Chapter 130 Race Against Time [4]

--(Manabu's POV)—

'He is good.'

Manabu kept his eyes peeled to make sure none of Nathan's moves goes unnoticed.

As the tank, his job was to block all long-range attacks from Nathan.

'Maybe we can defeat him before the Captain returns!'

When they became aware of the existence of an intruder who was trying to steal the prizes, they created this plan.

Manabu will leave the building first to get out and call for reinforcements.

While Tress and Sean, the two warriors Nathan was fighting, will stay to hinder the trespasser.

The sentries Nathan fought were unaware of the plan. Tress and Sean left them as bait to gauge Nathan's combat abilities.

By roughly analyzing the time it took Nathan to defeat each group, they were sure that he wasn't Enma-rank.

'Well, the prizes aren't important enough for an Enma-rank to try robbery in Underworld.'

Manabu had returned after leaving one sentry to call the captain. The captain of the arena's security forces was Lvl.45 and an ex-veteran from the Elven frontline.

'Though there are rumors that he ran away from the frontline, he should be able to subdue Mr. Pepe fairly easily.'

At least, that was the original plan. Stalling until the captain returns.

However, seeing Nathan struggling against them, his greed inflated.

What if…

'I can catch him before the reinforcement comes? Wouldn't I get a lot of rewards for it?'

Catching the one who was being hailed as the 5th Irregular. Can there be a better achievement than that?

Irregulars, the wielders of powers defying common sense.

For bottom feeders like him, their existence was akin to Gods.

And today he would be the one to catch a God.

Manabu made his decision.

"We should defeat him before the reinforcements arrive."

Manabu made sure to speak loudly.

How would Mr. Pepe react if he knows that reinforcements were coming when he is barely fighting against them?

'He will make a mistake.'

Fear was a primal emotion. No one is free from its clutches.

'We need to strike fear in his heart and use that to get an opening.'

He was never more thankful for his stigma, which was a perfect counter against Mr. Pepe. He felt as if the heavens had given this chance to him.

"Someone was coming, huh."

Nathan asked while fixing his mask that was about to fall off.

This news was enough for him to finally make his decision.

Tress and Sean pulled back along with the mages and retook their stance.

Manabu wasn't worried that Nathan knew about the reinforcements. If he had a smidgen of brain, then he would eventually figure it out given how they weren't attacking him with all of their forces.

"Yes, so shouldn't you surrender now?"

Sean quickly understood Manabu's intention and tried to corner Nathan mentally.

Manabu smirked as he looked at Nathan's figure.

Bloody cuts from his legs to his torso and a large gash on his back. He was injured and out of breath.

'I don't know how he can fight in that condition, but there's no way he can counterattack.'

The only thing on Manabu's mind now was that the captain only returns after they have defeated Nathan.

"I have around 50% ether left. If the reinforcement comes, I don't think I can handle them even if I use all the ether."

Nathan mumbled to himself.

"If you surrender, then we won't do anything to you."

If nothing else, Manabu had to acknowledge that Mr. Pepe was much more dangerous than just being an Irregular. Even now, he was standing as if those injuries weren't there to begin with.

Seeing this, Manabu warned Tress and Sean.

"Now that he knows about the reinforcement, he might start resisting in a frenzy to defeat us before backup arrives. Don't buy into that and stay on the defensive."

Then he whispered to make sure only the two of them hear him.

"Don't worry about his attacks and use the opening that will come your way. I will block all his attacks on you."

"I guess I need to finish you guys before that."

Nathan spoke out aloud.

Manabu smirked. Everything was going as he had planned.

Just as he thought that Nathan did something unexpected.

Nathan crouched and placed his hands on the ground.

He brought his right foot a little forward and placed his left foot behind.

'Why is he getting into sprint start posture?'

Nathan stopped covering his entire body in ether and took a deep breath.

Vrooom-

Phhzzzzzt-

Suddenly a large amount of ether exploded outwards from Nathan and 8 swords materialized in the air.

Raising his hips, Nathan compressed the ether to his limit and used every last drop of it to cover the sole of his feet.

Everyone tensed as they saw the amount of energy Nathan was emitting.

"[Pierce]"

All 8 swords grew in length and their blades extended.

Without delay, Nathan fired them.

Swish- Swish-

The swords quickly reached Tress and Sean.

Clannggg-! Clannggg-!

Manabu used two large shields to block the onslaught.

The shields trembled from blocking the large amount of force generated by the swords due to their large sizes.

Manabu's arms shook as he struggled to maintain the shields. However, he kept his eyes on Nathan.

Nathan was in same position.

He thought that Nathan wasn't going to move when–

-Bam!

–Nathan's figure vanished from his place and reappeared in front of them!

"That ain't allowed!"

Tres was the only one who was able to react in time.

Brandishing his sword, he swung at Nathan.

Yet another wave exploded outwards from Nathan.

"!"

Tres, along with everyone, froze.

Yes, they had <Fortitude> cast on them, and [Domination Decree] being an intimidation skill, the effect will decrease the more aware that it is coming.

However, that was only if Nathan wasn't using the skill at its full power.

The effect was only for a spilt second, but it was enough for Nathan to kill Tress and Sean.

Manabu could block attacks for one person, but not for both of them.

Both of them prayed that it wasn't them who will be attacked.

-Bam!

Nathan ignored them and bolted towards Manabu himself!

Manabu created a dome of shields to protect himself.

At the same time, 10 cracks opened in the air, and weapons shot at him.

CLANG-!

Blood flowed out from his nostrils as he burned Aura to maintain the shields!

His arms shook greatly, but he kept holding on. If he could hold on for a few more seconds, then Tress and Sean would arrive to his help, he just had to…

'Where is he?'

The dome of shields obstructed his view. Allowing Nathan to slip out of his vision.

He didn't know where Nathan was.

"Are you looking for me?"

A chill ran down his spine when he heard a voice coming from behind him.

Puchi-!

However, before he could react, Nathan thrust the sword through the gaps at the shields' attaching area and pierced his skull.

Manabu's eyes lost their shine and his body fell.

Everyone watched in shock as they lost the shield that was stopping Nathan.