"Oh, this is interesting. A spell that's either similar to teleport, or even more interesting, a spell to summon monsters."

Robert was getting excited not only because of the unknown spell used, but because he decided to use battle alchemy for the first time in actual combat. Alexander and the others took out their weapons and were ready for battle.

"Since none of you wish to make a proper transaction, I have no business being here. I have other things to attend to, but in my stead, these playmates will keep you company."

Zehn's tone remained as calm as ever, as though he had merely finished discussing the price of wine rather than unleashing monsters in the middle of the lower district. The men with him had also drawn their weapons, ready for battle.

It was pretty obvious to Lucen that Zehn was planning to flee in the chaos.

The moment the vermillion kobolds appeared and the alley filled with killing intent, Zehn had already taken half a step backward.

It was subtle, almost impossible to notice for anyone focused on the monsters and the armed men in front of them, but Lucen saw it clearly.

"You think you can escape?" Lucen spoke, his aura mantle white like falling snow. "You guys deal with the others. That guy is mine."

The second, he said, those words Lucen took a step forward. The vermillion Kobolds howled and charged at Lucen with incredible speed and ferocity.

Once one of them got near enough, they brought down their claws at him, but to everyone's surprise, what they hit was something similar to an afterimage.

Several Lucens appeared in front of the vermillion Kobolds, and as if taunting them, these Lucens were walking towards the vermillion Kobolds.

This enraged the vermillion Kobold, who started using their claws and teeth to rip apart Lucen, but all they did was scratch the wind.

It happened in seconds, and Lucen appeared in front of Zehn. He had used the Unbound Demonic Stride. His companions were amazed by the technique he had used.

'As expected of my Big brother. He keeps advancing forward so fast. Did he create that movement technique? It's the first time I've seen him use it.' Cael was very impressed by his brother's ever-forward march to better himself.

'Hoh, how interesting. A technique using one's aura, footwork, and a bit of killing intent to make the illusion that there are several people instead of one. It's also hard to tell which one is fake and which one is real.'

Robert was once again reminded that Lucen wasn't just one who created objects, but he was also one who learned and created anything that would strengthen himself.

'I already knew he was holding back when he fought me, but by how much?... I guess I have a long way to go. Still, for some reason, I feel that it isn't that far, and if I just stretch my hand, I can also reach him... I'd better stop, I just need to focus on what's happening now.' Alexander thought to himself.

'So that is the Ever-Victorious...' Mina was lost for words at the sight she saw. She could not even understand what had happened; all she saw was that Lucen had become several people, and now he was standing in front of the enemy leader.

'I thought the rumors were an exaggeration done by the ducal houses to boost their image, but I guess I was wrong. Cael Thornehart might be a genius, but Lucen Thornehart is a monster among geniuses.' Nina held the handle of her rapier tighter and then loosened it as she sighed.

'What was that?! It wasn't a spell, so that means did he do that with aura?' Like everyone else, Ryan was quite amazed by what he had seen.

Zehn's calm mask finally cracked, if only for the briefest moment.

His eyes widened slightly beneath the white mask as Lucen appeared in front of him, far faster than anyone should have been able to move in such a narrow space.

Even then, that surprise lasted for only an instant before it was buried beneath his usual composure.

"How troublesome," Zehn murmured.

The second those words left his mouth, a thin blade slipped out from beneath his cloak and flashed toward Lucen's throat.

Lucen's battle instinct had already warned him of the danger. He tilted his head just enough for the blade to pass beside his neck, then drove his fist straight toward Zehn's chest.

Zehn twisted his body and barely avoided the full force of the strike, but even so, the pressure from the punch alone made his cloak whip violently.

"Hoh, this is interesting. I'm sure you don't have aura, and only have mana. But I didn't sense you using enhancement spells, meaning you can move that way without any. Truly interesting."

Lucen spoke with great interest. His power and speed, even without using his aura mantle and mana, were far greater than most, yet this person was able to evade one of his attacks that he truly aimed to hit with just his physique.

Zehn gave a faint laugh beneath the shadow of his hood. "To be praised by the ruby-eyed monster himself. I wonder if I should feel honored."

Lucen shrugged his shoulder as he responded, "Think whatever you want."

Zehn's eyes curved slightly, though the smile beneath his mask could not be seen.

"Then I suppose I shall think of this as an unfortunate meeting between two curious men."

The moment Zehn finished speaking, his free hand moved.

A small magic circle no larger than a plate appeared beside Lucen's ribs. From it, a black spike of mana shot out like a spear.

Lucen's battle instinct screamed at him before the spike fully emerged. He twisted his body and let the attack graze past his side, tearing cloth but failing to pierce flesh. At the same time, Lucen stepped in and drove his elbow toward Zehn's jaw.

Zehn raised his blade just in time. Steel and bone met with a sharp crack. Even though he blocked it, the force still pushed him back several steps across the alley stones.

"You're pretty good. I guess I need to take this a little more seriously." Lucen used gun creation and created two Mauser C96s.

"Hoh, is that your famous unique magic. I-" While Zehn was talking, Lucen fired a shot aimed at the leg, and the bullet did not reach as it was blocked by a mana barrier.

"That's pretty rude, to attack while I'm talking," Zehn spoke still with a relaxed tone, but inside, he was not that relaxed. That shot was not something he could follow with his eyes. If he had not activated his mana barrier as he was talking, he might have lost a leg.

"Then it's a good thing you activated it ahead of time," he replied casually, as though the two of them were merely exchanging observations during practice rather than trying to bring the other down in the middle of a fight. He did not fire again immediately.

"Are you really not going to let me retreat? Maybe we can make another deal instead?" Zehn asked while he was concentrating his mana, preparing to do something.

"Heh, I already told you just tell me where the missing people are, and I'll make your punishment lighter."

"So either way, I get punished. Then there's no deal to be had." The second he finished his words, several magic circles appeared surrounding Lucen, and black mana spears came flying out.

Lucen had anticipated something like that to happen and used Unbound Demonic Stride to evade the attack and even close the gap between him and Zehn. Lucen fired several shots aimed at Zehn's legs.

This time, the mana barrier could not handle the intensity and broke. Still, Zehn had already enhanced his senses and physical abilities using various spells. He was able to get away from Lucen, or so he thought.

Lucen appeared behind him. "Unfortunately for you, this range is within my domain. You'd better surrender now while you can walk."

Zehn's eyes narrowed beneath the white mask. Even now, with Lucen standing behind him and both Mausers raised, his expression did not completely collapse.

"Your domain?" Zehn asked lightly.

"Yeah, the distance you're in is within the range of movement. As for my range of attack, well, even if you run a thousand skael, I can still hit you." 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝒆𝔀𝒆𝙗𝓷𝒐𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝓶

Zehn let out a quiet laugh, though there was less ease in it now than before. "You really do say frightening things so casually."

Lucen's smile remained easy, almost amused. "I'm being nice. If I wanted you dead, I would've aimed higher."

For the first time, the silence between them grew heavy. Zehn could feel it now. Lucen was not bluffing. The two strange guns, different from what was being sold to the public, and even to the army, were something incredible.

"As I said, I still need answers from you. So once again I'm offering you to surrender. Of course, if you don't comply, I can just make it so that you can't flee from me." Lucen pointed his guns at Zehn's legs.

A slow smile appeared on Zehn's face. "You truly are a frightening individual, ruby-eyed monster, but as I said, I don't plan on getting captured."

It was at that moment that Lucen sensed something different; there was something going on with Zehn.

Lucen quickly fired at Zehn, and several bullets aimed at Zehn's legs flew towards their target. In this distance, even Zehn with his enhanced physical abilities should not be able to dodge, nor did he have time to cast a mana barrier, but to Lucen's surprise, Zehn was able to evade the bullets.

Lucen's battle instincts screamed at him as he quickly evaded backward. A large black spear came out from where Lucen was standing before.

"I did tell you I can give you quick and easy power. Of course, I can give it to myself as well." Zehn, whose muscles were bulging, spoke as a hideous smile appeared on his face.