The man didn't stop there. He used his second dagger to cut Azael's neck.
But just then something dashed in their direction.
The man's instincts screamed.
He already knew someone had been hiding nearby. His plan had been simple, kill the young man quickly and escape. It hadn't even been five minutes since the fight started.
And yet someone had already intervened. The man quickly pulled the dagger out of Azael's shoulder.
Then he crossed both of his daggers in front of him to block the incoming strike.
CLANG!
BAM!
The force behind the attack was terrifying. The man was thrown backward through the air as if struck by a hammer.
BOOM!
His body crashed into a nearby tree trunk.
Thud!
He fell onto the ground heavily.
"Cough—!"
A mouthful of blood escaped from his lips as he forced himself to look up at the figure who had attacked him.
She was an extremely beautiful woman.
Her long crimson hair was tied in a high ponytail. Her amethyst-colored eyes glowed sharply. Her tanned skin looked enchanting even in the dim forest light.
Even though she was wearing light armor, her curves were impossible to hide.
"I guess that was enough," Arista said calmly while looking toward Azael.
She walked over to him and gently stroked his head.
"You did much better than I thought, Azael. Now just rest. I will handle that man."
Azael held his wounded shoulder as blood streamed down his arm.
Arista handed him a healing potion.
"Drink this."
Azael nodded. Taking off its lid, he gulped down it. Warmth spread through his body. As cuts and wounds on his body started to heal. Each of them meding slowly.
"This is good..." He muttered.
She looked at him getting heal then slowly turned toward the enemy.
Meanwhile, the hooded man pushed himself up from the ground with difficulty.
"You… you are Arista Ignivar… why are you attacking me? What have I done to you?"
The man questioned her in confusion.
He didn't understand why she had ordered that boy to fight him earlier… and now she had personally stepped in.
Arista looked at him calmly. "What have you done to me?" she repeated.
Then she shrugged slightly. "Well… nothing." She spoke casually as if it wasn't a big deal.
Azael was also curious why did she asked him to stop that man. There wasn't anything suspicious about him. Then why did she asked this.
Arista continued to talk. "But… that letter." Her eyes narrowed slightly. "Can you give it to me? I'll leave you alive if you obey."
The man tensed instantly. His expression under the hood crumbled. His hands tightened around the daggers.
He couldn't run. He knew very well who Arista Ignivar was. She was not someone weak. Slowly, he raised his daggers.
Arista sighed slightly. "So that's your answer."
Then she vanished from her position in blinked of eyes.
The man's eyes widened. "What—?!" Before he could even react.
Clang!
A sword appeared in Arista's hand as she suddenly reappeared right in front of him. Her blade slashed downward with terrifying speed. The man barely managed to raise his daggers in time to block it.
But the impact forced him to his knees.
Boom!
The ground cracked beneath his feet.Before he could recover himself from her first strike.
Slash!
Arista's sword moved again. The blade cut across his chest armor hidden beneath the hood, sending sparks flying.
The man quickly rolled backward to create distance. Wind energy burst around his body.
He lunged forward again, daggers flashing toward her neck and ribs. But Arista didn't even move much.
Clang!
Clang!
Clang!
Each of his strikes was effortlessly blocked. Her sword moved smoothly, precisely deflecting every dagger attack.
Then suddenly.
Boom!
Her knee slammed directly into his stomach.
"Gahh!"
The man coughed violently as his body bent forward.
Before he could regain his balance from her attack.
BAM!
Arista's elbow smashed across his face. Blood sprayed into the air as the hooded man was thrown backward again.
He rolled across the ground before barely managing to stand again. His breathing was already heavy.
But Arista looked completely calm.
She stepped forward slowly. "You really thought you could escape?"
The man gritted his teeth. Wind exploded around him again. He dashed forward desperately. He used his mana to use as much as wind possible.
His daggers moved wildly now.
Slash!
Slash!
Slash!
But Arista easily sidestepped every attack easily.
Slash!
Her sword cut across his arm.
Blood splattered onto the ground painting it red.
"Aaagh!" He screamed in pain. Before he could react.
Crack!
Her kick slammed into his knee. A horrible cracking sound echoed as the man collapsed to one knee.
His daggers fell from his hands. Arista grabbed his collar and slammed him into the ground.
Boom!
Dust scattered into the air. She placed her foot firmly on his chest, pinning him down.
Then she pointed her sword at his throat. "So… who are you?"
The man remained silent. His breathing was ragged. But he said nothing. He had no intention to say anything.
Arista stared at him for a moment. Then she sighed softly. "Stubborn."
She crouched down and reached into his outfit. Within seconds she pulled out the envelope.
The same letter. She glanced at it briefly.
She grabbed his head with left hand. She slammed his face on ground as the ground shattered by the impact.
BOOM!
"Arrgghh!" Blood sprayed everywhere as she continued to slam him on ground.
The man struggled desperately, trying to breathe.
"Now care to explain who are you? For whom you work?"
The man battered. Barely able to talk. "N-n-no.."
Then her hand suddenly grabbed the man's throat. She lifted him into the air as if he weighed nothing. His feet dangled helplessly above the ground.
Golden-red flames slowly began rising from Arista's hand. Phoenix Fire.
The flames spread across the man's body.
"AARRRGHHHH!"
The forest echoed with his screams. The fire burned fiercely, consuming him completely. Within seconds his body turned black and lifeless.
Arista released her grip.
Thud.
The burned corpse collapsed onto the ground. The golden-red flames slowly faded away.
Silence returned to the forest.
Meanwhile Azael who was watching this wanted to whistle.
He could think only one thing. ' She is so strong and crazy!'