"For now, let's—" Aariz was saying something as he got up from the chair, but was cut off by an attack that came from above.
It was an explosive-like attack, infused with Magic, if my understanding of it is correct. It was so fast that none of us could sense it.
Is it the end...? That was the only thought that came to my mind at that time.
None of us had moved an inch from where we were. We simply couldn't as all of that happened so fast that we could not react to what had just happened.
I had covered my eyes reflexively as soon as I saw the purplish-black tendrils surging towards us.
I thought that it was over, but suddenly golden-brown shield materialized within a split second which protected us from that attack.
What was that? What on earth just happened? I asked myself, confused by the situation.
Aariz sighed. His tone was almost exasperated. "Good grief." Looking up at the direction from where the attack came, he spoke, "Can't you do a better job since you're fired?"
The dust and smoke that had risen from the impact slowly dispersed, revealing the figure of a well-built man, a human, floating in the sky. He was in black military-like attire.
"I thought that attack would be sufficient to kill you all, but it seems that I have underestimated you."
That man's expression and tone were calm, but eeriely. I knew that in that calm tone and expession, the murderous intents were filled. Every one of us stood up, and began to look that man who had just attacked us.
Kane asked Maarij and Aariz who that punk was, to which Maarij casually replied, "His name is Paul, at least that's what we call him now, a former Captain in Royal Knights. He was on his track to be a General soon, but he tried throwing the Astraeva Kingdom with the force of ten thousand men from the army. We stopped them and neutralized all those involved, but he escaped. More likely, I let him. Seems like he's holding a grudge against us since then."
Maarij's way of telling was causal, and not too serious. It was almost as if he couldn't care less about what was happening.
Perhaps it was because he knew that they would defeat him again since it two against one, yet somehow I could sense a bit of sadness behind those words.
But either way, I hadn't expected to be involved in a situation like this on the very same day we encountered an angel and a devil.
Plus, it was getting really exhausting, I was hoping that it would just end soon, so we could have a rest and get some shut-eye.
I sighed. "Can't we just have a peaceful day? It's getting exhausting."
Maarij's tone remained indifferent. It was clear that he wasn't taking Paul seriously. "He probably thinks that he has grown strong." Maarij shrugged. "Too bad for him that he can't surpass me."
Paul scoffed, descending slowly as he asked, "I am seeing new faces here. Who are they? Newbies?"
Maarij didn't bother answering him. So, instead of answering him, Maarij simply threatened him. "I will give you a warning as a former fellow companion. Withdraw now or I will finish what I should've back then."
"Is this really the guy who we used to know?" Maarij muttered to himself.
I wouldn't deny the fact that I had expected them to be something like that. I mean, anyone could expect it, no? It's a Fantasy World, after all.
Paul's smirked didn't falter. "Kill me? Do you even know how strong I have become in the past few years? I have already surpassed you both."
Yup, here we go. An average conversation between two old enemies in every novel or series. I said to myself, incredulously.
The shield dematerialized. That man was being serious. He didn't seem like a cocky or an arrogant bastard with some cliche lines or motives, or whatsoever.
Maybe he could be really strong as he claimed to be. But if that was the case, would Aariz and Maarij be able to defeat him then?
Aariz spoke uninterestingly, "I am gonna evacuate civilians." He walked towards the railings with a slow pace calmly. "You deal with that idiot. If possible, bring him back to his senses."
Maarij turned his head over his shoulder to look at Aariz. "How long will it take? We would be running behind the schedule if we spend time dealing with the likes of him."
Aariz, who was looking down the railings, spoke with a calm tone, "7 minutes. 7 minutes is all I need." He then took a stance, as if to jump off the railing. "Deal with him by then."
He then jumped off the railing. I wondered if he would be alright since we were at quite a high altitude.
Maarij then walked forward, calmly, and that shield reappeared around us to probably keep us safe from the fight between them which was about to happen soon enough.
"You guys watch and learn. You guys can use any skill you have just by thinking about them. Higher stats make skills more effective. To check your stats, just think, '[Open Personal Information]', and remember you can only open yours by that. No one can open others, remember that."
Maarij explained us a bit about how the Power-System thing work. That was just basic, though. There was still more that we had to learn in order to be powerful just like them, or even more.
We did as Maarij instructed us to do so. I said, [Open Personal Information], in my mind and a window appeared before me.
[Opening Descendant's Information.]
+
[Name: Leo Aries Voidwalker.
Age: 24 years old.
Compatible Attribute: Light.
Exclusive Skills: Martial Arts Lv. 3, Weapon Mastery Lv. 4, Patience Lv. 2.
Overall Stats: Physique Lv. 6, Strength Lv. 6, Agility Lv. 7, Magic Lv. 2.
Overall explanation: Despite being not yet being awakened in his true form, Leo Aries Voidwalker is still stronger than an average human after being awaken in 1st form now, and has limitless potential due to Light Attribute.]
+
So that's my personal information, of how strong I am at this moment. I spoke to myself.
I then looked at Maarij who was calmly, slowly, walking towards Paul.
"Watch and learn. You'll understand it better when you do it and see it yourself than being explained."
Maarij was walking slowly towards Paul, as if he was deliberately doing so. He really was giving the vibes saying he couldn't care less about the situation.
"Teaching newbies how to use skills, I see." Paul smirked.
"You are not Paul."
"Oh, no, no, no. I am Paul. Your former companion."
"You suck at lying." Maarij stopped moving, and with sharp tone he spoke, "7 minutes. 7 minutes is all I can spare to play with you." He spread his arms wide as he continud to walk slowly towards Paul. "Here I am offering my precious time to you. So I expect a worthy challenge."
Maarij's tone and expression were serious, but he was all calm and composed.
"That's more than enough!" Paul lunged with a whip of dark energy which materialized in his hands towards Maarij who easily dodged his attack without even needing to change his pace.
Maarij wasn't running or dashing, or something like that to dodge the attacks, but he was just moving with the speed when an attack came this close to him which we were not able to see. We also couldn't see Paul's movements as he was just super fast while attacking Maarij that we couldn't even expect from where the new attack would come from, yet Maarij was easily dodging the attacks.
From Paul's way of attacking, I understood that he was trying to catch Maarij off guard. Paul would then attack Maarij with his whip, and once the whip hit him, it'll drain all of his power, or something like that.
That was just my guess. I didn't know what he was up to since it was my first time seeing a battle like that.
Paul was the one offense while Maarij was on defense. It seemed like Maarij was just toying with him. Paul was attacking Maarij with his whip and grazed his leg, and managed to stagger him.
"Whoa. You got me there," said Maarij shockingly as he managed to stand on his footing. I knew instantly that Maarij did that on purpose. But it seemed like Paul didn't get it.
Paul didn't miss the chance and dashed towards Maarij, his whip transforming into a sword which glowed with a dark energy. It seemed like the sword was infused with some sort of Black Magic.
Just as Paul got this close to Maarij, Maarij smiled and said, "Just kidding." Maarij held off Paul's sword with his bare hand.
[Maarij Ashford Ghost has used the skill: "Purging Touch Lv. 60".]
The notification appeared through the translucent window which always was appearing before us, and a sound rang in our ears telling us that. The notification appeared the moment Maarij's bare hand caught Paul's blade, and nullified the effects of his swords with a pulse of energy.
Seeing how Maarij nullified that dark energy on Paul's sword just by a pulse of energy, I couldn't help but wonder: Is that even possible? I mean, we're in a Fantasy World, so I guess it is.
Maarij kicked him in stomach which sent Paul flying backwards. With the speed he flew backwards, it seemed like he was going to fly off some kilometers like that. But he couldn't go far by flying backwards because Maarij had already covered this area with a barrier which prevented Paul to go off the fighting ground.
[Maarij Ashford Ghost's skill, "Absolute Barrier Lv. 61", is currently activated.]
[The effect of the skill, "Absolute Barrier Lv. 61", is currently is activated.]
Paul stood up. He wasn't injured at all. It seemed like he didn't have suffered from an attacked which could even kill him.
"You have gotten stronger, but you are not as impressive as you think you are." Maarij was cold towards him. His eyes were cold enough for anyone to tell that he was dead serious at that moment.
Paul straightened up, and a sinister glint could be seen in his eyes. "You have yet to see a glimpse of what I am truly capable." Paul seemed to be enjoying it, but his tone and expression remain calm and hostile.
"Then how about you show him, Paul? I am getting bored from your fight. If you're all talk, then just get lost. I am getting tired of it." Kane spoke in a calm yet sharp tone.
I didn't know why he said that, but it was clear that he was getting tired of them fighting. He wanted this to end up swiftly so he could rest and recover his stamina and strength.
But I didn't think that it was coming to an end that fast as Paul was still standing on his feet and from the looks of it, Maarij was enjoying his toying with Paul.
No matter how it was, but I wanted it to come to an end swiftly as well since I was getting tired of it too. I wanted to fall on bed and sleep. I had to watch two horror movies with Kane as well. But these bastards weren't just letting us rest which was annoying me to no core.
"As much as I would like to, but it is not the time yet," Paul spoke while looking at us. His eyes narrowed, and with a sharp tone he spoke, "Now that you lots are here, things will be hard for us from now on. So, I will do my best to eliminate you two as soon as I get my chance to."
[Maarij Ashford Ghost has used the skill: "Infinite Steps Lv. 57".]
Maarij suddenly appeared beside Paul in a blur-like motion, and slapped his head with the back of his left hand. Paul flew to the left side and hit on the barrier and coughed up some blood. This time, he really seemed to be injured. I mean, how could he not be when he received such a surprise powerful attack on his head?
Maarij turned to the direction where Paul flew and spoke as he walked towards him, slowly. "Now, are you going to speak up who you are or not?"
Maarij stopped moving and extended his right arm towards Paul, who was on his knees looking at Maarij with cold eyes.
[Maarij Ashford Ghost has used the skill: "Extinction Beam Lv. 70".]
Then a crimson beam having golden hues materialized out of nowhere on Maarij's hand. It appeared to be filled with a great deal of Magic as it was looking like it would just devour anything in its way.
Even I could tell, the skill that Maarij just used was absurdly dangerous and lethal.
That guy alone is that powerful. And brother was saying that he could kill them. I am honestly glad that they are on our side.
I really felt relieved that they were on our side, because if they wanted us to be dead, they would've done that long ago. So it was safe to say that these guys were on our side.
That beam which had materialized on Maarij's hands seemed ready to be launched at any moment. It seemed like that the beam was roaring to be launched so that it could devour the prey which was before it.
"Last chance. Speak up." Maarij warned him before launching the beam that would devour him completely and leave no trace of him behind, not even his ashes.
Instead of answering Maarij's question, Paul simply smiled as if to say, "I was waiting for you to do it."