Chapter 116 - Precious Arch Nemesis

Hanon and Mike were finally determined as they hope to just land one hit onto their 'master's' face. However, before they could even get to the person himself, Nick stood in their way.

"Nick? You do know that if you acted because Teren asked you to, he's still violating the contract, right? Do you want to kill him?"

Hanon said, actually hoping that it was Nick's intention, to kill Teren using his own fists. But to their disappointment, he shook his head.

"Earlier, Teren said this might happen. So... the 'past him' before the contract took effect is ordering me."

He no longer continued to explain since it was obvious what happened.

"Then... couldn't you just step aside?" Mike said, "Or are you saying that you're on that monster's side?"

"I... I'm somehow on his side but I'm doing this for your own good."

"Why?" Mike asked while he and Hanon looked at each other.

"Boss Hark also said that I can let you do what you want for now since no matter what you do, he's confident you can't even give him a scratch."

"That's true..." Hanon whispered but that was not the only point. They just want to 'fight' to release some frustration and share the pain others have suffered.

"Actually, he only wants me to act once you're strong enough to actually affect anything. However, this is my choice since the 'present' Boss Hark can't have a part of harming any of you or he would be injured."

"Then... why?" Eline muttered as she glared at Nick.

"It's because, he mentioned, the headache that you will experience will not harm you physically but instead, it will be so painful that you wouldn't have the guts to experience that again. So if you experienced that headache early on, it will benefit him. Not only will you not be able to do anything to him, but you will also be mentally scarred, forbidding you to rebel against him in the future."

Nick explained everything. If what he said was true, then what he's doing right now is definitely helping them.

But, once again, that wasn't the point.

"Sorry, Nick, I understand your reasoning but I just want to at least try to get back to him. If I don't, I feel like not a man at all." Mike said.

"As for me, I'd like to show him that even with these restrictions and the binding contract, I will not remove the thoughts of rebelling." Hanon followed.

"What? Wouldn't that just make your chances of revenge lower?" Nick doesn't understand the true feelings of these two.

Indeed, behind their reasoning, they just want to feel the pain to sympathize with the others. As men, they couldn't just be the ones who don't have the burden of pain.

"Sir Hanon, does Nick have a super ability of some sort?"

Mike asked which Hanon looked at his vision. Since he knew Nick a bit well, his vision extends a bit further.

"I know that he doesn't have one, a Spirit, before but it seemed that he has none as well, basing on what I'm seeing."

Mike nodded and said, "Then let me try him! I'm the athlete here, Sir Hanon. If you can really see a bit into the future, please just support me!"

While Hanon nodded, Mike rushed and that was when Hanon saw a different future.

"Ah, wait-!"

Thud*

"... eh?"

Mike, who was charging towards Nick with his abled body early, was now looking at the moon in the dark sky while he laid on the ground. The pain in his back told him what just happened.

"Sorry, Sir Hanon, but Teren gave me a Spirit just the other night."

"Yes, from what I could see."

Hanon frowned. Earlier, he saw the future fighting Nick. It was normal, fist to fist so he thought there was nothing wrong. When he decided to let Mike fight first before him, his vision changed into a scene he saw just now.

It seemed like Hanon thought that Nick didn't have a Spirit because in his vision, they were toe on toe even though Nick was already using his Spirit. But when he saw how Nick easily threw Mike, he realized that he's wrong.

"Spirit of Fighting?"

Hanon asked.

"Is that what it's called? I just felt that my coordination, reaction time, and skill execution is much better than before. It's like I suddenly I gained the knack for martial arts which I lack before. And together with the knowledge of martial skills, I might not only be just five times stronger than before."

Nick posed in a fighting stance.

"MMA, huh... this is going to be hard."

However, Hanon stepped forward even though Nick explained his strength.

"Wait, Sir Hanon, I think you shouldn't fight him!"

Mike worriedly said since he knew just how strong Nick was now. Along with the others, they tried to persuade Hanon to stop, thinking that he was just walking into defeat.

Hanon didn't listen to them and just like that, he entered Nick's coverage. 

Nick was the first to move, thinking he should finish this quickly.

Thud*

"... eh?"

But at the next moment, to everyone's surprise, Nick laid on the ground just like what happened to Mike earlier.

Hanon pushed his glasses up and cooly said.

"Don't forget that I'm a veteran, Nick."

"... oh..." everyone else muttered before erupting into a cheer, "Ohhh!!"

"Eh? What!? Sir Hanon is this strong!?"

"S-so cool!"

Mike scratched his head in shame for remembering what he said to Hanon earlier.

But the fight was still not over. 

Nick easily got up from his state and posed in a fighting stance again. But now, there was a small smile on his face.

"That's my fault for underestimating you, Sir Hanon. I forgot that you had the guts to fight Uncle Jo back then. Let me try again!"

Instead of receiving a backlash, others felt admiration to Nick since his intentions were actually good.

"Then, let's turn serious."

Hanon said and they fought again. Nick was barely keeping up with Hanon. Yet, he adapts to the fight, getting stronger and stronger as time passes. After all, the first fight he had using his new Spirit was his big brother who didn't put up much of a fight. This time, someone who can go against him was sharpening him.

Yet, no matter how much he adapts, Hanon was able to counter him using his experience and Spirit of Vision.

LIvely cheers began to take form as the fight got exciting, feeling as though they're watching an action movie. This is a chance to forgot what they just experienced since they've already reconciled with each other. Smiles were returning to their faces even after what just happened...

"They look like they're having fun... but heh... me joining them would just ruin the fun."

Teren peeked through the opening of his tent before laying down onto the bed.

[You're disgusting.]

How many times did I hear that already?

I'm not fit to be a human. That's why they call me a devil or a demon...

It's not their fault, I can't blame them. I do have choices but because I don't feel guilt from it, I do what I think is best for me - acts that others cannot imagine.

I'm selfish and have lost my sense of compassion. That's why I hope I'm just a psychopath. At the very least, it's because I'm mad but still, human.

Yet, my actions are still unredeemable so to have the face to show emotions after all that then... what Catherine said is right, I am truly disgusting.

But even though I'm this kind of person. Even though I already showed this ugly side to her...

Teren sat up and turned to look at one side. There, he could see the shadow from the bonfire, forming a girl who was sitting next the tent.

Even though there is something in between, they felt the closest to each other. His expression turned mild and his mood became better.

...

So if anything happens to her, I don't think I can stay indifferent.

No matter how she hurts me in the future or looks at me with eyes of hatred, I'll protect her.