Jules felt fear.
All the fear he had buried deep within him surged as he took in the overwhelming number of enemies blocking his escape.
'This place particularly is meant to have tight security. How did they infiltrate?!'
Jules already knew the answer. The number of tainted individuals within the Clan was far greater than expected.
For this many people to reach here without raising alarms not only suggests that they aren't your average assassins, but also that someone from within let them in.
"They are assassins not suited for direct combat. Don't fret!"
Breaking Jules out of his stunned state was Cid's instructions.
The assassins were more focused on Cid, so their best escape route was in the opposite direction—toward Jules.
Cid released a burst of energy, coating his spear in mana aura.
The assassins immediately charged as they saw him.
Cid suddenly hurled his spear at one of the assassins with astonishing speed.
The assassin managed to dodge by a hair's breadth, but the spear's impact tore into his side, spilling blood.
The assassin's steps slowed as he tried to cover his side.
Ready for this, Cid retracted his spear to himself with a thread attached to it, hitting his prey from behind and killing one of their attackers.
Displaying power that was unexpected, the enemies were taken aback a bit and Cid's allies were active.
"They're nothing! Move! Prioritize the young master's safety!"
Cid bellowed, his spear ready to cut down another. His words implied that their escape was to be prioritized in this situation.
Mark and Joel, both experienced, were already engaging some approaching assassins.
Meanwhile, Ryan quickly regained his footing and blocked a knife thrown at Jules.
"Snap out of it!" Ryan yelled, positioning himself to protect Jules.
Looking at Ryan, Jules gritted, shooting his hand into his bag tied to his belt and gripping a ball within. 'Should I throw a bomb now?'
"Young master, follow me! We'll retreat together!" Ryan said, using his sword to parry the thrown attacks.
"What?" Jules jumped from Ryan, his grip around the bomb tightening.
Still keeping his eyes on the assassins, Ryan said, "Don't do anything crazy! Just trust me!"
Jules's thoughts raced as he tried to make sense of the situation.
'The attacks Ryan is blocking are less aggressive compared to what the others are taking on.
'Are the attacks here weak on purpose? Why?
'Where does he want to take me? Is he actually working with them? He has been the most suspicious.'
Skeptical of Ryan, Jules thought of attacking, but with Ryan better at short range, Jules dropped the idea and ran closer to Joel who had better positioning.
"Fuck! Don't go!"
Ryan called out, but with the attacks becoming more aggressive he couldn't turn around.
Ignoring him, Jules decided against using a bomb for now and unsheathed his sleek shortsword.
Sensing his presence, Joel immediately said, "Young master, could you hold them for a bit. The Captain needs me!"
"Isn't it my safety that matters?" Jules replied instinctively, fear concealed in his eyes.
Before Joel replied, an arrow shot at him, but with a grunt, he blocked, raising his sword to his chest level.
Then he heard Joel say, "You see. You'll be fine for a bit," before leaving Jules.
"Damn it!" Jules mumbled bitterly, forced to engage.
Jules was pushed back by the duo dagger wielders, small cuts increasing on his body while he prepared a counter.
Multiple small blue magic circles appeared around Jules, shooting water bullets at the assassins in close range and pushing them back.
Jules also jumped back, dodging a few arrow shot at him.
Then in one swift motion, he threw a small bomb at them, the explosion creating distance between Jules and them.
Jules didn't relent as he continued shooting water bullets at them, using his perception to roughly guess their locations.
At that moment, a surge of mana erupted behind him pulling his attention.
Turning back where dust also kicked up, he saw Captain Cid become larger as his skin turned boiling red, seemingly activating a skill.
"No…" Jules muttered as the dust settled revealing a clearer scene.
From behind Captain Cid, a sword and a dagger was stabbed into him.
Jules's stomach twisted. His brain struggled to accept the current situation.
Mark and Joel… They had betrayed them.
They both tried to drive their weapons deeper into Cid's body before Cid, who was using a sort of berserker skill, looked at them with blood filled eyes.
Suddenly, fire engulfed the spear in Cid's hands as it stomped on the floor, exuding a wave that sent his attackers back a few steps.
Turning back, Cid's bloodshot eyes then locked onto Jules, before he threw a round of fire spears towards Jules.
It moved so fast, Jules didn't even have time to process how to dodge.
With him forcing his eyes to stay open, he saw the spears pass him, setting the assassins, who were sneaking, ablaze.
Even in the distance, the ranger wasn't spared.
Watching their bodies writhe in the flames, Jules nearly collapsed.
Another 3 had fallen.
"I'll hold them! Don't worry about me!" Cid roared, "RUN!"
Jules swallowed as he brought out bombs.
Cid guessed his intentions, gave a subtle nod, then dashed at Mark.
With no hesitation, Jules charged them with his mana and threw them towards those surrounding Cid.
'Berserkers didn't feel pain.' Jules mumbled in his heart.
"Thank you, Cid." Jules pivoted, turning to run towards where the burnt assassins were.
Boom–! Boom–!! Boom–!!!
Ryan sensed what was happening behind him, but he had reacted without much shock, his attention focused on handling the 3 on him.
The pressure on him was even more now. One could see some knives stabbed into his body.
But he was still paying attention to the young master.
Gritting his teeth, Ryan activated a skill he had kept hidden for years now.
He whispered something out, using his skill, he sent the sound to Jules.
As Jules ran without any thoughts of turning back, he heard, "You'll die if you go there! They'll kill me soon, then they'll come after you next!"
Shocked by this entire development, Jules hesitated. He couldn't help but ask, "What'd you mean?"
Secretly whispering as he went on defense, Ryan transmitted once more.
"I'll summarize. From the beginning, I've prepared for this attack..."
Hearing Ryan's straightforward explanation, Jules stopped as understanding hit him.
'Ryan was responsible for saving the original Jules?
'Doubting him just caused this to escalate?'
Jules let out a tired, defeated chuckle.
Cursing his luck, he turned back towards Ryan's direction, using the trees as cover.
Looking at Ryan whose vitality seems to be on the verge of complete depletion, Jules said, "We need a new plan."