Wolf and May were now running across the street, praying they would not arrive too late.
"Do you think the Viper's still alive?" Wolf asked, his tone laced with small hope.
"He's fought against multiple tough opponents and somehow made it this far. I think he's got a chance."
"Yeah, but…" Wolf was well aware that the Voiceless Viper had hunted a countless number of high ranked Collectors over the years, so he wouldn't drop dead so easily.
Could he really stand a chance against someone like Jude? Wolf thought back to Jude's previous statement, claiming he was also a Visionary. However, his capabilities seemed far superior and more controlled. It only made him feel that much more doubtful about the Viper's survival.
"I'm more worried about Mr. Snapper," May said anxiously. "He said he was going to look for the princess, but I kind of hope none of us will ever run into her again…"
When the snow began to fall, Snapper realized that they probably wouldn't have much time to locate the ice hat before Jude, so in order to get ahead, he urged the team to split up so they could cover more ground.
While Wolf and May sought the Viper's co-operation in stalling Jude, Snapper would take care of Mel and locate the ice hat at the same time.
"Don't worry. If it's Snapper, I'm sure he can handle himself," Wolf assured, "and besides, he said he had a plan, didn't he? In case things go south."
"Y-yeah, you're right… He seems really strong, so I'm sure he'll be fine."
After shaking away their worries, the two began to concentrate ahead as they approached the battleground of an epic duel amongst two powerful foes.
So they're still going at it… Wolf thought as he suppressed the urge to gulp.
He and May gradually came to a halt, knowing it would be too risky to hastily approach, however, May suddenly noticed something in the distance.
"Wolf, look!"
Wolf suddenly turned in the direction she was pointing in.
"I-Isn't that...?"
"Yeah, it is…"
Seemingly unnoticed by the fighters, the two gazed at the Viper's weapon intensely, while pondering whether or not it was best to retrieve it.
Concurrently, the Viper, who had figured out Jude's ability, seemed to possess the upper hand during their fight.
All of Jude's Ice Fissures had been shot, however, the only bit of damage he was able to inflict was a slight chip on the corner of the Viper's frail mask.
Swinging his arm forward like a professional pitcher, the Viper launched his dagger straight at Jude.
Without any time to evade due to the sheer speed at which the weapon travelled, Jude held his hand out to block the incoming dagger, causing it to bounce right off of his palm.
It's happening again!? An internal panic struck him as the same numbness he felt earlier began to spread through his entire hand and into his body.
With the distraction he suffered again, the Viper was able to maneuver to his opponent's blind spot, attempting to strike him with a left hook to the side of his head.
"Shit!" Jude, barely noticing him, prepared for the attack by shielding himself with his arm, however, Viper's left fist suddenly paused mid-air. "Huh…?"
Sneakily, he drew the other fist he kept hidden behind his cloak and used it to punch Jude right in his gut.
"PWAHH!" Such a sound flew out of his mouth, accompanied by a thick mixture of blood and saliva as he stumbled backward with his arms wrapped around his stomach.
The pain was excruciating–far worse than it should have been.
Viper, who knew his attack didn't have enough force to inflict this much damage, was able to confirm his suspicions.
It appears I was right about his ability, he silently affirmed.
"So, you've finally figured it out, huh?" Jude groaned in agony. "It's about time…"
More blood spewed out of his mouth, creating a small red puddle beneath him.
Viper saw that he was able to injure his opponent severely, however, he was in no mood to relish such an achievement.
"You're practically half dead now. Why are you still smiling?"
Jude, even in his weakened state, began to chuckle. His body, which had folded due to the pain, slowly began to rise.
He was now suspended at about fifteen feet above ground.
"The ability that you were able to discern is a Manifest card called 'Self Conjure'," he began. "It is a Birth card that allows the user to strengthen their own body, partially nullifying incoming damage as well as any pain inflicted.
"However, once this ability had reached the third rank, I placed a Manifesto on it that allowed me to further strengthen the body as much as possible with the condition that only a particular area is strengthened at a time while the rest of my body is weakened in a ratio of 9:1 respectively."
So in exchange for more power in one area, one would have to sacrifice endurance in the rest of the body.
"Quite the double edged sword, eh?"
"It still doesn't explain why you're not on the ground, begging for mercy."
"Hey, I was just getting to that part," Jude moaned. "Anyway, what I was going to say–before you rudely interrupted–is that until just a second ago, this card had only five stars."
"What?"
Suddenly, a card that remained suspended beside Jude began to emit an eerie Vision Mist.
"Before it became a six-star card, however, I had to create a Manifesto for it."
It was a requirement before a Birth card could reach the sixth rank.
Jude's grin widened as he pictured Viper's panicked expression.
"I bet you're wondering what kind of Manifesto I created… Don't worry; you'll find out soon enough."
Jude, who had noticed the snow falling from the clouds above him, suddenly reached his arm up, his palm facing the sky.
"Perception, return!" By chanting these words, Jude was able to summon a glowing blue orb.
It was the same one that Wolf saw before it had followed Amber. May also recognized it, having escaped from the bird statue after it had been destroyed.
In a state of urgency, the two looked at each other before coming to a decision.
"Viper!"
"Hmm?" Jude turned around to see where that voice was coming from.
Beneath him, he could see Wolf and May, who rushed toward the Viper while carrying his weapon.
"Ah, so that's what they were up to…" Jude, who had already noticed those two watching from the sidelines, wasn't able to figure out what they were planning until now. "'The enemy of my enemy'… This is quite an unfavorable turn of events."
Jude continued to watch as May cautiously approached the Viper with Wolf clutching the handle of his dagger just behind her.
"V-Viper!"
The masked man turned his head slowly and ominously.
Although May was the one to call him, she couldn't help but lose all confidence upon receiving his attention.
Nevertheless, she continued with an iron resolve.
"J-Jude has frozen one of our friends… We… I think we need your help," May pleaded.
The Viper didn't say anything. He merely snatched his weapon away and immediately aimed it at her.
"Ah!"
"No!" Wolf instinctively got between the two, blocking the Viper's target with his entire body.
As he and the Viper stared each other down, the sound of his thumping heart beckoned his next words.
"I know you don't want to do this." Wolf said, in a voice half-threatening, and half-empathetic. "I don't know what kind of history you and Jude have, but he seems to be a common enemy. I think it's best if we work together for now, and then deal with each other later...
"How does that sound?" Slowly, Wolf moved his arm that protected May forward, attempting a handshake with the Viper.
For a moment, he gazed at it in silent contemplation before completely turning away from him.
Wolf initially thought that he had shot down his offer, however, that was until he noticed the muzzle of his rifle pointed toward Jude.
"For now…" Viper cautioned, agreeing to a temporary truce with Wolf and the rest of his group. "But when it's all over… I'll kill you and your friends. How does that sound?"
Wolf quietly and hesitantly nodded. "Fine..."
We'll see about that, he protested internally.
The Viper, scoping into his rifle, fired another bolt toward the enemy.