Chapter 232: Ezra In Danger [2.]

At the same time, in an abandoned alleyway, thick vines lay split open across the pavement. Their thorn-covered husks had been peeled apart like the body of a gutted beast, pale sap leaking from the wounds, slow and viscous as it pooled inside the cracks between the cobblestones.

The entire alley was littered with the aftermath of a fierce battle, but amid the destruction, Ezra could barely keep herself standing. She dragged herself upright against the side of a battered dumpster, her chest rising and falling rapidly as ragged, wet gasps escaped her lips.

Her jacket had been shredded in several places, her body covered in bruises and cuts, and her left arm hung unnaturally from its socket, the shoulder clearly dislocated.

Her vision was hazy.

The world seemed to sway around her, and every sound reached her ears as though it were coming from a great distance. Ezra bit down hard on the inside of her cheek, using the sharp pain to keep herself conscious.

A short distance away stood three men. They were hardly in perfect condition themselves. Their clothes were torn, blood stained parts of their bodies, and several injuries could be seen across their arms and torsos. It was obvious Ezra hadn’t simply allowed herself to be beaten down. She had fought back, and judging from the damage the three men had suffered, she had fought hard.

But there had been three of them.

Eventually, she had been overwhelmed.

One of the men suddenly swung his axe as a shadowy figure lunged toward him.

CLANG!

The blade cleaved straight through the shadow creature, splitting its body in two. The two halves collapsed onto the pavement, but before the man could even relax, the darkness began to move.

The scattered shadows twisted together.

In the blink of an eye, the creature reformed.

It immediately lunged at him again.

"Tch!"

The man clicked his tongue in annoyance before swinging his axe once more.

Yet no matter how many times he cut it down, the strange creature simply returned, as persistent as it was seemingly indestructible.

Ezra watched the scene through her blurred vision.

She still didn’t understand where the shadow creature had come from. It had appeared shortly after the fight began and had been assisting her ever since, attacking the men whenever they tried to approach her. She didn’t know who had sent it or why it was helping her, but one thing had become obvious.

The creature couldn’t be killed.

Should I take the opportunity to escape?

The thought immediately entered her mind.

If the shadow could keep them occupied, perhaps she could run. Her body was in terrible condition, but she might still be able to put some distance between herself and these people. The creature could probably buy her enough time.

Ezra shifted her weight, preparing to move.

But before she could even take a step, a man dressed in a dark cloak stepped out from the shadows.

A dagger was already in his hand.

The blade shot toward her.

Ezra’s body reacted before her mind could fully process what was happening. She twisted herself to the side, narrowly avoiding the dagger as it passed beside her.

But the danger wasn’t over.

Something slammed into her back.

"Guh!"

One of the men had somehow slipped around the shadow creature and appeared behind her. His fist struck her with tremendous force, sending her body flying through the air.

Ezra’s body spun helplessly like a rag doll.

Pain erupted throughout her battered body as she felt her remaining strength disappear. Her vision rapidly darkened, and the last traces of consciousness began slipping away.

Just before she hit the ground, she suddenly felt something wrap around her.

Someone had caught her.

Ezra’s fading eyes barely opened, but she couldn’t make out the person’s face.

Then her consciousness finally slipped away.

Everything went dark.

"Ezra!"

Kael held her limp body tightly in his arms, his voice filled with urgency.

"Ezra! Can you hear me?"

There was no response.

Kael’s jaw tightened.

Her condition was terrible.

Several of her limbs were visibly out of place, while blood flowed from numerous wounds scattered across her body. Her breathing was weak, and even though he could sense that she was still alive, the sight was enough to make a cold fury rise within him.

He immediately reached into his inventory. 𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚

A small vial appeared in his hand.

A healing potion.

Without wasting another second, Kael carefully pried Ezra’s lips apart and poured the contents into her mouth, making sure she swallowed the entire potion.

The restorative energy quickly spread through her body.

Ezra didn’t possess the same powerful regenerative ability that Kael had, but the potion was more than enough to stabilize her current condition and begin repairing some of the damage she’d sustained.

Only after confirming that her condition was no longer deteriorating did Kael slowly lower her against the dumpster.

Then he turned around.

His gaze fell upon the three men.

His eyes began to turn bloodshot.

A terrifying aura erupted from his body.

Bloodlust spread through the entire alleyway like an invisible wave, filling every corner with an oppressive presence that made the air itself feel heavy. The three men froze almost immediately, their bodies trembling as the overwhelming pressure descended upon them.

Their faces turned pale.

None of them had expected the young man who had suddenly appeared to possess such terrifying killing intent.

Kael took a step forward.

His expression was cold.

These people had nearly killed Ezra.

He was going to make them pay.

But just as Kael was about to move, Varek’s voice suddenly echoed inside his mind.

"Wait, Master."

Kael paused.

Varek’s tone carried a hint of uncertainty.

"I think these people are under some kind of influence."

Kael’s eyes narrowed.

He looked at the three men again, carefully examining their expressions.

Under influence?

If Varek was right, then these men might not be acting entirely of their own will.

Which meant there was someone else behind this.

Someone who had deliberately targeted Ezra.

---

At the same time, inside a private room of the Viper club, Vice Captain Morgan sat quietly on a luxurious sofa.

Two of his trusted lackeys sat nearby.

Unlike the usual atmosphere of the club, there were no women in the room tonight. There was no alcohol either.

The mood was tense.

One of the men finally broke the silence.

"Vice Captain, there’s no need to worry. With Nathan’s ability, the job will be completed without any issues."

The other man, Nathan, nodded confidently.

"Exactly, Vice Captain. I’ve made sure everything is foolproof. There’s no way this can be traced back to us."