The heavy steps of a large man warned Nix of his approach. Instead of entering from the challenger side of the platform, he brushed past Nix, nudging him with an elbow before preceding to his side.

The black-haired man stood close to seven feet in height, his legs and arms were thick with corded muscle. Surprisingly he wore heavy plate armor with a single red singlet pulled over the top.

Malice has activated his [Fire Aura].

"I am Malice; my Master has promised me a reward if I deal with you."

Nix shrugged nonchalantly, his thoughts on the red singlet, it was the same one that was worn by the group that ambushed them the first time he came to Favi. "Why are you wearing that s.h.i.+tty red singlet? Shouldn't you be wearing a green one?"

[Demonizaton]

Malice's eyes glow red as he activates his demonic bloodline.

"This is the singlet of the House of Mogel. Your brash words have sealed the fate of you and your family."

Nix laughed at the posturing. "Going to hurt me?"

"After I tear your f*cking arms off, I'll drag you back to Ionova and f*ck your women while you watch helplessly."

Nix pushed lightning into Wrath, the white blade crackled with the sound of thunder as he casually pointed the sword toward Malice.

[Lightning Strike]

A single bolt of lightning struck down from the clear skies and tore a fist-sized hole through Malice's plate armor and his chest.

Blood poured out of the large man's chest, the great blade he gripped in one hand dropped heavily to the platform.

[Storm Rider: Advanced Execution]

Nix appeared beside the giant man; an instant later, the sound of an overly large head bouncing off the platform echoed in the silence of the courtyard.

Clash of Swords has been completed.

You have been awarded Dual-Wield [Spellsword Blades Only].

The crowded courtyard instantly erupted as everyone started talking at once while Nix made his way toward the Fighters Guild exit.

[Whisper: Beryl to Nix] Well fought Apprentice Nix. Malice was sent to deal with you, retreat now before others from his House show up.

[Whisper: Nix to Beryl] He mentioned the House of Mogel. Do you know where I can find that place?

[Whisper: Beryl to Nix] Directly South of Favi, about an hour ride.

[Whisper: Nix toBeryl] Thanks.

/Alpha: Nix: Looks like the dots have connected.

/Alpha: Fajii: What's that mean?

/Alpha: Nix: Last time I was here, a group tried to ambush us. It's the same people who took our s.h.i.+pment.

/Alpha: Semmi: You said the woman in Management Office felt like she was Tainted. Does that mean we've picked up the trail of Goralpri?

/Alpha: Nix: Smart money says yes.

*****************

A stealthed Ronnie trotted after the wagon that headed toward the South Gate. She arrived at the City Management Office just as the clerk's wrapped body was being placed in the horse-drawn carriage.

Within a few minutes, the wagon left down with Ronnie following closely.

/Hotness: Bali: I have them on track.

/Hotness: Ronnie: Good job, Bal. I will reward you later.

/Hotness: Bali: Don't even think about it!

Ronnie laughed softly and increased her pace. The wagon moved slowly down the southern road for a few minutes and then turned off on a narrow path.

/Hotness: Bali: Be careful, I'm in front of them.

/Hotness: Ronnie: Close in from that side, and we'll pinch him between us.

The wagon stopped, and the driver jumped down before moving around to the tailgate. He lowered the wooden barrier and then rolled the body onto the ground.

/Hotness: Ronnie: I'm going in. Don't attack unless I do.

/Hotness: Bali: Okay.

The dark archer left the safety of the tree-line and walked toward the parked wagon. Unexpectedly, the driver climbed back into the carriage and rode back in the direction of Free Trader City.

/Hotness: Ronnie: Close in, and we'll investigate. Keep track on.

Ronnie spotted Bali leaving the woods and moving toward her at an all-out run. Thanks to the sound dampening effects of Nix's camo-overlay, she moved silently as a ghost. They stared at each other for a moment, from opposite sides of the corpse.

/Hotness: Bali: Something isn't right.

/Hotness: Ronnie: It seems off... Think it's a trap?

An instant later, a breach opened next to the corpse. A cloaked figure stepped out and picked up the body.

/Hotness: Ronni: GO!

Ronnie sprinted toward the breach; she arrived there right as the figure stepped through. Without hesitating, she followed. The dark archer twisted agilely to avoid running into the person carrying the body. She felt Bali brush lightly against her.

Bali grabbed Ronnie's arm and pulled her to one side. They were in the back courtyard of a rather large estate. Two guards were looking in their direction as they walked along the top of a ten-foot stone wall.

/Inferno: Ronnie: Someone beat us to the corpse; we followed them outside the town a few miles.

/Inferno: Nix: Did you get to examine it?

/Inferno: Ronnie: No. A breach opened up, and someone retrieved the body.

/Inferno: Pon: F*ck... It's always dragons.

/Inferno: Nix: It's okay. Head back to town.

/Inferno: Ronnie: No need. We entered the breach and followed them.

/Inferno: Bali: I'm here too!

/Inferno: Nix: d.a.m.n... Excellent job, guys. I'll send you a group invite.

/Inferno: Bali: Nope, we're here first, so you have to join us.

Nix has joined group Hotness.

Semmi has joined group Hotness.

Pon has joined group Hotness.

Fajii has joined group Hotness.

Wind has joined group Hotness.

/Hotness: Pon: The h.e.l.l is this?

/Hotness: Semmi: I love it!

Nix chuckled and summoned his Shadow Daiken.

/Hotness: Nix: This is why you're my favorite Ronnie.

/Hotness: Ronnie: You know it!

/Hotness: Nix: My hud says they are south of us. Mount up, and we'll scout it out.

/Hotness: Semmi: Be careful; we're on our way.

************************

[Authors Note]

I'll be taking the next ten days off so that I can help a.s.sist some of my elderly relatives that live in rural areas. We've been rotating the responsibility during the quarantine, and now it's my turn. Be safe and cya soon.