Return of the Runebound Professor Chapter 860: Too long

At the sound of Noah's voice, Brayden's eyes shot toward him, widening with instant recognition.

“Noah? Is that really you?”

“Who else could it possibly be?” Noah replied with an incredulous chuckle.

Noah tore off his mask, but before he could speak another word, the gigantic bear of a man barreled into him, dragging both Noah and Lee into a bone-crushing embrace. Brayden had clearly bulked up tremendously since their previous meeting. Way stronger. He effortlessly hoisted them both off the ground in his excitement, his enormous arm wrapping around Noah's back with force enough to squeeze every bit of air from his lungs.

A startled gasp escaped Noah as his feet flailed, protesting the sudden loss of solid ground beneath them. Brayden didn't even appear to notice he'd airborne them—and neither Noah nor Lee could protest even if they tried.

A few moments passed before the burly giant released them, dumping both back onto the street with unceremonious thumps that echoed in unison.

“Unbelievable. Noah! I figured—I don't even know what I figured. Everyone knew you'd return. But seeing you here for real? That's on another level entirely. You mad fool, you are. How'd you pull it off? What went down with Father? And why the hell did it take so damn long? Months have passed!”

“It's a long tale,” Noah answered, laughing.

That prompted Brayden to clap his hands heavily onto their shoulders. The impact nearly buckled Noah's knees, sending his torso pitching forward. He stumbled—and astonishingly, Lee did too.

“Oh, damn.” Brayden winced as he raised his hands. “My bad. I figured I'd improved my control, but excitement got the better of me. Noah! Lee! It's truly you two!”

“Damn good to see you, Brayden,” Noah said, slapping the man's arm. “And holy hell, what have you been chowing down on? You were already built like a tank last time. Now… whoa. You're a monster. A colossus? How'd you get so massive?”

“Training non-stop,” Brayden grinned broadly. He lifted a hand to smack their shoulders once more, then halted and dropped it with an awkward cough. “Intensely. Picked up some new Body Imbuements too. But enough about me. What about you guys? And you, Lee? How's the crew? I—damn. Questions are piling up.”

“Just us for now,” Lee replied. She wrinkled her nose, poking it with a finger. “Can't smell a thing here. We didn't seek you out deliberately. Pure chance.”

“Chance?” Brayden echoed dubiously. “In this massive city? I—whatever! Doesn't matter. Now we're three strong. Can't wrap my head around it. Spill it all. What dragged you here? How've you been holding up?”

“Wasn't kidding about the long story,” Noah said. His voice carried a distant tone even to himself. He could hardly trust his own sight. Running into Brayden this way transcended mere wild luck. The odds against it had to be sky-high.

Noah's gaze sharpened.

“Brayden, you traveling with Your?”

“Huh?” Brayden blinked. “Nah. Why? She alright?”

“Knowing her? Absolutely,” Noah said. He peered over his shoulder then, scanning the rooftops nearby. Nothing. Shaking his head, he faced Brayden again. “Just musing aloud. I'll fill you in completely soon enough, cool? Not spilling on the street.”

“Right, crap.” Brayden nodded. “Mask up. Hiding from trouble?”

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“Nah.” Noah slipped the mask back on regardless. “Just a disguise persona. Tournament might ruffle feathers, so I want a throwaway identity ready. You never know.”

“You're joking?” Brayden snorted, flicking Noah's shoulder. “I've stuck with you long enough, Noah. I know exactly how often that pays off. What's your alias now?”

“For you? Noah still. Publicly… Spider again.”

Brayden nodded. His expression toughened, jaw tightening, eyes growing grave as the mirth faded. “Father? Tell me straight, Noah. That scum—”

“Dead,” Noah stated. “He's gone.”

Brayden's thoughts hit a momentary stall. His stare fixed forward, as if his mind had briefly shut down. A blink later, reality snapped back. He gulped, his clenched fists loosening.

Then he stepped away.

Silence hung before Brayden spoke again.

“Sure about it?” Brayden whispered. “Guy doesn't drop easy.”

“I’m certain,” Noah affirmed. “I took him out myself. He’s gone, Brayden. No doubt about it.”

Brayden released a deep breath. In that single exhale, what felt like two decades of pent-up tension melted off his shoulders. His spine aligned perfectly, and his stance corrected itself, making him tower even higher somehow.

“He’s dead,” Brayden echoed. Those words sounded more like a devout prayer than a mere declaration. “Really?”

“Really,” Noah confirmed. “His soul got devoured by… well, eternity itself. He’s not even heading toward rebirth. He’s erased. Completely and forever.”

Brayden gulped hard. Then his gaze sharpened.

“Good riddance, damn it,” Brayden declared. “After all the horrors he caused, even death feels too merciful for such a beast. He stole everything. Arbalest is wiped out because of him. I’ll never forgive — wait, crap. You know about Arbalest, don’t you?”

“I do,” Noah replied. “But I heard the others made it out fine. They’re all safe, aren’t they?”

“Yeah, that’s right.” Brayden shot a look at Lee. “You filled him in. Naturally. Sorry about that. My mind’s all over the place. This caught me off guard. I — hell, Noah. I need a drink. Make it several.”

“Hope it’s not too many,” Noah said, flashing a wry smile. “I remember how you act when you’re plastered.”

“Blame yourself for that,” Brayden shot back with a chuckle, jabbing a finger at Noah in mock accusation. “You were grilling me for details! How was I to guess you could hold your liquor so well? You’re barely a quarter my size! It’s unfair, man.”

“Hold on. Did I forget to mention?” Noah asked, clearing his throat awkwardly. “I was on the verge of blacking out. Nearly did. Truth is, I’m terrible with alcohol compared to you.”

“Huh?” Brayden’s forehead creased. “But you… I passed out in your room. Clear as day. That’s how you learned Father’s plans for Vermil, right? How’d you pry that out if you were as wasted as me? I hardly recall our chat.”

“Sobered up by dying. Lee disposed of the corpse,” Noah answered.

Brayden burst into laughter. Then it died as he saw Noah’s dead serious expression. He stared for a beat, then rubbed the bridge of his nose.

“You’ve got issues, Noah. Serious ones.”

“Hey! That was ages ago. I’ve stayed alive for a good stretch now. Pretty proud of that streak.”

“You have?” Brayden’s eyes widened. “So… what about Father? You mentioned explaining later, but why the long delay getting back? Don’t say you’ve been battling him in some endless time loop.”

Noah erupted in laughter. “Nah, nothing that wild, thank goodness. I offed him months back. Just some unforeseen messes slowed my trip home to Aqua Terra. But now I’m here. And this round, no more hiding my true self. Not from us, anyway. I’ll spill all the details once we’re in a quiet spot, safe from eavesdroppers.”

That appeared to settle Brayden for the moment. “Alright. That holds me over. Damn… still can’t wrap my head around it. Wild timing. The gods must be watching over us. Maybe they regret leaving you to face Father solo.”

“Could be,” Noah conceded. Even if Yoru pulled the strings, he wouldn’t gripe. No clue why she skipped a personal visit. Perhaps he was imagining things. But if his hunch held, Yoru had good cause to stay away for now. She might not even be in Aqua Terra yet. That could wait. His feelings were too jumbled right then.

“What were you two doing?” Brayden inquired. “Feel like grabbing a seat to catch up?”

“With breakfast?” Lee suggested. “Starving here.”

“Sounds perfect,” Brayden concurred. “Long as it fits your schedule. Guessing you were heading to check your badges? Mine glowed this morning.”

“Spot on,” Noah verified. “Let’s handle whatever nonsense these badges demand first, so we avoid a tournament disqualification on some technicality, then breakfast as a group?”

“Perfect plan,” Brayden grinned. He gave Noah’s shoulder a light fist bump, holding back just enough not to send him crashing through a wall. “Let’s move. Too long apart.”

“Yeah,” Noah grinned back. “Way too long.”