The Useless Prince Is A Gangster

Leonhardt froze, his red eyes narrowing at the black-cloaked figure wearing a blank mask. He hadn't heard the figure approach, which unnerved him.

He forced a laugh, scratching his head with a grin. "Well, damn, didn't see you there, buddy," he said, keeping his tone light. "You always sneak up on people like that?"

The masked figure stayed quiet. But the dark, deadly energy gave off was overwhelming, colder and stronger than anything Leonhardt had faced before. It felt like staring into a bottomless pit.

Rin lifted her staff. "Stay back!" she shouted, firing a bright beam of energy at the figure. The forest lit up in a flash, but the figure raised a hand, and a swirling black hole appeared in its palm, sucking up the attack completely. The mana vanished without a trace.

Rin's eyes widened. "What… what are you?" she whispered, her voice full of shock.

Leonhardt whistled, his grin hiding his growing worry. "Okay, that's a neat trick," he said. "Gotta say, you're starting to piss me off."

Nimbus growled and charged in his panther form. The figure barely moved, pointing at the beast. Suddenly, it shot out a blast of purple energy which was Rin's attack. The light hit Nimbus mid-jump, and with a pained cry, the panther turned into shadow sparks and disappeared.

Rin gasped, her hand covering her mouth. Leonhardt's jaw tightened. The forest went quiet, too quiet without Nimbus. His crimson eyes burned with anger, and his katana appeared. "You bastard!" he roared, swinging his sword in a fiery arc. Flames shot toward the figure, burning the ground.

But the figure vanished in a flash and appeared behind Leonhardt instantly. Before he could turn, a fist wrapped in dark energy slammed into his back with crushing force. He crashed into the ground, dirt and leaves flying. He groaned, his vision fading as he blacked out.

"Leonhardt!" Rin screamed in fear. Her staff glowed brighter, shining with holy light. "You'll pay for that!" she yelled, firing a huge beam of light magic that shook the trees and lit up the forest.

For a moment, she thought it worked. The light faded, but the figure stood there, untouched. "No…" Rin whispered, her hands shaking as she held her staff.

The figure moved in a blur, appearing right in front of her. Before she could react, he grabbed her throat and lifted her off the ground easily. Rin kicked and fought, her staff falling to the dirt.

"You're… nothing…" she gasped, her pink eyes defiant even as she struggled. The figure tilted his head and sent a wave of control magic over her. Rin's body went limp, her vision darkening as she passed out.

"Sleep, little mage. Your life ends here."

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Leonhardt's red eyes opened slowly with pain shooting through his back where the masked figure had hit him.

He winced, his voice hoarse as he muttered, "Damn, is that guy even human?" His vision cleared, showing a wrecked clearing with broken branches, dirt, and scattered footprints. His wrists tied with thick rope and ankles tightly behind him, the knots so good even his skilled fingers couldn't find a weak spot. He'd need a blade to escape.

A huge mercenary stood nearby, his back turned, axe resting on his shoulder. Leonhardt's lips curved into a sly grin. "Hey, big guy," he called casually.

The mercenary spun with his face twisting in anger. "Shut your mouth," he growled, stomping over and kicking Leonhardt's face hard. The blow snapped his head to the side, blood dripping from his split lip as he coughed and spat into the dirt.

Leo chuckled, wiping his mouth on his shoulder. "A simple 'I don't wanna talk' would've worked," he said cockily.

He looked at the clearing and his heart stopped when he saw his younger brother lying still with his red hair. Leo's jaw tightened, but he couldn't see Rin or Velmera anywhere. "Damn it," he muttered quietly.

Elynn, he called in his mind.

[Leo! You're awake!] Elynn's voice rang in his head, bright and cheery despite the mess.

How long was I out? he asked.

[Fifty-two minutes!]

[You took quite a hit!]

"Great," Leo grumbled. "How many mana shards do I have?"

[Oh, you leveled up to 34!] Elynn said happily.

[You've got 15,120 mana shards right now!]

Leo's grin grew with a spark in his eyes. "Perfect. Time to use those."

A cold voice cut through the air. "He's awake?" Leo froze as he recognised it. A rough hand grabbed his hair, yanking him up to his knees. Pain burned through his scalp, his face smeared with dirt and blood, every move hurting.

The black-masked figure stood before him, its blank mask reflecting the dim forest light. Leo's grin came back, bold and fearless. "Well, well, long time no see, Draven," he mocked. "Or should I call you Treachery?"

The figure pulled off the mask, showing a man with sharp features and amber eyes burning with anger. Draven's jaw was tight, his face full of rage—understandable, since he'd killed Draven's lover three months ago.

"You'll regret that name, Leonhardt," Draven said. He leaned closer, eyes narrowing. "You'll regret everything before I'm through with you."

Leo's smirk stayed, despite the ropes cutting into his wrists and the worry about Rin and Velmera eating at him. "Big talk for a guy hiding behind a mask," he shot back, taunting. "You forgot my prediction, didn't you? The one where you're begging me not to end you."

Draven's lips twisted into a cold, cruel smile. "Cocky as ever," he said, his voice smooth but dangerous. "Especially for a man tied up, bleeding, and alone… while I have your brother's girl and your mage."

Leo's eyes flashed with anger, but his grin stayed, sharp and defiant. "You lot really need to get a hobby," he said. "Chasing our girls? That's your grand plan? Gotta say, it's a bit pathetic."

Draven leaned in close, so close Leo could feel his breath, his amber eyes glinting. "Care to guess why?" he whispered. "Or should I show you?"