I'm not sure how to express my next reaction. I guess I just panicked.
("S-S-S-Spirit Guide? You wanna tell me why his status has a bunch of question marks?") [Solace]
"Response: The level of |Analyze| is not high enough level to accurately determine the target's status." [Spirit Guide]
("Yeah, I kind of got that. I'm asking how high of a level is he for that to happen?!") [Solace]
"Response: It is estimated the current level of |Analyze| is capable of measuring up to level 150. Any further will require more experience." [Spirit Guide]
Well damn. This was the strongest guy I have ever seen.
("...What do I say to this guy?") [Solace]
We simply stared at each other in silence. The only thing I could think of was to try and run.
"Hey…? I was just passing by… I'll take my leave now." [Solace]
I brushed off the dirt from getting knocked into the floor along with the monster, and tried to dip.
"Wait." [Tattooed Man]
("God damn it.") [Solace]
I was forced to stop in my tracks.
"...Do you need something?" [Solace]
The tattooed man stared at me as if he was inspecting me.
"Hm…" [Tattooed Man]
He squinted his eyes and brought a hand to his chin.
"Let me see your hand." [Tattooed Man]
I wasn't sure what he wanted from that, but I did as he asked.
"Sure…" [Solace]
The tattooed man put my hand palm face up, then continued to inspect it.
"Do you know a man named Vincent Reid?" [Tattooed Man]
The name was a bit familiar.
("Wasn't Master's first name Vincent?") [Solace]
I felt like I was walking into a trap. Either way, I wanted this to end quickly so I could leave.
"I know a guy named Vincent, but I don't know his last name." [Solace]
It was at this moment I just remembered Vincent Reid was Master's full name. However, I decided to play it safe by mixing in half-truths.
"Describe his features for me." [Tattooed Man]
"Uh…" [Solace]
Now that I thought about it, he didn't have many redeeming features.
"He usually wears a suit. Kind of like a butler I guess." [Solace]
The tattooed man gave me a puzzled look.
"Continue." [Tattooed Man]
"He has black hair. It's kind of swept to one side." [Solace]
The tattooed man nodded.
"He also has a gold monocle." [Solace]
The tattooed man gave me a strange look.
"A… monocle?" [Tattooed Man]
He tilted his head in confusion.
"I could've sworn he didn't have any eye problems… I suppose there is only one way to confirm it." [Tattooed Man]
I didn't like the way he said that.
("Uh oh.") [Solace]
"Warning: Hostility has been detected." [Spirit Guide]
The tattooed man faced me.
"I could sense your body using |Gentleman's Favor|, so you must be Vincent's disciple. Though his descriptions were a bit strange, you must've been lying." [Tattooed Man]
Sensing danger, I raised my arms in a defensive posture.
("Crap. This isn't good. I can't afford to fight this guy.") [Solace]
Gears churned in my mind as I tried to find a way out of this situation, but all I drew were blanks.
"|Thunder Arts|." [Tattooed Man]
Blue lightning flashed around his body, rippling around his muscles.
("Oh my.") [Solace]
Was my last thought as I saw his fist inches away from my face. Lucky for me, I managed to evade it at the last minute.
"Oho… You're quite fast. How about this?" [Tattooed Man]
Lightning converged to one of his arms, causing its speed to multiply.
("I have to block!") [Solace]
My arms shook as I received the blow, which was surprising since I thought they would break.
"...Huh?" [Solace]
I looked at my arms to see those cursed gauntlets back onto my arms.
"...Vermillion Eclipse. You truly are his disciple." [Tattooed Man]
"I guess the cat's out of the bag." [Solace]
After confirming my identity, the tattooed man seemed enraged.
"This is great. I'll kill you." [Tattooed Man]
I suddenly felt immense fear, along with a hint of death.
"Warning: Mana levels have risen to dangerous levels. It is highly suggested to retrea-" [Spirit Guide]
"Die." [Tattooed Man]
Before I could even hear the rest of the Spirit Guide's words, I found myself flying backwards with the air getting knocked out of me.
"Oof!" [Solace]
My vision blurred as I bulldozed through trees, bushes, and a singular boulder. I looked up the moment I stopped, only to see the tattooed man right there with another raised fist.
"|Reinforce|! |Earthen Shield|!" [Solace]
I buffed myself and guarded with a wall of earth. However, the tattooed man's fist tore through the shield, causing me to block with my arms.
"Agh!" [Solace]
I felt immense pain as his fist collided with my arms. The next thing I knew, I was screaming as I stared at my arms being bent in not-so-normal directions.
"Y-You're insane!" [Solace]
My eyes teared up from pain.
"Know that your death is only the beginning. You'll meet your master soon." [Tattooed Man]
Lightning sparked as he raised his hand.
"I think that's enough of that." [???]
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw another man with shackles on. Unlike the tattooed man, he seemed younger and had blue coral-like horns sprouting from his forehead.
"And who are you to say that?" [Tattooed Man]
The blue horned man scratched his cheek.
"Well, you see… I've never told you this, but I'm also a disciple of Vincent. I can't have you hurting my cute junior can I?" [Blue Horned Man]
("Eh?") [Solace]