Chapter 24 - Hit and Run

" Are you perhaps a deaf or a fool? Stop playing around! We're running out of time! "

The lady's answer marks the dead end. There's no other way for Zio but to fight for it.

" Well... That's that then. Sorry friend, can't help you out with it. " Masatora sighed a little before turning his head back to me. He cracks his neck and bouncing in place, loosening his joints and muscle.

Zio draws his sword and wait for him to break the ice.

" But since I like you, I'll end it quick and painless. Don't worry, I won’t take your life. Just knocking you out cold. "

Masatora grabbed the hilt of his sword in a stance that Zio has never seen before. He crouched so low until his left knee almost touches the ground. Yet, even though this is the first time Zio saw it, He thinks he can guess what Masatora is trying to attempt.

" Beware, boy. It's fast. "

As soon as Masatora finished his sentence, he dashed with unfathomable speed. He traveled for almost 30 meitel in a blink of an eye.

" Heh. "

Zio was astonished, but he too, was also prepared. As Masatora charged on him, he simply raised his sword forward, and just before their sword clashed, Zio repelled him. He powerfully sends Masatora flying across the open field.

" Whoops! " Zio 'called' for Masatora’s sword while he was in mid-air, just before he crashed to the tree far behind.

*Bam* The sound of Masatora’s back kissing the tree was loud. With an impact that powerful, Zio is positive that at least he breaks a bone or two. However, instead of writhing in pain, he laughed and quickly stood up.

" Haha, I think I figured it out... That's some pretty sick move you got there. " Masatora coughed a little blood but immediately wipe it off.

" You... You can control iron, can't you? "

Things don’t look so good. Zio expected Masatora to be damn well at swinging his sword and that was spot on. But he doesn't expect his senses to be this keen. Masatora easily saw through Zio and revealed his trick, although it was not entirely accurate.

" Hmm? I don't know what you're talking about. Did you hit your head that hard? "

" Well... maybe? Anyway, that's my katana. Can you kindly give it back to me? "

" Katana? Oh, you mean this? "

Now that Zio carefully took a closer look at it, this 'Katana' is truly fine craftsmanship. How can it possible to make a sword so thin and elegant? He would love to ask his opponent about it, but certainly, they are not under the ideal circumstances to do so.

" You want it? Then come take it. "

" Sigh, I suppose I have no other choice. "

Zio ran to the forest, heading for his escape route where Bella has laid the traps for him to shake off any pursuit. Meanwhile, Masatora is right at his tail, chasing Zio with haste.

" A-Alright, I need to turn right after this and... "

Bella has made a hole that is full of sharpened bamboo sticks that have been smeared with animal urine and droppings. She covered the lethal trap underneath a thin frame of leaves. Only the greatest of luck can save the one who stepped on it.

At least that’s what Zio’s thought. Until he glanced over his shoulders

" WHAT?! "

Zio was dumbfounded by what just happened. Masatora casually steps on the tip of the sticks like it was nothing. ‘Was it because of his footwear?’ Zio makes his guess. Yet, whatever the reason is, this was unexpected. The next one has to work, otherwise, Masatora will eventually catch up to him.

The young man tried to calm himself. The next trap will work, Zio was so sure of it. No one has ever survived the 'death fence' after all. Thus, he just needs to keep running and dodge the tripwire.

" (Here you go...) Whop! " Zio smoothly skipped a step so that Masatora didn't notice the wire.

*Click-Fwoosh*

Zio can hear the trap being triggered. As the wire will let loose of the bamboo pole that has been covered in poisoned spikes, and sent it flying at 160 kilomeitel per hour, now his chest must be riddled with holes.

*Slash*

Soon after he heard the satisfying sound, Zio takes another look beyond his shoulder, ‘He must've hit the wire!’, Zio confidently smiled.

" HOLY F-?! " Zio blurted out after witnessing that the eastern man is still walking on his two legs, being perfectly fine and healthy.

There Zio saw Masatora dandling a wooden stick in his hand. Zio's imagination runs wild. There’s perhaps a chance that Masatora had just slashed the trap to pieces with that very same stick. Things are going really bad at this rate.

If his opponent can handle a strike that was suddenly launched at a tremendous speed, how will Zio fare against such a formidable opponent? It was at this time that he realized that he has bitten off more than he can chew.

But Zio has no other choice but to keep running and trying. Therefore, as much as he hates to do so, he was forced to use his last resort. He had to use the most expensive trap of all. He took out a magic scroll from his satchel and immediately bite off the skin of his thumb.

Then, Zio pressed his bleeding thumb to the scroll so his blood will paste to it before secretly threw it to the ground while running and wait for Masatora to step on it. He then waited for the right moment to activate the magic in the scroll.

"...Dex! "

Powerful explosive fire magic was discharged and Zio decided to stop running to see the result. Suddenly, a white wind surged like a typhoon, extinguishing the flame like it was nothing. And there Masatora stands, grinning with a stick in his hand.

" Phew, that was close. Too bad, Zeo. I also have something under my sleeve. "

This is worse than nonsense to Zio. At this rate, nothing will ever work to his advantage. It seems that there's no other way for him than to face Masatora head-on.

“ I'm sorry Ana... Bella... ” Zio spokes his last words while hoping that he has made enough time for Bella to either successfully pull the heist off, or saving herself.

Left leg in front and right leg on the back, being all bent and firm. Zio prepared his stance, with the katana and his own sword drawn on him.

" No more running? Very well then. "

Zio has taken lives with his sword. But right now, he is feeling nervous. His hands are all sweaty and his heart beats real fast. He thought that maybe this is the time for him to part from this world. His mind is filled with regret and the remnants of his past.

When he was being overwhelmed by fear of dying, he clanks his pair of swords to regain his concentration. The ringing sounds helps him clear his mind a little. Now he has his breath back, controlled and focused.

A pair of blades against a tree branch. Zio is trying to convince himself using logical reasoning. Despite his knowing that his opponent defies his every logic.

" Hyah! " Zio strikes first, believing that the one who opens combat will control the battle.

Zio swings his swords on Masatora. But despite he dances it well and full of techniques, his opponent somehow easily dodged them all, eluding all of his efforts without even breaking a sweat.

" Fiery and technical... but unrefined. " Masatora speaks to Zio while evading his flurry of strikes.

Suddenly, Masatora swings his stick, aiming for Zio’s left eye. Luckily, he was able to step back, and the leaf on the tip of the stick barely grazed him right below the eye.

" Heh. Not so- "

*Slirt* My cheek was slit open and blood started drips from it.

" Surprised? Haha, you surprised me too back then.

Well...? Go on, take a guess. "

Masatora crossed his arm in front of his chest, smirking while looking at Zio covering his wound. The eastern man clearly doesn't look on edge at all. It's as if he's having fun instead.

Yet, Zio can use this chance to his advantage and collect himself. Now, he needs to figure out what just happened. He thinks, thinks, thinks, remembering all the anomaly of his opponent. The way Masatora stepped through the bamboo spike, cutting the death fence and slicing his face with a stick.

‘Oh... I think I know his trick.’, Zio said to himself with his eyes wide open, like he had found a glittering gleam in a complete darkness.

" You... You can create edges on anything. Even the smallest dot on your sandal can turn into a tip of a sword. And it's not just that. The fence works on you, but it got cut to pieces as soon as it touches your body. "

" Hahaha! Impressive! I know you're not an everyday thug! "

" I-I'm not a thug, you shit old man! "

The trouble comes next. After knowing that his opponent can make his body and anything he touched to be as hard and as sharp as a sword, then what do Zio has as an answer? Because even when Zio is able to land a clear hit on Masatora, nothing will happen. Not even a single scratch would land on him.

" You're a smart boy. I'm sure you already realized that you can't beat me as you are. "

Masatora’s words were on point. There's no chance for Zio to win. But surrender is not an option, as they were long past that point. Zio is sure that things won't end well however he looks at it.

‘This is a checkmate. I am nothing but a cornered rat now.’ Zio thought to himself. But then again, when he wanted to give up, a force inside him resisted to bend his knee. That’s when he realized that running away is also a way, or rather, that’s his only option. What he needed right now is a distraction.

" Ironlord! "

Suddenly, a loud voice came from outside the forest. It was the sound of a woman, amplified with magic. It was so loud. Both of their ears are ringing by the noise of the call.

" S-So loud! Dammit, what is she thinking?! Who's Ironlord anyway?! " Masatora covered his ears and raised an eyebrow in confusion.

" Ugh...! That's... me...! "

It seems that the sound came from near the wagon. Zio can make that guess as he and Masatora were actually just running around and straying not too far from the edge of the forest where the raid takes place.

" I have taken hostages. A girl of your age...! "

“ Hostages...? ”

Zio was confused by the use of the plural word. After all, there are just him and Bella working together. He thought that perhaps the girl mistook the other bandits as his fellow accomplices. But then again, why should she bother mentioning that one of the hostages was a girl of my age?

He didn’t expect one bit that his answer came unexpectedly with the girl’s next line;

" ...And a little girl! Therefore, I highly advise you to turn yourself in and come to my presence! "

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“ Impossible! ”