NABC Chapter 189: Investigation at The Bahari Maritime Academy (3)
Chapter 189: Investigation at The Bahari Maritime Academy (3)
Deep within the dense, sun-drenched forest—where towering trees cast layered shadows heavy enough to momentarily soften the harsh blaze of the afternoon.A group of brown-cloaked figures moved swiftly through the undergrowth.
Their steps were measured yet silent, gliding between ancient trunks as if the forest itself willingly parted for them.
They were the operatives of Ordo Ferox, the direct subordinates of Axis—faces already familiar to the tapestry of this story.
Lagan, Lela, Baso, Ramla, and Cella.
Ayu, who had accompanied them the day before, was absent from the formation.
Her body still required recovery after suffering the lingering backlash of their previous confrontation several days prior.
Their coordinated movements formed a seamless flow—light, efficient, and executed with the sort of vigilance that only veterans of countless missions could exhibit.
Each stride produced a faint rustle across the blanket of dried leaves, as though the forest itself was holding its breath in quiet respect for the presence of five such individuals.
Small birds perched on high branches occasionally fluttered away, startled by the dense, refined energy signature radiating from the Ordo Ferox members.
No one wasted words. No unnecessary chatter lingered in the air. The aura of professionals on duty clung to them like a second skin.
"Are we still far?" Lela asked, her tone calm yet sharpened with intent.
Lagan shook his head lightly without breaking stride.
"It seems we’re close," he replied with a casual ease.
His voice carried a relaxed cadence.
Yet his eyes never ceased sweeping the surroundings, scanning for minute traces of traps or the subtle fluctuations that often preceded the presence of high-energy creatures.
And indeed, barely a hundred meters further, the thick forest abruptly gave way, ending at the foot of a sprawling field of massive black stone formations.
The stones resembled the jagged remnants of some primordial volcanic eruption—sharp, solid, and absorbing the sun’s heat only to reflect it back in waves that shimmered like concealed embers.
A faint, briny breeze drifted into the air, mingling with the humid scent of forest soil.
The wind’s whistle grew sharper now; the coastline was close.
The five of them stood on one of the large black stones.
Their gazes sweeping across the barren rock-filled expanse that served as a transitional boundary before the terrain opened entirely into the beach.
Not far beyond that lay a massive complex of buildings shrouded in a chilling, oppressive aura.
The Bahari Maritime Academy.
Even from this distance, Lagan could sense unstable currents of energy pulsating faintly from its structures—like the turbulent breath of a dormant giant.
They exchanged brief words regarding their objective: the high-level shaman rumored to be hiding somewhere within the academy grounds.
"That shaman... he should be there, right?" Lela asked softly yet with a cutting edge, her eyes tracing the academy like one assessing the viability of an investment.
Lagan nodded with refined composure.
"Judging from the heavy concentration of dark energy in this area, it’s almost certain he’s here," he answered.han that of a human.
Anyone trying to guess her identity or even her gender would struggle immensely.
Unfortunately for her, despite the distortion, a faint vibration still leaked into her voice—whether due to her natural speaking manner or the subtle pressure she felt.
Lela and Lagan caught that small tremor. They assumed the invisible figure might be feeling threatened by their presence.
Even so, they kept a relaxed posture, choosing to follow the flow for now.
"We truly have no business with you," Lagan said. "We only wish to ask a few questions, in case you know anything about what happened at that academy."
Lela nodded.
"And we apologize for being impulsive earlier. But someone activating stealth in a suspicious place like this... wouldn’t you be cautious too?"
Pita found their reasoning ridiculous.
She knew well that this impulsive attack was nothing more than the barbaric habit of Ordo Ferox’s subordinates, who were notoriously fond of causing trouble through violence.
Her gaze drifted to one particular figure in the group—someone she recognized instantly. A slim man with black hair streaked with purple highlights. Baso.
Baso. So he’s here too. It’s been a while since I last saw him, she thought.
Hmph... but I need to deal with this first.
She responded again,
"I’ll overlook it. If you truly have no business with me, then we should not interfere with one another. Continue whatever it is you intend to do."
The five exchanged glances before all of them curved their lips into faint, amused smiles.
"Ah... you do have a point," Lela said.
"But... shouldn’t you already know certain things about this place?" she pressed, her tone firm—bordering accusation.
Pita maintained her stance.
"Whether I do or don’t know anything doesn’t matter. We’d better avoid getting in each other’s way. I don’t want trouble with any of you."
Lagan and Lela exchanged brief looks, realizing they needed something from this hidden figure.
In their minds, obtaining additional information before approaching the shaman was far more advantageous than confronting him blindly.
And based on their assumption, this unseen individual should already possess more knowledge than they did.
Behind the group, Baso felt an unexpected flicker of familiarity rising within him—an oddly specific resonance triggered by the way the invisible figure spoke.
Almost as though he were listening to the muffled complaints of someone he had grown rather accustomed to hearing in the past.
Lagan and Lela were preparing to advance, but Baso stepped forward before either of them could move.
"Wait—hold on a second!" he called out firmly.
His tone was sharp enough to make everyone shift their attention toward him at once.
Pita stared in his direction, feeling a twinge of discomfort twist in her chest, but she remained silent, refusing to give anything away.
Baso, however, smiled—soft, confident, almost annoyingly sure of himself—as if his instincts were whispering the identity of the hidden individual directly into his ear.
"You’re... that girl, aren’t you?" he asked.
Pita subconsciously took half a step back, utterly startled that Baso could recognize her so easily.
Especially when she had done absolutely nothing suspicious that could have revealed her identity.
"W-What do you even mean by that?" she stammered.
The others exchanged confused looks.
"You know who she is?" Lagan asked, his expression tightening.
Baso did not answer immediately. He simply smiled again—a knowing, slightly mischievous smile. Then, without warning, he pressed both palms together in front of his chest.
Skill: Poison Ropes — Bind!
Everyone jolted at the sudden activation of a high-level skill, the abruptness of the movement forcing them into alarm.
Pita, too, was caught off guard.
From multiple directions, emerging ominously from beneath the sand, blackish-purple ropes sprouted.
Each rope coated in thick, viscous streaks of toxic greenish-yellow liquid, dripping and hissing faintly as if eager to dissolve whatever they touched.
Reflexively, Pita leapt upward, the air above her being the only safe space available. But the ropes twisted, writhed, and chased after her with relentless intent.
Arghh... damn it! she cursed in her mind.
And just as the venom-laden ropes were about to coil around her—
Skill: Purify Flash Slash.
Pita forcibly exited her stealth mode. From her fingertips all the way to her forearms, an intense surge of greenish, purifying energy erupted forth.
With a single swift motion, she unleashed a slashing technique.
Her hand glowing with concentrated healing force—cutting through the incoming ropes, cleansing the poisonous air around her, and nullifying the toxic particles that attempted to cling to her skin.
A technique designed specifically to eradicate poison in the air or across any object she struck.
Her velocity generated a sharp, resounding whip of wind across the area as the ropes were severed and Baso’s attack was halted.
Pita descended and landed smoothly on the ground, now fully visible—no longer cloaked in stealth.
Even though her entire body was concealed beneath her uniform—her face hidden behind a mask, optical gear, and a hood—her silhouette, her posture, and her aura were unmistakable to Baso.
"I knew it... I absolutely knew it was you, Pita," he murmured, clearly pleased to have confirmed his guess.
Lagan and the others tensed, caught off guard by the revelation that the invisible intruder belonged to Al’s faction.
"You’re a subordinate of Hell Phoenix!" Lagan declared sharply.
Instantly, the five spread out, repositioning themselves into a tight, precise formation—maintaining stable distance while subtly encircling Pita.
Pita surveyed the group before her, irritation simmering beneath her calm exterior, but her stance had already shifted into full combat readiness.
As though a battle were inevitable.
"I didn’t expect any of you to be able to detect me," Pita muttered with faint nervousness as she glared at the encroaching figures.
"And you..." she added, directing a pointed look at Baso. "...being able to recognize me that easily—what a freak!" she grumbled resentfully.
Baso only responded with a light, unbothered smile.
And the atmosphere tightened—thick, tense, and electric—as though a hopelessly one-sided battle was about to erupt at any moment.
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