novelraw Chapter 156 : Chapter 156
Chapter 156 : Chapter 156
Chapter 156. Jack Reed (2)
After finishing her conversation with Evan, Jaina returned to the high-class inn that served as both a business site and a temporary residence for the Vaberin Family.
—Step, step.
The inn, still recovering from the war’s aftermath and not yet reopened, was perfect for Jaina to stay in alone.
She headed straight to the backyard to resume her interrupted training, picking up her sword.
“…”
But she didn’t immediately start training.
She had sensed someone following her since the plaza.
Initially, she planned to observe and ignore it, but now that they had followed her this far, she could no longer tolerate it.
Let’s see how far they’ll go. To think they’d follow me all the way here… They’ve got some nerve, targeting me.
If she was going to deal with them, this quiet place would make it much easier.
Whoever’s following me better be prepared.
With that, Jaina acted swiftly, drawing her sword with a sharp sound and turning around.
“Who are you? Why are you following me?”
From the shadows, a hooded figure slowly emerged.
But they showed no intention of removing the hood or revealing their identity.
“I’ll give you one last chance. Show your face and state who you are.”
“…”
“Fool!”
Jaina was not one to show mercy.
If her warning was ignored, she wouldn’t hesitate to swing her sword.
—Dash!
—Tch!
But as if anticipating her reaction, the figure moved half a beat faster, closing in on her.
Instead of retreating, they advanced.
Not dodging? This guy… is pretty good.
Before Jaina’s sword could reach its full power, the figure slipped into her blind spot and threw a punch.
—Whoosh!
Jaina halted her swing and quickly stepped back.
This punch…
The heavy pressure and familiar movement made her frown with suspicion.
“Jack… Is that you?”
“…”
Only then did the hooded figure slowly reveal their face.
As Jaina suspected, it was Jack.
“What are you doing right now?”
“I’m trying to prove myself.”
His abrupt statement made Jaina scowl.
“What? Prove? What are you talking about? Why are you following and attacking me?”
“You attacked first, my lady.”
“Sure, but… Are you playing word games with me? Anyone would attack if someone followed them looking that suspicious!”
Jaina snapped in irritation, but her sword tip was already lowered.
Knowing it was Jack, there was no reason to keep fighting.
However, Jack thought differently.
“Raise your sword. I came here to fight you from the start.”
Jack assumed a stance.
“What nonsense have you been spouting? Proving yourself? Did someone order you? Was it Evan?”
“No. This is solely to test my own strength. You can cut me down if you want—just fight me with everything you’ve got!”
Before finishing his words, Jack charged forward.
His fierce momentum made Jaina realize he wasn’t joking.
“You’re insane! I’ll show you the price of throwing a punch at me!”
“Yes! That’s what I want! Give it your all, my lady!”
As Jack’s fighting spirit blazed, Jaina raised her own intensity to match.
However, she didn’t imbue her blade with Aura.
The risk of actually cutting Jack was too great.
Why is he doing this? Did Evan refuse to take him as an attendant?
Unaware of the situation between Evan and Jack, Jaina was bewildered.
But in this moment, it was clear Jack was genuinely trying to defeat her.
Whatever his reasons, Jack is serious. If I hold back, I’ll be the one going down.
Jack and Jaina.
They had trained together in the Executor program for a long time, knowing each other’s movements, habits, and even the smallest quirks inside out.
Having sparred countless times outside of training, they were intimately familiar with each other’s weaknesses and openings.
Even now, Jaina spotted a flaw in Jack’s stance—
a gap she would normally exploit immediately.
But she hesitated.
Jack knows I’m aware of that opening. Should I really go for it? Could it be a trap?
Since they knew each other’s moves so well, Jack’s exposed flaw might be bait to lure her attack.
But not attacking would be equally foolish.
What am I afraid of? Trust myself. Trust the results of my training!
Jaina resolved to trust her swordsmanship.
In an instant, her Qi compressed around her blade, erupting outward.
—Swoosh!
Though not a direct Aura Blade, the compressed wind she unleashed surged toward Jack’s side with destructive force.
At the same time, a smile spread across Jack’s face, as if he had been waiting for this moment.
—Boom!!!
Jack countered the wind-infused strike with a single punch.
The clash canceled out the attack, sending a shockwave exploding outward.
It wasn’t a sharp sword strike, yet he blocked it with his bare fist?
Before Jaina could marvel at Jack’s boldness and skill, he charged through the dust cloud kicked up by the impact.
—Whoosh!
In a blink, Jack’s fist aimed an uppercut at Jaina’s jaw.
Instinctively, she tilted her sword to block it like a shield.
“Ugh!”
The intense impact shook her arm, nearly lifting her off the ground.
Now she understood clearly.
Jack wasn’t just threatening—he was truly intent on defeating her.
Realizing this, Jaina’s eyes blazed with fighting spirit.
“You… I’ll make you regret this!”
Pushed back, Jaina gripped her sword tighter, aiming its tip precisely at Jack’s chest.
No more holding back.
A ferocious whirlwind began spiraling from her sword’s tip.
—Rooaar!!!
Beyond merely swinging with rotation, the violent gusts from her sword erupted unpredictably, filling the space with chaotic, powerful slashes.
“Urgh!”
Jack was instantly trapped in the storm.
His shirt tore, blood seeped out, and the pain of his skin tearing made it hard to move.
But Jack clenched his fist and gritted his teeth.
I can’t get close like this…!
Devising a counter, Jack slammed his fist into the ground.
—Boom!!!
The ground shook as if crying out, with earth rising and twisting.
The shock disrupted Jaina’s wind flow, and seizing the brief opening, Jack launched forward.
“Haa!”
But Jaina, as if waiting for this, leaped upward without hesitation.
It seemed they would clash head-on in midair.
Jack, anticipating her sword strike, prepared to counter with his fist.
But Jaina’s attack was unexpected.
She thrust her sword forward in a stance she had never shown before.
What? That’s not her usual swordsmanship!
Caught off guard, Jack raised his arm to block, but it was too late.
Jaina’s sword pierced deeply into his arm.
—Slash!
Blood sprayed like a fountain as Jack crashed to the ground.
By the time he regained his senses, Jaina’s sword was at his throat.
“It’s over. Stop, Jack.”
Feeling the chilling aura of her sword, Jack lost his will to fight and asked.
“That technique… What was it? It wasn’t your usual swordsmanship.”
“In a fight, there’s no ‘yours’ or ‘mine.’ You use whatever it takes to win. More importantly, are you okay? You’re bleeding a lot…”
Jaina’s voice carried genuine concern.
But Jack, ignoring her worry, tore his shirt to quickly stop the bleeding.
“I’m fine.”
Jaina sheathed her sword and examined his arm.
Though she had wounded him to subdue him, her reaction was due to it being Jack.
“What do you mean fine? You need treatment!”
“No. I’ll handle it myself.”
Jack’s voice was cold and firm.
He didn’t need pity right now.
“More importantly, don’t tell anyone about this. Please.”
“Jack! Why are you doing this? Is it because of Evan? Did someone threaten you?”
“…It’s just my own inferiority complex. I’m truly sorry, my lady.”
As Jack disappeared into the darkness, blood dripping, Jaina’s heart was filled with frustration and confusion.
“Sigh… What’s wrong with that guy?”
Recalling his request to keep it secret from everyone, including Evan, Jaina could only suppress her frustration.
***
Jack planned to challenge Evan’s chosen attendants, including Jaina.
But having lost to Jaina, whom he thought was the easiest, the outcome against the others was obvious.
Thus, Jack sat in a secluded corner of the plaza, head bowed, forgetting even his pain.
I’m really weak. That’s why the Young Master didn’t take me.
Once, Evan had said Jack had the greatest talent.
But as time passed in the Executor program, that talent seemed insignificant compared to the monsters.
The Young Master, the Dean, even that Bakan, and the tribal chief we faced—I’ll never reach their level.
At some point, Jack had felt his growth stagnate.
Having witnessed countless powerful beings during the recent war with the Kandahr, he could only despair at his limits.
How can I become like them?
As Jack sank into deep despair, someone approached.
It was Chief Instructor Everhart Mylon.
“Jack? Is that you?”
Hearing the familiar voice, Jack looked up.
Everhart, bandaged from head to arm, stood before him.
“Chief Instructor? Are you okay to be out?”
“I was restless. But what are you doing here, moping alone?”
This chance encounter would become a turning point in Jack’s life, second only to meeting Evan.