The Insurrection of the Inept Hero

The next day, I went to the guild to pick out any quests that would be good for me. I need to regain my fighting spirit since I've become a little too peaceful.

I've still kept all my fighting knowledge, I just forgot the feeling of how to fight. Well, I have tested out how fast I can go in my Altima, and let's just say I'm… pretty fast. With Raiden equipped, I can basically run around the world in under a minute. Of course, I'm just assuming so don't listen to anything I say.

I eventually spotted one which required me to exterminate a few Stormblitzes. Stormblitzes, huh? Haven't seen them in a while... Guess I can get their souls and get summons out of them, even though I haven't used summons...

Anyway, I just need to practice since I'm probably a bit rusty from being so passive for the past months.

As I left, I went to the inn to retrieve my sword since I almost keep forgetting that it isn't part of Ethos Arsenal so I can't summon it at will. I have physically hold it in my hands. I also forget to activate Cursed White so it can float around me or just stick onto my back.

I eventually left Maroon to go to the place where the Stormblitzes were spotted. Though, something about the location was a bit off.

It was some mountains in the south.

It didn't take me long to get there from Maroon since I could nearly move at the speed of light using Cursed White. I would use Black Magic with Mystic Eyes of Interspace, but there were many side effects from using the Mystic Eyes of Interspace. I heard this from Hijiri, the guy with the blindfold.

Turns out that if you use repeatedly use the Mystic Eyes of Interspace, it could eventually get stuck on you and you won't be able to deactivate it again. I asked if that's why he was unable to deactivate it but he said he was born with those eyes and he still doesn't have enough control to deactivate it.

Either way, I already arrived at the mountains.

I scouted the area and searched for the Stormblitzes but I couldn't find any. There were no storm clouds anywhere or lightning traveling through the sky. It was just... quiet.

Strange...

I looked at the snow-covered mountain before landing in the field of snow. That's when I sensed mana coming from the ground beneath me.

"What the-?"

Immediately, a heavy ball of snow landed on top of me. I was unable to lift up Rebellious Shield in time so I took the hit directly.

As I struggled to get out, I heard voices from the outside.

"Wow, is this really the guy we are supposed to kill?" Said a male voice, speaking in an arrogant manner.

"Don't get so cocky. From what I've heard from the princess, he doesn't die so easily." Said another voice. This time it was a female's.

"Oh really? Well then, come on Mr. Hero, come out and play." The male voice taunted, which I assumed was directed to me.

Hmm... if I were to guess, they would be from Cocytus. Well, it's been a while since they've ambushed me. I thought they gave up but that doesn't seem to be the case.

Alright then.

I shuffled my hands together before performing Black Magic to escape the snow. I teleported on top of the pile of snow before turning towards the two figures.

As expected, they were from Cocytus. Both of them were ice elves. Using Analysis, it seems that one was a Mage while the other was obviously an Assassin. Their levels were both around 50,000... several levels above Deroc who was around level 29,000 at the time when I fought him. I know that because before I performed Timeless Purgatory, I also used Analysis before I dragged him inside my soul. The thing is, my active skill Timeless Purgatory is only absolutely effective if the person I fight is a lower level than me. There are also several ways but I always stick to the lower level strategy.

Anyway, it seems that Cocytus' king decided to bring the big guns. Well, can't blame him since I've already beaten a few of his assassins.

Hmm, now that I think of it...

"Are you guys actually soldiers serving under Cocytus and ordered to kill me, or just hitmen hired by Cocytus to kill me?" I asked the two.

"You can say the latter," the male responded. "But of course, we are still residents of Cocytus, just not serving the king directly."

"Ah, I see."

"Now then, let's stop talking," the male said before drawing his daggers, which were made of material similar to ice.

"Let's have some fun," He said, licking his lips.

I sighed as I looked around before asking-

"By any chance, did you kill the Stormblitzes that were spotted here?"

"Stormblitzes are currently in hibernation. They do not come out during the winter due to the cold climate and that affects their ability to generate lightning. If they don't have enough heat to charge up electricity in their body, then they die," the female explained.

I see then... so that means...

"You guys were the one that-"

"Yes, we were the ones who made that quest and as predicted, you took it due to your neglect as an adventurer." The female one spoke.

"Hmm, I'm a little suspicious as to how you know that but I won't ask."

If she knows that, then there might be someone from Cocytus watching me. Also, from now on, I'm having Celestia choose the quests for me. Well, not that I really need to anymore since I'm going to have Kainen give me quests.

Anyway-

I drew my sword and pointed it at the elves.

"Alright, enough talking. Let's fight."

"With pleasure!"

Immediately the Assassin vanished and appeared behind me, his dagger nearing my eye. I quickly kicked the pile of snow, launching myself away from him.

Then suddenly, the Mage shot a wave of ice spikes at me which I barely managed to dodge. Only one of them managed to impale me but I managed to dodge the rest.

When I landed on my feet, the Assassin appeared behind me and attempted to slash my nape, but I managed to drop to the floor before he could land a hit on me. After that, I launched him away using Distorted Fist.

The Assassin caught himself and skidded across the snow.

As I attempted to approached them, I felt a heavyweight on my arm and realized that my left arm was encased in ice.

I glanced at the mage before blowing melting the ice with Dragon Fire. After that, my hand was free, but the temperature immediately froze my hand since it was still wet.

"Now this is what I've been expecting. I almost thought that all the rumors about you were false. Though it doesn't look like you are trying so, I can't say it's all true," The Assassin chuckled before getting back into his stance.

"Rumors?"

"I believe my partner is speaking of another," The Mage replied. "We have declared another as an enemy, however they are highly dangerous and lethal in terms of brute strength."

"Huh? Wait, this isn't the Warlock Hero?" The Assassin asked his partner.

"No idiot, this is the Inept Hero."

"Oh... really?"

The Mage sighed and shook her head.

"Sometimes I wonder how you even became an Assassin in the first place."

"Aah well, it doesn't really matter. I'm actually glad it isn't the Warlock."

"And why are you glad?" I asked as I glared at him blankly.

The Assassin snickered before a massive grin appeared on his face."

"That's because-" He began.

"Don't Elre!" The Mage shouted at him but he didn't listen.

"You're weak."

Then he rushed at me and skewered me with his daggers. By the impact of his sudden attack, we slid across the field until we crashed into the mountain.

"Come on, Mr. Hero! There must be a reason you are our enemy! Is this really the man that killed the princess' brother, Myran?" The Assassin, Elre shouted at me as he continued to tear me apart with his daggers.

"Myran...?"

Elre gradually stopped when he heard me speak in a clear tone.

"...how are you talking? I lacerated your throat..." He asked but I ignored his question.

"Myran... wasn't he the weakling I killed with my Shadow King Domain?"

Elre backed away from me and I slowly got up as my body healed up.

"He didn't stand a chance against me. He was weak. I just toyed around with him, that's all. He didn't even have the final chance to say his goodbyes."

I clenched my hand and clapped them together, causing my shadow to spread.

"He was so confident too... and that is what led to his own death. So... if you don't want to end up like him, you might want to run... and I suggest you run further than the distance you are thinking of running."

"Wha-?"

"Elre!"

The Mage appeared beside Elre and grabbed onto his arm before flying away.

"What are you doing, Vaslyn!?" Elre shouted at Vaslyn.

"Idiot! He was going to attack. Do you not know how to sense mana? Seriously, how did you even become an Assassin?" Vaslyn responded.

"Tch, I don't care, just let me down!"

"Alright," I responded, and the two turned around.

"Huh?"

I neared Elre and performed an axe kick, sending him plummeting to the ground. Vaslyn, the Mage, began to conjure up a spell but I sent her flying with Distorted Fist.

As the two crashed into the ground, I descended slowly and grinned at them.

"Humph! You couldn't even tell if I was bluffing or not... well anyway, I'd like to thank you two for reminding me about that weakling. Without his death, I wouldn't be dealing with you lot of ice elves. Also, I didn't even know Joseph was an enemy like me until now, but whatever. Hmm... now that I think of it, is everyone in Cocytus an ice elf? Because I'm starting to think that is the case. Though, it doesn't really matter."

I then pointed my finger, preparing a Piercing Red.

"Now then, come on! Don't worry, I won't kill you..."

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