NOVEL WEB Chapter 89
89. Don’t Interfere
“You’ve probably heard most of the story. I can tell by the look on your face.”
Miranda, still holding her sword, coldly remarked.
“Now that you know our movements, we must change our approach.”
“Who the hell are you…?”
Jack muttered as he backed away.
“Indeed, you possess inhuman power and speed. But you’re an amateur when it comes to combat. In this confined space—at this close range, I have the advantage.”
“You plan to fight… but I… I can’t…”
He recalled the conversation she had with his colleague earlier.
His colleague had likely been gathering information on Jack under Levin’s orders.
A trusted ally had betrayed him—it was a shock that made his head spin with confusion.
(──No, that’s not it.)
They must be under Levin’s ‘control.’
Their will twisted and turned into a pawn…
Unforgivable, he thought.
Levin’s methods of trampling over his peaceful, happy life.
But what should he do?
Should he fight back?
What would happen to his colleague if he resisted?
Questions swirled, clouding Jack’s thoughts, and making him hesitate.
Then,
“Lost in thought, Jack Jarce? Know this—on the battlefield, letting your guard down even for a second can cost you your life.”
Miranda kicked off the floor and charged.
“—!”
Jack quickly refocused on the woman knight before him.
Still shaken, his reaction was delayed.
But even so—thanks to his enhanced reflexes, he could manage, even if caught off guard.
To Jack’s heightened senses, even Miranda’s trained movements seemed sluggish.
However,
“You’re too soft.”
A smirk formed on Miranda’s lips.
“You…!?”
Just as he was about to strike back, he realized—
If she dodged, his attack would hit the colleague behind her.
“Worried about involving your comrade, are you? Just as the intel said.”
Suddenly, Miranda leaped to the side.
The colleague behind her rushed at Jack.
“What…!?”
No, that wasn’t it.
Miranda had kicked the colleague’s body towards Jack like a roundhouse kick.
“—Tch.”
Jack hastily caught the colleague, but—
“Behind you.”
In the next moment, something cold pressed against his neck.
It was Miranda’s sword.
In a brief instant, his attention shifted to his colleague, she had taken advantage.
“With this, I win. Distracted by your comrade and lost sight of me… You’re just an amateur after all.”
Miranda’s voice carried a mix of disappointment and disdain.
“Why is Levin-sama so fixated on someone like you? When he already has me as his lieutenant…”
An irritated click of her tongue.
“But if you learn combat techniques, you’ll quickly become the strongest soldier. The most useful asset to Levin-sama—”
“Could it be that you… have feelings for Levin?”
Jack himself didn’t know why he said that.
The words just slipped out.
“W-What!?”
But unexpectedly, Miranda was shaken.
“Wh-What nonsense! I am—just a subordinate of his—”
“But there’s emotion in your voice when you mention Levin. You speak more coldly about other things.”
In the past, Jack couldn’t understand women’s emotions at all, but perhaps because of his dates with Hannah, he could sense the subtle changes in Miranda’s tone.
Of course, it could just be Jack overthinking it.
Miranda might be acting purely out of duty.
But still, Jack couldn’t shake the feeling.
Recalling the earlier conversation between Miranda and his colleague…
“I see. You’re trying to distract me by making me emotional. Not bad for an amateur.”
Miranda sneered.
“But it’s useless. If I put even a little more strength into this, I could slice your neck.”
“Try it.”
Jack remained unfazed.
Even though the sudden turn of events shocked and confused him—
There was no fear.
“I won’t yield to threats.”
“What… did you say?”
“I don’t want to fight either.”
Jack declared boldly.
“And—I have no interest in your so-called kingdom. I’m not about to fight or hurt others for ambition.”
“What nonsense in this situation!”
With a shout of anger, Miranda thrust her blade.
No, she tried to.
“What is…?”
A stunned voice.
“My blade… won’t cut—?!”
Miranda’s sword couldn’t so much as scratch Jack’s neck.
It didn’t even wound him.
No matter how much force she applied, only a grinding sound like metal against metal was heard.
“Your skin… what is it…?”
“So you thought my power was just physical enhancement.”
Jack easily pushed Miranda back and faced her.
“But that’s where you’re wrong.”
He could ‘enhance’ anything.
This time, he had hardened the surface of his skin to be far stronger than steel.
“Go back and tell Levin. I’m not joining your side. And I definitely won’t be your pawn.”
“Tch.”
With a small click of her tongue, Miranda stepped back.
Still holding her sword defensively, she kept her gaze fixed on Jack.
“Levin-sama aims to rule the kingdom. You have the power to become his right-hand man. Are you content to live out your life in some backwater company? Don’t you want to use your skills on a bigger stage?”
“—So now it’s bribery.”
Jack glared at Miranda with a harsh expression.
“Become Levin’s lieutenant, and wealth and power will be yours.”
“I’m not interested in power, and wealth… I can live on my salary here.”
“Then how about women? You could have beauties far beyond that office clerk Hannah.”
“—Don’t insult Hannah.”
Jack shot a glare at Miranda.
“Hmph, not interested in any of it?”
Despite his sharp gaze, the knight stared back at Jack without flinching.
“…But don’t underestimate Levin-sama. Many of the people around you are already under his control, sending us information. Don’t think your will can hold out forever.”
Miranda’s voice was cold as she warned him.
“Couldn’t lure me with sweet talk, so now you’re threatening me…?”
Jack felt a wave of weariness.
“You’d better be careful. Perhaps even those close to you—”
As she spoke, faces came to Jack’s mind—Hannah, the boss, and several colleagues.
People dear to Jack.
No, he thought.
That was something he couldn’t allow.
“Where is he?”
“What?”
“I’ll deal with Levin directly. I’ll tell him not to mess with me or my friends.”