༺ Say You Want To Live – 5 ༻

“Pleasure to meet you. I was once the top student of my entire secondary school, as well as a rising star in the host scene. A tailor-made home tutor, as well as a matchmaker. A legend among pickpockets, as well as a gambler who had never tasted defeat. An idol for children, a benevolent caretaker, a man with only a single blemish shining on his criminal record. I am the Magician, Hughes.”

Although it was a fancy self-introduction, if you dissect it all, it was utterly trivial. After all, they were all nicknames based on true stories. A miserable state of a petty criminal that couldn’t be embellished even if I wanted to.

Wolfen, guessing my identity, slowly nodded.

“Magician. This Umbra has heard of you. A legendary petty criminal from the back alleys.”

“I’m flattered.”

“Considering that even the Shadows could not find you, This Umbra thought it wouldn’t be just an empty name, but….”

It seems I didn’t live my life in vain. Even a Tantalus escapee had heard my name, after all.

Anyway, rumors were like shadows or echoes, naturally inflated more than its original counterpart. Wolfen would overestimate my abilities, right?

“It is strange. In this Umbra’s time, the title of a Legend was not an alias so easily given. Was the Military State so lacking in mystery that even petty criminals needed to be revered?”

Was this a backhanded compliment?

Hey, sorry, but if we’re gonna have a trash talking fight, you would lose a hundred out of a hundred times. If there was a world where people fought with words, I’d be the one and only God.

The audacity. Let me show you how a Mind Reader probes the mind and gouges out the heart.

“I also found it strange, you see. Although he has a bit of a showy name, I thought the Shadow of the Kingdom was at least supposed to make something of himself.”

After continuing up to there, I sighed deeply, before muttering as if disappointed.

“To think that he was just a rat that tucked its tail and ran away in Tantalus. How could this be? A brand as a Tantalus escapee seems far too grand for the likes of you. If you’re like this, how can I possibly boast about escaping Tantalus as well?”

Did you seriously think you could face me in the art of provocation? You have a long way to go. Mind Reading was good for gaining favor but even better for provoking hostility, you see.

As soon as I mentioned Tantalus, Wolfen slightly squinted his eyes at my unexpected remark and asked.

“…Do you know about Tantalus?”

“I’ve been there once, so how could I not?”

Ah, right. In a way, he could be considered my senior, huh.

I saluted briefly to my senior who had been imprisoned in Tantalus before me.

“Nice to meet you, Senior. I’m a 2nd-generation inmate of Tantalus. I lived peacefully in a Tantalus without you all and after about three months, I broke out of the Abyss. It was nothing big, you know? How did you even end up being locked up in there for nearly 20 years?”

“…Your bluffs are excessive. Is surviving in an abandoned Tantalus something to be so proud of?”

“Does it really seem like a buff?”

Be scared shitless. After all, the more of a monster I become in your eyes, the more power I’ll wield.

I walked lightly to the side, taking meaningless steps to buy as much time as possible. I chose my words carefully so that they would pique Wolfen’s curiosity.

“Have you all ever faced the Black Knight of the Progenitor, Tyrkanzyaka? Bickered with the King of Dogs? Revived the Undying left torn and discarded? Hung on the ground when the Earth Sage overturned it?”

I didn’t lie. But I also didn’t mention content that was too absurd to be true, even if it was. Everything I mentioned had to at least be plausible.

If the opponent’s imagination couldn’t reach such heights, a bluff was just a pie in the sky. Even if I said I stabbed a skewer into the heart of Tyrkanzyaka and backstabbed the Earth Sage, it would only raise doubts.

｢The Progenitor, the Undying, the King of Beasts. They were all those who existed in the Abyss. It doesn’t sound like…something he just heard in passing. Only those who saw it in person would know that the Sorcerer tore off the limbs of the Undying.｣

His judgment was quick. Wolfen acknowledged the fact that I had been to Tantalus. At the same time, he heightened his caution against me, focusing on my every move.

He didn’t think of sneakily running away, though.

Wolfen might have dumb subordinates, but he himself wasn’t as stupid.

｢Since confronted, a fight is inevitable. No matter what.｣

Right. I expected it to come to this.

Logically, fighting was the answer when already facing each other. Even if it was a bluff, it had to be proven by fighting, and even if it wasn’t a bluff, it was necessary to resist with all one’s might.

And even if it wasn’t for those reasons, a person confident in their skills would never lower their tail out of fear.

｢If it’s to gain supremacy over the back alleys, he is an opponent that needs to be confronted once either way.｣

You’re talking about supremacy over mere back alleys? Do I need to call this modest or grand?

I mean, I understand. I’m sure you want to live flamboyantly and loudly, enjoying wealth and honor without worrying about anyone else.

Then you should become everyone’s kind neighbor like me. Why are you trying to go out of your way to rule through killing? What a shame.

“Was it you who disrupted this Umbra’s plans, Magician?”

“That’s right.”

“How were you able to resist this Umbra?”

“What? What is that supposed to mean?”

He was already so serious that he was no fun to talk to, but Wolfen somehow decided that wasn’t enough and asked even more seriously.

“Magician. I heard you have not particularly built up your own forces. Then, isn’t it your desire as well to see the existing powers pushed out?”

“That’s ridiculous. Let me ask you in return. Why are you trying to clean up the back alleys so desperately? Even while bothering people who have nothing to do with you?”

“What a strange question. To establish a new territory, isn’t it only natural to demolish what was originally there?”

In Wolfen’s line of reasoning, there was no reason for him to bow down or be cautious of anyone. He was the most powerful in the back alleys, after all.

I suddenly remembered that Wolfen was a person of the kingdom era.

The kingdom was a harsh world where the strong seized everything through duels; a true survival of the fittest.

To Wolfen, who was born, raised, and ruled there, the notion of the strong taking from the weak was as natural as the sun rising in the east.

I was so flabbergasted that I couldn’t help but ask in return.

“But such a person has learned the Qi Arts of a coward? Hiding when someone stronger appears and ambushing when they seem somewhat equal?”

“That is the law of the world. The strong take and the weak lose. The weak must hide to survive. That is the only choice they have. But this Umbra is stronger than them and they did not hide. As such, this Umbra will take everything from them.”

This is going nowhere. Sigh, these types of people are seriously…

No fun.

“How one-dimensional. At this point, you’re only going to have some sense knocked into you if the Military State smashes you to a pulp.”

“Unfortunately, that opportunity will never come. Not for you, nor for the State.”

At the same time he finished speaking, a dagger flew out of nowhere. In the dimly lit alleys of the Military State, surrounded by dense darkness, an unseen, deadly blade flew.

｢Let’s see. Shall this Umbra try testing him?｣

The target was my right foot. Humans have dull senses for things not coming directly at them, so he was trying to aim for that blind spot.

｢Let’s start with the right foot. It is a dagger that you will not be able to see. How will you respond?｣

But if such an intention had already been read, it became a non-issue. I slightly lifted my right foot and just before the dagger was about to impale the ground, I stepped down again.

Thrust. The dagger beneath my right foot vibrated faintly as it stuck into the ground. I spread my arms leisurely, shrugging as if to ask if that was all he got.

My stance that was lightly stepping on the dagger almost appeared as though I had caught the flying dagger with my foot.

Seeing this, Wolfen became even more wary.

｢He is not just a simple petty criminal. Let’s be careful. Think of him as a knight and crush him thoroughly.｣

The time for talking had passed.

From now on, dragging out the time depended solely on my capabilities.

“The Legend of the Olden Era, Wolfen Fenhstein. Isn’t it about time for a generational change? Please disappear into the annals of history now.”

“Only if you have the right to relegate this Umbra there.”

Wolfen drew his main weapon, a shortsword. Shorter than a longsword but longer than a dagger, its ambiguous length seemed to symbolize his very identity.

The moment he summoned his Qi, a dark energy surged around the edge, wrapping the blade until it became invisible.

The symbol of the Shadow, as well as the ultimate close combat technique. The Shadow Sword that showed not a single gap to the opponent.

Even though I knew the sword was there thanks to reading Wolfen’s thoughts, anxiety still found me. After all, an unseen blade could pierce my body at any moment.

“To survive, you shall have to perform a truly extraordinary magic, Magician.”

While facing such a display, all I had was a deck of cards.

I spread the cards. In an instant, about fifty of them fluttered away; When I clapped my hands after pretending to shuffle them, dozens of cards disappeared without a trace.

Instead, all that was left was a short spear I had transmuted in advance.

I gripped that very spear with both hands and faced him.

“Let’s have a match, Has-Been.”

Wolfen’s figure vanished. Immediately after, an invisible blade flew towards me.

A shortsword with an unmeasurable length aimed at my shoulder. Had I not possessed Mind Reading, the match would have been decided then and there, as it was impossible to gauge how far the blade could reach.

｢Let’s see your reaction when attacked in such a precarious manner. Magician, are you able to detect the distance of the sword?｣

However, my Mind Reading clearly felt his every intention. It was a light slash from far away, so that he could retreat at any moment.

Then there was no need to be afraid. I slightly shifted my shoulder and extended the spear. The spearhead aimed directly at the approaching Wolfen in the blink of an eye.

｢He is sharp. His responses are quick. But…｣

Ting. The shortsword easily deflected my spear. For a moment, it felt as if someone had snatched the weapon right out of my hand.

Despite the overwhelming difference in length between the shortsword and the spear, I was the one who received a more violent shock. It was merely deflected, but my grip ached and the tip of the spear trembled weakly.

As if even this was a trick, I steadied the wavering spear and thrust again, but…Wolfen no longer overreacted to my attacks.

｢Compared to how sharp he is, he is lacking in both strength and speed? Well then, shall we test our strength against each other?｣

Along with this thought, a dark, sticky energy suddenly clung to the shortsword. This energy, like black mud, touched the spear and then wrapped around it, refusing to let go.

If I let this continue, it would head for a contest of pure strength.

Tch. He’s unbelievably good at sniffing out the weak, huh? If we compete in strength, my lack of it will be all too obvious.

No choice then. It’s a bit of a shame, though.

I reluctantly let go of the immobilized spear and pulled out another card from my sleeve.

9 of Diamonds, Hatchet.

A hatchet with a shape suitable for throwing was now in my left hand. After kicking up the sticky short spear with my knee, I used its shadow to hide the hatchet as I threw it.

The sharply spinning axe aimed directly at Wolfen’s chest as if to split him open; he reacted to the sudden appearance of this hatchet.

｢The card turned into a weapon. Alchemy?｣

To deflect with Qi Deflection or to dodge.

His decision was quick. Wolfen did not gamble with his safety. The spinning axe, thrown at such a close range, was awkward to deflect with Qi Deflection. As such…

｢This Umbra will dodge.｣

Wolfen executed a large spin. His cloak fluttered as both the spear and the axe harmlessly passed by his shoulder. Landing lightly, he scrutinized my hands and feet with a sharp gaze.

｢His main weapon is not the spear, it seems. Alchemy? Or perhaps a different weapon?｣

None of them is my main weapon. I don’t really have a main weapon to begin with, you know.

I had already used up two cards. I wish I could retrieve them, but I did not have that kind of leisure right now.

This gap was my chance. Taking advantage of Wolfen’s retreat, I dashed down the alley. As I fled, showing my back, an irrepressible question popped up in his mind.

｢Running away? No matter what this Umbrad does, it seems impossible to predict his tactics. Surely, he knows how disadvantageous it is to show your back in a fight?｣

Showing your back in a fight was disadvantageous because you couldn’t see attacks coming from behind. If you couldn’t see, then you couldn’t anticipate the opponent’s moves, thus making escape disadvantageous whether it was in a battlefield or a duel.

However, for me who possessed Mind Reading, whether I faced forward or backward made no difference. I could read the opponent’s attacks anyway.

No, rather, showing my back might actually be better, as it would make the opponent lower their guard.

｢Let’s approach cautiously while throwing daggers.｣

Why doesn’t he ever run out of those daggers? Is it in some infinite storage space or something? It’s not like you’re making them out of cards like me.

But there was no time to grumble any longer. The two daggers Wolfen threw flew straight at my back. The moment they left his hand, I rolled forward immediately. A chilling sensation grazed over my back, slightly tearing my cloak.

Sure, it was made of rather expensive material, but Wolfen’s Qi was especially sharp. It seemed best not to expect much in terms of defense and protection.

｢He sensed the daggers coming from behind. His Qi Sense is quite good. Then, what if this Umbra spreads the Qi in all directions. Let’s see if he can still sense that.｣

In an instant, darkness bloomed. The Qi spread in all directions like a fog, filling the entire street. To an unknowing passerby, it might seem as if dust was blown here from a landslide somewhere.

While riding the undulating shadows and hiding his body within, Wolfen charged out of the shade.

Then, he flinched upon seeing the revolver hidden within my cloak.

｢A gun? Was Alchemy capable of producing guns as well?｣

6 of Diamonds, Revolver.

I had fired one shot before, leaving five diamonds. Now, with his Qi Deflection weakened from spreading out his Qi, there was no better chance.

Click-click. I pressed the revolver that had secretly been transformed against my waistband. While pulling the trigger, I fanned the hammer, discharging five bullets in rapid succession.

RATATATATA.

In short intervals, I aimed precisely at his body, even through the darkness.

Arm, leg, chest, forehead, leg. Bullets were lodged in various parts of Wolfen’s body.

Wolfen staggered momentarily under the consecutive impacts he received in a short period of time.

｢This Umbra is unsure. This Umbra is not able to pinpoint his skill level. The one thing that is certain is that his Qi Sense is extraordinarily keen.｣

Even the weakened Qi Deflection easily deflected the bullets. They didn’t even penetrate his black clothes, let alone his body, and fell futilely to the ground.

Wolfen gathered his energy. The Qi that had spread in all directions now seeped back into his nose and mouth.

It almost appeared as though Wolfen was devouring darkness itself.

｢If so, this Umbra will abandon concealment. A brutal frontal confrontation…. It is not this Umbra’s area of expertise, but it seems there is no other way.｣

Wolfen, having finally realized his superiority, decided to become stupid instead of using his brain.

The Black Shadow Qi Arts was a skill that absorbed light and sound to hide one’s presence, thus exploiting the opponent’s weakness. As such, it was typically dispersed to deceive the enemy’s senses, as Wolfen had been doing.

However, Wolfen boldly abandoned such a usage method.

He redirected the Qi he had been expelling uselessly into his body instead. Rather than dispersing it to obscure vision, he concentrated it internally to enhance his strength.

A brutish application far removed from its original content. However…

｢This Umbra shall win with strength and Qi alone.｣

That was my Achilles’ Heel.

Ah, I’m fucked.