Assassin Obstacle Course (5)

Closer to the amphitheater where the final of the Minor Ranking evaluation preliminaries would be held, Alicia was leading her brother to various traps that had been laid by Emily's enemies. Astar had recommended her for this role, and Shui agreed that she would be a suitable candidate. Alicia was happy when she heard this, but after the events of last night she was starting to wonder if Shui was getting too used to making her help him.

'I'll need him in the future, so it's not bad if I consider this a down-payment, but at this point I might as well pay him upfront.'

Of course, Alicia kept these grumbles inside her heart, but Alex was still faintly aware that she was in a bad mood. Even though he wanted to lend a hand to his potential rival, naturally, his sister took priority. However, if she really didn't want to help, then he knew that she would have refused, so even though he had a suspicion that she had been blinded by love, he pretended not to notice her dissatisfaction.

Thanks to Alicia's sharp perception, they had discovered and dismantled many traps that would have impeded Emily, but neither let their guard down as they anticipated what would happen once they got rid off enough traps. Eventually, as Alex finished dismantling an array on a rooftop and they were about to leave for the next one, Alicia held her hand up to warn him. Just then, a young man followed by several middle-aged elder-looking people, came on the roof. Alicia had already informed Alex that they were approaching them from two traps ago, so neither was surprised by their arrival.

The youth was only in the Soul Realm, while the elders were in the Earth Realm, but Alicia and Alex still had their secret guards so there should be no reason for them to feel threatened. As the two sides glared at each other, the youth stepped forward with a confident expression. He was the same young man who won first place during Emily's tier 3 array master assessment, but Alicia only thought that he was familiar. In the end, she was certain that people being sent at them at this stage couldn't be part of the true group of masterminds, so she didn't feel the need to remember his identity either.

"Sir Alex and Miss Alicia of the Sphere clan, it's an honour to meet you. I hail from the Noe family and I come here with my elders in order to invite you to a meal."

His words were sweet, but the siblings knew that he was a snake with poisonous intentions. The Sphere clan might not be very well-known, but any elite force with proper heritage knew that in a certain sense, they were more dangerous than major-level forces, similar to the Coin Storm Auction House. They didn't want to be forceful, but they came well-prepared to suppress them if necessary, that, Alicia could see.

She glanced at Alex, and when he nodded in response, she immediately pulled out her whip sword and swung it at the young man. He flinched and his face contorted with fear, but then a barrier appeared that blocked the attack. Realizing that he had been saved by his elders, he breathed a sigh of relief before sending Alicia a look of disdain.

"Since you refuse to take the hand being offered to you, we have no choice but to be forceful. Please forgive us."

Then, the elders activated the catalysts that had already been scattered around the roof. Alicia remained indifferent as several arrays were constructed around them and their secret guards were forced to reveal themselves. This time, she had prepared in advance with the help of her sacred treasure, so she wouldn't be caught off-guard like last night.

"Let's make this quick."

Meanwhile, Astar also found himself surrounded on a empty street, but in his case, he was caught after disarming a single trap, proof that they had been watching him. Unlike the group that went after his disciples, the ones in the air around him hid their identities through the use of masks, veils and other identity concealment artifacts. However, they still openly displayed their cultivations.

Seeing tens of Sky Realm experts behind a couple Masters was sure to intimidate almost anyone. A force like this could annihilate an average-level sect like Storm Sky Manor, so it was natural for one to be wary of them, but the aloof aura that Astar exuded could not be suppressed by their pressure.

"I wonder, for what do I owe the pleasure of having so many experts escort me?"

In response, one Master with a dragon on his mask stepped out and stood on the same level as Astar.

"We do not seek conflict. As long as you turn a blind eye to this matter, no harm will come to you or your disciples."

"Oh? I wonder why that sounds like a threat?"

"I won't make any excuses."

The two stared at each other as the air became tense. Although the masked group beat him in numbers, it was still Astar who had the right to choose between a fight or a compromise. He was also only a Master and in the early stage as well, but those who planned this confrontation knew what it meant to be a tier 6 array grandmaster.

Astar was naturally better aware of his own capabilities, so he swept his gaze across their group before showing a faint smile.

"You know, I've been worried that my skills have gotten rusty since I've been behind a desk all the time recently. Would you mind helping me warm up?"

"Arrogant!"

"Don't get ahead of yourself!"

"We won't give you time to use those precious arrays of yours."

While the Master who stepped forward stayed silent, those behind him were enraged by Astar's request. They thought it was audacious of him to treat them so inconsequentially, but he laughed at their complaints.

"I'm surprised. After trying to gang up on me like a pack of mutts, I didn't think you would still have so much pride."

"You-!"

"Enough," to prevent his allies from embarrassing themselves, the Master at the lead made them stop.

His strength wasn't overwhelmingly higher than the other Masters, but he had other assets that gave him authority as their leader.

Once they had stopped, he sighed before addressing Astar in a grim tone. Out of everyone here, he was likely the one most reluctant to battle, but there was nothing else he could do.

"Is there any way you would reconsider?"

"You already know the easiest way to make me back off."

"...Very well. We will accompany you until everything has been settled."

"A bold claim, but I doubt you'll last that long."