V3 Chapter 72

There was no trace of amazement or even fear in Rain’s expression. Aside from the indifference, he could see no other emotion from him.

Was he not even surprised by his sudden appearance? Or was he just that good at hiding his emotions? Wondering about it, the blue-armored man couldn’t help but praise him, in mind, and out loud. Either this boy was pretending to be tough, or he was just not surprised so easily, not many people can remain calm in this kind of situation- at least, the blue-armored man believed he could not.

As though nothing had changed inside, Rain had a calm expression, but unusually, there was a drop of sweat flowing down his cheek and neck. His heart was beating wildly, full of doubt and vigilance on this seemly harmless-looking man.

Someone who had entered this place as if he was strolling in his garden could never be that simple. Not to mention, reaching this far deep in the Desolate Cave with not a single scratch or wound proves the strength of this man. Rain didn't speak, but his body was already tight, ready to start at any moment he felt danger. Still, nothing could be seen on his face, only calm indifference as if the appearance of the blue-armored man was already expected.

“Who are you?”

Rain stared curiously at the man.

Then, he was struck by a sense of strange familiarity.

Do I know him?

He couldn’t help but think that as the more he looks at him, the more the blue-armored man felt more familiar.

“Vigilance is a good thing,” the blue-armored man said, stopping at a few-meter distance from him. It seems like he wanted to show that he didn’t mean any ill intentions to Rain by giving some space in between. “My name is Jonathan, a traveler. And you, little brother? What is your name?”

Rain stared at him, but still feeling no hostility, rather a strange sense of familiarity. So he thought it would be bad manners to continue acting like this. Thus, he decided to act cordially.

However, when he was about to answer, a wooshing sound echoed, like a wind being cut- An attack!

But it was not coming at him, and instead, it was flying towards the blue-armored man.

Not good!

The latter also immediately sensed it, and jumped back, causing the attack to struck the ground he was standing on.

There was no panic in Jonathan's face. Even his movement and action seemed casual, emitting a certain elegance of it. An expert martial artist.

Though in this world, everyone knows how to fight, only a few know real martial arts. And even fewer knows how to fight systematically like one.

Most people depend on the level and skills to be strong, thus, martial arts that are similar to the ones found and practiced back on Earth are quite a rarity. Most people used a combat technique which to Rain seemed to be just a combination of Skills + Martial Arts- being called: [Combat Arts].

Rain who is a resident of Earth and had seen many martial movies and combat videos could immediately see the eloquence of the blue-armored man’s movement. Much less, he had also bought several copies of martial arts from the Grimoire Shop System, such as; Muay Thai, Jujitsu, Jeet Kune Do, and Yip Man’s famous Wing Chun to complement his combat skills. Though the biggest reason is that they look cool…anyway, these four martial arts have been integrated inside his brain the moment he bought it from the system making his mind and body attuned greatly to martial arts.

It’s like a certain black-clothed man who could say, ‘I know Kung Fu’…. He does now as well!

Not only items but Skills could also be bought from the Grimoire Shop. After increasing its levels, the things that can be bought from the Shop also started to increase. Though, most of them are hella expensive.

Up until now, he only knows and copies martial arts from movies and videos he had seen, relying on his Photographic Memory. Thus, when the Shop System has suddenly generated these fighting techniques products, he didn’t hesitate to buy some. Though, he can only afford four Martial Arts due to how expensive they were. He’s currently tight in gold.

Still, with the result of integrating it in his combat style, the spent gold was worth it. And now, he can even see and judge the blue-armored man’s fighting skills. And he was certain that from the guy’s footsteps, and movements, it didn’t have an ounce of magic power- thus, showcasing just pure martial arts. An action that is trained for a long, long time. It’s not about just relying on special skills, but purely something he had trained his body with.

No one might have noticed it but there is some kind of inexplicable grace and elegance or probably trained habits in his natural movements. It’s not intentional but something like a retired soldier would have. Though he might not wear attire and even if he wore baggy, casual clothes, anyone would still notice that he was a soldier the way he moves and act.

This blue-armored man is similar. In this world governed by Classes and defined through their game-like special skills, this man’s actions and movement are pretty much a rarity.

Drova is similar… she doesn’t rely only on her combat skills but more on fighting and swinging her sword. But her actions and fighting ability are something honed through fighting and battling all her life. Without any form or school that reflects on her fighting techniques, still, they were efficient and precise, simple but accurate in their purpose. That’s her fighting style.

Rain’s fighting skills and combat techniques have clear signs of the four Martial Arts he had mastered. Be it kicking, punching, or dodging, or even swinging his sword- though no one in this world might recognize it, anyone from Earth would surely do.

Of course, someone from this world with great mastery and understanding of martial arts would certainly notice the beauty of his martial skills. Honed to perfection, as if they were a set of combat skills that were molded through thousands of years- that’s the beauty of Martial Arts.

Simple Martial Arts might not be as flashy and powerful as Special Combat Skills. However, these Martial Arts strengthened one’s foundation. That is why, even if they were unable to use Special Skills, they are still incredible warriors.

His Footwork... the way he moves without any wasted movement... and the way he dodge, and even made a sharp turn. He's good.

Rain didn’t consider the fact that perhaps this blue-armored man was a person that couldn’t use magic, nor have any combat skills. After all, he can sense an incredible amount of mana from the man’s body. It’s quite concealed very well, without leaking even a bit.

Just depending on this incredible control, one can see how powerful this person is in terms of magic control, which only a few people could do. Rain can sense it, due to how special his perception is- unlike a normal person, he’s more similar to magic creatures, born and gifted by magic. With a few exceptions, he can sense magic easily and better than even most elite mages.

The blue-armored man just disdains to use his magic, or becomes serious, completely didn’t see the originator of the attack as a threat.

He was jumping backward elegantly, while moving his head side to side from time to time, dodging the blue sharp tentacle with the slightest movement.

From the bushes, Cyan jumped out, and sharp tentacles continued to stretch out from her body, attacking the blue-armored man. Two, three, then finally it became six tentacles. However, the opponent still easily dodged all of them without a problem. Either by instinct, or he can easily see the trajectory of the attacks, nevertheless, he’s very strong.

Finally, the blue-armored man grabbed the hilt of his sword which was hanging on his waist, and pulled it out, cutting the incoming tentacles.

The severed part splashed on the ground like a water bubble bursting. However, the tentacles easily regenerated, and once again attacked him relentlessly. The blue-armored man side-stepped, and vanished.

No, he didn’t disappear.

Rain’s expression turned serious.

So fast!

Reflected on his pupils was the figure of the blue-armored man moving at an incredible speed-though, he only made two to three steps, and as if teleporting, easily traveled the distance of seven to eight meters. Even Rain can hardly follow him with his eyes-

Flash Step?

What Speed! He's practically teleporting!

He wondered. Though, just his base speed is almost comparable to that of Drova… this man is not simple. A skilled martial artist and also proficient in speed.

He seems to be a Noble as well… even if not, someone with high standing in society, surely.

Perhaps, he’s a friend of that Human Princess?

Cyan was still fighting and defending desperately.

She transformed into a Saber-Tiger, jumped away, dodging an attack, and hurriedly made a distance.

Good!

Rain nodded his head.

He’s stronger than you, so if you want to win, you can’t let him come close to you. If he did, you will be defeated without a doubt. Don’t rush the battle.

Cyan doesn't have much battle experience and her attacks are straightforward. In battles between two people, it’s important to have the element of surprise and the ability to 'read' the opponent. And that is what Cyan is lacking right now.

Rain didn’t rush to help and instead instructed Cyan through telepathy. Immediately, the Slime Girl’s movement changed, becoming precise, faster, and stronger.

That's good. Calm down and do not get absorbed in the opponent's rhythm... make him follow yours!

Cyan relies too heavily on 'Skill'- which is something people of this world commonly do. However, against seasoned fighters, no matter how strong a 'Skill' is, they still not be enough. And the moment they feel that they would panic and their actions become limited. That's what Cyan was feeling right now. That's Rain wanted Cyan to calm down first.

“Ho?!”

The blue-armored man, Jonathan seemed to notice her changes and was quite surprised. A flash of curiosity appeared on his expression for a moment, before it was replaced by a serious face.

Cyan was doing better than expected.

With the Saber Tiger’s speed and power, she was able to contend against her opponent, albeit barely. Still, the transition of her transformation seemed to have become much better than before.

From Saber Tiger to a large serpent, lashing her long, big tail at her opponent like a whip. Transformation time seemed to have been reduced greatly, almost in an instant now. And even the power and speed were quite strong compared to before. She seemed to even get used to using her half-liquid body to her advantage, moving and dodging, even moving her nucleus to avoid fatal attacks.

Even still, despite Cyan’s improvement, it seems like it was still not enough to fight against Jonathan. Her body was just being cut by him. And she had not even landed a single blow on him yet. If not for Cyan being a slime, she would have been killed a long time ago.

That sword he was holding, a magic sword?

Furthermore, it’s a high-tier magic sword. Not to mention, his equipment, including his light armor and boots, all of them are enchanted equipment- magical items of the same tier. So rich and extravagant, who is this man?

With incredible skills and high-level equipment, Jonathan overwhelmed Cyan tremendously. No matter what she does, it seems like she would not even be able to scratch him.

This guy, he’s only playing with Cyan. He’s not even serious… what is he planning?

Rain frowned and wondered if he should make a move. However, immediately shook his head and wait.

Jonathan was already beside Cyan and swung his sword in an almost casual manner, but the speed was fast enough to display afterimages. Cyan who saw it didn’t panic, and immediately moved her core downwards before the sword manage to cut her apart into two- from her chest up, and her waist downwards.

This is the end…

It's too bad, but the opponent is too strong.

Rain sighed as he saw the two parts of Cyan’s body falling on the ground, turning into a puddle of blue slime.

However, Cyan tried to counterattack and launched a few tentacles upwards. Sadly, Jonathan was not simple enough to be caught by simple tricks, and he cut the tentacles into large chunks with inhuman speed and pursued her who attempted to escape.

From the way he moves, he seemed to have predicted that she would do that, and easily defended himself.

Finally, he appeared beside her and swung down his sword.

“That’s enough,”

However, at this moment a familiar voice reached his ears. Following after, Jonathan’s eyes suddenly widened as he saw the moment the sword stabbed down, straight to the slime’s core, a grey-colored, metallic hand came out of nowhere and grabbed the naked blade.

“The fight ends here. You win. But there’s no need to kill it, is there?”

Rain said with a cold voice.

It was a kind of voice that you can’t believe came from a young boy.

Jonathan looks at Rain standing in front of him with a bewildered expression. Then, suddenly a realization came upon him.

“You know the Persona Slime?”

Persona Slime. That’s the native term used by the people in this world to rare, and unique humanoid slimes.

“It’s my mate,”

Rain answered, and flicked the sword away.

Mate? Such a strange, uncommon way to regard a monster.

Jonathan regarded Rain with a curious glance for a while, and slowly took back his sword.

“You know what she did…” he said sharply. The gentle and friendly expression from a while was nowhere to be seen as he glared at Rain. “He devoured my companion,”

Rain was surprised for a moment, but his surprise didn’t appear on his face.

“Slimes do…but she didn’t cause her death, did she?” he said back.

Cyan’s story and this man’s words should be connected. Cyan said that she found a corpse and devoured it, prompting her evolution. She didn’t say devouring someone alive… so that should be safe...barely. Then, some people appeared and started attacking her. Jonathan must be one of those people…

Furthermore, the fact that Cyan immediately attacks him without warning also affirmed his suspicion. Though he felt a little uncomfortable about what Cyan had done, still, he hopes that she didn’t directly cause the tragedy of a person.

At the very least, he could have grounds to protect her. Though, it hardly changes his decision, as he had already decided long ago that he would protect Cyan no matter what happens.

If it was before, he would have hesitated, but after an almost entire year of living in this world, he already incorporated himself in the law of the jungle.

Biased and unfair it may be, he will stick with the people he acknowledged rather than the side of morality. In the face of justice, Rain was inclined to trust and protect the people he loves and cared for, rather than strangers. Living with the Demi-humans has given him that resolve.

“That does not justify what that monster did,”

Jonathan said, but he seems to be reasonable enough to take back his sword, and sheathe it. Or was it, that he was just confident that even against Rain, he would not have a problem defeating them both with the Personal Slime…?

Rain was not annoyed- perhaps, there’s truth to it. This man before him was that strong- perhaps, he’s even at least, an Lv4 or 5 warrior.

Though he was confident that with his current ability, he can stand his own against an Lv3 or 4 opponent, defeating them, or worst killing them is still difficult to say. Unless he dared to try and see the outcome.

Especially an Lv4 would be very difficult adversity. His current level is limiting his powers and skills. His stats may be high in numbers, but actually, it’s still completely inferior to the stats of the advanced level.

In nature, Lv1 and Lv2 don’t have the same value. A stat of 1 for a Lv1 is not the same as a Stat of 1 for Lv2. At least, 2 points of Lv1 is comparable to 1 point of stat of a Lv2. Much less compared to a Lv3 and above.

Rain can only fight evenly against higher-level opponents only because of his inflated stats, and more so with his countless absorbed skills. However, against someone like Jonathan, he had to admit that he doubted his current strength would be enough.

… But he was not afraid even if this meeting ends up as a confrontation.

“Perhaps,”

Rain didn’t step back, and instead, glared back at him.

“But this is not the outside world, this is the Desolate Cave,” he emphasized with more power.

“Although I feel sorry for what happened, and if possible I will apologize. If that’s not enough, you can take your revenge even, and try, but you can only do it after killing me. That’s the nature of this place. Killing and devouring is common law.”

The atmosphere immediately solidified.

Sparks appeared from between Rain and Jonathan, as they both let out their fighting spirit.

“Are you really saying that?!”

Jonathan said coldly.

“I am,”

Rain smirked. Not yielding even a step.

“Do you think you can defeat me?”

“No, but I still would not step aside. I won’t let you lay a finger on her.”

“She’s that important to you?”

“Yes,”

Rain answered without hesitation.

“… I know that what she did is… not a good thing. But she’s no evil in nature. When she did that, she was just following her instinct as a Slime. She didn’t know why she did it, no awareness at all in her being. But that is different now. She has a mind of her own now. She is sentient. And she has life. More so the will to survive and live. So, if you still want to kill her, then I will be your opponent! I'll protect her since I promised her I will.”

“… …”