The asphalt road stretched ahead, flanked by quiet village houses on both sides. Aside from the wind tossing a few plastic bags, it was dead silent.
Magnus walked alone, activating his tal Crystal. He had sprayed himself with insect repellent - no giant spiders or centipedes to worry about here, and no webs stretched across the rooftops.
The cannery was about 500 ters away - not far. With no tall buildings around, the land was flat and open.
He didn’t hurry. Just walked at a steady pace, casually squashing the occasional bug. He felt sure there were eyes on him inside those houses, likely watching him and the convoy. What he didn’t know was whether they’d show themselves or try sothing sneaky.
Halfway through the village, he heard a noise. He stopped, scanning ahead. The two buildings near him had clean doorways - no webs, which likely ant people inside.
Right on cue, five n from each side burst out, well-trained, moving fast. Probably rogues in military gear.
Ten of them. Five raised rifles and took formation - two crouched in front, three behind standing. The other five hung back, watching him like wolves on a leash. One of them stepped up, voice muffled under a helt, "Who are you? What’s your business here?"
"From Ashbrook Town’s underground granary. Ca to trade grain for canned food," Magnus said calmly.
"We’re not trading." The man’s reply was cold.
"That’s fine." Magnus didn’t lose his cool. "Then could you take to see the villagers? My aunt’s supposed to be from here. I want to know if she’s alright."
"No." The man shut him down right away. Guns raised again - a sign they were either nervous or hiding sothing.
Of course, Magnus had no aunt here. This was a test. If they really were working with the civilians, they’d prove it. But this jumpiness? That stank of secrets.
If these weren’t soldiers protecting the people, but scum wearing uniforms to prey on them... then they could all die right here.
"Get lost! There’s no trade, and no aunt of yours either! Scram!" the leader barked.
Magnus didn’t move. One detail caught his eye. All ten had weapons, sure, but only five raised them. The others - including the guy talking - kept their left hand sowhere suspicious: tucked behind their back or in a pocket.
Almost certainly gripping Crystals, waiting to shatter them and go Awakened on him.
He quickly did the math. Then, slowly, he glanced back toward his convoy before turning forward again. His hand slipped into his coat pocket, pulling out a premium Little Panda cigarette. Bit it. Then fished out a lighter from his pants.
He struck it. Wind blew out the fla.
He shielded it with his left hand for another go...He was just buying ti, thinking fast...
Magnus had already sized them up - five of those soldiers had tal Crystals. No mistake, they were Awakened.
He was alone. Taking down the five non-Awakened ones was nothing - just a flick of the hand. But dealing with five trained Awakened soldiers? Not easy. Even with his second awakening, he wouldn’t be able to choke them out one by one so easily.
His mind spun for a way out. The cigarette in his mouth burned down.
The man in front barked, "You done? Smoke’s out, then get lost! Don’t make us put you down!"
Magnus didn’t flinch. Calmly lit another smoke, clamped it between his lips, and took two slow, deep drags. Smoke drifted upward, blurring the air. All ten of them watched his every move.
Then - he acted.
His right hand moved like it was putting the lighter back in his pocket. At the sa ti, the cigarette slipped from his lips and began to fall.
"Bang! Bang! Bang!"
Three gunshots cracked the silence.
All ten had been focused on his face - srized by that one falling cigarette. A tiny distraction, but enough. His right hand hadn’t gone for his pocket - it dropped the lighter, then in one blinding flash, drew his sidearm. Three shots. Three Awakened on the front line dropped before they could crush their tal Crystals.
He raised the gun for a fourth shot, but the last two reacted. One dove left, the other rolled right - smashed their Crystals at the sa ti.
Behind them, the five non-Awakened opened fire.
Three hit.
Magnus cursed under his breath. Did not care. Raised his weapon again - five shots, five bodies hit the ground.
Two left.
He exhaled hard, tossed the gun away, and lunged.
A blur.
He was behind the leftside Awakened before the man even got to his feet. Left hand smothered his mouth and nose, right hand gripped one wrist, then reached for the other. He took off - dragging the man as he sprinted toward the canning factory.
Four tis the speed. Four tis the strength. The man couldn’t even struggle.
The second hadn’t even caught up yet.
Seconds ticked by. The soldier in his grip started thrashing.
Magnus tightened his hold. The body jolted once - then slackened.
One left.
That one turned to run.
Didn’t make it ten steps.
Magnus caught up with him like a storm and kicked him hard from behind. The man went down face-first. Magnus straddled him, pinned a knee into his back, clamped a hand over his mouth - and wrenched his head back.
Done.
He let out a long, steady breath and gently laid the man’s lifeless head down. It landed right where his cigarette had dropped earlier. Still smoking, it hissed near the blood and started to roast the flesh.
A faint sll of cooked at floated in the air.
Magnus stood, brushed off his shorts, and looked toward the convoy.
Gave a firm thumbs-up. He knew soone was watching through the scope. He turned back, gave the canning factory one last look, then strode toward it without hesitation.
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