The rogue hadn't fully disclosed what had happened in the earlier confrontation. He'd been extorting money from kids near the Adventurer's Guild, but a beginner adventurer had stepped up, offering his day's earnings and chiding him to have some shame. The rogue refused and was about to beat the man when Zegion intervened. He sensed the danger; the rogue's level wasn't low.
As Zegion approached, the rogue—alert and vicious—threw a knife straight at him. Zegion managed to dodge, but not without consequence. The blade grazed his shoulder, drawing blood. With narrowed eyes, Zegion calmly placed the sack on his back into a void. From the same rift, needles shot out, two striking the rogue's right arm and instantly paralyzing it.
But the rogue didn't panic. He switched his grip to his left hand and drew another dagger, lunging at Zegion with feral intent. Zegion brought out a staff to fend off the rapid, erratic slashes. As the staff clashed with steel, Zegion occasionally released needles from his void arsenal, but the rogue was too agile—dodging every strike with impressive ease.
The rogue smirked during the exchange. "Your staff work's garbage," he hissed, but there was a glint of respect in his eye. "That footwork, though... you're dancing out there."
Realizing this, he adapted. His attacks became dirtier, feinting slashes while aiming kicks at Zegion's shins and ankles. He was aiming for damage over time—crippling Zegion piece by piece.
But Zegion caught on. He shifted tactics, now relying more on precise, rapid needle throws to push the rogue back and create distance.
Frustrated, the rogue looked at the kids nearby. An idea formed.
He suddenly flung a knife toward one of the children. Reflexively, Zegion moved to intercept. At that exact moment, the rogue charged, dagger drawn, aiming straight for Zegion's side.
But someone intercepted the path—the beginner adventurer. He shoved the rogue back, destroying the sneak attack and saving Zegion.
The rogue stumbled, then snarled and turned his dagger toward the beginner adventurer.
But then—Frank arrived.
The air changed. Heavy. Dangerous.
The rogue and Zegion both instinctively turned. Frank, tall and broad, radiated power. He stared at the rogue with pure disdain.
"You..." Frank muttered. "From the poison frog subjugation near Baron Berry's coastal city. You pushed your squad into danger and ran."
The rogue's face paled. "Frank...?"
"Weren't you expelled after being caught? You should've stayed gone."
Panicked, the rogue tried to flee.
Frank's arm shot out. He grabbed the rogue by the hair.
"No, no, let go—!!"
With a violent tug, the rogue ripped his own scalp loose, leaving strands in Frank's hand.
"I'll make your life HELL for this!" the rogue screamed, running off. "Cruiser's got my back now!"
As he disappeared, Zegion heard him mutter: "It's all because of that bastard Skell who got away…"
Zegion's eyes narrowed. He spread his mana net, scanning for familiar auras. He sensed it—Skell's aura, flaring violently. And the kids' mana signatures were dropping fast.
Why were the kids here? Hadn't he told them to go back home? He could think about the reasons later—right now, he had to move.
"Frank. Follow me!" he cried.
The two raced through the market, following the trail.
They finally found him.
Skell had Jin dangling in his right hand like a ragdoll. In his left, Yuna was lifted by the neck, her face turning purple.
Zegion didn't hesitate.
A spike of telekinesis struck Skell's arm at the mana pressure points. His fingers spasmed—and he dropped the children.
Zegion closed the distance in an instant, drop-kicking Skell with all his weight.
The brute was thrown back.
Frank rushed to the kids while Zegion stood between them and Skell, his face grim.
Zegion knelt by the children. His hands trembled slightly as he saw their injuries—deep bruises, split lips, cuts along their arms and backs. Jin's nose was bleeding, and Yuna's neck was red and swelling. Rage bubbled in his chest. The mana around him crackled, surging violently.
Even Frank, a level 160 Aura Warrior, flinched.
Skell grunted, as his teeth clenched. He'd dropped to one knee and was removing the needles from his arm with his teeth.
In Zegion's hand a mana circle glowed.
Impulse Point.
A beam of focused light pierced Skell's chest, burning a hole through his shirt. He growled, but continued removing the needles.
Zegion cast again. Impulse Point. Impulse Point. Impulse Point.
Each shot struck—scorching holes and burn marks all over Skell's body. But the brute roared, adrenaline and aura flaring wildly as the last needle fell from his arm.
Now fully mobile, he charged.
Zegion stood his ground.
A spear burst from the black voids and rammed into Skell's side.
He stumbled, blood spraying from his mouth. But what froze him was Zegion's eyes—glowing red pupils, staring straight into his soul.
More voids opened.
Knives. Daggers. Spears. Blades.
All aimed at Skell.
SHHHHUNK.
The weapons impaled him. Blood sprayed across the cobblestone.
Skell fell to his knees.
Zegion walked forward, grabbed his hair, and yanked his face upward.
"You dare lay a hand on people under my protection?" he whispered, voice like ice.
He then slammed Skell's face into the ground. Again. And again. And again. Just like how he had done to Jin moments ago.
Blood spread like paint across the stone. Until..
"Zegion."
A firm hand stopped him, it was Frank.
Zegion, breathing heavy, looked around.
Shopkeepers stared from behind their stalls, paralyzed.
The children were safe—but their eyes were locked on Zegion.
Not in fear.
In awe.
Frank knelt down and pulled two small vials from his pouch, they were healing potions. Jin and Yuna were both unconscious, so Frank carefully tilted their heads and made them drink the liquid bit by bit. The worst of their bleeding slowed, and their more severe bruises dulled in color. Meanwhile, Zegion applied a strong-smelling herbal ointment onto Lumine and Ludwig, who had regained consciousness and were groaning softly. The ointment tingled on contact but immediately began reducing swelling and sealing the surface cuts.
Zegion glanced at them, the fury in his eyes dimming just slightly. "Frank, can you bring Jin please. I'll carry Yuna. And you guys can you walk on your own?"
To this Ludwig and Lumine simply nodded their heads. Seeing this Zegion just stayed silent.
With a careful motion, he lifted the unconscious girl onto his back. The moonlight cast a pale silver glow mixed with a blue hue on the bunch as they made their way toward the Rusty Axe Tavern.
Upon arriving, the bar chatter quieted. Regulars and drunkards turned to stare, but Zegion walked straight to the counter. "Is Niva awake?" he asked.
Remy gave a quick nod and headed upstairs.
Moments later, a black-haired woman stepped out. She wore a simple shirt and pants, sleeves rolled up. Her sharp eyes scanned the children then went towards Zegion.
Without a word, she knelt and got to work. Her healing magic was swift and efficient—golden light enveloping Jin's chest, face and Yuna's throat and shoulders. Within minutes, their wounds faded.
They laid the kids down on one of the side booths.
After some time, Jin and Yuna began to stir—slowly waking up from their unconscious state. Their eyes fluttered open, confused at first, but the soft warmth of the booth cushions and the lingering magic helped calm them down.
Zegion and Frank sat beside them, finally able to breathe.
A plate of stew and bread was brought over by Remy. The food was warm, and by now even the kids had regained enough strength to eat, finishing their portions quietly. Zegion paid for the meal and also slipped a few silver coins into Niva's hand in thanks for healing the children. Still, the air around them stayed tense.
At another table, patrons murmured in hushed excitement.
"Did you hear? Cruiser beat Raka in a duel."
"No way! Raka's one of the best in the region!"
Zegion's eyes narrowed, thoughts darkening.
Cruiser again. He had to look into it soon.