Merely Existing

Chapter 18: The War Has Begun

Blacky's POV

It was when I was sitting in the cafeteria with Beleth, Cassie and a few others, that I first noticed it.

The disturbance outside.

They might have been hidden behind the vast shrubs and trees of the undeveloped land behind the school's building, but their intense killing intent was hard not to miss. It prickled at my neck, raising goosebumps from the sheer masses I sensed.

I stared hard at the distance, picking up glints of light here and there among the trees. Approximately 55 weapons wielders spotted. Chances of more enemies in hiding: 99%

Novices. They couldn't even hide their presence properly.

That would have been my first thought. However, years of experience with the Cavarone told me otherwise. Nothing was that simple, nothing was as it seemed, especially when it comes to them. There was no way that Claus or even the Duras would sent fifty or so ordinary gunmen after me and hope it would suffice. Because it didn't, and they know it.

A decent attempt to capture me would at least require a carefully laid out plan, a trap and a member of the Duras to lead the operation. Anything less would suggest that they were underestimating me, which would be fatal. Chances of Claus making a fatal mistake? Laughable.

I had to think about the optimal choice to make. The fact that they so blatantly showed their presence to me meant that they wanted me to come at them. They probably had no intentions of taking the fight to the school in the first place, it was only to make me feel pressured into attacking first. Probably because they would have the advantage in a wide open space.

Even so, I had no choice but to attack first. My agreement with Stevie clearly stated that I would not bring harm to his school. Needless to say, I was not content with this walking into the trap voluntarily plan. In fact, I absolutely despised anything that would decrease my chances of survival whether by 1% or 0.01%.

Fortunately, I had one card on my side that they don't know of yet----Beleth. They had set up the trap thinking of fighting against one person, not two. That sniper card of theirs would now be useless.

Beleth finally seemed to be aware of the situation. He too started checking the surroundings in alert.

About time. Was he getting slow?

"Beleth, I sense around 50 men," I started out with a lie, but it was a necessary measure, or else he wouldn't leave me alone, "But there are sure to be others positioned faraway to snipe us. I'll leave them to you."

"Dammit. I never imagined them making a move at a time like this," he mumbled back to me in a low voice, "Especially not in such a time and place."

"Exactly because of this time and place," I replied, "They figured we would have our guard down."

Lie. They would never hope to catch me unguarded. There was something more to it. But despite the irritation I felt towards this disadvantageous situation, the feel of the twin katanas strapped to my back brought me comfort, the guns and ammo inside my hoodie brought me peace. Most of all, the weights placed on my wrists, arms, waist, thighs and feet were a constant reminder.....of my unknown limit.

That was why, I wouldn't die. I simply couldn't.

"B-Blacky..." Cassandra's voice whispered beside me, "What's ha--"

"Hey, what are you guys talking about? It's no fun if you don't let us in!"

Not good, we were starting to attract their attention.