GLITCH

Seen as a Threat

MAIDEN'S GLOSS CITY

December 2

11:24 pm

I parried his attack with just my hand. He looks surprised as I said the words, "…if you can". He followed it up with a spinning back kick but it ended the same with his first attack. He continued his strikes while I'm on defensive maneuvers.

It also seems that he tries to corrupt me too since every strike he used to assault me is imbued with his [Corruption] skill. That won't work on me though. He might've noticed it too since he stopped attacking and put some space between us.

"You seem to have some [Neutralization] skill or something similar to that. Only those can work against my [Corruption]. Heh. Brat, just who are you?"

"I don't have the reason to answer that. You'll know soon enough, probably."

Dert then unleashes his Full Moho Break.

"Let's see if you can beat me."

"Just shut up already."

"What the f—"

I changed my tactics and started dashing towards Dert. I ought to punch him in the face, but it's only a façade. He countered by throwing a punch aimed at my face. However, I grabbed his wrist and throw him away.

"Is that what you got?"

"Bah, you just threw me, lass. You may be fast, but there's no damage whatsoever—"

Before he could finish his statement, he fell into all fours, a perfect position for...let's say, like some pathetic trash.

"Wha-?"

"Heads up."

He immediately looks in my direction and puts some defense by putting both of his arms shielding him.

"Hah! Such lame attack won't hit me directly!"

•••

"Hah! Such lame attack won't hit me!"

I may have said that, but damn she's fast that I can't see her. Heck, I can't dodge at all. She's already in front of me in a split second—she's much faster than those light girls.

Her attack is simple actually. It's just some lame jab. However, as soon as I try to block it she immediately switched from a punch…to a gentle touch?

What the hell?

She then passed by. What the f**k? Is she ignoring me now!?

"How dare you neglect me?"

I ought to grab her and tear her heart and savor it. It's her punishment for neglecting me, the powerful Dert! However, as soon as I tried to move a muscle, I immediately felt that my body is heavy.

"I wouldn't move if I were you."

"Urk! M-my body is getting heavier...is this your doing?"

"Maybe so. I used a trick. That's all. As soon as you make a move, my trick shall take an effect."

What does she mean by 'trick'? It's not a skill!?

"This ain't a skill, lass?"

"Perhaps. Who cares anyway…? Oh yeah, you're not the real one right?"

"What?"

"So tell me mister clone—which is the real you located?"

"!? How did you…"

"How did I know about that? It's pretty simple—your soul isn't visible within you so that could only mean one thing: you're not the original."

"'Soul'…? What are you talking about?"

Is this girl has some kind of Mantle that enables her to see what others cannot?

Damn. This girl is a threat.

"Mmm. I bid farewell then. I don't need people like you lurking around here. I need to rescue Licht too."

"I wonder about that, lass. My [Corruption] already penetrated and amplified the Fallen Crystal she has. In a few moments--"

"I don't need your nonsense. That skill if ineffective against me. Goodbye."

She pointed at me and shot an odd purple-ish orb about the size of a marble. As it's about to contact my skin she snapped her fingers. The next thing that happened is far from what I've imagined. The orb dramatically expanded and swallowed my body, leaving my head behind.

As my consciousness fades, I took a look at that brat and I noticed some features that weren't there a moment ago.

Her silver eyes and black hair are glowing…

From her hair falls some kind of silver flakes…

Just what is this girl?

I could only conclude if I meet her face to face with my real body. For now, savor your victory child. However, I shall have the last laugh.

•••

I pummeled the clone to nothingness. To my miscalculation, the head remained. Man, it's so gross!

Hmm?

What technique is that? And when did I ever learn it?

It just crossed into my mind as I seek a way to finish off that noisy one.

Also, how come I'm so calm when I kill another person?

Is it due to my Mantle?

Maybe, but I have no time to leisurely connect the acquired dots of clues that weren't important in the first place. I just got to accept the changes. That's all there's to it.

My priority now is to save the queen.

She's on all fours, throbbing with pain. As I looked at her soul, she's in a state of 'contamination'. What I need to do is to 'disinfect' it.

The question is how am I supposed to do that?

While I'm racking my head back and forth I noticed a sudden movement.

"I wonder about that, lass. My [Corruption] already penetrated and amplified the Fallen Crystal she has…"

Just now I remembered what that clone told me earlier. Crap!

I evaded a vertical sword swing that's about to s***h my neck.

"That was close. I'm about to get decapitated—whoa there! H-hey, wait a bit Licht!"

Licht, who's now controlled, is slashing at me like there's no tomorrow. Oh, come on, another bout? Ah, that first one is hardly a fight at all. How should I restrain her?

She then used her [Light Maiden] skill and summoned six of them. What the…? I'm outnumbered! And I need to defeat them all? Talk about hell-mode.

"Miss Lux! We come to your aid!"

Ah, shoot!

"All of you stay back!"

"Huh?"

Licht quickly changed her trajectory and sprinted towards those men. Ah, she's about to cull one of them! I need to intercept her. But I'm busy dealing with these minions of hers.

Damn it!