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The Mist Vol 4 Chapter 19
🕑 Added 2024-10-17 11:49:17 +0000 UTCVol 4 Chapter 19
Kapros felt his opponent gritting his teeth and barely managing to push back, but judging by the fact that not even a fragment of sword energy had been shown so far, it was clear that his opponent had not yet reached the level of a swordsman who could produce sword energy.
Given that Kran, who had reached an advanced level of swordsmanship, had complained of arm pain when clashing with Kapros's sword while using sword energy, this opponent could surely be dealt with easily. Thinking this, the pressure disappeared, and Kapros was able to swing his sword more lightly. Before he knew it, he was laughing loudly.
"Hahahahaha...!"
He truly enjoyed the fact that his body was moving as he wished according to his will. He could run, had an opponent to fight, and had a sword fighting alongside him. There had never been happiness that gave a greater sense of liberation than this. As he continued to swing his sword without being able to stop laughing at this familiar sensation of battle that was both sad and joyful, his opponent, who had been turning increasingly pale to the point of looking blue, finally turned around and started to run away.
"Th-that bastard's crazy! Ah, shit! I surrender! I surrender!"
'...What?'
As Kapros, who had been focusing on swinging his sword, stood there bewildered by the sight of his opponent suddenly moving away, a message immediately appeared above with a pop.
[ As you have obtained a declaration of surrender, this match is 'Kar's victory. ]
"Huh?! What the!"
"Booo!"
"What's this after fighting so well! That cowardly bastard!"
The tremendous booing from above brought Kapros back to his senses as if waking from a dream. Standing in the middle of the colosseum with his sword-wielding hand drooping suddenly felt strange to him. The acts of swinging the sword in his hand and taking steps while running around laughing freely just moments ago felt like distant memories.
"Ah..."
As he quietly looked at the tip of his sword, an NPC guide soon came out from inside the waiting room and led him away.
"Come out now. Ah, shouldn't we get on with the next match quickly?"
Although there was a sense of regret throughout his body as if something was about to awaken but didn't, his fingers still moving on the sword grip due to lingering excitement reminded him that what had just happened was indeed real. Despite the somewhat empty result, Kapros had won anyway, and after receiving congratulations from Kran, who came running with a flushed face, and Un-o, who seemed to see him in a new light, they headed to the inn for rest. On the way, Kran kept asking questions noisily.
"Huh? Kap. When did you get so good with a sword? I was completely surprised earlier! You didn't learn sword skills separately, did you?"
"..."
Even though Kapros deliberately didn't respond and kept hurrying his steps, the guy's chatter didn't stop. Just as Kapros was thinking he should tell him to stop as the endless talking continued, it happened.
A terrifyingly chilling energy brushed past his side, accompanied by the clattering sound of a scabbard hitting something.
'...!'
Kapros hurriedly looked to the side and behind.
"What's wrong?"
"What's the matter, Kap?"
Un-o and Kran asked with eyes that seemed to wonder if he had eaten something bad, but Kapros couldn't answer. A sensation like the thrill he had felt in Bala Monyak before had brazenly brushed past his side. And at a distance that was just barely visible. However, even though he had hurriedly turned around to look, he couldn't sense the presence again.
"No, what are you doing this for?"
As Kran asked again, seemingly frustrated, Kapros quickly opened his mouth in a low voice while continuing to glare sharply at his surroundings.
"...It's Caesar."
"Huh? What did you say?"
"He was here."
There was no doubt that he had passed by Kapros's side as if to show himself. Kran looked at him with an expression that seemed to say 'What nonsense are you talking about?', but Kapros was certain. It was definitely him.
He had seen a very faint glimpse of silver hair for a moment, and felt the murderous gaze that only he could show. There was no way he wouldn't recognize the guy he had grown up with like a brother, even after several years had passed.
"You mean the Demon God Knight user...? He just passed by?"
Un-o muttered, turning around to follow Kapros's gaze as if he couldn't believe it. Behind them, the colosseum they had just left stood majestically, revealing its imposing figure.
"Let's go."
As Kapros started walking without hesitation, immediately turning around, Kran grabbed his arm in confusion.
"Kap! Whatever it is, him deliberately revealing his presence might be a lure. That place is the colosseum where it wouldn't be strange for anyone to kill or be killed."
"...Doesn't matter."
It had been less than a few days since Caesar had caused that mysterious sudden action. The distance from Zagreb, where that incident had occurred, to this place was too far. However, if he had used the warp portals spread across major cities and come from the northernmost major city closest to Bistale, it would have been enough time to reach here.
'But isn't that method only useful when this was a 'definite destination'?'
Then why had Caesar come here? Kran had said it might be a lure. Similarly, Kapros also felt that the clattering sound and presence were most likely a signal saying 'come if you dare'.
Before, and even before that, the guy had uncannily known where they were.
Although Kapros still didn't know how he could do that, if it was due to some skill or ability that the guy possessed, there wouldn't be much to gain by avoiding the path now.
"Then I'll go ahead alone if I have to."
After shaking off Kran's hand and pulling down his hood, Kapros started running. Un-o, who had been watching their conversation, began to follow him.
"I'll go with you too."
"Why you?"
"Did you see the video of Caesar's instigation in Zagreb a few days ago?"
"..."
Of course he had seen it... So these guys knew about it too.
"If he's really here, we should obviously check the reason."
"Ah, really...! Kap. Wait!"
Kran, who had been stamping his feet, furrowed his brow and ran up close to Kapros's side, shouting.
"Are you sending just yourself and telling me to go somewhere? Are you abandoning me? That's too much!"
"..."
Before Kapros could even smirk at the childish grumbling that didn't match the situation and voice, the entrance to the colosseum they had just left was getting closer and closer.
