Bab 28: Chapter 22 - Have you ever danced with the devil in the pale moonlight?
speech:"like this"
though:'like this'
telepathy:<like this>
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////////MC POV///////
'It is a hot night on the second day of August, in a night like this that we are going to face a new enemy, not knowing how strong he is and only armed with my wits, my primordial runes, and my unfair races advantages.'
Nemesis:<What the hell are you doing?>
Cad:<Monologuing.>
Nemesis:<But why?>
Cad:<I'm bored.>
Yeah, stakeouts are not my thing, Pai Chan said that Takaya is coming this way, he must have noticed how slow the Anima drain is going and is coming here to see what is going on.
So I am in one of the surrounding buildings waiting for his arrival, that little girl, Isuzu, said she was coming with me with a determined expression. And maybe she thought I was going try to stop her, but ain't nobody got time for that, so I just said for her to keep up and not get in the way.
Yeah, I know she will get in the way, and when she does I will just let Pai Chan deal with her, what? Am I being lazy, hell yeah I am, sue me.
Cad:"Ugh, this is boring, why does he have to take his sweet time, is close to three in the morning."
I complain with an annoyed tone, it is not that I don't have patience, but from what Pai Chan told me he has no reason to be tardy, he is just being paranoid and taking measures for his safety, so that's why instead of just coming directly he is doing in a roundabout way.
Well, he is right in this case but is not like he can do anything about it.
The girl Isuzu, just keeps to herself, standing there looking like the queen's royal guard. Is she going to yell at me if I touch her gun? I want to try it. While thinking stupid things to distract myself I hear the message from Pai Chan that they are getting closer.
Making a signal to the soldier girl to follow me I jump from rooftop to rooftop till we come to a big building, and at its roof, Takaka Kurisu, was looking at Amagi's Park, monologuing to himself like a madman.
Nemesis:<You just did the same thing.>
Cad:<That's different, I was playing around to pass the time, he, on the other hand, is really into it.>
Coming close to him, I use my runes on Isuzu to hide her from him, she initially flinches tightening her gun but I make a sign to keep quiet.
Takaya:"Soon, very soon, Latifa, I will have you wither and die slowly and delight myself in your father's suffering."
Cad:"I guess, that's my cue."
I quietly mumbled to her.
I chat a little with the guy, trying to see what his aim, and to see what kind of person he is. And surprise surprise, he is nuts, I really wanted to avoid it but I guess it will be business as usual.
And as I prepare to take him down.
Isuzu:"Not if I have something to say."
Ahhh, I freaking knew it.
Isuzu:"I will do anything to protect Princess Latifa."
As the girl points her gun at Takaya he immediately throws his spell at us. Like I typical DnD mage, he didn't ask for the size of the room, or even if there was a smell of sulfur in the place, he just uses fireball.
You know what, fuck it.
Cad:<Take this annoying girl out of the line of fire.>
Pai Chan:<Understood, Father.>
I take a step forward and with my best Hulk impression, I clap my hand as hard as I can while activating a wind rune.
*CLAP*
*WOOOSH*
*BOOM*
The attacks meet.
As soon as the fireball exploded I run through the smoke to catch Takaya who was trying to make his way to the park. Perhaps sensing my approach, he turns around and throws another spell while mid-flight.
I launch myself at him twisting my body mid-air dodging the blades. He tries to speed up but I take a snake sword from my ring and manage to wrap it around his leg.
Takaya:"*Argh*."
He lets out a grunt of pain as the blades dig into his body, looking at me angrily he tries to launch another spell at me, only to feel more pain as I move to dodge, making the blades of the sword cause further damage to his leg.
Frustrated and gritting his teeth from the pain he tries to ram me into a building to my left. As the building gets closer I receive the impact on my feet and start to run in his direction while still holding the hilt of the sword.
He panics as I approach fast and dives in an effort to get away. Which is really dumb as I'm still holding the hilt of the snake sword that it's still stuck in his flesh. So I smile at him for a split second before pulling while I dive in his direction.
Takaya:"*AARRH*"
Sweet, now a proper scream of pain, that was enough to distract him from trying to flee. Now I can start the beatdown.
*Punch*
*Crack*
Takaya:"*Hmmm*."
*Punch*
*Crack*
Takaya:"*Gaha*"
.
.
The first punch, to the face, broke his nose, and the second one on his left shoulder broke his collarbone, two more punches to the chest broke a few ribcages, not enough to puncture his organs. I don't want him to die before I can interrogate him after all.
As I was about to punch him in his other shoulder he pointed his right hand to my chest. Instinctively I took I spear from my ring and block his attack, and after I bang I get launched into the air.
Cad:"OoOoOoOoOoOoO."
My body keeps spinning in the air as I approach the park, not going to lie, it was fun. Taking a page from one of my favorite superheroes I make runes appear at the sole of my feet and palm of my hand, making a propulsion force made of air coming out of them I manage to stabilize myself and land.
Weirdly enough, Takaya is still coming this way. I guess he got desperate and is trying to do something to Latifa right now. But I do wonder, if he is the guy who defeated a dragon, isn't he too weak?
…..Did I just raise a flag?
Taking the small moment of waiting I take a look at the surrounding. The building we started our fight had smoke coming out of the top of it, and I can hear sirens coming from that way, behind me a good distance away is Pai Chan holding Isuzu by the scruff of her neck.
The little commotion I made in my landing was enough to make a few residents of the park come and see, more likely the ones that works as the security, I can see Guard Cards with weapons and a few other strange creatures.
Mooffe is also here to see what everything is about.
Takaya, slowly lands in front of me, battered and bloodied, holding his left shoulder. He looks at me.
Takaya:"The moon is beautiful today."
Cad:"....Are you for real?"
I can't help but ask with an incredulous expression, is he really going to monologue in this situation? Did I punch him too hard?
His body starts to crack and fix itself, I can feel a surge of energy from within his body growing by the second, the same kind of energy that was being sucked from Latifa's body.
Takaya:"I must thank you, I spent way too much time in the world, without Anima, I forgot what it was like to have to fight with my own hands, to go all out, you reminded me of that."
Oh Existence, he really is monologuing. His power grows at the same proportion as a deformed, condescending smile appears on his face.
Ok, I am done with this bullshit, I lightly stretch my body as I take a running pose.
Takaya:"But no more, that dragon, could not have defeated me, the kingdom's army, even after I was severely weakened could not kill me, and even in this world, where there isn't enough Anima to go full power, a mortal like you will not defeat me either."
5, 4, 3,....
Takaya:"Even with all of that, every year my power grows, thanks to the effort of everybody in this park, and that foolish, pathetic princess who gathers Anima for me I-Gaabuuuu."
Running full speed I elbow him in the stomach making him throw everything up. What? Do you expect me to wait for him to finish powering up? Fuck that.
Doing a backflip I kick him on the chin making him fall behind and hit the back of the head on the ground while his legs flail around in the air.
Takaya:"YOOOUUUUU."
Screaming in anger, he raises his hand to try and shoot another spell, but I was already prepared for that and throw my spear, sticking his hand on the ground.
Takaya:"Arrggggg."
Grinding his teeth he released a loud grunt of pain. Seems like he has a pretty good resistance to pain, good, I will have fun with you later. I feel him collecting energy at a quick pace.
Cad:"Get back."
I shout to the park resident around us, they are a good distance away but you never know. Jumping backward a throw another spear at him, aiming at his leg but an explosion around him raises smoke, hiding him, so I don't know if I hit or not.
Using a wind rune, I attack his general location clearing the smoke, tsk, he is not there anymore, annoying.
Cad:<Go to the princess, and take the girl with you.>
Pai Chan:<Understood, Father.>
I try to use my acute, vampire, senses to try and locate his location, at these moments I wish I had a sensory ability.
Moofle:"Where is he?"
Cad:"If I knew I wouldn't be standing here, would I?"
Moofle:"*snort* Right, let's spread out and search, I will go to Latifa's side and protect her, you find him and finish him off."
Cad:"Oh, shut up you stupid mascot, you will just get in my way so just do nothing, if you keep talking to me like that I can just leave and let you deal if the mage."
Of course, I wouldn't just leave the girl to her fate, his niece doesn't deserve to suffer because of her father's decisions and her uncle's bad mouth. But I'm doing a favor and I can easily change the term by which I help them.
He looks at me and grits his teeth before taking a deep breath and saying.
Moofle:"...Right, sorry, I can do nothing and have to rely on you, it just feels like the mage situation all over again. While I am thankful for what you are doing, I still don't trust you, or want you coming too close to my niece."
I listen to him while still trying to find Takaya, damn it, he even hid his Anima, I can't feel a thing. I blame Scatach for this, she can be too meat-brained sometimes while my physical prowess is top-notch, anything else is just really good.
It has nothing to do with me lazying on those other parts I'm sure of it.
Cad:"Understandable but do keep in mind that I have nothing to do with you or your people and while I feel sad for little Latifa we are just strangers, and I can leave you all to your fates at any moment, so mind your tone while talking to me while I'm doing you a favor, even if it benefits me."
I answer him seriously, while I'm glad to help I will not be treated as a servant.
Moofle:"...You are right."
Aha, found you bitch.
Cad:"Well, I think it is about time we continue, Takaya."
I say that, but I was already launching an attack at him, he defends with a barrier while uncloaking himself. But he was not alone, about a hundred deformed creatures, much like Lilith, with bones protruding from a lot of parts of their body.
*KYAAAAA*
*SHAAAA*
*HAHAHAHA*
These ones are blonde though, and have a small frame. Moving around making weird noises between screams and maniacal laughter.
Cad:"And here a thought that you would deal with me yourself, what is all this?"
I open my arms in a 'come on' gesture while giving him a mocking smile.
Takaya:"*snort* I can, but you are an unknown factor, I let my emotions get the better of me but not anymore, come, dance with those, and show me what you can do."
Cad:"*chuckle* Dance? Haa, Have you ever danced with the devil in the pale moonlight?"
I can't help but chuckle at him, thinking that is in control of everything. Also had to drop a reference, wouldn't be me if I didn't.
Takaya:"What are yo—-"
*SHRIIIIIEEEEKKKK*
He was forced to stop midsentence as I lunged with a spear in hand, already halfway through the crowd of abominations literally piercing my way through the crowd.
Cad:"Take everyone away from here."
I shout to Moofle as I impale an abomination and with a swift movement launch it onto others clearing another path toward Takaya who somehow was still baffled by what was happening.
He gritted his teeth and starts to chant.
Takaya:"*************************"
Cad:"Finally taking it seriously huh? Do you really think it will change anything? The only thing you managed until now was to be my punching bag."
To my feeble attempt to disrupt his concentration, the only response was his twitching eyebrow. I continue to mow down the horde, and with each swig of my spear I shave more and more of them, there's less than one-fourth of them left.
Cad:"Yeah, figures, can't expect much of a third-rate villain who only knows how to monologue, maybe you bore the dragon to death."
His face twists in anger but he keeps on chanting, at least is slower now. I punch the ground below me making it crack and burying my hand, activating a rune everything around me explodes like a vulcanic eruption.
That took the rest of the abominations as they scream in pain.
As I've already protected my body I go underground swimming through the small body of lava I created underneath toward Takaya. Going fast I puncture through what remained of soil that didn't get consumed by the lava underneath yet and grab Takaya's ankle.
Takaya:"*ARGH*"
He screams in pain as my hand is covered in lava, hey, I could use this as torture….. On people that wouldn't die just by being close to it. Nevertheless, I jump out of the ground making lava splash all around, falling on Takaya.
Takay:"AHHHH, FUCK, FUCK, FUCK."
He howls in pain as I slam him on the ground while he is splashed in lava, the smell of his burning skin permeates the air, looks like he is strong enough to resist being close to it and downgrade it to a lower-grade acid once it touches his skin.
I should try to make BBQ in a volcano someday.
Cad:"You should have surren-AH fuck me."
I grunt in annoyance as I pull Takaya in the direction of the attack coming my way. The assailant tries to change the trajectory of its attack but I let go of Takaya.
I don't want to kill him, but I'm not going to let this new person distract me enough to give Takaya a chance to escape, so I choose to enlist the help of this new assailant.
Takaya:"AAAAAHHHHHH."
As the attack lands, cutting both of his legs he bellows in agony. damn, that's some powerful lungs. I look at my attacker.
Cad:"What an honor to be in the presence of Eden Chronos's number one assassin."
I say with a teasing smile.
Sephiria:"...Do you know me?"
She raises an eyebrow while in a defensive stance, waiting for my next move.
Cad:"My employer told me about you, you know him, you met him less than a week ago as he went to fight someone by the name of Astaroth."
Takaya:"AAAAAHHHHHH."
Not losing my smile, I retrieve another spear, preparing myself to face Sephiria as she frowns because of what I'm saying.
Got to play my part for a bit, I don't know if she is alone like last time or if her failure made her bosses tighten the leash they have on her, so instead of talking with my mouth. And because of what she has on her neck I don't need to.
Cad:<You are using the neckless I gave you.>
Sephy:"???"
She gets visibly confused but has no time to think as I already closing the gap, attempting to stab her with my spear, that sounded wrong, damn me and my childish mind. I don't regret it though.
She deflects my attack with her sword and tries to move it to the side in an effort to make an opening and attack. I let her, turning my back at her, letting the force she put into guiding my spear carry it around as I hold it vertically in my back blocking her strike.
Cad:<It is really thoughtful of you to use the neckless I gave you.>
Sephy:<Can you hear me?"
Cad:<I can.>
Dropping my body forward I put one of my hands on the ground as support as a kick upwards, making Sephiria dodge. Using my hand as a pivot I bring my legs down doing a sweep.
Sephira jumps back and as I get back to my feet she now lunges at me, I sidestep and try to slash her. She retracts her sword arm blocking my attack and using it to take a distance again.
Cad:<You are not bad, how does feel to finally be able to fight me?>
I ask amused.
Sephy:<So it was you, I thought your face looked familiar.>
Cad:<Oh I'm so glad you managed to such a deep impression on you Sephy.>
I playfully answer her with a merry tone as she deadpan look at me in response.
Takaya:"*Groan*."
Cad:"I don't think he can take it much more, so what will you do Miss Number One?"
Takaya groans on the floor, looks like he passed out from the pain, and I taunt Sephy a little.
Cad:<Soo, are you ok with your employers? Did they make things a little too hard for you?>
I ask Sephy with some curiosity, if I'm right, this may be the start of her going rogue.
Sephy:<...>
She doesn't answer me but the small flinch was enough for me, figures, she is trying to spare a traitor of the most elite force of the organization, that's a big ask. Even more, after she lost one of the more important assets and the two most important weapons.
It doesn't matter that she was certain that she alone couldn't cope with me and Ivy at the same time, she was made to give her life and blood to the organization.
I don't know what are their plans for her being the clone of the Devilukian Empress, but she is not treated as special so I can assume that she is still somewhat expendable.
Cad:<We will change sides, you must have a quick teleporter of some kind, let's exchange blows, and when you get close to him you two escape.>
Sephy:<!!?? Why would you do something like that?>
Cad:<Why are you wearing the neckless I gave you?>
Sephy:<...Instinct?>
Cad:<And what are these instincts telling you now?>
Sephy:<...>
I and Sephiria are slowly getting close to each other, both in our respective stances, she with her sword, me with my spear, step by step until the time to attack.
As she gets in the range of my spear, without any hesitation she rushes forward as I start my stab.
Since I let go of the lower part of the spear making it slide on my hand that was holding the upper part, I just recede that hand, bringing the spear's body back and into the line of the strike deflecting.
Rotating my arm above my head making the spear do a few sweeps, the first, aimed at her head she ducked, she jumped the second that was aimed at her legs, and the third, that was aimed at her torso as she was in the air, she dodged by twisting her body.
I moved my body along with the last sweep, pivoting on my left leg, which was on the front. My right leg turned along my right arm, where I was holding my spear now aimed at Sephira as the was about to land.
Taking the upper part of the shaft, close to the spear tip, on my left hand I trust the butt of the spear at her stomach as I shift my weight from my left leg to the right one, making me closer to her.
Cad:<Now.>
Understanding me, she crossed her elbow in front of her stomach, receiving my attack and letting herself be launched in Takaya's direction, wasting no time in taking a device from her pocket as both of them were bathed in light.
At the last moment, she looked at me with a complicated yet grateful expression.
Cad:<You owe me now Sephy, also, I uncovered something about the 'Mental Conditioning of Sephira Arks, you may be interested in looking into it, tell me how you want to receive it later, you can talk with me whenever you want.>
I inform her as I sigh in my mind, great, with that there's just one more thing I have to do before I can go back home to sleep. I will let the Shades handle Takaya's hideout for now.
Sephira:<....thanks.>
She quietly answers. maybe she is not used to being helped by someone. Well, with that I gained two things, I started to build trust, somewhat, with the assassin, and by humiliating Takaya and letting him go will consume his head.
Since it's already been proven that he is an obsessed-prone person and has a lot of screws loose, I will definitely become a target and he will use Eden Chronos resources. There is also a probability that they will gladly use him to try and get rid of me since he will be driven.
Now I just have to wait for him to bring more punching bags and more important information to my doorstep. Remember kids, work smarter, not harder.
Moofle:"Are you alright?"
Cad:"Yes, unfortunately, they escaped, seems like he wasn't as dumb as we though and must have called actual backup."
I say while releasing a helpless sigh.
Moffle:"...I see…So there's no way to help little Latifa?"
He says sadly while looking at the ground.
Cad:"Well, I wouldn't say that either."
I answer him with a smile while taking out a medallion from my ring, it was as big as my palm and had a few inscriptions in a language I don't recognize. I took it while punching the hell out of him at the start of the fight, it was where Latifa's Anima was going.
Cad:"Do you recognize it?"
Moofle:"...No, but this definitely came from my world."
Cad:"Take a picture and see if anyone on your end knows anything about it, I will do a few scans to see if I can stop the procedure and research it."
I say to him in a way that this decision is not open to discussion.
Moffle:"...Ok."
He makes a complicated face as he looked the medallion but complies in the end
I do a few scans on the artifact and locate a few points of interest. but for now, only the fact that the point of reception for Anima of the medallion has something akin to a valve so, making quick calculations in my head, I write a new rune to move that valve.
The whole process took me 30 minutes, and it took a lot of my energy, I'm really tired now.
Cad:"*sigh* I stopped the process, she must be feeling better now. Here take my number, I will come by later when I discover something else, you to, text me if you find something."
I say that to Moofle who was patiently waiting beside me while I worked, he must have noticed my tired voice and gives me a nod of appreciation before taking my card.
Mooffle:"Thank you."
Cad:"You're welcome"
He thanks me sincerely and I answer in the same tone, he doesn't trust me yet but still recognizes what I have done as I didn't need to help them after dealing with Takaya, which was my objective.
We say our goodbyes and I use my shadow movement to get home, I just want to sleep.
Scatach:<So now your claws are aiming at the beautiful assassin.>
Nemesis:<Oh that's nothing, he is helping a princess now.>
Ivy:<Just show how capable he is, every time he goes on a mission a maiden heart is shot down.>
Lisa:<Oho, it is nice to see that you taking your work seriously, we have to feed the harem, so? Which heroine is it now?>
Ah shit, I forgot to make a private channel to talk with Sephiria, damn it, I want to sleep.
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Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone