III

JACK

Have you ever felt so weak and powerless towards someone you really treasure, knowing that he has no recollections on you?

Do you know how much pain your heart will endure?

Or....

Do you even know how risky and dangerous it is?

.

"Jack! It's your first match of the day, huh, my friend."

Hastur. He was now standing in front of me with his cup of coffee, the top of his cloak moving left and right in motion of the breezy day.

"Yeah...." I let out a huge breath as I closed my eyes and looked upwards, letting the cold morning make its presence to my bones, enjoying every bits of it.

"The coach has to play his own game."

"The coach has to play his own game! As expected of Jack the Ripper and his way with words! Say, Jack, where will it take place again?"

I let out a small sigh. Ever since he made it to the manor, he has always been the one who never stops talking.

Guess I did the wrong move of making him the second official of Oletus in the first place, for it makes him talkative even more.

But regardless, an answer is what he needs.

"Arms Factory." I said, still not changing my tone.

"And I have sent the participant names to the other side as well yesterday. Really do hope they can prepare themselves."

Hastur nodded, then remained quiet as if he had read the expression on my face.

I stayed silent, despite the ravaging thoughts going in my head.

If only he knew why I picked his name.

"Wow. It seems like you picked the new guy too, eh? Have you looked at his skills and understood them?"

My gaze switched to him, this time giving him the big-eye.

"I'll go prepare myself. The match is in an hour, and too much talk now won't put me at ease. See ya later." I said as I walked back to my room.

***

"I don't get why would people pick on someone like you. You're friendly and unique. Besides, what's wrong with having physical features like you? If I were to have your height, I would appoint myself as the king of heights!"

The brown-haired man smiled as Jack had his whole attention on him.

"Hey, cool guy!" He said again, much to Jack's surprise despite them having all the silence occupied.

"Chins up, and let me have a pic with you!"

Tears streamed down my face as I rubbed my thumb on the picture where Naib's face is.

I found you, Naib. I have finally found you.

But... why...?

Huge sobs escaped my lips, my mind going into a full recall of everything I had with Naib back then.

All the tears. Laughter. The talks.

If only I had saved him in time.

The scene was still clear in my eyes. The blood. The look on everyone's faces.

His unconscious body.

How.... how could I be so....

....Weak?

A slight knock on the door snapped me off my thoughts, followed by a single tear on my palm.

"Jack? You there, bud?"

I said nothing, for I was sobbing at the moment.

"Um... the survivors are ready and that they are waiting for you...."

I looked at the clock on my wall, only to jolt forward in shock as reaction.

"Okay, in a minute!" I responded, holding back the tears and sobs that are about to drop.

                               ***

Arms Factory. Just like how I had set the location at. And in my opinion this is also one of my favorite, for I can easily find survivors here.

I closed my eyes for a brief moment, letting the fact that Naib is here in this match and that he does not remember who I am, let alone every of the fun stuff we had spent lots of time on.

I held out what had once been my left hand. Instead of normal human fingers it is now claws. Claws that extend all the way past the length of an average human hand.

All for his sake that I had underwent all kinds of training and torment.

A smile on his face and recalling is what I am seeking for.

This is all for you, Naib.

"The hunter's heading for me! You guys get out!" Said a voice which belongs to Eli Clark the Seer.

I could see the other three scattering to random areas as I made my first attack on the Seer, in which it hit, causing the latter to fall on his front.

Go. Don't hold back.

I took a huge breath as an attempt to regain my composure. That is what I learned from all those training I did for this handlike claw.

You are a hunter. Hunters don't hold back.

That was when I felt myself dissipating into thin air, a skill I never realized I have.

Invisibility.

By now a deep layer of fog had encased me, the chilly sensation carving its way into me. My claw hand.

Let all the blades out.

I had my gaze on the Seer before me. He was running with his hands clutching his back. I even noticed the blood trails he had left. My hand must have planted a nasty injury on him.

I kinda feel bad, but at the same time there is no way I am gonna hold back.

I had a feeling that I am gonna ace this match without any thoughts coming its way to ruin me as I got Eli strapped to the nearest chair, the Seer letting out yells in the process as the chains came into contact with his injury.

Boy, I was wrong.

I had seen Aesop the new guy and was about to come after him when I saw him coming for the rescue.

Yes. Him.

His very figure is still the same as the last time I saw him, even when he was connected to tubes and bandages back then, only with the fact that he now had his head covered by a green hood.

The look on his eyes is still the exact same.

My current invisible state must have let him into a state of confusion now that his hands are shaking as he untied the straps.

I know that I should have went for the Seer, now that he is protecting himself with his owl, but I decided to go for him.

Anxiety and rage emanated inside me at the same time. On one hand I have successfully found two survivors and none of those ciphers are done, but on the other hand,

It is him I'm going after.

I choked a sob as I got into my attacking stance, knowing that fog blades will come out of my hand.

I'm sorry, Naib.

The blade had hit him fair and square, causing him to lose his focus and thus running into a wall.

I bit my lip as tears welled up in my eyes. If it wasn't for the mask then it would have been a different story.

The sound of a cipher being finished was then heard, resulting in a slight uneasiness building inside me. However, my focus was on Naib and only him.

He was still struggling to keep himself safe, despite the toll straining his body.

Closing my eyes and letting out a few sobs, I let out a charged attack, incapacitating him in the process.

I then walked up to him as he lied down on his front, his both hands holding on his head with thin lines of blood seeping through.

No.

Carrying him to a rocket chair, I can't help but mutter lots of sorries, with every word being more harsh than the last.

That was when the slight breeze and rain lifted the Mercenary's hood, revealing his head, and never would I expect that it would shut me down instantly.

Right there, before my eyes on Naib's head, is the result of my own very mistake.