Losing it in the game of speed was pointless, even more because of Zyro's current injuries. Needless to say, defending and attacking are futile due to the mysterious smoke intangible nature.
The dark cloud approached him before he could even turn away. Effortlessly passing through his steel armor as it invaded his back.
Source and appearance alone hinted it meant no good. After all, it came from a beast he fooled and murdered. It's only normal to assume this insidious fog as manifestation of the fallen beast's wrath.
Unfortunately for him, his expectations weren't betrayed.
'Huh?'
As it infiltrated his body, Zyro's perception felt strange. The contact was not physical, because nothing touched him. His skin, flesh, bones and organs remain unharmed. However... He was in pain within. It invaded not his tangible body, but a part of him he didn't even know existed.
Actually, he does know. It was his soul, something even science failed to fathom till this day.
Unlike the sense of touch, which when attacked on a certain spot like abdomen or leg. The body will feel pain in those areas.
The soul, however acts as a single entity. It doesn't matter where it hurts.
Zyro was being assaulted from behind, yet he perceived attacks all over. Fortunately, it's only uncomfortable, not agonizing. For now.
But the more smoke entered his soul, the heavier the pressing pressure became. To the point Zyro felt sick. He wanted to puke but his stomachs were fine, he was nauseated even though his used to disgusting things. Zyro's head buzzed, dizzying him but in an abnormal and new way.
Zyro felt weakened, not just in the body, but in the mind as well.
As more smoke was absorbed, the sickening symptoms got worse. He fell to his knees, before the last wisps of black fog forced itself into him.
Then, Zyro felt an unfamiliar agony rage within his very core. He was experiencing a new and eerie pain for the first time, a horrible sensation that's not physical. Zyro was so sick, as though his at the edge of dying.
'Dam it, Dam it all! What the heck is this?'
Was this the dead monster vengeance? He had no idea.
Zyro groaned through gritted teeth. His face is stiffed by torment, but remains composed under his soul suffering.
It's nothing new, really. He lives a hellish life where misery is treated as a daily meal. What his experiencing now is fresh but at the same time, old.
Pain is pain no matter which type they are. Mental - is the unexplainable agony of losing loved ones, being betrayed by those you trusted, sadness of receiving rejection and so on concerning attachment in life. Physical are simple which are perceived through harmful bodily contacts. Zyro was already accustomed to these two, adding another equal in degree didn't change a thing.
It hurts, like always.
Truth be told, pain is the easiest problem to solve. Because you don't have to do a thing, but wait until it fades away.
Zyro groaned and coughed blood as he waited.
Soon enough, the sickening pressure in his soul subsides. Returning his body to normal, yet the physical burden of bone injuries and aching muscles stayed.
"The heck is that about?"
Grunted Zyro as he rose to his feet.
After all that happened. He had plenty of questions for the Sealed Sage. Surely, Depter would know something regarding this strange phenomena. The prices are covered, as long as he brought food for the hungry old man.
But learning answers to what happened to him and the Blinker's faulty yet strong power was for another time. Right now, his occupied with follow up cleaning evidence of his scheme.
At his previous command, Pert was already on it. But two hands were faster and better than one, even though one is injured. Moving is a struggle, but Zyro's could manage.
Turning away from the fallen monster carcass, Zyro made his way towards Pert. Only to be stopped by the sight of the kid holding his Axe - the one he stole after defeating the Plunderers Alpha.
Since attaining it, he had hidden the weapon in his clothes along with the Broken Sword. For use when needed. Their size was small enough to fit at the side of his waist.
Realizing the explosion caused the axe to unknowingly drop somewhere. Ending up in Pert's hand, Zyro was reminded of his useless sword.
To his dismay, he found his right waist where the sword rested empty.
'Where did that thing go?'
Everyone was aware that any form of swords are banned from this place. Possessing one was judged as a crime worthy of execution. Therefore, others seeing his trashy sword worried him.
Pert included.
As he approached, Pert who was collecting scattered bits of Shroud of Night into a sack he brought greeted him. Relief wrote all over his face, which beamed amazement. The Fallen Knight return announced his renewed achievement of slaying the infamous Blinker.
"Oh, mighty Fallen Knight, I was just about to finish here. And I also found a legendary axe, I believe it belongs to you." His voice oozed genuine respect despite sounding like sarcasm. Noticing Zyro's unnatural movement, implying how grave his injuries. Pert quickly changes the topic.
"There's no need for you to help, you know. At least let me handle this much, while you rest. You look like sh*t right now."
"I'm fine-"
Zyro's reply was cut short, as he noticed the Broken Sword near the young Aster side. Originally, he was intended to search for it. Apparently, there seems to be no need.
Seeing Zyro suddenly quieten with his gaze lock on a certain spot near him. Pert was confused, followed by nervousness, before unconsciously tracing where Zyro is staring so seriously. Only to be more perplexed than before, because in his view, there's nothing but green grass.
"Is something wrong?" Asked Pert with concerned expression.
Zyro frowned, finding the kid reaction strange. He found it wrong for Pert to not notice the laying Broken Sword a few inches away from him. So, as a man of action. Zyro throws a questioning look at the sword, for the kid to notice and provide an explanation.
However, Pert completely ignoring it despite undoubtedly having the sword, a rare forbidden item in his line of sight bewildered Zyro. It doesn't make sense, what's the point of acting as if he sees nothing? When they're partners in crime, not to mention Zyro's identity as the Fallen Knight being heavier than owning an illegal weapon.
Though, Pert didn't look like acting.
Knowing pondering won't solve his questions. Zyro toned a pretentious threat.
"There is no point pretending you can't see it. I won't kill you, don't worry. As long as you keep your mouth shut, that is."
Of course, he wasn't serious. Pert knew better than reporting Zyro's crime. His sentence aim was to pressure Pert into telling him nothing but the truth.
The boy tensed up.
"What do you mean by pretending? And what are you talking about? Wait, is it the Axe! I didn't mean to steal it or anything, I know it's yours and I intend to return it. Why would I rob someone who could do that to the Blinker. Or..."
Pert look around.
"Yup, I'm really confused about what you're trying to imply here. Can you be more specific?"
Zyro locked his gaze at the young Aster's golden eyes for a few moments in silence. Pert didn't waver, nor show any suspicious expression. Only genuine puzzlement in the current situation.
When the awkward tension becomes unbearable. Pert can't help but ask.
"Seriously, what's wrong?"
Zyro averted his gaze.
"Nothing, forget about it."
Pert found it odd. But ignore it nevertheless and continue collecting armor fragments to go back to safety as soon as possible.
"Sure thing... you're really bad at joking, you know. Anyway, I'm gonna finish cleaning up. You better rest now. Oh, don't forget to take your axe first."
Zyro nodded in response. Before retrieving his axe and went to pick the Broken Sword to study it. The ravaged weapon didn't change at all, cut in half in dagger length with brownish hilt and dark, dull blade.
'It's really tiring with all these questions popping up. First the Blinker ability with a strange flaw, then those black smoke that attack my soul. And now, this. Why the heck can't Pert see it?'
Zyro thought and looked at Pert in the corner of his eyes. Catching the kid glancing at him as if he has some loose screws in the head. Pert quickly turns away as if nothing happened.
Which is understandable, If the young Aster can't actually see the Broken Sword, then in Pert's view. Zyro appeared as a madman holding an imaginary sword.
Well, there's also the possibility that Pert was so good at acting.
'Let's see if you'll keep that act of yours after this.'
Not fully convinced, Zyro gripped the Broken Sword and threw it at Pert. Who's just about to pick up a tiny scrap metal.
His throw means no harm, it's already dropping momentum suggests how weak the power put into it. After all, Zyro's only intended to make the disregarded sword touch Pert's attention.
However, what happened next was completely out of his expectations. Leaving him dumbfounded.
'What the heck!?'