'We are trapped!'

Kalakuta has us surrounded on all sides, and his men number at least a hundred. It isn't a large army by any means, but they outnumber us over thirty to one.

Tyrrion and Enrydral aren't fighters, which means I'm actually outnumbered a hundred to one instead.

'How did things turn out this way? How did he know we would be coming here?' The moment I ask such a stupid question, I nearly slap myself.

Isn't it obvious already?

He expected our arrival here, which means someone had to have told him.

'We have another spy?!'

But who in the world could it be?

'Maybe… one of the representatives of the Western or Eastern Continents? Ahh, now isn't the time to think about such things!'

I have to find a way to escape first.

But how?

I mean, I could easily escape using Tracing.

I could return to the Central Continent, but what about Enrydral and Tyrrion?

I can't abandon them—especially when they are the core characters of this story.

Let's not forget that these two have been Kalakuta's target during the start of the Trial Scenario. If I let them fall into his clutches, I have no idea what he intends to use them for.

The best case scenario isn't even pleasant to think about.

'He could force them to build bridges and roads so that he can have an easier time conquering all the Nations. In that case, the moment he captures them… It's game over!'

Worst case scenario is that he tortures them and extracts information regarding our plans before eventually using them to their optimal effects.

The more I think about it, the more determined I am to remain.

I cannot run.

'They're only a hundred men. I can take them down somehow if I use Tracing. The problem is that I have to defend these two while fighting.' I grit my teeth, many thoughts rushing through my mind at once.

If I had Magivores to control, it would be a different situation.

But I can't detect any Magivore nearby.

'Don't tell me…' My eyes bulge. 'The smell of blood I keep percieving… could it be from them?'

If that is the case, then—

"Greetings, everyone. We are the Freedom Fighters, here to liberate you from the tyranny of the corrupt government." Before I can conclude my thoughts, the deep booming voice of the ebony giant bursts forth.

"My name is Kalaluta, and you have my word that if you surrender, no harm will come to you."

'Sure thing…' I roll my eyes mildly and begin to look around me for options.

BOOOM!!!

A dark crimson beam suddenly erupts from his weapon, causing the very air around us to vibrate.

In an instant, the sea vessel behind us erupts.

The wooden and special resource components break apart, shattering into a million pieces.

'Tch! He cut off our escape!' I feel a mounting pressure immediately. 'This Kalakuta fellow is far shrewder than he appears. And what is with that weapon?'

On his right hand is a blunt but tall club.

It would be called a bastard sword if it were a blade, but it simply resembles a large lump of metal or dark wood.

Dark crimson energy crackles around it.

An Armamant!

But this isn't a D or C Grade Armament.

No…

It's the strongest kind of Armament I have seen since I began my Trial Scenario.

'B Grade Armament, huh? This will be tough…' I gulp mildly, casting my sight on the burning debris of our ship.

With no way to escape, fighting is our only alternative.

'But I need to watch out for any long-range attacks, especially from him.' For a brief moment, death flashes before my eyes.

To think that I might die here.

After so many months of not dying a single time… I could encounter a loss here.

No way!

Unacceptable!

'Let's think of this on a positive note…' I try to tell myself. 'If I kill Kalaluta here, I will end the war early. I'll get to defeat the antagonist ahead of time and it'll be smooth sailing from this moment on!'

Once I put myself in this zone, I feel an absurd level of invigoration course through me.

I can do this!

'Let's start with the rear.' I watch the warriors who emerged from the sea, blocking the sea route from being accessed.

Getting rid of them will give us more breathing room, at the very least.

If Enrydral and Tyrrion can swim, it will help for them to escape through that route while I cover them. I can simply use Tracing to meet up with them later.

It's an effective strategy.

The only problem is Kalakuta's long-range attacks, which means I'll have to draw his attention to me.

"Okay…" Exhaling softly, I complete my analysis and smile.

'Let's go!'

WHOOSH!!!

My body vanishes from my previous position as I interact with the Layers of the world. I move closer to the water and target the closest enemy in sight, unsheathing my blade and slicing him in an instant.

'I have three Armaments with me—all of which are C Grade.'

A solemn expression remains on my face as I move on to the next target and expertly slice off their arms before moving to the next opponent.

'One is this blade. Dark Serpent Fang. It is a one-strike kill sword. It is flowing with a lethal poison that would kill anyone struck with it once. Death occurs within seconds, even for the strongest adversary, and paralysis is almost immediate.'

It's the perfect tool for killing.

"Don't let that sword touch you! Get away from him!" I hear Kalakuta yell out to his men, and it causes me to frown.

'Does he know the ability of my weapon?'

But how?

I didn't even reveal this to any of the representatives, Ministors, or even the Great Tribe Chief.

The only people that know… are from the Northern Empire.

'Oh no!' My eyes flash in worry. 'Is the mole really from among us?'

I click my tongue.

Now isn't the time to think about this.

'So you think you can escape my slashes just by creating distance, huh? Think again!'

I use tracing to vanish from my previous position and appear as close to the next set of opponents, who have already closed in on Tyrrion and Enrydral.

Just as expected, they aren't being attacked.

The enemy wants to capture them.

'Using them as bait was the wide choice!' I swing my blade and easily decimate the foes that have gathered on their execution ground.

Blood flies in all directions, and I remain calm while watching their bodies fall.

At that moment, however, I feel several impacts behind me—undoubtedly from arrows.

But it's no use.

My second C Grade Armament covers my defense, and it's the Grey Wyrm Raiment.

I wear it beneath my clothes at all times.

My third Armament is a projectile-based one, but I wish to keep it a secret for now. If I can catch the opponent by surprise, it will be the most effective tool.

'But if we really have a spy among us, then it'll be useless even if I keep it hidden.'

"Men… stand back."

At this point, Kalakuta finally moves.

I stare at him, at his large body that stands at the very top of the cliff.

He has a deep frown on his face.

I can tell.

He is upset.

Why?

Did my resistance surprise him? Is he angry because I killed so many of his warriors in such a short period?

"You've shown me your incredible skill. It is something that we could use among the Freedom Fighters. However, since you have made your stance clear… there is no longer any need to consider it."

"Really?" I smirk, trying my hardest to think hard while looking at the retreating warriors.

"What if I wish to change my mind?"

"It's too late. The men you killed cannot be brought back to life, so you cannot recant your position. You should have taken the opportunity to surrender when I gave it to you. Now that you have made your choice, you can only live and die as a result of it."

"You're the one who's going to die."

"..."

Kalakuta is silent for a moment, his crimson eyes piercing mine. Then, he shakes his head and sighs.

"We'll see about that."

He throws aside his thick fur robe, displaying his incredibly muscular body. I notice several scars that cover his ebony skin, but I cannot keep my focus on them as the next thing I see is him leaping down from the cliff.

'What? From that height—?!'

The ground trembles as it welcomes him, and I witness the nearby rocks shake.

But Kalakuta remains firm and composed.

Much to my surprise, he lands safely.

It's almost as though he didn't just jump down a hundred feet—an insane feat.

'Is it the effect of a Potion?'

But I don't detect any Trace Elements.

So what trick did he use? Could he actually be a Leviathan?

No…

After using my Existential Resonance, I quickly conclude that he isn't one. However, his Existence is certainly different from others.

I can see it.

It is slightly more defined.

'This reminds me of Seth. Is he one of those special humans?'

Clearly!

Although he isn't a Leviathan, this man is a monster among people. I can see why he is regarded as such a threat in this Trial Scenario.

But—

'If that's all about him, then I can still win!'

I brandish my blade and glare at the shirtless ebony giant, the one they call the Righteous Hero of the Forgotten.

Since I haven't yet advanced, I can't use Tracing to appear right next to him and deal a sneak attack.

I have my projectiles, but at such a distance, he could evade.

I need him to come closer.

Or—

'I need to go to him!'

WHOOSH!

Like instinct, my body charges at him with immense speed—as much speed as I can muster.

His warriors have retreated, so I don't have to worry about any of them capturing Tyrrion and Enrydral.

I just have to finish him off!

'Now!'

With a sharp twist of my body, I alternate my trajectory and move to his side, slashing with all of my strength.

However—

CLANG!

'E-eh—?'

My blade ricochets away from his body as I hear a loud sound drum into my ears.

It's almost like I struck my sword against an immovable slab of metal. I feel immense resistance and pressure at that moment, but before I can make another move, I suddenly notice something.

BAM!

My field of vision has changed.

I'm no longer staring at Kalakuta but at the vast sea.

What just happened?

It's all a blur.

'Ahh… I understand now.' My thoughts suddenly began to flow in my disoriented mind.

'He shifted my neck.'

My body is still facing him, but my head now faces a different direction. Within an instant, far beyond what any person should be able to perceive, he dealt a lethal blow.

He won.

'Kalakuta… you monster…'

I fall to the ground, unable to even look in his direction. Before dying, however, I hear his fleeting words.

"I was worried he would be able to Divine our plans, but I suppose every man has limits."

And then everything goes dark.

I lose consciousness for a moment, but a certain familiar sensation washes over me. It's the same feeling I got during the multiple periods I died in Apotheosis.

I see…

I am regreasing once again.

I can hear waves crashing against each other and smell the salty winds.

'Okay! This time for sure… I'll change things!' I tell myself as I slowly pry my eyes open to the world.

But what I see next shocks me.

'W-what in the world?!'

We are indeed on the sea, in our vessel, but only a minute away from the shore of the Northern Continent.

In essence—

'There's so little time to change anything!'

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