I Received System to Become Dragonborn-Chapter 997: Smoked

After hearing what Esther had said, Arty only nodded and decided to play along. She thought to herself that they must have done something like this many times before because the way they moved and reacted almost seemed like they could read one another’s minds with nothing but a glance.

That kind of silent understanding... Arty found it incredible. Surely it was forged from countless battles and times they spent together.

Having finished whispering with Arty Esther returned closer to the fire where Jan and the others still spoke with exaggerated voices.

She lowered her eyes slightly. Her lips unmoving and sent her words through the silent thread of her telepathy spell. Something that only she and the three others shared.

Arty, still new to the party, was not bound to their link.

Through that unseen bond Esther relayed everything Arty had told her.

Jan, Hund, and Annette received it with sharp focus, their outward laughter never breaking and all three of them gave the smallest of nods in return.

Their gazes met briefly, understanding flowing between them without a word.

Arty, watching from the edge of the firelight, blinked her eyes. She caught that subtle exchange and marveled at it.

"They can really talk with just looks? That’s... amazing."

She had no idea Esther’s telepathy Magic had carried words into their minds.

Within that hidden conversation, Jan’s tone was calm but firm. "We’ll move as planned. Don’t break the act. We’ll draw them out once they believes we’re asleep."

The others agreed instantly, confidence flowing like a current between them.

Soon after, Jan stretched his arms and feigning he was sleepy, and spoke aloud for all to hear.

"Alright, that’s enough for tonight. We’ve got to save our strength for tomorrow’s road. Best we get some rest."

Hund groaned in exaggerated relief and tossed the last of his bread into his mouth. "Good idea."

Annette gave a tired smile and rose, brushing dirt from her skirt. "Rest will do us good."

Esther nodded as if in agreement but then added gently, "I’ll keep first watch by the fire. The rest of you should sleep."

Jan gave no objection. "Fine. Don’t push yourself. Wake one of us if you sense anything."

With that, the group began their nightly retreat.

Annette gestured for Arty to join her in their shared tent, offering a reassuring smile.

Jan and Hund disappeared into their own tents, their shadows stretching long in the firelight before the tent flap fell closed.

Esther alone remained outside, seated cross-legged by the fire. Her staff resting across her knees. The flames reflecting in her eyes.

---

Meanwhile, the assassin lay flat against the cold ground, still watching the camp from the shadows of the undergrowth.

His breath slowed and his body pressed tight to the earth. When he saw the adventurers retreat into their tents his taut muscles finally loosened. Relief washed over him.

Carefully, he pulled a small parchment and a sharpened quill from his pack.

His hand moved quickly to write a terse but precise report about their encounter with the wyvern, the group’s movements, and the strange girl’s powers.

Once it was done he whispered an incantation and fire licked the parchment’s edge. The sheet crumbled to ash. The glowing embers vanishing into the night air.

The message was already delivered.

The assassin let out another sigh and his shoulders sagging. For just a moment he allowed himself to close his eyes.

But that fleeting rest was shattered when his instincts screamed.

He sensed danger!

His eyes flew open and his muscles immediately coiled.

An arrow hissed from the darkness. He twisted his body at the last instant. The shaft scraped his cheek, drawing a thin line of blood, before burying itself in the dirt.

The assassin rolled to his feet with his dagger flashing into his grip.

Another arrow streaked toward his head.

CLANG!

He deflected it with a sharp clang of steel.

"What the hell?!" his mind roared.

Then came the sound of rushing steps. A shadow burst from the brush charging at him with startling speed.

The gleam of steel caught the moonlight. It was a sword!

Hund’s tall frame crashed toward him with the blade swinging in a brutal arc.

CLANG!

The assassin snapped his dagger up, sparks flying as steel met steel.

The clash echoed through the silent forest.

Hund pressed forward without hesitation and sending heavy and unrelenting sword slash.

The assassin’s dagger flashed in the moonlight deflecting and redirecting his attacks with incredible speed.

CLANG!

CLANG!

CLANG!

...

Steel rang against steel in sharp bursts, their movements blurring together as they weaved between offense and defense.

Hund’s strength crashed down on him, forcing the assassin back step by step, yet the killer’s reflexes and precision made him a slippery foe.

From the treeline, Jan’s bowstring thrummed. An arrow hissed through the dark slicing past the two clashing figures.

The assassin ducked beneath it then his dagger parrying another of Hund’s attack before spinning his body to avoid a second arrow that split the air narrowly.

His breath came sharp, his movements desperate but still measured and experienced. His dodges buying him another heartbeat.

Hund growled, pressing his weight into another swing. Sparks flew as their blades locked only to break apart a moment later.

Jan shoot his arrow again and his arrow moving straight toward the assassin’s chest.

This time the killer wasn’t fast enough. The arrow hit his right arm with a sickening thud and he groaned in pain.

His dagger hand faltered and Hund nearly brought his sword down into his shoulder.

But before the finishing blow could land, the assassin’s form shuddered and warped.

His outline melted, black vapor seeping from his skin.

Hund’s blade cut only air as the man’s body collapsed into swirling shadows.

With a rush of wind the darkness slipped between the trees, spreading into the night like smoke consumed by the forest.

Hund staggered a step, sword still raised, scanning the undergrowth.

His chest heaved with fury. Jan’s bow remained drawn, eyes narrowing into the night, but the assassin had vanished.

---