Chapter 137: Chapter 137: Prophecy (3)

“…What’s the matter?”

As if sensing the change in atmosphere, Jofor watched my reaction. I picked up my sword.

Whether it’s Jofor or not, the more urgent issue is that the devil worshippers have spotted me.

If I stay here, not only my group but also Jofor could get caught up in this.

The wave that swept over my body from the right and then detected me again from the left was not some kind of radar. As I expected, those guys had a way to find the Devil’s Blood.

I need to move immediately.

If that’s detecting my location, I can’t stay here. I picked up the umbrella beside me and stood up.

“Let me give you my advice later.”

The Devil’s Blood has reacted, but it hasn’t manifested yet. It’s just responding to the wave.

It doesn’t mean my full power has increased.

My companions’ expressions turned grave as they saw me getting up hastily.

They must have guessed the situation since I had told them beforehand. We had even arranged a rendezvous point for such an occasion.

While I need to move right away, Jofor’s presence gave me pause. Should I arrange to meet him separately?

The next destination has already been decided, though.

No… it’s too dangerous. For both me and Jofor. There’s no telling how this fight will end.

“Yes?”

“Something came up.”

“So suddenly?”

“Yes.”

Jofor’s despondent gaze fell on me, his face showing incomprehension. I didn’t add anything further.

Well, if there’s an opportunity, I’ll meet him again.

It’s already uncertain if I can keep the appointment with my group, so I can’t worry about Jofor too.

Wouldn’t he just continue living his original future if I don’t get involved?

‘Enough.’

I stopped my wandering thoughts. Ines’ prophecy. I need to focus on the situation at hand.

Maintaining my composure, I walked out of the restaurant. Making sure not to look rushed at all.

I could feel my companions’ gazes on the back of my head. I scratched the back of my head with my right hand.

The prearranged signal.

Now my group will act according to the plan too. A quick glance showed their expressions were somber and serious.

Their tension was evident too. Tsk, I told them to stay focused on acting even if things go down, but they aren’t listening.

But there’s no time to admonish them now.

‘I’ll have to give them an earful when this is over.’

I left the restaurant like an ordinary person. The only gazes on me were from Jofor and my group.

Outside, it was still raining.

Pitter-patter-

Heavy raindrops pounded fiercely on the open umbrella. Squelching sounds came with each step I took.

The waves those guys were sending came pouring in from the north. Their approach was still difficult to discern,

because those waves couldn’t be sensed like mana or Winds.

‘Must be some kind of black magic.’

Even with my Winds expanded to the maximum, there were no suspicious movements within my sensory range.

They must be at the northern edge of the city or outside it. Still some distance away for now.

I slowly turned my body to the left, as if revealing my direction to them. It was to lure them out.

Fighting within the city is undesirable for both sides.

And even if I held my ground here, the only thing that might come are their reinforcements.

Considering the safety of my group as well, it’s better to fight outside.

‘Why can’t I sense them?’

Even as I kept moving, those guys didn’t register in my Winds. Are they just observing for now?

Or can they detect from an even greater distance?

Lost in these thoughts, I passed through the western gate of the city and sensed a rapid approach.

There were two of them.

Those guys were coming.

***

I waited for them in a forest a little distance away from the city. This was the battlefield of my choosing.

I had anticipated such a situation even before coming to Veurtan.

Making prior preparations is a virtue of an intelligence agent. Of course I had designated a place to fight, in case any trouble arose.

Since the enemy would outnumber me, I had set up a few measures in this advantageous forest, whether for retreat or combat.

“Huh.”

Plop – A thick raindrop slid down a leaf and landed heavily on the umbrella.

There was no particular reason to choose retreat.

Whether they were chasing Carl Schurtafen or had accidentally discovered the Devil’s Blood, I must deal with them here.

Their obsession with the Devil’s Blood is immense.

In the game, the continent did not try to persuade those with Devil’s Blood, but exterminated them for a reason.

The Devil’s Blood had leaked out through internal traitors. Better to eliminate it than to arm the enemy.

‘They had nowhere to belong, after all.’

In any case, considering their pursuit, there was no need to risk trouble while moving with my group.

And if those chasing the Devil’s Blood were dealt with, it would benefit the future as well.

Moreover, if one of them was connected to the Ghost Blade, then there was a high chance one of them was Pelia. In which case, killing them would be better.

Of course, I still remembered Ines’ warning.

But her words didn’t necessarily mean I would die. She just said to be careful, as I would be bleeding in the darkness.

It’s an optimistic thought, but I could get injured in a situation where I emerge victorious.

‘Are they coming now?’

The two approaching.

Through the pouring rain, I could make out a familiar face. As expected, it was Pelia. He must have obtained the Ghost Blade around this time.

The guy next to him had an unfamiliar face. A chubby bald man with a somewhat dignified air – I couldn’t recall ever seeing him.

But they were both formidable, around my level or slightly below. If such opponents came in a pair…

A bit tough, huh? Ines wasn’t warning me for nothing.

Individually maybe not. But against two similar-leveled enemies at once, I couldn’t guarantee victory in a 2-on-1 fight.

“Well, well? How kind of you to wait for us, even with an umbrella?”

The bald man mocked.

I maintained my composure. The reason for the umbrella was simply because there was no need to get drenched unnecessarily. It’s unpleasant.

“And just who are you guys?”

For now, I feign ignorance. To confirm if they were chasing Carl Schurtafen or had encountered me by chance.

My actions would differ based on that.

“Us? Heh. Yeah, what kind of guys are we?”

The bald man chuckled. Doesn’t seem like an act. If they were chasing Carl Schurtafen, he wouldn’t react like that.

It’s more likely they’re the ones searching for the Devil’s Blood. They’ve stumbled upon me by chance.

It was wise of me to carry an umbrella. If I had been blocking the rain with Winds, they would have noticed right away.

The fact that they don’t recognize me is a boon. It means I can utilize my abilities when needed.

“Mori, keep your mouth shut.”

“Ah, why again?”

“He’s no ordinary guy. Just the fact that he sensed the blood’s reaction and came here is telling.”

Their whispers were too low for me to hear. I glimpsed Pelia’s caution.

True, an ordinary person wouldn’t have immediately relocated after sensing the blood’s reaction.

“So what if he’s not some random mercenary?”

Pelia ignored the bald man’s remark and glared at me. I quickly thought it over too.

Two against one.

It wasn’t the worst situation really. When I heard Ines’ prophecy, I had envisioned being surrounded by the devil worshippers.

Just two… that’s way below my expectations. Although the fact that these two don’t seem ordinary is problematic.

The bald man looks a bit foolish, so targeting him first might be better.

“Mori, move as usual. Don’t get excited this time.”

While keeping his eyes fixed on me, Pelia cautioned the bald man. Focused on the mission.

Right, we don’t really need any conversation, do we?

“Geez! Stop worrying. Have some faith in this loyal Mori.”

I, too, placed my right hand on the sword’s hilt. Rapidly formulating a combat plan.

Since they don’t recognize me, I’ll refrain from using Winds for now.

It’s unwise to reveal all my tricks from the start.

I tossed the umbrella aside and drew my sword. Despite not being Moonlight, the moonlit blade shone dimly.

I had procured this separately when leaving the palace. Moonlight is too conspicuous a sword.

Good thing I brought this.

If they knew I was Carl Schurtafen, their caution itself would have been different.

‘Huh.’

Pitter-patter. In the rain-soaked forest, only stillness prevailed. And within it, tension hung thick.

The dampness seeping into my hair was quite unpleasant. I gradually felt my heartbeat quicken.

It was because of the prophecy. While I thought I had a chance of winning, the worry was real.

As expected, let me proceed as usual. No need to be tense. I steeled my mind. Must not be hasty.

“Huh.”

Breaking the silence, I made the first move. I took a short breath and stomped the ground.

A 2-on-1 fight.

Assuming equal skills, it’s a tough fight to win. Especially if they’ve practiced coordinated attacks.

I can’t relinquish the initiative to the enemies. I must seize control of the space. Avoid being surrounded front and back as much as possible.

Of course, combat doesn’t always go according to plan. Especially when outnumbered.

Simultaneous with my charge, they increased the distance between each other. Pelia fell back, the bald man moved sideways.

A clear intent to surround me in some way.

‘Coming at me hard right from the start.’

Let me play along for now.

I have preparations, but it’s a pity to use them immediately. It’s more effective after luring them into complacency.

I changed direction, charging at the bald man. Simultaneously, Pelia, who had retreated, took my rear.

Clang!

The bald man deflected my sword. Focused entirely on defense rather than attack. As expected, no easy feat.

Looking foolish doesn’t mean being a fool in combat. As pursuers of the Devil’s Blood, their skills are naturally formidable.

Pelia closed in from behind, dual-wielding daggers.

“Hehe.”

Contrary to my earlier resolve, I ended up giving them front and rear, but this was within my calculations.

I’m the one who needs to introduce variables.

The bald man thrust his sword at me. Simultaneously, a dagger stabbed sharply from behind.

I drew a dagger with my left hand. Not the Ghost Blade yet. That’s a trump card to be reserved.

Setting priorities. Even for seasoned fighters, there are openings. The bald man’s sword is fastest.

I block his sword with the sword in my right hand, his dagger with the dagger in my left. One dagger remains.

I swiftly twist my waist and block that last dagger with my sword. But two more attacks come in.

Bending my arms and twisting my waist, I adjust my footwork. Blades whiz past my face. A frenzied start to the fight.

“Heh… not bad? You’re no pushover.”

The bald man mocked. Having enough leeway to run his mouth means he’s not too pressured. I had no such luxury.

I tried luring their complacency, but their fighting prowess is exceptional. No chance to hide my skills.

“Mori.”

At Pelia’s word, the bald man shut his mouth. Thorough bastard. Should’ve let him prattle on.

I inwardly cursed. Without Winds to observe the situation, I would have been injured long ago.

My body kept turning, facing the bald man then Pelia, constantly shifting directions.

Suddenly, a chilling sensation followed. I swiftly turned my neck. Pelia’s dagger grazed the ends of my hair.

‘Damn.’

Some severed hair strands fluttered in the air, before falling to the rain-soaked ground.

A perilous moment.

I needed to change the situation. Time to use my preparations early. I tugged at the inside of my left sleeve.

Swish!

The hem of my cape coat shot straight at Pelia. The unexpected attack created a brief opening.

In that gap, I targeted the bald man. Pinning his sword with mine, I thrust the dagger.

The bald man reflexively jerked his head back. The dagger narrowly grazed his ear. Just a hair’s breadth away.

“You little bastard!”

Amidst the bald man’s widened eyes and curses, I rolled on the ground. Pelia’s dagger pierced where I had been.

The rain-soaked earth clinging to my clothes was unpleasant. Gritting my teeth against the rising displeasure.

‘Just 1cm closer.’

Regret lingered. Since the dagger had a neurotoxin coating, even a graze would have been fatal.

Well, nothing to be done. Time to use my next preparation.

By rolling, I escaped the narrowed encirclement from front and rear.

Without a backwards glance, I turned my body. Sprinting at full speed. An untimely retreat.

“You, you crazy bastard!”

The bald man and Pelia hastily gave chase. As I ran through the pouring rain, I felt a bit calmer.

Right. Come after me. Deeper in.

Author's Thoughts

Want to read ahead of the scheduled release? You can check the Novel page on the website (or press the next chapter button) and buy an advanced chapter with only 20 Honeys! (100 Honeys is only 5$! So you can basically read 5 advanced chapters ahead of schedule!)