Chapter 17 - Translation

<h1>Chapter 17 - 4.1 - Nights Are Dangerous</h1><p>Chapter 17: Chapter 4.1 - Nights are dangerous</p><p>As I sensed the familiar presence of the three people, my heart started beating fast, thanks to the muscle memory that was engraved on Astron.</p><p>However, now I was different. Different from my past. Different from that time, I will no longer stay still and watch anyone torment me.</p><p>'It is payback time.'</p><p>I mumbled as I pretended not to notice their presence in any case. After all, I needed them for today's job…</p><p>With that thought, I left the training grounds. It was already reaching nighttime when I had left the training grounds, so most of the place was pretty much empty by now.</p><p>The roads were the same.</p><p>However, I knew they wouldn't make their appearance just yet because they couldn't afford to get caught by the cameras. After all, if you don't have a backing stronger than the academy, you couldn't afford to do such things in broad daylight.</p><p>But that also meant they needed to follow me for now, which served my purpose in the end.</p><p>Arcadia Hunter Academy had a pretty vast land to offer students, and it also contained quite a full forest where students would become one with nature.</p><p>I walked with purpose, leaving subtle signs and trails to entice their curiosity. Twigs snapped under my feet, creating an eerie ambiance that echoed through the trees.</p><p>"Do you hear that?" one of them whispered, his voice laced with unease.</p><p>"It's just the wind; what can happen to us inside the academy?" another replied.</p><p>I could hear their whispers growing louder as they followed my lead, their overconfidence fueling their steps.</p><p>As we ventured deeper, the forest closed in around us, creating an atmosphere of suspense and uncertainty. Shadows danced through the dense foliage, casting an otherworldly aura over our surroundings.</p><p>The rustling leaves seemed to whisper secrets and warnings, but they were oblivious to the impending danger. After all, nobody would expect what is going to happen right here now….</p><p>Finally, we arrived at a secluded clearing, where a hush fell upon the forest.</p><p>"Hahaha, look who we have here," a mocking voice echoed through the dimly lit forest imbued with nothing. I turned my attention toward the source, only to find myself surrounded by three figures.</p><p>'Ah…. Yeah, it was these guys….' I thought to myself as I saw the faces of the three. Two men and one woman…. The ones that tormented me.</p><p>The leader of the group, Dylan Miller, a burly brute with a sneer on his face, stepped forward. "What's a weakling like you doing there, huh? Do you think the training will make you stronger, huh? You little lowest rank."</p><p>It was a simple and cliched line that you could see everywhere. However, hearing this made my blood boil because I remembered the things Astron suffered, both from Astron's perspective and from the watcher's perspective.</p><p>Even though that guy before me was someone that made my life hard, he was actually not someone strong or anything. No, actually, he only ranked 2000th inside the academy.</p><p>The girl standing behind the two men, Sophia Lawson, urged them on, her voice dripping with a seductive tone. "Oh, come on, boys. Don't let him off that easily. Show him what it means to be at the bottom of the ranks."</p><p>This girl was the reason why they targeted me. After all, I had rejected her confession at the beginning, thinking I didn't deserve to have such things in my life. But, looking at everything from the outside, I knew her petty pride was hurt, and she was the one that was toying with these guys, making me a target.</p><p>With a calm voice, I responded, "I have just as much right to train as anyone else. If you have a problem, take it up with the academy, not me." But I actually knew that would not make them stop. After all, this is who they were; with a little bit of backing, they would think they could do whatever they wanted….</p><p>My body was tired, but I knew the confrontation was not avoidable.</p><p>The leader laughed, his cronies joining in. "Listen to this little rat. Thinks he's tough, huh? Well, we'll see about that."</p><p>The moment I heard this, I knew the attack was about to come.</p><p>'He will come with a right swing.' I thought, remembering the past times I have observed from the necklace.</p><p>/SWOOSH/</p><p>Before I should have reacted normally, the leader lunged at me, aiming to deliver a powerful blow. But I was prepared. With a swift sidestep, I evaded his attack, using his momentum against him.</p><p>/THUD/</p><p>I retaliated with a quick strike to his exposed side, causing him to wince in pain. Using weapons inside the academy was strictly forbidden; thus, I didn't draw my dagger.</p><p>"Kurgh-"</p><p>But, my attack was aimed at his acupuncture point, making him feel an immense amount of pain, and lose his control.</p><p>/THUD/ /THUD/</p><p>But I didn't stop there as I continued to punch him in his face, throwing a bunch of rapid strikes.</p><p>Each blow landed with a resounding impact, causing him to stagger back.</p><p>"Huh?" The other two were surprised seeing the bastard lying on the ground, not doing anything.</p><p>/SWOOSH/</p><p>"YOU BASTARD!"</p><p>Then, the other man, Mason, lunged at me from behind, attempting to catch me off guard. With a quick spin, I deflected his attack, redirecting his momentum into the wall with a loud thud.</p><p>/THUD/</p><p>However, just at that moment, I saw the girl's eyes shining for a second. She was using her mana, her skill.</p><p>Then, my movements became slippery as I felt my consciousness staggering.</p><p>'This girl is using a type of mind skill on me.' I thought. This was what made this group able to bully me.</p><p>"Fuck…. You just had to do it, didn't cha?"</p><p>As the sound of knuckles cracking came before me, I saw the leader coming on top of me. At that point, I knew there was only one thing I could do.</p><p>/STAB/</p><p>Stabbing myself with my leg, I inflicted pain upon myself. It hurt, but at the same time, my consciousness came back.</p><p>"It seems last time the lesson was not enough."</p><p>Dylan, his face twisted with sadistic delight, tapped into his mana reserves. A surge of energy enveloped his body, augmenting his speed and power. It was his innate trait, the one that let him increase his strength with his mana. It was a pretty common trait for most people to possess.</p><p>/SWOOSH/</p><p>With a swift motion, he closed the distance between us, his fist connecting with my side.</p><p>/THUD/</p><p>I tried to block it, but my strength was not enough. The impact sent a shockwave of pain through my body, causing me to stagger back.</p><p>My vision blurred, and the taste of blood filled my mouth.</p><p>I knew his strength and body movements were faster than mine normally. Since he was basically a fist-type fighter, he could also easily overpower me when it came to such fights.</p><p>With each passing moment, my opponent's movements became more fluid and precise. He effortlessly dodged my attacks and countered with devastating strikes. My body, battered and bruised, struggled to keep up with the intensity of the battle.</p><p>A place I knew from the game….</p><p>Dylan, his sadistic grin widening, jeered, "What's the matter, weakling? Can't handle a real fight?"</p><p>And a punch came to my face, injuring me.</p><p>The crimson feeling over my thoughts intensified, as I felt like my thoughts were turning into a different way.</p><p>Sophia, her normally seductive but now demonic tone laced with malice, chimed in, "You're nothing but a pathetic loser. No wonder you're ranked dead last."</p><p>Mason, struggling to regain his composure, growled, "This is what you get for defying us, Natusalune. You should have learned your place."</p><p>"You're pathetic," Sophia sneered, her voice dripping with contempt. "You'll never be anything more than a weakling."</p><p>/SPIT/</p><p>As those words left her mouth, she spat on me.</p><p>The crimson color intensified more.</p><p>Dylan smirked, a cruel glint in his eyes. "You thought you could stand up to us? How amusing."</p><p>Mason, his voice dripping with superiority, added, "Don't ever forget your place, Natusalune. We're always watching."</p><p>Dylan, Sophia, and Mason, their voices filled with arrogant satisfaction, turned to leave, confident in their victory. The pain surged through my body, but a defiant smile formed on my lips.</p><p>"Heh..." I chuckled, the sound carrying a hint of defiance that caught their attention. Their steps faltered, and they turned back, confusion evident on their faces.</p><p>"What's so funny?" Dylan sneered, his eyes narrowing.</p><p>"Man…. My switch is getting flipped…." At that moment, I could no longer contain the crimson thoughts overlapping inside me…. After all, I didn't need to since they had already set the stage for me.</p><p>Since the spilled blood of mine on the ground had already attracted the monster underneath….</p><p>-------------------------A/N--------------------------------</p><p>Hope you liked the chapters. Give me power stones if you like my novel. I am participating in WPC, and it helps quite a lot.</p><p>You can check my discord if you want. You will be able to see the illustrations here and engage in a conversation with me if I am available.</p><p>https://discord.gg/XJEgBRM3C</p>

<h1>Chapitre 17 - 4.1 - Les Nuits Sont Dangereuses</h1> <p>Chapitre 17 : Chapitre 4.1 - Les nuits sont dangereuses</p> <p>La présence familière des trois individus se fit sentir, et mon cœur s'emballa instantanément, réagissant à la mémoire musculaire gravée dans le corps d'Astron.</p> <p>Pourtant, cette fois était différente. Je n'étais plus celui d'autrefois, ce spectateur impuissant qui subissait les tourments sans réagir.</p> <p>« C'est l'heure de la revanche. »</p> <p>Je murmurai ces mots tout en feignant d'ignorer leur présence. Après tout, j'avais besoin d'eux pour mon plan du jour...</p> <p>Je quittai le terrain d'entraînement alors que le soleil commençait à décliner, transformant l'endroit habituellement animé en un lieu désert. Les chemins étaient tout aussi vides.</p> <p>Je savais qu'ils ne se montreraient pas encore - les caméras de surveillance les en empêchaient. Sans protection supérieure à celle de l'académie, personne n'oserait agir en pleine lumière.</p> <p>Cela signifiait qu'ils devaient me suivre en secret, ce qui tombait parfaitement dans mon plan.</p> <p>L'Académie des Chasseurs d'Arcadia possédait un vaste domaine, incluant même une forêt dense où les élèves pouvaient s'immerger dans la nature. J'y avançai avec détermination, semant délibérément des indices pour attiser leur curiosité. Le craquement des brindilles sous mes pas créait une atmosphère inquiétante qui résonnait entre les arbres.</p> <p>« Vous entendez ça ? » chuchota l'un d'eux, une pointe d'inquiétude dans la voix.</p> <p>« C'est juste le vent », rétorqua un autre avec désinvolture. « Qu'est-ce qui pourrait bien nous arriver dans l'académie ? »</p> <p>Leurs chuchotements devinrent plus audibles tandis qu'ils me suivaient, leur arrogance aveugle les poussant en avant.</p> <p>Plus nous nous enfoncions dans la forêt, plus l'atmosphère devenait oppressante. Les ombres dansantes du feuillage projetaient une aura mystérieuse sur notre environnement. Le bruissement des feuilles semblait murmurer des avertissements, mais ils restaient inconscients du danger qui les guettait. Personne ne pouvait deviner ce qui allait se produire...</p> <p>Nous atteignîmes enfin une clairière isolée où un silence anormal régnait.</p> <p>« Hahaha, regardez qui voilà », lança une voix moqueuse dans la pénombre forestière. Je tournai la tête pour voir trois silhouettes m'encercler.</p> <p>'Ah... oui, c'étaient bien eux.' Deux hommes et une femme - mes persécuteurs d'autrefois.</p> <p>Dylan Miller, le meneur du groupe - une brute au sourire sadique - s'avança : « Qu'est-ce qu'une mauviette comme toi fabrique ici ? Tu crois que t'es devenu fort à force de t'entraîner, petit dernier ? »</p> <p>Une réplique éculée, mais qui fit bouillir mon sang en ravivant les souvenirs douloureux d'Astron - à la fois mes propres souvenirs et ceux de l'observateur.</p> <p>Ironiquement, ce bully n'était même pas impressionnant - à peine 2000ème du classement de l'académie.</p> <p>Sophia Lawson, la seule fille du groupe, les encouragea d'une voix mielleuse : « Allez les garçons, ne le laissez pas s'en tirer comme ça. Montrez-lui sa vraie place. »</p> <p>C'était elle, en réalité, l'origine de mes malheurs. Mon refus de ses avances avait blessé son orgueil, la poussant à manipuler ces idiots utiles.</p> <p>« J'ai autant le droit de m'entraîner que les autres », répliquai-je calmement. « Si ça vous dérange, adressez-vous à l'administration. » Je savais pertinemment que cela ne les arrêterait pas - avec leur sentiment d'impunité, ils se croyaient tout permis.</p> <p>Mon corps était épuisé, mais la confrontation était inévitable.</p> <p>Dylan éclata de rire, imité par ses acolytes : « Écoutez-moi ce petit merdeux ! On va voir ce que tu vaux vraiment. »</p> <p>À cet instant, je sus que l'attaque viendrait de la droite - merci au collier d'observation.</p> <p>*SWOOSH*</p> <p>Dylan se rua sur moi, mais j'esquivai avec un pas latéral, utilisant son élan contre lui.</p> <p>*THUD*</p> <p>Mon contre rapide atteignit son flanc exposé, le faisant grimacer. Les armes étant interdites, ma dague resta au fourreau.</p> <p>« Kurgh- »</p> <p>J'avais visé un point de pression, lui infligeant une douleur paralysante.</p> <p>*THUD* *THUD*</p> <p>Mes coups s'enchaînèrent sur son visage avec une précision redoutable.</p> <p>« Hein ? » Ses comparses restaient sidérés de voir leur leader à terre.</p> <p>*SWOOSH*</p> <p>« ESPÈCE DE SALOPARD ! »</p> <p>Mason tenta une attaque surprise par derrière, mais une rotation rapide suffit à le projeter contre un arbre.</p> <p>*THUD*</p> <p>C'est alors que je vis les yeux de Sophia s'illuminer brièvement - elle activait son pouvoir mental, celui-là même qui leur avait permis de me persécuter impunément.</p> <p>Ma vision se brouilla soudain.</p> <p>« Putain... Tu y es vraiment allée, hein ? »</p> <p>Alors que Dylan se relevait en faisant craquer ses jointures, je n'hésitai pas :</p> <p>*STAB*</p> <p>Je me plantai ma dague dans la cuisse. La douleur fut vive, mais elle chassa instantanément l'effet du pouvoir mental.</p> <p>« On dirait que la dernière leçon n'a pas suffi. »</p> <p>Dylan, le visage déformé par une excitation malsaine, activa son trait inné - une augmentation de force basique mais efficace.</p> <p>*SWOOSH*</p> <p>Son poing s'abattit sur mon côté avant que je puisse réagir.</p> <p>*THUD*</p> <p>Le choc me projeta en arrière, le goût du sang emplissant ma bouche. En tant que spécialiste du combat à mains nues, il me surpassait largement dans ce domaine.</p> <p>Ses mouvements devenaient de plus en plus fluides, esquivant mes attaques avec aisance tout en enchaînant des coups dévastateurs. Mon corps couvert d'hématomes peinait à suivre.</p> <p>« Qu'est-ce qui t'arrive, mauviette ? » ricana Dylan en assénant un nouveau coup. « Incapable de te battre pour de vrai ? »</p> <p>Une rougeur envahit progressivement mon champ de vision.</p> <p>Sophia, abandonnant son ton séducteur pour un mépris pur, ajouta : « Tu resteras toujours le dernier de la classe. »</p> <p>« Voilà ce qui t'arrive quand tu nous provoques », grogna Mason. « T'aurais dû connaître ta place. »</p> <p>« Pathétique », cracha Sophia avant de me *SPIT* cracher dessus.</p> <p>La rougeur s'intensifia.</p> <p>« Tu crois pouvoir nous résister ? » Dylan éclata de rire. « C'est hilarant. »</p> <p>Sûrs de leur victoire, ils commencèrent à partir quand un rire rauque les fit se retourner.</p> <p>« Hé... » Mon sourire sanguinolent les fit hésiter. « Putain... Mon interrupteur est sur le point de basculer... »</p> <p>Je ne pouvais plus contenir cette rage - et de toute façon, c'était trop tard. Le sang que j'avais versé avait déjà attiré la créature tapie sous nos pieds...</p> <p>-------------------------A/N--------------------------------</p> <p>J'espère que vous avez apprécié ce chapitre. Les pierres de pouvoir sont grandement appréciées pour le WPC !</p> <p>Rejoignez-nous sur Discord pour les illustrations et discussions :</p> <p>https://discord.gg/XJEgBRM3C</p>