NOVEL WEB Chapter 94
94. It’s Just Me
Jack faced Levin, keeping a few meters between them.
“…Are you planning to kill me, Jack Jarce?”
The boy seated in a throne-like chair hardened his expression.
“I won’t kill you. But I’ll need you to release your control over my colleague.”
Jack spoke quietly.
Their gazes locked in midair, a sensation like sparks flying.
“And stop sniffing around me—or rather, stay out of anything related to me entirely.”
“Investigating those with divine power—Skill Holders—is a top priority.
Your existence influences the creation of my kingdom. I can’t just stop so easily.”
Levin ostentatiously opened a file in his hands.
He had mentioned the existence of seven people, including himself, who possessed divine skills when they first met.
One of them, Haruto Riva, Jack had already met.
From the way Levin spoke, he likely had some information on the other Skill Holders as well.
“I just want to live peacefully. Besides, not all of us want to fight. Stop dragging them into your ambitions.”
Jack’s tone grew stronger.
The woman he’s gradually getting closer to.
The boss who looks out for him.
The good-natured colleagues.
The faces of those dear to him floated through his mind one after another.
“If you disrupt my life any further—if you lay a hand on those around me, I won’t be able to forgive you.”
“Won’t be able to forgive me? That’s something said to belittle your opponent.”
Levin’s expression changed.
The cool, handsome boyish look disappeared.
In its place—was a face of rage and hatred.
“I am the one who controls everything. The one who rules the kingdom. The only one who can give me orders—is me.”
His sharp gaze fixed on Jack.
“I’d like the Skill Holders, who should eventually become allies, to cooperate with me of their own will. But if it comes to it—I can control you too.”
(This guy…!)
Jack stiffened his expression.
A skill of control—.
It seemed like an absolutely invincible ability at first glance.
But he had doubts.
Why was Levin holding back, not using his skill immediately?
If Jack was an enemy, Levin could have just controlled him right away.
(Is there some kind of limitation or weakness…?)
“Ah, it’s not like I’m all-powerful. My skill, that is.”
Levin smiled.
“For example, the number of people. If I could control without limits, I’d just go ahead and control everyone I see. But in reality, I can only control about a few thousand people at a time. So even in this town, I focus on controlling those involved in governance, like the lord, high-ranking officials, and captains of the knights, who are part of the command structure.”
Levin suddenly became talkative, which made Jack more cautious.
There’s no way he just wanted to chat—.
If that’s the case, he’s stalling for time.
Or maybe he’s trying to distract Jack.
(What should I do…? Should I rush him and pin him down…?)
Doubt crept in.
In terms of physical ability, Levin couldn’t possibly compete with Jack.
“Lost in thought? —Complacency is your enemy, Jack Jarce.”
Levin suddenly operated something in his right hand.
He heard the sound of something slicing through the air from both sides.
“—What is this!?”
The speed and number of arrows—far too many for a normal person to react to.
Had Levin installed a massive number of launchers in the walls?
What Levin operated earlier must have been the device to activate them.
“Sorry, but my eyes and ears can catch all that.”
Jack remained calm.
He saw each of the dozens of arrows launched from both sides, reacting to their trajectory and deflecting them with his fists.
He deflected all the arrows accurately and advanced straight forward.
He struck Levin, who was still seated, with his fist.
The boy’s body—shattered like glasswork.
“What…!?”
Jack’s face stiffened in shock.
The sensation was off.
It didn’t feel like he had hit a human.
“A fake…!?”
“A doppelganger created by the spirit-user, Arie. Can’t believe you fell for the same trick twice.”
Amid the mocking laughter, Jack recalled the battle with the adventurers earlier when the spirit-user woman created a doppelganger.
“…Tch.”
In other words, Levin’s needless talk was to distract Jack’s attention with the doppelganger.
The trap with the arrows was the same.
“Did you really think I’d expose myself defenselessly?”
When Jack turned around, Levin was laughing.
A glowing pattern emerged in his eyes.
“Anyone who meets my gaze and hears my words, no matter who they are, will fall under my control. Eventually, I’ll even subjugate and make gods and demons kneel—”
The eerie light in his eyes captured Jack.
“Uh… grr… guh…!?”
He felt his consciousness fading, blurring.
A discomfort, as if something was invading and rewriting his mind.
A feeling that he was no longer himself.
(Am I going to be controlled by this guy…!?)
An overwhelming sense of despair froze him.
“Now, become my servant! Jack Jarce!”
Levin shouted triumphantly.
“…Not yet…!”
The skill of control isn’t all-powerful.
There must be a flaw.
The fact that Levin didn’t face Jack head-on and set up such an elaborate trap—that’s the proof.
(If I use my skill, I can exploit that flaw—)
—And then.
The conclusion of their clash was truly a split-second event.