A Wanderer's Lies

Chapter 55: A Thread has been Woven [4]

"Keep your cool, a level head."

In a dense and shadowy forest, sharp exhales and fists landing on skin could be heard as Isaac could be seen unleashing countless attacks on the mysterious man.

However, no matter how much Isaac attacked, it proved futile as the man blocked and predicted Isaac's next moves.

'I still haven't moved him from his position.'

"Always keep your heart and mind separate. Use the emotions from your heart to fuel your power, but never let it interfere with your calculative mind. The two can never coexist as one."

The man spoke during Isaac's assaults.

Usually, Isaac would think twice before taking a random strange man's advice. And he was never one to act upon his emotions.

However, he couldn't help but see the validity in the man's words.

He did indeed let his heart take over and turn off his mind.

'Like when I clashed with the Terror. With my speed at the time, I could have easily dodged that, ending him at once. It might have even left me with enough energy to prevent teleporting to the Red Zone.'

To access the power of the Scarlet Eyes and paying a little too much attention to the detail, Isaac thought taking this route of becoming a berserker was best till he levelled up the eyes.

However, he was wrong.

Only now was he starting to learn the flaws in his plan, and it almost cost him his life…

'Maybe not life. I am in Immortal after all. But being in the middle of creatures that are vastly stronger than me, with no chance of escaping. It might as well be death. I'd lose my freedom.'

He had gotten greedy. Taking shortcuts for power only ended up forming a weakness for him.

And the man must have known this too, after all, he too watched Isaac's fights.

Although, Isaac was curious about how the man's information and advice seemed a little too accurate.

As if he was experienced in this. Controlling…no, using his emotions.

As Isaac suffered a heavy blow once again, forcing him to take a few steps back, he couldn't help but notice the churning feeling in his stomach.

After fighting and healing for a few hours, the hunger was starting to slowly grow worse and worse.

But he could still endure it.

Thinking this, Isaac stood up straight, taking in a deep breath and closing his eyes.

Although his emotional state was fairly neutral at the moment, he didn't let this stop his practice, clinging onto any wisp of emotion.

He focused on them, empowering them as if he were pouring gasoline on fire, yet didn't let them consume him.

Snapping his eyes open, the man noticed a glint of crimson in Isaac's eyes, as the boy disappeared from his position.

'He's gotten faster.'

The man was slightly taken aback, raising both arms as a heavy blow landed on his forearms.

Isaac's shin connected with the man's forearms, pushing his opponent back as his feet tore through the dirt below.

"Well done, you got me to move." The man spoke, his unkind expression never faltering.

However, as he spoke, he noticed the boy before him touch the ground, instantly shooting back toward him.

'This might be my only chance.'

Using the little time he had with the Scarlet Eyes, Isaac prepared to summon his Nen.

"Not so fast."

However, it was as if the man could read Isaac's mind, moving before Isaac could have a chance to do anything.

And with Isaac shooting toward him, it wasn't long until the man reached him while doing the same, almost instant.

With a sharp breath, the man swung his fist, to which Isaac twisted his body midair to dodge.

With the physical boost the Scarlet Eyes offered, he could compete with the man's incredible physique.

However, the Scarlet Eyes was a short activation at the moment, meaning it had already started to fade and his physical boost left with it.

It was because of these reasons that Isaac's next block meant nothing, the man's fist passing right through and hitting Isaac across the chin as the boy's brain smashed into the walls of his skull.

His consciousness faded as he dropped to the ground.

Although, if he were being honest, a small part of him didn't mind this. He wanted to rest.

It had been a long day.

***

"I know you're awake."

The mysterious man, sitting before a small fire as the sun had long set, spoke as Isaac lay a few feet away.

After a few seconds, Isaac's body moved slightly as he picked himself off the ground, and sat up.

"I thought you'd have left. Or fed me to whatever is out there."

"No, I'm not here because I want to be. I'm waiting. And I'm pretty sure those things out there don't 'eat' humans. Well, maybe some of them do. Who knows."

The man spoke without taking his eyes off the fire. It seemed he was grilled some sort of meat on a stick. Nothing that looked appetising to Isaac.

"So they don't belong to you?"

For some reason, the man seemed to be feeding Isaac's curiosity. Isaac couldn't tell if it was because he didn't see Isaac as a threat, or simply didn't care to keep secrets.

Either way, he just wanted his question answered.

"'Belong'? No, of course not. They simply listen to my commands because that's how they're programmed."

However, despite the man answering Isaac's questions, they seem to only confuse the boy even further.

"What do you mean?"

The man slightly turned his head so that his eyes met Isaacs'.

"How much do you know about Ravenwood?" The man asked, confusing Isaac.

However, Isaac still made sure to answer.

"It's a dumping ground created by the S.A. to discard Terrors without expending too many resources…"

"So you know nothing." The man cut Isaac off.

Seeing the man about to continue, Isaac rejected the urge to snap back.

"Do you think the S.A., known for being extra cautious and controlling, would allow a place like Ravenwood to exist?"

'I don't know. Other than the Chairman and his son, my knowledge is limited.'

Isaac thought this but made sure not to say it out loud.

"No, this is the work of a third party. These Terrors are nothing more than failed experiments. Even that Juggernaut. Although they are technically a Terror, they are far more terrifying than a regular Terror."

The man turned his head back, checking to see if whatever he was cooking was ready.

"Failed? Experiments of who? What were they trying to accomplish?" Isaac couldn't hold himself back, letting out his questions.

Maybe it was the Dark and Eerie atmosphere that made the man's words seem like a scary story, or the possibility of attaining knowledge even the S.A. didn't know that made Isaac crave more.

"You ever hear of Possession?"

Isaac was taken aback slightly, his face contorting to one of surprise as he started to piece the mystery together.

"I guess you have. Whenever these Terrors fail to attain the desired forms of their 'masters', they're disposed of here. Ravenwood. The hell cursed with failures. But they still have their uses."

After a second of silence, Isaac leaned forward.

"But who? The S.A.? The Hearts Guild?"

"No. The S.A. would never. They have their own contorted sense of Justice that would never allow them to do such a thing. And the Hearts Guild is simply too weak and small. Even if they had the resources to do it, they'd instantly be sniffed out by the S.A."

The man bit into his food, offering it to Isaac, to which the boy quickly shook his head.

'People forcing Possessions to be born? Is that even possible? How would they do it? Hell, is it even 'people' doing this?'

Isaac had countless questions. He knew from the moment Oliver had told him, that a government organisation wouldn't do something as careless as creating Ravenwood, but who knew it was a whole conspiracy?

Blinking as if he'd realised something, Isaac stared at the man.

'Wait a minute…if these Terrors listen to him…doesn't that mean…'

"Who are you? And what are you doing here?" Isaac asked, his heartbeat quickening in anticipation.

The man paused slightly, taking another bite from his food before answering.

"I told you. I'm waiting. I just so happen to be using you as a way to cure my boredom as I do."

Taking the last bite and tossing the stick, the man turned to Isaac.

"Which brings me to my next point. Lesson #2: Quit fighting like a wimp."

Isaac snapped out of his trance as he heard this. Before he could ask any questions, the man continued.

"What's the level of your Hand-to-Hand perk?"

Isaac wasn't surprised the man knew he had this perk. Anyone skilled in something usually had it manifested in a perk.

It just so happened that Isaac too had been meaning to check his Status.

'Status.'

[Name: Isaac ???

Status: Intense Hungry

Stage: 1

Inherited Character: Wanderer

Race: Human

PS: Nen (Proficiency Level: 3)

Hatsu: N/A

Perks:

Immortality (Lvl. MAX)

Zoldyck Genes (Lvl. MAX)

You possess an innate talent and potential for the art of assassination, hunting, and covert operations. This genetic gift allows you to learn and develop your skills at a rapid rate.

Hand to Hand Combat (Lvl. 3)

You are a skilled Hand-to-hand fighter, able to use your body as a weapon.

Vital Strike (Lvl. 1)

You now have the knowledge and skill to precisely target and shut down your opponent's pressure point.

Tolerance (Lvl. 1)

You're able to tolerate physical pain, poisons and mind attacks to a certain extent.

National Treasure:

Scarlet Eyes (Mastery Level: High-Beginner)

One of the 7 most beautiful colours in the world, the Scarlet Eyes of the Kurta hold immense power and potential. (Eyes will change to Scarlet only when an emotion is notable)

Arts:

N/A

Curse:

Zobae Disease

Haunted by Calamity.]

Everything looked the same as last time, only the Hand-to-Hand perk had increased by a level.

'Only when an emotion is notable? It increased a sub-level, so I'm assuming my efforts have paid off and I don't need to become an animal to activate it.'

As evidenced by a few hours ago against the man.

"Level 3," Isaac answered.

"Mine is level 4." As the man said this, Isaac couldn't help but doubt his words.

"That can't be. Not with the way you were effortlessly fighting me a few hours ago."

Isaac was assuming a car higher level. The gaps in levels were noticeable, however, the two of them were nowhere near close to the fighting ability to be only a 1-level difference.

The man didn't answer, only raised his hand and opened his palm.

"Haven't you noticed by now? The calluses? My main weapon isn't my Hand-to-Hand combat. It's…"

"A sword!"

Isaac yelped in surprise, seeing the man's calluses. He'd slowly started to grow the same types of calluses when using the bone sword back in the Dark Continent.

"Yes. But the difference between our Hand-to-Hand, other than the measly 1 level, is our mentality."

Isaac's ears perked.

"You're too reserved. You do the exact opposite of what is needed to survive.

Because you're somewhat fast, you've adapted to always reacting to your opponent."

"Your fighting style is lacking dominance, grit and balls. Normal humans have to worry about injuries and pain, but since you're a Zombie Boy, your healing and very obvious tolerance to pain will make you a feared combatant. A Hand-to-Hand Demon."

'He noticed my Tolerance perk?'

Thinking back, Isaac could see why. After every punch, he simply got up nonchalantly despite his injuries accumulated after the attack.

'Dominance?'

If he was being honest, he couldn't quite grasp it, and he was given no time to even try.

"Get up. We'll continue."

Taking a deep breath, Isaac hopped to his feet, getting into his stance, though still wary of the man's mysteriousness.

"Before we start, what's your name?" Isaac asked, however, he was quick to notice the silence as the man gazed into the deep and dark forest.

Following his line of sight, Isaac couldn't find or sense anything unusual.

"Hey."

"What?" The man turned back, snapping out of his trance.

"I asked what your name is."

"Wayne."

Isaac raised an eyebrow.

'Sounds a bit…fake. Like it's out of a comic book or something. But who am I to judge people's names.'

Isaac shrugged it off, as on the opposite side, Wayne couldn't help but ponder.

'He's near.'

Simultaneously, a screen appeared before Isaac.

[A thread has been woven.]

'What…? This again?"

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Next chapter title: Losing control [1]

Gimme...

Dem...

Powerstonesssss.

Oh, its lowercase. I meant...

POWERSTONESSSSSSSSSS!!!