Chapter 87: Captive Audience
While Moon was trying to make sense of the slime-like Echo of his, far away someone was starting to take an interest in him.
A young man somewhat older yet close to Moon’s age, or so he seemed to be at least, sat comfortably watching footage.
He watched Moon’s footage intently, without skipping anything.
The way he beheaded Dave, the way he fought the skirmish, one against fifty.
How he defeated promising youths from the lesser clans.
The smile on his flawless skin and the spark in his dark blue eyes gave away his entertainment.
He looked like someone enjoying his favourite sport, watching the team he roots for struggle against all odds... but still win.
Before long, the scene played where Moon used his leg, injured to the point of being crippled, to fight... as a weapon.
Then, he couldn’t hold back his laughter.
"I had no idea the eastern branch was that fun," he laughed, running his hand through his dark blue hair, past a small blue horn protruding from the left side of his forehead.
He scrolled down to see what else his underling in the Eastern Branch had sent him.
Further below, he found a set of data that seemed to be common knowledge there now, yet it was entirely new to him.
Name: Moon
Age: 16 or 17
Birthplace: 1st Floor
Previous Occupation: Mercenary
Note:
-Unable to use Echo.
-Picks random fights.
The young man moved his thumb over the ring on his right middle finger, and the screen disappeared instantly.
"Seems like everyone is having a blast there." He shook his head. "This place is too dull," He added as he rose to his feet; the smile didn’t leave his face
"Since they’re both from the first floor, let’s see if we can recruit him as well." He started walking leisurely, yet with a clear direction to his steps.
His neat-looking white sneakers didn’t produce any noise, while his black leather windbreaker over a basic white T-shirt looked rather unusual.
His dark blue pants were made of soft cloth, ensuring comfort and free movement.
His clothes were of a style that seemed different from those of others around the branch, or maybe the other branches entirely.
Though only slightly, in a few ways, his clothes were similar to Moon’s.
But that wasn’t something he felt concerned about in the slightest; he left his room and found his way to the branch arena.
On his way, he attracted glances of admiration and envy... though he seemed used to them and didn’t bother himself with the slight noise in the distance.
He expected to find the one he was looking for in the arena, and he did.
The sole Ashspawn in the branch, and possibly the entire new wave of ascenders.
Korr, who was practicing under Teacher Kohl’s guidance, had his Echo move like a sharp dagger from his elbows to his hands. He moved in a formal combat style, one step at a time, one attack at a time.
Every placement served a purpose, and he seemed to do it very well.
"You are quite talented with Echo, even more so considering you never had a chance to experience it until now," Teacher Kohl commented, seemingly satisfied with the progress.
Korr didn’t stop or pause; he didn’t respond or show any awareness of his surroundings in any way.
He seemed completely dedicated to his training, to the point that he wasn’t aware of anything else.
The young man made his way through the arena, passing by Kohl. "Hey, teacher." He raised his hand and waved casually.
He didn’t try to call for Korr; he just went for him directly.
Korr, who was lost in his training, didn’t sense the young man’s approach or his greeting to Kohl either... He kept adjusting, attacking, and sharpening his Echo without a pause.
Yet, before he knew it... the young man was standing before him, smiling.
Korr, who was in the middle of throwing an attack, found himself completely committed to it.
Unable to divert or retract, with but a split second remaining before the impact, his eyes pleaded for the young man to evade his attack.
The young man, on the other hand, was completely unconcerned. Yet, the look in Korr’s eyes didn’t go unnoticed.
In response, his index finger rose.
That very finger was where he accepted the attack Korr struggled to stop or hold back.
Shu~
"You’re getting pretty good at this," the young man said, his smile unwavering.
Cough~
The young man watched Korr’s startled face return to normal after a light cough. "My apologies, Lord Enzo, I was lost in my training and failed to notice your approach."
The young man known as Enzo waved his hand dismissively. "It’s fine, I came for something more important."
He signaled for Korr to follow him as he walked toward the audience seats.
"Come sit!" He patted the seat next to him for Korr. "I need to show you something!"
His hand rose, and his thumb moved over his middle finger once again.
The holographic screen appeared. "This is—"
Enzo’s eyes found Korr’s puzzled face. "Oh, is this your first time seeing one of these?"
"I—"
"Don’t bother, I’ll have one delivered to you soon... I had no idea even these didn’t exist on the first floor." Enzo’s excitement didn’t have room for side talk.
"Look, I want you to take a look at that guy." Enzo started playing the video of Moon’s duel with Dave.
"Look here at the armor he’s wearing." Enzo pointed at the screen. "That guy even took an Ambient Pill before the fight." He laughed.
"Here, here, focus here. Watch the next second very carefully, don’t miss it," Enzo advised.
"WHOOO!" Enzo cheered excitedly. "Did you see that?"
"Look, it isn’t even over; the rest of that beheaded guy’s group will come for him!"
In his excitement, Enzo kept commenting on the footage. He was enjoying his time and the show a little too much.
Not once did he allow his eyes to leave the screen, nor did he even look at Korr.
He started the skirmish ring video next, with Korr staying wordlessly by his side.
Throughout the entire round, he kept commenting:
"Look here."
"Watch that hit."
"Look how he took that hit; that one sure hurt."
"Oh, next he crippled his leg."
"Crazy, that guy I like him already!"
By the time the skirmish ring round was nearing the end, with Moon lying down waiting for the conclusion to be announced—
"Anyway, I came looking for you after I heard that this guy actually came from the first floor. The report I got says his name is Moon, and he used to work as a mercenary."
"Since you also came from the first floor, I came to see if you happened to know him."
He paused for a moment. "Or at least happened to meet him once by any chance?"
After making Korr watch for a few hours without once glancing at him, waiting for a response, or checking if he was even paying attention, Enzo finally called his name.
"Korr?" he called. Only now did he realize Korr hadn’t reacted once. "Did you miss any of this?"
"Korr, are you listening?" Only now did he take his eyes off the screen, turning his head to look at the silent Ashspawn.