1,000,000 Karma: My Reward Is a Quiet Life-Chapter 72: The Assassin

The walkout from the tunnel felt different this time, experiencing the palpable excitement of the audience as he stepped into view. It was almost deafening, hearing an incomprehensible mixture of his name and supporting words as he crossed the bridge onto the battlegrounds.

He slowly exhaled, clenching his hands repeatedly to warm his body up, trying his best to adjust to the overwhelming pressure of such a crowd.

’I’ve never really been a fan of the spotlight, I guess. It’s not stage fright or anything, but I suppose I do feel some pressure to perform,’ he thought, slowly exhaling while looking across the rocky stadium at the opposing tunnel.

Behind him, the drawbridge was pulled back while the one across was set down with the mysterious assassin crossing over. Compared to his welcoming from the crowd, there was almost no support for Van, in fact, he was showered in boos more than praise.

"Not much of a fan favorite?" Noah called out from his side.

"I don’t care for the entertainment side of it all," Van answered with a lack of interest. "I’m here to do my job, then leave."

There was nothing left to say as he kept his fingers laced around the handle of his axe, waiting for the signal to begin. If the last match was anything to go off of, he knew letting his mind wander for even a moment could spell a disaster.

"CAN THE NEWCOMER CONTINUE HIS IMPRESSIVE SHOWING FROM THE FIRST ROUND AGAINST THE ENIGMATIC ROGUE!? LET’S SEE...BEGIN!"

At that exact moment, he heightened his own perception to its utmost–

[The Snake’s Eye]

A decision that paid off; at that exact moment the battle began, the hooded man’s hand had already swept forward as if throwing something his way. Without knowing what exactly was coming, he reflexively manipulated the abundant resources around him–

The dormant stone at his feet was risen into a wall in front of him, intercepting the unknown projectiles. He squinted to see it, finding blades that looked like black smoke being stuck through the other side of the earthen barriers. As soon as he noticed their shape, the projectiles dispersed into fading fog.

’Some kind of daggers made of smoke? Those walls are ten inches thick and reinforced with my mana. Not planning on getting hit by those,’ he noted.

As he relinquished the stone-formed walls, there was no sight of the retired assassin. There was only a fourth of a second that was meddled by confusion before he realized what was happening.

[The Snake’s Eye]

Using it consecutively made his eyes burn, though it paid off as he turned around to find the stealth figure behind him with a blade aiming for his back. Within the world of slowed time, he spun around, swinging his axe in the path of the incoming dagger–

Time resumed as normal.

CLANG.

Sparks flew as their blades clashed, though as he attempted to press the assassin, the elusive figure withdrew into shadows.

"Ah–" Noah reacted, coming to a stop in his pursuit and looking around.

It was an unmistakable phenomenon, one his mind and body knew without needing to second guess himself. A part of him was thankful to his encounter with the mole-faced man, centering his stance as he stayed cautious of his surroundings.

’I bet you noticed too, Astrid...This guy, he’s a follower of Serash, just like Bido. Knowing that, I know how to approach this fight,’ he thought.

Bringing his hands together as if performing a prayer, he calmly invoked, "Ten Souls: Open."

[Ten Souls] [SS-Rank Exorcist Skill]

[Second Soul: Spirit Guardian of Radiant Summers, Ignis]

There was clear excitement from the crowd, as people murmured about what sort of familiar the new face of the tournament would be summoning this time. From a gateway of fire, a man of golden-brown skin with shaggy hair that burned like a living blaze stepped out.

"Aaahn..." Ignis yawned, standing beside the one who summoned him as the golden jewelry hung ornately on his tattoos torso jingled. "I was having a nice nap. So, what’s the trouble, Master?"

"Can you create a ring of fire around this platform?" Noah requested from his familiar.

The tired-looking, humanoid spirit laid back as if the empty space was a hammock, snapping his fingers, "That’s light work for me."

As simple as that, a wall of fire emerged around the perimeter of the battlegrounds. It was honestly a bit of a surprise how easy it was to manage, completely erasing any and all shadows.

"WHAT’S NOAH PLANNING?! HE’S SUMMONED ANOTHER FORMIDABLE SPIRIT...TO IGNITE THE PLATFORM?!"

From the unseen, the elusive figure emerged on the other side of the arena. There was silence from Van, but it was clear that the assassin of few words bore frustration in the situation.

"Is that all you needed me for?" Ignis asked with his hands behind his head.

"You’re not exactly light on my mana, so I think that’ll be all," Noah said with a smile.

The fire spirit yawned again and waved, "Fine by me. Peace out, Master."

Dispersed into fading embers, the elemental spirit left, though the ring of fire remained. To his surprise, the rogue didn’t take the opportunity to close in, or send any sly attacks his way.

"Clever," Van remarked, glancing over at the continuous blaze. "You’re familiar with my Blessing, then."

"Just so happens, I encountered a follower of Serash in the past. Pretty funny, isn’t it?" Noah answered.

The bandaged rogue drew the silver blades attached to his belt, "I’d remind you that all you’ve done is even the playing field. Let me adjust that thought process."

Smoke parted from the man clad in black, each portion taking shape, being molded into doppelgangers of Van.

"THERE’S THREE?! IS THAT AGAINST THE RULES?! WELL, IT’S FAIR GAME IF SUMMONS COUNT! HOW WILL NOAH RESPOND TO THIS THREAT?!"

The very same question entered the rookie’s mind as he watched the three versions of his opponent circle around him, walking just in front of the burning ring. He was being surrounded, with each doppelganger subtly closing in, one stride at a time.

’Right now, the question is what’s the nature of his copies? The first option is they’re illusionary, so the fakes might be entirely susceptible to being destroyed by any damage. The second option is they’re just as strong, fast, and as tough as the main one. I hope that isn’t it,’ he planned, standing his ground as he gauged his surroundings.