Chapter 277: Thief

The shadow beneath Soren’s feet expanded outward like a living tide, engulfing the light, the sound, and everything around it in an instant.

Soren kept his guard up as they moved through the darkness.

Then, without warning, the pressure from before returned. It pushed against Malakor’s domain from the outside, grinding against the shadows like two invisible walls colliding.

The darkness split.

The night sky came back into view, stars and streetlights bleeding through the cracks. They had managed to make it outside, but the attackers had already caught up. Not far from them, a green-robed figure floated above in the air, staring down at them coldly.

Swoosh!

The next moment, Malakor materialized in front of them, his large frame low to the ground, a growl already building in his chest. He stood between Soren and the enemy, shielding both him and Ethea without a word.

Three more clones of him also appeared in a loose formation around them, each one positioned to guard a different side.

"Who are you!" Soren shouted while activating Advanced Appraisal. "What do you want from us?"

"..."

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Name: Lariel vae Althara

Race: Elf

Age: 167

Status: Healthy

Rank: 7th Circle (Mid Stage)

Current Mana Level: 3,412,660

Mental State: Contemptuous, Furious, Desperate

Abilities: Mistwalk, Voice of Command, Mana Resonance Sight

Affinities: Water (Grade 6 - A Rank), Life (Grade 5 - B Rank), Wind (Grade 8 - SS Rank)

Hidden Talent / Traits: Racial Superiority Complex, Terrain Attunement

Potential: 8th Circle (Estimated)

Investment Value: Very High

───────

While the figure was still staring at them with undisguised killing intent, Soren quickly analyzed their status.

’An elf... Could this have something to do with Nuelia?’ He squinted at the figure and spoke out loud again. He had to buy them some time and get a better read of the situation. "Why did you attack us?! Explain yourself."

"Explain?" The elf’s voice dripped with contempt, each word sharp as a blade. "You dare ask for an explanation, you filthy thief?"

He made a crushing motion with his hand, and the space around Soren and Ethea trembled violently. The air itself seemed to compress, rushing inward as if to crush them from all sides. The pavement beneath them cracked.

But Malakor was faster.

A pulse of shadow shot out from his body, swallowing the pressure before it could reach them. The crushing force shattered against the dark barrier like a wave against stone. The clones also moved, launching long-range attacks at the figure.

Soren didn’t flinch. He held Ethea closer and kept his eyes on the elf. "Why are you calling me a thief? Don’t throw accusations without proof."

The elf’s expression twisted with fury.

"Where is she?!" he demanded, his voice rising as he completely ignored Soren’s words. "Tell me where you’ve hidden her, and I might leave your corpses intact!" His mana surged, the streetlights flickering a few times before exploding. "Otherwise... don’t expect me to go easy on you."

"...Are you perhaps talking about Lady Nuelia?" Soren pretended to be confused, though his mind kept racing. "If so, I think you’re greatly mistaken. I have only met her after the competition and had no other contact with her."

"You!" However, his words only seemed to anger the elf. "How dare you speak her name with that filthy tongue of yours?!"

’...Is this elf retarded or what?’ Soren cursed inwardly. He didn’t expect the guy to be so unreasonable. It seems like his superiority complex and emotions had clouded his judgment. ’Malakor, status.’

’The others are already approaching.’ Malakor replied while blocking another attack from the enraged elf. ’The city lord and some other powerful people are also coming.’

’...I called the princess for help.’ Ethea, who had been silent till now, spoke. ’Can you try to buy some more time?’

’Good, let’s hold on until they arrive.’ Soren replied, realizing the other powerful people might have been sent by the princess. ’This guy is clearly not in his right mind.’

’Understood.’

’And let’s try not to drag the people nearby into this. If a serious battle breaks out, innocent bystanders will get hurt.’ He glanced at the shattered streetlights, destroyed pavement, and the people peeking out from their windows and cars. ’We are still inside the city after all.’

’...I’ll try my best.’

’Thanks.’ Soren replied and spoke again. "Look around you! There are innocent people here. If you keep attacking like this, you’ll hurt someone who has nothing to do with this."

The elf’s expression didn’t change. If anything, his sneer seemed to deepen. "Are you trying to shield yourself behind them? Then you’re mistaken." He scoffed, his voice filled with killing intent. "As long as I can save her, nothing else matters to me. In fact, I can turn the whole city into dust just to find her."

"Oh, I would like to see you try."

Two figures dropped from the sky and landed between them, stirring up dust that was instantly blown away with a wave of their hand. One was a bald man with a mustache, while the other was a figure clad in gray armor marked with the crest of the Temur Empire, their face hidden behind a helm.

The elf’s eyes widened for a moment before his expression turned cold. "This doesn’t concern you. Step aside."

"Are you hearing yourself? You are causing a commotion in my city and threatening my people, and you even want to destroy the city?" The bald man shook his head slowly, his voice carrying a dangerous edge. "Do you really think this doesn’t concern me, you fool?"

He then took another step forward, unleashing his own aura. "Let me make something clear. This is Bagdad. It is my city. If you raise another hand against my people, I’ll make sure you never leave it alive."

"You!" The elf clenched his fists, his aura flaring up again. "You think you can defeat me?"

"Yes." The bald man replied coldly.

However, before the elf could respond, the armored figure stepped in, staring at the elf. "If you don’t stop now, we’ll consider you an enemy of the Empire and respond accordingly."

Their voice was low, but the meaning behind it was clear.

"Think carefully before you make a grave mistake."