The Deceitful One

As soon as Bryan entered the house, his spiritual force was triggered as he sensed immense danger incoming. Without hesitation, he jumped to his right and rolled behind a couch.

BANG BANG BANG BANG!

Four bullets accurately hit the spot where he was standing previously. Bryan's fingers tightly clenched around the grip of his pistols as he took deep breaths.

'Two on the second floor and two on the first floor. That bastard is on the second floor.' Bryan thought inwardly as he calmed down his emotions.

He knew very well that emotions clouded one's judgment, especially so in a fight. It was his mistake to wantonly enter the house without much preparation. He had let anger get the best of him.

While Bryan dodged the bullets, he had seen where the shooters were located at. And he had acutely noticed Anthony standing by the wooden railing on the floor above him.

The center of the first floor had a clear opening all the way up to the ceiling on the second floor. Meaning, one could still see the railings and the corridors on the second floor while still standing on the first.

Moreover, there were two staircases that led to the second floor, one on each side of the living room.

'I need to first nullify their high-ground advantage and then I can deal with the ones on this floor.' Bryan thought inwardly as he came up with a plan within moments.

He pretended to take out something from his coat's inner pocket when in fact he was actually taking items out from his pocket watch.

Although he had only seen four people in the house, there could very well be more of them. And if any of them saw that items magically appeared out of nowhere in his hands, that would be a big risk.

He took out all of his throwing knives from his pocket watch and carefully tucked them underneath his bracers, on the wrist end.

This way it would be easier to take them out in the midst of battle. After making his preparations, he immediately constructed a spell structure in his mind and muttered in Ancient Hymmnos, "Mist!"

Right after that, a white-colored mist was produced from where Bryan was crouching down and instantly enveloped the entire first floor.

"Careful! He's an Illusion Path Apprentice!" Anthony yelled with a trace of panic in his raspy voice.

The Blood Path Apprentices on the first floor gripped their pistols in nervousness as the white mist slowly filled their vision. Having almost zero visibility during a fight was very taxing on those who hadn't yet unlocked their spiritual sense.

"Hmm?" All of a sudden, one of the Apprentices noticed water trickle against their feet, "Water?"

Before either of the two Apprentices could further investigate, golden bolts of electricity danced across the surface of the water that had completely covered the ground floor.

"Arrrggghhh!!" Both screamed in pain as they were instantly paralyzed by the electricity running through their body, charring their skin dark. They were knocked out unconscious!

This was a very clever usage and combination of two spells by Bryan.

Rank 0 Spell: Stream!

Rank 0 Spell: Bolt!

Both spells individually did not have much potency. The first spell, Stream, could not even be used to attack opponents. It was a spell that barely came in handy for a person's day-to-day activities.

And the last spell, Bolt, needed the caster to come in contact with their opponent for the spell to be even remotely effective.

However, if both spells could be used in conjunction, then it would create a marvelous effect. Water had extremely high conductivity with electricity. Hence, combining the two spells allowed the caster to attack from a distance!

The two apprentices dropped their pistols and fell to the ground as yellow bolts of electricity coursed through their bodies. Saliva rolled from their mouths as they continued to spasm.

Bryan took this opportunity while the two Apprentices were down and rushed to the second floor through the staircase on the left.

Anthony who was standing close to the left staircase saw a figure running out of the mist towards him.

Without hesitation, he raised his left hand and aimed the pistol at Bryan as he scowled, "Die, you piece of shit!"

BANG BANG BANG BANG!!

Bryan nimbly dodged the bullets as he ran up the stairs. After arriving right in front of Anthony, he raised his hands and aimed both pistols straight at Anthony's face.

However, Anthony had already constructed a spell structure in his mind as he coldly muttered, "Blood Wall!"

However, the Blood Wall was not set up in front of him but behind him. Based on his previous battle with Bryan in the abandoned factory, he knew very well that the Bryan in front of him was most likely an illusion. Hence, he took a gamble.

And he was right!

The Bryan in front of him dissipated into gray smoke, meanwhile, the Blood Wall that had been erected behind him had blocked three incoming bullets.

Anthony turned around and coldly smirked at the real Bryan who was standing over the headless corpse of the second Apprentice who was on this floor, "You're quite predictable, you know?"

Bryan stared at him coldly but didn't reply. The rage in his eyes seemed to have died down but only he knew that it had been bottled up inside, ready to erupt at any moment.

"That look in your eyes… did that girl mean something to you?" Anthony asked with a mocking smile as he canceled the Rank 0 Spell: Blood Wall. Having it up constantly would only increase his spiritual force expenditure.

"No… It was that boy, wasn't it?" He said while trying to get inside Bryan's head.

Bryan's eyes narrowed at the mention of Jamie.

Acutely noticing this, Anthony grinned from ear to ear, "I'm right, aren't I? Well, let me tell you something. That boy… is fucking dead! Hahahaha!"

Bryan unable to take it any longer, screamed in anger as he pointed the Hand Cannon at Anthony.

BANG BANG!

Anthony conjured the Blood Wall again. However, much to his surprise and fear, the first bullet directly penetrated it and shattered the Blood Wall.

And the second bullet directly hit his shoulder and exploded! Causing his entire right arm and shoulder to be blasted to smithereens!