Episode 77: Clash
We left Kern and headed straight west.
This area, including Kern, is part of the vast plains known as the “Plains of Promise,” and at the western edge of these plains lies one of the Trial Grounds.
I remember that during the Gate of Trials, the “Plains of Promise” trial ground was mentioned. It’s the place where I took the Trial shortly after arriving, and it closed not long after I entered, so I remember it clearly.
[163417413th Hero Park Jeong-yong’s Current Location]
[Marketeuriseu. Western Plains of Promise, Near the Trial Ground ‘The Promised Reincarnation’]
I nodded, looking at the map displayed on the panel of The Eye of Mimir.
Looking around, I saw nothing but an empty expanse of bright blue grassland filling my view. I couldn’t help but let out a satisfied voice.
“It’s quiet and nice here. Who knows, we might not even run into anyone.”
The reason I came here is simple. I just said it out loud.
This is one of the earlier-closed Trial Grounds. So, the trial here probably wasn’t as difficult as the one at Halsenberg.
In other words, most of the heroes must have already finished their trials. There’s hardly a better place than here that’s so quiet and devoid of people.
And it’s not too far from Kern, making it perfect for our little private discussion.
“Well, time for our heated physical conversation.”
I found a suitable spot and immediately drew my twin swords.
Whoosh! Vestark and Espada, the swords in my hands, unleashed bright blue magical sword blades that emitted dangerous vibrations.
“Bite down hard!”
I let out a bold shout and launched my body forward with a powerful push.
BOOM! The ground cratered as my body rocketed forward. With my level now soaring well into the 100s, this level of physical prowess is laughable.
“Get the hell—!”
In mid-air, I spun like a windmill, thrusting my sword vertically down at Zenon.
SSHIIING! With the force of the rotation and propulsion added, Espada struck like lightning. Zenon was still standing still right up until that moment.
There’s no way he can dodge this. As the image of Zenon being split in half flashed in front of my eyes…
“…How did you find my abode?”
That voice suddenly resonated from behind me, quite far away.
By the time I realized this, Zenon was already gone from in front of me, leaving me utterly bewildered.
‘Wha—?!’
Overcome with confusion, I instantly turned around.
About ten meters away, Zenon stood there, exactly in the same stance he had been in when I struck.
“…If you’re curious, figure it out with force.”
I don’t really like losing in situations like these.
I immediately retaliated and prepared another attack against him.
‘Lotus!’
Similar. I felt my body tilt, and instantly, my vision blurred.
When I regained my senses, Zenon’s robe-clad back was already in front of me.
No time to think. I immediately swung both swords in an “X” motion.
“I’ve got you!”
At the moment those words left my lips, Zenon’s figure vanished like a mirage right before my eyes.
WHOOSH. The swords I swung only left a whistling sound behind.
This was the second time. I watched in astonishment.
“Did you chase me here already knowing my purpose?”
That voice again, this time from behind me.
Twice now, I’ve been completely outmaneuvered, yet Zenon’s level should be lower than mine.
Honestly, it’s quite shocking.
‘What the hell is going on?’
Is this that famous fantasy cliché? “Where are you attacking? That’s just an afterimage of me.”
Experiencing this firsthand is far more unpleasant than I imagined. Damn it.
‘Speed-wise, it doesn’t feel like he’s moving fast at all…’
That’s only because I know Zenon’s stats. A speed that my naked eye couldn’t possibly follow would be at least at the level of Halsenberg.
‘Besides, there’s no muscle movement in the first place.’
Even in fast movements, there must always be some subtle preparatory gestures, but there were none of those here.
And since a while ago, I’ve been feeling something deeply unsettling. An unpleasant sensation, too.
‘Should I test this out?’
I gritted my teeth and immediately gathered my magical power.
KEEEEENG! The magical blades emitted a howling sound as they began a spiral rotation.
“Seven Sword Pierce!”
PINGS! I simultaneously launched all the magical blades.
With a sharp tearing sound, the magical blades raced towards Zenon. All 14 of them hit their mark.
Good. I’ve pierced through! As I clenched my fist triumphantly…
“Answer my question.”
Suddenly, Zenon’s figure appeared right in front of my face.
Startled, I swallowed, but this was actually a good opportunity. I managed a shaky smile as I swung my sword at him.
“HAA!”
The short battle cry and the flying Vestark clearly pierced through his body.
But I felt nothing. It felt as if it passed through empty air, and then Zenon vanished.
‘As I thought.’
Hiding my surprise, I quickly jumped back to create some distance.
While calming the pounding of my heart, I stared at the direction Zenon had disappeared to. After a while, he seemed to reassemble and reappeared at a distance.
‘… That’s an illusion.’
The form of Zenon in front of my eyes is likely a fake. That’s why I’ve been feeling this unsettling sensation.
Biting my lip, I recalled the one fact I had overlooked.
‘That guy is a mage.’
Right. Upon recollection, he had cast a curse spell on Gena. Why did I ever assume Zenon was simply a physical fighter? Being dumb really does make the body suffer.
I spoke with exasperation in my voice.
“Why are you just sitting there and checking me out? Are you aspiring to be a chef?”
“Answer my question. Did you already know my purpose in approaching you?”
“To turn the immortal Demon King into Sleeping Beauty?”
“!!”
“Judging by your face, I hit the nail on the head. You piece of shit.”
I laughed maliciously as I prepared to rush at him again. It was only then that Zenon abruptly raised his head.
Still covered by his robe, his face was hardly visible, but there was a hint of shock on it.
“Impossible. You couldn’t have known everything, could you?”
“… Do I?”
“Their goal. What’s about to happen… No. Anything. How much do you know?”
This was unexpected.
I actually thought he’d come at me if I laid out the bait.
I taunted him openly and even provoked him by mentioning his beloved younger sister.
‘Oh ho. What’s going on here?’
But no, he’s actually trying to start a conversation with me. He must be incredibly curious about how I uncovered his identity.
I couldn’t help but burst into sarcastic laughter.
“You know far more than you think.”
“That’s ridiculous. I didn’t make any mistakes. At which point did the information leak…?”
“It’s something you’ll never understand, even if you die and come back.”
Of course. If it came from Gena from the now non-existent future, you’d surely believe me, huh?
I swung my twin swords around his neck. It was meant to stop his incessant talking.
“Stop the yap and draw your weapon. Let’s settle this.”
“…”
“Talk or fight. It’s up to you what comes next.”
Suddenly, Zenon fell silent. That made me furrow my eyebrows for a moment.
I sensed a shift in Zenon’s demeanor.
“… No. You haven’t fully grasped their plan, have you?”
And just before I rushed at him, Zenon spoke heavily.
It stung a bit, but I shrugged, feigning an air of arrogance, leaving it to him to interpret as he liked.
At the same time, I realized a new fact that sent chills down my spine.
“They?”
He’s not alone.
He’s part of a group, or someone’s pawn. At the very least, there’s a partner.
‘That means…’
The possibility increased that merely dealing with Zenon might not be enough. I clicked my tongue in frustration as my mind raced with complex scenarios.
A flicker of doubt crossed Zenon’s face as he stared at me intently.
“So, if you knew about their entire plan, there’s no way you’d come out here alone from Kern.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
What is he talking about?
If I know the plan, then it means I shouldn’t have come out of Kern alone?
That suggests… if I want to stop their plan, I shouldn’t leave Kern alone?
An ominous premonition crawled through the area around my chest.
“Rather, I should thank you. Thanks to you, I’ll be able to complete the request much faster than expected.”
Zenon ended with a sneering smile, then suddenly raised a finger, pointing it at the sky. Without meaning to, I followed his gaze.
PIEEEENG! From his fingertip, a globe of light shot up into the sky.
“What the…?”
“Even though you predicted my actions, it seems you don’t know the true purpose behind them. Truly, you remain a strange one.”
At Zenon’s muttering, the sky suddenly lit up with a bright flash. The light globe Zenon had shot up had exploded.
Fireworks? No, it’s similar, but this is probably…
‘A signal flare.’
Zenon is sending a signal to someone right now.
Thump, thump. The sound of my heart beating violently rattled my brain.
