CHAPTER 27

Mood Is Just Like A Pee, It Changes According To Your Situation!

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◆Land Of Demons: First Borderline◆

Few hours earlier---

At the west side of 'Land Of Demons', right outside the first border.

A humanoid figure was gazing upon the blue skies.

「...」

And this figure was; Num's clone.

Before ever entering the battlefield; Num had made two clones of himself by his hair.

One clone was sent to the battlefield to fight. While the other one was instructed to look out through the whole battlefield for any unusual activity.

But the clone didn't see anything unusual to report. Expect for Sub that is, who is unusual to begin with...

And to top it off, Num's clone already knew that reporting this is just pointless as his real self already knew about this.

'Cause he just received his new instruction.

And the instruction was; to find Kitsune, who seems to be missing. So, Num had told his only remaining clone to find her whereabouts.

「*Sigh* Do I really have to...」< Num >

Num's clone mutters to himself, as he didn't seem all too excited about this.

Perhaps, it was because he shares the same memories with his real-self that he knew, it'll be near impossible to find her on his own.

「Well, whatever.」

But nonetheless; Num's clone had to do so, as he also knew why his real-self had given him this specific objective.

*Kaboom*

「Hm?」

Just when the clone was about to take a step forward, he suddenly heard loud explosion coming from the front of the borderline.

「Heh~ Just as planned, huh~~」< Num >

To which, Num's clone smirk at this, as he soon jump towards the huge wall in front of him.

「...」

Suddenly---in midway of his jump, his whole body transforms into a moth.

All while, everybody from the Demons side was keenly focusing on the fight between Sub and Tom.

So, Num's clone took this opportunity to infiltrate Demon Lord Ruiyuko's territory from the other side.

「!? This barrier...」

However, the barrier protecting the territory was a lot tougher than he had expected.

(Ugh...I really have no choice......) < Num >

In just a split second, while maintaining his moth's form; he already finished off his comminution with his real-self about this matter.

And as the clone expected, his real-self starts to share a little more mana to him.

(Now, this will do~) < Num >

As mana was starting to flow through his whole body, he keenly focuses ahead of this magic barrier for a opening.

(Come on, come on--! Found it!!) < Num >

In just blink of an eye, Num's clone suddenly disappears from the sight, without a trace...

◆◆◆

At the front of the borderline.

*Swoosh* *Swoosh*

Sub and Tom were running around here and there, as the sound barrier itself would break apart every time they move around, leaving a heavy gusts of winds and dust behind.

「...」

And as the battle continues-on, Tom was having more trouble than before just to go offensive.

(Tch...his attacks are getting more stronger......) < Tom >

So, Tom runs around as to tire him out.

「!?」

But to his dismay; Sub was already front of him, pointing a short black bow at him, as the small flame starts to gather around the bow from nothing.

「I don't wanna brag but---I can run faster than speed of light, y'know. So, it's pointless.」< Sub >

With a bland voice, Sub shots a single flame arrow towards Tom from point blank.

「...」

In just split second, Tom produces a small red crystal from his right hand and throws it at the arrow, which was just inches away from hitting him.

*Kaboom*

The next instance, a massive explosion took place. Creating a huge smokescreen, while throwing out Tom along with soundwaves.

「..Ugh...」

Upon closer look, Tom was bleeding from the injuries he just gotten from those explosion. For now, his wounds weren't fatal.

And when Tom landed away from the smokescreen, he quickly looks back at the smoke.

「*Sigh* You really are stubborn. You know that?」< Tom >

And just as he expected, Sub soon walks outside the smoke, unharmed.

「I know, right?」

But this time; Sub was holding a pitch-black dagger with his left-hand, as he puts his mask aside his head, revealing his bland expression.

「...」

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Seeing Sub's uninterested expression, made Tom to twitch his eyes in frustration.

「Say, Tomoki-san. How about we settle this through close combat?」< Sub >

Sub said with bland voice as he slowly walks up to him.

「Sure. That's my style anyway. But before that, I'd like to ask you another question, Sub-kun.」< Tom >

「Sure. What is it?」

「What are you even fighting for? I feel like you don't even wanna be here to begin with...」< Tom >

「Well, isn't that obvious already? It's because my day got ruined cause of these nonsense war, you guys are having.」< Sub >

「..is that it..?」

「Yeah.」

「Then, what about the other reason you've told me earli---」< Tom >

「Ah yes, that too.」

「「....」」

With this brief exchange; both of them just silently stares at each other, while a soft winds passes by.

*Woosh*

「Fu~! It's quite enjoyable to live freely, huh~ Sorry for you asking you such a silly question.」< Tom >

With a cheerful smile, Tom points his sword(Danda) towards Sub. While taking his battle stance.

「Heh~」

To which; Sub just gave a light smirk, as he starts to run towards Tom, in an instant. All while, breaking the sound barrier around him.

And when Sub was just inches away from Tom, he slashes his dagger at him in rapid speed.

「...」

In response, Tom momentarily uses an upper slash as a counter.

*Kaboom*

And the moment, when Sub and Tom's weapon collides with each other, a huge explosion happen which shook the whole battlefield itself.

But little did neither of them care, as they both were keenly focused on themselves.

「「....」」

Soon enough; from the smoke, Tom and Sub both drifted away from one another to opposite direction.

「Heh...」

To which, Tom smirk as bloods suddenly starts to drip down from his nostrils.

*Crack*

「...」

As for Sub, he didn't had any bruises but his mask did make a crackling sound, as his mask itself now has a little crack to it.

◆◆◆

All while, far away from Sub and Tom's battle, inside one of many oasis throughout the desert.

「...」

Num was calmly watching the battle unfold between them, as he just had finished his conversation with his one and only remaining clone.

*Kaboom* *Kaboom* *Kaboom*

And now, he was just chillingly looks at the huge explosion taking place. Which seems to remind him of fireworks and nothing more.

「?!」

And before Num could noticed; he hears a sudden footstep of someone coming closer to him from behind.

「Yo~」

And before he could turn around---he heard a feminine voice which almost sounded manly to him.

「Heh, Jyoti. Seems like you've done with those kids already, huh~」< Num >

With a smirk; Num turns around just to see Jyoti--who was crossing her arms, while a lit-up rolling paper hangs between her lips.

「*Puff* Well, they weren't really that hard to deal with- de gozaru~ And besides, it's best for them not to get involve.」< Jyoti >

「I see. So, where are they now?」< Num >

「*Puff* I just made them sit in one place and cast a magic barrier around them. Strong enough to withstand any form of attacks- de gozaru~ And what about Kitsune? I don't see her..?」< Jyoti >

With a puff, Jyoti looks around her surroundings.

「*Sigh* I'm also same as you, Jyoti. I still haven't found her yet...seems like she's elsewhere.」< Num >

Num said as he looked puzzled by himself.

「Hmm...I see.」

Jyoti too nods as she soon ponders about Kitsune's whereabouts.

「Ara~ Are you guys perhaps talking about me~?」< Kitsune >

「「!!?」」

To their surprise; Jyoti and Num soon saw Kitsune appearing in front of them via a 'Teleportation Magic'.

『...』

Now, all three of them starts to stare each other as the atmosphere around them started to get heavy.

「Yo...Kitsune. We were just wondering, where you've been gone, y'know~」< Num >

Num said as he broke the silent, as to ease up the atmosphere.

「Hmph! You don't have to wonder about anything, Monkey.」< Kitsune >

With a grumpy voice of her own; Kitsune said as she looks at Num with her cold gaze.

「Tch! Is this how you treat someone who is just worried about you? Tell me, you damn fox!!」< Num >

In an instant; veins starts to appear on Num's forehead as he couldn't hold back his anger any longer.

「In the first place, you're the one who had gone missing without a trace. So, does your opinion even matter? Of course not, you idiot! If you really want to prove yourself useful to Master. Then, do something useful for godsake!」< Num >

「Huhh? 'Something useful', you say? Don't you dare to joke around, Monkey! If we're really talking about usefulness then what have you even done for Master for all these past years?」< Kitsune >

To which; Kitsune also burst out in anger, as she too asks about his loyalty for Sub. All while, unbeknownst to herself, her mana was starting to ooze out from her entire body.

And as Kitsune's mana was leaking around, it created its surroundings atmosphere really heavy.

As if squishing an insect.

「..*Sigh*...」

Noticing this, Num sighs and just kept silent.

「Hey, what happen, Monkey? Don't tell me you even haven't done anything yet to be called useful...」< Kitsune >

Unlike Num; Kitsune was still lashing out, trying to make him question his own beliefs.

「...」

But after living under the same roof for these past five years; Num was already used to Kitsune's manipulative behavior.

And was well aware not to take her bait; as she would definitely manipulate anyone's emotion whether it's her allies or a foe... And what's more is, she would only obey and listen to Sub's command and nothing more.

「...」

「Seems like, you aren't even worthy to call---」< Kitsune >

「*Sigh* Enough already!」< Jyoti >

In blink of an eye; Jyoti who was silently listening to them finally steps-in and gave a light chop on their heads to stop them from arguing any further.

「Hey! What did I do?!」< Num >

To which, Num complains about the chop he just got, out of nowhere.

「*Sigh* Num. You're the one who started all of this nonsense, y'know?」< Jyoti >

Jyoti said as she directly looks at Num with her cold gaze.

「...」

At this, Num just kept quiet as he understood Jyoti's word, very clearly. After all, he was the one who had pissed Kitsune off, in the first place.

「Ara~ So, you've finally decided to step in-ne~」< Kitsune >

As for Kitsune, she just smirk at this, as she gave her own cold stare.

「..do we really have to do this?」< Jyoti >

Jyoti said with mild voice as she looks back at Kitsune with no excitement at all.

「Heh~ You're hard to manipulate-ne~」< Kitsune >

Kitsune said as she just gave up on whatever scheme she had planned for.

「Well, I'm already used to it- de gozaru~」< Jyoti >

Jyoti said with a smile.

(And that's why, I'll always hate you guys......) < Kitsune >

Kitsune thought to herself, as she gave a quick glance at Num and Jyoti, who just looked nonchalant about this whole situation.

「..Tch...」

Which obviously made Kitsune's veins to pop-up from her forehead. As she really felt like they were just making fun of her in a way(Which actually wasn't the case at all).

But she fails to realize that due to overthinking about the situation itself; it just made her to misunderstood their attitude towards her...

The reason for their nonchalant attitude was because they really couldn't bring themselves to take Kitsune's word seriously after living under the same the roof for years.

As for Kitsune, however---

(After trying to provoke them for years...have they finally decided to join forces together? No way..!) < Kitsune >

Kitsune tries to remain calm as feeds into her own imagination; while contemplating fake scenarios inside her head, which according to her might play out next.

Which was pure nonsense and that's all.

「Heh~ You can't fool me. I've already seen through you!」< Kitsune >

With a complacent smile, Kitsune points her folding fan towards Jyoti and Num.

「「Huh?」」

To which; both of them just looks at each other with confusion, as they soon stares back at Kitsune with their dumbfounded expression, soon after.

「Don't try to act innocent! I know your---」

*Woosh*

Before; Jyoti or Num could react, they just witness someone flying through the skies, just to land on where Kitsune was...

And cause of this, a huge gust of winds released itself---which was enough to blow away both of them from the sight.

「「...」」

But thanks to their fast reflex and reaction, they both landed on their feet, safely.

And when they quickly looks up to the site; they saw Kitsune's face stuck deep beneath the sands---but that was least of their concerns as they both soon saw something more surprising.

A very familiar figure stood up as the dust around him slowly fades away.

As Jyoti and Num mutters---

「「..Master..?」」

And it was none other than Sub. Who was supposed to be far away from here, fighting Tom, not here...

「Huh? What are you guys doing here? I thought you were supposed to be somewhere else?」< Sub >

Upon seeing his followers far away from the 'Demon Camp'---made Sub to tilt his head sideways. While his plain white mask hung beside his head.

「Well...why don't you ask her!」< Num >

To which, Num quickly hides behind Jyoti's back and pushes her front of his as some kind of a defense.

「! O-Oi!」

Being just inches away from Sub---just made Jyoti to get fluster as she instantly looks down; as if fear had suddenly taken over her...

But her Master didn't looked all too keen about this, as he soon says---

「*Sigh* Look guys. Let's leave this chitchat for later. I have---?」< Sub >

*Woosh*

Amidst of Sub's speaking, a sudden impact takes place right behind him.

『...』

And when Sub and his followers looks at it, Tom soon comes out from the dust. As the dust itself slowly fades away.

「? Tomoki?」

Jyoti said as she walks up to him with a surprise look.

「? Ms. Jyoti. I thought---!」< Tom >

「!?」

And before Tom could finish his sentence, Sub quickly draws his distance and points a revolver at point blank.

「...」

「M-Master! What's the point of this!? Can't you see we're talking?!」< Jyoti >

With an dissatisfying look, Jyoti steps-in as she asked for an answer.

『...』

But to everyone's surprise, Sub soon puts his index finger gently on top of her forehead and says---

「*Sigh* You talk too much. Why don't you go and get some fresh air.」< Sub >

*Bam*

And instantly flicks his fingers, creating enough force within to send Jyoti's whole body flying far away from the scene---while also breaking the sound barrier along the way.

「! W-What the heck, Master! You didn't have to do that and why are you so serious for no reason?」 < Num >

At Num's dismay, Sub just gave a cold stare and says---

「Stay out of this.」< Sub >

「*Gulp*」

With just one sentence, it was enough to make Num quiet as a rock; as he gulps down his own saliva as sweats starts to pour down from his forehead.

(Ah...I totally forgot about this feeling......) < Num >

To which, Num suddenly remembers the very fear he had felt, since his first encounter with Sub.

「*Sigh* Sub-kun. Seems like you want to ask me something. So, let's stop the fight and talk. What do you say?」< Tom >

But for Tom; he just steps-in during their talk, and drops his weapon(Danda) and raises his both hands up in the air.

「Hm? Sure, why not.」

With an bland voice, Sub throws his revolver away at some random direction.

「「...」」

Just seeing Sub's sudden change of behavior, made Tom and Num to scratch their heads in confusion.

As for Sub, he soon takes out a rolling paper from his pocket and lit it up for a smoke.

「*Puff* Now then, Num. Can we have something to sit on?」< Sub >

「Of course, Master.」

And at his words, Num nods and claps his both hands.

*Rumble* *Rumble*

Soon enough, the very ground they were standing on shook softly; while a middle-size table along with several chairs got materialized from the sands.

「Now then, let's have a seat and talk. *Puff*」< Sub >

With a short puff, Sub sits down on one of the chair.

「Sure...」

As Tom does the same and sits on the opposite side from him. While directly making an eye contact with one another.

「And now, the only thing left is~~」< Num >

Soon enough; Num cheerfully takes out several cans of beer from his 'Storage Pouch' and gently puts it down on the table, along with some snacks.

「...」

All while; everyone seems to be forgot about Kitsune. Whose head was still beneath the sands, while she lays motionless like a rock.

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I hope you enjoy it and sorry for my bad grammar and I hope it's understandable.

I'm trying my best to improve and if you find some mistakes or anything like that, then let me know on the comments.

Peace:)