to have them just in case.
With that, my stats looked a little better than they had moments before.
Stats
Strength: 29
Constitution: 21
Endurance: 33
Wisdom: 17
Perception: 32
Agility: 45
Charisma: 15
Luck: 19
That done, I focused on my skills.
Skill List
Skill Points: 1
Active Skills
Assassination (Already Acquired)
Shade's Rest: This allows the user to meld with any nearby shadow, becoming a part of it. Cannot attack or be attacked in this state. Can also use shadow movement to move from shadow to shadow at will.
Cooldown: 1 hour
Mana Drain: Significant
Shadow Bind: Command chains of pure shadow to reach out and ensnare a single target. Can hold a target until concentration is broken or user’s mana runs out.
Cooldown: 1 hour
Mana Drain: Moderate (Mild drain over time)
Blade of Shade: Forms a desired weapon in the user's hands.
Cooldown: 5 hours
Mana Drain: Negligible
Second Shadow: Create a doppelganger of yourself that can move and interact with the world. Can use shadow movement to swap places with the clone.
Cooldown: 24 hours
Mana Drain: Significant
As I looked through them, I sat there stunned.
This…this is...
I smiled. “This is incredible.”
Another nudge from Aless interrupted me. “Well, don’t leave me in suspense. What’d you get?”
I shook my head. “I’m not sure. It looks like all the assassin skills revolve around using shadows.”
Her eyes widened. “Shadow magic. That’s so cool. Better than what skill I have at any rate.”
“What’d you choose for your skill?”
She sighed and flopped back on the bed. “Skeleton Key. Once a day, I can open any lock I want. I thought it’d be the most useful skill, and yet it’s mostly gone to waste. When I switch jobs, I’m choosing something cool.”
I nodded and went back to thinking about my choice. “Think I’m going to go with Shade's Rest. Rhys used it on me when we fought, and it let him escape certain death. That kind of ability is useful in a thousand different ways.”
“Sounds like a good skill,” she said.
I selected my choice and resisted the urge to try it out then and there. I’d already seen it in action, so I knew what it did, and I was too tired to deal with anything else.
I’ll practice with it tomorrow. Get to know its ins and outs before I have to use it for real.
“Now that that’s done, get out of my bed.” I grinned at Aless. “You’ve got your own, don’t you?”
“It’s not as comfortable. Besides, I’ve gotten used to sleeping next to you while I was taking care of your wounded ass, so leave me alone.”
To emphasize her point, she scooted closer to me and laid her head on my chest. The thin fabric that separated her flesh from mine wasn’t near enough to hide her racing heart.
“Aless…you’re nearly on top of me.”
Her breath caught in her chest as she paused, her heart beating even faster.
“Tell me to move.”
“What?”
She lifted her head, her gray eyes staring into mine. The low light of the moon streaming in from the window bathed her in ethereal light.
She was beautiful.
Aless’s lips lifted into a small smile. “Tell me. To move.”
I thought about it, the words on the tip of my tongue, but I swallowed them and sighed. I moved closer to her and wrapped my arm around her waist. She
stiffened at the sudden contact before relaxing into me. Her body conformed to mine, and she pulled my hand to her chest, holding it against her.
“What brought this on?” she asked.
“Don’t get used to it. It’s just for tonight.”
Aless squeezed my hand, intertwining her fingers through mine.
“Yeah,” she said, the same smile in her voice. “Sure it is.”
***
Two days had passed since I’d spoken with Captain Bernard, and he was already proving to be an incredibly valuable resource.
After those two days, I knew it was time to kill the count.
He gave me the plans for Count Vohra’s manor and the approximate guards stationed throughout the estate.
It was a wealth of insight. Of course, I still didn’t trust the captain. His willingness to please me was revolting, meaning that he really had no courage at all. I understood his desire to keep his life and the life of his wife, but a man who would turn that fast was someone that I couldn’t afford to place an ounce of trust in.
Which was why I had a Prowler assigned to watch him at all times. It was a little pricey, but worth it if it gave me a heads up about the captain and his loyalties.
While a single Prowler watched the captain, the rest were on watch, making sure that there wouldn’t be any surprises waiting at the manor.
I sat in the fortified study on the floor, my equipment and supplies arrayed around me while I cleaned and organized everything.
Footsteps on the third floor caused me to look up, grabbing my crossbow and loading it. The door opened, and Aless stepped through, looking a little winded.
“Didn’t hear the gate squeak,” I said, lowering the weapon.
She shrugged. “Sorry about that. Hopped over it to save time.”
I turned to her, giving her my undivided attention. “What’s going on?”
“One of my Prowlers spotted a wagon with supplies being loaded. From the chatter they overheard, it seems to be going to the count's manor.”
“About time.” I chuckled. “He’s settling in, preparing to hole up in his house. He’s spooked.”
“Well, you’ve cut a bloody swath through his men.” Aless shrugged, her eyes alight. “That’d be enough to freak out anybody.
“What do you want to do about the wagon?”
I didn’t even have to think about it. I already knew and had planned for it. The wagon will make it to its destination, but not before I get to it first.
“Okay,” I said, standing. I grabbed a small pouch of vahn and tossed it to her as I gathered up my supplies. “Run as fast as you can to Angela’s. Tell her I need my order of silent night.”
She grinned as she caught the implication.
“Poison the food. That’ll make our job easier.”
“That’s the plan. I’m going to tail the cart, find a good spot to ambush it. It’s headed up Main? Meet me on Canal St., and we’ll try and circle around it.”
She nodded. “See you in half an hour.”
Then she was gone, and I was right behind her. We raced each other through the woods, both of us doing our best to keep pace with the other.
For everything else she excelled at, Aless could move better than nearly anyone I’d ever met. Even I had trouble keeping pace with her, but I managed.
The two of us diverged as we hit the dirt road that led to Vohra. Aless headed to the south entrance while I had to circle and hit the east. I could run faster without having to dodge citizens, and the east gate would put me on the path that led to the Noble District. It would allow me to get ahead of the wagon and set up the trap.
Though it meant I had to sprint. Even at top speed, it would take me twenty minutes to reach the gate. And I didn’t have time to waste.
I put my all into it and made it there in fifteen. I paused to catch my breath before I came in sight of the guards. When I wasn’t breathing as I’d just ran three miles, I fixed my hair, downed a swallow of water, and approached the gate.
The haggard and exhausted sergeant on duty let me through with barely a word. When I was in the city, I picked up my pace to meet the cart in time.
It took me a few minutes, but I found it coming up Main Street. It was a large, covered wagon, pulled by a single horse with two armed soldiers riding atop the wagon.
Just two. This should be easy.
I drifted back and observed as I slowly made my way towards Canal St.
Canal St. was really just an alley. Long forgotten and barely used, but it provided a good vantage point for me to spy on the wagon as it approached.
There’s a side street about a mile from the Noble District that would probably work. Just have to get in place. Knock out the guards and divert the wagon.
As long as there weren’t too many witnesses around, it should be fine. But as I’d noticed, there was barely anyone out at the moment. The city smelled blood in the water, and it knew something was up.
People chose to hide away and hope they’d be overlooked as blood ran through the city.
I understood the impulse. I’d made a rather large splash by slaughtering nearly all of the City Watch’s leadership, and the guards were scrambling to keep order. I wouldn’t be surprised to find that crime was on the rise. Like a shark in the water, the criminals of the city would frenzy.
And I’d let them for now. I couldn’t stop them, not yet. But eventually, the city would be run by competent people with actual intelligence.
The wagon drew closer and was nearly on me when Aless slipped down from the roof of the building just above me. She dropped into a crouch and moved close to me, eyeing the wagon.
She held out her hand, in the center of her palm was a dimension ring. “Sorry it took me so long. Angela isn’t known for her speed.”
I tried not to laugh at her joke and took the ring from her hand. “You still managed to get here on time.
“I figure the best spot to ambush them is that road three streets from the Noble District.”
“Teppa St.?”
“That’s the one.”
Aless nodded, stepping back a few steps to lean against the stone wall. “What are you thinking? Snatch and grab?”
I shook my head. “Maybe, but that does leave us with a problem. How do we get the wagon to the manor if we knock out the guards.”
As soon as I said it, I had a thought.
And apparently so did Aless, because we both spoke at the same time.
“Captain Bernard.”
We both looked at each other and chuckled. “Have him take possession of the wagon and drive it in himself,” Aless said.
“It would further solidify his loyalty to us and would actually put it to the test. Of course, we won’t be telling him that we spiked the food, we can just tell him that a group of thugs tried to rob it, and we stepped in.”
She grinned. “It’s kind of a perfect plan. And kills quite a few birds with one stone.”
“My thoughts exactly.”
We looked at each other and nodded. Without another word, we got to work. I followed Aless’s lead as she climbed to the rooftop of the building next to the alley, and we crossed the buildings, jumping from rooftop to rooftop as we made our way to Teppa St.
I dropped into a roll and got into position.
Your Acrobatics skill has increased by 2! [Acrobatics: 17 (Novice)] +50 Exp!
Aless sat perched on the other end of the street, poised and waiting.
It took a few minutes, and only a handful of people even passed by during that time. But soon enough, the clack of hooves and the creak of wagon wheels alerted us to our quarry's presence.
My heart rate increased as I shifted to the balls of my feet, drawing my dagger. I’d coated it in silent night while I’d been waiting, so all I had to do was cut the guards and let the poison flow.
The wagon passed by the alley, and I sprang into action.
I pushed off and rushed the wagon just as Aless did the same. The two of us reached the wagon a
t the same time and leapt atop it. I grabbed the wooden handle and swung up to meet the surprised guard, who turned to me with wide, panicked eyes.
I bashed the pommel of my dagger to the side of his head, and he was out instantly.
1 Knock-out (Human): +50 Exp!
Aless mimicked my motions exactly as I’d taught her. She shifted past me and knocked the other guard out in one swift move. Her guard slumped over, laying his head on my guard's shoulder.
The back of the wagon was nothing but cloth over wooden supports. I cut a slit into the fabric and tossed both guards into the back.
When they were safely out of sight, I tilted my head to glance at her. “Good job, now let’s get this off the road.”
The two of us led the horse down Teppa St. When the entire wagon was off the main road and secured, I stopped and handed over the reins to Aless.
“What are we doing with the guards?”
“I’ve got a few ideas.” I grinned at her and slipped into the back. I took hold of my dagger and sliced along each of their necks, letting the silent night I’d coated my blade with enter their bloodstream. When it was done, I wiped my blade clean. “If the poison is as effective fresh as it was when I pricked my fingers, they should be out for a while.”
The cuts I’d made were shallow and would close soon, but I pressed some gauze to the wounds so blood wouldn’t drip onto their armor.
“Come back here and help me strip the guards.”
She laughed as she slipped through the gap in the white cloth. “Sounds like fun. Are we playing dress-up?”
“Never know when having a set of guard armor will be useful.”
Aless looked at the armor and then at me. “Why don’t we just use these and disguise ourselves as guards? Drive right up to the manor and have a straight shot to the count.”
“Because that plan has too many holes in it. There’s no guarantee that we’d be allowed to stay. More than likely, we’d drop off the supplies and then be sent away with the wagon.
“Now we could leave the wagon and go hunting for the count, but as soon as someone got wind that we’d abandoned the wagon, security would tighten up, and they’d come hunting for us. No, it’s simpler to poison the well so to speak, and then go in on our terms. Understand?”
She nodded. “Perfectly.” She held the breastplate to her chest, grinning wickedly. “Think I’d look good in this?”
Isekai Assassin: Volume 1 Page 29