Chapter 81

"What's going on with this town!"

While complaining about the deteriorating security, Rio ran to the Adventurers' Guild with Shiraha.

He realized that the group in white masks was still after them because the report had not yet been made public. However, the situation where the white-masked group was being slaughtered by something invisible was beyond his imagination.

"Shiraha, did you see anything just now?"

"I didn't see anything."

"But you seemed to sense something, didn't you?"

During the fight with the white-masked group, Shiraha had unusually raised a warning. If there were any signs that Rio had missed while observing the white masks, he wanted to know for future reference. However, Shiraha shook her head.

"I can't explain it; it was just a feeling."

"I see. Well, it was a strange presence, after all."

Just thinking about it gave him goosebumps.

"The white-masked group probably thought they were the hunters, so they were less sensitive to the presence of the hunted."

"Maybe we noticed because we were the hunted?"

"Unfortunately, that's probably it."

While exchanging words, they continued running and looked back to check if anyone was following them.

There were no white masks in sight, and that unpleasant atmosphere was not nearby.

Just to be sure, he glanced at Shiraha, who nodded.

"It's okay, they're not here. But..."

"But?"

"I feel like something is still chasing us... or maybe I just feel that way?"

"Creepy. Anyway, let's go to the guild."

They needed to seek protection at the guild to avoid being targeted by the white masks again.

The guild, being night, was sparsely populated. However, due to the branch manager's murder, the building was on high alert, with skilled adventurers taking naps inside.

An employee stood up with a stern look upon seeing Rio and Shiraha rush in. The adventurers who had been napping were already armed and ready for combat.

"What's happening?"

"We were attacked by the white masks at the inn."

"Be on guard around the building. Staff, stay away from the windows."

The employee immediately gave instructions after hearing Rio's report and then looked at Rio with a puzzled expression.

"You were ambushed? How did you manage to escape?"

"Well, we're not sure either, but the white masks were suddenly killed by something invisible."

As Rio reported what he had seen and described the eerie atmosphere, the employee and the adventurers turned pale.

Thinking their reaction was strange, Rio looked around the guild.

At that moment, Deputy Branch Manager Muzé came down the stairs and looked at Rio and Shiraha with a puzzled expression.

"What's all the commotion about?"

The employee turned to Muzé with a pale face.

"It's not confirmed yet, but it seems the Night Stalker has entered the town."

Muzé's eyes widened.

"Is that true?"

"The white masks that attacked these two were killed by something invisible with a creepy presence. We have very little information, but..."

"Rio, have you ever seen a malevolent spirit?"

Hearing "malevolent spirit" reminded him of the battles in the village and Rihelran. However, if he answered honestly, it might reveal that they were investigating the magic orbs and that Rio could cut through magic.

Moreover, malevolent spirits were officially treated as evil beasts.

Shiraha glanced at Rio, wondering if he would answer honestly.

Rio answered without hesitation.

"I've seen evil beasts a few times. The invisible presence was overwhelmingly more sinister than an evil beast."

"I see..."

Muzé's face darkened as if he had been confronted with a fact he didn't want to know, but he quickly switched his thoughts and looked around at the employees.

"I thought it might be the divine sword Obous, but it seems we need to be on guard. Sound the emergency bell. Send an emergency signal to the guard squad. Those who are free, light bonfires to illuminate the area around the guild and prevent the white masks and the Horned Dragon Family from getting close."

Giving rapid instructions, Muzé turned to Rio and Shiraha.

"Information about the Night Stalker is valuable. Is there anything else you can remember?"

"Um, I don't really understand what the Night Stalker is."

The Night Stalker was a malevolent spirit he had heard about from Karil when he was in the village, but he knew very little about it. It was likely a well-known malevolent spirit, as it was mentioned alongside the evil god Kazha.

Muzé looked at Rio and Shiraha with surprise and pulled a nearby chair to sit down.

"The Night Stalker is a malevolent spirit. It appears at night and kills people. In most cases, there are no witnesses, and everyone at the scene is killed. The few witnesses to such incidents have testified that they did not see the Night Stalker, but footprints at the scene suggest it walks on two legs and has hooves. The victims are killed with a sharp weapon, and the angle and depth of the wounds suggest it is right-handed and about as tall as you, Rio."

Muzé raised his hands to shoulder height, palms up, indicating that this was all the information they had. It seemed there was very little information available.

"Since it only appears at night, we should be able to manage by staying here. The problem is protecting civilians. That's why we need information to combat the Night Stalker."

"By information, you mean the unique presence and the fact that the white masks didn't seem to notice it until they were killed?"

"The white masks didn't notice it?"

Muzé looked at Rio with interest and thought for a moment.

"Maybe they have a high sensitivity to magic. Are you a mage?"

"I only use a sword. Shiraha can use magic."

"Who taught you?"

"Sorry, I can't say the name of the person who doesn't want to stand out."

Rio answered before Shiraha could say anything careless.

The mage who taught Shiraha was Oggan, the mage of the Rosiz Viscount's family. If it were known that Rio and Shiraha were connected to the viscount's family, it could affect their investigation of the magic orbs. He couldn't allow that.

Muzé muttered something and then stood up after collecting his thoughts.

"Can you gather a party that includes a mage? It might help prevent a surprise attack."

"Um, sorry, but I have a concern."

Feeling apologetic, Rio called out to Muzé.

Muzé turned to Rio with a surprised look.

"What is it?"

"The white masks had a mage, but they didn't seem to notice the presence."

"...That's a setback."

Muzé scratched his head with a wry smile but did not retract his instructions.

"Let's work with the guard squad to set up defensive magic at key points in the town. It might nullify the Night Stalker's unique magic. If we can get through the night, we can evacuate the civilians during the day."