Chapter 62: An Expensive Honor

As he looked at the chief grasping his spear tightly, memories of his past life resurfaced in Nikolai’s mind. This clan was one of the unique ones he came across, so it was hard to forget them.

They were called the Vultra Clan, a group of Vultures Riders that inhabited the west of the Rosia Kingdom and the southeastern parts of the Bestial Kingdom.

‘As I remember, they became known after the war began because they started stealing resources from the people on the land.’ Nikolai looked at the chief in front of him. ‘The war did them cruelly, and their clan couldn’t survive.’

The chief looked at him with a stoic expression, knowing fully well that Nikolai was resting or planning. However, for reasons that Nikolai couldn’t fathom, like honor or battle dignity, he didn’t attack first.

Nikolai’s eyes darted, looking for his quiver. He found it on the edge of the hull, nothing but a touch away from falling. The quiver was on his back when the vulture carried him through the sky, but it came off when he landed with the Rider earlier.

“Is that your weapon?” The chief turned to glance at the quiver. “No, you use a gun. You must be a multi-weaponist.”

‘I thought the last guy was chatty. At the time I knew them, they were too impoverished to chat.’ Nikolai didn’t say anything in response.

He took a step back and aimed his gun. The tension rose between the two as the chief crouched while holding his spear. The rest of the riders didn’t get involved but either stayed to watch or went to attack the other pirates.

‘I hope Sergio is well,’ Nikolai thought to himself. As for the archer, she got into this mess by herself. Sergio was dragged here by Nikolai, so the latter felt responsible. ‘Right, I have the vials he created.’

Nikolai asked him to brew a set of potions for Nikolai to use. He gave Nikolai a small leather pouch that had a group of vials, but Nikolai never used them.

“Do you think this is an honorable fight?” Nikolai broke the tension. The chief looked at him silently and nodded. “One of your people attacked me from behind, and now you claim honor in fighting an injured man.”

Nikolai never believed there was an honor in fighting. There was only winning. However, the Vultra in front of him thought otherwise. His words seemed to work as the chief lowered his spear.

“What do you suggest?”

“Let me use a healing potion, and we’ll fight to our heart’s content,” Nikolai said and lowered his gun. “If you refuse, then there’s no point in fighting. Just kill me.”

“…” The chief looked at him silently. Nikolai hoped this man would be foolish enough to agree. As he expected, the rest of the Riders didn’t stay silent.

“You’ve poisoned our comrade! How is that honorable?”

“Kill him, leader!”

“Silence.” The chief scowled. “Drink your potion, outlander. For we are not a bunch of low-lives, but honorable warriors.”

‘Ah,’ Realization dawned on Nikolai as he heard these words. He had heard of this person before. The man in front of him was the next Clan Leader.

‘This guy is the one who refused to run away when a Lord called them thieves and set out to exterminate them. Choosing to die honorably than run like a rat, he fought the Lord head-on and perished with his clan.’

Nikolai was sure of it now; this man was foolish. However, it worked in his favor. He took out the pouch of vials and found ten of them in it.

Three Healing, three Mana Restore, and three Quick Steps were inside the pouch. As for the last vial, it had a black fabric wrapping it. With a frown, he took out the piece of paper next to it.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

[I’ve created the destructive potion, teehee. (∩❛ڡ❛∩) Use it well, Bossman!]

‘You fucking idiot!’ Nikolai’s heart shook as he wanted to scream. ‘I was running around carrying this bomb with me?’ At this moment, Nikolai’s rage was unbridled.

He asked Sergio to avoid creating it on the ship because it was dangerous. Not only did he not listen, but he also went ahead and slipped it into Nikolai’s bag.

‘Wait, this clothing is…’ Nikolai touched the fabric. It was rough to the touch and absorbed mana. This item was a Shock Absorber. ‘Well, he’s not that dumb, I guess… but still,’

Thanks to Sergio’s recklessness, Nikolai now had a chance against this chief. He took out the Healing potion and drank it. His wounds began to heal, and all of his fatigue began to lessen.

“I can’t be the only one drinking a potion. Drink one too.” Nikolai said as he took a stance with eyes full of determination. “Let’s have an honorable fight!”

“I don’t need a potion.” The chief said, but Nikolai shook his head in response.

“This is not an equal fight, then.” Nikolai took out a potion from his bag. “Let this serve as a repayment for your clan’s noble deeds.” He threw the vial in the air, and it made an arch toward the chief.

The chief appeared hesitant but still reached out to grab the potion. At that moment, Nikolai raised his gun and shot the potion. Like an angry dragon, the vial broke to spew out flames and ice energy.

Boom!

The explosion took the chief by surprise, and the flames engulfed him. Nikolai was surprised that such a tactic would work, but he attributed it to the chief’s idealistic values.

The explosion pushed him away, but Nikolai was the farthest from its center. Holstering his gun, Nikolai ran and jumped after his quiver that fell from the ship. Catching it midair, Nikolai removed the lid of the quiver and took out an arrow.

He turned around while falling and nocked the arrow to his Darkmoon Longbow, which appeared in his hand. He watched as Alias sank toward the ground further away from him because the explosion damaged its core.

“Be safe, Sergio,” Nikolai muttered, hoping that Sergio manages to flee using the backup plan Nikolai prepared. There was nothing more that he could do.

Nikolai released the arrow after infusing it with a magical effect. Even though these effects could only serve as tricks at most, they were the reason Nikolai was still alive.

[You infused the Target Tracking Effect, consuming 5 Points.]