Volume 7 Chapter 33 Confidence Has A Basis
It had been some time since Luke left when Randy finally sensed Zaif nearby.
A slow, steady presence crept closer, crawling like a shadow. Randy lifted his head.
From one of the narrow alleys feeding off the main street, Zaif slipped into view. Though calmer now, he still moved like a ghost in the crowd, weaving as he watched Randy.
"A stalker?"
Randy stood, a crooked smile pulling at his lips. He turned his body squarely toward Zaif.
Their eyes locked through the shifting crowd. When the flow of people slowed enough, Randy fixed his full attention on Zaif.
──Come along.
Zaif's smile said it all as he turned and walked away.
Seeing Zaif blend into the crowd, Randy ignored him and turned his back, beginning to walk away.
Zaif, startled by Randy's retreat, quickly glanced back, then slipped through the crowd, chasing after him.
Feeling Zaif's close pursuit, Randy picked up his pace.
As Randy quickened his steps, Zaif matched him.
The gap closed. Randy's walk sped into a run before he even realized it.
Zaif, chasing after Randy's fleeing figure, was ignored completely.
Their chase sped up, cutting through roofs and darting through tight alleys like a sharp wind—too fast for any normal person to follow with the eye.
From Randy's rooftop view, the castle walls rose ahead.
Of course, guards stood watch atop the walls—protecting the town, patrolling outside, and watching for trouble inside.
Moving so fast the guards could not follow, Randy landed silently on the castle wall and vanished beyond the old capital in a blur.
A gust of wind tore through.
The guards gasped, "Whoa!" as the strong breeze swept past, followed quickly by another.
The guards, caught in the steady flow of wind, glanced toward the outer castle walls. "That was a fierce gust." Their eyes reflected calm outside, the darkened town, and quiet fields stretching beyond.
Randy, now clear of the castle walls, slowed to a stop far from the old royal city.
In the wide grasslands, no people were near. A few beast-like eyes watched from a distance but made no move.
Soon after Randy halted, Zaif appeared, dressed in black from head to toe.
"I figured you'd show up..."
Zaif scanned the area. Without pause, still breathing steady, he drew his sword and asked, "Have you already given up?" The black blade glowed faintly with runes—Zaif's magic sword, the [Curseblade].
When Zaif swung the blade, the runes shone, tracing a strange path in the dark grass.
"Well, it's the same everywhere..."
Randy turned, exasperated, glaring at Zaif's mocking smile. "Shut up, you idiot."
"Did you really think you could follow me as a challenger?"
Randy took a stance—no weapon in hand.
"A challenger, huh?"
"That's right. So hurry and say, 'Please, let me have a rematch. I'm ready.'"
Randy's grin was full of mockery.
Suddenly, Zaif vanished.
In a blink, Zaif reappeared before Randy, thrusting his sword forward, growling, "Die──"
Randy dodged by slipping his head aside.
The wind hissed past his right ear as Randy's right fist snapped out, striking Zaif's face.
The strike was perfect—yet only Zaif's hair fluttered.
Given the difference in strength between their practice fights, it should have landed.
Randy was shocked it didn't.
It was a brief pause—a flash between attacks.
Zaif pulled back his sword, spun around.
From the extended side of Randy's right fist, Zaif swung his blade.
Randy ducked, pulling back his fist.
The blade sliced just above his head.
Randy tried to realign his counter, but a small blast went off above him.
It didn't hurt him, but it robbed Randy of sight and sound for a moment.
Zaif's sword tip came again.
The blade aimed at Randy's nose.
Randy slipped his head once more to dodge.
But Zaif was too fast.
Once Randy created space, Zaif swung his sword like a baton and gestured with his left hand.
Calm and ready, Zaif closed the distance.
Randy clenched his fist—
A wind blade suddenly appeared inches from his face.
The sharp air blade forced Randy to brake hard and dodge backward.
Leaning back with momentum, Randy flipped into a bridge pose—the ground beneath him exploded.
His hand was unharmed, but the broken earth threw off his balance.
Zaif swung his sword down at Randy as he fell.
Randy twisted and rolled, dodging like a shadow, then bounced up.
"──Die!"
Zaif's blade rushed forward.
"You wish."
Randy dodged the strike and countered with his left fist.
It grazed Zaif's ear—the timing just right.
──Boom!
An air blast exploded near Zaif's head.
Zaif felt the meaning instantly and cold sweat dripped down his cheek as he stepped back.
The sweat ran like ice—but just for a moment.
Now, Zaif's smile turned sly, as if enjoying the moment.
The strike had enough power to shake the air with just a fist's pressure.
But if it missed, it was worthless.
Zaif turned the cold sweat into a relaxed grin.
"That's some strong wind pressure."
His smirk said, It won't hit.
Yet with it came a sneer.
Randy only shrugged. "Thanks for that."
Zaif narrowed his brow slightly, clearly annoyed by Randy's cheek.
"Don't you get sarcasm?"
No matter how strong or fast your fist is, it won't land.
Zaif's face said it plain, snorting.
"I take compliments straight."
Randy grinned, clenching and unclenching his fist.
"I'm the kind who grows when praised."
He joked, but even he felt surprised that the strikes he thought perfect missed twice.
Just a little.
"Because I grow when praised──"
Randy clenched his fist again and slowly took his stance.
"──I might be a bit stronger now."
Zaif saw Randy's smile, drew his sword, and said, "Nonsense."
"Want to try?"
"Go ahead."
Zaif smirked. Randy vanished.
In a flash, he appeared before Zaif, throwing a right lariat.
His arm seemed to lock on Zaif's neck—but Zaif leaned back, dodging the strike.
Randy's momentum carried him past Zaif.
He spun and slammed a heavy fist down.
Zaif jumped back.
The fist crashed into the ground, shattering it and scattering gravel.
Zaif blocked the flying gravel with his sword and dodged with smooth moves.
"This level──"
Zaif started to speak.
Randy suddenly reappeared before him.
Two rapid right jabs snapped out.
They sliced the air and ruffled Zaif's hair, but both struck only empty space.
Character Notes:
• Zaif - A former Imperial Army soldier known as the [Black Wolf]. He has a sadistic personality and is described as a troublemaker who tortured prisoners and hurt training partners. He is Randy's opponent in the mock battle.
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