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"Gulp... sob..."
A low groan of pain escaped from the masked figure clad in black, his attire stained crimson.
Intense power surged through his body as if it were tearing him apart from the inside, leaving the black-clothed figure paralyzed and unable to move.
Embedded deeply in the dent of the wall, he could barely lift his head to look ahead.
There, Fang Li approached step by step.
"Grimalkin, an intelligence organization under Rewolf Black Academy, operates directly under the Student Council, taking orders from President Dirk Eberwein. They specialize in covert operations."
"Members of Grimalkin are all codenamed 'Cats.' Those who operate outside the academy are known as 'Golden Eyes,' while those within the academy are referred to as 'Silver Eyes.'"
As if speaking to himself, Fang Li explained while standing before the dent, his gaze fixed on the black-clothed figure, his tone laced with mockery.
"For a student like me, who hasn't even reached Page One yet, that fat guy actually sent seven 'Cats' from 'Golden Eyes' to deal with me. He really thinks highly of me."
Isn't that the truth?
Based on the performance of these 'Cats' just now, each one was exceptionally strong. If they were ranked among the inner circles of the major academies, they would easily place in the top five.
Having top-tier combatants from each academy is a rare asset, even for those affiliated with the Integrated Enterprise Foundation. Losing one would be a significant blow, let alone seven at once.
Yet, for just one Fang Li, Dirk dispatched seven of these elite fighters.
Could it be that he doesn't think highly of Fang Li?
"If I were still at the level I was a year ago during the 'Phoenix Festa,' I would have been overwhelmed by your ambush by now, right?" Fang Li said nonchalantly. "Unfortunately, you underestimated my strength, and now you must bear the consequences of your losses."
With that, Fang Li looked at the black-clothed figure before him, smirked, and added, "If you want to take me down, at least send out the 'Ereshkigal.'"
"Otherwise, do you really think you can defeat me?"
With those words, Fang Li turned and walked away, stepping over the blood-stained ground.
"————!"
The black-clothed figure, spared from death, suddenly raised his head and let out a hoarse roar.
"Buzz————!"
Around him, the reaction of Mana intensified dramatically.
This person was, in fact, a Magecraft practitioner.
In an instant, beneath the black-clothed figure, his shadow transformed into countless thorns, sharp as spears, slicing through the air and violently shooting toward Fang Li.
Without a sound of breaking air, they mercilessly pierced through the exposed back, completely unguarded.
"Pū chī pū chī pū chī————!"
The piercing sounds echoed as countless blackthorns skewered the back, leaving it riddled with holes.
However, witnessing this scene, the black-clothed figure's expression shifted dramatically.
"No tactile feedback...?!"
Indeed.
No tactile feedback.
The thorns that struck the target felt as if they had pierced through empty air, offering no resistance whatsoever.
Moreover, despite being skewered, the figure did not shed a single drop of blood.
Instead, it became blurry, like a mirage.
Realizing this, the black-clothed figure finally understood.
"An afterimage...!"
These were the last words he would utter in this world.
The next moment, a calm voice reached his ears.
"I was considering letting you live to take my words back, but it seems that's unnecessary now."
As the words fell, like a waning moon dagger flashing in the night, the arc of light from the sharp blade imprinted itself in the black-clothed figure's eyes.
"Pū chī————!"
With a tearing sound, the sharp dagger sliced through.
A mist of blood sprayed from the front of the black-clothed figure's throat.
His eyes widened in shock.
Then, his pupils scattered, completely devoid of anger.
"Pā pā pā pā————!"
With crisp sounds, the countless thorns that had erupted from the black-clothed figure's shadow shattered as if they had exploded, transforming into pure Mana that dissipated into the air.
At that moment, all movement ceased in this space.
Only seven blood-stained corpses remained, lying one after another in a pool of blood, unable to move any longer.
In this desolate ruin, they became unnoticed reflections of their former selves.
...
Rewolf Black Academy, Student Council President's office.
At this moment, Dirk sat at his desk, and a screen unfolded before him.
This screen had been transmitting images and sounds until just moments ago, allowing Dirk to clearly observe the events unfolding on the other side.
However, a second ago, the screen darkened, and the sounds turned to static.
Seeing this, Dirk silently closed the screen.
He knew that all the 'Cats' he had dispatched were dead.
Not a single one had survived.
If the Integrated Enterprise Foundation, the governing body of Rewolf Black Academy, learned that Dirk's orders had led to the loss of seven valuable combatants from Grimalkin, he would undoubtedly face severe consequences.
Yet, Dirk's face, usually marked by anger, bore no trace of worry. Instead, he assessed the situation with calm detachment.
"Even seven 'Cats' working together were no match for him. His strength must have undergone a dramatic transformation compared to a year ago."
As long as this information could be obtained, sacrificing seven 'Cats' would not be without merit.
Originally, Dirk had not intended to take direct action against Fang Li by sending so many 'Golden Eyes' on this mission.
After all, Fang Li was backed by a formidable entity that even the Integrated Enterprise Foundation had to regard with caution.
If provoked, even the Integrated Enterprise Foundation could face dire repercussions.
Though that old woman had never intervened in power struggles, her unpredictable nature made her a wild card; who knew when she might decide to act?
Thus, Dirk had sent seven 'Golden Eyes' to surround Fang Li, primarily to gather intelligence.
To sacrifice seven precious combatants for a mere hint of information was not something an ordinary person could do.
But the 'Tyrant' could.
That was why Dirk had been able to maintain his position of power.
Not to mention, Fang Li held value in this equation.
After all, Fang Li and Dirk were not without their connections.
"At least send out the 'Ereshkigal'?" Dirk scoffed.
"Let me see what you plan to do."
(End Of This Chapter)