Chương 61: Harmony Makes A Miscalculation
Before the drunkard could say anything, Bob was quick to shut him down with a single sentence:
"Screw off or I'll beat you sober, Brad."
"What da hell ya say ta me?"
"He's right. Is that how you treat a friend?" Mister Mohawk standing behind laughed in response.
From what I could tell, the Mohawk guy and this Brad person both had D Rank Magical Talents.
'Do you know their strength?'
'Brad is still as Earth User but that guy behind him feels like a Wind Specialist similar to me.' My partner inwardly replied as I calculated our next action, but it wasn't like Bob would sit around in the meantime. This wasn't the right place to fight.
"Let's take this somewhere else." The drunk and rogue agreed to his request as they too didn't want anyone to criticise them for bullying someone for money. A sly smile plastered the rogue's face.
'Do not show him your back.'
'I already know that. Sheesh...' Bob retorted as they took steps towards an alley. I couldn't tell what the drunkard was thinking due to the fact that his face was stuck on the expression of pure anger.
Well, at least this silence game me time to think.
From what I've seen, the difference between a Elemental 'User' and a 'Specialist' was the methodological pattern weaved between their actions and desire. Before a desire turns into an action, there's a pattern in their way of thought.
For example: Earth Specialist were Post-Initiative type of fighters that mostly attacked AFTER their opponent has made an action. This made great use of their defensive capabilities that could take punishments way stronger than anyone else.
As for Wind Specialists, I cannot emphasise enough that super-speed did not equal a higher reaction time. This meant that they had no choice but to take a counter-initiative in their approaches.
It was rare for a Wind Specialist to take pre-initiative as that meant being able to predict an opponent's move and acting before they even attack. This level wasn't something you could do just because you desired it. It was at the zenith...
Only peak martial artists and VERY talented fighters could sense another person's intentions before they even make action. Either that or the opponent's fighting style is too straightforward.
Going by this information, Bob's chances seemed good if he had my guidance. But something was definitely off... My instincts are telling me I'm missing something crucial. However, I don't know what this uneasiness is trying to point at.
This feeling is like knowing you forgot something but not knowing exactly what is it you forgot.
'These two seem suspicious.'
'They look normal to me.'
'Look closely. This Brad guy is more lucid then he lets on and that Mohawk guy over there made an expression unbefitting of someone who is mugging you out of enjoyment...' I justified my suspicion.
'Also, just to remind you. Be careful and please be sure not to feel the intention to kill.' I warned as I suddenly remembered how the connection between our consciousness has its demerits.
'Why warn me of that?'
'I have a Kill Switch...'
'...' He didn't speak but I understand his confusion.
'When I make the decision to kill someone. I am unable to make myself stop the action. Once that switch is flipped, my mind will make a hundred justifications.' It was like that when I killed the young female assassin that infiltrated my home.
'That sounds a little extreme...'
'I find it hard to kill someone otherwise.'
'You should man up a little. Mental tricks like that are dangerous in a lot of ways. What if you end up trying to kill someone important? I am sure you would turn into a psychopath.'
'That will NOT happen. It takes a lot for me to feel the intention to kill. I normally have other methods.'
Suddenly, I felt a wave of magical energy from the Mohawk guy. It looks like I underestimated him a little as this wasn't him moulding Light Mana into Windlight Mana, but into Shadowlight Mana.
He was at least a Dark User! However, was he affiliated with 'that organisation'? I'm unsure due to how I could be jumping to conclusions. Not all people with the Dark Affinity were affiliated with the same syndicate that had attacked my home...
Argh...! If only my sensitivity to magical energy wasn't just limited to seeing the base 'Mana' within everyone. It would have been so much easier if I knew my opponent's affinities beforehand. I hate looking at these white 'Mana Flames' all day.
'I think Brad just had his wallet stolen.' There was a mixture of relief and doubt in my voice as I spoke.
'That is just what he gets for hanging out with the wrong crowd. Now I know why he needs money.'
'That Mohawk guy is at least a Dark User.'
'HE IS A WHAT NOW?!'
'Calm down. You might make mistakes if you get worked up. Keep your attention at front.'
'Why are you so good at this...?'
'I was a soldier in my past life.'
'That sounds like tedious work and responsibility.'
'Like taking care of your mother?'
'Hey!'
'Okay, I know... I went too far with that joke.'
'How will you repay me?'
'I will teach you how to fight humans.'
'Pfft, I do NOT need your help.'
"You... why are you abandoning me when I'm in need? I thought we were friends...!" The drunkard interrupted our conversation and grabbed the collar of Bob's shirt with a reddened face.
"He's right~ You're so cold to him~ Don't you think it's fine to let a good friend borrow some money."
"I don't remember being any of your friends." Bob spoke indifferently as he stared Brad in the eyes.
"Looks like he won't listen like this. How about 'making him see reason'? What do you think?"
"..." Brad didn't reply with words but with his sudden actions. A punch went for Bob's face.
Not that this predicable action hadn't been seen through beforehand by a local veteran hunter over here. As I had expected, Bob's counter-initiative allowed him to swiftly unleash his Wind Affinity Aura Manifestation and pinpoint the most effective action to take in that small window of opportunity presented by his increased speed. His expression didn't change as he intercepted Brad's arm.
Having increased defence didn't mean having higher attack. Therefore, it was only natural Bob would be able to brawl Brad openly. However, he miscalculated as someone as gave him a speedy punch to the face before he could say anything.
"Did you forget about me~?" Mohawk laughed with a teasing tone as he supported him from the back.
This was why two against one wasn't a disadvantage easy to overcome even in this world far from Earth. It had nothing to do with a fighter being inexperienced (as people of this world were taught how to fight at a young age) or the difference in physique (as it matters less than Magical Talent and the affinity of the fighter), the reason it the gap was so big was compatibility.
Going up against someone with the same affinity as you will naturally put you on an even playing field so long as you at least have average Magical Talent. The most common Magical Talent for an Adventurer was D Rank as normal E Ranks would find this occupation to be too dangerous. If so, was every every other affinity the same situation?
Of course it wasn't! Though Fire Specialist were powerful, they couldn't catch up to the speed of Wind Specialists. Though Wind Specialists were fast, they couldn't really harm Earth Specialists.
Different specialisations meant different strengths to utilise and weaknesses to hide. That didn't mean that battles between Specialists ended before they started as the environment mattered a lot too.
I don't mean that in the 'people can use the environment against their for' kind of way but in a more literal sense. Wider landscapes without many obstructions allow Wind Specialists to manoeuvre around better while Fire Specialists thrive in places like deserts or even rarely a near a lava volcano.
I would criticise him for not choosing his area for battle wisely since alleys were the worst places for him to show his strengths, but it wasn't like he had a choice considering how they dragged him here.
'Need help?' I asked him after he took a sound beating from the duo that's trying to steal money.
Bob leaned on the alley's wall with an air of defeat around him after his clothes got messed up by Brad's irrational violence. He couldn't think of a way out, which was why the only thing he said was:
'...Fine.'
Seeing this was my chance to show off, I sent my personal 'guidance' straight to him immediately.
'That sounds scheming and manipulative. I see why you are a 'Monster' now. This is a little too shameless for my tastes.' Was how he reacted when he read the words appearing in his head.
'Do you have a better idea? Let me tell you now that humans are social creatures that should use their words as weapons. Your actions after that will just be you doing your best to win. It's not like rules exist in fighting anyway, so stop whining and fight.'
'...Fine fine. I WILL do it.' He didn't seem like he wanted to hear more of my persuasion as he opened his eyes with a reinvigorated look within them. The duo reacted and was about to attempt beating him up again, but he spoke out first:
"That Guy behind you stole your wallet." Brad was shocked by Bob's words as he checked a specific pocket, found nothing was there, before turning to look towards Mohawk behind him in suspicion.
But before the scoundrel could use his words to worm his way out or shift blame, Bob acted according to my instructions and cracked some jewels with a solid kick to the drunkard's nuts.
His movements were so masterful that it seemed like he was born for this exact moment in his life!
Brad's face contorted strangely as even his Earth Aura couldn't save him from feeling great pain akin to being slaughtered a million times upon having his jewels kicked. Some vital areas could never become more durable no matter what magic you use. All you can do is endure the pain and hope your opponent has the mercy not to kick again.
Then, like I had instructed, he feigned a roundhouse kick towards Mohawk despite his real target being Brad. The poor guy didn't even have the time to recover as the kick turned more than 200 degrees and slammed him in the back of the head to knock him out. Mohawk widened his eyes in surprise... but why could I sense some delight?
Now that it was one versus one, there was less to worry about. However, I couldn't ignore the fact that introductions alone wouldn't be able to allow him to beat someone with two affinities.
Having a Wind Affinity gave him the exact same choices as Bob, but the Dark Affinity added in made things a lot more harder. Even a normal Dark User would be able to create more opening in someone who only had an Elemental Affinity.
This was because of how sinister it was to have Dark Attribute techniques. Unlike Anna, who was a Ninja that focused less towards wicked arts and more towards stealth or espionage, most Dark Specialists used their power in cunning ways.
Before Bob could continue attacking, the first thing his opponent did was draw a dagger and send a slash towards his waist. He wanted to instinctively grab the handle of his sword in response but:
'Stop!' I warned him as the knife didn't cut into his flesh and instead slammed its edge into the hilt of Bob's sword. Should he have followed his instincts as a hunter, his fingers would have been sliced off!
"Oh? You reacted? You're better than what that girl said about you~" Both of us reacted to this statement and instantly thought of Dorothy. If it wasn't her sending people after him, then who?
"Not enough to beat me though." He taunted as the mana within him took on two Attributes.
[Dark Art- Six Arms!]
[Wind Art- Dicing Parade!]
He duel-wielded two knives, one scarily sharp blade in each hand, before multiplying his arms by three. I recognised this skill as partial duplication was simpler than 'shadow clones' and 'artificial limbs' that Dark Specialists were known Ford
The Wind Art that expertly followed this attack-triplicating Art was a strong one. One must understand that it was extremely complicated to attack with six arms at once, as it wasn't easy getting used to extra limbs you used 'manually'.
Once again, Bob's first thought was to try and daw his sword to intercept the opponent's attacks, but I knew before Mohawk even attacked that it was too late. Without giving any time to think, I covered his skin with my shadow to take the attack for him.
The razor-sharp blades that cut through his clothes slammed him into the wall again due to its sheer force. The clothes on his body got torn piece by piece until Mohawk had finished his assault.
"You're uninjured? Sweet~! I knew there was something special about you!" Mohawk said in a nonchalant manner as if he didn't have any intention to compare strength with Bob.
On his neck appeared a black tattoo, and a similar frequency of magical energy occurred from the time he had stolen Brad's wallet. It was only now did I realise I misunderstood, stealing money was only a side-objective compared to his main goal.
But what was this 'main goal'?
Bob jumped to his feet and was about to continue the fight. However, one sentence shut him down:
"Your Mom is in our hands now." Mohawk spoke in a much more serious town as his eyes squinted towards 'us'. I finally understood what that bad feeling was as I turned towards Bob's house.
Using my sensitivity for mana, I could feel that Mana Flame of Bob's mother seemingly greeting someone with a black-coloured Intrinsic Art attached to their Mana Flame. Judging from the outline of the foe, it was shaped as a young girl.
I wanted to transport Bob there immediately even if we would be seen. However, I was too late as both Bob's mother and the child disappeared from my senses as soon as I noticed. A helpless expression appeared on my face as I shook my head at Bob.
This guy's real target was his Mom all along!
SUY NGHĨ CỦA NGƯỜI SÁNG TẠO 
FlowingWaves
FlowingWaves The following is an excuse: Sometimes, when you’re writing an entire story using Eastern Writing methods like ‘winging it’, you can occasionally accidentally update late thanks to using that time to think of new ideas to advance the plot in the right direction. As always, there will definitely be a big epic battle before every Arc ends, but this one will be more deserving of its Arc Epilogue.
I felt inspired by that ‘Awakening’ scenario in The Second Coming Of Gluttony.