章節 9: Chapter 168
Rustle, rustle.
Along with the sound of rustling leaves, a woman emerged from the shadows amongst the tree branches.
Red hair and a suit—the woman who sat next to Jin at the transfer gate. The woman examined her surroundings, then hopped down from the tree.
"Oh, Brother! Jin! Hehehe!"
A very excited voice.
She had been following Jin ever since she found him at the Kon Kingdom. He had used his Mind's Eye in order to even detect her.
He never had this plan in mind, but it was perfect.
"I was so tired of ignoring you on the train!"
"Me too. How have you been, Sister? Also, what is that disguise? I thought you dyed your hair with blood. At the transfer gate, that is."
"I heard from Owal that if I meet you again, then Father will kill you. So I dyed my hair with my favorite color. Fixed my face with some make-up too, hehe."
"Hm… I don't know how those relate."
Jin put his emotions aside and remembered one warning.
—He also warned me through you. To never even think of using Elder Sister Yona.
Cyron's warning that came with the Black Light Cuirass—to not use Yona.
However, Jin shut his eyes and wanted to use Yona's power. He wasn't killing Bouvard, just a light favor to eavesdrop…
'Even if Father finds out, wouldn't he be fine with it…?'
Well, it wasn't illegal if no one found out.
And even if he did get caught, he could nullify the punishment by offering a majestic bust of Cyron.
'What the hell am I thinking? If Father was someone to glance over crimes, then our clan would've never become so great. I'll just not get caught. Never.'
"Don't worry! Owal said he'll keep it a secret too. Also, I've had my senses heightened, and there wasn't anyone chasing us."
"Thank goodness. Though, I was also moving while keeping an eye out."
"So, why did you call for me?"
"Half because I just wanted to see your face again, and the other half is to ask for a tiny favor. Anyway, take a look at this."
"What is it?"
Jin took out a mysterious vial containing a black liquid. He unscrewed the cap and downed the bottle.
"Keugh, Thousand-Poison Antidote. I'm using it well. I should show off the present you gave me, you know?"
"Ahahahaha…. Jin, you're too funny. That's Black Moss Poison. Really hard to get your hands on. Did your friends get it for you?"
"Yes."
"I'll kill them. How could they give my brother such a thing?"
"I asked them to get it for me."
"Be quiet. I don't like it at all."
Yona's eyes became sharp, and Jin shook his hands frantically to calm her down. If she also found out that he was fed poison as soon as he woke up from his coma, Yona would actually kill them.
"Heh. Still, seeing that the antidote worked out well, it feels good!"
Reuniting with Yona after two months, she was still hard to read. However, Jin didn't hate her for that, and he didn't even feel any pity.
Yona didn't like sympathy for whatever weird actions she did.
"So, what's the favor?"
"From here on out, I'm going to meet a fragmentor named Bouvard Gaston. If you can, please eavesdrop on him. Whether he's just muttering to himself or conversing with another person."
"Simple, alright. Instead, when I'm done, you have to play with me."
"You're gonna have to watch him for days. If you're okay with it."
The siblings chattered and walked through the forest together. As they walked for about two hours, they saw a sign that read: 'Artistic Explosion'.
Bouvard Gaston's fragment workshop.
The workshop sat atop a shallow hill, dyeing itself in the sunset.
Tons of fragments—big and small—laid in front of the workshop. The fascinating thing was, from each and every fragment, a strange aura could be felt, even from their distance.
'Shocking. Even for someone who's not an expert, I could feel it. Enough for other artists to feel hopeless.'
Getting closer and taking a gander, it was true. Anything fragmented to look alive looked as if it would move when touched, and every single inanimate object felt more dimensional than an original object.
Yona glared at the fragments. Instead of falling into admiration, her eyes looked uncomfortable and angry.
"Sister?"
"These fragments…"
"Are you alright?"
"Ah, yes. Uh… This is a little embarrassing. This… Someone like me made this. I just know."
"Excuse me? Someone like you?"
'Is it something about her special powers?'
That thought shot through his head, but he didn't ask.
"Very interesting. Can you tell me now how you found this place?"
Jin thought for a second, then unloaded the information he earned from Mato Baker. Yona was someone he could trust as much as he did Luna.
"Hm, so that's what happened… The Transformer? This fragmentor? And you beat him up at the banquet."
"Not too sure just yet. I just came to see if I can uncover some things."
"First, I'll erase my footsteps. Even if you can't detect me, don't think I abandoned you."
Right after she finished her sentence, she disappeared. No matter how much he opened his Mind's Eye, he couldn't detect Yona's position or her existence.
'So this is her full strength. It seems she hid between the fragments. Before that… her reaction was weird. Elder Sister Yona and Bouvard being similar people…?'
Clang, clang!
He first shook the bell on the door. Curano's fragmentors often operated underground, so they couldn't hear customers knocking on the door.
Thud, thud!
Footsteps echoed after shaking the bell for some time. Bouvard lugged his heavy body up the stairs, as if he were pissed.
The door swung open.
"What kind of…"
'Runt.'
Failing to continue his words, Bouvard stared at Jin for some time.
"Bouvard Gaston. Long time no see."
"Eeeek! What do you think you're doing here?!"
He grabbed a handful of salt from his pocket and threw it at Jin.
To his standards, the ones seeking his workshop were 'dirty lowlife' customers, which was why he always had salt prepared.
And amongst the lowlife, Jin was the worst.
Fwing!
Fwip!
Jin quickly evaded the projectiles and didn't get hit by a single salt crystal.
"That's a bit harsh. I came as a customer today."
"Customer, my ass. I don't take customers like you!"
"Oh, you're gonna be like that? I'm no different than your savior."
"Saaaaaavior??? Saaaviooorrr?!?!"
"If my siblings or a guardian knight heard what you did at the banquet, your limbs would've been ripped off. You would've never dreamt of crafting such beautiful fragments."
"Shut up and die!"
Crack!
Bouvard's fist hit Jin's chin.
"Phew, stop it now. Even if I am a prospective successor, this is—"
Crack!
Getting hit twice, Jin felt something snap.
The strings of his patience were snapping apart.
'Yeah, maybe beating up this guy might not be too bad. No, but does he have no fear, or is he just stupid?'
The moment the third fist flew…
Thunk!
Jin dunked his fist on top of Bouvard's head.
"Kugh!"
The short battle was different from the battle at the banquet. Jin went through an amazing transformation while Bouvard remained as a pitiful 5-star.
Bouvard lost balance and fell backwards, but Jin caught his wrist and kept him upright.
Then, another person emerged from inside the workshop.
"Bouvard, what's the matter… Young Master… Jin?"
"Lord Vishukel…?"
He didn't expect Vishukel to be at the Artistic Explosion that day.
"Young Master Jin, why are you here? Are you not in the middle of your provisional flag-bearer trials?"
"About that…"
"L-Lord Vishukel! This guy embarrassed me at the banquet and sought me again to cause a disruption…! Aaahhh! Please kill him!"
At that moment, Vishukel's eyes met the salt on the ground. He also glanced at Jin's slightly swollen chin and forehead.
'This disgusting fatass. It's obvious what he did wrong.'
Swallowing those words, Vishukel took a deep breath.
"...Please come inside, Bouvard. Apologize to him. Who are you telling me to kill?"
"Why should I?!"
"You threw the first punch and incited violence. And you're telling him to apologize? You have anything to say for yourself?"
Vishukel scolded Bouvard, whose face wrinkled in a frown. Vishukel had been very stressed because of him recently.
"Eeeerk… Still, I can't apologize!"
"Uh, yeah, then I'll do it for you. I'm sorry I hit you, Bouvard."
Jin conceded and pushed Bouvard into the workshop before shaking hands with Vishukel.
'So this calm and cold man is also in the Kinzelo Group…? Sir Kashimir told me that Bouvard was above Vishukel, but it doesn't seem like it.'
And Vishukel had no idea Yona was nearby.
'As much as Vishukel is an 8-star, he must have a more polished Mind's Eye. I'm sure Elder Sister Yona will adjust accordingly.'
Letting go of Jin's hand, Vishukel shrugged.
"I apologize, Young Master Jin."
"No worries. I came knowing that this would happen. I should've been more patient. I apologize for causing you stress."
"No need. Anyway, what brings you here…?"
"I wanted to have a bust of my father created, and all of the fragmentors in the workshop street recommended this place. This was my last, last straw."
"Hm, I see."
"I do have a rough past with him, but it's still my father's bust. Seeing the fragments in the front, it seems I came to the right place. I couldn't hide my astonishment from Bouvard's pieces."
Vishukel's eyes narrowed.
"Young Master Jin."
"Yes?"
"Everyone knows that Bouvard's fragment work is amazing. However, I don't understand your demeanor as the Runcandel Clan's youngest child."
"Ah, did I act disrespectful in any way?"
"Correct. The young master I saw at the banquet wasn't someone who'd act upon such an extraneous situation. In fact, if you needed a bust of Lord Cyron, anyone from this area would've been just fine."
As if admitting defeat, Jin shook his head.
"You saw right through me. Indeed, there was an ulterior motive. The one I wanted to meet wasn't Bouvard, but you, Lord Vishukel."
Jin glared at Vishukel with burning eyes.
章節 10: Chapter 169
It was a blatant lie, but it was Jin's only choice since he slipped up in front of Vishukel.
'Vishukel Yvliano. Just one mistake and he'll become a pain in the ass. I have to conjure something that he'll believe…'
Vishukel tilted his head, shook it, and kept a sharp eye on Jin.
"To meet me instead of Bouvard?"
"Yes."
"For what reason… Oh, that's why."
Jin looked hungry for a fight as his expression looked inviting. Vishukel smiled in interest.
"Would you like to duel me as a provisional flag-bearer?"
'Not a bad reaction.'
"It's embarrassing to admit, but that's true. Since I can't personally go to the Yvliano Clan with my current status as a provisional flag-bearer, I first sought Bouvard, someone who Lady Margiela referred to as a 'friend'."
Vishukel flinched at the word 'friend'.
"Hm, so you're basically saying that you tried to meet me through Bouvard."
Vishukel didn't ask Jin as to how he found the workshop's location. There was no reason for the Runcandels to not investigate Bouvard who dueled the banquet's host.
"Although, I wasn't lying about having a bust of my father created. If I knew that Bouvard was the most talented fragmentor of this city, I wouldn't have searched the streets this entire time."
A silence passed.
Jin didn't know if his lies worked on Vishukel, but he wasn't desperate to find out. Vishukel took out a cigarette.
Scritch.
He scraped a match on the box's match striker, and smoke fluttered into the air.
Vishukel took a second puff when half of the cigarette was burnt as he organized his thoughts on Jin's unexpected appearance.
"...That day, the duel was quite memorable. I also waited for the day to duel you."
"Thank you for the compliments."
"However, now is not the time."
"Why not?"
"Even though a rose grows some thorns, I should never step on a growing flower. Young Master, as someone older than you, allow me to advise you. Excessive bloodlust is poisonous."
Jin's pupils shook.
'Look at this guy…'
It was a lie turned challenge, but he didn't need to be this patronizing.
However, Jin shouldn't rebuke it.
"After becoming a provisional flag-bearer, I fought many enemies. But it seemed my opponents were always a bit lacking. I don't get the same rush that I got when I fought you. The feeling of using the Mind's Blade."
"Please don't embody your current achievements as your whole self, Young Master."
"Those achievements almost caused some horrible accidents on the duel that day."
The level of provocation rose.
Nonetheless, Jin knew that Vishukel wouldn't want to fight him anyway.
'He isn't someone to fall for these provocations, and he won't earn anything out of a battle.'
Vishukel was currently an 8-star. Jin was announced to be a 5-star at the banquet. A sizable skill gap existed between them.
However, Vishukel knew that Jin's achievements weren't small after one and a half years since the banquet. Though, he didn't think that those achievements were relevant towards the outcome of the battle.
Vishukel rubbed the ashes of the cigarette on the wall, then sighed.
"Please stop, Young Master Jin. I don't want to get tired from such extraneous business. I came here on vacation. Don't you think it's a little disrespectful?"
"I apologize for that."
Fwip!
Vishukel created a palm-sized blade with his aura and cut Jin's bangs. Before the blade disappeared—before the hairs fell to the ground—he cut the falling strands once more.
Realizing what happened half a beat later, Jin felt a cold sensation creeping up his back, and Bouvard thought Vishukel beheaded the Runcandel.
"I'm showing you in case you didn't understand. Do you think you'd stand a chance after failing to react to that?"
He was right.
Excluding the fact that Jin didn't react on purpose.
'I almost instinctively dodged it. Shoot, I would have had to duel him for real then.'
Jin didn't want to duel either. The goading was all just to wash his body off from Vishukel's suspicion and catch his attention so that Yona could do her job.
Bouvard smacked his lips after seeing that Jin was still alive.
"Why didn't you just cut this insolent bastard, Sir Vishukel? It would have felt great."
"Bouvard, are you out of your mind? What are you gonna do when Young Master Jin becomes a flag-bearer in the future?"
"That kid will definitely die before he does. I can tell just from him fearlessly challenging you. He thinks he's on top of the world just because he's a Runcandel—"
"Bouvard Gaston."
Jin turned and stomped towards Bouvard.
"What? Why?"
"How will you deal with me?"
"Hmph. You think I'm scared?"
Shing!
Jin unsheathed Bradamante.
"Young Master Jin?"
"I admit my hubris and discourtesy, Lord Vishukel. I am no different from a child who can't even clash swords with you. However, this fellow talking bad of Runcadel is another problem…"
Jin wasn't simply making a scene; he really wanted to kill him. Bouvard flinched and tried to scramble behind Vishukel.
"One more step and I'll kill you, Bouvard."
"Young Master Jin, please stop."
"Lord Vishukel, if your clan was slandered, would you remain still?"
Vishukel could not answer. It was true that Bouvard spoke poorly about the Runcandels.
"I could take some of Bouvard's comments towards me since you were in front of me. However, towards my clan… He's one crazy fellow."
Watching the situation unfold, Bouvard didn't blabber a single word. He realized that he would actually die if he moved a muscle.
"Haaa, I understand. However, in this case, I'm going to have to stop you as well."
"Then do so."
"And what if you die?"
"Even if I die, I will kill him and protect the Runcandel name. Of course, since I am a provisional flag-bearer, you will face no consequences."
"If you kill Bouvard at this moment, I will kill you. If that happens, what's the point of protecting the Runcandel name?"
"Even if the clan doesn't find out, I will not be ashamed of myself."
"Must you do this?!"
Vishukel raised his voice for the first time.
'Shit! It's my fault for not controlling that damned bastard's mouth. The young master isn't joking right now. What to do…?'
Cold sweat dripped down from Vishukel's nape. His desire to kill Bouvard was stronger than Jin's, but in order to finish Kinzelo's project, he had to keep him alive.
However, Jin and Bouvard were too close to stop. The only way to stop Jin would be to cut his arm or throat before he could move.
Yet Vishukel was not confident in cutting his arm.
In his waist was only his belt. Before Jin came, Vishukel was eating sweet potato croquettes, so he unarmed himself. He could conjure a blade with his aura, but a small blade like that wouldn't work.
To cut the arm, Vishukel needed a longer sword, but with that size, Bouvard's head would go off first. Hence, Vishukel's only choice was to cut Jin by the throat.
'If Jin Runcandel dies, will Lord Cyron really do nothing?'
Cyron was not the type to seek such vengeance. It was true that he valued Jin, but the moment the Runcandel Clan reacted to the death of a provisional flag-bearer, they would be labeled as hypocrites.
Vishukel couldn't be certain, however. The first provisional flag-bearer to have an honorary banquet after Luna killed in the hands of an Yvliano. What if that rumor spread…?
He predicted that, on top of the Yvliano Clan, the Kinzelo Group would also take a toll.
'I just need to hide it. No, I can't. Too many people saw his face in the workshop street.'
Putting the panicking Vishukel behind him, Jin opened his mouth.
"I will count to three, Bouvard. During that time, kneel and apologize with your life! One!"
"Kneel, Bouvard!"
Vishukel screamed. If Bouvard just kneeled, this awkward situation would all come to a close.
"Two."
"Kne—!"
Thump!
Bouvard's chubby knees hit the ground. Vishukel sighed in relief, and Jin put his sword on Bouvard's throat.
"I did as you—!"
"You're not done. Now, apologize. I should hear something I like before my hand slips."
Bouvard trembled in anger and shame, and Vishukel's heart dropped.
"I… did you wrong…"
Jin sheathed his sword and smiled.
"If it weren't for Lord Vishukel, I would've killed you. That is the usual consequence for slandering the Runcandel Clan. Thank him, Fragmentor."
Jin then walked to Vishukel and bowed.
"I have committed many acts of discourtesy, Lord Vishukel. If it'll help, you may beat me as much as you like."
Vishukel smacked his forehead.
"...I knew that Runcandels were like fire, but you are on another level. You were in no wrong to punish Bouvard. I show approval as the patriarch of the Yvliano Clan."
He was genuinely impressed.
'He's definitely a handful, but no other flag-bearer of Runcandel would do this. Jin Runcandel, you have surprised me many times since the banquet.'
He made sure to make Bouvard shut up in front of any stranger since then.
"However, I hope we don't have such chaotic encounters in the future. Please don't forget that I didn't attack you because Bouvard deserved his punishment."
"I won't forget."
"You are free to leave."
Jin left the workshop, and Vishukel stared at his figure getting smaller and smaller.
Once Jin was no longer in sight, he finally spat curses.
After hearing five or six horrible words, Bouvard grabbed Vishukel and let out depthless excuses. Then, he silently went to the basement.
'It's my first time seeing Sir Vishukel that angry. Jin Runcandel, that bastard. He was so disrespectful…!'
Bouvard would never realize that Vishukel's anger was towards him instead of Jin.
When Bouvard returned to the first floor, he had many croquettes in his arms.
Rustle, rustle.
"Please eat this and calm down, Sir Vishukel. Errrr, that rat bastard will never live a long life."
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