Reset Life – Chapter 103

Chapter 103: Shall We Talk Somewhere Quiet? (3)

I approached to within three steps of Artshever.

Until then, he was clutching his chest, his face pale, watching me with a faint smile.

I said,

“You said you were human, right? Then you can die too.”

“Hu, huhu…… Everyone only has one life. So, what are you going to do?”

“I’ll tell you in advance, Artshever. You’re the first person to make me think this way about a human.”

“Cough! What is it?”

I made my expression as hard as possible. Really, I never thought I would harbor such thoughts towards another human being.

“You’re someone who shouldn’t exist in this world.”

“Pfft……! Hahahaha! It’s not the first time I’ve heard that. Cough! Kugh!”

Artshever burst into laughter as if pleased, then coughed up blood again. I couldn’t understand the structure of the power that made him up.

No, I don’t need to be curious anymore.

I raised my sword, aiming precisely at his heart.

“Your purpose, your intentions, all of it is unclear…… But now I don’t have to worry about that anymore.”

Artshever responded with a smile. No more words were needed, nor was there any reason to say them.

“Get out now, Artshever.”

My sword drew a straight line towards his heart, not deviating an inch.

If nothing happened, my sword would pierce his heart, take his life, and put an end to everything he had done.

Yes. If nothing happened……

Wheeiiiing……

Wheeiiiing―!

“Ugh?!”

My sword stopped just 1 centimeter in front of his heart. As if a sandstorm had risen and grabbed my sword, it remained right in front of Artshever’s heart.

Wh, what’s happening?

Kwaaaaa―!

A sudden sandstorm was forming a whirlwind beside Artshever. Countless grains of sand gathered, creating a fierce movement that obscured the other side.

My sword was caught in part of the whirlwind and wouldn’t budge.

“Hey, Al, this is why I told you not to go alone.”

“Who is it?!”

I immediately dropped my sword and jumped back at the unfamiliar voice from behind the sandstorm. I could faintly see a human figure appearing from within the dust.

“Hoo? A young man with quick judgment. I like you very much.”

“Because Setrife chose him.”

Two?

Two voices came from behind the sandstorm. Are they Artshever’s companions?

Whaaack―!

Suddenly, a strong wind blew, and the sandstorm cleared in an instant.

The first to appear was a man dressed entirely in black, retrieving his fluttering black cloak. He had his hood pulled down low, obscuring his face.

And the other was a handsome man. He had short blond hair and seemed to be in his mid-30s, but still had a robust physique. What was impressive was the armor that covered only his left chest and the heavy halberd he was carrying.

The man in black was holding my sword. He tossed it at my feet with an indifferent attitude.

“Take it.”

He threw it as if it were trash, but I silently picked up my sword. Where did they suddenly appear from? And they seem to know Artshever?

“Silvan Harcian……!”

Levidian muttered something in a breathless voice. What does that mean?

“Huh? Silvan, that young lady seems to know you?”

“She’s Shispa’s daughter.”

“Really? That old man has a pretty daughter, unlike himself.”

Silvan Harcian was the name of the man in black. Moreover, do these two know Levidian’s father?

I looked at Levidian with a surprised expression and was even more surprised to see her radiating an astonishing amount of hostility. What in the world happened?

The man in black was unfazed by such fierce hostility. He simply stepped back and helped Artshever up.

“Are you planning to take him?!”

I instinctively raised my sword, and the blond man suddenly held out his hand.

“Wait. We should at least greet each other since it’s our first time meeting, but let’s skip that. Forgive me for getting straight to the point. So, are you planning to attack, young man?”

“I don’t know who you are, but you’ll have to leave Artshever behind.”

“Oh dear. You’re saying that even after seeing this friend coughing up blood? I can’t ask you to respect your elders as much as your enemies, but can’t you just overlook it? This friend, he’s got explosive power, but his stamina is weak. He’s destined to be hated by women. Don’t you feel sorry for him?! Oh my, premature ejaculation at such a young age!”

He spoke with a genuinely pitiful tone, almost pleading. I momentarily had a blank expression, and Artshever did too.

Probably most people would have reacted the same way. Al, the only one not swept up in the atmosphere, said while clashing his gauntlets.

“Premature or not, it’s irrelevant to the fight.”

When Al said that, Silvan, who seemed to have a similar personality to Al, stepped forward in front of Artshever, his black cloak fluttering.

A black and smooth cloak that seems to move on its own……

The blond man waved his hand and said in a bewildered tone.

“Huh? Huh? What’s wrong with this guy? We’re not here to fight today, we’re here to pick him up. Oh, dear. He’s so impatient even though he’s old enough.”

“That’s right…… Step back, Silvan. What are Baius and Referndi doing?”

Artshever placed his hand on Silvan’s shoulder and spoke to the blond man. Is his name Baius?

Baius scratched his head and said,

“It’s always been her habit to be late.”

“I see. Huu, Sir Arisein, it’s time to part ways.”

“Wh, what? Who decided that?!”

They showed up out of nowhere, twisted the situation this way and that, and now they’re trying to slip away? Do they think I’ll just stand by and watch?

I instinctively tried to rush at them. However, at that moment, Levidian grabbed my arm.

“No, Risel!”

“Levidian? What……!”

I turned to her angrily. But I was surprised to see her pleading expression. She said desperately,

“I don’t know about the others, but…… Silvan is……”

“What about him?”

I softened my expression a little and asked again. Instead of answering, Levidian pointed behind me with her finger, and I turned my head. At the same time, Baius said,

“Young man, you should be glad you survived.”

As if to prove his words right, Silvan’s black cloak was fluttering in the windless air. What was making the cloak flutter were several shadowy tentacles that had appeared from nowhere.

The shadowy tentacles, wriggling slowly through the air like snakes, were pointing their ends towards me, just like real snakes.

Just then, Lucy spoke from the air about Silvan’s identity.

“Shadow Manipulator?!”

It was a short phrase, but it hammered into my head like a battering ram.

Shadow Manipulator? You mean a shaman who controls shadows? Among shamans, they are incredibly rare and have reached an incomparably high level, right?!

Silvan slowly raised his head. He seemed to be looking at Lucy, and thanks to that, I could see his chin. It was a rough appearance with yellow skin and a white beard growing haphazardly.

“You have a wide range of knowledge, magician.”

Silvan lowered his head again. Baius said with an exaggeratedly surprised expression.

“Ooh! Magician over there! Consider yourself honored! Silvan rarely praises others!”

“A Shadow Manipulator with many skills. Then what are you?”

At Al’s question, Baius shrugged. It was a gesture as if to say, “Guess.”

I know he’s a warrior because he’s holding a halberd. Presumably, he’s as skilled as Artshever or Silvan. Do I…… know someone like that?

At that moment, a lightning-like memory flashed through my mind. Armor covering only the left chest, a halberd, a seemingly boisterous personality……

“Baius Extoria?”

“Huh? How does a young man like you know me?”

Baius widened his eyes in surprise.

As expected! It was Baius Extoria, the Spear King Slayer!

Looking at the man who had occupied a place among the Eight Strongest of the continent before I died, I said,

“Redbane is…… still alive, right?”

“Who are you?”

Wheeik!

The halberd, which had been standing upright, was instantly pointed towards me. Baius had lost the smile he had on his face just a moment ago.

Clang!

Simultaneously, all members of the Black New Moon, including myself, drew our weapons, instantly creating a standoff.

“Hey, Risel, do you know him?”

Lucy’s puzzled voice could be heard, and I silently nodded.

Baius Extoria.

Before I died, he was the one who had reached the pinnacle of spear skills and killed the Spear King, Redbane, rising as a new powerhouse.

Unlike others who had respectable titles like Sword King or Spear King, he was given the un-respectable nickname of “Spear King Slayer.”

I don’t know the reason, but he had a grudge against Redbane, and he fought a duel with him and brutally murdered Redbane.

Behind his boisterous personality, he was famous for his ruthlessness, never leaving his opponents alive.

From what I remember, he was rumored to be a powerhouse among powerhouses, capable of holding his own against other continental powerhouses in physical combat…… Why is he on Artshever’s side?

“Eek…… Stop it, Baius. Cough! It’ll be troublesome if we delay any longer.”

“Huh? Ah, right. Another bunch is coming from over there. It doesn’t seem like we’ll gain anything from fighting, so I’ll hold back. Tsk.”

Baius shrugged and withdrew his halberd. Glancing back, I saw Mangya’s group rushing towards us at a ferocious speed.

Artshever rummaged through his pockets and pulled out a necklace, holding it in his hand. He said,

“Well, Sir Arisein, it’s time to say goodbye.”

It’s not just today that I curse this damn intuition. Artshever definitely has a means of escape here, and it must be that necklace.

“You…… What the hell are you? What are you doing here?!”

Artshever grinned.

“I told you before, didn’t I? I’m a clown.”

“A rather nasty one.”

“That’s right, Baius. That’s why I’m mischievous and I especially like playing tricks on people. I have a lot to say, but thanks to your good friends, my work has failed. Well, I have friends too, so I’ll be taking my leave.”

Tuk!

He pulled the necklace and broke the string.

I gritted my teeth and tried to rush at him, but the shadowy tentacles created by Shadow Manipulation were blocking the way, swaying.

Shadow Manipulation tentacles that are said to be able to sever even an elephant’s leg. I don’t have the confidence to avoid so many of them……

Damn it!

“Then, stay healthy.”

Artshever threw the torn necklace to the ground.

Clang!

Glass fragments flew up as the small, bottle-shaped necklace shattered. Then, a white light burst forth.

Whaaack―!

The spreading light gathered inwards, and the roundly gathered light kicked off the ground and soared into the sky.

Just like that, Artshever disappeared.

“Kugh……!”

Crack!

I could hear the sound of my molars grinding.

I was completely played and thoroughly mocked.

Artshever Le Setrife!

I feel like screaming until my chest explodes. But I don’t even have the right to unleash such anger right now.

This is the first time I’ve felt so messed up!

I sheathed my sword and turned around. Mangya’s assassins had finally arrived, and I asked them,

“Where’s Aila?”

Ah, damn it. My voice is completely distorted.

A fierce battle that ended in an indescribably frustrating conclusion. Leaving that place behind, my group, Aila, and Levidian’s group each set up camp separately.

Levidian spouted nonsense about not being able to be under the same sky as Mangya.

My mind was tangled like a ball of yarn created by my little sister Sera playing around, and it was bubbling like a poorly made magician’s potion, on the verge of exploding.

It almost turned into a volcano thanks to Levidian, but I managed to hold it in and used ‘nice words’ to get the Black New Moon to set up camp nearby.

If it weren’t for Lucy, the only one among us who could maintain her optimism, I would have vented my twisted feelings in all directions.

Above all, I had to calm down to check if Artshever had messed with my mind.

I had to calm down, even if it was just because of Lucy’s advice.

After a long time, Lucy said,

“Okay. Open your eyes.”

“Ugh…… I’m dizzy.”

“It’s been quite a while. You’ll be fine soon.”

When I opened my eyes, complete darkness had descended.

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