Damn it. How did everything went to shit so fast? We outnumbered them and we far outclass them. But why are we having a hard time?

I give a fleeting glance towards the other members of our team. What I saw was truly disappointing. The brothers Bertel and Timothy, subordinates of Rebeccah are supposed to be masters of close quarters combat. The two of them were legendary in the Kupesh Arena in the south of the Kingdom after they brought down 10 fighters with just the two of them, earning them their freedom for winning 100 Arena fights without losing even once. I planned to hire them after they gained their freedom, unfortunately they got swooped by the Frost family to work under their sloth of a daughter Rebeccah. With them and Weylin on our side, I thought we have the best close quarter combat team in the organization.

Who knew I would see the day they get reduced to being rag dolled by that bald monk? The thought came to mind as I saw Bertel get thrown against a tree after trying to help Timothy who got kicked in the face and was knocked down. Only with Rebeccah's lazy but timely casting Wind Blades have they not met a gruesome fate like the men of that imbecile, Durga.

I ducked under a rifle shot from the dwarf and raised my shield to block another attack. I then activated my boots, increasing my speed, and rushed towards the midget. He is putting up quite a fight. My desire to capture him alive for interrogation is the only thing that prevents me to rip that dwarf to shreds with sword. I swung my sword at the speed I know the dwarf could react and raise his shield to defend. Although he was able to defend, the force of my attack sends him careening to the side of the camp. I need to knock this midget out fast so that I could help the others.

As the dwarf is struggling to get his bearings, I glanced towards that idiot Durga to see what he is doing. Fortunately, he seem to be doing fine against the knight at the moment. Although, I would have preferred if he used his Scorch Aura since the beginning of the fight. If he did, his subordinate wouldn't have died. Now that he is using his Scorch Aura, he clearly holds the upper hand against the Knight who looks like he is weakened from using his technique earlier. Good thing the opponents were not synchronized. If so, they would've used the moment we were rendered momentarily vulnerable after being blinded by the Knight's technique to dispatch of us.

I am now focusing some of my Aura in protecting my eyes, in case he use that technique once more. But from the looks of his exhausted figure, the technique use up a great amount of mana and he wouldn't be able to cast it for the second time without proper rest.

My gaze then went to Weylin who is barely able to escape another close brush with death after she grabbed the Elf's hand which is holding the knife, and tried to stab her with her sword. I was surprised of the skill of the Elf when she let go of her knife and caught it with her free hand. She then half-stepped to the side just enough to dodge Weylin's thrust and then she countered by trying to stab Weylin in the armpit to hit her artery. Weylin quickly let go of the Elf's hand and jump out of the way only to get caught by a kick from the Elf. Weylin rolled in the ground and recovered quickly enough to parry the Elf's knife and swung her sword to force the Elf to jump away, giving her a well needed breathing room.

As she struggles to her feet, I saw something about her that surprised me. She is smiling. This is the first time I see an emotion pasted on the usually blank faced scout. Even after infiltrating an enemy camp and assassinating every living thing within, man, woman and child, her face never showed a hint of emotion. The fight with the Elf must have awoken something within the stone faced woman. For the first time she is facing a challenge that she might or might not overcome and it awoken her lust for a challenge.

"Who would've thought Weylin is much like her master. Both are battle hungry." I shook my head in disbelief. But still, we need to finish the battle soon before the opponent pull another trick in their sleeves. "Rebeccah, go aid Timothy and Bertel in finishing the bald one."

"Eh? Do I have to?" She answered. I look at the woman in disbelief only to see her annoyed look.

"Yes that is an order!" I yelled at her as I deflect another attack from the dwarf and dodged another one of his explosive device.

"Why should I? They don't look like they need help." She reasoned while pouting her lips. "You don't need help, do you boys?" She asked her subordinates.

"No Mistress Frost! Everything is under control." Bertel answered after which he is met with a knee in the stomach.

Seeing his partner in trouble, Timothy went to rescue him by swinging his staff to drive away the bald monk. "Do not worry Mistress. The enemy is strong, but the Twin Tiger of Kupesh will never lose!" He then charged at the monk with renewed vigor.

"See Christopher, they don't need my help. My boys could do their job on their own. That is why I pay them for." Seeing her smile innocently, I feel my veins about to pop while parrying another attack from the persistent dwarf. "Oh don't pout "peerless leader". Here, I am contributing." With a quick chant, she waved her hand and a wind blade sailed towards the Elf who was about to deliver a killing blow to Weylin. The Elf was forced to jump above the sharp blade made out of wind cutting through the place where she stood earlier. It gave Weylin enough time to recover and put some distance between her and her opponent.

That is what is amazing about Rebeccah. Not only can she read what is happening around the battlefield and give support to whoever needs it, she can also cast low to intermediate spells almost instantly. Making her an indispensable part of this group. Unfortunately all that talent is wasted on a lazy woman like her.

"There. I helped." She smiled once more before continuing. "Oh no. I spent most of my mana on that attack. I will need some time to meditate so I can recover my mana quickly." She then continued to float in the air like she was lying on a bed. She is lying on supine position with both her hands propping her head.

I shook my head in disappointment, but it looks like that is the extent on how useful she is in this mission. I turned my attention back to my opponent. I must knock out the dwarf and finish this quick so I can help the others since it looks like Rebeccah is on one of her lazy moods today. God damn her. Once I get back in our Hideout, I will write a report that will surely get herself disowned by her family and Organization.

I blocked a shot from the dwarf and dodged his electric net once more. Surprising that he made a mechanism that enables him to retract the damn thing, enabling it to be reused rather than the usual one-time use items. This is the reason I want to capture him. Think of how much the knowledge inside his head would strengthen the organization? Just look how much it empowered me? Just a few trinkets and the knowledge to use it by torturing a dwarven caravan was enough to make me stand out from my peers. Though I still couldn't beat those who are the chosen by mana, like the Elders love to call them, I am still able to bridge the gap with these items.

I gaze at my weapon and marvel at its power. Mananite Flame sword that can cut through almost anything and a shield that can stop both Physical and Magical attacks, along with the various equipment I wear, I feel unstoppable. Simple yet effective these equipment. But in the hands of an Expert level Mage, it could become more.

Sadly, most of the members hate using dwarven equipment and items. They say that it is beneath them to use items that are made by inferior races that are not blessed with Mana. What a load of bull. If that is the case then we should just bend over to the Elves since they are more loved by Mana than we mere Humans. Anything that can give us the edge should be used and improved upon with impunity.

Well, if they don't want to use it, I will.

A pity the dwarves only told me how to use them. If they also taught me how to make them or how to open these equipment without it blowing up, I could've massed produced these bad boys. Unfortunately, they said they would rather die than give me their secrets. So I granted their wish.

Another blast from the dwarf's rifle was blocked by my shield causing it to crack. "Damn it." I whispered under my breath. The low grade crystal on my shield is getting depleted much faster than I have expected. That means the blast from that rifle is at least intermediate level or it wouldn't have drained this much energy from my shield this fast. No matter, I will just use my own Mana to power my shield.

"Ha! Yer shield is about to crack! After I bring it down, I will bash yer skull in next if ye don't tell me how you got our people's weapons and armor!" The dwarf shouted.

"Oh my! What a fiery temper for someone so short. Don't think that cracking my shield gives you an advantage. For now I will show you what I –" I was interrupted when I felt something hard hit me in the head. I almost fell down but fortunately I was able to retain my balance in time to block a shot from the dwarf's rifle. It is a bigger beam than before and would surely break my shield! To avoid certain death, I drew upon my Mana and directed it towards my shield which instantly repaired its crack. I then used mana reinforcement on the shield to further the strength of its defense and braced for impact as the beam hit my shield. My feet made furrows in the ground as the beam pushes me back. "Ha! Clever trick crafting a rifle which you can adjust its power output! Unfortunately it is no match to this shield that I reinforced with my own Mana! I am definitely going to get that rifle now, even if I have to pry it from your cold dead ha—" Another stone hit me and I lost my concentration for a split second thus dissipating my Mana Reinforcement. Which was just enough for the beam to break through my shield and hit me in the stomach.

"Guaaaahhhh!!!" I pained shout escape my throat as the beam continued to push me for at least 10 meters before the beam stopped. That was a deadly attack. If not for the amulet and the rune-enchanted chain armor I wore underneath my leather armor, the beam would've pierced right through me killing me in an instant.

"Yer still standing? What a tough bastard." The dwarf yelled before throwing the smoking rifle to the side. He then pulled out his pistols once more "Couldn't just stand there watching eh, Cloud? Welcome to the party lad." He said.

I look at the direction he was looking and was surprised to see the One still standing there. "Yup. Couldn't let you guys have all the fun. Sharing is caring you know." The One laughed.

What the heck? This is not the way this is supposed to happen. "Why are you still here The One?" I asked the man.

"Huh? Why? Why wouldn't I be here? This is our camp. You're the ones who came bursting here, blowing tearing shit up." He answered.

"No. Why are you not escaping?" I asked once more. We left him alone for he is supposed to escape while we take care of his companions. That way it will be easier for us to deal with the party without fearing that he will die from crossfire, especially since we have Durga in our group.

"Why would you want me to escape? So that you guys would have an easier time to capture me once I am alone? No thanks. I would rather take my chances in fighting you guys here." The One answered. Heh. He figured out my plan. He's a smart one isn't he.

"Aren't you their captive? Why would you help them? Why not leave us fighting here and escape? Even if either party wins here, there is a chance that we might not find you. As long as you hide your energy it would be impossible to track you down." Which is a lie. We have Weylin here to find his tracks. As long as she survives long enough for Durga to help her against the Elf.

The One put his hand on his beard as he ponders the idea. "Hey, I didn't thought of that. Hmmm…"

"Don't even think about it lad. Alora might shoot ye in the back if you try to escape. Also, ye remembered what we talked about earlier right before the fight, right?" The dwarf, who slapped a pad on his chest where I kicked him earlier, tries to convince the One.

"Huh? What--- Ohhhh… Yeah I remember. Don't worry, I would not run away even if you let me." The One said before his gaze turn towards Weylin and the Elf's fight. "Besides, Alora will surely find me. She is a Ranger. Might as well fight and die like a man, than die with an arrow in the back like a coward." He declared before he shrugged. "Besides, I don't want to fight animals for months-on-end, non-stop anymore. That shit is tiring."

"Well said lad. Now help me bust the head of this here bugger." The dwarf looks better than just a minute ago. He must have used some kind of healing magic. But it is impossible. He could not have casted a spell on himself, and the dwarven apparatus for healing is too large for him to conceal, much less carry in the middle of the Forest.

I see the dwarf remove the pad he put on his earlier injury. It must be the pad. He somehow made a miniature healing apparatus. Truly a dwarf of such intelligence and creativity. Such a pity I might have to kill him here. I can't afford to fail.

"I believe you made a foolish choice The One. You should've taken my advice and run away. Don't blame me for whatever bad might happen to you from now on. All of this is on your head." I declared.

"Yeah, we make stupid mistakes sometimes. Like you and your bleeding face." He stated.

I was confused on what he meant when he suddenly charged at me at speeds not possible without body Reinforcement. Isn't he supposed to not have mana? I don't feel any in his body so how is this possible? I panicked a little by his sudden and unexpected charge that I thoughtlessly threw a Reinforced punch strong enough to break a boulder.

Shit! If this hits I might kill him!

As the thought rush to my brain, The One suddenly vanished right in front of my outstretched fist. Where is he? Oh shit bellow! I turned my head down and saw him duck under my attack, his arms ready to deliver an uppercut. I used my other free hand to cover my chin and lower body.

Checkmate! After I block your attack, I will make you regret attacki---.

Before I could complete my thought, suddenly I felt his fist hit my groin! But even before I could yell in pain, a fist hit me in the face which sent me rolling in the floor!

"Haha. The nutcracker returns! Now let me finish this bastard!" I can hear the bastard dwarf saying as I curl up in pain. But as I await my end, a gust of wind blew "Woaahhh. Easy there lady. Ye could've cut me head from me shoulder." He then yelled at someone.

"Sorry to interfere little one. It would bring me much inconvenience if our leader dies here." A woman that sounds like Rebeccah answered the dwarf.

An inconvenience am I? What the hell are you saying you bitch! Angry thoughts fill my brain as I pushed myself to stand, only to fall on my face once more.

"Don't push yourself too hard leader. You got hit pretty hard by our precious The One. Surprised me quite a bit, that one. Didn't expect he could use Ki." Rebeccah floats towards me.

"What the hell are you talking about? The One should be using Void Energy not Ki." While speaking, I tasted something metallic in my mouth. I touched my lips and when I look at my hand, it is stained with blood. I look at the one responsible for this transgression. The man crossed his arms, a mocking smirk pasted on his face. "YOU!"

"Yeah ME. I told you, your mistake will cause your face to bleed." He said in a mocking tone.

SHIT! SHIT! SHIT! SHIT!

I can feel my anger and frustration building up inside of me. Why is nothing going according to plan? I lost a man even before we arrive in the camp because of the carelessness of that stupid oaf Durga. We lost two more from the ambush of that hateful Elf and another one beheaded by that Knight. Now, not only am I bleeding, but also humiliated in front of my subordinates.

I must turn this around. If this goes further south, the Elders might think that I am more of a liability. Even when they gave me a bunch of spoiled and worthless maggots and lackeys that only listen to their Master and Mistress, I will no doubt still be blamed.

"Rebeccah, I order you to do something for me." I told Rebeccah who is now floating beside me.

"Can I refuse?" She said while laughing playfully. This girl! When we finish this mission, I will personally bury you and tell your family you died in this battle!

"NO. Either you follow my order or I will report this insubordination to the Elders. Not only that, this is a crucial mission, that means insubordination is equal to treason in this level. You must know what we do to traitors, don't you?" Not only will she be tortured till death, all her relatives and friends will be hunted down to meet the same fate.

She seem to understand her dire circumstance since for the first time since this mission started, her voice was serious. "I understand, Leader. What do you need me do?"

"Heal me." I told her.

In an instant after issuing the order, I felt a gust of wind surround me. Along with the wind was a feeling of strength returning to my body. The pain in my groin vanished along with the blood in my mouth. After a few moment the feeling vanished and now, I feel refreshed. Like all the damage I endured earlier was nothing but a dream.

"Done." She said in a monotonous voice. "Is there anything you need me do Leader?"

"Nothing. Stand aside and watch me break this fools. But be sure to heal The One before he dies. I will continue to break him until we return to our hideout." If I want to show the Elders that I still have value, I must regain my honor. For that, I must defeat these bastards who were fool enough to humiliate me in a dominating fashion.

To reach the top. I will use everything and everyone as my stepping stone.