Sparks of mana and clashes of metal skirmished between the shadows of the lifeless trees. The mace with each strike blew off chunks of wood, and the ax split the earth and air with each swing. However, the mace was much more ferocious and pushed the ax into the defensive. Emery had Liken on the ropes, and every desperate attempt by the warrior-class marked one was meaningless against the mage-class marked one’s technique and power.

The sight itself was not anything out of the ordinary as a marked one was only able to obtain their full power by engaging in battle. Mana took time to generate, and focus could not be gained unless blows were exchanged. That was why marked ones often chose to slug it out in melee when fighting, in order to create an opening for them to unleash powerful Skills and Spells. That was how marked ones battle, a juggle of health, mana, and focus thresholds.

That was also the reason why the warrior-class and rogue-class had the overwhelming advantage in marked one versus marked one combat. The mage-class did not have the needed strength to contend with the warrior-class, and they also did not have the required speed to match the rogue-class. However, Emery was pushing Liken back, the mage overwhelmed the warrior. It was as if he was powerful enough to circumvent the rules of combat.

Rana knew better. The explanation was simple, but the implications were far from reassuring. She thanked Liken for creating this situation, however, as it gave her more time to prepare a plan that dealt with what was about to happen. Although her gratefulness only lasted a moment before giving way to irritation. His plan was too crass, too inelegant. What idiot believed such a telegraphed sneak attack would work? She looked at the two dissolving Ash Hounds behind her. If she were an ordinary mage-class or a marked one unskilled in their profession, she would’ve died.

She returned her gaze to the fight unfolding before her. It was clear Emery was an ascended. It was the only explanation how a mage-class could match a warrior-class in melee combat. Just as a non-marked one would not be able to match a marked one in combat, and although it was not to the same extent, an ascended marked one had the overwhelming advantage against one without an ascended class.

The mage-class ascended into the sorcerer class, giving them enough strength and speed to match the warrior-class and rogue-class respectively. An ascended class also acquires a specialization, a Skill or Spell progression that can only be accessed through the System, and it was easy to guess what Emery’s was. Wood Caste was a Druid specialization Spell that enveloped the caster in a wooden shell, and the shell absorbed any amount of physical damage for one hit. There was also a secret passive for the Spell that only masters had, and it was it gave a free cast once per day. Emery was skilled. He used his lack of mana to bait Liken into an attack, and then cast Wood Caste in tandem with the Speed Up Ability to get behind his opponent, giving Emery the preemptive.

Why was such a skilled agent sent here by the Church?

“Should we help?” asked Kent. Rana raised an eyebrow, surprised by his restraint. She thought he would’ve jumped on Liken the instant he was given the opportunity. He was determining whether the aggressor had a justifiable reason. If she had not read the Quest details, she would’ve applauded his thoughtfulness. However, his hesitation only confirmed her suspicions.

“Come aid me, my allies!” yelled Emery. It was rather telling how the battle was going as he was the one that could divert their attention, yet she knew it was needed. Even if an ascended mage-class could match a warrior-class in melee combat, that was only against rookies and they would still be at a disadvantage when fighting high-level ones like Liken. Emery had the upper hand because of his scheming and technique, but soon the raw stats of Liken would pull his opponent back into the offensive. He was also fortunate that Liken did not possess any of the technical Abilities. He had to ensure there were allies when he was still holding all the cards. “Come and join me to defeat this scumbag from the Church! I was on to his schemes the entire time, and soon his dead body will prove me right!”

“What? How dare,” Liken tried to object but his words were quickly silenced by a grunt when Emery smashed his mace against his chest armor. Kent seemed to have heard enough and decided to aid Emery.

It was an interesting turn of events, but it was nonetheless quite bothersome to be involved in their schemes and plots.

“Now, Rana! Let us eliminate the threat to our party!”

“Liken was an unprovoked aggressor, and it is your right to slay him here,” Rana replied to Emery as she strolled to a tree and sat against it. “However, I have no intention of involving myself in the petty squabbles of men.”

Emery clicked his tongue and his expression was clear he did not approve of Rana’s position in the conflict. However, he seemed content enough with not needing to fight her as well. With Kent covering Emery and allowing the mage-class to rain down Spells against their opponent, Liken soon fell to the ground as a bisected burnt corpse when his shield broke against blade and fire.

The battle was finished, but the tension did not drop. Kent quickly turned around towards Emery with his bastard sword raised.

“You better present proof of your accusations before I cut you down as well,” Kent said. “If your proof is in the ashes, then you have no one to blame but yourself.”

Emery lowered his mace and shrugged before walking to the body of Liken. He reached down to a charred pouch and pulled out a piece of ash from within. However, the burnt parchment did not dissolve into bits, but maintained its shape even when unfolded. It was a scroll, made by the church by weaving runic language into the fabric of the paper.

“Here,” Emery said as he tossed the scroll to Kent. “I’m sure you could read its content out loud and prove me right.”

Kent infused mana within the paper, and glowing words appeared onto the black surface of the scroll. It read that the church agent was sent to massacre a settlement in order to frame fiend attacks, giving the Church its excuse to send paladins into the area.

“So you see, my allies,” Emery said, but made sure he gave Rana a pointed look before continuing. “Liken was not motivated by greed. He wanted to dispose of us for the Church, not for the sole possession of the rewards. He lead us deep into the Boundary Forest, using the monsters to hide his hostility and intention. Leaving our last party member and rushing into danger was all his idea. I was actually onto him for days now, after chancing upon him reading the black scroll one night. A master druid has its perks in surveillance, after all. I believe he was also suspecting me to know of his true motivations, and targeted me first. Unfortunately for him, I was ready.”

Rana could feel her head throb and massaged her temple. If she had a choice, she would’ve just silenced Emery for weaving obvious lies into half-truths. However, she needed the information, and fighting an ascended without a plan was suicidal.

“I believe we should still fight the fiend and finish the quest. Lucky for us, the Church’s fabrication turned out to be true. If we were to leave now, we will forever have a target on our backs. The Church would not let us go if one of their agents was left unaccounted for. However, if we were to bring back proof of a fiend and say he died fighting one, the Church still has its excuse and we would be free from suspicion. It is also our duty as marked one, so what do you say?”

Kent grunted his approval and Rana did not voice her disagreement. However, at this point she was certain that the only person without a hidden motive was dead and charred.