Infinite Arrow-Chapter 48 - 46: Battle on Order (3)

Surely, there has to be a way other than–

You know damn well that doesn’t work here. Not this world.

I don’t want to kill–!

Then how will you be able to live Cliff’s life?

What... you mean...?

Yes, it’s kill or be killed in this world. The original Cliff must’ve known that too, yet you’re not adjusting.

B–

But what? Aren’t you supposed to be acting like Cliff? If so, follow the philosophy and the ways of this world.

It’s kill or be killed...

You are no longer who you used to be. To survive, you must kill. To repay Cliff, you must live.

...I understand...

Go, kill this motherfucker.

<••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••>

Ha....Huuu....

His shoulder aching from the pain, the knight holds his sword in both hands to deal with a deadlier strike that ends the battle with a single hit. Yet this kid is such a problem, he hasn’t hit him at all since the ambush. Archers are generally flexible, yet how is he dodging every single attack in time? Isn’t he just a kid?

"Argh-!" His shoulder began to bleed. At any moment, he could die from blood loss. There is no need to hold back anymore, it’s do-or-die.

Suddenly, the knight removed his leg and arm armor. Reducing the weight means that his movement and attacks will be more quicker and effective, but less protected. However, that’s fine. The purpose of this armor was to disguise himself anyway, it was but a hindrance.

Not only that, he removed his metal gauntlets and revealed his sharpened nails. In front of him is an archer, a teenager who seems to be in a trance. It’s an opportunity, it mustn’t be wasted!

The moment he dashed forward to kill, the kid dashed backward and shot an arrow so quickly, he barely had time to react to it "Woah~!" He stepped to the side and evaded the incoming arrow, but it didn’t stop there.

"Double shot." Despite his voice being low, the knight could hear him saying something. This time, he shot two arrows. There are no more directions he can go because the amount of items scattered around the open street makes it hard to move freely. Instead, he just ducked down just like what the archer did earlier to his attempted grapple.

"Are you proud~? I did the same thing you did~!" The knight shouted happily, relishing the moment. It seems that he had learned some moves from the archer, neat.

"Tsk..." A visible vein popped out of Cliff’s forehead and he glared at him with such intensity. However, he didn’t recklessly attack.

"Bummer~ Should’ve got pissed off! How can I catch you off your guard if you are this stuck-up?" The mercenary taunted and mocked the red-haired boy, but no matter how many times he dishes out insults, the boy doesn’t retaliate back and kept his focus onto the situation.

What a joykill.

The knight prepared himself to perform a wide horizontal slash since their distance between each other was getting reduced. However, his mistake earlier reminded him that he shouldn’t attack too early. It cost him his left shoulder after all.

The knight dashed again, with a few of his armor gone, the dashing power increased and reached the archer in no time. In this distance, the sword will be able to reach him even if it is the tip.

"Gooootcccchaaa~!!"

[ Quick Shot ]

In the blink of an eye, an arrow was released from the boy’s bow. The boy must’ve desperately shot an arrow so that the knight would fall back... However, the knight was confident enough to deflect it like before. After all, it was such a desperate attempt.

The knight quickly went to perform a swift deflect, with no wasted movement. It was so quick that he could return to performing his horizontal slash, so he defle–

The arrow slowed down as soon as he tried to deflect it. The knight’s eyes widened in shock as the arrow went past the blade. From a distance, it looked like he swung too early but no– the arrow slowed down and went fast again after passing through the sword’s width.

[ Delayed Point ] + [ Powered Shot ] +

[ Trick Point ] = [ Illusion Arrow ]

It wasn’t a desperate attempt. It was calculated. The arrow was originally targeting his body, but it curved upwards and is now flying towards the gap between his helmet "SHIIII–"

He moved his head backward, trying to avoid the incoming arrow that was gonna go through the gap on his helmet.

Despite trying to escape his fate, it went through the gap on his helmet. However, it did not pierce his face, it gashed him on the right side of his eye, but it went at the top of the helmet instead.

THUNK!

Due to the amount of power it had, the helmet flew off the knight– the mercenary’s head and bounced on the concrete pavement.

CLINK! CLANG! TINK-! TINININNGGG...

"KRAGHHH-!" He felt a burning hot sensation on the right side of his face. His eyelids burn from pain as he feels his face bleeding from the arrow. He covered his face with his palms and found himself staring at his hair– no, fur.

"A wolf thiren." Cliff remarked, with no hint of anything beneath his words.

He looked at the archer with fury and disdain, gripping the armor-destroyer sword tighter than before. Yet, the kid wasn’t surprised, he was...emotionless.

His eyes...

Fearless.

That’s what’s going through the mercenary’s mind right now when he sees the kid’s eyes. Before, it was courage. There was fear, but he wanted to live so he chose to fight. But now...? There’s not a single hint of fear in those eyes. 𝚏𝕣𝐞𝗲𝐰𝕖𝐛𝐧𝕠𝕧𝚎𝚕.𝐜𝚘𝗺

"What’s your name, you slippery bastard?" Suddenly, the mercenary asked the name of his enemy. However, he didn’t respond. The mercenary clicked his tongue out of irritation and habit.

"Sure~! I’ll go first since you’re such a shy bastard~!"

"I am Kelago Randall, a...mercenary~ hired by the shadow organization called Ombra Fattoria. The mission given to me is to help them capture the princess, but I had my own goal~~ which is to find and fight the best fighter that the princess has!" He shouted. Not caring about confidentiality, he ratted his allies out for a mere...gesture of introducing themselves to each other as warriors.

"So~ what about yours~? C’MOOON~~ If you don’t do it, I will kill the girl." Randall urges the kid to do the same thing he did.

The kid gazed at the princess at first, it took about ten seconds before finally replied... and surprisingly... he agreed.

"My name is Cliff Carmesi. A disowned family member of the great Carmesi Bloodline, known for their magical prowess and worshipers of the divine phoenix. I am an adventurer, an archer... and the protector of Her Highness."

Randall’s smile reached a new peak, extremely happy about the exchange. His wolf ears twitch and flap around as he spins his armor-destroyer sword out of excitement on his right hand. Suddenly, Cliff said something.

"Before we fight, why? Why her? Why kill?" What a weird question, Randall thought to himself before considering answering the question.

"Oh! I have the perfect example... When I was a child, I accidentally killed one of my brothers by pushing him off a mountain. At first, I was saddened... but y’know what I felt afterwards? Relief! Cause I hated that son of a bitch anyway! Always whining about waahhh waahhhh, big bro is hitting me for noo reasoonn~ That kind of thing– He always calls dad and it gets me beat up– funny thing is... I fed that old bag to the mountain beasts! Funny, right? I felt so satisfied and content when I got rid of them~"

Everything became quiet. Cliff’s expression changed as he slowly raised his bow and grabbed a couple of arrows before staring back at the thiren’s eyes with nothing but anger and bloodlust.

"Now, THAT’S! MORE! LIKE IT!" Then, he rushed forward. With the intent to kill, his bloodlust can be felt everywhere. It is oozing out of his body, like a scent that a warrior can get attracted to.

How nostalgic. I’m fighting a person with a sword once again... it’s like fate wants to remind me of that day...

Not this time.

After months of training, he has improved over his physical state and magical state. Although he’s still doubtful whether to use [ Mana Amplification ] on himself right now, it doesn’t change the fact that this is why he trained. To avoid that mistake and to repay his debt to the one who trained him how to use the dagger, he must end this fight without letting his enemies hurt the people he cares.

"I won’t let you down. Not anymore."

Both of his heart beating normally, his breath stable and his focus unwavered. He has reached 100% focus and is now prepared for a slaughter.

"U...uwah...?"

She opened her eyes and found herself laying down on an alleyway. Her vision wasn’t clear, but her ears picked up on a bunch of grunting and laughter. It shook her body to the core, but she didn’t want to keep hidden forever. She slowly stood up and walked near the exit of the alleyway she was in and found two individuals duking it out.

Cliff...?