Boom! Boom!
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[Temporary Mana Depletion]
└ Mana: 41 --> 39
[Mana Regeneration]
└ 1.2/Minute
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Cassien calmly sighed as the barrier around both bandits broke apart after the formed magical bullet struck through the light green glow.
But he shot twice. The first one was strictly meant to break their protection.
And the second one…
Yeah, the second one dealt some real damage, judging by the reaction from the smaller bandit.
"Jarold…" The smaller bandit looked down at his fallen ally. "Jarold, you're just sleeping, right?"
The barrier around them began to disperse along with the light green glow.
No response came from the bigger bandit as he fell flat on his face, dropping whatever tool he had been gripping in his hand.
"Jarold, you're still alive… right?"
The smaller one dropped to his knees, holding him tightly. "Brother!"
Cassien felt a smug grin forming as he approached them through the cracked, tough metal gates with caution.
While the other bandit remained wary, the one who had just taken a bullet through the skull was in no state to move.
And the one who hadn't, was in no position to attempt anything but to weep tears of sorrow and despair.
"I thought we were invincible together, Jarold! This was supposed to work just as the boss said it would! Why didn't it?!"
"Because I'm here." Cassien walked toward them, tapping the pistol against the side of his head twice. "And I killed him. Your boss probably didn't account for me while making such a plan. Although, He's quite intelligent to know exactly when the guards are off their shift. Which brings me to wonder, who could've sold out that information?"
Blood continued to pour from Jarold, and it was more evident than ever that if he didn't die now, he would soon, as the blood kept seeping from his skull onto the pavement.
The smaller bandit trembled. "J-just what r-rank a-are you?"
Cassien crouched down, then shoved the pistol into the smaller bandit's mouth aggressively.
"It's funny you're asking questions. Who decided that?"
His tone was steady and merciless.
"U-uh…" The man Cassien left alive tried to speak with the pistol still in his mouth, but he could barely breathe. "U-uh-uh-uh!"
Tears streamed down his face as Cassien pulled the Glock out of his mouth.
"My bad," Cassien whispered, holding the muzzle just at the side of the bandit's head.
He ripped off the criminal's black mask. It wasn't like the face mattered much either way, but he did it out of personal curiosity and enjoyment.
The bandit breathed heavily, trying to grasp his situation.
"Now, I'll start asking questions." Cassien assumed the bandit might hesitate, so he made a deal. "Oh, by the way, I made sure not to hit a critical spot on your 'Jarold' over here. If you answer quickly enough, I'll let both of you go so you can take him to a medic. Does that sound fair?"
The smaller one looked up at him, then nodded quickly, still in shock.
Cassien stretched, pulling out a notebook and pen he had stored in his pocket.
It made sense. After all, that was just how the original Cassien was. Always cautious and prepared.
He clicked his pen, pressing the tip against the paper of the small notebook.
Cassien looked down, then began to ask in a serious tone.
"Answer fast if you want your beloved 'brother' to survive. Understand?"
The small bandit nodded, visibly afraid.
Screams continued to echo in the distance, but Cassien needed to be smart about infiltrating the elementary school without more information.
Then, Cassien spoke.
"Your rank?"
"F."
"How many of you are there?"
"10, including us."
"Is everyone capped at F rank?"
"No, some are E, and the boss is low D."
"Categorize them properly and give me their locations within the school." Cassien exhaled, then gave him a cold stare. "I can tell if you're lying. Do that, and I won't hesitate to kill both of you."
The bandit gulped, watching his brother's blood continue to seep out. "There are 7 Initiates, 2 Trainees, and 1 Adept, the boss."
In this world, ranks weren't just alphabetical; they also had specific titles, which Cassien understood clearly.
And initiate meant they had just awakened their mana core.
"Elemental affinities?"
The questions continued.
"Most of them are grass, and the boss is the only dual-elemental mage. He doesn't use weapons. He also has grass, but his second element is unknown to us."
'Hello there, extra.'
Cassien blinked. "You still haven't told me their locations."
The smaller man recalled the earlier plan, then spoke. "The Initiates are split between the second and third floors. The trainees and the boss are in the atrium."
"What was the plan?"
"To take everyone in the atrium hostage and not release them until they're paid in gold coins."
Cassien sighed briefly. "I see. You can leave now."
The smaller bandit looked up. "Really?"
"What? You think I'm joking? Leave. Your brother will die if you don't get him to a medic soon."
"O-Okay!"
Cassien pocketed the notebook and pen, watching as the bandit struggled to carry his brother.
He began walking forward. His goal was to start on the second floor, then work his way down.
As he walked away, he pulled out his pistol and glanced over his shoulder.
Cassien's finger rolled over the trigger. A small magical circle engraved with strange symbols appeared in front of the barrel, aligned with the muzzle, and he slid the slide back.
Boom! Boom!
"Sorry, but I can't let you live after infiltrating my sister's school."
Cassien blew the smoke from the muzzle coolly.
Both bandits' bodies fell face-first.
This time, he made sure to hit both of their vital spots accurately.
Because he wanted them both dead.
Which they were now.
Cassien bore the guilt of killing them, but it had to be done. He couldn't trust them because they were nothing more than his enemies.
Nothing more than people who deserved death in his eyes.
And if he left them alive, they could've worked against him in the near future.
Cassien sighed.
While he walked forward to the front of the school, a faint yellow mana flow encircled him.
He exhaled calmly again, closing his eyes briefly.
"Time to kill the rest."