Chapter 552 - 551: The Daring Criminal

Chapter 552: Chapter 551: The Daring Criminal

’This Magic could be trouble,’ Colin thought. ’It’s a High Tier piece of Abjuration Magic. Grabbing it might trigger some kind of trap.’

But just then, the already closed door was pushed open with a CREAK.

Colin turned to see four figures entering, clad in Studded Leather Armor and wearing black masks.

They weren’t wearing the uniforms of the mansion Guards. Each of them clutched a Short Sword, its blade still stained with poorly wiped blood—a clear sign they had just been in a fight.

After entering, two of them guarded the door while the other two walked toward where Colin and the others were hiding. It seemed they already knew something was by the bookshelf.

’Take them out on my signal. These must be the assailants,’ Colin thought, simultaneously drawing Burning Blood from his waist.

The two assailants slowly approached the bookshelf.

One of them carefully counted the books on the shelf, then reached for the one glowing with a Magic Radiance.

Colin watched the man’s fingers closely.

The moment the assailant’s fingers touched the book’s cover, the Magic Radiance on it didn’t change at all.

’This means the Magic on the book doesn’t affect whoever touches it,’ Colin thought. ’It must be the kind of Magic that only activates after the book is opened.’

Just then, one of the two assailants rubbed his eyes as he looked in their direction and muttered, "Hey, does something seem weird over here? I feel like... uh... ghk... ghk..."

He couldn’t speak another word.

A bloody gash opened on his throat. Blood gushed from the wound, flowing slowly, faintly outlining the shape of a blade—as if an unseen sword had been thrust into his neck. And that was exactly what had happened.

The invisible Colin almost instantly cast Magic Missile.

The assailant standing next to him was instantly struck by red Force Missiles. His Leather Armor was pierced through, leaving three gory holes in his chest.

Then, with a soft THUD, another small hole appeared on the man’s head. Judging by the wound, it must have been from Orelia’s Nail Head Hammer.

Meanwhile, one of the two assailants at the door slammed violently against the doorframe behind him, his neck severed by something unseen. His masked head rolled to the floor. The mask slipped to the side of his cheek, revealing a twisted expression of both confusion and agony.

The other had his throat slit, collapsing into a pool of blood. He twitched a couple of times and then went still.

Colin turned, picked up the book that had fallen to the floor, and casually stuffed it into his Dimension Bag.

With that, they had found a potential piece of evidence.

As he did so, he thought, ’These guys aren’t Ordinary people. Their physical strength is clearly a notch above a normal person’s. I think we’ve stumbled right into the middle of a murder.’

’So what now? Should we head back first?’ Dorn asked. ’We’ve already got the book that might be evidence. And from what they say, this family pretty much deserved what they got.’

’Let’s keep things separate,’ Colin replied. ’First, let’s see just who these people are that dare attack a noble of Thousand Masts City. Besides, if the attackers are some kind of turncoat Evil Demons or Cultists, we can gather more evidence. Also, have Ale, who’s outside, go notify the City Guard.’

’Alright. Bring Orelia over to the doorway. I’ll take you to the bedroom and the main hall to have a look.’

Colin reached out, fumbling in the space beside him for a moment before placing Orelia’s hand on his shoulder. He then led her to the doorway, rejoined Dorn, and they all proceeded together into the mansion’s inner corridor.

The group followed the corridor to the main hall at the front of the mansion.

The hall was a complete mess. Twelve bodies were scattered across the floor, all wearing Chain Armor Shirts and tabards bearing the Levin Clan’s crest. Among them lay a single assailant in Leather Armor—likely the only kill the Guards managed to score.

Dorn led Colin and the others up a staircase in the corner of the hall to the second floor, stopping in front of the mansion’s bedroom.

At this moment, the bedroom’s large doors were wide open.

A man in Studded Leather Armor leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed. His aura was clearly different from the other assailants; he was obviously a formidable character.

’Stay put for now.’

Dorn’s voice echoed in their minds, and Colin and Orelia immediately stopped.

Just then, the sound of a conversation drifted out from the bedroom.

"How much longer are those idiots going to take? It’s just grabbing a book!"

"Hmph, let them be. They probably found some of the old stuff."

"After this mission’s over, what are you guys planning to do with those Fort Seals?"

’Fort Seals?’

Colin quickly relayed to Dorn, ’Fort Seal is the common name for currency issued by the Viper Association. These guys are members of the Viper Association!’

’The Viper Association? These guys don’t seem very professional.’

’Let’s take out the guy at the door first.’

With that, Colin immediately began Spellcasting.

The RUSTLE of a Spellbook turning pages instantly sounded. A soft, deep purple Magic Radiance gathered from all directions, converging into a single point of light between his eyebrows.

’Extend the Magic, magnify it...’

Colin slowly controlled the Magic, intending to use the Instant Super Magic technique.

Because he wasn’t proficient enough, his use of the technique was a bit clumsy, but thankfully, the Magic’s power began to steadily increase under his control.

The instant the sound of turning pages was heard, the Viper Association member at the door immediately ducked inside, shouting a warning to his companions as he slammed the door shut.

Colin paid him no mind.

The moment the Magic was complete, a Spiritual Javelin shimmering with white light shot out from before him. This Javelin was a full size thicker than the one from his training in the Illusion Realm, looking quite terrifying.

The Spiritual Javelin passed directly through the wall in front of him, and the voice from the bedroom warning his companions abruptly stopped.

"Kase!"

After shouting, Colin began Spellcasting again.

A flowing gray Spiritual Light immediately flashed over Kase’s body. Faint silver patterns spread across his skin like streaks of lightning.

At the same time, with the help of Haste, the Half-Orc’s Speed increased several times over in an instant.

The effect of the Invisibility Technique was then dispelled, and the figures of the three of them instantly appeared in the mansion’s corridor.

The battle-hardened Kase quickly adapted to his suddenly accelerated body.

With a great roar, he entered a state of Frenzy and charged toward the closed bedroom door, the other two quickly following behind him.

As they charged forward, Colin shouted to Orelia, "Cast Silence into the room!"

"Dawn of Lathander, silence the clamor..."