Author's Note:

Here's another chapter, hope you enjoy it. As you'll probably notice its a combo of two once again. Lately I seem to not have enough time and make them much shorter, having to combine them later. Ech...

****

The first place Ace visited was the nobles' houses. He went through them looking at every little thing that might have something hidden behind. The usual of course were mirrors, large paintings and wall carpets but none held anything beside a few books Ace picked up.

On a fifth house he found something more interesting. Under one of the rugs was a staircase that lead to a treasure room filled with sculptures, rich cloths and a few piles of gold. Ace wasn't such a nice person to leave it behind and soon enough everything rested safely in his backpack.

Going farther he saw another room but this one had a bunch of people lying inside. 'Bingo!' Quietly Ace sneaked up to an elder person deciding there shouldn't be any more master assassins in this small castle and shook his shoulder.

"Save yourselves! Runaway! Hurry!" the man started shouting without even opening his eyes, waking up the rest of inhabitants. Ace rolled his eyes at that and took a few steps back.

A fifteen year old girl approached the old man and tried to sooth him.

"Calm down, grandpa. Everything's alright. We already escaped them. Do you hear me? Say something grandpa!"

The man opened his eyes and looked at the girl. "What is going on?"

"You've had another nightmare. Go to sleep now. We're fine now" the girl said forcing a smile on her face. She sure as hell wasn't okay but she had survived when so many died. It was no surprise.

"Actually, it was me" Ace said taking a few steps back into the light of a candle one of woman had lighted up.

"Who are you? We won't go down without a fight!" the man said with his voice raised again, taking out a dagger but his hold was wrong signalling lack of any skills.

"I'm not here to fight you" Ace said raising his hands to show he was unarmed.

The man stood up and holding the dagger poised ahead of him threatened Ace none the less. "Don't you dare to make a movie or you're dead!"

It took all Ace had not to snatch the dagger from the man's hand and show him how to hold it properly. It wasn't even that hard! Rolling eyes wasn't good either so Ace took a deep breath and in his calmest voice said.

"I'm not looking for trouble here. I'm part of Oradin army that has come to retake the castle and my mission is to seek out survivors and help them make it through in any way I can"

"Why should I believe you? Armies don't hire kids" the man said apprehensively.

"It was assembled for a single reason from adventurers to retake this place. And skills were more important than age. Also I've already met Sir Owen who gave me this order to look for you"

"Is he okay?" the man asked, his dagger wavering.

"Depends on what you mean. He's healthy but his youngest daughter is no longer. His heart is broken"

"Does that mean Elena...?"

"Yes, she's still alive. She was asleep with their other daughter and a few maids when I met Sir Owen so I don't know anything more"

"Thanks god, at least they made it through" the man said sighing and sat down, three women behind him with fear filled eyes. "How is it outside?"

"Full of goblins but the first gates are creaking. We hope to get in by the end of the week. Today is Monday by the way" Ace said, lying in case there were spies. It never hurt to be careful.

"We can't even tell time in this darkness, living like rats underground. We're running out of candles and there's not much food left either."

That was to be expected and Ace rummaged through his backpack taking the requested items out. He presented the man with twenty candles and the same amount of barley bread. The man's disgusted face showed how much he liked the prospect of eating it but didn't complain. Life was hard for the minorities.

"Do you have any idea where I could find others?" Ace asked hoping maybe this old man knew something and would make his search so much easier.

"No. That day there was so much chaos I doubt anyone knows anything about what happened to others" the man said, shaking his head in sorrow and giving items to one of the women.

"Okay. I'll be going then" Ace said and stood up to leave but a girl's voice stopped him.

"Can you look in my room if Fluffy survived? He's a white ferret. I'm really afraid for him!"

Ting!

New Quest: Furry Friend

Fluffy and Simona were best of friends never leaving each other's side but on the day of takeover they were separated. Help the girl by finding him and bringing it back to her.

Quest Difficulty: E

Quest Requirements: Appear trustworthy and good with animals

"That would be my pleasure" Ace said, deciding it wouldn't hurt to waste a few minutes on this quest.

"Thanks! He might even be able to help you find other citizens!" the girl said relieved but still trying desperately to prove the stranger it was really worth it to find the little animal.

"Got it" Ace said smiling happily. Now he even had a lead of a kind.

Backing down his steps Ace walked out from the secret passage and put the rug back on. From there he went up the stairs and looked through each room but all of them were empty. 'Where could it be hiding?' Ace thought for a moment and knew exactly where he would hide if he was a little critter - the storage room.

Going down he found a kitchen and from there a room that long ago was filled with food. Now everything was taken or eaten with crumbs and rotting pieces left lying around. The smell wasn't perfume either. 'Can it really stay here? Doubtfully so' Ace thought shaking his head and searched for another place. Garden seemed like the next best choice.

The trees were silent without wind and birds but Ace felt the presence of a single creature. He climbed into a tree and looked for a hollow. One was right at the end of his branch and Ace tried searching it with his hand.

"Owowwow!" he hissed, sucking on his injured finger. The little monster bit him! "How am I supposed to get him if he doesn’t want it?"

Unsure of a next move, Ace took out a few peanuts and held them shaking before the hollow.

"Here, here you little monster. Come out, come out" he said in his own natural soft voice tempting the critter out.

It actually worked as a white fur ball with black beads for eyes appeared in the hollow. To Ace's surprise, after a few seconds of hesitation, it jumped on his hand and with its sharp teeth and claws snatched the peanut. Ace hissed in pain as his hands got scratched deep enough for blood to show up. 'Deep breaths, Ace, deep breaths, you're not here to kill him. He must survive for you to fulfil the girl’s request. Deep breaths. You can do it. I believe in you' Ace said to himself with eyes closed.

"Hey there, Fluffy. Do you want more?" Ace said with a smile holding another peanut in his hand trusting the power of the accursed skill [Childish Innocence] to do its work. It was around the middle of average level so should probably be enough to charm a little critter.

It was also a single skill that never failed Ace no matter he wanted it to or not. This time was no different. The little creature looked at Ace with wonder filled eyes and jumped on his shoulder nuzzling against his neck.

"Here you go" Ace said giving him the peanut but this time the little creature made sure not to hurt him. 'At least that improved'

Ace made sure Fluffy was comfortable on his shoulder and sneaked towards the castle. He needed more food if he was going to feed all the survivors. And if he was doing that he might as well pick some blankets and other everyday life necessities to earn more favour.

The castle stood tall over the other buildings as if inviting to come and admire it.

Ace enjoyed the pluses of his dual class while climbing the wall towards an open window on the second floor. His [Shadow Veil] being not only simple sneaking but mixed with magic to make the shadows deeper around him allowed to hide other creatures as well if they were close enough to his body so the ferret could happily sleep curled around his neck replacing the scarf.

The room he entered was empty of any life and was perfect to start from. Ace looked around after opening the doors slightly. The coast was clear and he went in search of all kinds of items.

First he visited some wardrobes where he found a lot of blankets and warm clothes. Then he went for storage room where he found dried and smoked food he could carry around and lots of fresh water. It was clear that goblins haven't been invited to the castle. 'Is that why it's so empty here? I don't think I've seen a living soul since I entered' Shrugging Ace made his way back to the outside.

There he found a shadowy place and woke the ferret.

"Hey, Fluffy, can you help me find some people who live here? Simona said you're the best for it"

The ferret jumped down from his shoulder with a determined look in his eyes and started to run in all directions. Ace tried to follow it as much as he could but soon he became exhausted and sat down in someone's garden. The apples around were quite tasty so Ace decided to stay there for a bit longer and let the ferret go crazy alone.

While he was gazing at the sky, he remembered the books he had stolen from the magicians' guild. This was as good time as any to look through them. First he took out the skill books. There was a single problem with them. He didn't have an identifying skill... He could have waited and asked Aurora to do that but it'd take way too much time so Ace just put his hand on the book and said "Learn"

*Unable to learn Holy Cross. Need to be of a cleric's class*

'Here we go. Now should I give it to Aurora or just trade away for herbs? Hm... Oh well I have time to decide later. Next one.' "Learn"

*Unable to learn Double Dash. Need to be of swordsman's class*

'Pff… Did that spellsword even have any useful skills?' "Learn"

*Unable to learn Vertical Slash. Need to be of a swordsman's class*

'Useless. Not even a single one! Maybe the old wizard had something better?' "Learn!"

Tiiring!

New skill acquired: Flame Step [Active]

You walk leaving a trail of fire behind you for two seconds.

The duration and power will increase as the skill advances.

Mana Cost 2/s

'Well, this should be fun but sadly I can't try it now without attracting too much attention. Let's see what else is there.' "Learn!"

Tiiring!

New skill acquired: Excessive Heat [Toggle]

Your body releases a large amount of heat.

Higher level will release greater energy.

Mana cost 5/s

Ace frowned reading the description. It looked like a pretty useless skill and ate mana like a hungry beast. 'Maybe it has great power?'

"Excessive Heat!" Ace never used incantations even though they strengthened the spell's power. Being at the front of any fight he'd be dead in seconds if he ever tried to chant something for more than half a second.

Barely noticeable red aura surrounded him but nothing else seemed to happen. Oh wait! The grass around him lowered its head like on a very sunny day. 'Really? This is all?' It was even worse than Ace expected but he kept the skill none the less.

He kind of liked defeating opponents with useless at first glance spells. [Flare] was a prime example of that being the first spell anyone ever learnt and not even good for lightening one’s surroundings. That didn't stop Ace from levelling it up and now he not could only have a constant little light but a quick way to blind his opponents again and again. He was so used to that spell keeping it on for 24/7 that he used it more as extension of his body than anything else. 'There must be a way for this spell to shine too. I just need to use it enough times and maybe level up considerably. Okay one more book left' "Learn!"

*Unable to learn Creature of Deepest Fires. Need to be an elementalist and have 500 intelligence*

'Well this will be a great spell to present to Par on his birthday. When is it anyway? It would be bad of me to miss it' Ace put the skill book away and took out the girl's journal. It was filled with all kinds of formulas and calculations concerning her double class. Ace was about to delve into it when a loud chattering noise came his way. A small white ferret stopped before him and stood on its hind legs looking very proud.

"So you've found something?" Ace asked with a smile plastered on his face and putting the journal away for later. The ferret nodded and ran off, not forgetting to stop at every corner to make sure he followed. Ace hid behind his skill and followed the little critter that was running straight into a group of goblins. But those didn't seem to mind the creature and let it pass easily. Ace got through them just as easy as goblins were one of the more stupid classes of monsters.

Fluffy made his way towards another garden but this one was overgrown with large trees and thorny bushes. They didn't look to have been placed there for their beauty or delicious fruits. 'What is going on here?' The small ferret dived in evading all the small needles but Ace didn't have such luck. 'I really hope there's something there' Ace thought casting [Gust] to create a cocoon of wind so no goblins would come rushing after hearing his so very silent walk through all the bushes and fallen dry branches.

Ace felt two people ahead way too late to dodge the vines that sprung from the ground and encircled his whole body. Not that he could have done much in such thick undergrowth. 'Damn. I knew something was wrong here, what with all that random greenery. That guys an earth mage and will doubtfully want to hear my explanations now.'

"Excessive Heat" Ace said deciding it might buy him a few moments time but it strengthened the vines! "Turn off! Turn off!" Ace said in a desperate voice cursing himself for trusting an ability he hadn't tested yet. 'Flare to the left and blind them!' he ordered his little flame struggling to get out of his chains. 'That mage is a freaking master. These vines feel like lead!'

A flash of light signalled him of a successful attack but it was only procrastination if he couldn't get out. And he didn't. [Flare] stayed in the mage's eyes obstructing his view but the mages were annoying in the way that they only needed a general direction to cast their mass destruction spells.

"Father wait! Fluffy is in the way!" a kid shouted jumping in front of Ace who was still struggling to get out. 'Why do I always end up like this? Don't I have any self-preservation?' he wondered. 'Wait maybe I should use another spell I learnt today?'

"Flame Step!"

It took few seconds but the fire started to gather under his feet burning down the vines. But they hurt him too! "What the hell are these spells?" He shut down the spell and created a wind shield around himself looking at his charred trousers. "Great. And I didn't even take another pair with me" Ace said in annoyance while Fluffy jumped on his shoulder and turned his beady eyes towards the kid who just burst into the few feet clearing Ace just made.

"Who are you?" the middle aged mage asked coming into a clearing too.

"Ace from the Oradin army" the boy said, deciding it was his best chance.

"What army? I don't remember there even existing one,"

'Our kingdom doesn't even have an army?' Ace thought, his mouth falling open but he quickly shook his head and resumed his act.

"Well, more exactly Lasran city's lord chose a champion and ordered him to form an army of five hundred and retake this castle. I'm part of a group that infiltrated themselves to look for any survivors. Sir Owen asked that of me too"

"Did he now? I remember him being very distrusting and you want to say he just went and told you everything?" the mage asked, not believing a word of Ace's and keeping a few spells ready for the moment the kid moved.

Ace wanted to roll his eyes. 'How can I explain to you that we're both assassins of an old style? Do you even know that about him?'

"It may be so but now that he's lost his daughter and was running out of food to feed his last surviving family members he became much more talkative."

"You managed to pressure him into giving in?" the mage asked with shock evident in his voice. 'Maybe they're good friends? Or rivals?'

"Death changes people, claws of a Grim Reaper over your head too, but that is of no importance right now. What I care is whenever you have enough supplies to last for a few more weeks at least or not. So?"

"Why should I trust you?"

"How did you tame Fluffy?" the mage's boy asked, tired of listening to all the things he didn't care about. "He never liked anyone but me and Simona. Did you meet her? Is she okay?"

"Food works wonders and yes I did. She is with an old man and two other females of middle age. I gave them some food so they should make it through"

"You met Logan?"

"Don't know their names. We just exchanged information and the girl asked me to find her pet and take care of him until everything's over" Ace said shrugging and checked his quest status. It showed 3/15. 'What? So all I need to do is find them? Helping is optional? But wait, every time I got clues about other locations for assisting. It's probably better to try and gain their trust anyway.'

"So you're really not lying?" the mage asked.

"Would I say no even if I wasn't?" Ace asked rising an eyebrow at which the mage smiled tiredly.

"You're right. And sorry for the rough welcome. We've been betrayed by humans, not overrun by monsters" the mage said, releasing Ace from the wines and leading him deeper into the fake garden where a small clearing with basic things was.

"No problem. I heard the story. It's unbelievable how far some people are able to fall"

The man nodded and sat down on the ground. "My name is Doran, a Master Earth Mage. I'd like to treat you with some food or better accommodations but as you see that's all I have and we're running short too."

"Spellword Ace. I've been to the castle and they were happy to share their supplies with me so I can give you dried meat and some barley bread. Do you need anything else like blankets, spell materials or the like?"

"It would be much appreciated. We've run without picking anything and survived by using magic for warmth" the man said, looking older. A month ago he would not only have never taken a stolen item but would have caught the criminal and put him in jail. Now he was relieved to have met him. How quickly can one's idea of what is right and wrong change..?

"You're living in hard times and there's not much choice. It’s either living like a criminal or dying and leaving your family members to face the same fate. I'd say there's nothing wrong with wanting to live but I doubt you'd believe me" Ace said noticing the internal struggle on the man's face he knew so well from Monthu.

'Why would anyone care so much about empty words? Living is right while giving up on it is wrong. It's as simple as that.' In Ace's logic everything made to ensure one's survival was permitted.

He put all kinds of items down on the ground to ensure two's well being and stood up to leave.

"Wait! Take this ring" the mage said, taking off a very beautiful green seal ring. "Next time you find anyone show them this and say I sent you. It should solve a lot of your problems."

"Thank you" Ace said smiling from ear to ear. He was right in the end, helping the survivors did make it easier to take care of the others.

Ting!

New Title! Flare of Hope

*Granted for bringing hope back to the given up people of Vascas

*Honourable title for one who has impressed a councilman with his wise words

*Will be lost if the hope was unfound

"I know the usual goes as the spark but flare suits you better. Especially since it circles your head all the time" the mage said, smiling slightly.

"You're too kind" Ace said with a genuine smile. He never expected to gain such a useful thing here.

Titles were usually given by high ranked officials who normal players rarely met as you needed a lot of favour to even be allowed in their houses. Those who got in, not only had to extract a quest from unwilling nobles, but had to impress them too. It took a long time and a lot of effort but the end result was well worth it as you were recognized in all cities and trusted. You could say it was equal to around 2-3 thousand fame points especially if it had something to do with being a great warrior.

Of course there were other ways to get titles but they weren't as useful. Ace's title wasn't of the best kind but would gain him a great deal of favour none the less, if only the castle was retaken.

Thinking such happy thoughts Ace left the clearing, vines closing in behind him. Outside Fluffy jumped off his shoulder and ran off. Ace stopped for a moment thinking of what would be the best course of action and decided to find a secluded corner where he could peacefully read. After some time Fluffy showed up leading him to another encampment.

This time with so many cards in his hand Ace gained the trust in moments and collected his information.

The next two days passed in a blur to him as ignoring the exhaustion he looked for survivors day and night. He slept for an hour at best while Fluffy was searching. That allowed him to finish a few hours before the rogue mission was to take place.

Ace decided to rest. He'll need every little drop of energy he can get once they try that particular nonsense.

***

Ting!

Ting!

Tiiring!

Ting!

"Mmm..." Ace murmured not wanting to open his eyes. He felt like he had just fallen asleep. And what was that sound anyway?

After some more grumbling and that annoying noise continuing Ace opened his eyes yawning widely. At the corner of his left eye another pop up message appeared.

*You have received a new message!* x27

"Wow... What is going on?" With his mind still fuzzy Ace opened the last message. It was from Monthu but absolutely empty. "Huh?" He checked others and they were the same until his mind remembered what spam is. Then he scrolled up to the front and looked at the first message received.

/The gates are going to fall in a few days anyway so abort your mission and go behind the second wall. You can do it there. In the meantime create some disturbances or something to make goblins' morality drop/

'What? Is he mad?'

"Are you serious? I hope you plan to tell that to Fenek yourself?" Ace asked using voice chat.

"You'll have that pleasure yourself" Monthu said in a calm voice. Ace just knew he was smiling, 'That bastard'.

"Thanks a lot. How did you even manage to accomplish the feat? Last time you said it'll take almost a month."

"One of the resident blacksmiths just reached intermediate and managed to create a trebuchet so it's devastating the gates and walls even as we speak."

Boooom!

"What the hell was that? And what is a trebuchet?" Ace asked his ears ringing. 'Was I really sleeping through that?'

"Imagine a large spoon that through various mechanisms can throw large rocks the size of you at an enemy fortress. Anyway how does it feel inside?"

"I slept through it but right now I prefer getting somewhere away from this wall. It suddenly doesn't look as sturdy as it did the day before."

"Great news. I'll contact you later to see if you're alive. Good luck" Monthu said with a laugh.

Ace cut off the chat and took a long breath. 'Should I go and meet in face or better stay away from them as far as possible?' he contemplated while sneaking around the perimeter.

The presence of twelve people in a nearby building decided it for him. He came to the door and shed his shadows before entering. Nearest goblins were more than fifty meters away so he could safely act a stupid boy.

"There was change of plans" Ace said walking in.

"What are you thinking, barging in like that?" Fenek asked angrily but in a whisper and jumped to close the door. He glared at the kid who looked not to give a care in the world about what he might bring. 'How did he even survive those days being so careless?' His group had been quietly sitting in their safe house, letting only one person out to scout the wall for their mission and never letting him back in for fear of him being followed. Life was a dangerous thing.

The kid dismissed his words and continued on. "General just contacted me saying they found a way to quickly burst down the gates and our mission is no longer needed. We're to relocate behind the second wall. There you shall separate into three groups by four"

"What should we do that for?" Belinda asked unhappily. She liked the rogues quick attacks and invisible movements but this wasn't it. Now there wasn't a group of fighters, mages and a cleric to help her in case she failed something. She was afraid for her life.

"Our new mission is to instil fear into goblins' hearts and drop their morality. The more you kill the better. Just remember to station one of the four as a scout because there will be no one to save you if you'll be ambushed" Ace said in a monotone voice.

"So you mean all our planning was for nothing and now we have to risk our lives killing goblins alone in their own base?" Fenek asked in a sneer.

"Exactly. If anyone wishes to leave, be my guest. Otherwise you'll go and do as told. I'll be around to make sure you don't hole up and kill only those that threaten your safeness. Trust me I'm not kidding" Ace said with his head held up, managing to look down at rogues even though he was smaller than them. That destroyed the last pity they felt for abandoning him and born anger.

"You know you're threatening a bunch of rogues?" Fenek asked, taking out his dagger and looking menacing.

"Really? I didn't know!’ Ace said pretending shock but soon it turned into a sneer. ‘Oh wait, I did. And. I. Don't. Care. Got it? Or do I have to repeat it for you?". There was no love lost between them.

Ace smiled a sickeningly sweet smile and left closing the door with a bam. "Spoiled brat" could be heard sent after him but that only made him smile more. If you're making enemies, make them right. There's no need for a bunch of half-hearted idiots running after you. What could you possibly learn from them?

Outside he used [Shadow Veil] and thought for a moment what to do next. He could either scout the second wall's defences or start creating fear among the goblins. Or he could receive the rewards from the quests he'd finished and take a good nap. That sounded much more like it.

Ace went to the house where he had found the first secret passage and entered once again. This time the whole group was awake and met him with hopeful eyes.

"Have you managed to find everyone? I see you also have found Fluffy" Sir Owen or Silver Fox asked welcoming the guest in.

"Yes, I did. They're tired and scared but alive for now" Ace said, sitting down and stroking the soft fur of Fluffy who curled up in his lap.

"That's amazing news!" Elena said happily. 'Is she an assassin too? By the old man's story it would seem so but she doesn't look like one at all.'

The woman's face was very delicate with high cheekbones, large eyes and rosy cheeks. She wore a light blue dress the colour of her eyes and looked much younger than her husband.

"But I'm afraid we have nothing to reward you with" the man said in regret.

"It is of no importance" Ace said shaking his head. "As long as we're in this battle, money and riches are of no use to me anyway."

The pair looked at each other for a second and both nodded at the same time. "Come with us, if you prefer something more useful than a pile of gold."

Ace smiled inwardly and stood up to follow the couple. Together they left the passage and went through a couple of rooms. In a guest room they went to an armchair and after a bit of fumbling raised the sitting part. Inside lay two middle sized cotton pouches.

"No one would expect anything hidden under themselves" Helbert answered to Ace's raised eyebrow.

Elena took one of the pouches and retrieved a pair of strange looking weapons. They resembled a three-tine pitchforks with side prongs being much smaller than the middle one.

"Uhm... Are these supposed to be weapons?" Ace asked doubtfully. He liked his daggers well enough not to take up a farmer's weapon.

"Yes" Elena said gripping them tightly and smiled at him. "Come at me"

Ace shrugged and in an instant was before the woman with his daggers in a stabbing motion. She blocked it easily and caught his weapon making it a better choice to grab the next one from his belt. Ace did just that and this time tried a few slashes but his daggers were stopped just as easily. The side prongs made it extremely easy to catch the opponent's weapon, making it immobile. Ace was having a hard time trying to prevent that from happening and still stay on the offensive.

"Enough" Helbert said. "I believe you saw that they aren't your everyday pitchforks"

Ace nodded eyeing those weapons with a new interest.

"They are mostly used for a variety of blocks, parries and captures against opponents from different directions and heights. We believe it would be the best weapon for someone like you who has a small stature and in a one on one will be mostly defending until a good opportunity to escape shows itself" Elena said, extending the evolved pitchforks towards Ace.

He looked at them calculating if it would be in his best interests to start using a new weapon at around a hundredth level. 'They seem useful but I haven't seen anyone using them. It could add to the surprise factor but I wasted half a year to train my base dagger fighting knowledge... Should I really just abandon it because something more interesting showed up? Wait if I have two identities wouldn't it be more beneficial to make them as different as I can? It would also add to the child's act since I won't know a thing about using these things...'

"I'll take them" Ace said finally and took the weapons. They had been given to him as a reward so he could see an item's description for once.

Training Sai

Durability 47/50

Damage 10-15

Made for a single purpose of teaching the basic forms of Sai. Unlike other training weapons these aren't wooden showing the blacksmith's trust in the student who would use it. Because of it these Sai can be used in a real fight too.

+15 AGI

Requirements: 30 STR, 50 AGI

It was a great weapon for a beginner up to level 20, 30 at best. Nothing he'd glance at now.

"If you free this place, I'll be able to teach you the basics. Right now there isn't a safe place where we could do that" Elena said.

"Thank you" Ace said and turned around to leave. He still had a lot of work to do.

He went to visit the little girl with her grandpa second and returned her the ferret. Both of them were overjoyed while Ace gained some experience and fame. It wasn't that bad of a deal.

After that he decided to rest for a while. He hadn't slept for the last few days and tiredness reared its head.

Day game time later Ace was back in full energy. First he went to check on his subordinates. They were still doing nothing. 'I'm having none of that' Ace though with an evil smile and sneaked off to find some goblins. He put his favourite Kris away as he'd only dirty it with goblin blood and took out a pair of simple daggers. One of them was coated in poison while the other in paralysis.

The first group he encountered contained only three members. It was too small so Ace dispatched of them in moments and went to look for a larger one. Walking around he found something he'd already used before - a signalling gong! Not wasting a second Ace took a large mallet lying nearby and hit with all his might. A loud reverberating noise was made. 'Is that supposed to be asking for reinforcements?' he wondered killing off the first group who showed up. He needed others to see him killing and chase after him.

Once five groups were in sight containing over twenty goblins Ace decided to get out of there. But he didn't use any skills to blend in the shadows. He had a very specific place he wanted to go.

He was running out of stamina when the house came in sight. Not stopping he jumped to the door and opened it widely. It was empty, well, not for long as Ace took out glitter dust and threw it around. A dozen rogues showed signs of shock while Ace dashed threw and jumped through the window on the other side. There he used [Shadow Veil] and took out pieces of glass from his hand. The fall and glass ate a fifth of his health 'Assassin survivability is truly pathetic'

Finding a larger stone close by he dragged it closer and stood up on it to see what was going inside. The glass-free window provided an excellent view at the rogues’ lack of fighting spirit. They were making a tight circle with their backs inside but it was a tactic for swordsman not rogues who had no defence. They wouldn’t last even five attacks of goblins that were from 60-80 level.

"Bunch of idiots" Ace murmured under his breath but didn't go to help. He warned them and if they didn't listen, well, that was their own fault.

Fenek who was much higher level than the rest was silently cursing the boy. 'How did he dare to lure all the mobs here? And if we don't escape soon more will come too!' /Fight them/ came a message to the chat from the little bastard. /Or I'll lead them to you again and again. You won't escape me!/ All the rogues could just hear the maniacal laughter from the boy.

"That rich spoiled..." Fenek's curse was cut short as he had to block a goblin's axe. It wasn't like they could escape without fighting anyway. Glitter Dust made sure of that. 'One day I'll make him pay...' Fenek promised and jumped at the goblins.

He might not have had much defence but his quick and critical attacks made short work of goblins. It was a new experience for Fenek as he preferred keeping his neck safe while now a single wrong move could mean his demise. Other rogues joined him protecting his back and after some time they finished off all the goblins present.

/Good work. And start doing what you've been told to or next time there will be twice as many/

/What's wrong with you?!/ Belinda. asked in outrage.

/With me? Nothing. I just don't like lazy people. My father always said 'The early bird gets the worm'/ Ace wrote back with a smile and turned off the chat. For now he'll leave them alone and have his own fun.

He ran to the upper side of the wall and took out two longer daggers that could almost be called swords and coated them in his new poison. He never liked trying such things on himself so it was a test run. 'Tough luck' he thought looking at goblins going watch and sprinted off.

Ace's out of nowhere appearance surprised the goblins and allowed him to run a long way slashing in all directions and making sure that everyone suffered at least a single hit before having to be more careful. He watched their reaction from the corner of his eyes and was disappointed to see nothing of interest. None seemed to even have felt it. 'Did it suddenly loose its effectiveness?' he wondered continuing to run.

It wouldn't be the first time when two poisons combined made a remedy but still. Ace expected better results from viper's poison mixed with wolf’s bane. Were they really better separately?

When he was finishing out his circle with a large bunch of goblins on his tail, he noticed dead bodies lying before him. They had no twisted faces or white eyes to signal any kind of poisoning. You could say they died peacefully. 'So its deadly anyway? This could be useful while killing nobles to arise no suspicion if I ever feel like taking requests.'

Test finished Ace jumped from the wall rolling a few times and ran off. On the first shadowy place he left their sight and used his abilities to disappear completely. Then he entered a random house and making sure it was empty sat down to catch a breath. His health was below half too from getting hit by a few random flying axes and jumping off the wall. He sighted and drank a health potion with barley bread.

Ace had no time to waste waiting for the health to regenerate back, he was already sneaking out to make the city know him. Their fear will know no bounds when he'll be finished with them, that was for sure.