The forest stilled into a heavy, oppressive quiet.
Ronan's group had pulled back nearly twenty meters, forming a tense defensive line. Derrik stood at the front with his staff ready, while Mira hovered near the flanks, her eyes locked on the strangers. Tobin's hands trembled against his crossbow, and Lyra still clung tightly to Null's sleeve.
Null didn't shake her off. His dark white eyes remained fixed on the two assassins.
The chaotic one, Glo, was grinning like a child who had just found a new toy. The other, Nubrus, was calmly observing them, measuring their positions.
'These two are nothing like the bandits,' Null thought.
'Fantasy Omniscience-san, use Existential Perception to perceive them.'
A cold, precise flood of information filled his mindscape.
{Existential Perception – Target: Field Assassins Glo & Nubrus}
-
[Void Walker: Glo]
(Age: 18 | Designation: Half-Elf)
* Core Attributes: Strength: C- | Defence: D+ | Agility: C | Stamina: C- | Intelligence: C | Mana Capacity: C
* Overall Capability: C
• Uniques:
° Ecstatic Overdrive: A unique skill born from extreme pain conditioning and psychological distortion. The user converts physical damage into a temporary amplification of combat capabilities.
As damage accumulates, his strength, speed, and reaction times amplify while his pain is suppressed into heightened focus. Limitation: Extreme physiological strain; prolonged use causes bodily collapse. Does not prevent fatal damage.
° Rapture Carving: A unique skill derived from obsessive mastery of anatomical targeting. The user's attacks are executed with unnatural precision, allowing minimal strikes to produce maximum structural damage.
Attacks automatically align with critical anatomical weak points. Successful physical contact can effortlessly sever tendons, disrupt joints, or cause internal structural destabilization. Limitation: Ineffective against non-standard or unknown physiologies.
Learned Skills/Spells (Partial):
· Stealth and other basic assassination skills
· Obsidian Assassination Arts
-
[Void Walker: Nubrus]
(Age: 19 | Designation: Human)
* Core Attributes: Strength: C | Defence: C- | Agility: C+ | Stamina: C | Intelligence: C+ | Mana Capacity: C+
* Overall Capability: C+
• Uniques:
° Stillpoint Execution: A unique skill born from precise control over movement and intent. At the moment of attack, the user enters a state where all external motion appears to halt, allowing for a perfectly calculated execution.
Triggers during a committed lethal action. The user's perception accelerates to an extreme degree, making the world appear frozen. This allows him to perfectly adjust his strike's angle, force, and trajectory mid-motion. Limitation: Extremely brief duration (a single action window). High mental strain.
° Erased Presence: A unique skill refined through the perfection of concealment techniques. The user suppresses their presence to the point of near non-existence within the perception of others.
Suppresses sight, sound, and intent-based presence. Observers instinctively overlook him unless directly focused, completely masking his killing intent and hostility. Limitation: Breaks instantly upon direct engagement or taking damage. Requires continuous mental control to maintain.
Learned Skills/Spells (Partial):
· Stealth and other basic assassination skills
· Obsidian Assassination Arts
-
The perception dissolved, leaving a heavy silence.
Null exhaled slowly. Troublesome.
Glo was a damage-scaling berserker who grew stronger the more he was hurt. But Nubrus was worse. He was a pure assassin who could vanish from perception and execute a flawless, calculated killing blow.
"Null," Ronan muttered from behind him, not breaking stance. "Any idea what we're dealing with?"
"Trouble," Null replied flatly.
Mira exhaled sharply. "Thanks for stating the obvious, Null-kun. What I want to know is who they are and what they want."
"As you can see... They're assassins," Null said, his voice dropping slightly. "And if I had to guess... they're after me."
"What?!" Tobin's voice cracked, and Lyra's grip on his sleeve tightened even further.
"Why?" (Mira)
Before anyone could process the revelation, a burst of manic laughter cut through the tension.
"HAHAHAHA!" Glo leaned forward, pointing his blood-stained dagger with an unnatural, unhinged grin. "Hey, you weaklings, what are you yapping about? Discussing how to beg for mercy?"
"Glo," Nubrus cut in, his flat voice cutting through the noise like a blade as he took a controlled step forward. "There is no time for your crazy antics. Every second we delay increases the probability of complications. The Justice Regulators are already en route to collect those bandits you slaughtered. You have already wasted enough time. As assassins, we need to complete our objective as fast as possible."
Glo groaned loudly, rolling his neck. "Alright, alright." He leveled his blade at the party, his grin sharpening. "Listen closely, you weaklings. We are from the Obsidian Veil. We kill without leaving a trace of evidence.
"Now then—" His eyes gleamed with manic delight. "Let's begin… a silent banquet of violence."
...
Null chose to ignore them entirely.
'Fantasy Omniscience-san, establish a magical communication link across our team.'
[Understood, Master. Manipulating mana information bodies between the designated individuals. Connection established.]
An instant later, Ronan, Mira, Derrik, Tobin, and Lyra all flinched as Null's voice echoed clearly inside their minds.
—Don't react. Just listen—
A brief ripple of surprise passed through them. But none of them panicked. Mana communication wasn't rare. A common skill. A bit expensive—but not rare. Still, the sudden link made them sharpen their focus. None of them broke character.
—Those two are strong—
Ronan's jaw tightened as his thoughts rippled back through the connection. —Yeah. My instincts are screaming at me not to fight them. If I rush in, I'll die in seconds—
Null didn't deny it.
—Then don't, his mental voice cut back. You all need to escape. Their target is me. If you stay, you'll just get caught in the crossfire—
The words landed heavily. Immediate rejection flared through the mind link.
—No, Ronan replied, firm and unyielding. We're not leaving you behind—
—Yeah, what the hell kind of a plan is that? Derrik demanded—
Mira's thoughts were sharp and cold. —That's suicide. You think we're just going to run while you play the martyr? Don't be stupid—
—W-we can fight together, right? Tobin stammered. Like before—
—No. Null's voice carried a sudden, arresting weight. You saw how that first one fought, and the other hasn't even moved yet. You'll die—
The absolute finality of that word hit them hard. None of them could argue because they could instinctively feel the truth of it.
—Listen carefully, Null continued, his tone dropping into a cold assessment. I'm the only one here with the confidence to hold them off. At least for a few minutes—
—How long? Ronan asked, his thoughts sharpening—
—Two to three minutes. That's enough for you to reach the main road. Once you're there, your chances increase significantly—
—And what about you? Mira bit back—
—I'll manage—
—That's not an answer, Derrik growled. This is bullshit. We're a team—
—A temporary team, Null corrected. Formed for a mission that is already over. Don't waste your lives here—
A heavy silence settled through the connection. They knew he wasn't wrong. They were novices; they lacked the means to survive this. If they stayed, they would hesitate, make mistakes, and get slaughtered.
Tobin's thoughts trembled. —That doesn't mean we just leave you! You saved us back there! If it weren't for you, we wouldn't have stood a chance against that beastman—
Mira clenched her teeth.
Ronan's thoughts were a conflicted mess of duty and logic. He exhaled slowly, his knuckles whitening on his sword hilt. "Damn it," he muttered aloud.
Then, back through the link: —Fine. The word came out heavy and reluctant. We move on your signal—
—Good, Null thought.
But just as the decision settled, a soft, trembling voice cut through the mental channel. —No—
Everyone froze. Lyra stepped forward, pale but eyes steady. —I won't go. We're not leaving him— Her grip tightened on Null's sleeve. —I won't, and I can't—
Null looked down at her. She was terrified, yet she was standing stubbornly. —Lyra— he murmured.
Lyra just shook her head firmly.
Before he could argue, Glo's unhinged voice shattered the brief lull. "Now then! Let's begin a... silent banquet of violence!"
The killing intent in the clearing sharpened instantly. Time had run out.
Null exhaled quietly and turned to Lyra, his expression softening. "Listen carefully. I'm not staying here to die."
Her eyes locked onto his. "I'm a special trainee under the divine protection of the Pontiff."
That alone made everyone stiffen.
Null met Lyra's gaze. "I have a trump card." A faint smile. "If things go bad… I'll be instantly teleported back to the Sanctum."
The lie settled perfectly. Because it made sense. Given Null's unbelievably beautiful appearance, unbothered composure, and unheard-of dual sword skills, everything suddenly aligned for the novices.
"That... actually makes sense," Tobin hurriedly affirmed his statement.
Ronan let out a breath. "No wonder..."
Mira narrowed her eyes. but didn't refute.
Lyra's lips parted. "Really?"
"Really," Null smiled faintly, placing a hand on her head to ruffle her hair one last time. "So go. Trust me."
Lyra struggled. Slowly, her grip loosened. "You... you have to come back."
"I will." It was a good lie. A kind lie.
Ronan turned on his heel, his voice heavy but resolute. "We move!"
"Don't die, idiot," Mira muttered, while Derrik managed a weak grin. "If you survive, drinks are on me."
"Please be safe," Tobin added nervously.
Lyra gave him one last reluctant look before stepping back. The team shifted, preparing to bolt. Null tracked them, subtly altering his stance to create the opening they needed.
"Hey," Null called out to the assassins, drawing their attention. "Didn't you say something about a banquet?"
Glo's grin widened. "Oh? Finally decided to step up?"
Perfect
"Move!" Ronan ordered. The team spun and sprinted down the forest path, disappearing into the dark trees.
Null stood completely alone, facing two assassins of the Obsidian Veil. He exhaled a long, quiet breath. 'Alright. Now that the witnesses are removed, let's enact my plan. It's time I gain the freedom to navigate this world without scrutiny."