Vengeance of the Returner

"The Hellhounds clan is a high tier. It is info that everybody could already know. I will tell you what I know. There are five deputy commanders each at least level 6 and max at level 8. That clan's commander Feroz khan's level is unknown but heard he is so powerful that some people call him immortal since they couldn't kill him and he is around this land for god knows how long. Well for some unknown reason he didn't seem to have any branches in other cities apart from Saragame city." Reegan explained nonchalantly.

His expectations were drained down to waste after getting the information he already knew.

'Hah, the only thing I got extra is that there are five deputy commanders with high levels.'

Nix stared at him for a second with an emotionless face and said.

"Would you risk fighting that clan with me?"

Reegan smiled with excitement and said.

"Buddy, Are you for real? Man, I would like to take risks but, will you win tho? It's fine either way as long as there is a chance of a win I am in."

Nix faked a smile and said.

"That's good to hear. I will show you that we can win."

Reegan nodded his head and said.

"Hmm, So wanted to ask... Why are you here? You are supposed to be an outlaw so how did you enter this city in the first place."

"Well, It is not a big deal to get inside. Anyway, I thought you were in Kalaranga. when did you come here?" Instead of giving a detailed explanation, Nix questioned him back.

"I came early this week. Here to do the bandit subjugation for Havenkat Daneren. I tried calling you but, your communication... Havenkat described a man with the same features as yours so are you a bandit or somethin'? " He asked Indifferently.

Nix nodded his head and responded to him in an impartial tone.

"Yeah, I am the bandit he is trying to kill. And the communication crystal you gave broke. I had two communication devices they both broke during the time I traveled. That's that... I lack the ability of persuasion so I will come straight to the point. I want you to join my Mission..."

"I will do it as long as it is interesting, thrilling, and fun," Reegan said with a smile.

After getting a positive response, Nix began talking with an emotionless face.

"Alright, Firstly I want you to defect to Outlaws and join my clan... Forgot to say I am a clan lord now."

"Clan Lord? When did you become such a big shot? My intuition was sure on point!" Reegan exclaimed in surprise.

"Just been a week. Well, what do you say? Will you join my clan?" Nix replied indifferently.

"Sure, I thought you wanted me to work as a mole."

"Change of plans man. I need talented guys like you. I mean, don't you feel bored working as a mole?"

As Nix questioned Reegan sighed and began talking as though he was tired of being a regular.

"Hah, Yeah you are right man, it sure is boring. I expected some adventures but I was barely selected for Quests in my company since my level is low. All I am doing is these stupid assignments and train."

Nix smiled and patted his shoulder.

"Well, I have many plans and quests to go in my mind and My clan is gonna get into some trouble which you prefer, So I think you'll like it."

Reegan beamed back at him and said.

"Man You don't have to say those things I already thought about this. I said I'll be following and I think Outlaws is fun."

Nix heaved out a sigh and said.

"I believe we have a deal then? So are you staying in Daneren's estate right now?"

Reegan furrowed his brows and looked at Nix with question marks on his head.

"Yeah? I am staying there with Nagendra and the others. How did you know?"

"Well, I saw Nagendra. Anyway, can you teach me some basic skills that Assassins ought to know? "

"Sure, So what's your plan?" Reegan asked eagerly with sparkling eyes.

"I will reach you in two days. Regardless of the situation make sure to side with me when the time comes."

Reegan knitted his brows and asked.

"Can I get a clear explanation?" 

"It'll be more interesting if you don't know, don't you like surprises?"

"Well, if you say so," He smiled and replied indifferently.

"So, Can we start training now? I am free right now."

"Sure, Firstly what type of mana core do you possess?" Reegan asked.

"Mana manipulation, Why?"

"Mana manipulation? I haven't heard much about it. Well, It doesn't matter, let me explain... I possess Mana Integration which is considered quite uncommon among others but some do possess Mana Integration and Mana integration is perfectly suitable for assassins..."

He stopped and looked at Nix

"won't you ask why?"

Non-enthusiastically Nix nodded and asked.

"Yeah, Why is that?"

Reegan asked a question without giving an answer.

"What is the meaning of integration?"

"Combining? Merging?" Nix replied doubtfully.

Reegan smiled and excitedly began talking.

"Exactly! Buddy, I am not a master but, let me explain it in a simple way. Now, what is Mana?"

"Mana? It is magic."

"Where does it come from?... It is literally everywhere. Like It is literally floating around Man! Each object has a limited amount of mana. Living things can accumulate,  expel and create mana. Now coming back to mana integration. How will you use it efficiently?"

"How? I will use it to heighten my muscle power as I always do or release it like a gunshot to attack."

"That's what simpletons do. Experiment man! Experiment yourself. I won't deny I learned it from my company trainer but, I figured a few on my own."

He smiled and then added.

"Majority of the sentients possess Mana transmission. I would say they aren't lucky. But in our case, we could be deemed as lucky and special. So, we should make use of it. Let me ask you did you find anything different when using your mana?"

"Now that I think about it. Once, I focused on a sword and it flew towards me. I felt like I could lift it and move from there for a mere second."

"That's the key! You have something more advanced than me I think. Train to regain that sensation again..."

He stopped for a second and began to talk again.

"Well, I went off topic. Mana integration can make you combine with objects so I can merge with a wall, or any object I could hide with. My mana frequency and mana won't be easily noticed. Every person leaks mana without knowing. If you take mana transmission users, they can only control their mana, while integration users can merge with other inanimate things. I haven't tested with animate things since I would need a higher rank to do that. In your case, you could possess my ability and something extra to mine."

"I see so what should I start with?" Nix asked with interest.

"Hmm, Sit on that stone bench"

Reegan said and pointed to the stone bench in the corner of the ground. Nix just nodded and sat on the bench with both legs folded as though he was meditating.

Reegan walked towards him and stood in front of him.

"I will first come with the primary things you need to know. I'll explain whatPeople with mana transmission do to mask their presence for now."

He said and looked at him for a second and began talking.

"First, close your eyes and keenly observe your breathing and blood flow. As you continuously go through that flow you will finally notice your mana flow flowing through your mana neurons."

"You could have already known those things or might be using it on a whim but, if you were to learn this you can use your mana conservatively."

'I was doing it the wrong way?'

Nix thought and quietly listened to him and followed his instruction.

"As you do you could feel the sensation of mana around your body and the feeling of mana releasing from your body. When you reach that feeling make sure to follow your feel of Mana sensation and try to move them towards your heart and try to keep it captive for a few hours and that's it! Boom! You have learned to store your mana, in your mana core."

"Secondly, you will have to continue doing it even without meditating and try to keep the mana flow inside your mana core subconsciously. Congrats! By then You will reach the point of efficiency of storing and leakage of your mana to some extent. 'Note' I said to some extent not mastering it! That's all for today. Lastly, After doing these steps, observe your body keenly you will feel a layer or a coating of mana around your body."

"Make sure to drag all the mana towards your mana core and the coating will begin to get thin. At that point, your existence will not be noticeable by an untrained person. I believe this will take you three to four hours. I'll take my leave then."

"Okay then Let's meet again tomorrow early in the morning."

Nix said with his eyes closed continuing mana control.

"Sure buddy see ya!" Reegan said and walked away.

Even after four hours, Nix didn't achieve control as he said. Feeling frustrated he opened his eyes. People were training as they usually do without paying attention to others.

'I need to fucking do this! I ought fucking learn everything I could! I need to become stronger.'

He muttered, gritting his teeth and closed his eyes and began the persuasion of mana control again. After two hours he gained the sensation of mana flow. Without leaving a break. He urged his mana to flow and forced it towards the direction of his heart.

'Argh! Fuck! This is painful!!!  ARGH!!! That guy didn't say it would be this painful! Perhaps~ AHH! my core is fucking damaged? because it evoked on its own? Fuck!'

He inwardly grumbled unable to endure the pain his mana core caused. Nevertheless, he poured in the effort and tried to lock his mana in his mana core. Even though the process was painful he continued for an hour and grasped the essence of restraining mana into his core and managed to finish the first step.

He opened his eyes and continued to restrain mana while walking and jogging around to make his body attain subconscious control after one hour his body was incredibly fatigued and he lost the will to persuade control yet, his heart and body forced him to continue as a result a message popped on the air.

[Your Mana core has been stabilized]

[You have achieved mana control]

Staring at the message an evil smile bloomed on his face. 

'Hard work does pay well but, it fucking took me more than eight hours while he said it would take only four hours...' 

Mumbling inwardly he walked out of the ground. By the time he left the ground, It was already midnight and the ground was left vacant. He was wearing the same assassin suit which hides his presence. As he walked towards his inn, Daneren estate entered his view.

'What good do I gain if I don't test and use the thing I learned practically?'

He mumbled and decided to scout. After all, he was already planning to do it anyway.

He hid behind a wall while continuously practicing mana control. Both his assassin suit and mana control did help him. This time he was closer to the security than before. 

[Private ability~Truth eye Activated]

'Hmm, a level three?' He mumbled laying his eyes upon security.

He was probably 50 meters away from him to test his stealthiness; he tried to get close towards the security and study the internals of the estate.

'The mansion possesses four floors and the guest house has two floors. Each has two ways to enter and exit moreover the security is indeed tight. Let me check my efficiency.'

As he muttered and entered the range of 30 meters the Security noticed him. No matter what he was several distances away from the buildings. So, he used the binocular given by Rafila to gaze at a particular room which light was on. It was on the second floor of the mansion the glass window almost portrayed everything inside the building.

Inside the room was a red-headed man fucking Havenkat's wife with passion without giving a damn about the window. Was he being careless or ignorant?  It was unknown but he seemed to be having his best time. 

'Hah, you are my primary target,' Nix said with an evil grin on his face as though he gained a hint and a plan to commit something devious.

If he were found out by a skilled guard he'd be noticed and there were still things he didn't know like a surveillance guard who could find his trespassing.

"Who are you?"

The security of the mansion turned towards Nix and asked. Just as mentioned he was not a skilled assassin, so it was bound to happen.

Nix didn't get startled or anything. He smiled and walked away from the wall and abandoned the plan of hiding.

"You can see me?" NIx asked calmly.

"Why won't I notice you? I am not a civilian. Drop your weapon and raise your hand!"

The security said pointing his sword towards Nix. With a whistle in his mouth.

[Private ability~Doom prediction vision activated]

" "

There was another guard in the 40m distance. Meaning his presence was identifiable if he is close to the target and if they have keen observation skills.

'hmm, Good so there is a limit and distance I should maintain.'

He calculated and dashed towards the security as his vocal cord slightly moved since he tried to blow the whistle.

He swiftly grabbed his hands and restrained his hand from blowing the whistle and tore the sides of his mouth with the Dualbladded dagger furthermore he placed his hand on his bleeding mouth to stop him from alarming.

"Benny? Where are you?"

By the time the other security guard drifted his attention, Nix and the security was nowhere to be found.

"Shh!Benny No sounds!" Nix whispered to him while squeezing his vocal cord with his hand hiding behind the outside gate of the estate.

As he squeezed the vocal cord, blood spurted out of his neck,

"Hah, Shit!"

Nix sighed and wiped his blood on the Security's clothes and dragged him towards a crooked lane where no one was around. It was perfect midnight to commit crimes.

He didn't dispose of the body.

'Fuck! This is disgusting...'

He muttered while slicing Benny, the security and the gatekeeper of the mansion.

Even though he felt like puking butchered his body into big pieces. He sliced off his limbs and carried them in his inventory and threw it inside Daneren's estate. He wanted to instill the house of Daneren with fear and dread plus he did it to break the trust he had in the regulars.

After doing all that he returned to his inn with satisfaction.