TLed by NolepGuy
Chapter 147
Delinquent runaway student Kraush.
Alongside another runaway student, Haring, he was currently climbing the mountains of Hardenhartz.
Although it was less so than in winter, the snow piled on the mountain made it hard to climb.
But things were different when Kraush was around.
With the heat radiating from his body melting all the snow as he walked, it cleared the way.
Thanks to that, Haring could follow behind Kraush without any issues.
“You’re like a portable heater.”
“Don’t treat a person like a heater.”
Kraush glanced helplessly at Haring, who had taken off her gloves and was reaching her hands toward him, then turned to look ahead.
“So, did you understand what I said?”
“Yeah, that the one who injured my father wasn’t the former leader of the Night Crow Unit.”
The Empire announced that the one who had gravely injured the Poison King was the former leader of the Night Crow Unit.
Thus, Kraush had initially struggled with how to explain it to Haring.
If he had told her outright that this mission was about meeting Ebelasque, she might have reacted explosively.
Fortunately, she accepted it more easily than he had expected.
“I also understand now why Sizelry Ephania joined this mission.”
Among the reasons, mentioning Ebelasque in connection with Sizelry was what helped Haring understand the most.
No matter how much of a problem there might be between the Empire and Starlon—
Sizelry’s participation in this mission must have been a lingering question for Haring all along.
It made sense, considering Ebelasque was said to have manipulated Mary from the shadows to assassinate the 4th Princess.
Yet, despite that, Sizelry had gone out of her way to assist Ebelasque.
The earlier stories must have been all false accusations, something Haring quickly caught onto.
Moreover, the fact that someone like the 4th Princess might know the truth likely played a significant role in Haring’s reasoning.
Because of that, Haring could accept Kraush’s words.
In many ways, all thanks to Sizelry.
“…Are you okay with the World Erosion Being? This mission we’re on now is to meet one of them.”
Haring’s brother had reportedly died in a World Erosion caused by a World Erosion Being.
There are quite a few World Erosion Beings capable of causing a World Erosion.
Kraush could name more than just one or two off the top of his head.
‘The problem is, there are some truly troublesome ones among them.’
Still, considering her brother had died because of a World Erosion Being, Kraush had assumed she would despise them.
After all, most people generally harbor hatred toward World Erosion Beings.
Yet, surprisingly, Haring was lenient in this regard.
“What I hate is the World Erosion Being that killed my brother.”
The reason she had enrolled at Rahelrn Academy to stop World Erosions was simply because she didn’t want anyone else to go through what she had.
“Of course, I’m still looking for that World Erosion Being. But if it’s not them, I have no reason to hate all of them indiscriminately.”
Haring was someone who could clearly separate emotions from logic.
“And above all, someone like you, Kraush, who throws himself into danger without hesitation, doesn’t seem like the type to lie for no reason.”
Could that be how she thinks?
She wasn’t wrong.
Information’s value depends on who conveys it.
Doubting information itself was meaningless.
“More importantly.”
Haring smiled warmly.
“Kraush, I trust you.”
Seeing her smile, Kraush scratched the back of his neck.
“Not to mention, I owe you.”
“Didn’t we agree you’d repay that debt by helping with my research?”
“Even after hearing about my father, I couldn’t bring myself to do anything at the Academy.”
The Ragren Family had simply told her to stand by and wait.
And that sense of helplessness, of being unable to do anything, had been indescribable.
“But Kraush, you gave me something I could do. That’s why I’m indebted to you.”
To Kraush, it had merely been a matter of aligning interests and making use of them.
Still, since she saw it that way, he decided not to argue further.
“Well, if that’s how you feel, then hurry up and repay it.”
“I’ll try.”
Haring’s eyes sparkled more and more brightly.
After several hours of climbing the mountain,
having pushed themselves hard, they finally arrived at Ebelasque’s dwelling.
On the surface, it looked like just another forest filled with trees, but the reality was different.
Kraush fumbled around the trees until an entrance suddenly clicked open.
‘Did she leave in a hurry without breaking it?’
She might have left in quite a rush.
After all, Kraush knew Ebelasque’s location.
She might have escaped to avoid confronting him.
‘I hope there’s at least some clue left behind.’
As Kraush stepped into the underground space within the tree, Haring followed him.
Haring looked around curiously, marveling at the interior of the tree.
Besides Ebelasque, there was also a possibility of a World Erosion Being from Ixion being here.
Thus, Kraush turned to Haring.
“Haring, let’s use Invisible while we move.”
“Got it.”
She answered as she began to remove her gloves.
Then, she extended her hand.
As Kraush stared blankly at her hand, Haring opened and closed her palm.
“I don’t have sweaty hands or anything.”
“I didn’t say anything.”
Seeing her hand reminded him of Bianca, making him pause momentarily.
Kraush took her hand in his.
In that moment, both their appearances and presences began to completely vanish.
No matter how many times he saw it, it was an impressively overpowered skill.
“Let’s go.”
“Okay.”
Even Haring showed visible signs of tension.
Their opponent was none other than a World Erosion Being.
A single mistake could cost them their lives.
Her reaction was only natural.
“Don’t worry. No matter what happens, I won’t let you die.”
If nothing else, he was confident in his ability to run away at full speed.
After all, he had survived and witnessed the end even amidst chaos.
“…Alright.”
Hearing Haring’s determined response, Kraush held onto her hand as they ventured further in.
The corridor, which had once been lit everywhere, now lay desolate.
It was as if the cold air of Hardenhartz’s snowy mountains had crept in and seeped through the cracks.
The eerie atmosphere alone was enough to make someone feel uneasy.
As they walked down the corridor, Kraush heightened his Sixth Sense to detect any signs of life.
He was prepared to react instantly if he picked up anything.
It was at that moment.
Swoosh!
Kraush’s head snapped in a certain direction.
Because something had caught his Sixth Sense.
As Kraush met Haring’s gaze, he raised a finger to his lips, signaling her to stay quiet.
Haring nodded, and Kraush slowly approached the direction of interest.
Beyond the slightly ajar door.
A faint rustling sound could be heard.
And Kraush felt a sense of familiarity with the figure before him.
“Haring, don’t dispel Invisible. Wait here.”
“Okay.”
After hearing Haring’s response, Kraush let go of her hand.
Then, gripping the door, he pushed it open with a creak.
At that moment, the other side also noticed him.
A Fourth Division Staff was drawn from behind her, locking into place with a click as it swung toward him.
Clang!
The Rain Thunder Prime Kraush had drawn collided with the staff, echoing loudly.
And soon, the opponent widened her eyes as she recognized him.
“Mr. Kraush?”
A headband shaped like rabbit ears perched atop her head.
Dark-toned skin and short black hair.
On top of that, a maid outfit.
She was none other than one of Ebelasque’s corpses, Number 8.
“Number 8, it’s been a while.”
Realizing it was Kraush, she withdrew her staff and stepped back.
Then, she wore an awkward expression.
“You arrived faster than I expected.”
“Well, it seems you’re in charge of cleaning up after Ebelasque.”
Kraush glanced at the pile of baggage behind her.
It was undoubtedly Ebelasque’s belongings.
“You must know why I came here.”
“Yes, you’re here to meet the master.”
Even as she answered compliantly, Number 8 did not release her grip on the staff.
Kraush understood the meaning behind her action.
“The master must have sent you a letter.”
“You mean the one asking me not to search for her?”
“Yes, as the master’s servant, I trust Mr. Kraush understands the weight of those words. The master also wishes to avoid a confrontation with you.”
“I see.”
Kraush lowered the Rain Thunder Prime.
Seeing this, Number 8 began to relax slightly, but at that moment, the sound of crackling flames roared.
Black Flame ignited atop Kraush’s sword.
“Then, Number 8, deliver my response to her as well.”
Kraush drew upon Annihilation Erosion, quietly exhaling smoke between his lips.
“Stop the nonsense and come face me now.”
Number 8’s eyes narrowed slightly.
Kraush showed no sign of heeding her warning.
“Are you serious?”
“Yeah, I’m always serious.”
“I had hoped to avoid a clash with you, Mr. Kraush.”
At that moment, Number 8’s attire began to change.
The maid outfit tore away, morphing into a tightly fitted suit.
Simultaneously, a helmet formed over her head.
Number 8 had entered full combat mode.
A formidable energy emanated from her.
She was one of Ebelasque’s single-digit corpses.
Naturally, she was an elite.
“Still, I’m curious about one thing.”
Number 8’s staff spun with a flourish.
At the same time, vicious saw blades emerged from both ends of the staff.
“How much has Mr. Kraush grown since the days when you couldn’t leave a scratch on me?”
Hearing her words, Kraush pulled the Rain Thunder Prime to his waist.
At the same time, he extended his lead foot and smirked chillingly.
“That’s a bold statement you won’t be able to handle.”
If it’s come to this, Ebelasque should know, too.
What happens when you make an enemy out of me.
Just wait until we meet again.
I’ll beat you until your backside’s red.
＊ ＊ ＊
Clang!
The fierce clash of metal resounded as sparks of Black Flame scattered.
The shockwave from Number 8 and Kraush’s battle left the room in utter disarray.
But neither of them paid it any mind.
“You’ve grown this much in such a short time.”
Number 8 was astonished as she observed Kraush blocking her attacks head-on.
Not long ago, Kraush couldn’t even compete with her.
But now, Kraush had grown strong enough to surprise Number 8.
Particularly, the Aura Blade that glimmered through the Black Flame on his sword revealed that he had reached the level of a Master.
“If you understand that, it’d be better for you to just tell me Ebelasque’s location instead of breaking anything.”
“I’m sorry, but I haven’t even informed the master that I’ve met you yet.”
Single-digit corpses like Number 8 retained their individual will.
Thus, unless Ebelasque personally intervened to use her power, she wouldn’t know what Number 8 was doing.
By now, Ebelasque would likely think Number 8 was just cleaning the room.
“And from our exchange just now, I’ve realized something.”
Clink!
At that moment, the staff that had clashed with Kraush’s sword transformed into the shape of a Sectional Staff, bending as it did so.
The chain of the Sectional Staff swiftly coiled around Kraush’s sword.
Simultaneously, the saw blade at the end of the staff flew toward him.
Kraush, perceiving the scene with Thunderclap, extinguished the blade of the Rain Thunder Prime.
Then, slipping out of the chains, he deflected the saw blade and retreated.
Clatter!
The Sectional Staff that had forced Kraush to step back reverted to a staff in Number 8’s hands.
Twirling the staff in her grip, Number 8 smirked faintly.
“It seems you haven’t fought that many who’ve reached the level of a Master.”
The moment she finished speaking.
The space around Number 8 began to distort.
At the same time, her presence felt far more immense than before.
Kraush’s eyes briefly caught sight of thread-like strands on her arms.
Reacting instantly, Kraush’s Thunderclap surged.
Clang!
The metallic clash rang as the Rain Thunder Prime barely parried Number 8’s staff.
Even Thunderclap struggled to keep up with her speed.
Kraush realized what Number 8 had done.
A Master-level Aura could convey the essence of a person’s life experiences.
And the deeper that essence becomes, the more destructive it is.
This essence was what created a distinction among Masters beyond just levels of skill.
Levels represented the power manifested by the body.
Essence represented the power manifested by the mind.
In battles between Masters, sometimes the one with superior essence could triumph, even if their level was lower.
Thus, the balance between these two powers was crucial in a Master’s fight.
Depending on which was cultivated more deeply, an entirely new domain could be unveiled.
Number 8 was a corpse that had lived countless years alongside Ebelasque.
What her essence contained was her devotion to Ebelasque.
The more she devoted herself to Ebelasque, the stronger the power emanating from her essence became.
That was the secret technique born from her essence.
Puppet.
By embracing the role of a puppet, she became even stronger.
As proof, even Kraush’s Thunderclap felt almost meaningless before Number 8’s relentless onslaught.
The incoming staff narrowly grazed Kraush’s jaw.
Kraush, having dodged the attack, immediately unleashed the Rain Thunder Prime.
But Number 8 was one step ahead.
Her movements were eerie, like a sphere puppet being manipulated by invisible strings.
And those eerie movements created unpredictability.
With an unnaturally bent arm, her staff swirled at a bizarre angle.
After all, she was a corpse to begin with.
Acts that strained her bones or forms impossible for muscles to achieve posed no limits to her.
What’s more, she didn’t have to endure the physical overload her body endured.
That was because the brain’s natural limits, placed to protect the body, had been removed from the start.
The destructive power of someone who fully embraced the role of a puppet was beyond imagination.
Boom!
In the end, Kraush also allowed a hit from Number 8’s staff, sending him flying backward.
Kraush came to a stop as he collided with the wall, spitting from his mouth.
It seemed he had bitten the inside of his cheek during the flight, as blood mixed with his spit.
“If you surrender now, I will grant you a peaceful end.”
The threads attached to Number 8’s body grew even more vivid in color.
Kraush, who was watching this silently, let out a faint laugh.
“Essence, it’s important.”
Essence grows stronger the longer it is cultivated.
Therefore, the essence of those who have lived a long time is indescribably deep.
However, there is a way to deepen essence through means other than time.
At that moment, Number 8’s body suddenly froze.
It was because she sensed an unusual energy emanating from Kraush.
Whoosh—
The sound of Kraush’s Black Flame igniting echoed through the air.
In the still space, Kraush’s Black Flame began to flicker wildly.
“…Mr. Kraush?”
Inside her helmet, a cold sweat slowly trickled down Number 8’s face as a bad premonition struck her.
Essence is indeed deepened by being cultivated over a long time.
But there is an extreme method to forcefully deepen it.
That method is none other than pushing oneself to the brink of death through torment.
Number 8 did not know.
To her eyes, Kraush appeared to be only fifteen years old.
But there was no way she could know just how harrowing the life he had lived truly was.