The Guild Of Shadows

Grover Down

"We can actually win this!"

Krystal had his hands folded as he watched the general plop in confusion.

In front of him were the countless soldiers and Kira, who were trapped by their own shadow.

He dubbed this technique "Shadow Realm Prison."

The inside of the shadow itself was a whole different dimension; that was why Yusaku Ona could not sense his army even after using seismic sense, an advanced Anima technique in which the user could feel the presence of everything and everyone within the radius of their Anima's aura.

In this case, Yusaku Ona's seismic sense could reach well over one kilometer.

"We don't have much time; Grover should wrap this up."

Krystal was feeling the backlash of the hundreds of soldiers trying to use their aura to escape.

"If it goes on like this, they'll escape in less than five minutes.".

Five minutes—that was the time Grover had to deliver a finishing blow to the agitated general.

'Here goes nothing.'

He channeled his anima and was now mimicking a familiar motion.

It was the motion of Killswitch, Krystal's signature move.

"Direct hit!"

"The bastards are down!"

"It's over!"

The allied army started celebrating, but it was too quick. Yusaku Ona emerged from the dust of the attack unscathed.

His gaze looked more agitated than ever.

Grover was sweating all over at this sudden turn of events; the corners of his lips were trembling. 

'How is he still standing after taking that hit?' 

His shock didn't end there, as what Yusaku Ona said afterward made his entire body tremble. 

"Did you really think an attack from a fake would hurt me?"

"How did you know?"

It was at that moment...

The shadow trap was broken, and all the soldiers emerged. As if things couldn't get any worse. Krystal, who had drained most of his Anima, lost his balance as Vladmir gave him a hand.

They were in the very middle of the army.

"Tsk, it seems we have no choice now, Vo.". 

Krystal said with a devious smile on his face as he cracked his knuckles.

"Let's show these bastards what the Shadows Guild is made up of, captain!". 

The man-beast replied as he summoned his hammer.

The two monsters then charged towards the army.

It was 2 men vs. 200 men.

No, what transpired made it look like it was two dragons scorching a field filled with ants.

"Kill switch!"

"Thunder Mash!"

The soldiers were sent flying in different directions.

At the same time...

Kira, who was also freed from her shadow, rushed towards Yusaku Ona and a knocked-out Grover, whose transformation had ended.

"General! You're okay!"

"It seems my brother couldn't make it."

"Yes, sir, I just received a letter from him, and the contents are disturbing."

She hesitated before handing him a letter.

The contents were... "Go get yourself."

Yusaku Ona scoffed as he stared at the army of 50 and the trio that was dashing towards him.

He was still angry that these people would dare try such a trick on him.

His chaotic aura started to fill the area, and the charging army started to shake in fear; some of them were paralyzed, others lost consciousness immediately. 

This was the wrath of Yusaku Ona.

It was only the trio that were barely walking now; they were looking all battered and weak, and even a simple flick on their forehead could knock them out.

"Accursed artifact users, don't get fright, for you will pass unto the afterlife with your sins burned away.". 

He pulled out his sword, which was crafted with ellium ore.

A substance was discovered four hundred years ago that could withstand the force of artifact powers. 

Once the ore is smelted, it becomes the hardest metal in the world, thus making it the most suitable material for fighting against artifact users. 

It was the ultimate weapon developed to fight against artifact users.

Kira did the same; hers was a rapier.

"Now you all shall perish!" 

He dashed towards the weakened trio to deliver the finishing blow.

"Snatch Steal!"

His sword disappeared and was in the hand of a battered Grover.

Snatch stealing doesn't just copy other artifacts' abilities; it also allows Grover to swipe any item from his target. 

"Huff. Huff, I'm not done with you yet."". 

The weakened thief spoke as he stood in front of the trio to protect them.

''It was my plan they followed. I won't let you harm them any further''

He thought to himself as he took a glance at the current battlefield.

Krystal and Vladmir were holding their own against what remained a few dozen soldiers, but the two were weakened from using their combined anima to cast the failed Shadow Prison. 

They had barely even recuperated from the injuries they gave each other a week ago.

''Those two idiots are being too reckless; their wounds will open up if this continues any further...' 

He shook his head, not wanting to imagine the possible future.

He now had a determined look on his face. As he pointed the blade at Yusaku Ona.

"I won't let you hurt these bastards any further!"

"Kira, hand me your sword." 

She complied with her general's order and took a few steps back. 

Grover charged at him and took a swing, only for the man to dodge the attack effortlessly.

That wasn't going to stop him, though. 

He kept swinging the sword at him, with none of his attacks seeming to hit. 

This went on for about 10 minutes.

"I like your ferocity, brave warrior."

He was commended as he kept dodging the sword strikes. 

Grover was not a swordsman, nor had he ever received any sword training except for fencing. 

He had a decent level of fencing skills, which he learned from his mother when he was a mere child. 

But he had never actually tried to fence, and even if he did, it wouldn't change the fact that the sword he was holding wasn't a fencing sword, which puts him at a major disadvantage against the prolific swordsmanship of Yusaku Ona. 

He didn't know how to use a regular sword, yet he kept swinging the blade, hoping to strike down his foe.

"But fury and no talent will only lead to your demise!" 

Yusaku Ona thrust his sword forward, blocking the incoming attack, as he delivered a blow to the thief.

The trio then had a disgusted expression on their faces as blood splattered on their faces.

Ruth couldn't control herself as he screamed.

If only they could use their artifacts, if only they weren't victims of the mad general's aura burst attack. 

Then they could have avoided what had just transpired.

Grover dropped the sword he was holding as everyone had a shocking expression except for Kira, who smirked as she watched blood dripping from Yusaku Ona's sword. 

The battlefield was quiet.

"Grover!!!!!!" 

Krystal's aura spiked a lot, and he sent a soldier flying as he started to rush over to the other side.

"Hahahahaha! Perish, you accursed artifact  user."" He laughed like a maniac.

Yusaku Ona had a devious smile on his face as he licked the blood on his sword.

Grover had a hole in his chest.