The loud noise of the fireball exploding spread into the courtyard.
Minori stood alone on the neatly trimmed lawn, his eyes emerging from beneath the hood of his custom-made robes, looking towards the European-style castle in front of him.
The gate had been reduced to ruins, with thick smoke billowing out from inside.
"They were wiped out in an instant? That's impressive," Minori remarked, his voice barely a whisper.
He had learned from the guards he had neutralized earlier that the "Six Arms" had gathered together that day—a rare occurrence. Though he had not inquired about the reason for their meeting, Minori was not particularly interested in knowing. What mattered more was the opportunity this presented.
Glancing at the experience value on his attribute panel, a small smile tugged at the corner of his lips.
[Experience slot: 20973/10000]A dozen members of the Eight Fingers had added over 800 experience points to him.
In Minori's eyes, the garrison of the "Eight Fingers" security department was remarkably weak, with too few personnel to guard such a critical base. The average level of these stationed guards ranged between Level 6 and Level 8, which, while respectable for ordinary humans, paled in comparison to his own capabilities.
Boom!
A charred wooden door, once adorned with a majestic lion carving, was thrown into the air by a blast of magic, hitting the lawn with a deafening crash.
The next moment, several figures emerged from the thick smoke, each one more imposing than the last.
"Hehehe, there really is only one person."
Blood Moon Scimitar Edstrom, dressed in a light gauze outfit, twisted her slender waist, flashing a sweet smile. "Excuse me, sir, are you sure you're here to cause trouble for us?"
As she walked, the gold rings adorning her wrists and ankles clinked with each step.
"Thousand Killers" Malmvist followed, draped in an expensive bullfighter dress embroidered with gold, his face contorted in irritation. "My dress is ruined. I can't wear it anymore after all this smoke."
"I don't have time for this," Minori muttered under his breath, but his eyes scanned the group carefully.
The rest of the "Six Arms" followed suit—Peshurian, the "Space Slasher," Succulent, the "Phantom Demon," and Davernoch, the "Undead King."
"Tsk tsk, the boss is really angry," muttered the thin, sinister-faced "Phantom Demon" Succulent, glancing at Minori with growing suspicion. "What's up with this guy?"
"Not like me," Davernoch replied, his deep red eyes flickering like will-o'-the-wisps. He sounded disappointed, his gaze assessing Minori with interest.
As an undead wizard, Davernoch had always yearned to learn the secrets of human magic. When he had felt an aura of necromancy in Minori, he had been intrigued, only to find that Minori did not bear the typical markers of death magic.
"Interesting," muttered "Space Slasher" Peshurian, his voice low and hoarse. "You've certainly got nerve breaking into our base."
The group's atmosphere shifted from arrogance to unease. Each member of the "Six Arms" had at least one skill level exceeding 20—an impressive feat by normal standards, but still not an insurmountable obstacle for someone of Minori's caliber.
With a sigh, Minori adjusted his stance. "Among the Eight Fingers, the six strongest arms are all here. Lucky me."
He then eyed the muscular "Fighting Ghost" Zero, the leader of the group, who cracked his knuckles with a loud "creak" as he moved forward.
"The base was attacked, and you made me lose face," Zero growled. "I'm usually big-hearted, but right now, I'm really angry. So I'm giving you two choices."
Zero's eyes gleamed with malice. "Either become my subordinate or die."
Minori didn't flinch. He merely stared at the imposing figure, his hood hiding most of his expression. "You've misunderstood," Minori said, his voice calm. "This will save a lot of time. You are truly sinning by sheltering the undead."
The members of the "Six Arms" stiffened, their expressions darkening. "What did you say?" Zero snarled, a dangerous glint in his eyes.
"Too much chatter," Minori replied, shaking his head. "Shrinkage."
In an instant, Minori's figure shrank dramatically, his body becoming lighter and faster. Within the blink of an eye, he vanished from his position, reappearing within striking distance of his opponents.
"So fast!" The group gasped in shock.
Not even the seasoned "Thousand Killers" Mamvist could react in time, though Peshurian and Zero managed to instinctively raise their weapons in defense. But before they could strike, Minori's voice cut through the air.
"Dark Wave!"
The cursed energy exploded outward, spiraling from Minori's form. The wave of dark magic spread with alarming speed, affecting anyone within a five-meter radius.
The curse energy took hold immediately, freezing the movements of several of the "Six Arms." Minori, using his enhanced speed, closed the distance before his enemies could recover.
In a blur of motion, an iron sword materialized in his hand, and he lashed out.
"Four Light Slashes!"
Blinding streaks of light flashed in the air, cutting through the bodies of the closest enemies—Zero, Succulent, Mamvist, and Edstrom—all of whom collapsed, blood spraying from their wounds.
Minori's foot lashed out next, connecting with Peshurian 's chest. The impact sent the armored figure flying into the side of the mansion, crashing through the walls.
"Ah!" "Ah!" "Ah!"
The screams rang out as the remaining enemies were reduced to bloody heaps on the ground.
Only Zero, the "Fighting Ghost," remained standing, his face pale and eyes wide in disbelief.
"How is this possible?" Zero stumbled backward. "Who the hell are you?"
Minori, the shadow of death still lingering around him, glanced at the fallen foes with an almost indifferent look in his eyes.
"Humans are so fragile," he muttered to himself, the fight already over before it had truly begun.