The Master of the Tower Dreaming of Beyond (9)
A gentle breeze slipped between us like something out of a movie, lightly fluttering the hem of Orlean's robe.
"Orlean. Let's not do this. We can both come out ahead."
"I can't quite see what I gain from your proposal."
"You don't have to fight me."
Orlean chuckled lowly.
"Of course, I don't want to fight you either. Even as a mage, tangling with a Demon Hunter—especially one like you—isn't exactly pleasant."
He brushed his side-swept hair behind his ear and asked, "What do you think about me paying you a sum that exceeds the commission fee?"
"Can't do that. A guild doesn't run on money alone. Credit is even more important."
"I see."
Orlean smiled bitterly, as if he'd anticipated my answer.
"You really can't understand me, can you, Leonar?"
"I know exactly what you mean by 'beyond.' But this won't cut it. Even before stepping in here, I had my suspicions seeing that underground prison."
I rested my hand on Nightrend's hilt, surveying the flower field.
"But hearing it straight from you? This isn't about the commission anymore. It's a matter of human conscience and dignity. That's why I have to stop your madness."
"I told you, the experiment is underway, and we'll surely find a way to extract only the negative aspects from humans."
"No point talking more."
The moment I reached for the potion on my belt, my waist felt like it stretched infinitely, my lower body dropping away below.
Orlean's vision-distortion magic. My waist was still attached normally, but the sensation was twisted—I flailed my hand but couldn't grasp the potion properly.
"Leonar. I don't want to fight you. I'll make a door, so please leave the tower."
"I told you, I gotta eat too."
Blind Vision
My vision blacked out abruptly, my other senses amplifying to extremes.
Orlean's vision-distortion magic only affected sight—sacrifice that, and it lost its hold.
I dodged the incoming waves of mana aimed at me, hurling my body aside and downing a whole potion.
A burning pain like fire searing flesh hit me, muscles writhing as raw power surged through.
I pulled another potion, biting off the cap with my teeth. A brutal one that forcibly restored vision even mid-Blind Vision. Didn't want to drink this, but no choice.
Swallowing it unleashed agony beyond compare.
"Grrraaah! Fuck!"
"I don't want to see you in pain."
Orlean's voice came from right beside me.
"Then restore those people now."
"But I can't accept that either."
"Then one of us dies…!"
Vision snapping back, I swung Nightrend at Orlean standing next to me.
Trailing starlight, the blade cleaved his afterimage in two.
"That sword is beautiful every time I see it."
Orlean, now teleported some distance away, reached toward me.
A gale whipped through the flower field between us, petals soaring by the tens of thousands toward me.
Getting hit by that would shred me…!
Shadow Dodge
For a split second, I slipped physics' grasp, my shadow-form pierced harmlessly by the petals as they scattered behind.
"Stop this, Leonar. Using skills without Hunting Dog's Mark will break your body down fast."
"I'll break you first."
I blinked forward like lightning, leaping right in front of Orlean.
Curtain of Confinement
A massive curtain unfurled around Orlean as he tried to teleport, blocking it. He glanced back, a flicker of surprise.
"When did you learn this…?"
But he crossed his arms overhead instead of finishing.
Nightrend clashed with his mana shield, sparks flying everywhere.
"I've got more cards up my sleeve, Orlean."
One hand fumbled at my waist, yanking a vial of special oil.
I smashed it against the blade; it shattered, oil coating Nightrend.
The infused blade glowed fiercely, slicing through his shield. The oil nullified mana on contact.
Damn, this stuff's expensive.
Just before the shield shattered, Orlean gathered mana into a sharp spike, stabbing at my gut.
I pulled Nightrend back to dodge; the curtain vanished, and he teleported away, putting distance between us.
"Leonar. Fighting you is as tough as I expected."
Fear finally crept onto Orlean's face as he wiped his brow with his sleeve.
"Hear me out just a moment. If your mind doesn't change after, then by all means, take my head."
This bastard's stalling, waiting for Blind Vision to wear off.
"Won't change a thing, no matter what you say."
I blinked again; he scattered petals to obscure vision.
I charged straight through the chaotic smokescreen.
Layers of vision-distortion magic bloomed before me—useless. Nothing tricked me under Blind Vision.
Orlean layered more distortions, retreating as he dodged.
"Leonar. Last chance. I'll pay more than the commission—turn back?"
In the kaleidoscope of overlapping scenes, he asked calmly.
"Told you, it's not about the money."
"I don't want to hurt you."
"Sorry, but if it stops your insanity, I'll kill you."
"It's an experiment, Leonar. Succeed with a tiny fraction of billions, and we save the rest."
"Stripping emotions and will by force—what kind of salvation is that, you psycho?"
"This world needs proper control for peace, and some sacrifice is inevitable."
One more word of that bullshit, and my ears'll bleed.
Skills without Hunting Dog's Mark were straining my body. Time to end it.
I gripped Nightrend tighter, accelerating forward.
His distortions tore apart wherever the oiled blade touched.
Orlean didn't dodge, just watched me close in.
"Don't blame me—blame your twisted ideals."
The final layer ripped; I brought Nightrend down on him.
"I won't blame you. I won't give you reason to."
Nightrend's blade, plummeting toward his crown, slowed drastically.
Not just the blade—my whole body dragged like wading through water.
What the—? Time barrier?! You sneaky fuck!
"Leonar. I like you."
Orlean gazed at my near-frozen form and spoke.
"I like how you charge recklessly, but it's all calculated precision. How you always gripe about commissions, yet gold doesn't move you—nobler motives do."
He smiled beautifully, sighing softly.
"But if you block me like this, I have no choice. I'll help you rest awhile. A leg should keep you hospitalized a few months."
His hand reached for my right leg.
"I'll store it safe and reattach it cleanly post-experiment. No worries."
Fuck…!
Suddenly, Orlean withdrew his hand and blinked back.
A radiant golden holy barrier erupted where he'd stood.
Perfect timing, big tits!!
"Guildmaster!!"
Time barrier lifting, I turned to see Celestine on her knees, panting.
She'd run nonstop from where I'd left her before the fight.
"Argh! You mad mage! Die!"
Captain Bibian charged at Orlean, arming sword raised.
He flicked his hand; she flew sideways like hammered by an invisible mallet.
"Celestine! Divine Blessing!"
Holy power surges through the body, restoring all wounds and fatigue in the blink of an eye.
"Y-Yes, Guildmaster!"
Celestine knelt on one knee, hands extended, firing a beam of holy power.
My crumbling body recovered instantly under the blessing.
Seeing Orlean chant another spell, I triggered my skill.
Blade of Screams
Nightrend's starlight veins went dark, black tar-like aura oozing and writhing madly along the blade.
꺄아아아아아아아아아악-!!!!
A wretched shriek erupted, too horrific for sane ears. Just hearing it hammered the mind.
My Demon Hunter passive Last Bastion vibrated fiercely, shielding my sanity.
Orlean froze stiff at the scream.
"Don't blame me!"
Black tar arcing in a semicircle, Nightrend traced a pitch void.
꺄아아아아아악-!!!!
Orlean's severed head flew high, silver hair shimmering brilliantly in the sunlight.