Aeron's Rage

Hearing Aeron's villainous speech, Clone Hans rubbed his nose. His eyebrows scrunched together as he tried to comprehend what he had just heard.

'But I'm a clone. How is he supposed to do that?'

Once he died, he'd just poofed away and disappeared.

As if sensing his confusion, Aeron trudged toward him.

In Aeron's hand, he held a silver scepter with a skull carved on its top end. He also wore a dark robe that seemed to be enchanted due to the rune marking inlaid on its fabric.

Clone Hans wasn't frightened. Even then, slowly, he backed away in alertness.

Although he's stronger than an ordinary human, he's still not the main body. His individual stats from strength all the way to mana was only more than 40.

In approximate, that's only 10 percent of the main body's more than 400 stat points for each attribute.

Indeed, he could activate skills but after that, he won't have enough mana to cast another one.

This is also the flaw of the clone. It's only good for diversion or bait but weak in combat; just one powerful combo and he's down.

"Hehehe~, of course, that won't happen. You are a clone after all. You'll die before I even make use of you." Aeron's rough voice echoed.

Clone Hans narrowed his eyes and focused on the changes happening in front of him.

Aeron's body glowed black. The mana in the air rapidly gathered around his staff before transferring to his muscles.

The atmosphere felt dreary and Clone Hans could feel the mana stored inside his core was gradually being sucked out.

'What's happening?' Clone Hans thought.

Aeron was indeed a powerful individual. Clone Hans was aware of that. However, he couldn't help but scratch his head. His pupils observed Aeron's movements once again and he vaguely realized what was happening.

His face frowned.

'This guy…'

This frail guy seemed to be going all out on him!

This is beyond his expectations.

Never in his wildest dreams, he would see someone going all out on a clone.

In comparison, it's like an S-class Awakened going all out on a slime!

Gulp—

Clone Hans swallowed the lump in his throat as he retreated towards the place where there were only a small number of houses.

The area around was full of houses and this is the only thing he could do to reduce the casualties once Aeron bombarded him with skills.

However, people will still die. Even then, no matter how much he wanted to not get them involved, he's just after all. This little amount of power he has wouldn't be able to do anything.

"Hehehe~, look at you! Running like a dog with his tail down! Hahaha, I bet you're surprised that I'm strong right!" Aeron said as he grinned in his direction.

Clone Hans smiled wryly and answered, "Yes, I'm truly surprised."

At that moment, Aeron frowned.

For some reason, he was troubled by the fact that the clone's answer seemed forced. His father is a merchant and he was taught how to negotiate or blackmail their customers.

Even so, Aeron just sneered and ignored it.

Why does it matter?

Even if he knew, it's not like he could resist him right?

His only purpose is to get the book from the clone's hand. Once he gets it, the thought of revenge on the real Hans might not even surface in his mind.

As for the outcome of this battle, it was already decided.

He won and Hans lost.

"But before I get the book from you, I want your real body to taste fear from my hands!"

At that moment, Aeron conjured a magic circle from his palm and activated a magic spell.

Reddish black mana was rapidly absorbed by the magic circle like a never-ending black hole.

Clone Hans stopped his pace and grasped the storage bag containing the book tightly in his palms. His gaze wandered around the vicinity and after determining there was no escape, a wry smile formed on his lips.

The frail guy is already casting a spell. Just from the sheer amount of mana put into it, the area of effect will surely be enormous.

He just hoped that the people around him might survive or maybe someone could at least save these poor souls.

'Man, if the real body was here. This could have ended easily.'

Clone Hans sighed. The tension on his body began to loosen as he accepted his timely death.

Aeron already completed the final step of his magic circle and it was already aimed at his head.

"Is this your strongest spell?" Clone Hans asked grimly.

Hearing Clone Hans' question, Aeron cocked his head to the side slightly and a vile smirk formed on his lips.

"Yes!!! Are you scared!? This is my [Curse of Hundred Ghost]! Once it hits you, even your true body won't be spared!! Hahahaha!"

At that moment, Clone Hans grimaced.

However, in his head, he was already laughing his ass off.

'...and here I am expecting a large-scale magic spell.'

Even then, Clone Hans maintained his grim face to not alert Aeron. Although it's a curse, there's no telling if it's only a single target spell or multiple ones.

'Just hope Hans can deal with this. I'm also kind of tired of being a bait sometimes.'

But what can he do? It's not like he could resist his orders.

Hopefully, the real body could punish this frail guy 'cause, to be honest, he really irked the shit out of him.

"Die!!!!"

Aeron unleashed the spell.

Wooosh—!

A dark reddish beam fired in Clone Hans' direction. Clone Hans didn't evade and let the spell hit his body.

Shu—!

It shot through his chest and rapidly corrupted his skin. His bodily system malfunctioned and his blood was poisoned.

Even as a clone, he could feel the agonizing pain coursing inside his body.

"Argghh…"

Clone Hans groaned. Purple bruises appeared as a venom entered his bodily system pathways.

As he grits his teeth and endured the pain, he felt blazing hot inside.

His throat tightened.

His face darkened.

Thick green veins on his body rapidly popped out.

The finger in his toes curled and in the end, his body eventually couldn't handle the stress.

Clone Hans fell to the ground.

Thud—

His muscles quivered as he tried to move. His teeth were unconsciously locking together as his consciousness began to fade away.

As for what will happen next, of course, he knows and clone Hans really wanted to see what his reaction would be.

Unfortunately, he's not there to witness it.

Poof—!

Clone Hans finally popped off in a cloud of smoke.

......….

"Heh~, what a clown."

Aeron scowled after seeing the clone popped away in existence. A storage bag fell to where it vanished and Aeron's face immediately brightened.

Withdrawing his mana, he walked towards it and picked the storage bag to his palms.

After a long night of waiting for the right opportunity, the book finally fell in his hand.

Thinking about Hans' reaction, Aeron reflexively chuckled.

"Hehehe~, it's his fault too. Why would you even entrust a valuable item to a clone?"

Even a fool wouldn't think like that knowing that someone is eyeing his possession.

That guy called him stupid earlier but in reality, Hans was the stupid one.

Aeron excitedly opened the storage bag, expecting the book to be inside it.

Only…

"Huh?"

It was empty. Rubbing his eyes, he searched again.

However, the result was still the same.

Aeron frowned. He widely opened the storage bag once again and scanned the area inside it.

"Why is it empty!!!?"

His face gradually crumbled. Aeron's heartbeat raced and his breathing started to become unstable.

After restlessly rummaging inside the storage bag, Aeron had enough. With his face flushing in rage, he slammed the storage bag to the ground.

Slam—

Then, it was followed by a wrathful scream.

"DAMN YOU!!!!!"

.......

"Huh?"

Hans suddenly felt shards of memories arriving in his head. Subconsciously, he grasped the handle of his swords in case Sariah attacked him while he processed the unfamiliar yet familiar memories inside his mind.

He felt lightheaded in the process. Eventually, after a few seconds, his expression immediately turned calm.

'That curse is powerful.'

Sariah noticed the abrupt change in Hans' face.

"What happened?"

Hans turned his head and shook his head, "Nothing, just…he died… one of my…"

At that moment, before he could even finish his speech, Sariah hurriedly interrupted.

"I'm sorry, I didn't know. I shouldn't have asked."

"Hahaha, no, what I mean is my clone died." Hans chuckled.

"O-oh."

Embarrassed, Sariah's cheeks reddened. She lowered her head, avoiding eye contact with Hans.

Due to the misunderstanding, the room was enveloped by silence. The silence only turned to awkwardness as she secretly raised her head but was met with Hans' playful gaze.

"Hahahahaha!"

"Why are you laughing?" Sariah asked, trying not to laugh as well.

"Haha, I just think you really look prettier when you're embarrassed." Hans answered as a smile formed on his lips.

[He's starting to believe…]

At that moment, Sariah puckered her lips to prevent herself from smiling at the compliment. However, she couldn't hide herself blushing from Hans' eyes.

She hadn't received a sincere compliment since the day that she became a Demon General. As a spy, of course, he had heard compliments coming from others but those either had lust or bad intentions in them.

Hearing it again, and coming from a stranger at that, her heart softened. A sincere smile appeared on her lips as she stared at Hans.

"Thank you."

"You seemed happy."

Seeing Hans's radiant smile, Sariah didn't want to melt again. Hence, to stop that from happening, she hurriedly deviated from the topic.

"W-well, anyways, that's the whole story of the crown prince. I hope it enlightened you."

Hans' smile vanished and the seriousness in his eyes returned once again.

"Is that it?" Hans asked. Too many questions are still left unanswered.

"Mm, as far as I know, that's the whole story." Sariah replied.

Hans nodded. In all actuality, the information Sariah gave was already a valuable one that could potentially win them the battle or lose it depending on the situation.

However, as he previously said, too many questions remained a mystery to him.

Even then, there's no point in pondering about it since the other empire couldn't answer these questions as well.

But this revelation certainly brought his plans to disarray. Now, he needed to start planning from scratch again.

However, he doesn't know where to start.

[Why don't you rest first? You can just think about it tomorrow.]

Hearing Plundy's concerns, Hans smiled.

'You're right.'

Perhaps, he's just mentally exhausted, that's why he can't think of anything good.

'Time to go back.'

In the end, after exchanging a few words with Sariah, he eventually said his goodbyes and hurriedly rushed back to the inn.

But first, he'll have to meet someone.

......….

The night grew deeper.

As an agreed location, two shadows swiftly appeared in an already closed shop. They both wore brown robes to prevent others from being startled.

Due to the time, the streets weren't as bustling as the day. Occasional snow winds whirled around them as the two shadows sat on a bench.

Then, as they lifted their hoods, the moonlight streamed at both of their faces, revealing their glorious features enough to make anyone turn their heads.

It was Hans and the other one was a clone of him.

"Nice job." Hans praised.

The clone smiled.

"It's weird getting complimented by yourself, nonetheless, thanks."

"So where's the book?" Hans immediately asked straightforwardly. He didn't want to delay too much time.

The clone rummaged through his pocket before he pulled out a storage bag and handed it to Hans.

"Here."

Hans received it with enthusiasm and as he opened it, a book entered his sight. The light on his eyes brightened.

'Good.'

Hans quickly holstered the storage bag in his hips. He raised his hand and signaled the clone, which the clone immediately understood.

Its task was completed.

"Bye, boss."

Thus, under Hans' order…

Poof—!

…the clone disappeared in a cloud of smoke.

[It really did work.]

'Told ya.' Hans smirked. Aeron must have been boiling in rage now.

The reason why Aeron hadn't found a book inside his clone's storage bag…

…is because the one he killed was the wrong clone.

[Sometimes, I'm scared of being calculated by you, Hans.]