Chapter 319 - Mindbender (2)

While Arnold and the others were contemplating their next move, Nathan finally managed to strike Allen down. Allen's face turned red. Veins popped out on his forehead. His sword also fell to the ground with a loud clang. He was subdued by Nathan, with no room for resistance and struggle.

Nathan's arms were tightly gripped around Allen's neck, while his legs were wrapped around his waist. Allen had been locked in a rear-n.a.k.e.d choke, with no hopes of escape. He was desperately trying to free himself but couldn't. Nathan was simply too strong.

Allen couldn't blame anyone but his overconfidence that he got into this mess. He was winning with his sword then why the hell did he had to stop using it. No matter how many times he tried escaping, Nathan didn't allow it. He had turned into an anaconda who wouldn't let its enemy escape no matter what. If anything, the more Allen struggled, the tighter Nathan's grip got. Allen tapped out, but Nathan didn't stop. Accordingly, he was disqualified from the duel.

Soon enough light started to fade before Allen's eyes. He was on the verge of collapsing for good. This wasn't a duel anymore, Nathan was out for his blood. Johnny and Nina simultaneously rushed to free Allen out of Nathan's grip, however, the next moment, Nathan went flying in the opposite direction like a missile. 

Both, Nina and Johnny barely avoided colliding with the flying Nathan. Call it intuition or a dumb guess, both of them turned to look where Arnold had been standing a moment ago. But he wasn't there. Instead, he was standing over Allen, who was desperately gasping for air.

Arnold was the first to notice the change in Nathan's eyes... They were filled with bloodl.u.s.t. At that moment Arnold decided to act swiftly. He appeared over Nathan like a flash, grabbed him by his neck, and ripped him off of Allen's back before throwing him away like a trash bag.

"Arnold... please don't do anything rash. I'm sure there's something wrong with Nathan. He would never do something like this." Johnny mumbled when he saw Arnold walking towards an unconscious Nathan.

Arnold didn't reply, he kept walking in Nathan's direction while Natasha followed him like a faithful servant. Johnny was about to throw himself between Nathan and Arnold but Nina stopped him. She knew Arnold wasn't angry at Nathan. The look on his face was more of disappointment if anything.

The next moment, Nathan woke up and immediately lunged towards Arnold. Arnold saw the man coming and proceeded to deliver a right hook to his face. Once again Nathan went flying but this time Arnold grabbed his feet midair and began smashing him into the ground. 

Everyone silently watched Arnold brutally thrashed Nathan. After 10 seconds, Arnold had successfully knocked Nathan out. The following moment, Natasha went to work. Thankfully, Nathan wasn't harmed badly. Even as he was thrashing Nathan, Arnold ha made sure no severe or lasting damage was done to him. 

Arnold had tried helping Nathan get rid of the foreign influence in his mind like he had helped the others. But for some reason, Natasha's powers couldn't knock Nathan out. Thus Arnold decided to do it the old fashioned way. His method was brutal but his heart was in the right place. 

Nathan woke up soon after Natasha was done treating him. He was still in a daze. His face was covered in his blood but no wounds were visible beneath. Natasha had done a pretty good job at healing him. 

"What's... going on here?" Nathan mumbled before taking Arnold's hand to force himself up, "Why are you all looking at me like this? Wait!!! Why are we here? We're supposed to be in the swamps! I-"

"Relax, Nathan." Arnold placed his hand on Nathan's shoulder, "You have been under someone's spell. That's why your memory is was fizzled up. But thanks to Natasha, you're all good now."

While trying to calm Nathan, Arnold once again used probe on him to see if Natasha's spell worked or was Nathan still under someone's control.

__

NAME: Nathan Black

LEVEL: 93

RANK: S

ROLE: Brawler

AFFINITY/ABILITIES :

• Ultra Tough Skin

• Aura Manipulation

• Thunderstruck

• Enhanced Sight

<expand to view 3 more>

Mana/Energy : 5690/5690

STRENGTH (STR) : 94

DEFENSE (DEF) : 105

STAMINA (STA) : 99

INTELLIGENCE (INT) : 88

AGILITY (AGI) : 78

ACCURACY (ACC) : 67

EVADE (EVD) : 57

CHARISMA (CHA) : 54

PERSONALITY: Rogue, Faithful, Motivated and Malicious (The human is no longer under a foreign influence).

JOB: Family Member - 10% satisfied.

PHYSICAL and MENTAL HEALTH: An outside source has interfered with this human's mind. Unable to detect the reason for erratic behaviour. 

AFRAID OF: Getting lost, Betraying his family and Losing. (The user has been freed of foreign influence).

FITNESS LEVEL: 89% - Increasing.

MOTIVATION: A thirst for adventure and Peace

__

'Thank god it worked on him. I was worried for a second when it didn't work the first time.' Arnold sighed in relief.

"But... how?" Nathan asked Arnold. His hands were shaking and he didn't know why.

Arnold wanted to inquire whether Nathan had any memories of who did this to him. But it didn't look like Nathan was in any condition to answer any questions. He was still confused as to what was happening. But before he could ask anything, Nathaniel rushed to hug both his sons. The old man never wanted them to fight again. Arnold stood there, smiling but his mind was already racing thinking about who else could be affected by this nuisance of a Mindbender.

'I'll have to protect Nicole and Nina from whoever this person is, and I have to do it before I leave for China...'

<You can visit the Shop. There are some suitable items that might satisfy your needs or you can make some accessories yourself to do so.>

'Right...' Arnold thought, 'But I'll still have to take care of the person sooner or later.'

<You should get used to these attacks. After all, the Paladins have to hunt the Vassals down. And they'll go to any extent to do that.>

'Hmm... Looks like I'll have to hunt them down first then.'

<You can't. You'll suffer a serious penalty if you attack a Paladin before they attack you. However, this rule only states that a 'Vassal' can't harm them. You do know what it means, right?>

'Of course, I do. But I didn't know you're a rulebreaker.'

<I have my moments. Other than that, it looks like I might've taken a liking to you.>

'So you're gonna stop roasting me now?'

<No.>