CHAPTER 73: LURKING IN SHADOWS

A few seconds after being granted permission to get rid of the lurkers, Mirelle propelled herself to the sky. She conjured and condensed pure mana as she launched multiple missile projectiles toward numerous sectors.

When those lurking in the shadows spotted the offensive spell launched at them, their eyes widened in disbelief. They couldn’t understand how their stealth magic was still discovered by her.

"Crap, that’s an attack of the 4th circle." One of them identified the power of the projectile and was horrified.

To be capable of launching an offensive attack in the 4th circle level meant the attacker was definitely at least a 4th magic circle mage.

As the projectiles homed in, several shadowy figures bolted from hiding.

"No choice but to flee." They realized the target had been severely underestimated and chose to flee.

Soon, several shadowy figures leapt between rooftops as they weaved through the narrow alleys of the market’s outer ring.

"Still think you can run?" The instant they showed themselves, Mirelle sneered coldly. She flicked her wrist, and with a crackling hum, the missiles split midair, adjusting their trajectory with ruthless precision.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Three sharp detonations echoed across the plaza. Dust and debris burst skyward from collapsed tiles and shattered crates.

One figure was blasted clean off the roof, slamming into a merchant stall below with a wet thud.

"Hey, that’s my merchandise!" Shouted the merchant, who noticed their items were ruined. Despite their cries, not a single individual paid attention to him.

The merchant was soon brushed aside by another shadow figure, who attempted to counter Mirelle’s attack with a cloaking veil.

Unfortunately, Mirelle had already descended before the figure. Her palm glowed brightly, and a blast of force scattered the veil like smoke in the wind.

She landed hard on the cobblestone, sending another pulse of pressure outward.

’These must be the same killers from earlier. Watch how I’ll turn you all into mincemeat.’ She vowed internally.

While Mirelle was focused on an individual, another lurker lunged at her with twin daggers coated in violet venom.

"Did you think I’d forgotten about you?" She snorted coldly and caught the lurker’s wrist mid-swing, her eyes burning.

When the lurker locked eye contact with Mirelle, their body started to ignite. In the blink of an eye, a surge of powerful flame consumed the lurker whole. They turned into black charcoal in a matter of seconds.

By the time Mirelle released her grip, the charcoal body plopped to the ground and scattered away like some burned dust.

The remaining shadowy figures glanced at the scene in horror. They hesitated at the edge of the rooftops, clearly debating how to escape from this bodyguard.

"She’s definitely at least a 5th magic circle mage." One of them muttered in a shocked tone.

"We’re not her match." Another said and gestured with his hand, signaling to escape in a different direction. They knew the majority of them would follow their deceased companions, but as long as one of them escaped.

That was all they needed to relay the information.

With that in mind, each of them started to dash in different directions.

"How pathetic," Mirelle said dryly. It wasn’t the first time she had encountered a group of enemies who chose such a tactic to flee.

She raised her hand slowly as threads of condensed mana coiled outward like serpents. A moment later, the threads shot up and darted in multiple directions. Once the threads reached the desirable distance, it sped up, wrapping around the enemies’ ankles and yanking them down in an arc.

The unfortunate enemies caught by the threads crashed onto the stone, followed by the sound of sickening cracks, indicating their bones had been shattered.

Dust was created from the impact, but Mirelle casually waved her hand, summoning a gust of wind to dissipate the dust.

Her eyes narrowed in a cold light when she realized one person was missing.

"Damn it, they actually substitute a person." She hissed, her fist clenching tightly. One of the enemies was secretly holding onto a magic puppet, which had an illusion of a shadowy figure.

Just when she was about to return to Leonard’s side and report her failure of allowing one of the lurkers to escape, she became stunned when there was a corpse lying next to Claudia.

"T-This is..." Mirelle’s eyes widened as she looked at Leonard in disbelief.

"The lurker who was about to escape." Leonard flatly said.

"Claudia sure knows how to throw the venomous dagger in a precise manner." He continued, his hand holding one of the twin daggers coated in venom.

Seeing that, Mirelle was stupefied. She didn’t anticipate Leonard picking up the enemy’s weapon amidst the commotion. Moreover, she was astonished that the remaining lurker was killed by Claudia, who had lost all her magic circles.

As her eyes trailed toward Claudia, the latter simply ignored her with a cold expression. She was forced to act because of Leonard’s command.

"Alright, let’s leave now." Leonard suddenly stated. The fight had caused quite a commotion already. He didn’t wish to idle around the scene any further when he finished making his points to the mastermind behind.

There was a price to pay if they wished to spy on his movements.

This was the message he wished to send. He was a certified gold merchant from the guild. It might not be a noble status, but the influence and wealth behind such an identity were no less than that of a noble.

"Halt your steps!"

Before Leonard’s group could leave the scene, the merchant who suffered losses from the fight rushed toward them in a furious manner.

"Compensate for the damages caused to my stall." The merchant then demanded thunderously, their hand extending outward.

"Compensate?" In response to their agitated state, Leonard calmly retrieved his gold medal and flashed it to the merchant.

Almost immediately, the merchant plopped to the ground, their face petrified at the shining medal.

"A-A Gold merchant..." Their mouth twitched uncontrollably as they swallowed a mouthful of salvia nervously.

"Do you still want me to compensate?" Leonard questioned amusingly.

"Haha, it was my fault for setting up the stall in an inappropriate area. There’s no need to compensate." The merchant hurriedly laughed it off and shook his head repeatedly.

"Oh, and here I was about to compensate. Whatever, then." Leonard shrugged. He turned around and began taking his leave, much to the relief of the merchant, who felt they had just escaped death.