Marlon's eyes widened at the ntion of Gregory's na but for Hal, it was really a no-brainer.
That Marlon was searching for the one who killed Adler and instantly went after the least likely suspect: Hal, all on his own without instigation was nonsense.
Hal was very much aware when he went after the Holgers that Gregory would make the connection, whether due to paranoia or just plain smarts, he could not care less. He also gave him a lot of satisfaction that Gregory would be biting his nails and hopefully pulling out his hair in frustration and anger.
Anger not only directed at him but also at Hector Edgar. So, for Gregory, this was the perfect plan;
He sent Marlon after Hal, in hopes that Hal's arrogance would cause the two to battle. Any outco of that match, as long as it was not a truce satisfied him.
If Hal died. Good.
If Marlon died. Also Good. Perfect way to stick it to Hector in which case Hal would most likely die nonetheless.
Hal was sure that Gregory was outside of the array, waiting for it to co down and reveal the outco of this little altercation.
"What is it you want Hal? killing will do you no good" Marlon said as the fog held him down with their horrific energy affecting him more the longer he was in contact with them.
Hal sighed and shook his head "I told you already, I don't want you dead"
Hal's eyes turned black, sclera and all. He stretched his hand and a black fog snaked out of it and slithered towards Marlon.
From that fog Marlon felt such energies that his eyes bulged and he perford his last act of defiance towards Hal by struggling against the red fog once again
"D-d-d-Dev..."
He began but was unable to complete before the fog branded him with the mark, effectively making Hal's will his command.
Hal had considered signing a contract but ultimately decided against it, he saw no reason to do so at the mont, the mark was good enough for now.
When Marlon looked up now, there was newfound respect in his eyes
Hal took a deep breath "Okay Marlon, just how much of the Edgar wealth do you have access to?"
"Well I handle my family's finances so I have access to all of it" Marlon said as he stood up, now freed from the fog
"And how much of that can you take undetected?" Hal asked with a smile
"If I'm smart about it, a fairly large amount, uhm, master? Is there a reason for asking?" Marlon was nervous and Hal's smile was not making him more relaxed
"Is it not obvious? You're going to fund my bid for the Holger Estate"
...
Gregory kept his eyes locked on the array. While he could not see into the array, he could still rely on his exceptional senses to realize that the first part of his plan was successful. Now all he needed to do was await the results.
It wasn't like they could co to a compromise right?
"Fancy eting you here" A pleasant voice sounded and caused Gregory to turn and co face to face with linda.
He frowned slightly at the fact that he had been so focused on the array and allowed her to sneak up behind him.
linda had taken a break from her cultivation and after discovering Hal's absence from the mansion, she decided to...take a little walk, so to speak.
The fact that there was an array near pleasure inn did not sit right with her. Finding Gregory staring at the array instantly raised the red flag.
As Gregory stared at linda, his lips turned upside down in a frown. The last ti he had seen this 'whore', his son had died.
The sa thought was running in linda's mind but it brought a smile to her lips instead.
Gregory's fist was clenched in anger and frustration before a thought that would wash away the frustration ca to mind. One he had just had to share.
He smirked "You know -he- has immunity from my attacks. But you don't" along with the short speech ca the complete release of his cultivation base complete with the purple broadsword that was his cosmic armant, backing up his words for the purpose of intimidation.
To his disappointnt, linda's expression remained unchanged as she placed a hand on her hip and smirked towards Gregory, a picture of ease as though Gregory's slightly trembling right hand was out of fear and not anger.
"Oh Greggy, lighten up" linda giggled like he was a friend she had just played a prank on
"L-l-l-lig-lighten up?" Gregory stamred in disbelief.
How dare she, tell him to lighten up?
linda nodded and smiled "How are your balls?"
"My...what?" Gregory was so shocked by the question that he stopped moving
"Your balls. Don't tell you're deaf as well, Mr sour puss" linda said in an exasperated voice
"They're fine?"
"Good, cause I've got dibs on breaking them"
That was it. Gregory was so angry that his internal organs went out of control...
-puchi-
...and he spat blood.
How could she be so shaless?
After taking part in the death of his son, she could still tell him with a smile that she would break his balls.
He couldn't take this anymore.
This was at a level he just could not handle.
So he wiped the bloodstain, gripped his Cosmic Armant more tightly and dashed towards linda who instantly pointed
"Third grade skill: Beetle shell"
The shell-like shield surrounded by a three circled ring appeared to protect her from Gregory's broadsword.
Not wanting to risk her life linda limited the energy output of the skill, putting it at the low tier.
*Bang*
Gregory hit the shield with the broadsword with a slight feeling of Déjà vu. He had done this before.
And he would not make the sa mistake.
Gregory took a step back and pointed at the shield
"Third grade skill: Raptor strike"
Out of a three circled ring, all circles bright, erged a green raptor that went after the shield,...
*Bang*
*Shatter*
... broke through it instantly and then swooped down on linda but she was no longer there.
Taking advantage of the collision, linda had used the Second grade skill, updraft, to move away from the raptor's path.
Gregory looked around quickly in shock as the raptor died out to find her location but he would not need to look for long before linda ca down on him from the skies,
'Foolish attempt' he thought as he swung the broadsword at her
linda made a quick maneuver to escape the strike but still got caught with it's flat side.
Updraft was not really a flying skill, it rely gave a strong lift, not to ntion it consud too much Cosmic Energy to operate but it had been enough.
So when Gregory turned towards linda, he saw her grinning
Confused, he tried to move, only to discover that he could not. No matter how much he struggled, his body just would not respond. He looked at his sword arm and found an activated rune. A binding rune.
The whole thing had been a distraction. This was her plan all along.
linda laughed loudly as she stood upright
"Is that all you have? Tricks?" Gregory spat, but linda simply shrugged.
The rune held Gregory down but it would not be long before he broke free. Any reckless attack to him now would only free him faster. Then again, as she was still at the Cosmic pearl realm, linda did not believe it was ti for them to face off just yet.
Besides, while she was hoping to get to break his balls and bring him excruciating pain, she very well knew Hal wanted Gregory all to himself.
The array began to warp before it was gone all together to reveal a smiling Hal and a frowning Marlon.
Marlon walked straight to the bound Gregory...
*Wham!*
... and punched him in the face.
"What are you doing?" Gregory asked with a groan
"You lied to , he didn't do it" Marlon snarled pointing at Hal "if I had killed him, father would have had my head"
After that Marlon stomped off and Gregory finally broke free from the astral bind seething with anger as he stared at the Hal and linda couple, he dispersed of his armant, clenched his fist and left while he could still control himself.
Once he was out of sight, and no longer in the range of Hal's astral perception, Hal wound his arm around linda's waist and smiled down at her before raising his brow seemingly in an inquiry
"What?" She asked even though she could take a guess
"That was dangerous" Hal said and nuzzled her cheek
linda rolled her eyes "This, coming from a guy who just got trapped in an array and was getting stalked by his father"
Hal simply chuckled as he walked back in direction of the mansion with linda in tow.
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