However, this was all I could discern. Now, I knew someone was manipulating Hariba.
The matter of Hariba shouting my name was also troubling. It wasn't driven by hatred toward me but perhaps a side effect of being forced to follow orders. At this point, he had lost almost all trace of reason.
The real problem was that I didn't know where this person was hiding.
Could they be further away than I expected?
It was a possibility, but I doubted it. This type of control resembled black magic, a manipulation of the target's consciousness. There would be no reason for Hariba to pause in the face of obstacles.
This isn't just assimilation or domination. It is manipulation, a shared control.
I reflected on this distinction and concluded that the manipulator was nearby, possessing high-level stealth skills that evaded my senses.
It is a tricky situation.
The manipulator could be the mastermind behind the assassins infiltrating the Badnikers and the attempt on my life.
Defeating Hariba now wouldn't be difficult, but what to do about the mastermind observing everything? Would they expose themselves to deal with me?
It seems unlikely.
Judging by their actions so far, the mastermind was excessively cautious and thorough, almost unnervingly so. This person would likely retreat further into the shadows, waiting for the right moment. This was what frustrated me the most.
Then, as I was racking my brains, Seren appeared behind Hariba. It was literally out of nowhere, as if she had emerged from the ground or removed an invisible veil.
It must be a blessing!
In that instant, Seren's heel struck Hariba's head.
Is she aiming to crush his cervical spine, knowing his neck is a weak point? I wondered but quickly dismissed it.
The moment Hariba's head bent at a right angle, Seren held up two fingers. Then her nails grew abnormally, glinting eerily under the moonlight like the claws of a beast.
I recognized that blessing. It was the very one that earned Seren the nickname Silver Moon. It was the Blessing of the Silver Moon.
A sound like slicing through meat echoed.
Seren's claws—no, her nails—glistened, and the blood clinging to their tips was visible.
The attack seemed to have landed properly. For a moment, even I believed so, but then I saw Hariba's eyes spinning around.
"Dodge!" I shouted immediately, but it was too late.
Hariba kicked backward from a slightly crouched position, his movements resembling a horse bucking with its hind legs.
Seren temporarily crossed her arms before her to block it. Though her defense was solid, it only reduced some of the damage.
I felt a pang of worry but couldn't miss this opportunity. Clenching my fists, I drove them forward and dug into the gaps between Hariba's arms.
His massive frame loomed over me, more than twice my size, forcing me to crane my neck to see his face and bulging muscles.
In moments like this, the perfect technique to employ was inspired by the 7th Style, Sky Stab, from Iron Heart, the Badnikers' hereditary swordsmanship.
It was a technique I had once demonstrated to Kayan—White Sun Style's 3rd Move, Rising Fire.
A sharp crack echoed as Hariba's neck muscles tore.
This time, the impact felt far more satisfying than my first strike, exceeding my expectations.
Achieving such damage with my fists alone would've been impossible; Seren's claws had probably severed half the tendons at the back of his neck.
Hariba's neck shook as if it would fall off at any moment. It was an uncomfortable sight, but what was even more awkward was that this guy could still move despite becoming like this.
" U-uh...? " Hariba let out a guttural groan, clutching his head as if trying to steady it.
His resilience surprised me. Given that he was under manipulation, I couldn’t assume he would die—even if his head were severed.
For now, I ran toward Seren.
A sudden wave of dizziness hit me, and I nearly stumbled mid-sprint.
Had my master not fully restored my body?
When I reached Seren, I found her pinned in a half-broken tree. She didn't look good.
"Are you okay?" I asked, hoping her bones weren't broken.
"I broke a few bones," she replied.
"Which ones?" I pressed.
I prayed inwardly, Please, not both—
"Both arms," she answered.
Damn it.
If this unarmed girl had broken both arms, she would be as good as finished. She could cause some trouble, but it wouldn't amount to much.
Seren bit her lip, clearly aware of it too. Her face flushed. She was probably ashamed of the current situation.
Though I hadn't known her long, I sensed she hated being a burden to others more than she feared death.
Hariba's guttural cry made me glance over, and I saw something astonishing.
"Hey, look at that," I said.
"I see it too," she replied.
His ripped neck muscles were reattaching themselves.
Was troll blood mixed in his veins? Ever since the Jewel Mountains, it seemed like nothing good came from being involved with those creatures.
This is taking too long.
At this rate, getting caught here wouldn't be surprising. If the fight dragged on and someone from the main family saw us—honestly, I was confident I could survive. After all, the Iron-Blooded Lord was still at home.
But what about Seren?
A member of the Goodspring family, a thorn in the Badnikers' side, had entered their forbidden area. This was a golden opportunity for them. I couldn't rule out the possibility of her being killed. Even if not, they'd likely extract every last benefit until nothing remained.
How would this prideful girl react if her family suffered from her mistakes?
Nevertheless, she wasn't the type to flee if I simply told her to leave.
I ran through what I knew about Seren: prideful, quick-witted, sharp-tongued, yet unexpectedly kind. Surprisingly, she often misunderstood things.
"Seren," I called.
"What is it?" she snapped.
"Do you remember which way you came from?" I asked.
"In a situation like this?" she retorted. "Who do you think I am? A fool?"
"Good," I said, standing up. "Go back first."
Seren paused at my words. "What?"
"Did I cut out too much of the explanation? I'll handle him, so you should leave."
"Are you out of your mind?" she demanded.
Naturally, I was in my right mind.
Seren's mouth twitched, her brow furrowing. "Is your leg okay? Besides, if I'm leaving, you're coming with me. Why tell me to go alone? That guy will explode slowly, anyway. He can't catch up."
Who knew? Hariba likely hadn't pursued us with full force so far because we were heading away from the Badnikers' main house. Why rush after a mouse that was willingly cornering itself?
Meanwhile, I still hadn't found the hidden manipulator. I couldn't predict when they would reveal themselves, and there was no guarantee Hariba was the only threat. All I knew was that this person was after me, which meant Seren wouldn't be tracked even if she ran away from here.
Of course, there was no reason to explain all of this.
As I remained silent, Seren asked, "You didn't hurt your leg, did you?"
What's with this misunderstanding now? Ah, right. I did stagger from dizziness on my way here. She must have seen that and gotten the wrong idea.
Her delusional words flustered me again, but I kept a straight face and stayed quiet.
"I knew it. Damn it," Seren cursed. "Then we should run away together."
"Be reasonable. You can't even support me with your arms right now," I retorted.
"Does it make sense for you to face him alone?" she pressed.
"Unlike you, my arms are fine, and my leg isn't broken. Plus, I told you—I've seen the future."
"The future..." Seren fell silent, then spoke solemnly. "What if this isn't your original future?"
"What?"
"What if it changed because I interfered? What if you were never supposed to die here? If so, wouldn't that mean I'm the one who killed you?" she explained.
"What nonsense are you spouting?" I snapped. "Get a grip."
I waved my hand in front of her nose, but her dazed expression didn't change. Frustrated, I lightly slapped her cheek.
"What the fuck are you doing?" she barked.
Is she really a noble?
Seren looked ready to kill me before Hariba even got the chance.
"It's fine. Just go. I will really follow after you soon," I reassured her.
Seren closed her mouth and lowered her head before looking up at me. "Wait a bit. I'll bring people over."
"Did you hear me earlier? We need to hide that we came here. I'm saying this for your sake as well."
I didn't want word to spread for no reason. I wanted to hide the fact that I had entered the forbidden area.
Naturally, Seren didn't just comply. "How can you say that? Then I'll just fight alongside you."
I sighed and conceded, "Fine. I'll tell you who you can inform."
"Who?" she asked.
"Kayan and Arjan," I answered.
"Who are they?" she pressed.
"My subordinates," I explained. "They are trustworthy."
"What about your mother?" she inquired.
"Don't tell her," I said quickly. "She worries too much."
Seren bit her lip hard, her voice tense as she asked, "Why are you going this far for me?"
"Well... I don't know."
She looked at me like I'd just struck her. Her stunned expression was almost impressive. "You are a fool."
You are the fool, you jerk , I shot back inwardly.
Her words were harsh, but her final curse lacked conviction.
"Luan Badniker," she called.
"Yes?" I responded.
"If we meet again..." Seren's expression was firm as she declared, "I will tell you one of my secrets."
"What?" I asked, confused.
There is no need for that.
Before I could respond, Seren vanished. She reappeared a short distance away, just as she had when she attacked Hariba. She seemed to be using short-distance teleportation repeatedly. Perhaps it was the power of a blessing.
Maybe she can't use it with a companion.
I felt relieved. If she could, Seren would have forced me to flee with her. But I had no intention of running. I still had unfinished business with Hariba.
She'll certainly misunderstand again, I thought.
I could clear up the misunderstanding later. For now, I had to focus on Hariba, who was approaching me. His wounds were fully healed.
"Well then. Let's begin round two without any interference," I muttered, readying myself.