TRUE ABILITY– Chapter 70: The One Being Tricked

The One Being Tricked

Geese couldn't help but smirk at Zwei’s words.

"Hah, I know it's pointless to ask your messed-up brain, but tell me. I thought we were more or less on the same side."

"Same? What do you mean?"

Zwei narrowed her eyes, a cute smile on her face.

"Then let me ask you, are you really okay with it? That kid being ranked number one, ahead of you and me?"

"I am, actually."

".......Huh?"

Geese's face twisted in confusion. Even Fia-san was surprised. And of course, I was too. If I just state the facts, it would seem that Zwei was protecting me.

"I should be the one asking."

With that prelude, Zwei looked at Geese with a mocking smile.

"You, a weakling ranked seventh, what kind of misunderstanding are you under? Stuff like that is just so... painful. It's embarrassing to watch."

Her voice was laced with ridicule. An endlessly bright smile floated on Zwei's face.

"Not only are you just getting in the way... the crap you're spouting is nothing but nonsense... Indeed, there's no need to even check."

Geese chuckled quietly, directing his golden gaze at Zwei.

"You must have a death wish, huh? You b*tch"

In the dim light, a golden line flashed.

With the fastest speed yet, Geese closed the distance to Zwei.

The thrust, delivered with absolute lethal force, sliced through empty air.

At the same time, Zwei, who had somehow procured a knife, pressed it against Geese's neck with a smile.

"See~? You'll die."

Clicking his tongue, Geese leaned his body back, narrowly dodging the knife aimed at his pale neck. He then placed his hands on the ground and flipped backward, glaring sharply at Zwei as if resetting the situation.

A clear streak of red ran down Geese's pale neck.

"..."

I involuntarily held my breath at the scene.

That entire exchange, that battle, had taken place in an instant. Only now did I begin to grasp the meaning of Fia-san's warning and the true strength of the executives.

However, what had just unfolded before my eyes was no mere test of strength or a simple quarrel.

"Shouldn't we stop them?"

I asked Fia-san, who was standing frozen, unable to move.

“...No, it's more convenient this way than having Geese's ire directed at you."

"But this is..."

This is just a fight to the death. And I'm far too involved to just stand by and watch.

"There's no need to worry. It's not uncommon for executives to clash. However, that particular combination is, to be honest, quite interesting."

"Now that I think about it, I've never actually fought you before. I wonder why. Sneaking around like that, preparing for a sneak attack—you're really terrified, aren't you?"

Geese spat out the words, grinning as he slowly walked toward Zwei.

"Why? Maybe you should ask yourself, or your so-called instincts? I thought deep down, you knew. Although, it seems your instincts aren't that sharp after all."

Zwei laughed as she said this, casting a glance at me for some reason.

"As for me, my instincts are pretty sharp. That's why I'm so pissed off."

Zwei twisted her lips into a crooked smile, glaring at Geese with a face that didn't hide her irritation.

"At you, and you, AT EVERY SINGLE ONE OF YOU."

As she spoke those words slowly, her gaze shifted from one executive to another in the room.

And finally, her gaze settled squarely on Fia-san.

"You too. Why are you even trying to protect him?"

Fia-san furrowed her brow at those words.

"...What do you mean?"

"You'll find out soon enough."

Zwei spat out, redirecting her gaze back to Geese.

"Even Lloyd-sama must be disappointed by this~"

A mischievous grin spread across Zwei's face.

"Just a bunch of incompetents...that’s what you all are."

In the silence that followed, Zwei's laughter echoed, as if it were a signal.

The clash of magic between Zwei and Geese caused a shockwave in the air. A gust of wind blew through.

The two lights, red and blue, collided and turned the darkness into a bright white glow. The amount of magic power released by both of them increased as if in competition. Their power was evenly matched.

"Fia-san, is the ranking determined by the level of ability?"

Fia-san answered my question immediately.

"Yes, that's the general understanding. But he's an exception."

Fia-san's eyes were on Geese.

"Ever since he lost to Ain... to your predecessor, he voluntarily took the number seven rank. I don't know why, and I don't care."

One question was resolved. However, at the same time, I became aware of another anomaly.

I had realized at first glance that Geese was strong. He was the one I needed to be most cautious of.

But then, this girl who could stand toe-to-toe with him—

"Take thisssss!!!"

With a speed that was almost impossible to follow, Geese's roar echoed. His right leg kicked out, but Zwei blocked it with her two slender, white arms. And in the next instant, Zwei's knife flashed toward Geese at a blinding speed.

"Zwei, the second-ranked in Shadow Moon... her combat prowess is real."

Fia-san's voice resonated in my ears. I was captivated by the scene unfolding before my eyes.

In the blink of an eye, they dodged each other's lethal strikes over and over.

This is what it means to be part of the dark side.

"...Kuh"

But the balance was beginning to tip.

Zwei's face twisted in pain as she blocked Geese's fist with both hands.

As Geese's relentless, powerful fists continued to rain down, Zwei's responses began to slow.

"..."

A clear advantage had been established. Yet, surprisingly, Geese's expression remained blank.

"You bastard..."

And in the next moment, what seemed like an eternal struggle suddenly came to an end.

Geese's kick landed squarely on Zwei's face. The impact was so strong that her small body crashed into the wall, creating a large hole with a loud crash.

Dust rose into the air. Geese narrowed his eyes in irritation as he walked toward Zwei, still expressionless.

"Is that all you've got?"

"…"

The dust settled. My eyes clearly saw the situation.

The small figure of the girl lay motionless, slumped against the rubble. Red blood trickled down from Zwei's nose.

Without acknowledging her pitiful state, Geese's golden eyes continued to gaze down at Zwei.

"Answer me. Was that your full strength?"

"…"

There were no words. But a thin, provocative smile spread across Zwei's face.

"...I see. Then I'll kill you as you wish."

Geese's face twisted into a maniacal grin.

"...You think you can kill me?"

And so did Zwei.

That blatant provocation triggered a deadly thrust from Geese.

—I couldn't just stand by and watch.

Ignoring Fia-san's attempt to stop me, I leaped in front of Geese.

His strike, packed with lethal force, was aimed straight at me.

Following Fia-san's lead, I grabbed Geese's right arm, halting his attack. His golden eyes widened in surprise.

But more than that—

—A small laugh echoed in my ears. It wasn't Geese's. It wasn't Fia-san's either.

I turned around.

"See? I knew it."

Zwei said cheerfully, a broad smile on her face.