Chapter 125 - Duel (1)

"Think carefully, Ashton." Jonathan continued with his plan of manipulating Ashton, "What do you want? If you choose revenge, I'll give it to you as long as you do what I ask of you. Help me take care of the swamp, and I'll help you take care of your foes."

"...Fine, I'll do it." Ashton agreed with his expressionless face.

"Excellent-"

"But I have some conditions of my own."

"What is it?" Although Jonathan did not like to be interrupted while talking, he was willing to make an exception here because the kid was a valuable asset for him.

"Allow me to form an independent team. I don't mind working with the soldiers you trust but I'd rather have my own people whom I can trust around me."

'This fcker...' Jonathan forced a smile on his face as soon as those words emerged from Ashton's mouth, 'He doesn't even know how everyone had been betraying him and yet he talks about trust so high and mighty.'

Jonathan pushed those thoughts aside and even though he wanted to laugh right at Ashton's face, he controlled his urges. If the kid wanted to have fun with people around him then it was fine. He could have whatever he wanted.

"Fine. Do as you please." Jonathan agreed to Ashton's request, however, Ashton wasn't done yet. He had yet another condition to put forth.

"Please make sure whatever we have talked about remained between us. I would not want the mistress or the director to know what's about to hit them in advance."

Jonathan nodded "Anything else?"

" I feel really frustrated, so I'm gonna kill a lot of people soon. I hope you can take care of it."

At this moment Jonathan had had enough. He ended up laughing like a maniac. This 16-year-old was going to kill a lot of people? What a hilarious joke! Jonathan was aware that this young lad had the skills to do so, but he didn't know if he had the will.

Kill night creatures and killing werewolves were two entirely different things. Not everyone had the guts to do something like that, let alone proclaim in advance that they were going to do that crap either.

However, for the sake of the things Jonathan was about to have the kid do for him, he had to get acquainted with killing soon. After all, his plan of dominating and ruling over the other kingdoms will not get fulfilled without lots of bloodshed on both sides.

Still, what Ashton was saying was downright absurd. How could someone of his age so calmly proclaim of doing such a thing?

"My apologies for laughing over such a serious matter, but I would like to know one thing. Have you ever killed someone before?" Jonathan asked after calming himself a bit.

There was no ulterior motive behind asking such a question. Jonathan just wanted to know whether this kid was all bark and no bite or did he actually know what he was talking about.

"Do you think those three students who died during the ranking exam was caused by a night creature?" Ashton responded with a calm and cold voice.

For the first time ever since they had started chatting with each other, Jonathan felt that the kid was being serious. Or in other words... he felt like Ashton had finally dropped the mask of innocence from his face.

'So the brat was being serious huh...' It was Jonathan's turn to be surprised this time, 'I guess he is more capable than I was led to believe. Mera... I don't know what you did, but you have raised one hell of a monster.'

Jonathan had thought he would use the brat's feelings to turn him against the ones who had been protecting him till now. Only to realise that Ashton did not need anyone's protection... other's needed protection from his rage.

"Alright kid, enough talking for now. Let's see if your talent can back up your words or not." Jonathan got serious and drew his sword while simultaneously throwing another one towards Ashton who easily caught it, "I'll consider your offer if you can land one hit on me. However, if you can't then you'll forget about killing anyone till I say so."

"Fine by me," Ashton responded confidently and wore his equipment, "Just one hit should be fine."

"I thought you would say no. But I guess you are either the most stubborn person to ever live or you are just a maniac." Jonathan smiled, "Let's make this duel a bit fairer, shall we? I'll not move from where I am standing. Also, I won't attack you either. if I break any of those rules, you'll win again."

"Your place, your rules. I'll fight you either way. After all, I have to prove my worth to you, don't I?"

[Armour Skill: <Lure> has been activated.]

[Number of targets affected: 1]

[The affected targets are found to have a higher level than the user. The effectiveness of their skills have been reduced by 60%]

[Skill: <Wolf's Mark> has been activated.]

[Number of targets affected: 1]

[Damage and Agility have been boosted by 10% for 3 minutes.]

"Impressive. I can see why those second years had trouble taking you down." Jonathan smiled as Ashton charged right towards him, "However, your technique needs a lot of work."

Ashton ignored Jonathan completely and went in for the attack. He kept moving from left and right trying to confuse Jonathan but right when he lunged in to attack Jonathan, something went wrong. Jonathan released the aura he had been hiding and the next moment Asthon fell on his knees.

Ashton never thought a man could be so overwhelming. The aura was much denser than Ashton had felt before. Probably because he was much closer to Jonathan than he had been previously. it almost felt as if something was choking him. It was unlike anything he had ever experienced before.

"What's wrong? Get back on your feet. Show me you're worth my time." Jonathan smiled while looking down at him.

Jonathan was pretty sure Ashton would not be able to get up, let alone fight anymore. However, to his surprise Ashton forced himself up and even managed to swing his sword.... before passing out.