章 17: new place, new problem.
N/A
If there is any problem, tell me and I will fix it quickly!
--
"I want to talk about what we discussed earlier—the future," Arthur replied, his voice steady.
Intrigued, I followed Arthur into the training room. As we entered, I realized I hadn't seen Michael in a while. "Hey, Arthur, where's Michael?" I asked, curious.
"Oh, he's on a special mission. He's a rank A, so he'll be back in a few days," Arthur explained casually as he grabbed a weapon from the rack and tossed it to me. It was a three-sectioned nunchaku joined by metal rings.
I caught the nunchaku and immediately felt a connection with it, as if it were an extension of my body. I began to swing it with incredible speed, the air whistling as the nunchaku cut through it. "This is fun," I commented with a smile.
"A sparring match will be even more fun, especially since I want to show you what an S-rank can really do," Arthur said, a smile playing on his lips. He pulled out a dagger from his pocket, the metal glinting in the light. "So, you were talking to Jess, huh?" His voice came from behind me, and I turned to see him standing there, his dagger at the ready.
I attacked with the nunchaku, but my strike only connected with an afterimage. "Something like that," I muttered, jumping into the air to avoid a slash from Arthur's dagger. I landed and used the nunchaku to create a tremor, causing Arthur to stumble. "Haha! You're something else, aren't you?" Arthur said, a smile on his face.
In the blink of an eye, he disappeared, and my senses went on high alert. I quickly activated the magic circles of the Trickster Style, jumping between them to avoid the dozens of cuts that appeared on the wall where I had been standing. "Holy shit, you're fast," I said, my smile nervous. Arthur's speed was incredible; I hadn't even heard him move.
"Something like that," Arthur's voice startled me as he appeared next to me. I leaped away, crashing into the wall, which dented from the impact. I jumped again, putting distance between us, and Arthur smiled.
"Well, time to try something new," I murmured, a smile playing on my lips. I infused the nunchaku with Mana, and a warm blue energy coursed through the weapon. I smiled and poured more Mana into it, the warm energy transforming into erratic blue flames. I swung the nunchaku with speed and precision, and declared, "Now I'm ready!"
I vanished in a blur, appearing behind Arthur, and struck with the nunchaku. But my attack only hit an afterimage, and my senses were bombarded with warnings as Arthur's dagger came at me from all angles. I dodged and parried, a cut appearing on my arm, but it healed quickly. Suddenly, several cuts appeared on my arms, my clothes torn.
Gritting my teeth, I jumped away, the nunchaku a blur as I exhaled and channeled my energy. A blue light seemed to course through my body, and I smiled. "Now!" I propelled myself forward, using the Triple Dash to close the distance and strike Arthur in the face with the nunchaku. But he ducked, avoiding my attack by a hair's breadth. I saw his smile as he countered with a slash to my chest, and I flew towards the wall.
I landed and said, "Haha... okay, I think it's time for this."
Holding the nunchaku tightly, I infused them with demonic energy. The nunchaku glowed with a mix of red and blue energy, and I smiled at the sight. "Ha..."
I blurred into motion, appearing next to Arthur and striking him in the back with the nunchaku. He flew towards the wall, and I grinned as I rushed towards him. But suddenly, I felt a cut on my chest. I looked down to see an 'X' shaped cut, and cursed under my breath.
I jumped away, only to see Arthur's dagger coming straight at me. It moved faster than the speed of sound, and I barely dodged in time. I exhaled in relief and grabbed the dagger, returning it to Arthur with a throw of my own.
The dagger traveled at incredible speed, breaking the sound barrier multiple times and creating sonic booms in its wake. But Arthur easily dodged it and caught it, as if it were a casual game.
Fighting with him is more complicated than with Nazareth, but perhaps it is because he is more agile and skilled than him.
But I feel like Arthur could beat Nazareth...
I quickly dodged a slash that cut the wall from floor to ceiling. This training room can repair itself over time, which is a good thing since Arthur did spend a fortune on it.
I swung the nunchakus with force, creating a large horizontal cut in the walls, but Arthur jumped and dodged with ease. He disappeared into the air, and I countered by catching his dagger between the rings of my weapon. "Caught ya!" I smiled.
I moved the nunchakus again, and Arthur doubled in the air, but I struck with a vertical blow, sending him crashing hard into the floor. The floor dented, and a shockwave rippled through the room. "Haha... nothing bad," Arthur smiled, and suddenly, I felt the dagger at my neck. He was serious now.
"I give up..." I conceded with a smile. Damn, his speed is incredible. I didn't notice or hear anything; this is what an S-rank can do.
"Hey Arthur, show me a powerful attack of yours. I want to know what my current limit is," I said with a smile.
Arthur appeared in front of me and said, "Well, this might help you in the future. Watch closely." Lightning crackled around his body, and he disappeared in an instant. I felt a cut on my cheek, but it healed quickly. Lightning speed!?
"Damn... that's crazy," I said, a bit nervous.
"Rank A and S have a HUGE difference," Arthur explained. "My advice is to not underestimate anyone. Even a Rank C or B can defeat you if you're too arrogant, as long as they're intelligent and skilled enough."
Arthur sheathed his dagger and continued, "Now, I wanted to talk to you about a special mission. It's a direct request for you, but it would be too dangerous to send you alone. It's a simple protection mission, and it involves an event you probably don't know about—an international tournament between academies to determine the strongest one in the world."
Oh no... I think I know where this is going.
"NO FUCKING WAY I'M GOING TO AN ACADEMY!" I exclaimed, my voice serious.
Arthur looked at me and said, "No, you won't be going to an academy. This time, it's just another mission... a serious one. You'll be traveling far from Lunaria to a place called Karkubia, the Great City of Waves."
Oh... that doesn't sound so bad. Exploring new places was something I always wanted to do when I got stronger.
"Well... it doesn't sound so bad. I'll be a bodyguard, right?" I said with a smile. I hoped I wouldn't have to deal with an arrogant noble or something like that.
"Well... do you know the Keplar family?" Arthur asked, and my smile instantly faded. Oh no...
"I'll guess... the youngest daughter, right?" I said, my voice filled with annoyance.
Arthur pointed at me and said, "Ding dong! You got it right. How about it? A million solars if you protect her throughout the event."
One million...
I put my hands together and said with a big smile, "Haha! Sure! That doesn't sound bad at all! Good pay!"
Arthur smiled and said, "Well, the event is in two days. It will be held in a big city far from Lunaria, several thousand kilometers away—in Karkubia."
Karkubia... these names were so strange.
"The great city of waves... is it an island or something?" I asked with a smile.
"Something like that," Arthur replied. "Are you prepared to go in two days? Dangerous things will probably happen."
"Dangerous things, huh? That's what life is all about," I said with a big smile.
Arthur laughed and said, "Well, I'll tell Elisa that you accept the mission. You'll also need to take two more person with you. It's safer to have more backup."
Arthur walked away, bidding me goodbye. I was alone in the training room, watching with curiosity as the walls vibrated and the cuts and dents slowly repaired themselves.
"Haha... how much would this be worth?" I murmured with interest.
I looked at the nunchaku, now slightly dented from the battle. I would need to save up if I wanted to buy Cerberus, the devil weapon I desired...
I looked up at the ceiling of the training room, thinking. Michael would be a great option, but he was currently on a Rank A mission and wouldn't be back for a few days. Jess also didn't seem like the type who would want to go.
"I guess I'll have to take the guy who likes kuuderes and the guy who likes tsunderes... well, it is what it is," I muttered to myself. I put the nunchaku back on the shelf and left the training room, heading towards the door.
"I hope this doesn't turn out to be too much of a hassle..." I murmured with a smile.
---
(One day later)
"YESSS!!!!" Alex's voice rang out, and I saw him with a big smile, carrying a suitcase filled with who knows what. Austin was also smiling, carrying his own suitcase.
We were on our way to the portal that would take us to Karkubia. I had dyed my hair black as a precaution and was wearing casual clothes. Karkubia was known for its beaches and vacation spots, and there was also a massive stadium in the middle of the city where the academy tournament would take place.
Well, I hoped it would be a great place. We walked with our suitcases towards the large blue portal, which flowed like waves. The portal chamber was huge, like an airport, and thankfully, the portal was discounted, so I had to pay less to enter.
"Well, guys! Let's go!" I shouted, and they followed me through the portal. The sun on the other side was strong, and I covered my face with my hand, almost blinded by the light. I looked around and saw a bustling city—thousands of people laughing, shopping, and enjoying themselves. The event would last a week, and luckily, I didn't have to get directly involved with Kaila Keplar, our target. I could protect her quietly without her even knowing I was there.
Although I had a feeling something bad was going to happen. This seemed like a typical shounen event where villains would attack, but hey, if there were villains, there would also be orbs! And orbs meant weapons and things to buy!
"Great... Karkubia!" Alex shouted next to me, wearing a short green shirt, a cap, and shorts. Austin was also dressed for the beach, in black shorts and a short-sleeved shirt.
I sighed. "Understand that this is an important mission. I chose you two because... well, you were the only options I had..."
They ignored me and started exploring the city. Idiots...
I sighed and took off my sunglasses, which I had put on against the sun. Suddenly, I heard screams from girls behind me, and I turned to see a group of girls looking at me with blushing faces. "He's handsome..."
"Damn... he's so hot..."
I felt quite uncomfortable with all the attention. Damn... this was weird.
I put my sunglasses back on and quickly followed Austin and Alex. I was handsome, but this attention felt strange...
So, this is how Gojo Satoru feels... Ugh... the things we have to endure every day...
I stood next to Austin and Alex and said, "Well, now we have to choose a hotel. I have one in mind—four stars, close to Kaila Keplar's location. Got it?"
They both nodded, and I sighed. "Well... let's go to the hotel, get our room, and... well, I guess having some fun doesn't sound so bad."
They smiled, and we headed to the hotel. I had to let Alex do the talking since I was only fifteen years old...
After a while, we arrived at the hotel and took the elevator to the top floor. Damn... my savings... I had spent almost all of it...
We entered our room, and I saw that it was quite luxurious. I put my suitcase down and lay face-first on the bed.
"Ah... this feels good..." I murmured with a smile.
"Hey, get off my bed," Austin said. "This is mine," I replied.
"Ah... damn..." I heard Austin's voice complain, and I couldn't help but smile.
"Haha... bed..."
After a while, the three of us were sitting on our respective beds. "Well, as you already know, our target is Kaila Keplar. I really don't want to get directly involved with her. It's better if we're stealthy and help her indirectly. I don't want to get caught up in any noble drama," I said.
Austin nodded and said, "Well, that sounds better than getting involved directly. Kaila Keplar, huh? We have to protect her from demonic cults, right? I think this will be complicated..."
Alex, lying on his bed, chimed in, "Demonic cults are complicated. There are several of them—the Zodiac Signs, the Deadly Sins... and some weaker ones too. As an experienced mercenary, I know that demonic cults are really dangerous"
"Zodiac signs? Like Taurus and Aries?" I asked, curious. "I can understand the capital sins, but the zodiac signs? That's new." I never expected the zodiac signs to be involved in demonic things.
"Yeah, those zodiac signs aren't as powerful as the sins, but they're still dangerous. I once fought some members of the Aries cult, and they were annoying and dangerous. Even though I won, I had to stay in bed for a week to recover from the damage," Alex said, squinting as he recalled the battle.
"How powerful are the zodiac signs?" I asked, intrigued.
"Well, from what I know and what I've seen, they make contracts with demons," Alex replied, his voice serious.
"Hey, Alex, what Rank are you?" I asked, curious about his strength.
"A" he replied casually.
"I'm 24 years old, not bad, huh?" Alex smiled.
Austin spoke up, "I'm 15 and a Rank C. I'm more of a supporter than a fighter."
I nodded and said, "Well, I think we've talked enough. I want to see the city."
"YESSS!!" Alex shouted, and I groaned. "Don't scream, IDIOT!!"
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