The Attacking Assassin

Ed began preparing to stand watch. He got some bells and fishing line from the servants and made several simple sound traps. Edward's room in particular was filled with tightly strung fishing lines and hidden bells beside the bed.

After setting up the warning traps and leaving a Flying Thunder God Mark beside Edward, Ed sat down in the room and quietly waited for the latter half of the night.

Soon, it was around two-thirty in the morning. Ed was getting sleepy, so he checked the time and waited for Mira to come relieve him.

Before long, Mira arrived at Edward's room. Just as she was about to speak, a crisp ringing of bells, Hibiki, sounded.

"Someone's here!" Ed immediately activated Flying Thunder God and returned to Edward's side. The bedroom door flew open, and a black-clad figure rushed in. Ed struck first, throwing a kunai at the intruder. Then his whole body turned into a flash of golden light as he appeared directly in front of the man and slammed a Rasengan into his face.

Boom! Everyone in the manor was jolted awake and hurried to Edward's room.

"W-What happened? What's going on?" Edward, awakened by the loud Hibiki, was completely dazed.

"It's nothing serious, just a petty thief." Ed held the attacker in one hand and gestured for Edward to relax. "Don't worry. We'll handle it."

Ed handed the attacker over to Mira for interrogation while he continued guarding the room.

Soon, Mira returned with the information and shared it with Ed. "You were right. They planned to launch an attack on the first night after our arrival. But to be safe, they only sent minor players. Besides this one, there are two others. I got their locations, and I've already had Elfman and the others keep an eye on them. I'll head over shortly."

Ed nodded. "That was my guess too. They don't know what kind of wizards came, so this first attack was probably just a test. Fine, I'll keep watch here. You deal with the other two first."

Mira nodded and quickly left.

Mira returned before long and reported that the petty thieves who had attacked had already been dealt with. Then she began discussing the latest intelligence with Ed.

"I got it out of those petty thieves. They're from the Bloodshadow Guild, a guild made entirely of assassins. Their strongest member is a wizard called Bloodhand. Apparently, he uses blood magic. According to them, Bloodhand is participating in this mission, so he's probably going to be the main attacker from here on out."

"Blood magic... What exactly can he do?" Ed pressed.

"I don't know. The ones sent this time were all low-level nobodies, so they knew very little. All they knew was that Bloodhand seemed quite strong. We'll have to take it one step at a time." Mira was Zero, but she truly hadn't gotten anything more specific. Those cannon fodder only knew that Bloodhand used blood magic; they didn't know his gender, build, height, or age.

"What a pain... Then there's nothing we can do. Let's keep guarding." Ed was equally Zero. To preserve their strength, he switched shifts with Mira and went to rest.

In the morning, Ed returned to Edward's room. Looking at the room, which was unchanged from when he had left the night before, he said to Mira, "Looks like there wasn't a second attack last night. How about you get some rest? We can have Elfman and the others cover for a while." "Sure. I'll get some more rest." Mira did not refuse and left directly.

Time passed peacefully like this. The agreed-upon week reached its final night without incident. "Ah, another day gone by. What's going on? Did they give up?" Ed asked, puzzled.

"That would be best, but according to the agreement, it won't be over until tonight has passed. It's not time to relax yet." Though Mira was also puzzled, she remained vigilant.

"Are they coming or not...? We searched all around the town, even the woods, and found nothing." Ed was complaining when a scream suddenly rang out from outside the door.

"They're here!" Mira and the others rushed out of the room. In the manor's main hall, a man dressed in red sat in the seat of honor, his foot planted on the guard who had led Ed and the others inside earlier.

The man in red greeted them. "Hello, everyone. May I ask whether Mr. Edward is present? You see, I was sent by my superiors to take his life. Please help me notify him. Here is my calling card. I look forward to working with you." The man in red was impeccably polite as he tossed over a business card.

"You're Bloodhand?" Ed asked doubtfully.

"That would be me. Bloodhand is merely an alias. My name is Samir. And you are?"

"I'm a wizard of Fairy Tail. Edward's life is under our protection. You'd best leave now before you get hurt," Ed declared righteously.

"Come now, don't be like that. Can't you be a little more accommodating?" Samir hurriedly said. "Give it up! We won't abandon this mission!" Elfman shouted.

"In that case, I'll kill all of you. That way, Mr. Edward won't be lonely on the road. Don't just stand there. Hurry and write down any last words you have. I'm really pressed for time today, so I won't torture you. But rest assured, I'll make sure you go down happy and safe." Bloodhand spoke as Zero.

Ed immediately pulled out a kunai and threw it at Samir. Before it could hit, however, it was blocked by a wave of blood. A large amount of blood flowed from the guard's wounds, swirling around Samir as though it possessed a will of its own and forming a defensive stance.

"Don't be in such a hurry. We still have plenty of time~" Samir said with a smile, then immediately launched an attack at them.

Blood Demon Barrage! The blood around him shot toward them like darts. Everyone hurried to dodge, but Elfman was too slow and was struck directly, his entire body instantly pierced by blood darts.

"Elfman! Ed, take Elfman, Lisanna, and Edward away first!" Mira shouted anxiously.

"You think you can leave in front of me? Isn't that a little wishful? Blood-Control Puppet!" Samir waved both hands. Elfman's body suddenly froze, then he swung a fist straight at Ed.

"Big Brother Elfman! What are you doing?!" Lisanna could hardly believe it.

"My body won't listen to me!" Elfman cried in alarm.

"Don't let your guard down. Elfman's being controlled. Damn it, his magic can do something like this?" Mira gritted her teeth.

"As for exactly what my magic can do, please enjoy finding out over the course of our time together." Samir still wore a smile, but his hands never stopped moving. "Blood Blade!" A flying blade made of blood shot toward Edward. Ed, standing beside him, grabbed Edward and turned into a Flash of light, vanishing from the spot.

"Hm? Could that be spatial magic? Tch, that was a miscalculation." Bloodhand seemed somewhat surprised. "With a spatial wizard here, this mission will be difficult to complete. What should I do...? Then... I'll drain every last drop of your blood to make up for my losses! Night Demon Barrage!"

Another wave of blood darts flew at them. Because Elfman was keeping her tied up, Mira narrowly avoided them again and again. Filled with anger, she said, "Once this is over, I'll find you a powerful magical beast for you to Take Over! For now, just lie down for a while! Take Over: Satan Soul!"

Black magic power erupted from Mira's body. Her entire appearance changed: her hair floated upward, a pair of demonic wings emerged from her sides, her hands became green demonic claws, and a tail grew behind her.

"You dared toy with my little brother. Prepare to die, you trash!!"