Trish moved swiftly between the men, daggers flashing as their necks opened one after another. They didn't even have time to react. She might've looked like a frail young lady, but Trish was every bit the assassin she claimed to be.
"That looks cool," Isaac said dryly, watching the bodies of Raiser's men drop like dominoes.
He slid left, a blade slicing the ground where he'd been a second before, carving a deep mark into the dirt. Isaac tilted his head, unimpressed.
"You do know what you're doing is bad for the environment, right? The grass, the flowers—ever heard of gratitude?" he mocked, flipping back as another strike nearly caught him.
"You talk too much," Raiser growled, lunging forward, sword aimed straight at Isaac's throat.
The red mist thickened around Isaac, swirling into jagged spears that formed in front of him, intercepting the strike.
"You're one crafty rat, you know that," Raiser muttered.
"I've been told," Isaac replied, smiling like he'd just been complimented.
Raiser stepped back, lips curling into a grin. "I'm gonna get serious now."
He raised his sword, cutting the air in front of him.
Isaac smirked. "You should really take those sunglasses off, old man. Looks like your eyesight's going bad." He grabbed one of the floating spears and hurled it—only to feel pain tear across his back. His hand came away slick with blood.
Raiser slashed the air again. Another wound ripped across Isaac's chest.
"That's cheating," Isaac hissed, stumbling back as the cuts burned.
But Raiser didn't stop. He kept swinging at nothing, every motion leaving a new mark on Isaac's body. Dodging didn't matter; the wounds followed anyway.
"Tsk. Annoying bastard," Isaac spat.
"You're good, kid," Raiser said, voice steady. "Most people would be begging on their knees by now."
Isaac's eyes glowed faintly. He activated his [All Seeing Eye]. The world dimmed, then burst into colors, shapes, and flowing streams of mana. He tracked Raiser's movements, watched the energy swirl inside his body. But that was it—nothing left him.
That doesn't make sense.
Mana had rules. It stayed inside to strengthen the body, sharpen senses, or fuel a skill like his [All Seeing Eye]. To affect the world outside, it had to leave. So how was Raiser cutting him without it?
For a moment, Isaac thought it was spatial movement. But no—the answer was different.
"What are you thinking about?" Raiser taunted, closing in with another slash.
The strike clanged against Isaac's red spears. Isaac smiled faintly. "I see now. What a sneaky little bastard."
The mist behind him swelled, condensing into a crimson armor that wrapped his body.
Raiser's grin faltered. He sensed the danger instantly.
"You really are interesting… and strong," he said, slashing the air again.
Isaac lunged, crimson claws tearing from his gauntleted hand.
"What… what is this?" Raiser's eyes widened. He slashed again and again, but nothing landed. Panic flickered across his face.
"I know your secret now," Isaac said, his claws raking across Raiser's chest. Blood sprayed as the man was thrown back.
Raiser coughed, forcing himself upright, preparing for the next strike. But Isaac vanished. Pain split Raiser's back a moment later, dropping him to his knees.
"It only took two attacks to put you down. I'm disappointed," Isaac said, appearing in front of him, a red spear in hand. He drove it through Raiser's leg and crouched, eye-level with his prey. "You had your fun toying with me. Now it's my turn."
"VICKY!" Raiser roared, calling for his companion.
Trish dragged the unconscious woman into view, gripping her hair like a leash.
"You know," Isaac said with a smile, "you almost had me."
"How did you know?" Raiser rasped.
"It wasn't easy. But every time you attacked, a different mana flow triggered it. I just followed it back… to her." Isaac's grin sharpened.
Raiser glared. "What are you going to do with us?"
''you?... nothing good But someone with her talent for hypnosis? That's useful." He glanced at Trish, who gave a curt nod before knocking Raiser out cold.
Isaac raised a hand. Red mist spun outward, weaving into a sticky web that bound both captives tight.
"You okay?" Trish asked.
"Yeah," Isaac stretched his arms, flashing a lazy smile. "Didn't even hurt. Just a mental trick to mess with me."
He strolled toward the barrier where Ramos and his son were hiding. "Shall we? It's been a long night."
Trish ripped a piece of enchanted paper. Purple smoke burst, forming a door. She tossed the captives inside before dispelling the barrier.
"Is it over?" Ramos asked, clutching his boy.
Trish nodded.
"Thank God." He hugged his son tight, eyes heavy with relief. His gaze drifted to Rick's body, sadness carving into his features. He turned to Isaac and Trish. "What should we do now?"
"We'll escort you home," Trish said softly. "A cleaning team's already on its way. There's nothing more for us here."
"I see…" Ramos lowered his head, tears spilling down his face. "I guess it's over now."