Strongest Among the Heavens
Chapter 529: Hurl

Chapter 529: Hurl

Toss, hurl. Run. Run.

Get to the window.

The reason didn’t matter why it was so effective, why the Omen refused cut them down like he did the adults. All that did matter was these sacrifices were working. Only Jack’s experience—the countless deaths he had thrown into the Omen’s path—saved him.

Yet...

Every exchange was costing him. Every stool and every teenager and every full-grown adult. The Omen was catching up while Jack was only four feet from reaching the window and the end of the Heavenly Spell.

In total, six seconds had passed.

Clang!

No more teenagers. The window was right there and he did not have the space to do anything.

No, even with these bodies, the Omen was adapting. This meant nothing to him. With an anti-magic sword of that calibre, unlike with Sun-young, he might die almost instantly. Without darkness, without the terrain he usually bent to his will, Jack was losing inches with every clash.

The Omen flicked a hand, throwing a wine at Jack’s eyes. Jack tilted his head, dodging by millimeters, then blinking and moving his head again when a knife came next. The dual distractions were enough—

The black sword pierced through his side. Jack hissed, blood dripping in thick streams onto the ruined floor. He was correct in his judgement. This blade was the best of the best and all of a sudden, he lost control of his mana. The Omen stepped in for the kill, blade poised at Jack’s heart.

Schlick!

It got his lung.

He could no longer use mana. Time had resumed.

"Polish proverb," Jack whispered, panting. "Even a dog may bite, if it has teeth."

In a desperate surge, Jack slammed down on the wooden plank and propelled himself backward, ripping the blade from his own body with a gut-wrenching twist. The Omen grabbed his leg, about to yank him back in.

The Golden Rapier had only already changed modes. There was many modes: including and not exclusive to Normal Mode, Agility Mode, and in this case, Soul Mode where the rapier took on a life of its own and reacted.

The rapier chopped off Jack’s left feet. Eyes closed, all he could do was pray that he made it.

His prayer was met and the serial killer crashed through the bar’s shattered window, glass slicing his arms and legs, and plunged into the dark waters of Vindobona below.

The Omen steadily walked forward, peering out the broken window. Blood fell from the lobbed off foot held in his grasp.

Only the ripples of disturbed water met his gaze. Other than that, nothing. No leaking blood and no bubbles.

Jack was gone, vanished into the depths, into the shadows that the Heavenly Spell could not reach beneath the surface. The Omen stood there, black sword lowered, Heavenly Spell #88 dissipating behind.

He stared at the water for a long moment. He sniffed the air. Had this been ordinary water, he could have tracked Jack down. But not here. Not with this water. The Holy Water of Vindobona was much different than ordinary water. All traces of blood, from the scent to the colour, dissipated.

"When was the last time I failed to kill a target? A very long time indeed." He cleaned his black blade with his white gloves.

The lights in the bar flickered—and died. The Omen disappeared before anyone or anything could get a good look at him.

Time resumed. Ten men dead and seven youths injured and concussed. Tomorrow, the Doge would officially pronounce this as a great tragedy and Templar presence would increase.

...

...

...

"Gah!"

Jack the Ripper gasped for air. This was one of the Seven Major Cities, a haven for Christians. Jack travelled from the Underground to here after learning of a deep change in his old friend Old Rocco. The Omen not only infiltrated the great city of Vindobona but tracked him down and nearly killed him.

"He knew exactly what he was doing. He knew I wielded the darkness. He prepared in advance."

Jack clutched at his many wounds. More of them had crept as he swam. He didn’t dare to climb out. He instead waited for a gondola and slipped inside without the notice of the rower. Jack was bleeding badly, from his foot and from his lung and even his hips. His mana was out of control too.

That black blade...it was anti-magic of the highest calibre. There was nothing in the world that it could not slice, Jack suspected. Jack’s golden rapier was a rare sword that was capable of repelling it due to its unique properties. Because of his current state, he was unable to wield it to its fullest potential.

"Jack the Ripper..."

Jack’s eyes widened under his mask. The rower of the boat...! He conjured up a small Territory around them!

"Do not be worried. I am the Wizard King."

"The Wizard King...?"

"I have saved your life from that mercenary," the Wizard King said while casually rowing. "A funny coincidence, really. I was searching for a powerful ally, I did not, however, think I would meet you."

"You’re powerful."

"That I am."

"You created a Territory under the Lord’s eyes."

"I did."

"Who are you?"

"Who are you, might I ask? Are you an honourable man? Do you honour those that have saved your life?"

If not, then die here.

That was what this Wizard King was saying. Those were his current circumstances. Do or die.

"I do what must be done."

"So will you listen to my proposition?"

"I...am listening."

Jack wasn’t in any position to negotiate on his own terms. Not at all. A missing foot, a punctured lung, and out of control mana...even if he could limp away and escape, the blood loss would be too much. He needed aid. He needed this Wizard King.

"A man by the name of Igor appeared at my doorsteps, claiming that he had found the Great Sin." The Wizard King stopped rowing. "The appearance of him means that we must get ready. The world must be ready. But first, I must be ready. Will you help me?"

"Asking me while knowing what I am?"

"Desperate times call for desperate measures."

"The Great Sin..." Jack laughed. "Desperate times indeed."

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