Episode 018: Grand Theft Archery

Thankfully, the guard looked just as surprised seeing me as I, him. He was gigantic like most of the other males of his race, being half a foot taller than me. Closer to Vun’s age group, with the same long hair common to elves. His hair looked ashen-gray in the night, shining like most of the others—it was a quirk that I took advantage of with only the waxing moon and stars for lighting.

It was probably the cloak, I thought as I continued moving. I couldn’t exactly run past him when he’d just alert others to where I went. That meant I had to silence him. A confrontation that was impossible to avoid.

He seemed to have caught on, judging by the sudden grim look on elven features, but that momentary lapse was enough for me to do something extremely dirty.

A rather low blow.

Hey, I’m in the middle of a prison break here. What’s there to be all honorable about? If it works, it works.

The AI said something but I was too focused on keeping the guard from giving away my position from the other arrow-happy guards.

With the tall elve curling forward because of my rising knee-kick to the groin, it was easy for me to wind an arm around his neck. I did it fast enough he couldn’t break the chokehold.

Hoping the physiology of elves were similar enough to humans in experiencing hypoxia, I compressed where the carotid arteries or jugular veins were—I wasn’t picky, either one or both worked for me. I counted my blessings that the guard went slack in a few seconds.

I released him as soon as I felt him go boneless, not exactly wanting to accidentally kill him, and booked it after a quick frisking of the unconscious guard. He might wake up any moment and I wanted to be gone by then.

Well, at least I finally got that bow.

[Nori, you are now Level 2.]

Mentally spluttering a bit since that was surprisingly easy and I didn’t feel any different to have “evolved,” a part of me inhaled and tried to feel the energy within me. For once, I could actually feel something now that I focused.

So, if I just—

My speed doubled; reinforcing my body was easier than I thought. It was basically like flexing a muscle and ‘pushing.’

[Nori.]

What? Am I going the wrong direction?

[No. I sense Ing Soulhaze-Unodhim nearby with Eti Lifeflight. We must save Apprentice Ing.]

Seriously? Why were both of them nearby? That explosion came from within Aure City proper.