Could it be for wealth?

  Elves were naturally indifferent to material wealth. They valued artifacts and equipment far more than gold. If it was about equipment, then maybe—that was a possibility.

  Beyond that, there was another explanation—he was hired to follow them.

  And if that were the case, the first person that came to Kenley's mind was Auber—the baron's son.

  After all, Kenley had a past grudge with Auber. If he had hired someone to track him down, it would make perfect sense.

  Kenley checked his mini-map again—no backup. The ranger had come alone. Level 15—five levels higher than Kenley.

  Kenley's gaze turned icy.

  The saying went:"Strike first, or suffer later." Against an enemy, there was no need for mercy.

  Someone skulking in the shadows, tracking him like this— what good could they possibly be? If Kenley didn't take this chance to eliminate him, this ranger could become a threat in the future.

  In these alleyways, a few missing people were nothing unusual.

  As long as no one saw it happen, he could dispose of the body, and no one would ever trace it back to him.

  Murder in the royal capital? Plenty of players had done it before.

  And when it came to evading knight patrols and avoiding the tracking skills of rangers and rogues—

  Kenley was the best.

  He glanced at Tia and gave her a small nod.

  Tia understood instantly and nodded back.

  Kenley led Tia silently around to the ranger's blind spot. Then, he drew his imperial military sword.

  The ranger was still scanning the alley.

  Perfect.

  In one swift motion, Kenley dropped the Cloak of Light and immediately activated his Charge skill!

  Rangers were famous for their agility, excelling at guerilla tactics and stealth. Against an enemy like that, he couldn't afford to let him escape—

  It had to be a one-hit kill.

  But—

  The Charge connected.

  Yet, the moment Kenley's blade was about to land—

  A blue energy shield suddenly flared up around the ranger!

  A magic shield?!

  The same glow. The same round barrier.

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  Just like what happened earlier today— when Kenley saw that merchant's enchanted trinket.

  This guy had one too?!

  What a coincidence.

  Kenley's ambush was completely blocked, and the impact alerted the ranger.

  The ranger's eyes widened in shock.

  Fighting a warrior in close quarters? Terrible idea.

  He immediately activated Swiftstep, transforming into a blur of motion and accelerating backward—

  Straight into a dead end.

  Kenley had already sealed off the only exit.

  But the ranger wasn't trying to escape.

  He was creating distance for a counterattack.

  Kenley knew it.

  And the moment the ranger used Swiftstep—

  Kenley reacted.

  Instead of chasing with his sword drawn, Kenley did something insane—

  He sheathed his sword and sprinted.

  A risky move.

  In combat, putting away your weapon meant no attacking. No defending.

  If anything went wrong—

  He'd pay the price in blood.

  But Kenley didn't care.

  He knew that a ranger's biggest weakness was close combat.

  Once a warrior closed the distance, even if the ranger was five levels higher, it wouldn't matter.

  The ranger reached the end of the alley.

  Immediately, he drew his bow and nocked an arrow, ready to fire at Kenley.

  But the moment he turned around—he froze.

  He hadn't expected this—

  Kenley had sheathed his sword just to sprint after him?!

  Was he underestimating him?

  Mocking him?

  Or just reckless?

  Whatever the reason, the ranger had no intention of showing mercy.

  Kenley had almost killed him just moments ago, after all.

  But in the brief instant of hesitation—

  Kenley closed the gap by another ten meters.

  So fast!

  Wasn't he a warrior?

  How did he have this kind of speed?!

  (If only the ranger knew Kenley was wearing +10 Agility boots. Meanwhile, his own gear was still basic-tier.)

  Whoosh!

  The ranger fired.

  *Precision Shot—*a first-tier ranger skill, a magically-guided arrow that never missed.

  He was confident in his aim—and his weapon.

  His bow was no ordinary bow.

  It was a blue-tier, mastercrafted weapon.

  At this level, whoever landed the first hit usually won. Either the enemy was instantly killed, or at least critically wounded.

  Kenley knew this.

  And so did the ranger.

  Precision Shot!

  The arrow locked on and shot forward.

  But Kenley kept running.

  No dodging.

  No blocking.

  Just cold, unwavering eyes, locked onto his target.

  Is he insane?! He's not even trying to defend himself?!

  That was the last thought the ranger had—

  Because in the next instant,

  a blue energy shield flared around Kenley's body, just like before.

  Damn it!

  A normal person would instinctively dodge or defend against an incoming attack.

  But this guy—

  He acted like he already knew exactly what would happen.

  There was no time to react.

  The moment the arrow bounced off the barrier—

  Kenley was already in front of him.

  With a powerful kick, he struck the ranger's abdomen—

  And in the same motion, he drew his sword.

  So fast!

  The ranger couldn't even react.

  How could a young warrior have this much combat experience?!

  Even among the most talented youths he had seen in the Cain Empire, none had been this strong!

  As the kick landed, the ranger instinctively reached for his dagger—

  But Kenley's sword hilt struck his wrist, knocking it away.

  He wasn't aiming to kill.

  He was disrupting the ranger's weapon draw.

  What was he planning?!

  Before the ranger could even process it—

  Kenley spun around and slammed the sword hilt into his spine.

  [Blunt Strike]—a first-tier swordsman control skill.

  No damage—but it caused stun.

  Three strikes in a row, and the target would be stunned for three seconds.

  Thud!

  The ranger staggered.

  His vision blurred.

  His body refused to move.

  He dropped to one knee.

  Kenley seized the opportunity.

  He grabbed the ranger's bow and dagger—

  And threw them far away.

  (He couldn't store them in his inventory—because they were still bound to their owner.)

  Then, with a single fluid motion—

  He placed his sword against the ranger's throat.

  A battle lasting mere moments—

  And a ranger five levels above him was utterly defeated.

  What a brilliant fight!

  Tia couldn't help but admire it.

  Her master's level may have been low,

  But his battle instincts and tactical choices—

  Were flawless.

  Watching this, Tia was suddenly reminded of her old combat instructor from the kingdom.

  If Kenley kept improving—

  One day, he might truly become a master.

  Kenley tilted the ranger's chin up with his sword, his eyes cold.

  "Speak. Who sent you?”