Chapter 352 — The One Who Hears What He Shouldn't Hear
Ethan finished the last sip of his coffee and looked at the bottom of the cup.
— Well.
— I'll deal with this quickly before Liora starts yelling at me.
He imagined the scene.
*"ETHAN."*
*"Yes."*
*"You're on a mission."*
*"Yes."*
*"Why do you have cappuccino foam on your nose?"*
He wiped his face.
— Too bad…
— I would've liked to see their plan.
He stretched.
— But since I'm in a hurry…
— I'll mash them up quickly.
On the other side…
Brakk clenched his teeth.
— This isn't good.
He spoke softly, but in his mind the conversation was crystal clear.
— If he comes here, my whole plan will be ruined.
— I must either have him with me…
— or push him away.
Zahkariel's voice slid gently.
— If you want me to get more involved…
— you'll have to give me something in return.
Brakk froze.
— Again?
— Always.
He thought quickly.
An exchange with a Jinn is never free.
Never simple.
And never without hidden clauses.
— I need to think…
— You don't have time.
Brakk suddenly looked up.
A chill swept the air.
Ethan was walking toward them.
Calm.
Hands in his pockets.
Light smile.
— All this time…
he said calmly,
— you've been talking about me.
Brakk's stomach tightened.
Ethan tilted his head slightly.
— In your little dimension where narrations don't reach.
— You think I can't hear you?
Silence.
Even Zahkariel stayed mute for half a second.
Then he smiled.
— Interesting…
His voice was deeper this time.
— So he can hear me, that one…
— He's more dangerous than I thought.
Ethan looked up at the sky.
— Stop whispering.
He tapped his temple.
— It's annoying.
Brakk murmured:
— How does he…
Zahkariel resumed, more serious this time.
— Fine.
— He's becoming problematic.
He sighed.
— Very well, Brakk.
— What do you want in exchange for my direct intervention?
Brakk swallowed hard.
— If you really get involved…
— Say it clearly.
Ethan stopped a few meters away.
— Are you done negotiating or should I come back in five minutes?
Zahkariel pressed:
— Speak.
Brakk took a deep breath.
— I need a lock.
Silence.
— Be specific.
— A temporary ability.
— Something that blocks spiritual perception.
— That prevents anyone from reading, hearing, or sensing the plans forming around me.
He clenched his fists.
— Ethan isn't just strong.
— He's… synchronized.
He looked Ethan straight in the eyes.
— He picks up anomalies.
— He hears what shouldn't be heard.
— He senses what's meant to be hidden.
He continued.
— If I want to separate Llan from his allies…
— I must stop this guy from seeing through the cracks.
Zahkariel stayed silent for a few seconds.
Then he laughed softly.
— You're learning fast.
— So you can do it?
— Yes.
— The price?
The Jinn smiled.
— A memory.
Brakk froze.
— Which one?
— A precious memory.
— Something that gave you pride.
— Or anger.
Brakk hesitated.
Ethan crossed his arms.
— Well…
— I'll give you thirty more seconds to finish your couple's discussion.
Zahkariel whispered:
— Decide.
Brakk closed his eyes.
Then opened his hand.
— Take…
— the day I swore never to run away again.
A heavy silence.
Zahkariel smiled slowly.
— Accepted.
Something broke inside.
Not physically.
But… subtly.
Ethan narrowed his eyes.
— Hmm?
The atmosphere shifted.
More opaque.
More closed.
Zahkariel murmured:
— Veil of Negation.
— Active.
Ethan frowned slightly.
— Interesting…
He looked around.
— I don't hear the echo anymore.
He smiled.
— So you paid something.
Brakk smiled too.
A calmer, steadier smile.
— I'll get you, Ethan.
Ethan burst out laughing.
— You?
He stepped forward.
— I hope your plan is better than your coffee.
In the invisible shadow, Zahkariel watched.
— Oh, Brakk…
He murmured softly.
— You've just lost part of what made you dangerous.
Then he smiled.
— But let's see if it was worth it.
Chapter 353 — Heroic Speech and the Threat of a Spanking
Llan stopped in the middle of his walk.
He frowned slightly.
— I feel something's wrong…
— But I don't know why.
Aeris, floating calmly in the air as if gravity were just a suggestion, tilted his head.
— Did you sense something?
— Could someone be scheming against you?
Vareth crossed his arms.
— It can only be Brakk.
— He loves picking fights with you.
Nyra sighed.
— What exactly is he after this time?
— He harasses you way too much.
Vareth chuckled.
— Don't worry.
— Did you forget how you made him run last time?
He suddenly projected an illusion.
An exaggerated image of Brakk appeared…
…tiny, caricatured…
…while a giant version of Vareth raised his hand like an older brother ready to give a spanking.
— That's what awaits him.
The illusion showed Brakk receiving a "cosmic spanking" so dramatic that lightning flashed with every impact.
Nyra blinked.
— Were the special effects necessary?
— Always, Vareth replied proudly.
Llan sighed softly.
— It's easier for you than for me.
Aeris slowly descended to the ground.
— As you asked us…
— We won't interfere in your confrontation with Brakk.
Llan lowered his head slightly.
— It won't be easy for me…
— But I must do my best to protect those I care about.
Silence.
The wind blew lightly.
Aeris placed a hand on his chest.
— Beautiful…
— I could almost cry.
Nyra rolled her eyes.
— Why do you have to dramatize every situation?
— Me, dramatize?!
Aeris struck a theatrical pose.
— It's like you have no heart.
— Did that magnificent speech not move you?
Nyra stared at him.
— No.
— Not even a little?
— No.
— You're ice‑cold.
— I'm realistic.
Vareth scratched his head.
— Can we get back to the fact someone might be trying to attack us?
A little further away…
Ethan walked calmly, hands in his pockets.
An amused smile on his face.
— They want to mask my vision so I can't intervene too soon…
He looked around.
The atmosphere was slightly altered.
Denser.
More closed.
— Sorry…
— But what difference does that make?
He stretched.
— The fact I don't hear your little secret talks anymore…
— You think I'd go easy?
He shrugged.
— Just because I don't catch your voices?
He laughed softly.
— Seriously?
He stopped.
His gaze grew colder.
— I came to give you a spanking.
— Quickly.
— Efficiently.
He cracked his neck.
— Whether I hear you plotting or not…
— It doesn't change the result.
Back to Llan's group.
Llan suddenly raised his head.
— He's coming.
Aeris narrowed his eyes.
— You sense him?
— Yes.
Nyra crossed her arms.
— He's heading straight for us.
Vareth smiled slightly.
— Perfect.
Then he looked at Llan.
— Are you sure you don't want us to intervene?
Llan clenched his fists.
— Yes.
He took a deep breath.
— If I can't handle this myself…
— Then I don't deserve your protection.
Aeris sniffled dramatically.
— He's doing it again…
Nyra elbowed him.
— Stop.
In the distance, a silhouette was already appearing.
Calm.
Almost relaxed.
Ethan raised his hand.
— Yo.
Silence.
— Done with the inspiring speeches?
He looked at Llan.
— Well.
— Who's starting?
A dangerous smile spread across his face.
— Because me…
— I'm already warmed up.
Chapter 354 — Controlled Panic (In Theory)
Brakk was thinking intensely when he felt…
A hand gently rest on his shoulder.
He almost jumped.
— Well done, Jinn.
He didn't even turn around.
— I must admit, you're finally starting to be useful.
Zahkariel appeared behind him, half‑visible, as if hesitating to fully exist.
— I've been helping all along…
— But only now do you recognize my worth?
He sighed dramatically.
— Really…
— Humans these days.
He looked Brakk up and down.
— Sometimes I feel they're not even human anymore.
— Too rushed. Too noisy. Too dramatic.
Brakk looked up.
— You literally just described 80% of my enemies.
Zahkariel shrugged.
— And you too, incidentally.
Brakk ignored him.
He turned to his men.
— You.
— Guard the surroundings.
— Warn me the moment you see Ethan.
One of the men hesitated.
— Boss… what if he's already behind us?
Brakk stayed silent for two seconds.
— …Don't say that.
Zahkariel tilted his head.
— Why so hurried, Brakk?
— Because I think he's already located us.
The Jinn frowned slightly.
— Impossible.
— I blocked his perception of our discussion.
Brakk slowly turned toward him.
— And you really think that's going to stop him?
Silence.
Zahkariel narrowed his eyes.
— …Fair point.
Brakk ran his hand through his hair, ruffling it nervously.
— No, but seriously…
— I'm really in one of those messes.
He began pacing.
— I can't find a plan that lets me separate those four.
He raised three fingers.
— Vareth: blunt and direct.
— Nyra: lucid and cold.
— Aeris: dramatic but fast.
— Llan: emotional center of the group.
He lowered his hand.
— And in the middle… Ethan.
He sighed.
— Honestly, I'm in deep trouble.
Zahkariel cleared his throat.
— It's "deep trouble," not "deep trou."
— This is not the time for grammar corrections!
The Jinn smiled.
— I could do something insane…
Brakk's eyes lit up.
— That's it!
— Do it!
— …but I don't feel like it.
Brakk froze.
— Excuse me?
— I can.
— But I don't want to.
— Why?
— Because it would be too easy.
— And I enjoy watching you panic.
Brakk's mouth fell open.
— You're watching me struggle for entertainment?
— Exactly.
A heavy silence.
Then Brakk threw his arms up.
— This is a disaster!
— How am I supposed to manage before Ethan shows up here?!
At that very moment, a voice echoed behind them.
— Too late.
All of Brakk's men froze.
Brakk blinked slowly.
— …
Zahkariel looked in the same direction.
— Oh.
— He walks faster than expected.
Ethan was approaching calmly, hands in his pockets.
— Seriously, Brakk.
He glanced around.
— You really think I need to hear your discussions to find you?
He tapped his own chest.
— You leave traces of intention.
— That's louder than words.
Brakk clenched his teeth.
— What are you exactly?!
Ethan smiled.
— Motivated.
Zahkariel whispered softly in Brakk's ear:
— I confirm.
— He's problematic.
Brakk exhaled through his nose.
— Great.
— Thanks for the analysis.
He straightened.
The panic vanished.
His gaze grew more calculating.
— Very well.
He looked at Ethan.
— Since you're here…
— might as well improvise.
Ethan raised an eyebrow.
— Improvise?
Brakk smiled slowly.
— You wanted quick action?
— I'll give you some.
Zahkariel narrowed his eyes.
— Oh…
— This is getting interesting.
Brakk muttered:
— Plan B.
Ethan replied calmly:
— I hope you've at least made it to letter C.
Silence.
Brakk sighed.
— …No.
Zahkariel burst out laughing.
— Magnificent.
Chapter 355 — Immunity Canceled
The wind stopped.
No sound.
Then—
In a single step, Ethan vanished.
Brakk blinked.
— Huh—
He reappeared.
Directly in front of Zahkariel.
Brakk's mouth fell open.
— Oh 😱
— We're doomed.
Zahkariel didn't even have time to finish his move.
Ethan grabbed him by the collar with one hand.
A dry grip. Steady. Relentless.
— Bad position, he said calmly.
Then—
BAM.
The first strike landed.
Not a normal strike.
A blow that bent the air.
A dull detonation echoed, as if the atmosphere had been hit before the Jinn.
BAM. BAM. BAM. BAM.
The blows followed one after another.
Too fast to track.
Each impact compressed Zahkariel's chest, sending circular shockwaves through the air. The ground beneath their feet cracked—not from an explosion, but from sheer pressure.
Brakk stared.
— He's boxing him like a premium punching bag?!
The blows weren't just fast.
They were dense.
Each fist seemed to weigh a ton.
Raw force condensed into minimal motion.
Then Ethan released him.
And with a fluid movement—
He hurled Zahkariel far away.
The Jinn smashed through three trees, a hill, and crashed into the ground in a burst of dust.
Silence.
Brakk stood frozen.
— …
— I'll just pretend I didn't see that.
In the crater, Zahkariel slowly rose.
Blood dripped from his mouth.
Far too much.
He looked at his hands.
— How…?
He coughed.
— How did you do that?
— I'm immune to physical attacks.
He raised his eyes to Ethan.
— And you hurt me.
Ethan tilted his head.
Then he smiled.
— That's your question?
He lifted his arms.
— I don't know.
The narrator sighed.
When Liora said he wasn't the smartest… she had her reasons.
Ethan turned his head toward the void.
— Nobody asked you.
Brakk blinked.
— Who's he talking to?!
Zahkariel narrowed his eyes.
Ethan continued calmly:
— Brakk.
— It was you, wasn't it, using a fake aura?
Brakk stiffened.
— …
— So random hunters thought you radiated the aura of a special rank?
Silence.
Ethan shrugged.
— I think that's false.
— I think they simply don't know what a special rank's presence really is.
He stepped forward.
The pressure rose.
— Since they'd never seen someone at your level…
— They classified you as S by default.
Brakk swallowed hard.
— It was strategic…
— It was marketing, Ethan corrected.
Zahkariel wiped the blood from his chin.
His gaze grew more serious.
— I need to be more careful.
He looked at Brakk.
— Step back.
His voice shifted slightly. Deeper.
— You're too good a vessel for me to let you burn out.
Brakk immediately stepped back.
— Ah, finally, now you're talking properly.
Ethan smiled softly.
— And if you die…
— What good is the vessel?
Zahkariel stared at Ethan.
Then he smiled.
An older smile.
— You can't kill me.
— If you try… I'll simply return to my dimension.
He spread his arms slightly.
— Whereas for you…
His smile widened.
— It will be impossible to kill me.
Ethan stayed silent.
Then answered calmly:
— That's what you think.
He tilted his head.
— But reality can be very different.
Brakk muttered:
— Why do I feel like I'm the one who's going to suffer here?
Zahkariel cracked his neck.
— If you say so…
His aura spread.
This time, it was visible.
Dense. Ancient. Warping space slightly.
— Get ready to suffer.
Ethan took position.
Simple.
Not theatrical.
One foot slightly back.
One hand raised.
A calm gaze.
— Try me.
The ground vibrated.
Brakk stepped back again.
— I'm going to stand…
— Very far away.
He shouted to his men:
— If I die, tell them I fought bravely!
— Even if it's false!
One soldier replied:
— Boss, we're not sure we'll survive either!
— Ah.
— Well then, improvise.
The wind exploded.
And this time—
It was no longer a simple clash.
It was a human.
Against a being from another dimension.
And neither seemed worried.