failed headshot

That was expected, Garrick held no delusions that the duke would let him live longer than he already has, ever since he saw that woman he let get away during the massacre, he figured at some point the duke would figure out that he lied back then and be terminated and since Shian was here with daggers at his hand it seems that time has come.

He could feel the tears start forming in his eyes, he'll be leaving his wife alone with an unborn child, the steady income he provided will cease and she'll be forced to either become a whore or be indebt and that'll lead her to becoming a whore, for commoner women all roads led to being a whore once you have debt. There's also the possibility that the Duke might offer a helping hand and Garrick can't let that happen, he rather she be a whore than accept help from that monster.

Closing his eyes he let out a breath, as a red aura slowly radiated off his body, he took a stance readying himself for a fight.

'I must Escape'

Were his thoughts before he sprung forth, despite his thoughts he knew he probably can't escape but he had to try at least. He launched himself at Shian, there was no need for talking, no need to ask why because they both knew what was up.

"Oho! Going out fighting, how admirable"

Shian gripped his daggers and readied himself, Garrick reached him and threw a swift punch aiming for the nose, Shian moved his head to the right dodging, however a punch to the jaw sent him staggering back.

'What?!!!'

The punch was heavy and hard like a Boulder and caused Shian's head to go dizzy for a few seconds.

Garrick gave him no time to think, immediately rushing him, another punch was thrown again aiming for the nose, this time Shian moved his body to the left but suffered a punch to the ribs, the punch was powerful enough to send him slamming on to the wall. Hope was sparked in Garrick's heart.

'I can escape'

A slight smile appeared on his face, Garrick not wasting time he quickly pinned Shian against the wall and he was about to throw a barrage of punches as an attempt to knock his opponent out But he felt a force slam itself on his abdomen and it sent him flying on to the other wall.

"I suppose the warrior rule to never reveal your spirit art to anyone gives you an advantage, but that's all it'll do"

Shian spoke, wiping some dark fluid off his mouth, he cracked his neck and held his daggers like a knife and sprung forward ready to impale the man however the daggers only managed to impale the wall as Garrick rolled himself to the side dodging the attack, he then turned on his back and ran out of the alley escaping the enclosed space.

His mind Sobered up quickly as it was flooded with adrenaline, His head moved quickly suddenly dodging the daggers thrown at him, however a kick to the ribs sent him flying off the ground before landing back down with a roll.

"Shit"

He quickly got to his feet, he could feel the cut on his cheek but he ignored it, as the butler was once again in front him but Garrick sent him back a couple of steps with another punch to the face. He sent another but the butler dodged again only to get hit by another punch to the jaw. Garrick threw another punch however Shian Jumped back a few meters.

The butler massaged his face as he stared at Garrick in contemplation, as long as one can't identify the spirit art being used the warrior retains the advantage however that doesn't matter when one posses overwhelming power.

Shian Dusted off his suit and fixed his tie, he took out a comb and fixed his hair and a sigh Escaped his mouth.

"I suppose the master will be disappointed if I take too long, so let's end this"

It was right now that Garrick realized the hope he felt at the beginning was a lie, there was never a chance to escape. Hundreds of daggers floated above Shian's head as he prepared to finish the job quickly and easily. Even though spirits help warriors cast spells that doesn't mean there aren't down sides and Garrick in particular his down side was distance.

"No need for last words, they serve no purpose"

Shian voiced as his daggers shot forward, the sharp steely blades cut through the air with barely any resistance, the entire space was filled with daggers and he had nowhere to dodge or run. Garrick closed his eyes and waited for his end, his muscles were tensed as he hoped he could survive but then again surviving meant being stabbed until dead. He had no idea what to do so he kept his eyes closed and waited for the pain. Un aware, something sprouted beneath his feet.

"Denying a man his last words is kind of cruel don't you think?

Were the last words he heard before he felt a sudden shift and suddenly felt like he was falling, his butt collided with the floor, he opened his eyes and saw the walls of cave with blue crystals on the walls seemingly lighting the cave up.

"Sup… homie?"

....

A sheet of pale white silk like hair slowly decreased in size as it revealed the figure of a young girl who looked no older than the age of twelve, the young girl willed her hair and whipped the Attack knives off her hair sending them flying onto the walls nearby.

She had used her hair to both block the knives and hide the rip in space she opened in order to transport Garrick away.

Elia looked at the butler with an aprasing gaze, her Byakugan was activated as she scrutinized his figure, by magic power alone this would be an Easy fight, however she had to keep her guard up, this Butler was close to that suspicious noble that she suspects might be Ophelia's relative, She also noticed something strange about Shian's body.

"Wow!! Not going to ask who am I?"

She quipped and Shian didn't respond but instead looked at the girl, Elia couldn't tell but confusion was what is on his mind, he wanted to ask how but kept that question to himself. The Target was not supposed to be here.

'Teleportation?'

While Teleportation was quite possible by mages of high rank it wasn't that useful as it only teleported you a short distance of about 5-10 meters, plus the magic needed for it was Astronomical to the point it can't be used in battle. The target yet somehow did it despite her home being more that 20 meters away from here.

"if I ask, are you going to tell me?"

He asked her and Elia considered his question.

"Probably not, I mean why should I?"

Elia responded but Shian was seemingly distracted because he did not respond to her question.

'Should I retreat? And where did she send Garrick?'

Shian questioned in his head, he can't defeat Elia and the only route he can choose is escape but at the same time he failed his mission so he felt conflicted on retreating without a mission complete.

"well if you're just going to stand there, here I come!!"

In but a fraction of a second Elia was already in front of him, with her fist already reeled back for a devastatingly powerful punch. She pushed her fist forward at such speeds it nearly burst into flames as it slammed on to the butler's chest, the sound of his chest cavity collapsing was clear and loud. The punch sent him flying back at break neck speeds. Even though he had his chest broken, he was alive. Elia planned on capturing him.

The momentum of the punch decreased and gravity took control as he landed on to the ground and rolled for a few meters.

"Heh, one punch man"

She chuckled deactivating her Byakugan and took a step forward however as she did an arrow suddenly lodged itself on her shoulder causing her to Jerk back and move back a step. Another arrow lodged itself on her throat before another landed on her stomach, each arrow sent her back a step.

Another arrow aimed at her head however she quickly dodged to side avoiding it, unfortunately the clone was no longer eligible to fight, before the clone disappeared Elia witness something.

Far off into the distance where the body of the butler landed after her punch, she saw a black Sludge like substance that seemed to dissolve into the ground and disappearing, she didn't have Time to question it as her clone turned into simple wood.

.....