Chapter 299 The Traverser [Part 2]
"Huh? Where am I from?" The man paused for a moment, scratching his head.
Then he said:
"Where do I start? Do you know Strenaut?"
Northern cocked his head. "Strenaut?"
He racked his brain, certain there was no such place in the Central Plains or Stelia.
The man sighed, adding in a dejected tone:
"I don't expect you to know. You're an insider."
He was using terms that only confused Northern further.
His voice trailed off again.
"But are you sure you want to be having this conversation right now? You're trying to take the boy to Sura, aren't you?"
Northern frowned. This was information they had only because of their oracle friend.
This guy knew about Sura.
'He did mention he's been here for a hundred and seventy-two nights, so he must have been doing his research.'
Many questions popped into Northern's mind, but he knew their current situation didn't allow for that.
He glanced back at the White Walkers, who were cautiously approaching them.
Looking at the stranger, Northern split himself in two. The second one, however, instead of appearing beside him, materialized where the young king lay. It immediately grabbed him and leapt back before the stranger could react.
In that same instant, a gleaming black-skinned monster—the Corpse Eater—appeared between the stranger and the clone.
The stranger turned to Northern, who wore a small smirk. He shrugged slightly, raising his hands.
"And here I was thinking we were on the same side."
Northern's lip twitched upward as he observed the White Walkers—who were also wary of the tense atmosphere—then fixed his azure eyes on the stranger.
"You see... I have a little issue with trust..." he paused, looking down briefly. "Okay, 'little' might be an understatement. But the point is, I'm not foolish enough to trust someone I just met. If you want to be on the same side, the boy stays with me."
"How distasteful..." He glanced between the second Northern, the Corpse Eater, and Northern before continuing, "...fine. But look, I've been here much longer than you have. I know where things are, and unless you know how to get to Sura, I think you need my help."
"Oh, well, I guess I don't need your help then."
As soon as Northern said this, a frown creased his brow.
"What did you say?"
Northern shrugged. "I have no plans to go to Sura, at least not now. I have a lot to deal with, you see."
He turned to the White Walkers as he finished, two swords materializing in his hands.
"Wait. Are you insane? You're going to fight them? This is a community of monsters, with a vicious Commander!"
Northern looked away for a second with a smug grin and mumbled:
"Vicious Commander, my foot."
The stranger tilted his head back slightly, confusion etched on his face.
"What do you mean?"
Northern shrugged again and turned away.
"Do whatever you want. I don't even know you to begin with. Just don't get in my way..."
He assumed a fighting stance, readying his swords to launch himself forward.
Meanwhile, the stranger remained confused. He observed Northern's clone and the Corpse Eater before returning his gaze to Northern.
He knew he had to make a decision, preferably not an unreasonable one like fighting an entire community of monsters—and not just any monsters.
These possessed a concerning level of intelligence, which would undoubtedly prove to be a difficult battle.
And yet...
'Does he not know the dangers? Is he just being a reckless brat?'
The stranger clicked his tongue.
'I hate reckless brats... but that clone of his. Moreover, this monster... it gives off the vibe of an incredibly strong foe. Then there's him too. This is an utterly reckless battle. I might be better off moving with him on my own terms. His recklessness will kill him either way; I can just take the boy and escape in that time. Although it's a plan I'd still have to refine considerably.'
He sighed and looked at Northern, who by now was already plunging his sword into one monster's throat with ease, withdrawing it and separating its head with a spinning strike.
Without pause, he launched a kick at the next one—he wasn't even looking, so his movements were impressive—he swung his hand to the left, harvesting gore from the White Walker that ran towards him.
This was followed by another sword swing that sent its hand rolling through the air like a ragdoll.
Then Northern displayed extra aesthetically pleasing skill, twisting himself and delivering a final blow to the neck, leaving a crude X marring the monster completely.
In that meantime—the stranger, having made his decision, streaked towards Northern in a blur and delivered a bone-
crunching punch to the White Walker Northern had kicked away (now upon Northern).
"You can save the thank you for later."
Northern stared at the man and gave a displeased frown, muttering as he turned his head away.
"I already had it under control anyway."
"I've decided to aid you in your recklessness. I shall be a formidable ally to you, undoubtedly."
Northern scowled.
'What the hell is he feeling like...'
Of course, Northern was well aware that the stranger wasn't wrong in any way; he was a Sage.
One with a speed-based ability.
In fact, Northern needed him to stick around.
How else would he copy that speed talent?
The nonchalant attitude was all a front he had put on since he now had Ulzred.
The fact that he came all this way to kidnap the boy king was proof that whatever was going on in this rift, Ulzred was a core part of it.
Which was why Northern secured the boy king immediately.
Now, the strange stranger had no choice but to move with him.
And Northern... all he needed was for that speed ability to be used.
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[A/N]
This is just your humble and lame author, thanking you for your support towards me.
I appreciate the power stones, the golden tickets, the gifts! Hell, I even got a castle recently, thank you very much @ Thomas_Cyr.