My Glitched World Throne System Came Ten Years Too Early!
Chapter 16: Assassin?

Chapter 16: 16: Assassin?

The journey back passed far more peacefully than Roderic had expected.

Following the small cuts he’d carved into the trees, he gradually made his way back towards his campsite.

The Blackfang Wolf’s hind leg hung over his shoulder, while several bundles of fur had been tied securely to his bag.

Every so often, he glanced around the forest.

’Not another one?’ he thought, feeling slightly disappointed.

He’d truly enjoyed his first fight here.

It was completely different from all the underhanded violence he was used to back on Earth.

’Knives were just too common in my neighborhood,’ he thought, shaking his head. ’It truly can’t compare to a head-to-head fight like this.’

Letting out a deep, satisfied sigh, a smile grew on Roderic’s face.

Before long, a familiar river came into view.

His makeshift shelter still stood beneath the large tree, while his campfire had seemingly only just gone out.

’’Home sweet home,’’ he muttered lightly.

Roderic tossed the wolf’s leg onto a flat rock beside the campfire.

Crouching down slightly, he quickly re-lit the fire before standing back up.

’’Mhm, how should I prepare thi—’’

TWANG!

A sharp whistling noise rang out behind him.

Roderic’s hair stood on end as his instincts screamed at him to move.

But it was already too late.

Thud!

A violent impact slammed into his left shoulder.

The force threw him several steps forward before he stumbled to one knee.

’’GHK!’’ Roderic groaned as he clenched his jaw.

For a split second, he couldn’t even process what had happened.

Then, an unbearable pain shot through his left shoulder.

Roderic glanced behind him.

The back of an arrow stuck out of his shoulder, blood slowly leaking out.

’’...!’’

Suddenly, his instincts screamed at him to move.

Without hesitation, he rolled to the side.

WHOOSH!

Another arrow shot into the ground where he’d been standing only a second earlier.

’Someone’s here!’

Ignoring the burning pain, Roderic forced himself back onto his feet.

His entire left arm hung limply at his side.

Hell, he couldn’t even feel his fingers anymore!

’’Damn it,’’ he cursed, quickly drawing one of his blades with his right hand.

Rustle!

The bushes behind him slowly spread apart.

A broad-shouldered man with an incredibly muscular build and a large scar over his arm walked forward with a smirk on his face.

’’Dodged the second one, eh?’’ he said, his voice hoarse as he pulled a massive greatsword off his back. ’’I wouldn’t have done that if I were you.’’

A small blue inscription lit up on the man’s hand before a thick layer of aura wrapped around the sword.

’’An easy death is off the table now,’’ he said, grinning wildly.

Roderic didn’t say a word.

His grip tightened around his blade as he forced himself to ignore the pain.

’This bastard...’ he thought, gritting his teeth. ’He’s definitely a mercenary, and he has one Aura Seal too.’

He slowly changed his stance, turning his injured shoulder away from the mercenary.

The mercenary pointed at Roderic’s shoulder, his grin only growing wider.

’’That arm hurts, right?’’ he asked, tilting his head. ’’Let me cut it off for you!’’

Without another word, he bent his knees.

WHOOSH!

He rapidly burst forward, greatsword raised above him.

The distance rapidly began closing between them.

Roderic gritted his teeth, not moving an inch.

Aura began to light up around his blade.

He forced himself to watch the mercenary’s approach, resisting every instinct telling him to dodge early.

’Wait,’ he thought, heart racing.

The entire world began to blur around him, all his attention focused on the incoming greatsword.

SHHHH!

The greatsword whistled through the air as it came crashing down.

Roderic twisted his body at the last possible moment.

At the same time, the hook of his Azure blade shot up.

CLANG!

The hook slammed against the side of the greatsword, sending the strike off course.

BOOM!

The massive greatsword buried itself deep into the ground beside Roderic, dirt and shattered rocks spraying in every direction.

’Now!’

Roderic stepped in without hesitation.

His blade already swept towards the mercenary’s exposed neck.

The mercenary’s eyes narrowed.

Without the slightest hesitation, he released his grip on the greatsword and quickly took a step back.

Whoosh!

The tip of the Azure blade cut through empty air, missing him by only a few inches.

Roderic immediately pulled back his sword, staring cautiously at the man in front of him.

The mercenary let out a low whistle, both eyebrows slowly rising.

’’Well, I’ll be damned,’’ he said, scratching his unshaven chin with a puzzled look. ’’The request didn’t mention an Aura Seal at all.’’

The mercenary’s grin gradually faded.

He actually started looking Roderic up and down as he pulled out a knife.

’’You’ve hidden it pretty well, kid,’’ he muttered. ’’Unfortunately, I can’t back out of this either.’’

The knife casually spun around his fingers before settling into a reverse grip.

’’The client paid good money,’’ he said with a shrug. ’’I’m not about to throw away my reputation either.’’

Roderic still chose to remain silent.

It wasn’t like he didn’t know who had hired the man.

And it didn’t matter right now either.

’Greatsword, bow, and now a knife,’ he thought. ’Seems to be a poor-quality skinning knife, though.’

He paused for a moment. ’I can set a trap with that.’

His left arm continued throbbing relentlessly, blood slowly dripping onto the ground below.

At this rate, he knew it wouldn’t be long before he lost consciousness.

The mercenary slowly rolled his shoulders before flashing Roderic a bloodthirsty grin.

’’Let’s finish this,’’ he said calmly.

Without another word, his feet pushed off the ground.

He shot forward once again, only this time far more cautiously than before.

His knife remained low by his waist as he rapidly closed the distance.

The moment the mercenary entered striking range, he suddenly tossed the knife forward.

’Left!’

Roderic instinctively swung his blade down.

CLANG!

Sparks flew through the air as the knife was knocked up into the air.

The impact had barely finished before the mercenary’s fist came hurtling toward his face.

Roderic gritted his teeth, barely managing to lean back.

The mercenary snatched the knife out of the air and instantly slashed toward Roderic’s throat.

Just then, a small smile appeared on Roderic’s face.

’Got you.’