As I looked towards the dark corner a cloaked figure walked out of the shadows. He had long scruffy hair and a gaunt-looking face.

“You’re from the Dark Guild?”

Although I already deduced that he’s from the Dark Guild that attacked Harry I asked the man that impolitely threw a dagger at me to make sure.

“What if I am?”

“Great then.”

I immediately kicked the ground and swung my sword at his neck but he blocked it.

“You’re an impatient child aren’t you?”

He said with a playful tone and a confident look.

“You blocked my sword, impressive.”

“Confident too.”

We exchanged blows while conversing. Both of us had a leeway to do so as none had gotten serious yet. However, I could feel that his strength isn’t any inferior to the bald guy I burned to death and the woman I decapitated. Their way of using mana is similar too.

“Was that baldy your friend?”

“You mean Wane?”

“Is that his name?”

“I wouldn’t have thought a capable assassin like him would be defeated by an unknown mage.”

“What do you mean unknown mage? Harry?”

“Who else would it be? A mere 7th circle scholar mage who had never been in battle. Although he did sustain some serious injuries himself.”

This guy thought Harry was the one who killed the bald guy?

“Why did you think Harry killed that baldy?”

“Do you think I’m stupid enough to be tricked? What kind of swordsman burns his opponent to a crisp? However, I do believe that mage had backup. That’s why the woman Jade got her head lopped off instead.”

“I see.”

It made sense that people would think Harry killed that bald assassin. Although it’s not the truth, I had no intention of revealing it.

“Why did it take you 10 months to finally come then?”

“The cowardly Guild Master wanted to be careful as we’re dealing with someone capable of killing two of the six commanders even though I wanted to find and kill you guys as soon as I heard the news.”

“Ho~ those two must be one of your strongest men then. Are you one of them?”

“Is that your last request? Hahahahahahah!”

He laughed at my blunt inquiries, such conversation was happening while the sound of metal clashing can be heard clearly in the dark and empty alleyways. But he answered anyway.

“Indeed! I’m Hagrid, a commander of the Black Rose; remember that name as you drew your last breath!”

He said with a peal of grim laughter.

“You’re a tough kid, I never thought a child could be this strong. Well, you wouldn’t be an A-ranked adventurer if you weren’t at least this capable. Alas, it’s time for me to end this.”

The whole time we were clashing blades, he had been using only his physical strength and no magic. Suddenly, his short sword started to glow as it was wrapped in mana. He was starting to get serious about killing me.

But he wasn’t the only one holding back during our fight. I didn’t even use my full physical strength as I wanted to ask him some questions; I never thought that he’d answer that easily though. He must have thought that it didn’t matter since he’s going to kill me anyway. It was unpleasant being looked down upon. However, it was beneficial for me since I got the answers I wanted.

The man whose name I didn’t bother remember was getting fiercer with his attacks but I didn’t get pushed back even once. His face grew more surprised since I matched his rising momentum. He would never expect that a child would be holding back in a fight with a ‘commander’ assassin or whatever he was.

This Black Rose Guild wasn’t impressive at all, since their strongest men only amounted to this much. I didn’t investigate their whereabouts and storm their place right away because I was worried that they had stronger men but if their commanders were only this strong then there’s nothing to worry about anymore.

“You bastard, you’ve been hiding your strength!”

“Well, I needed you to answer my questions. You told me a lot of things so easily though. Let’s end this shall we?”

I stopped holding back my strength and swung my sword at him. He blocked it but he was pushed back this time. His short sword was destroyed in the clash, and his arm was seemingly broken. He scowled in pain and I lowered my stance.

“[First Swordsmanship: First Form]”

I infused qi into Yami as it glowed blue in the dark alleyway. The man I’m about to kill looked terrified and tried to run but it was too late.

“[Moonlight]”

Nothing else was seen other than the blade glowing with gentle blue light as I disappeared and reappeared some distance behind the terrified man. I put Yami back into its scabbard and the man’s head and limbs fell off one by one. A pool of blood formed from the mutilated corpse.

“I wonder if they’re doing fine right now.”

I spoke to myself questioning Harry and Chris’ condition. Since there are supposed to be six commanders there should be three remaining. Some of them must have attacked Harry and Chris while this now-dead man attacked me. I wouldn’t worry about them though, they’re strong enough to handle this much now.

I need to clean up this mess too. Good grief, I should have killed him more cleanly. Should I call the guards? He should have the black rose mark on his body too, that’d help me prove that I killed him in self-defense.

I walked out the alleyway looking for a guard to report the situation.

***

“Is there another assassin attack?”

“Another?”

I questioned the guard’s wording that indicated that I wasn’t the only one that was dealing with an assassin. Were those two done already?

“There were two reports of attacks happening in secluded parts of the city before you came. Are you related to those two?”

“Perhaps.”

I see, they’ve gotten ahead of me. I lost the race that didn’t even happen.

“Was there anyone hurt?”

“Other than two dead assassins, there were no casualties among the citizens and soldiers. That mage and knight were .”

“Hmm.”

Those assassins confidently attacked us while we’re in the city, I was worried that non-related people got involved. Harry and Chris did a great job finishing those assassins without a problem.

“Then could you lead us to the place of the incident?”

“Oh. Sure, follow me.”

I led the guards to where I left the bloodied corpse. When we arrived, the guards' faces turned pale and queasy. Some of them threw up on the spot. I felt sorry for them now; I knew I should have killed him more cleanly.

“Did you do this?”

The head guard that followed us inquired so I admitted and apologized for making a bloody mess.

“Well, as long as no one’s hurt. We’ll take it from here, you could go back now.”

“Thank you.”

“You’ll be called as a witness later.”

“I’ll remember that.”

I excused myself and left the scene.

***

I returned to the inn and opened the door of the room I’m staying in. It was dark so I switched on the magic-powered lights but then suddenly a group of people jumped out and yelled.

“Happy Birthday Richard!!!”

“What? Oh.”

It’s my birthday today, I just remembered.

In the room were Harry, Chris, Frank, and Rebecca clapping their hands with cheerful smiles and laughter. The room was decorated and there’s a cake topped with candles on the dining table. It was a merry atmosphere.

I was amazed at Harry and Chris though, they were just attacked by assassins but they still had the mood to celebrate my birthday. They even organized a party for that sake.

“Thanks, I appreciate your efforts in organizing this small party.”

“Is that it? Stingy with words too I see.” Chris complained at my concise speech.

“Don’t complain, it’s my birthday.”

“Now, now. It’s a jovial event! We should celebrate instead of fighting.”

Rebecca stopped our banter and lifted the mood. We went on with the celebration with a birthday song and cutting the cake. The night was filled with laughter.

I wanted to wait until the guards’ investigation is done before heading to the Black Rose Guild’s headquarters and take the Guild Master’s head but I could afford to have fun first.