Chapter 434: Shifting Colors

Ignoring his steadily rising anxiety and the uneasiness of his body, Ranulf slowly stepped into the darker, slimmer path, and left the safety of the main streets as he followed after the young boy.

Unsuspecting of the change in their ambiguous relationship he was now the hunted, instead of the hunter, and the prey of the innocent young man, was nothing of what he expected him to be…

—

The silence, though usually another layer of assurance for a man in his trade, felt eerie, ominous all of a sudden as he suddenly found himself in a closed-off back alley, surrounded by thick, stone walls from all sides. 

As if on instinct, he knew, he was found. Without hesitation, Ranulf wanted to turn around and quickly escape, as now he was certain that he was played. He now regretted the fact that he went against his very own nature and ignored the foreboding signs, the warnings of his very own body. The decades of his resolve, finely tuned and crafted through experience… Like a rookie, he ignored it, and even went against it… and for what? Because he wanted to avoid punishment? The fear of the dungeon? 

He could have just escaped, and leave the city. Use any of the countless fake identities he crafted through the years and just start his life anew, away from the potential threats and dangers. Yet at the time of his need, he ignored everything he learned and now landed himself in such a precarious situation.

He couldn't understand what he was thinking just a moment ago… What made him react in such a manner? It wasn't like him at all… It was… as if, something was clouding his mind, a chaotic haze had changed his actions.

Turning around, he could only bitterly smile at the young teen, he was supposed to track, as he was now blocking his way, his eyes glowing, providing a grim illumination in the dark veil of the night.

As he gazed back at Ranulf with that chilly, calm-looking smile of his, the Master of Shadows suddenly felt he was standing in front of something much more than just a young sapling adult.

"H-h-hey… Mind letting me go? I h-have taken the wrong t-turn… b-but you are b-blocking the way…" Trying his best, Ranulf stammered a hasty response, as he hesitantly stepped forward, as if trying to slip through and escape.

Unfortunately, the boy didn't budge and Ranulf was forced to stay in his urban trap. 

Both sides looked at each other for a short while. As there was no response or any sort of reaction from the boy besides that chilly smile of his, Ranulf was unsure of his next action. 

He lamented his options in silence, trying to guess his chances in either case.

For one, he could just rely on his lead in terms of years of life and pull out his weapon. Adding to his chances, the Black Stone Arachnid's poison should still be anointed and active on both of his daggers' blades. A deadly, highly effective, fast-acting toxin, that should make quick work of even an orc, much less a thin youngster.

Still, as he pondered this choice, he, once again, felt the foreboding warning of his hairs standing up at attention. This time, however, not just his arms, but all around his body, causing his entire being to slightly tremble at the thought. This was unlike anything he had felt before.. Such a strong reaction was uncanny to anything he had ever faced.

Alternatively, he could try to rely on his wits and gums and yammer his way out of this predicament. Although he wasn't a windbag, a blabbermouth like most of his acquaintances that spent most of their days in one of the taverns of the city, he was still quite gifted in that regard.

This though would heavily rely on the stoic youngster's attitude, would at the very least offer him more hopes of survival.

While Ranulf was deep in thought, trying to come up with a way that assures him of keeping his life intact and, at the same time, escape the situation he had fallen into, Aiden was watching, scrutinizing each of the man's actions with great interest.

He could actually see the moment when his dot on his system map, suddenly changed from orange to red, before it returned to the same orange as before.

This change in intent was new to him, he had never seen it before. Usually, once someone decided to try his best and take his life, it would never change back. Yet, this time, the clear hostility turned back to this unfriendly, weary orange just a moment later, causing Aiden to hold his attacks. At least for the time being.

He decided to watch how Ranulf would decide to act, before reacting accordingly. If he were to focus on the path of light and retain its non-hostile intent and try to talk his way out, Aiden decided he would let him go.

However, if he were to see clear hostility in his actions or planning, he would deal with the man without mercy. After all, knowing that he was just recently employed by that blonde idiot, Aiden was certain he could attain some useful information from the man's memories.

With that, he retained his stance, and without saying a word, blocking the only way out of the alley.

In the end, Ranulf decided on a plan. Donning his best, friendliest-looking smile on his thin head. His two bead-like eyes turned into slits in their sockets as he tried his best to curve all of his facial muscles to a warm greeting, but sadly, that just wasn't his forte.

His expression looked twisted, clearly forced. His pointy nose just added to how displeasing he looked to the eye.

Yet, Aiden didn't show his discomfort but retained his calm, nonchalant outward look as he waited for the most likely carefully crafted words of the man. 

Still, inside he was frowning, and not just because of Ranulf's hideous outward appearance, but the shift in his system's display as well…

Ranulf gave a light cough, and raised his hands wide in the air, giving a friendly, welcoming, heartwarming gesture.

"Let me start again, as we may have started on the wrong foot, Young Master!" He hollered warm words, as he continued, while slowly making his way forward, closer and closer to the boy.

"You see, I was on my way back home, -I have a wife and three healthy, beautiful children waiting for my return-, when as I was thinking about the day's events, I accidentally took the wrong turn and ended up here!" 

He explained with the same warm, friendly smile plastered on his face as he slowly entered into the melee range of the youngster. 

"Would you be so kind and…" He continued, but as soon as he was in striking range, his expression instantly changed, revealing his true, sinister intention. He flicked both of his wrists, revealing two hidden daggers tucked beneath his clothing and with a flash, he struck towards the youngster. 

His tone instantly turned gloomier as his daggers sailed across the nominal distance.

"…and die for me, bra—aargh!"

However, before his sharp response could make its way to its intended target, suddenly his body stopped. He felt a sharp, piercing pain in his chest, followed by a searing burning sensation… 

Even without looking, he knew that made the wrong choice.