#055. Unwelcome Guests (2)
Death tightened its grip on the old man with each passing moment. The symptoms of his eternal sleep deepened, leaving him barely able to stay awake for 30 minutes a day.
"By combining elements this way, you can wield magic more efficiently. Understand?"
"Yes."
The old man grew more fervent in teaching Ray, like a dying flame burning its brightest to leave one last spark of light.
"Good. That's the method. As for instantly unraveling elemental bonds..."
Ray absorbed vast magical theories and numerous spells through these lessons. Yet one regret lingered.
'Most are daily-life spells. Only the stone-shaping magic helps in combat.'
The possibilities were endless - stone fragments could shift battle dynamics depending on their form. The problem lay in Ray's own limitations.
'I've never been imaginative.'
His ring's gray mana reserves remained insufficient. Drawing ambient mana proved mentally exhausting too.
The old man's voice interrupted his thoughts. "Let's end here today."
Though never checking clocks, the old man always knew when to sleep. Recently, he spent his final waking minutes gazing out the window.
Was he memorizing the world's scenery before departing? Ray couldn't comprehend this calmness.
'How does he stay so composed?'
Children cry. People beg for life. They scream in frustration or freeze in regret. Yet the old man's emotional vessel remained still as windless skies amidst death's approach.
Ray nodded at the window-gazing figure and descended to the bookstore's first floor. Veronica's usual vigor had faded as she taught grammar.
"Here, the subject is..."
Yulta and Molphin sat listlessly. Anxiety swirled in all the children's vessels as they felt the old man's impending death.
Ray understood their unspoken fear. He'd witnessed death before.
'Emotions are quicksand - must sever them before they drag you under.'
He needed to comfort them, but how? When Sector 50 siblings cried, he'd held them. These children only sat heavy-eyed.
"Veronica, you teach well."
"Hmm? Oh...thanks."
The hollow response confirmed his failure. He'd need Philip's advice on consolation later.
Ding-a-ling──
The doorbell chimed. A rough-looking man swayed at the entrance.
"We open at noon. Can't you see the lights are─"
Veronica froze as more men entered wielding pipes and clubs. Ray stepped forward.
"Take Molta and Yulta upstairs."
"But─"
"You'll hinder the fight."
Veronica stiffly obeyed. Ray faced the intruders.
"Fred sent you?"
Their emotional flicker answered. "The store's not for sale. Leave if you value your lives."
A leader-like thug snorted. "Just some brats and a dying geezer? Smash everything!"
Chaos erupted. Ray's foot slammed the floor.
Bang!
He flowed between two attackers, blades flashing.
Slish!
Blood sprayed from severed wrists. Screams filled air as Ray became a whirlwind - ankles sliced, knees driven into spines, steel pressed against throats. Within moments, six men lay moaning.
Only their leader remained, pipe trembling in hand. Ray ducked the wild swing and severed his Achilles tendon.
Crunch!
The man faceplanted. Ray's knee pinned him as cold steel kissed his throat.
"Organization or freelance? Numbers?"
"W-we're independent! Fred hired us! New mall coming - land prices─"
Ray nodded. "Good answer."
As the thug sighed in relief, the knife moved to his ear.
"Wait! Please─"
"First, payment."
The old man's voice stopped him. "Enough."
"They'll return."
"Violence breeds violence. Endless retaliation helps none."
"But─"
"These men followed orders. Their tendons are cut - sufficient payment."
As they argued, fallen thugs suddenly lunged at the old man. Ray stayed still, sensing swirling gray mana.
Crack!
The attackers froze mid-step, feet turning to stone from the shoes up.
"Eeeek! What's happening?!"
Through their screams, old man and boy locked eyes.
"Calm yourself, Ray."
The boy's vessel boiled with crimson rage. 'They must be punished thoroughly.'
"Crush them completely. That's the law of strength."
The old man's calm voice contradicted the storm in his vessel. "The situation's resolved. Control your─"
Shink!
A severed ear hit the floor. The thug's scream echoed through the bookstore as Ray's blade dripped red.
