Chapter 140: Confrontation With Jared

POV Eliza

“What's going on?” <Jared>

Jared seemed to have heard the bird's screech and went to investigate. In doing so, he saw me picking up the container. I wanted to prevent him from recognizing me at all costs, so I quickly transformed into Eliza, the human adventurer. As always, this also changed my voice.

“I found the container here on the street and wanted to see who it belonged to.” <Eliza>

I quickly unscrewed the container.

“That's none of your business. Give me the message or I'll have to use force.” <Jared>

Jared's voice was threatening and he was clearly angry. The message must be important. Now I wanted to read it even more. The whole situation was suspicious anyway.

“What does it say anyway?” <Eliza>

The note contained directions to our new hideout, along with a description of me. I was named as the informant who had warned them about the raid.

“I told you it's none of your business. Now I can't let you get away alive.” <Jared>

Jared drew his sword and lunged at me. It was clear that Jared was a mole and had been spying on us. I wondered if he had betrayed us back then. I tried to engage him in conversation to get information while dodging his attack.

“A message about the location of a camp? Are you a scout or something?” <Eliza>

“Shut up and stop moving. It's none of your business.” <Jared>

“You're wrong about that, Jared. It is my business.” <Eliza>

"What? How do you know my name? You're not part of the community. Were you hired to ambush me? Who was it? Aslan?" <Jared>

“You talk too much, Jared. You're not going to find out my identity that way. I'll make you a deal. You tell me who hired you, and I'll tell you how I know you.” <Eliza>

“Forget it. I'll just incapacitate you and then squeeze it out of you.” <Jared>

“I could do the same to you.” <Eliza>

“No chance. Your level is way too low for me. Can you do anything other than dodge? Then I'll have to get serious.” <Jared>

Jared apparently activated an artifact he was carrying. This caught me off guard, because he suddenly became faster. In quick succession, I took several hits to my arm and legs, causing me to fall to the ground bleeding heavily.

“Now, tell me what you know.” <Jared>

I spat blood and held my arm. I had completely underestimated him. He must also have a way of concealing his status. With Appraisal, he didn't look that strong. I decided to take a risk and trust in my regeneration. I needed the information from him, if only for the sake of my friends and family in the community.

“Forget it. You won't get that out of me.” <Eliza>

“You're really pissing me off. Then die. I might have granted you a quick death, but now it's going to be painful.” <Jared>

He came towards me and slammed my head against the floor a few times with his nose. A loud crack indicated that my nose was broken. I also lost a few teeth. It was very painful, but I endured it. I had a specific goal in mind.

Then he took his sword and stabbed me in the stomach. The pain was hellish, especially when he twisted the sword around. I only managed to stay conscious thanks to my resistance to pain, but I fell silent. I was still alive, but it was time for him to leave me alone. So I played dead and changed my status to 0 HP.

"Serves you right. Let me see what interesting things you have with you." <Jared>

Jared took my backpack, which I had left at the edge of the forest, and looked inside. It contained only the necessary and bulky items. I had kept the most valuable items and most of my money in a special bag that I wore under my clothes.

"Not bad, I can use that. Besides, it'll look like robbers did this. What else are you wearing? Then you won't need it anymore." <Jared>

He took my jewelry and potions. He also put my daggers in the backpack. Now I only had my bloody clothes on. Finally, he kicked me hard in the stomach again and then turned around.

“See you in hell. And now I have to send a new message.” <Jared>

I had to stop him. He had his back to me, so I could prepare myself. Before, I could hardly react because I had to regenerate enough until the pain became bearable. I cast the air spell to accelerate and jumped up, then quickly ran into the forest.

“What, why are you still alive? Damn it, stop right there.”

Jared gave chase, but I had enough of a head start to disappear into the shadows of the trees using the fastest Shadow Magic spell. This allowed me to disappear from Jared's perception.

“Where did she go? She can't just disappear like that.” <Jared>

In the shadows, he couldn't find me without the right Sense skill. I already knew that I had disappeared from Sense Presence's perception. Jared had caught me off guard before, and I had underestimated him. That wouldn't happen to me again. Now I could play to my strengths. First, I cast the Shadow spell, which allowed me to move in the shadows. This allowed me to follow Jared in his own shadow. Then I used him as a test subject. I tried out different spells. First, I used other shadow spells. They all seemed to work without any problems. The elemental spells, on the other hand, didn't work, but that wasn't a problem. The dark magic spells I tried also worked.

Jared had noticed that something was wrong with him. He was finally certain when he cast Apparaisal on himself. My hearing was greatly reduced, but since he spoke loudly, I could still understand him.

“What? What's going on? Why did I have so many status effects and debuffs on me? Wait a minute, those are all dark effects. Shit, a dark wizard? That woman knows dark magic? I have to get out of here.” <Jared>

He ran out of the forest and down the street. Not so fast, my friend. You won't escape me. I cast Shadowbind on him, causing him to freeze in place. The momentum caused him to fall to the ground.

“Shit, damn it. Let me go. Face me in battle.” <Jared>

I had made a decision. To protect the others, I had to kill Jared. But I wasn't going to make it easy for him. He was getting back what he had done to me. I stepped out of the shadows and took back my daggers. Then I slowly walked toward him. Jared fought hard to free himself, but my shadow tentacles were stronger.

“Finally, you coward, you show yourself.” <Jared>

“You know, Jared, you made a crucial mistake when you let me live.” <Eliza>

“How did you survive? Your HP was almost at 0 and you were bleeding heavily. How is that possible? You should have been dead.” <Jared>

“There are others who can change their status.” <Eliza>

“Damn, I fell into my own trap. Still, you should hardly be able to walk with those injuries. How is that possible?” <Jared>

“It's a secret, and even if I told you, it wouldn't do you any good.” <Eliza>

“I guess that means you're going to finish me off. Don't be too sure, the others will be here soon.” <Jared>

“Then I'll have to hurry.” <Eliza>

With a quick movement, I rammed my dagger into his stomach. He groaned and doubled over. I didn't like torturing people, so I poisoned him afterwards.

“Be glad, Jared, that I don't approve of torture. That's why I won't torment you for long. As I can see from your status, my last spell worked.” <Eliza>

“What? Poison? How sneaky. No honor in you, huh?” <Jared>

"Why should I? After all, my class isn't Good Person, it's Scout." <Eliza>

“Damn it, that's why you were able to conceal your status. Who are you and what is your connection to the community? If I'm going to die, you can at least tell me that.” <Jared>

“Then tell me why you betrayed us?” <Eliza>

"Us? Well, it won't matter much longer anyway. I deserted the army back then and became a renegade, but I was given the chance to return to the capital. This allows me to clear my name and that of my family. To do so, I have to report regularly and disclose the location of the camp. Rattle, now you know my story, now I want to hear yours. The poison is damn strong." <Jared>

“I promised, and I'll keep my promise. Even if you're going to take the truth to your grave, you should know it.” <Eliza>

I turned around and reversed the transformation. Then I turned back to Jared. I could tell from my Sense Life skill that he wouldn't live much longer.

“Eliza? I should have expected this. It was just too obvious that you came back right now. Since I couldn't achieve my goal, I have one last wish. Protect your family so that you don't end up like me. Cough, cough.” <Jared>

Jared coughed up blood. His internal injuries from the stomach blow were so severe that he died from them rather than from the poison. Then he lost consciousness, and shortly after, his HP dropped to 0. He was dead, and I had killed another person. I had protected the community and hoped that they would now be left in peace. Still, it was difficult because Jared was someone I had known and trusted for most of my life. That would weigh on me for a long time to come. Meanwhile, my regeneration had completely restored my body. Even my teeth were back.