Journey to Become the Zenith

The Encirclement Means Nothing

Victor gave a small laugh.

”Have the honesty to admit it. You do realize what will actually transpire in case these men try to inflict us any sort of pain.”

Kite’s expression remained stern.

Figure 1: ’I do not have to explain myself to you’ (2018) 30 Socialising Science 158. I’m not asking you. I’m just trying to re:Twitter.

I know.

I said, this isn’t for you.00:51. 9:57.

What is this?

11141 people are talking about this.

”I’ll just try to re:Twitter.

I know. I said, this isn’t for you.00:55. 9:57.

What’s this?

1622 people are talking about this. ’I don’t need to explain myself to you’ (2018) 30 Socialising Science 158.

”No.”

Victor nodded.

”You don’t.”

His smile became slightly sharper.

”...for if you had been confident in your men, you would not have needed to say anything.”

Kite’s eyes narrowed.

For a moment, neither man spoke.

There was more weight in the silence. –Between them than in the weapons hanging around Victor. –Steve and the Sword I haven’t posted anything for a while, so here’s a quote.

Simon, on the other hand, was fed up with it.

He emerged from around the side of Kite and yelled as loud as he could.

”Gotcha?! I want him dead and I want the girl!”

His voice echoed through the street.

Once again, a much larger audience was watching.

Word spread and suddenly people were coming from all directions.

Some stood on the edges of buildings.

Others whispered among themselves.

All of us were eager to see the outcome of that meeting.

Victor slowly turned his head toward Simon.

His golden eyes settled on him.

The faint smile disappeared.

Kite noticed the change.

So did the soldiers.

And for some odd reason, a few of them even felt the hairs on their necks raise.

Simon didn’t notice.

He was just too angry and humiliated.

He pointed toward Victor.

”Kill him!”

Victor stared at him silently.

Then he looked toward Kite.

”Your young master really doesn’t know when to get of your case.”

Kite’s expression darkened.

”Watch your words.”

Victor chuckled.

”Or what?”

Kite’s hand tightened.

”You are standing inside an encirclement.”

Victor glanced around at the armed men.

Then he looked back at Kite.

”I noticed.””And you still aren’t afraid?”

Victor’s smile returned.

”No.”

Kite stared at him.

Victor stepped forward half a pace.

”Because an encirclement only counts if those in it are powerful enough to hold their prey.”

His golden eyes gleamed.

”What if you didn’t bring enough people.”

Kite’s expression turned cold.

The soldiers raised their weapons another fraction.

Simon watched Victor with growing hatred.

The crowd fell silent.

The next moment could decide everything.

Still, with composure, Victor took his place at the exact middle of the ramble.

Kite fixed Simon with an angry stare, causing the other boy to stop speaking.

The warning in the old man’s sharp gaze fell onto Simon, and he realised it. A moment later his mouth had snapped shut and though his eyes still held resentment, they were not shouting now.

Victor watched the exchange without much interest.

The situation had already become tiresome.

He looked over at Diana, who had remained silently by his side with her gentle facade from the moment he saw her. Her long black hair fluttered lightly in the wind as her crimson gaze shifted over those encircling them.

Victor sighed quietly.

There were too many people.

Too much noise.

And none of them was strong enough to matter, even a little bit.

”Diana can you take care of them?”

Diana looked at him and smiled slightly.

”Yeah but aren’t you just gonna shoot ’em?”

Victor cast a look at the men around them.

He cast a brief glance around the room with his golden eyes before they settled on Diana.

They’re too flimsy for me to enjoy. And I’m getting pretty damn pissed off, so just knock ’em out and spare their damn lives.

His words were casual.

Almost dismissive.

But that same casualness was embarrassing the men around.

They were trained warriors.

Some of them had even acquired their strength over time. Had fought monsters, had survived arduous expeditions, and had paved their way forward by blood.

However, Victor had just been referring to them as if they were troublesome bugs.

Still, he’d gone and said it right in their faces.

The men exchanged furious glances.

One half to the hilt of his sword.

Another’s jaw clenched.

A third took a slow breath, suppressing his rage.

Who did this man think he was?

They were standing right there.

They had surrounded him.

And yet he and Diana were whispering among themselves as if there was no one else present.

The insult was unbearable.

Kite saw the moment they both looked like they might get choked up, and he frowned.

”Don’t act recklessly,” he warned.

But his warning came too late.

The soldiers who stood in the crowd around Victor and Diana were ready to strike at any moment.

Several weapons shifted from their sheaths.

Boots scraped against the stone pavement.

The atmosphere changed in an instant.

The surrounding crowd instinctively stepped backward.

A few people gasped.

There was a whisper, a were going to spill blood.

But Victor did not move.

He simplestood there, relaxed hands hanging at his sides, relaxed eyes shining golden from beneath his jetblack hair.

Diana, however, slowly lifted her gaze.

Her expression remained peaceful.

Then-

The air became heavy.

A terrifying pressure descended upon the street.

It occurred with such rapidity that the men scarcely had time to realize what was going on.

Their bodies stiffened.

Their knees buckled.

It was like people were pushing at them from all directions. Don’t flush the toilet,’ people would say.

It was Diana.

She dissipated a part of her mana and leveled it directly to the surrounding warriors.

”Urgh!”

One man staggered.

Another dropped his weapon.

Clang!

The blade hit the stone pavement with a loud metallic ringing that reverberated along the street.

”What... Is this?”

A warrior tried to force himself upright.

His arms trembled violently.

His breathing became ragged.

The need to pulverize the mana on top of him was just a little too much.

Another man fell directly to his knees.

Then another.

Within moments, several of them collapsed unconscious.

Thud.

Thud.

Thud.

Stumbling, falling, and crashing to the floor.

Even the stronger managed to stay upright, but it was clear even they were barely hanging on.

Their faces had turned pale.

Sweat poured down their temples.

One man suddenly bent forward.

”Urgh!”

He vomited onto the ground.

Another followed.

Before long, the formation that was once disciplined had descended into chaos.

Some were unconscious.

Some were kneeling.

Others were gasping for breath and trying to hold their breath, fighting the invisible force.