Chapter 87 - Aight, Imma Dip

The two… I'm assuming prisoners… just stared at each other.

"You haven't told me you were Vincent's disciple before, Nakros." [Tattooed Man]

The horned man smiled.

"Well, you always went on about how you wanted to kill him. I was a tad bit afraid that you were going to try to kill me if I said so, Jukhan." [Nakros]

The tattooed man looked at Nakros with anger. However, his displeasure turned into a grin.

"...Heh." [Jukhan]

The tattooed man started chuckling, then burst out laughing.

"Good! This is good!" [Jukhan]

("Is this guy insane?") [Solace]

As the tattooed man, or rather, "Jukhan" laughed hysterically, the horned man stood in front of me. He then lifted a hand over me and mumbled something under his breath.

"|Barrier|." [Nakros]

The moment that word exited his lips, a transparent gold dome appeared over me.

"Stay there for a moment. I know you must have questions, but I'll answer them soon." [Nakros]

By the time this was all set up, Jukhan finished laughing.

"...Nakros. You should've kept your mouth shut. Maybe then, I would have spared you." [Jukhan]

Lightning sparked violently. It was as if the lights around him reacted to his emotions.

"This will be a bit troublesome." [Nakros]

Reacting to Jukhan's intentions, Nakros summoned his spirit.

"Aid me, |Selva|." [Nakros]

A pure white spirit appeared. It was almost like seeing a ghost.

("She's beautiful…") [Solace]

She had long white hair that reached down to her waist and blue eyes that gleamed remarkably. Her clothing was like a one piece dress. It truly did make her look like a ghost.

"Warning: Mana levels in the surrounding area have reached dangerous levels. Extended exposure will lead to fatal consequences." [Spirit Guide]

("That doesn't sound very good.") [Solace]

I thought about trying to run away, but the barrier was kind of in the way.

"It appears that you have chosen an opponent far stronger than you." [Selva]

A voice echoed in my head. Pretty sure it was the spirit though.

"|Invoke Exto|." [Nakros]

The spirit turned to mist, then converged to Nakros' hand. Within moments, the ghostlike spirit had turned into white sword.

"Due to our strength differences, I hope you don't summon your spirit." [Nakros]

Jukhan scoffed.

"I'm a martial artist through and through. I wouldn't use all my strength against someone weaker." [Jukhan]

"Many thanks." [Nakros]

Without saying another word, the two vanished.

("Eh? What just-") [Solace]

Before I could even finish my thought, the two reappeared. A force of wind shredded the ground as the two clashed blade against fist.

"|Cloud Drift|!" [Nakros]

White smoke enveloped his blade, causing an explosion of mist as he struck Jukhan.

"|Wind Arts|!" [Jukhan]

A burst of air exerted itself from Jukhan, blasting away all the mist.

"Tsk!" [Nakros]

Clicking his tongue, Nakros backed away against a tree.

"You're not getting away!" [Jukhan]

Chasing after Nakros, he snapped a nearby tree in half and threw it.

"|Tranquil Slash|." [Nakros]

Calmly raising his blade, he split the tree in two.

("Woooah!! He did the slash thingy!") [Solace]

"|Concealed Sword Arts|." [Nakros]

Tracing his finger across the blunt side of his sword, he slashed the air.

("What is he doing…?") [Solace]

The next instant surprised me. Jukhan closed the distance, but was blown back as small cuts appeared on his body.

"...Too shallow, huh." [Nakros]

Jukhan remained standing.

"Ah… This takes me back." [Jukhan]

He reached out and waited a moment.

"Hmph!" [Jukhan]

Letting out a loud grunt, he… grabbed the lightning? It was strange. The lightning that wrapped around him converged to his hand, turning it into a ball of light.

"This…!" [Nakros]

Nakros' eyes widened as he realized the danger before him.

"|Solid Body|!" [Nakros]

"|Thunderclap|." [Jukhan]

He slammed his fists together, causing a large explosion. To be honest, I almost pissed myself when the barrier cracked.

("Wait, Nakros was still out there!") [Solace]

A mix of smoke and debris hung in the air. I couldn't see anything, but I heard more fighting.

"|Moon Crescent|!" [Nakros]

A white light blew away the smoke, revealing a bloodied and beaten Nakros pushing his sword against Jukhan's arms.

"You can't even pierce my skin. You're a disappointment." [Jukhan]

Moving faster than Nakros could react, Jukhan grabbed the sword along with his opponent's neck.

"...Die." [Jukhan]

He squeezed, HARD. Hard enough that I heard a nasty crack and snap, along with the front row seats of seeing Nakros' head being bent in a not-so-pleasant direction.

"...Huh?" [Jukhan]

A look of surprise crossed his face as Nakros' body started to melt. Well, he wasn't the only one who was surprised.

("Wait, what?! What's going on?!") [Solace]

I suddenly felt like I was sinking. Spoiler alert, I really was. I looked down to see a dark shadow under me, in which I was getting absorbed into.

"Surprised?" [???]

I turned as I heard Nakros' voice. Turns out, he was standing right behind me while looking as healthy as can be.

"You…!" [Jukhan]

He glanced at me, then noticed the shadow beneath. It seemed to be like a puddle, except it was sucking both me and Nakros into it.

"You're running?!" [Jukhan]

"Yep. I'm not stupid enough to fight you." [Nakros]

"I'll kill you!" [Jukhan]

Jukhan charged toward us in fury, but he was far too late. We were already long gone.