Tae tied me up and took me to the deck. The sun was high in the sky. It was the middle of the day. The village was visible but the ship was slightly hidden behind one of the rocks. There were fifteen cultists and in front of all of them stood Connor and Kyle. We lined up with them.

[ Connor ]

“It’s time! Sister of the moon is right above us. Pick up your knives and bless the goddess’ wish!”

Right there in front of my eyes, each one of the cultists sliced their throats with knives without any hesitation. Even the man that I didn’t want to kill, Landrir, killed himself. He was so happy when he told me about his wife and daughter. I’m not only going to kill them, that goddess they follow too.

It was the middle of the day but once they killed themself it got darker. When I looked up the sun was covered by something. Out of nowhere, the eclipse happened. The waters began to be choppy.

[ Connor ]

“Looks like we have a traitor among us.”

[ Kyle ]

“Impossible. Every follower is loyal to the goddess. He wasn’t one of us, to begin with.”

[ Tae ]

“You got that right!” Tae revealed his face and untied me at the same time.

[ Connor ]

“You take the Asian guy. I’ll take care of our bait.”

[ Kyle ]

“As you wish.”

It looked like Kyle fell through the floor and then a door appeared behind Tae. Kyle grabbed him and took Tae with him. I was left against a crazy soldier with just a knife while he is wielding a sword.

[ Eric ]

“I’m bait? For what? It’s not like I’m that important for someone.”

[ Connor ]

“You are and you don’t even realize it.”

Connor made the first move by leaping toward me. He clearly was aiming for my shoulder so I had time to dodge his attack. I was sure I evaded it but there was a scratch on my shoulder. Before he could get ready for the second slash I made my move. While I was trying to stab him it felt like my knife was slowly moving in another direction. I missed him and immediately got hit in the face with a fist.

[ Eric ]

“Another guy with an invisible trick?” I said as I wiped the blood off my nose.

[ Connor ]

“You’re just too stupid to see the truth.”

Set In Motion might not be effective against him. The difference in experience might be too big. I don’t know what he was doing as a soldier but he must have a close combat training. First I need to find out what his ability is. This scratch out of nowhere and movement of my attack.

Connor went for the same attack as last time. This time I was ready to block it. It’s really stressful to fight a guy with a sword while I have a tiny knife. While I blocked it I felt his strength put into that swing. It was much easier to do with a sword. I had a chance to punch him and I went for it. While I was looking at him I noticed that he wasn’t paying attention to me. He was looking behind me. With his slight movement of shoulder, I missed him again. Something moved my hand again.

His fist was close to my face again but with help of False Fear, I dodged it and jumped away. When I looked behind me there was nothing but my shadow. Now that I think about it, why there are torches lit up on one side of the ship?

[ Eric ]

“So that’s your trick.”

I threw my only knife at him and he easily blocked it but it gave me time to run to one of those torches. I grabbed it and threw it on the ground near Connor. The fire slowly spread and as it did I threw a few more of them.

[ Eric ]

“Your trick is that you use shadows. This slight movement of your shoulder made my hand move because the shadows were located slightly differently than we are.”

[ Connor ]

“Gregor was right… We only need you alive. There is no need for your hands or legs.”

[ Eric ]

“Now you’re showing your colors.”

I ran toward Connor, he got his sword ready to strike but he didn’t see what was coming his way. I hid one torch behind my back and while running I threw it at him. When he sliced the torch, sparks blocked his view and I was right behind it. With full force and Set In Motion, I punched him in the face and threw away his sword.

[ Eric ]

“I was hoping to beat you to death with my own two hands.”

[ Connor ]

“You’ll regret it…” Said Connor as he stood up.

[ Eric ]

“You think so? Don’t forget this is a different world than you know.”

All I knew about Connor is that he was a soldier but from what country? England? America? His name sounds English at least. His stand was unusual. He got his guard up and one leg in front of him standing only on his fingers. All I know is that it doesn’t look like a boxing stance. I went for a jab but he quickly jumped away and hit me with his knee in the face.

[ Eric ]

“Huf… That’s definitely not a box. So we count legs too.”

[ Connor ]

“Like I would care about some rules in a fight to the death.”

[ Eric ]

“Thought I’ll give you some kind of advantage but If you don’t want to.”

[ Connor ]

“Nice one. Add fries and it might make my lough.”

[ Eric ]

“Mind telling me from what army you were?”

[ Connor ]

“I didn’t fight for any country.”

[ Eric ]

“So you were a mercenary for money… Now I understand why you were chosen.”

[ Connor ]

“I was chosen because I follow the orders without any question if the payment is good and the current price is very satisfying for me.”

[ Eric ]

“Fucking capitalist…”