Hero Of Harmony

Chapter 104: Snake Demi-Human

The person who's been stalking us is actually someone I know; well, it's a bit of a stretch to say I know them, but it's someone I've encountered; they're the snake demi-human part of the Firemania group from earlier. He's been following Talis and I for quite some time, ever since we left the main streets, which was about a few minutes ago, and based on the look in his vertical slit eyes, he's not following me to protect me from possible would-be attackers.

'I figured they'd get revenge somehow, but to come after me not even a day since the altercation, either this dude holds intense grudges, or his leader, Lucy, ordered him to attack me.' Thought Alexander with a slight frown as he slowly walked down the alley, further getting lost within the maze of streets while the night sky continued to get darker.

Either way, it didn't matter too much right now because I'd gotten myself lost; I'd most likely be forced to deal with him, though thankfully, unlike Lucy, who gave me a feeling of danger, this man following me wasn't too big of an issue, which I hoped to be the case since I didn't wish to make a big deal of things within city limits, in the heart of Hyphen no less.

"Talis, do me a favor and fly away for a little bit; I've got to deal with something real quick." Said Alexander softly yet solemnly as she gently scratched Talis, conveying to her the presence of an enemy through his emotions, something she'd experienced multiple times.

"Alright, just be careful, Alex; I'll be flying up above if you need assistance." Replied Talis with a nod as she spread her wings and took to the sky, escaping the maze while leaving Alexander behind to deal with the stalker.

Since Talis and I were already alone in a secluded section of an alley of the city, the moment Talis departed, the snake demi-human unsheathed his dagger from his waist before slowly sneaking from behind my oblivious self; once he got into position, he coiled his lower snake half, before springing forth with a mighty lunge, aiming right at my heart. Thanks to his skill, which concealed his presence, he was hidden, and except for a slight noise, I probably wouldn't have noticed anything until he got real close, which, by then, might've been too late, though as I could see everything his sneak attack was all for naught.

Swiftly side-stepping to the right once he neared me, the sudden movement slightly took him aback, and he didn't react in time as he continued right past me before hitting the ground, only to turn around and stare right at me while deactivating his skill, allowing me to perfectly see him without using [Heroes Gaze].

"It seems you're not just an average F-rank adventure; who are you?" Asked the snake demi-human with his cold vertical slit eyes while hissing as he stared at Alexander, who wore literally nothing but his tight-fitting slime two-piece outfit.

I was going to respond, but it seemed like his question was a rhetorical one rather than an actual one.

"Never mind, it doesn't matter who you are, as I'm going to kill you!" Stated the snake demi-human, his gaze hardening as he brought his dagger upward and swiftly slithered toward Alexander with impressive speed.

Seeing him dash toward me, I instantly filled my body with mana and lunged right for him, going so far as to use both [Strength Augmentation] and [Speed Augmentation], which are essentially skills that improve the efficiency of using neutral mana in my body. I don't use these skills often, and other than when I fight against Master, I never use them, simply because I never needed to well except for when I fought both Simba and Marlin, but that doesn't really count.

Feeling my strength and speed increase to even greater heights, I ducked underneath the snake demi-humans initial strike before punching him twice in the chest, forcing him back several meters, which I used as a chance to view his status panel.