28 28: Choosing an Opponent

'What about Rina or Athena?'

Caleb's gaze landed on the only two women from the group for a while. Athena had a wide smirk on her face and Rina wore her usual expressionless face.

As someone who came from a modern society where women deserve equality or equal rights. Caleb doesn't have an issue hitting a woman. Unchivalry, not so gentlemanly or what, He doesn't give a damn. Caleb was an avid fan of equality. If some woman wants to hit him, he will hit back.

Of course, Caleb still thinks of himself as a man with decorum and respects anyone who deserves his respect. No matter what gender or race, Caleb tends to base it on how others treat him.

'Well, I'm not interested in fighting them for now.'

Caleb was averse to the idea of fighting Athena, who was giving him an expression screaming 'Choose me!.' He doesn't know why Athena is so hellbent on teasing him. It was as if she was planning something bad for him.

Next, Caleb's gaze shifted to Jin, who in turn gave him a nod.

'Better not think about it.'

He doesn't know why; he feels that he is seeing his reflection when looking at Jin. Same aura, and the same cold, calculating look. Jin, like him, exudes the aura of a killer. Aura that only people whose hands had bathed blood. Yes, bathed, not just a stain. What concept is that? One had to have killed a lot of people.

As for who did Caleb kill? he can even provide a list, but that's for another time and it wasn't as if he was proud of it. In contrast, it haunts him all his life and takes a toll on his inner peace.

When Caleb's eyes landed on the bald-caped, a strong fighting intent appeared on his heart. However, before it could even grow, he immediately poured cold water to extinguish it. He sighed bitterly and thought of something.

'If you don't seek death, you won't die. Scratch that! I don't even seek death, but why am I always dying!?'

Actually, he was really curious about the extent of strength of the baldy. However, he only had one chance to join the hunting party, so he doesn't want to gamble it. Next, there are only two candidates left. Captain Fushigiro and Miles.

Just like Dunn and Jin, Caleb crossed Fushigiro's name. Who was he joking? If the Baldy, Dunn, and Jinn were already formidable. It was common sense that Fushigiro was horrible.

"I choose Miles." After some consideration, Caleb finally chose the opponent he wanted to fight. Fortunately, he doesn't need to beat him. He just needs to land a hit.

If he chooses Dunn, he is still uncertain due to how agile and precise the guy moves. If he chose the two women, he might pass. However, what he wanted was to prove his capability. Rina and Athena were definitely the weakest among the seven members, Rina said it to him herself while they were eating at the house. So, if he wants to prove his capability, he has to fight someone in the middle of the ladder of the group.

Hearing this, Miles sighed with exasperation.

"Did you think I'm any worse than this bastard Dunn?"

"Hahaha! He chose you, it means he thinks that I'm stronger than you!!" Dunn laughed without holding back that Caleb could even see tears in the corner of his eyes. The bastard wasn't crying, it was tears of joy.

Miles glared at Dunn, his chest heaving heavily, and he looked at Caleb with a fierce expression.

"Are you ready, Johan?"

With a grim expression, Caleb readied himself. He raised both of his fists and planted his feet to the ground firmly.

'Damnation! It seems this guy and Dunn aren't on good terms.'

However, Caleb had long forgotten the concept of fear. It doesn't exist in his dictionary anymore after he experiences lots of death. He didn't really know if it was a good thing or bad thing, but at the very least, it helped him to remain calm in a dangerous situation. Thinking of this, he gave Miles a look of provocation.

"Come here, big guy. I'm ready!"

Seeing such confidence made Dunn smile. Athena, on the other hand, began to wait for the fight with a bated breath. Rina's stoic expression was ever-present.

Fushigiro closed his arms on his chest. He gave every member a look, then opened his mouth to say:

"Keep watch. When you feel that the fight is getting out of hand, step forward and stop the fight, or else Miles might overdo it."

Rina nodded.

"Captain is right. No matter how strong his physique was and how fearless he was, he was still a kid after all. I'm not underestimating him, but he still lacks the experience that we have. He doesn't have much combat experience."

"Okay, be quiet. The match is starting!" Fushigiro said.

...

Caleb eyed Miles' every move intently. It was as if he didn't intend to let anything escape his watch.

Contrary to his previous mood, Miles didn't show any anger or hint of emotion. He wore a poker face, making it hard for Caleb to discern what the guy was thinking. Then Miles unsheathed the katana from its sheath.

The blade gleamed brightly, reflecting the yellow rays of the sun with blinding radiance.

'Damn, where's my weapon? Am I supposed to fight him with bare hands?' Suddenly, Caleb realized that he was absolutely fucked. 'Damn! Damn it! Goddamn it!'

Just as he thought of this, Miles took a deep breath. With one step, he covered the distance of two meters and gradually began to accelerate while gathering momentum.

Miles was like an arrow released by a bowstring. Caleb didn't stand like an idiot any longer. He looked around him to see if there was anything he could use. Then he saw a stone with sharp edges not that far away from him.

However, the blade was already nearing him. Caleb immediately calculated the distance and trajectory of the blade. Then he observed the minute details, such as the smallest twitch of Miles' muscles. The most important, however, was the enemy's footwork.

With a side step, Caleb managed to dodge the blade. However, something unexpected happens. The blade stopped falling for a split second, and then its trajectory path changed slightly, but that slight change was enough to make a big difference!

'How!?' Caleb exclaimed inwardly.