Infinite Paths: The Raging Phoenix

It would have been easier to follow him at night, so Rain had to keep sensing his footsteps through a thick layer of the ground and the bricks of the streets of the capital. Before long, he entered a tavern to eat and drink something.

Rain made the hole that he was using get close to Rhodes when he felt someone approaching his table, and then Rain clicked his tongue when he found that the floor was made of wood… he would have to listen to their conversation through it.

"... What did you learn?"

"They don't have a lot of people on their side, not even fifteen soldiers, but they are skilled," Rhodes replied. "They created the waterway in that area, and they are working to some extent with the sea folk."

Rain had a strong suspicion that Joanis had been orchestrating a series of events, with Rhodes as a mere pawn in a larger and more intricate plan. While Joanis couldn't predict every detail of the complex interplay of politics and power, he possessed a deep understanding of human psychology and the art of manipulation.

One of Joanis' calculated moves involved deliberately allowing a group of informants who had covertly worked for Branden to fall into the hands of their adversaries. He had foreseen that Branden, notorious for his relentless pursuit of information, would stop at nothing to extract valuable secrets from these informants.

What might have seemed like a risky decision was actually a strategic gambit on Rain's part. He recognized an opportunity to exploit Branden's desperation, using it to his advantage in the ongoing power struggle. This instance showcased Rain's tactical savvy and his readiness to utilize every available asset to advance his own objectives.

In any case, even through the wooden floor, Rain could tell that the person Rhodes was talking to had a peculiar aura, just like the new royal guards… They were strong.

"They also use a tunnel under the city to move… that is all that I learned from them," Rhodes said. "They listened to the conversation when the king locked Branden and the others… with this, you will leave her alone, won't you?"

"... Yes, I will. You should disappear for a while, just in case."

The person that Rhodes was talking to was a man and not only had a weird aura, but Rain also felt that he heard that voice before, but he couldn't recall when…

In any case, Rhodes soon left the tavern, and Rain followed him while the other guy stayed behind. Still, as soon as he had the chance, Rain made Rhodes fall into a hole that he created in an alley… Rhodes fell on his butt and then began to tremble like a leaf while looking at Rain.

"No time to waste with you anymore," Rain declared and then fired an earth spike from the ground that pierced Rhodes' heart.

In the end, Rain's guess was truly right… Rhodes was working for the enemy all along instead of just ignoring them, but he still was right when he thought that he was doing that to protect someone. Not that changed anything… he had his second chance and threw it away.

After burying the body of Rhodes, Rain waited for the target to move. It would be troublesome if he headed to the castle… still, Rain's worries were confirmed when the guy left the tavern and began walking toward the city's central area. Not only that, but he was also using a path filled with people.

"Well now… what should I do?" Rain thought.

Rain encountered a practical challenge when attempting to make the target disappear. The technique he employed required at least half a second to execute successfully. This timing was crucial, especially in situations where the target was surrounded by a crowd of people.

In such scenarios, even the slightest delay in his actions could risk drawing attention and suspicion from those nearby. To maintain his stealth and effectiveness, Rain had to carefully assess each situation, considering the need for precision and discretion in his line of work.

In the end, Rain began to drink a potion and then let out a sigh… he couldn't let that guy inform anyone of what he had heard, so Rain had to take some drastic measures.

After touching the ground and then taking a deep breath, Rain used his mana and then sent vibrations throughout the whole capital… Before long, everyone around saw the surroundings trembling, and then they lost their balance as well.

At the same time, a hole appeared under the target and made him fall in front of Rain, also inside another hole that reached his neck. Before long, the tremor ended, and the target couldn't move a single inch.

The individual Rain had tracked down had a human appearance, but something about him set him apart. He possessed a well-built physique and long, flowing black hair that reached down his back. His complexion was notably pale, giving him an almost otherworldly quality. However, what truly captured Rain's attention was the distinct aura that surrounded him.

As Rain drew closer, the man's eyes widened in surprise. Recognition flashed across his face, and it became evident that Rain had successfully captured him. The encounter was charged with tension as both individuals silently assessed each other.

Rain extended his magical skills to scan the area for any signs of disturbance or unusual activity. As he sensed the surroundings, he noticed that people continued with their daily tasks without interruption. There was no indication that anyone had paused their activities to search for the target.

While the tremor had piqued the curiosity of some, it appeared to be dismissed as an isolated incident or attributed to other causes. The normal rhythm of life resumed as people gradually returned to their routines, unaware of the underlying tension and the covert pursuit taking place nearby.

Still, the one who was surprised next was Rain… all of a sudden, his tunnel began to tremble, and he could sense the vibrations coming from his prisoner.