ALL NOVEL Chapter 91
91. Miscalculation
Barry’s sudden announcement made me doubt my ears.
“What the… You just show up and start saying stuff!?”
“Shut up, loser! I’m not talking to you. I’m talking to him.”
Barry snapped, then walked over to Matthew and smiled.
“…What is it? Are you a villain?”
“Maybe I am. I lost to that loser over there and became the bad guy. …But, I never make a mistake in my calculations.”
“Oh?”
Barry spread his arms wide and began to speak as if giving a speech.
“Make me your ally. I’ll be useful.”
Flattering. That was Barry’s choice.
“Do you think I have any reason to do that?”
“There is. I think you’re trying to take over Orthea. Am I right?”
Matthew grunted.
“That barrier traps people below level 30. To do something like that when the townspeople are gathered is nothing but terrorism.”
“Indeed, you’re right. But so what?”
“You must want information about Orthea. And, I’m level 32. I’ll be a useful pawn.”
Barry was meticulously selling himself. He prided himself on not making miscalculations, showing his keen sense of the situation.
Considering the townspeople were confined by the
He chose to become Matthew’s subordinate.
“I see. Indeed, having more forces is never a bad thing.”
“Right? I figured you were the type who doesn’t make mistakes. Anyone can see this is a bargain.”
Barry extended his hand for a handshake with Matthew. Both wore malicious smiles.
After a moment of silence, Matthew deepened his smile and responded.
“I see… Then let’s make you an ally.”
“Of course. I’m glad you’re a calculating man. Now, to Orthea…”
“But as fodder.”
In the next instant, Matthew raised his right hand and snapped his fingers. Responding to the sharp sound, a red-haired boy dashed towards Barry.
“What!?”
By the time Barry turned around, it was too late. The boy’s fist slammed into Barry’s cheek.
“
In a flash, an explosion erupted. Barry’s body tumbled across the ground with a loud noise.
Barry staggered to his feet. Half of his face was severely burned, smoke rising from the wounds. The injuries were so gruesome that I couldn’t help but look away.
Barry panted heavily, touching his burnt face, feeling the heat with his palm. He seemed to finally understand he’d been attacked.
“Ahhhh! Ahhhhhhhhhhh!!”
Barry screamed fiercely like a beast.
“What are you doing!? We were supposed to be allies!”
I felt a chill down my spine as I looked at Matthew. His expression, having betrayed Barry, was the ugliest yet most genuinely delighted smile I’d ever seen.
“Hey, stop laughing and answer me!”
“Are you misunderstanding something? There’s no way I’d trust a villain like you, right?”
“What!?”
“I hear you’re from Orthea. But you’re willing to betray your town to side with us, right? I can’t ally with someone who’d betray their own people.”
With that, Matthew kicked Barry in the ribs. The once powerful Barry was easily sent flying.
“I thought you were… someone who could calculate! Why won’t you ally with me!?”
“Aren’t you overestimating yourself? If you’re so perfect at calculations, why are you groveling on the ground?”
“That’s…”
Barry clutched the soil, trembling. His breathing was erratic, sweat pouring down his neck.
“You’re not as perfect as you think. At best, you’re just a foolish villain groveling on the ground.”
I sensed something breaking within Barry. I could see him gathering strength in his legs.
“Barry, stop!!”
“Raaahhhhh!!”
The deranged Barry, dragging his now useless body, staggered towards Matthew.
I shouted in a panic, but my voice didn’t reach him. Matthew sighed and raised his hand high.
“Golem. This fool doesn’t deserve
A snapping sound. The boy ran at the signal.
“
The boy muttered, and his fist glowed red. He quickly caught up with Barry and swung the glowing fist—
—striking Barry’s face.
“Ugh!”
Barry was flung back, crashing into a tree. He rolled his eyes back, drooling, unconscious.