Chapter 65: Ignored

Lossing it in the game of speed was pointless, even more because of Zyro's current injuries. Needless to say, defending and attacking are futile due to the mysterious smoke intangible nature.

The dark cloud approach him before he could even turn away. Effortlessly passing through his steel armor as it invaded his back.

Source and appearance alone hinted it mean no good. After all, it came from a beast he fooled and murdered. It's only normal to assume this insidious fog as manifestation of the fallen beast wrath.

Unfortunately for him, his expectations weren't betrayed.

As it infiltrated his body, Zyro perception felt strange. The contact was not physical, because nothing touch him. His skin, flesh, bones and organs remain unharmed. However... He was pained within. It invaded not his tangible body, but a part of him he doesn't knew existed.

Actually, he do knew. It was his soul, something even science failed to fathom till this day.

Unlike the sense of touch, which when attacked on a certain spot like abdomen or leg. The body will feel pain in those areas.

Soul, however act as single entity. It doesn't matter where it's hurt.

Zyro was being assaulted from behind, yet he perceived attacks allover. Fortunately, it's only uncomfortable, not agonizing. For now.

But the more smoke entered his soul, the heavier the pressing pressure become. To the point Zyro felt sick. He wanted to puke but his stomach are fine, he was nauseated even though his used to disgusting things. Zyro's head buzzed, dizzying him but in an abnormal and new way.

Zyro felt weakened, not just in the body, but in the mind as well.

As more smoke was absorbed, the sickening symptoms got worse. He fall to his knee's, before the last wisps of black fog force itself into him.

Then, Zyro felt an unfamiliar agony rage within his very core. He was experiencing a new and eerie pain for the first time, a horrible sensation that's not physical. Zyro was so sick, as though his at the edge of dying.

Was this the dead monster vengeance?

Zyro groaned through gritted teeth. His face stiff by torment, but remain composed under his soul suffering.

It's nothing new, really. He live a hellish life where misery are treated as daily meal. What his experiencing now is fresh but at the same time, old.

Pain are pain no matter which type they are. Mental - is the unexplainable agony of losing loved ones, being betrayed by those you trusted, sadness of receiving rejection and so on concerning attachment in life. Physical are simple which are perceive through harmful bodily contacts. Zyro was already accustomed to this two, adding another equal in degree didn't change a thing.

It hurts, like always.

Truth be told, pain are the easiest problem to solve. Because you don't have to do a thing, but wait until it fade away.

Zyro groaned and cough blood as he waited.

Soon enough, the sickening pressure in his soul subsides. Returning his body to normal, yet the physical burden of bone injuries and aching muscles stayed.

"The heck is that about?"

Grunted Zyro as he rose to his feet.

After all that happened. He had plenty of questions for the Sealed Sage. Surely, Depter would knew something regarding this strange phenomena'd. The price are covered, as long as he brought food for the hungry old man.

But learning answers to what happened to him and the Blinker faulty yet strong power was for another time. Right now, his occupied with follow up cleaning evidence of his scheme.

At his previous command, Pert was already on it. But two hands were faster and better than one, even though one is injured. Moving are a struggle, but Zyro's could manage.

Turning away from the fallen monster carcass, Zyro made his way towards Pert. Only to be stopped by the sight of the kid holding his Axe - the one he stole after defeating the Plunderers Alpha.

Since attaining it, he had hidden the weapon in his clothes along with the Broken Sword. For use when needed. Their size were small enough to fit at the side of his waist.

Realizing the explosion caused the axe to unknowingly drop somewhere. Ending up in Pert's hand, Zyro was reminded of his useless sword.

To his dismay, he found his right waist where the sword rested empty.

Everyone was aware that any form of swords are banned from this place. Possessing one was judge as crime worthy of execution. Therefore, others seeing his trashy sword worried him.

Pert included.

As he approached, Pert who's collecting scattered bits of Shroud of Night into a sack he bring greeted him. Relief written allover his face, that beamed amazement. The Fallen Knight return announced his renewed achievement of slaying the infamous Blinker.

"Oh, mighty Fallen Knight, I was just about to finish here. And I also found an legendary axe, I believe it belongs to you." His voice oozed genuine respect despite sounding like sarcasm. Noticing Zyro's unnatural movement, implying how grave his injures. Pert quickly changes topic.

"There's no need for you to help, you know. At least let me handle this much, while you rest. You look like sh*t right now."

"I'm fine..."

Zyro reply was cut short, as he notice the Broken Sword near the young Aster side. Originally, he was intended to search for it. Apparently, there seem to be no need.

Seeing Zyro suddenly quieten with his gaze lock on a certain spot near him. Pert was confused, followed by nervousness, before unconsciously tracing where Zyro is staring so seriously. Only to be more perplexed than before, because in his view, there's nothing but greeny grass.

"Is something wrong?" Asked Pert with concerned expression.

Zyro frowned, finding the kid act strange. He found it wrong for Pert no not notice the laying Broken Sword a few inches away from him. So, as a man of action. Zyro throw a questioning look at the sword, for the kid to notice and provide an explanation.

However, Pert completely ignoring it despite undoubtedly having the sword, a rare forbidden item in his line of sight bewildered him. It doesn't make sense, what's the point of acting he saw nothing? When they're partners in crime, not to mention Zyro's identity as the Fallen Knight being heavier than owning illegal weapon.

Though, Pert didn't look like acting.

Knowing pondering won't solves his questions. Zyro toned a pretentious threat.

"There no point pretending you can't see it. I won't kill you, don't worry. As long as you keep your mouth shut, that is."

Of course, he wasn't serious. Pert knew better than reporting Zyro's crime. His sentence aim, were to pressure Pert into telling him nothing but the truth.

The boy tensed up.

"What do you mean by pretending? And what are you talking about? Wait, is it the Axe! I didn't mean to steal it or anything, I know it's yours and I intend to return it. Why would I rob someone who could do that to the Blinker. Or..."

Pert look around.

"Yup, I'm really confused of what your trying to imply here."

Zyro locked his gaze at the young Aster golden eyes for a few moments in silence. Pert didn't waver, nor show any suspicious expression. Only genuine puzzlement in the current situation.

When the awkward tension become unbearable. Pert can't help but ask.

"Seriously, what's wrong?"

Zyro avert his gaze.

"Nothing, forget about it."

Pert found it odd. But ignore it nevertheless and continue collecting armor fragments to go back to safety as soon as possible.

"Sure thing... your really bad at joking, you know. Anyway, I'm gonna finish cleaning up. You better rest now. But take your axe first."

Zyro nodded in response. Before retrieving his axe and went to pick the Broken Sword to study it. The ravaged weapon didn't change at all, cut in half in dagger length with brownish hilt and dark, dull blade.

'Its really tiring with all this questions popping up. First the Blinker ability with strange flaw, then those black smoke that attack my soul. And now, this. Why the heck can't Pert see it?'

Zyro thought and look at the Pert in the corner of his eyes. Catching the kid glancing at him as if he have some loss screws in the head. Pert quickly turn away as if nothing happened.

Which is understandable, If the young Aster can't actually see the Broken Sword, then in Pert's view. Zyro appeared as a madman holding an imaginary sword.

Well, there's also the possibility that Pert was so good at acting.

'Let's see if you'll keep that act of yours after this.'

Not fully convince, Zyro gripped the Broken Sword and throw is at Pert. Who's just about to pick up a tiny scrap metal.

His throw mean no harm, it's already dropping momentum suggest how weak the power put into it. After all, Zyro's only intended to make the disregarded sword touch Pert attention.

However, what happened next were completely out of his expectations. Leaving him dumbfounded.

'What the heck!?'