Elix paused for a second. Yeah, maybe you're right, but I just can't shake this feeling that this group isn't for me. I’ve already gotten stronger and better at card magic. The battle with the Lianz guild proved I can handle myself.

  I don't like them either; I'm not fond of most guild members. My advice would be to stay with them for a while longer, at least until the end of the quest. At that point, you will have enough experience to make a decision. Lef seemed to be the voice of reason for a change, which then made Elix think.

  I guess you're right. It's not like you to help me when it doesn't directly benefit you. Come to think of it, I still don't know anything about you! Elix questioned.

  You don't. I think it's best we just keep things the way they are. Think of me as just a passenger who helps you out from time to time. I still absorb your mana, so we are even. I will tell you more when the time is right. Replied Lef.

  Damn it, everyone's so secretive. Even my own lineage is something I don't know anything about.

  Ok, ok, I get it. You leave your home, travel with a guild hoping to get stronger, and it hasn't happened the way you intended. At least you're alive. You know more about your lineage ability than you did before. I'm not the best at this kind of thing, but look on the bright side, you're still alive. Elix shrugged at Lefs reasoning.

  I guess... he thought.

  There was a loud crash as Elix turned the corner in the alleyway. He could see dust clouds at the other end and what looked like a figure on all fours. Three figures stood over the crouching one. Elix, without thinking twice, ran down to the commotion and stopped at the scene. There were three men, each one looking as rough and ready as the other. On the floor was a Finx, bleeding from its mouth and covered in dirt. Elix used Unveil on it, and its level came back as level 20. He did the same for the three men. Two of the men were level 18, and the third one was level 21. Elix could see that it was three-on-one, and that just didn't sit well with him.

  "Who are you? What's going on?" asked Elix, looking at the level 21 male who was clearly the leader of the group.

  "Caught this guy stealing food from our storeroom, tracked him down, and now we are having some fun. I'm Wreg, and I suggest you move along." Wreg was dressed in casual clothes, but in his hand was a sword. Elix used Unveil on the sword, and its description popped up in an M.i box:

  Name: Strike Sword

  A common sword that is used by frontline soldiers. These swords are basic; there is absolutely nothing special about this sword. Don't thank your lucky stars just yet. Sometimes power is in the hand that wields the sword….or something like that.

  It transpired that the group of men used their own Unveil ability, and at the revelation that Elix was a level 5 G rank, they burst out laughing.

  "Hey boss, this guy's a nobody. I bet we could take his stuff and no one would even care."

  "You're right, Borden. It must be our lucky day! Once we finish off this worthless MIB, we can take care of this chump," said the third man.

  "Borden, Arne, you aren't here to think. Hmm, I know—once we finish with this MIB, let's deal with this pipsqueak." Wreg raised his sword above the Finx, who was struggling to stay conscious.

  There was a gust of wind, and dust kicked up from the ground. Sparks of lightning crackled in the air. When the dust settled, the Finx was gone.

  "What the hell? Where did it go?" shouted Wreg, who had been just about to deliver the finishing blow.

  "You looking for this guy?" Standing a few meters down the alleyway was Elix, the Finx draped over his shoulder. Wreg let out a cry of rage at the unexpected interference.

  "What just happened, boss? How did he move so fast?" shouted Borden.

  Elix carefully placed the Finx on the floor. He then proceeded to stretch his arms, ignoring the angry retorts of the three men.

  "It looks like this guy has a death wish. Do you know what guild we are part of? You have one chance to hand over that MIB before we end your miserable existence." Wreg was calm and full of confidence.

  "Boss, I think I'm broken!" Arne exclaimed as he used Unveil on Elix. "This guy's level 21. He was level 5 a moment ago!"

  "What? Level 21?" Borden also used Unveil, and he went pale.

  "Don't worry. It must be some kind of trick. Even if he's level 21, there are three of us. It makes no difference at all," grinned Wreg.

  Elix, who had all but a few of his stats in agility, sped towards the group. In the seconds leading up to reaching them, he had summoned his dagger. The alleyway was narrow and not the best environment for his halberd. He stooped down as he passed Arne and sliced through both of the tendons at the back of his ankles. Twisting around, he jumped up, plunging his dagger into the back of Borden's neck. Wreg spun around and swung his sword, but it met nothing. Elix was back standing next to the Finx a few meters away.

  "Those were my brothers, you maniac! You would kill humans over a worthless MIB. You are scum!" Wreg screamed, full of wrath.

  "You literally just said moments ago that you were going to rob and kill me! Talk about double standards. Look, if you're scared, feel free to leave. I really don't want to hurt you, if it can be avoided," replied Elix calmly.

  "Now you've done it. You will die for what you have done!" Wreg summoned a card. Light erupted in the alleyway, and a monster materialized. It was a humanoid creature that looked more reptile than human. Its eyes were slits, and it had long fangs that it bared at Elix. In its hands were two green-bladed daggers.

  Elix used Unveil.

  Name: Mogen Sirpent Assassin

  Level: 21

  Oh boy, you have done it now. If you manage to piss off someone who summons this MIB, you better have life insurance. Known as the poison assassin, Mogen can kill you in a myriad of ways, each one just as diabolical as the last.

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  M.i tip: Run.

  Elix looked at the MIB that had been summoned. This time, he didn’t feel fear. Instead, he felt excited. Something inside of him had changed. He was no longer a nobody stuck at level 5, he was stronger and more adept at fighting. Since the day he had faced down his first monster, he had met every challenge and survived, getting stronger in the process.

  Hey, snake guy, can you hear me? He decided he would try out his latest ability, which was communicating with a MIB. He wasn't sure if it would have the same outcome as it did with George.

  Yes, a hissing voice replied telepathically.

  Great, listen, you can walk away from this. I don't have any ill will towards you. Elix knew that MIBs were controlled by the Cardmancer they were summoned by. If he could help it, he would give the opportunity for them to walk away from a battle they did not choose.

  Begging for your life already? How pathetic. I will not be denied victory by showing you mercy! The hissing voice, full of malice, replied.

  Very well, if that’s what you want, let's go. Elix felt the exhilaration of staring down a monster that could strike at any moment.

  Wreg stood a few meters behind his MIB, his face wearing a sadistic grin. The Mogen made the first move. It was fast and seemed to move in a strange way, in a fluid motion. Its first strike narrowly missed; Elix ducked and then blocked the second strike with his own dagger.

  Mogen seemed unfazed by Elix dodging his attacks. Instead, he jumped backwards to gain some distance.

  Strange, why does he want distance if he's wielding daggers? thought Elix, who immediately had his question answered.

  Mogen spat a green bullet at Elix that pierced his left shoulder and hit the wall behind him. It was fast, and when it hit his outer shirt, the material sizzled and burned away. The acid bullet had passed right through him.

  "Erughh," Elix let out a cry of pain. He could feel a burning sensation that caused his left arm to hang limp. He tried to move it, but the tensing of muscle caused him severe pain.

  Oh, I missed. I was aiming for your head! taunted Mogen.

  Your aim sucks then. Elix returned his dagger to card form and summoned his halberd instead. He knew the narrow alleyway would make it difficult to swing, but that wasn't his plan.

  A halberd, really? And I thought you couldn't be any more pathetic. Wreg was enjoying the battle from the safety of a doorway that he could retreat into should any blows go astray.

  Elix changed his stance and crouched down, leaning back. He took aim, treating his halberd like a throwing spear. He poured all his power into a long throw aimed directly at Mogen. The halberd was easily avoided and stuck into the floor a few meters behind Mogen.

  Is that it? What a fool. Another acid bullet almost hit Elix in the face, but he managed to dodge it. He summoned his dagger and held it up.

  Now feel the power of my grand final move. This is the end of you and this battle. Feel the almighty power of this special technique! Mogen's eyes widened. Elix held the dagger in front of him and began to make slashing movements with it. Mogen frantically followed the blade, expecting some kind of grand slashing attack.

  Any second now, power beyond your comprehension will rain down from the sky! Mogen looked up at the sky, but nothing rained down. Instead, a hole burst open in his forehead. Elix's halberd had been recalled. Mogen had been unaware of Elix's ability, and with the distraction of Elix's theatrics, he had not reacted when the shaft of the weapon collided with the back of his head and returned to Elix's waiting hand. There was a flash, and Mogen returned to a card that Wreg was holding in his hand.

  The Finx, who had been watching the battle sitting up against the wall of the alleyway while in a bad way, let out a pained cheer before wincing in pain.

  Wreg stepped out into the alleyway. "I give up, I give up. Take the Finx, just go away."

  "Let me get this straight. You tried to kill me, and now you are asking me not to return the gesture? My shoulder has a freaking hole in it, and this poor guy has had the stuffing beaten out of him." Elix pointed his halberd at Wreg.

  "Wait, no, don't, here, take these." Wreg summoned a handful of cards and threw them to the floor at Elix's feet. Then an M.i message appeared:

  Transfer request Wreg wishes to transfer you 50 Teth Accept Yes/No

  As soon as Elix accepted the Teth, Wreg ran off down the alleyway as fast as he could. Elix picked up the cards on the ground and looked at them. They were all Vitri potions. He immediately summoned one of the potions and handed it to the Finx, who took it weakly and began to take small sips. Slowly, it began to recover.

  Thank you for saving me, the Finx spoke to Elix. As usual, it was telepathically. As he got to his feet, fully healed from the potion, he held out a short arm and small hand. Elix took the hand in a handshake.

  Why were you stealing food from those guys? asked Elix, who had already fully healed from his potion.

  It is the will of the Cardmancer who holds my card. I am sent to steal food during the night. I am to return back to the Cardmancer in the morning with what I have stolen from the target they designate, explained the Finx.

  That's rough. Well, I guess you don't have to anymore. I think that meeting me has changed things, and now you can choose your own path. Elix grinned at the Finx.

  I guess I never really wanted to steal things and be used for illegal activities, replied the Finx.

  Well, what will you do with your freedom? Where will you go? Elix felt a little responsible for the MIB.

  I will leave this city and head to a new one. People will assume that I am with some Cardmancer and not bother me. I will surely find some kind of work and say that the Teth goes to my master. It's a better life than having my memories wiped every time I return to card form and being treated like a slave, replied the Finx.

  I see. Well, I am happy that you have your freedom. My name is Elix Greenacer. What's your name?

  I don’t have one, or I don’t remember it. Either way, I couldn't tell you. Please take this. The Finx handed Elix a card. Elix used Unveil:

  Name: Coms Stone

  Level: 20

  Effect: Activate this card to alert the owner of another Coms Stone that you wish to contact them. Once accepted, you may converse through the stones. This effect will consume mana. Air time isn’t cheap, you know, but hey—you can’t put a price on good gossip.

  What name do you think suits me? Also, contact me if you ever need someone with my skills. You know, burglary, sneaking, gambling, stealthy things. I owe you my freedom, so I will repay this by offering my services if you ever need me.

  I would say you look like an Edgar to me. And I will for sure contact you if I need any of those things, laughed Elix. He felt a sense of pride in the fact that he had freed Edgar from a life of slavery and non-existence, and that the MIB would help him if he needed it in the future.

  Edgar it is, then. I like it, it feels respectable and unassuming. I will head off. Thank you for everything, Elix, and see you again someday. With that, Edgar leapt onto a crate, grabbed an overhanging window ledge, and then up to another before disappearing over a roof. Elix stood there in contemplation about what had just happened. He had made friends with a MIB, a creature that is supposed to have no free will!

  What the hell is going on! Elix laughed as he walked down the alleyway towards the city center, where he hoped to find a bed for the night.