Chapter 66: Fox Hunters Downfall

Gideon: “Stand still!”

Nathan jumped around the room, continuing his pattern of dodging, attacking and planting. While avoiding the attacks, Nathan lost balance for a moment, but that was all Gideon needed.

Nathan: “Gaah!”

Nathan groaned in pain as one of Gideon’s attacks put a gash in his side. It wasn’t anything that he couldn’t heal right away, but it leads Gideon to believe, he was doing damage.

In fact, Nathan was allowing himself to be hit; the more it looked like he was hurt, the less likely Gideon would pick up on what was happening. As he was allowing Gideon to actually hit him, Nathan, replanted his seeds but unfortunately the moment they sprouted, they got cut down. Nathan continued misdirecting Gideon’s attention in this way and whenever he got close enough, he would misdirect his attention a little more.

*Bam*

Gideon: “Ugh!?”

Nathan quickly delivered an elbow to Gideon’s chest and a cracking noise could be heard on impact. Nathan went for another strike, but Gideon quickly swung his blade at Nathan but Nathan avoided his attacks, keeping distance, while Gideon tried desperately to hit him with his attacks.

Gideon held his hands to his chest in pain, another one of his ribs had been fractured from the attack. By now, Gideon, was a mess with two cracked ribs, blood trickling from his wounds and his fatigue increasing he had still yet to notice these wounds. However, Gideon did notice something; none of Nathan’s attacks were lethal. Now that he thought about it, when they’d first met, she hadn’t had her sword drawn.

Gideon: “*Pant**Pant* I don’t get you…if you wanted to save these people here, killing me would be the easiest way.”

Nathan: “Hah, I’m no hero or have any interest in saving the people here. My only reason for coming here is you. And you’re no use to me dead.”

Gideon: “What, you’re not here for Kashiro and Sari?”

Nathan: “Didn’t I just say that..? I’m here for the bounty on you.”

Gideon: “Huh, you’re an adventurer?...your trying to complete that quest?”

Nathan: “That’s right.”

Gideon: “Haha…hahaha…hahahahahahahah!”

Nathan looked on in confusion as Gideon began to laugh out maniacally.

Nathan: “I’m sorry…I missed the joke.”

Gideon: “Fool, I know of that quest. They are looking for Therian bandits and they won’t believe a word you say.”

Nathan: “You’re the fool; I’ve got plenty of proof in these caves.”

Gideon: “There’s not much left; almost everything we’ve taken has been moved out.”

Nathan: “I’m not talking about your gold, dumbass; I’m talking about what you got locked in that room back there.”

Gideon’s face twitched in which Nathen took notice of.

Nathan: “I bet the guards in Loegrey would love to see it; I’ll bet they’ll confiscate them, one of the guards might even try his a little of his own engraving.”

Nathan quickly jumped out of the way, as several blade-beams were shot in quick succession towards him.

Gideon: “YOU BITCH; NONE SHALL TOUCH MY TREASURES, WITH THEIR FILTHY HANDS.”

Nathan: “Oh, someone looks angry, well, at least the face now matches your personality.”

Gideon: “SHUT YOUR MOUTH, MUTT!”

Nathan took off again, Gideon immediately launching his attacks. Gideon was wildly lashing out, the finesse of his attacks, gone. Nathan easily avoided the attacks, but however to his surprise and delight, Gideon was foolishly, closing the distance between them himself. In his rage, he had moved within Nathan’s striking distance.

*Bam* *Thwack* *Crunch*

Nathan smashed Gideon three times, the third hit sending him skidding across the ground, crashing into the ground.

Gideon: “Gagh!”

Gideon coughed up some blood, as he looked up towards Nathan in shock. He couldn’t believe how fast Nathan had got; it was as if those last three strikes were invisible. He tried to stand and lift his weapon, but it felt heavy. Then it hit him; he was too tired, exhausted in fact.

He checked his health; it was half gone. More importantly however; his mana, was nearly empty. Nathan hadn’t gotten faster, he’d had gotten slower. It had been so long since anyone had been able to dodge his attacks that he never thought to check his status. He had grown too cocky; believing no one could touch him and this was a much-needed reality check.

Nathan: “Looks like you finally noticed; too late for that though.”

Gideon couldn’t take much more, but he still had a small chance. A head-to-head battle will bring his defeat to fruition. It would take almost all the mana he had left, but no one has ever survived this attack. He took a stance and readied himself, Nathan wasn’t going to let him do what he wanted and launched himself towards Gideon.

Gideon: “Sword Rain!”

Nathan: “What!?

Gideon made one large vertical swing of his blade. An uncountable amount of energy blades barreled down on Nathan. There were too many, too much than he could dodge. The attack, took up the space in the cavern and its entirety, leaving no room for swift evasions.

Nathan: “Shit!”

Nathan did the only thing he could do and that was retreat. He activated ‘Shadow Sneak’ and bounded backwards. Jumping into a side cavern he nearly avoided being skewered by the attacks. The attack continued in a straight path, kicking up a cloud of dust, as it tore the cavern apart.

As the attack subsided, Nathan, emerged from the side cavern to find the attack had carved deep impressions into the cavern walls. The walls had been carved out, no rubble or debris left. Without a single blemish, the walls were smooth to the touch.

Nathan expected to see Gideon laid out on the floor. After that attack there was no way he had any mana remaining. It was a last resort ability, if he ever saw one, and a desperate attack for a desperate situation. Once the dust settled, to his surprise, Gideon was nowhere to be found.

Nathan: “What the…? Where’d he……………. shit, he got me.”

Nathan took off after Gideon, the attack was a distraction and he was trying to escape. However, Gideon didn’t know that with the blood he was losing, Nathan could track him as easily as breathing and with seconds, caught his scent. No matter how many different corridors he took, Nathan would soon be upon him.

*Step*Step*Step*

Nathan: “There you are.”

Nathan could see Gideon’s back, desperately running along, while holding his arm. Just as Gideon ran through an opening, Nathan made a grab for him, only for his ‘Threat Detection’ to activate.

Gideon: “NOW!”

Nathan: “Nathan instinctively leaned forward, as two blade wielding bandits, tried to take his head off from either side. In his down position, Nathan bent on his hands, kicking one bandit in the face, before kicking the other. Nathan got back to his feet, just in time for the next group to attack. Nathan caught the bandits arm, as he attempted to stab him with a dagger.

Bandit B: “HOLD HER STEADY!”

Another bandit tried to stab him from behind, still holding the man’s arm, Nathan pulled the bandit forward and step to the side.

Bandit A: “Whoa!?”

Bandit B: “Watch it!”

With weapons drawn, the two collided with one another, each injuring the other with each’s blade. Nathan had no time to rest, as he reflexively avoided an arrow aimed for his head.

Gideon: “Watch it you idiots, I don’t want her dead.”

Bandit C: “S-S-Sorry.”

Several more were fired in his direction, which he avoided.

*Swoosh**Swoosh**Thwick*

Nathan: “Ugh!

Nathan ducked behind a large rock, but not before taking an arrow to the arm. He had goofed; Gideon wasn’t running away, he was leading Nathan into a trap. Nathan pulled out the arrow, allowing the wound to heal. He tossed the arrow to the side as he was a little surprised…who would have guessed the arrow hit right where his clothes had been ruined. Someone was extremely skilled or just extremely lucky.

*Ding* *Ding*

Conditions Met!

Nathan: “……………This is?”

Jonathan: “Terrence…you alright?”

Gideon: “*Pant**Pant* Do I look alright?”

Jonathan pulled out a tome and placed a hand over Gideon.

Jonathan: “Recover.”

Slowly, Gideon’s health began to rise, but he was still dirt-tired, his mana would take some time to recover.

He was tired and broken, but it didn’t matter now. Jonathan and the rest of his men had arrived, a subtle army and more than enough to take out the Lycanian.

Jonathan: “Drink this.”

Gideon: “Agh, Viim, you know I hate that stuff.”

Jonathan: “Shut up and drink.”

Gideon reluctantly took a sip of the green concoction. Slowly, he felt a bit of his exhaustion disappear and was able to lift himself off the ground.

Gideon: “Did you get her?”

Jonathan: “Yes; it looks like one of the arrows met its mark, it should be taking effect any moment now.”

Gideon: “Good.”

Gideon got himself together, returning to somewhat of his former self.

Gideon: “Lycanian…it seems our fight is over…you’ve nowhere to run.”

Nathan: “……”

Gideon: “Nothing to say…? You just gonna give up or is it something else?”

Nathan continued to stay quiet, making Gideon snicker. The poison from the arrow, must have taken effect. He signaled several of his men to investigate. Slowly they approached the rock.

Jonathan: “Be careful, unless you want to end up like those two.”

The two who had stab themselves, were lying on the ground, bleeding profusely.

The two men gulped loudly, it was only a moment, but they saw what Nathan was capable of; taking out two of their men in an instant.

However, they gave a sigh of relief when they saw the Lycanian laid out on the ground behind the rock. Cautiously they approached, nudging him a few times. When he didn’t respond, they signaled it was okay and brought Nathan over to Gideon.

Gideon smiled so bright. He had just claimed another trophy. It had been a bit strenuous, but it was worth it. Such a beautiful trophy was now his.

Gideon: “And to think you were so full of yourself just moments ago.”

Jonathan: “Quickly, take her to a cell.”

Gideon: “Huh, so soon?”

Jonathan: “Regardless, of how you feel, that poison could wear off any minute. Do you really want her to wake sooner than later?”

Gideon: “Hmm, I guess you’re right.”

Gideon gave the order and the men hurried off.

Bandit C: “What the hell?”

Jonathan: “What’s the matter?”

Bandit A: “She’s wet, this sticky shits’ dripping down my shirt.”

Gideon: “It’s called sweat you fool, deal with it.”

The bandit reluctantly continued towards the entrance of their base.

Gideon: “Right, what of Kashiro, is it done?”

Jonathan: “Yes, I had it taken care of it, they should be back momentarily.”

Gideon: “You didn’t do it yourself; that’s very unlike you.”

Jonathan: “Fine, next time, I won’t come to your rescue.”

Gideon: “Whatever, I didn’t need you help anyway.”

Jonathan: “Said the man who was hal-”

Bandit B: “Hey, what’s wrong with you?”

Gideon and Jonathan turn to his men, the one carrying Nathan, had suddenly come to a stop.

Jonathan: “What are you doing, get moving.”

Bandit A: “Gehege!?”

Jonathan: “…………..QUICKLY, SUBDUE THE WOMAN!”

Jonathan’s scream fell on deaf ears, Nathan had sprung up. Using the bandit’s body as leverage, he leapt high into the air. The bandit collapsed onto the ground, paralyzed from the neck down.

Jonathan: “SHOOT HER!”

Gideon: “NO, DON’T SHOOT HER!”

Due to Jonathan’s and Gideon’s contradicting orders, everyone hesitated. Nathan took the chance and faced his palm towards the ground.

Nathan: “Venom Burst!”

A rune symbol appeared in front of Nathan’s hand and from it a mass of purple ooze emerged. Like an oversized drop of rain, it splashed around and outwards after landing next to Gideon. Jonathan, who was standing next to Gideon, jumped away from the splash zone, but was caught a bit with the purple liquid.

Like a small wave, the ooze continued outward, knocking a few people over.

Gideon: “What is this?”

Gideon, along with several of his men, waited for something to happen yet all was calm. Gideon was disgusted, being covered in the purple ooze, but after nothing happened he turned his attention back towards Nathan. Nathan stood there, smirking, as he watched the group dismiss his attack. However, he felt a bit tired, he had used a lot more mana then he needed to, but it was his first attempt at magic.

Gideon: “Hah; was that it…? You should work on your aim.”

Nathan: “No need for aim, give it a sec.”

The only one who looked worried was that Jonathan guy as he rummaging through a pack he had slung over his chest. He must have understood the urgency of the situation, but it was too late.

Bandit: “Gaabhghh!?”

Similar to the bandit from before, another bandit spoke something incomprehensible before falling over. Soon, everyone who had been caught by the purple liquid, fell over as well. Gideon and Jonathan had also fallen over and Gideon was confused as to what had happened. However, Jonathan, was quick on the uptake.

Jonathan: “Poison?”

Nathan: “Like I’d tell you that, but I will say that you help me to do it. I’ll take this.”

Nathan grabbed the bag Jonathan was clinging to. Inside the bag was a mess of papers and small bottles. He couldn’t make heads or tails of the papers, but a quick ‘Examine’ would be able to discern the content of the bottles. Nathan noticed that Jonathan was still clutching one bottle in his hand. When he reached for it, a familiar voice from above, distracted him.

Iris: “Master?”

Iris floated down to Nathan, a worried expression on her face as she approached. Nathan clothes were ragged and he was breathing heavily.

Iris: “Master, are you alright? Did they hurt you? Shall I dispose of them?”

Nathan: “Yes, no and no. Iris I’m fine, just a little dirty.”

Iris hovered around Nathan, looking for injuries, all the while Nathan assuring her he was fine.

Iris: “What exactly happened here?”

Nathan: “I poisoned them.”

Iris: “Poisoned?”

Nathan: “Yup, I’ll give you the details later, what took you so long?”

Iris: “My apologies, it was much tougher then I suspected. A good number of people heard the rumors about Ramol. I had no choice but to help tidy up the riff-raff. Ah, also, I came across the children you were with previously. They were being assaulted by a large group of bandits, so I helped them.”

Nathan: “You revealed yourself?

Iris: “I didn’t. I lead them by using my voice, but I ran into some trouble as there were a bunch of bandits hiding in the woods. I disposed of them, but there was a man who looked similar to the children. However, before I could say anything, the children and the man, all embraced one another. I didn’t feel like waiting for them, so I left them there.”

That man must have been their father; they’ve must have been too busy with their reunion to notice Iris had left.

Nathan: “That’s good. Leave them, they most probably need a moment. In the meantime, could you do me another favor?”

Iris: “Of course.”

Nathan: “If you go in through that entrance, you’ll find a set of cells, could you open all of them. Oh, and there will be one woman in there, she’ll probably be able to see you, could you let her know her family’s waiting.”

Iris: “Understood.”

Iris took off into the caves, leaving Nathan with the unconscious group of bandits. He was originally going to go open the cells himself and make Gideon watch as he helped them out. However, it wasn’t that funny, but he would wait for him to wake up.