Author: Thank you for reading.

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3rd person view

An ominous feeling spread throughout the city as they day faded away. Many of the local residents took shelter in their homes as they felt dread spread among them. None knew why the air felt cold and their nerves remained unsettled. The guardsmen appeared to be more agitated than normal. With news of the Lord being injured, many had mixed feelings about the future, others who were wronged by him and his family reveled in his pain without a care. What they did know was that trouble was coming tonight. What follows and whether they will make it through peacefully remains to be seen.

As nighttime approached Kuro, Shiro, and Puerial have all gathered a small distance from the Lord’s manner. The security has noticeably increased with guards more thoroughly positioned along the wall to cover any gaps in defence. As they gazed at the guards the possibility that they were not allowed proper shifts is very likely, seeing the tired looks in their eyes were a dead giveaway.

As Kuro observed further he noticed they seem to be eyeing each other, never looking away. Like they are eyeing an enemy...it seems the brothers wasted no time to divide the guards into opposing armies. They seem to be in a type of cold war for now, and could erupt at any moment.

Thoughts of putting this to use filled Kuro’s mind, nothing can weaken an enemy group better than instability from within. As he looked around identifying which were the former slaves and looking for an easier point of infiltration. Near one of the armories was a larger concentration of former slaves. Since loyalty is put in question they are most likely being used to keep both parties in check since, as slaves, they can't refuse orders.

Thankfully the former slaves are used to long shifts,so they don't seem tired. This just helped our side have ready access to weapons and more stable troops. Not to mention the Lord's manner is to the Northeast of their location. The distance is riddled with statues and other such things used to show off, allowing ample cover.

Sneaking in wasn’t an issue, since Kuro’s group simply moved past the former slave guards. As they met up with the leader of the former slaves, his desire to start was visible in his eyes.

“Good I thought you guys got done in and we were about to just leave.” (Former slave Leader)

“It was close but outsmarting these guys is relatively easy.” (Kuro)

“Fumu, well as long as those...explosives?...well when those things do what you say, than us distracting the guards and escaping will be easy. But we won't be here for too long...my family is waiting.” (Former slave Leader)

“Don't worry, I know...good luck to you all.” (Kuro)

“Ha! That's our line brat. Haha be sure to use those passageways like we told ya and you should be fine.” (Excited former slave)

Kuro nodded his head and signaled everyone to get to their positions. The armory doors are guarded by two normal guards, both giving each other glares. But soon they will have other problems to deal with.

As they got into position, Kuro grabbed hold of the trigger mechanism that was left hidden in some bushes. The hardest thing about planting these explosives was getting them all connected to the trigger.

Still cringing at the months of research that went into making these things, Kuro remembered the one part that makes it all work. The thread connecting them together is from a {Blood Weaver}, a type of spider that can drain a person's blood using their silk alone. They aren’t particularly hard to deal with in low numbers since their carapace is relatively easy to pierce. However they are known to travel in packs and attack a single target together, no matter how many others are around the target.

Their silk is a good conductor of mana, even though the spiders use it without the use of mana. The only problem is that it takes a bit of time for the mana to travel across the thread and needs firm focus from the channeler. If channeled with too much mana and too quickly the thread will dissolve. In all likelihood this will be outclassed by better and more stable alternatives in the future.

Different from the [Mana Grenade] these charges resemble C4 on steroids. During testing It was discovered that by filling these charges with different attributes causes different forms of explosion with fire being the most destructive. However when the [Mana Grenade] was tested, the hue of the pulse changed color but didn’t show any different effects. The only guess at this point is that the different concentrations of mana between the two may be causing this, but there is not enough evidence to support this theory. That or the change is something that can't be seen.

As the only one crazy enough to make explosives out of monster cores, there is nobody who can help Kuro figure these things out. Thus as the pioneer of mana induced explosives, Kuro is alone in his research. The road ahead for him is a long one.

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Kuro POV

As I grasped the trigger I slowly poured my mana at a steady rate I stopped just before entering each entrance to the explosive to ignite them all at the same time. The event hall has the most explosives and lies directly to the east of our location. Around the main gates house enough to destroy the door and give the slaves a clear exit along with other areas across the wall to create weakness within the structure. If we are lucky than a large portion will just collapse, even if it doesn’t, we got an opening at the gate anyway.

After a clear 30 minutes the last of the charges were ready to be filled with mana. I started to feel tired, but it was easily shrugged off.

Giving one final warning to everyone, I filled the explosives with fire attribute mana. The results I would say were satisfying even if they were still considered prototypes by my standards. Pillars of flame engulfed the compound, filling the surroundings in chaos and destruction. The screams of the unsuspecting guards that were too close to the charges filled the air.

The slaves all roared and charging at the panicking guards. I instructed them to charge as two separate groups while announcing their allegiance to one of the two brothers. They were confused before realizing what effect it would have on them. They grinned at the chaos that will befall their former owners.

All the former slaves knew my face and left their broken collars on to identify each other. Soon after both groups started charging the unity between the guards fell and they all ended up fighting whoever was near them. They seemed unable to identify friend from foe and just attacked in frenzy.

My party moved forward toward the nearing passageway that will lead us to the kitchen of the manor.

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Puerial’s POV

As I gazed at the destruction Kuro made, my heart couldn’t stop beating. I don't understand how he does these things. When he first showed us that grenade thing it seriously scared me. After telling us how to properly handle them and how dangerous they are, he strictly told us they were only for emergencies. I can't really help it, and Shiro does too, but when he works on making those things we keep our distance. Even if we want to be near him...those things are dangerous and we don't want him to get hurt.

Recently he even brought up chantless magic with me...only grandmaster mages use chantless magic! But Kuro says it may be possible with practice. How amazing is he trying to be?

Focusing on what we are doing I recalled what he said to me, it was to not use my large spells and focus on staggering any enemies we encounter. Staying at base wasn’t an option and we would be exiting the city after finishing off these bad people.

I shiver when I remember that ugly looking person from the guild, he was ugly. Whenever we walk around I can't help notice that Kuro looks nice compared to other people. He smells nice too, but he never tells me why. That soap thing doesn't make him smell so nice, so what does?

Kuro thumped me because I keep getting distracted, so I tried extra hard to focus. Ah, it looks like we are in a kitchen, the servants look to be trying to hide.

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Kuro’s POV

I worry about Puerial sometimes, she is smart but is easily distracted. Having the mentality of a seven year old with the addition of growing up sheltered really makes it difficult to understand her. She is packed with knowledge from her family, but can't use it well. Plus she has a habit of overreacting or thinking of unnecessary things. At least she is getting better at fighting, given time she will be quite something.

As I gazed at the kitchen we just entered I can see the servants are panicking and trying to hide. There are some slaves among them I couldn't get too. As the un-enslaved servants spot me they order the slaves to die for them and try to escape. Gazing at me with tears running down their face, they seem to accept their fate and that this is their end.

I just casually disarm them and break their collars. the familiarity I have with those collars allows me to do it quite easily now.

They just look at me wide eyed as I gave them a simple instruction to flee and find the other former slaves. As if flames were ignited in their souls they gave a deep bow to me and ran away, hopefully to a better life.

As my group passed by the servants from before without hesitation I simply killed them. Every room was checked as we treaded across each floor of the mannor. The guards were too distracted with fighting each other as we got close and killed them one group at a time. Any slave we spotted, we freed and they fled with all their strength. A few were also about to be raped in the chaos or were already suffering that very fate. Due to the perverted nature of this house, the servants were mostly good looking woman of various appearances. There was no remorse with each death I caused. Shiro and Puerial both also partook in the slaughter as well.

Puerial seemed to be focused properly at what was before her. Most likely because she almost shared the same fate as these women. the ones we saved from being raped had downcast eyes. When I removed the collar they just looked at me without understanding what to do. I noticed it as we freed them but...the ones in the kitchen were most likely a new batch of purchased slaves. All the ones we met thus far all had considerable amounts of scars on their bodies, signalling the amount of time they served the Lord and his family.

As to the others I spoke to the woman before me, “If you want to reclaim your life, now is the time, the gate is open.” She didn’t seem to move as we left her, but as we turned the corner I saw her getting up off the floor. I pray for her and the others future.

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We reached the third floor of the building and finally spotted a familiar face. There was rat throwing a tantrum and demanded the guards to safely escort him out of the building. unfortunately for him they ignored his demands and continued fighting each other. Those former slaves can really use their voice.

Rat seems to be struck by a guard and stumbles away in panic, the idiot is heading right toward us. We hide to the side of the entrance way as he heads toward the stares. He didn’t get far as I grabbed his clothes and pulled him to the floor. As our eyes met his face switched from anger to shock all the way to fear. To my surprise the girls didn’t allow me to fillet him and took matters into their own hands.

I fear my habits may be rubbing off on them, the torture they inflicted on rat was something to be inspired. Hell I never knew how far a blade needs to be shoved up someone's ass before their voice changes decibels. Rat’s pitiful state was something to be pitied, even so I didn’t spare any. Our activities seemed to be noticed and the remaining guards are charging toward us. All this experience I’m getting from all this has seriously upped my level. These guards used to give me trouble but now there speeds can’t even catch up.

Strength is important but if you can’t reach the opponent then what's the point of said strength. Thus to overwhelm them regardless of their numbers, I made a speed oriented build with my SP. My other stats were strained up so they aren’t stagnant or anything, but my highest stat right now is agility by far. Dexterity is also fairly high allowing my perception of their movements to be a key factor in my fight against them.

If it was the me when this started...yea I wouldn’t of gotten this far.

As we proceeded down the hall we met with something unexpected.

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Second chapter will be up in a few hours