F-Rank Soul Eater-Chapter 186: Soren Vs Shade Stealer... Again?

Aegon was not the person tracking me?

This surprised Soren.

According to Aegon, he had been receiving updates on Soren’s movements.

And that was how he was finding Soren’s location.

He was also the one that told Sophia when Soren had been released from Dr Kaya’s lab so that the assault his life could happen.

Physical contact.

Soren’s mind churned. Then he remembered. The Shade Stealer had been able to hide from the security cameras.

What if...?

His mind flashed back to his battle with the Shade Stealer.

Their combat.

Of course. Back then, it had become a hand to hand fight.

Was it possible that the Shade Stealer touched his wristwatch?

This was the only conclusion he could arrive at.

Now that he thought about it even more, it was plausible.

So that would mean that the Shade Stealer had attacked him with more than one plan in mind.

"That’s why most cadets regularly get their Watches checked." Aegon suddenly spoke up.

Suddenly a mohawk party members rushed over.

"Boss... Boss Aegon, we are under attack."

"What!?" Aegon frowned as he turned.

"Who would dare?"

"Not who... What..." the party members corrected. "Its a Giant Triplex Rot Hound the literal size of a house."

Soren’s eyes shone. He understood what was going on.

Of course he did.

By now in the previous loop, Aegon would have carried his Party members to hunt Soren down.

It was just like the last time.

When things were not progressing according to plan, the Triplex Rot Hounds were used to correct the playing field.

They were like the police in this grand scheme cooked up by the Shade Stealer.

Aegon wanted to go out and fight. But Soren spoke up. "There is no need. If my deductions are right, even if you win, more will just arrive. It is safest to retreat."

But just as he said it, Soren regretted it.

Aegon gritted his teeth. "I am Richnic Aegon." He stepped forward confidently... "Heir to the Aegon noble family. I am no coward—and neither is my Mohawk party.

We do not retreat in the face of some... Dog!

Now stay put, Clown. When I come back, we will settle this."

Aegon gestured for the party member to lead the way and he followed along.

Soren sighed as he turned back to Cynthia. He simply gestured to be carried again and she did.

"Get ready, Cynthia, we will soon be running again."

A moments later...

Cynthia, carrying Soren—ran.

And beside them was...

Aegon and his party members—clothes torn here and there as a pack of hounds chased from behind.

Soren gave a mocking ’I told you so’ look.

Aegon merely gave him a glance, looking away—embarrassed.

With no surprise on Soren’s side, the chase led them to...

The point of Demise.

And despite Soren’s warnings abd advice, when Bambi provoked Aegon, another fight occurred...

[You Died]

.....

This time around, Soren tried an entirely different approach.

Aegon was obviously too stubborn. Changing his mind was impossible.

However, there was something else Soren could do.

After all, who said that he could not hunt the hunter.

After losing yet another Shade, it was time to get to work.

Unlike the last time, Soren dod not have Cynthia smash her own watch.

Just his.

After all, he now knew from Aegon that the person that hacked his watch was the Shade Stealer, which must have happened during their battle.

He was tracked using it.

Soren went for another target.

It took time, but Soren and Cynthia finally reached it.

In the distance before them, standing at the edge of a cliff, a figure, dressed like a cadet, except the glowing white runes on his pale sickly skin revealed that he was—not anymore at least.

It was clear. This was the cadet that sat Close to Soren during class.

The one Soren stabbed in the leg. The same person who had been the sole survivor of another train taking cadets to the academy.

The one that had hurt Tommy, and had been the reason for all the commotions.

"I was right." Soren spoke up. "Having sent all the Triplex Rot Hounds to do the policing work, you’d be left all alone.

Or is that not so.... Shade Stealer."

The Shade Stealer(in question) was a bit surprised by Soren’s arrival, but got itself together just as fast.

It turned.

"Waterfell...?" It muttered. "Very Impressive.Then again, there is a reason that pesky bloodline has persisted for so long." It complimented—slowly turning to face Soren.

"And if I might ask, how did you find me?"

Soren frowned. He quickly noticed that unlike the other Shades taking over people’s bodies like the ones fought at the Science research institute, this one’s voice did not echo.

He couldn’t help but think.

’Do they eventually adapt or is this one just built different.’

"It was easy." Soren replied. "I just had to look for the highest spot."

This much was true. Soren had been observing the Ridges in the false Glass. And he came to the conclusion that this place must have been the spot.

After all, to get a better view of the chess board, one must have a player’s point of view.

Gently, Cynthia let Soren down, stepping forward as she cracked her knuckles.

CRRRWWWLLL...

Soren stood behind, hands resting on his walking stick as he observed them.

Even if the Shade Stealer was strong, as he had observed during their battle in his dormitory, Cynthia was on another level.

She did not have fancy techniques like those nobles, but she had street—no, prison wits.

And unimaginable raw power.

Soren could not help but think how foolish he was that he had not thought of this earlier on.

Simply capturing or killing the Shade Stealer would end it all.

"Give up." Soren spoke up. "There is no way you are getting out of this one unscathed."

But the Shade Stealer did not have the expression of a person that had lost a fight.

Instead, it smirked even wider.

And then it spread its hands, and instantly, Several figures appeared...