News of Zepdas' death quickly travels across his subordinates still within The Iron Peak Range. The lack of a leader pulls back all manpower out of the mountains, giving me ample space and time to traverse without raising attention.
At night, my shadow footwork increases in efficiency, bolting my body across the mountain range in the form of darkness.
The essence of Morja's style is darkness. The basics consist of fusing mana into a shadow and manipulating it like a solid cup holding water but that's easier said than done. Without Darilyus' Mana Control talent and my physique reconstruction, learning his techniques is near impossible. As the footwork involves coating myself with shadow mana and becoming one with the darkness, my body needs to resist the crushing mana.
...
Controlling and materialising shadows is all I can do for now.
After I step past a certain point, my footwork falls and forces my physical body out. This means...the darkness here is fake. I'm in the Trap Formation!
I retrace my steps from memory, walking carefully through the snow and trees. Finally, I see smoke, possibly from a chimney and head towards it.
Hajin steps out of the cabin before I reach it. "You've returned."
"Yeah."
His eyes widen and he instantly appears before me, grabbing my shoulders. He injects mana into my body and gasps.
"Huh? What the fuck! Why do you have a Martial Body? And the parasite...is gone!" Hajin exclaims.
"Does it matter? I'm back anyways."
"T-That's true..."
Hajin retreats and glances at the cabin. The bright golden boy, the future's hero, opens the door and emerges.
"Boy...come here."
The boy walks to Hajin. Hajin lowers himself, placing a knee on the ground. "I've taught everything I know for the past few years. It's time for you to leave."
!!
The boy widens his eyes and exclaims. "D-Did I do anything wrong?"
Hajin shakes his head and puts on a gentle smile. "No. You always said you wanted to see more of this world. This is your chance. Unfortunately, your master cannot leave with you but this man can help you."
"Why not?! Neither you nor I know him well; What if he is a bad guy!" The boy says.
Hajin chuckles. "Hehe..." He turns his head slightly back. "An enemy of the Martial Masters cannot be a bad person."
He investigated me...?
"Besides, you are stronger than him, boy. You can easily kill him if he tries anything," Hajin says with confidence.
Out of curiosity, I decided to verify his remarks, attempting to use my powers on the boy.
A churning headache instantly bombards my mind, sending me a few steps back.
------------
Error!
You are unable to extract from the son of the "Absolute Being".
------------
Huh?! There's someone who my powers don't work on!?
Who the fuck is the Absolute Being?
...
I sigh in defeat.
Ugh...damn it.
The boy looks at me. His gaze seems to pierce through all.
"No, he is a bad person. He killed many for his own."
YOU ARE READING
A Background Character's Fate
Fantasy"In war, commoners are the victims in victory or defeat." Struck by poverty amidst a long and devastating war, an ordinary mercenary dies among the countless corpses on a snowy battlefield. Yet by a stroke of luck, he regressed to his younger self...
