Chapter 65
Chapter 65
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 65
Chapter Title: Black Wolf Leader, Requiem
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No doubt about it. Though I'd never heard it before, this resounding howl was undoubtedly Requiem's. The torch flame flickered as if it might go out in the wind, and Judah clung to that light as he raced toward the source of the sound at a terrifying speed. He nearly crashed into overhanging branches growing wildly and tripped over tree roots jutting up like traps, but he didn't slow down. A few minutes after breaking into a full sprint, a faint metallic taste of blood began to fill his mouth.
Kyung!
Sensing they were being pursued, the black wolves ahead glanced back. The glow in their eyes shone clearly even through the darkness. Faint moonlight filtering through the dense canopy illuminated the wolves charging in a different direction.
It didn't take long to deal with the two lunging wolves. Just like before. But ever since he'd recalled the code he'd applied to his bastard sword, the sensation of slicing through them didn't feel quite the same. The fight happened in an instant and ended just as quickly. Judah glanced down at the blood dripping from his blade, then turned to look behind him. Far off, a single light was racing toward him.
"Judah!"
It was Cain. The distance between them was closing. He held a torch, a halo of light swirling around him to push back the darkness. It seemed too bright, making the figure stand out vividly. Maybe it was because darkness blanketed the entire forest.
"Judah—!"
He heard it clearly. But Judah just stood there, breathing, offering no reply or action. He watched Cain approach, lost in thought.
"......"
Why was he chasing after him? Out of worry?
If he'd plunged into the darkness after him with just that single light, Judah almost wanted to applaud. His stomach twisted uncomfortably. Damn it—the more he thought about it, the more his head spun and his emotions surged. It was nothing, really nothing, so why was he letting it get to him? Judah couldn't understand. He turned his head and back, plunging into the darkness once more. He ignored the voice calling his name from behind.
The wolves ahead didn't seem to care about Judah pursuing them either; they were out of sight. Judah activated [Shadow Heresy 1st Form - Shadow Deployment]. His shadow, flickering irregularly in the torchlight, began to spread outward. The skill required only the bare minimum of light to activate. Expanding a shadow cast by faint moonlight was child's play.
The expanding shadow relayed information to Judah from above it, and in an instant, it revealed traces of the distant black wolves just barely within reach. Red dots appeared and vanished repeatedly on the . Judah couldn't afford to slow down. The wolves kept changing direction. He'd thought he'd mapped out the eastern forest pretty well, but they were heading into uncharted territory.
Then, countless red dots began popping up on the map. An enormous number. It looked like every remaining black wolf had gathered. But he didn't ease up. Far ahead, the forest's edge came into view. He could feel the black wolves on the plain watching him, as if they knew he was coming. Bursting out of the forest, Judah whistled amid the swarm of enemies pouring toward him.
"You sure found a nice plain like this. Even after years prowling these woods, I rarely spot places like it."
Krrrng!
One or two, he could handle. But hundreds of wolves fixing their gazes on him sent chills down his spine. The disgust he'd felt toward Cain, surpassing mere displeasure, was drowned out by the wolves' killing intent. Yeah, this was much better. Far better to feel this tension teetering on the edge of life than let that nauseating emotion take hold.
Death loomed right behind him. Of course, just a temporary death.
Knowing that, knowing he'd revive, allowed him to act so recklessly without hesitation.
The wolves advanced a step at a time toward Judah, and Judah took a step toward the wolves. A smile crept onto his lips. Anyone seeing this would call him mad. But they wouldn't be wrong. It didn't matter. Even he thought he was crazy right now.
The wolves didn't charge immediately but bared their fangs, their silent glares warning that they'd tolerate no further approach. But Judah had no interest in the wolves in front of him.
There was only one thing he wanted: Requiem, standing uniquely massive at the center of the hundreds-strong pack. Whether his actions piqued its curiosity or not, Requiem's gaze turned this way as well. The pressure it exuded felt stronger than the killing intent of the hundreds of wolves combined.
......
Requiem offered no reaction, just its gaze. That pressure from two years ago, when he'd felled Korrkan, hadn't changed. A mere beast or not, Requiem carried an air of nobility and dignity.
"Yeah, I came to see you, Requiem."
Scars covered Requiem's body in the moonlight. Its tightly shut jaws felt weighty, its impassive eyes brimming with charisma. This was the leader of the black wolf pack—the king that had led them from the southern forest to battle the white wolves.
When he'd seen Cain selflessly saving others without hesitation, unlike himself, Judah had been wracked with self-loathing. Others could die for all he cared. As long as Tia, with whom he'd forged deep bonds, and Jeanne, with whom he'd share a future, lived, that was enough. When had he started thinking that way? With someone dying right in front of him, he'd hesitated—not wanting to reveal his hidden ace to the others, not wanting it exposed. He'd hesitated to gain even a slight edge against Cain, who might one day become an enemy.
But Cain didn't hide his abilities. He didn't hesitate to save others.
Seeing that had filled him with guilt. Even if Cain became an enemy later, it wasn't now—what was there to fear?
Rage boiled up without reason. He needed an outlet. And conveniently, black wolves were at hand for venting. He'd swung his bastard sword to cleave a wolf lunging with bared fangs and hurled a dagger using his heresy arts. But the discomfort coiling around him didn't fade. Cain had stared back at him, drenched in blood, just as he'd stared at Cain.
That was when Requiem's howl had echoed. He'd never heard it before, but the moment he did, he knew. "Ah!" This was Requiem's voice. He'd felt compelled to pursue the retreating black wolves.
He believed meeting Requiem would resolve this disgust he felt. Clinging to that expectation, he'd raced through the dark forest. As he ran, Judah couldn't hide his smile. Bursting from the forest onto the plain and spotting Requiem amid the pack made his heart pound.
He'd been right.
The moment he laid eyes on Requiem, the baseless rage and loathing in a corner of his heart vanished.
"I wanted to meet you again someday."
After encountering Korrkan, he'd never seen Requiem once. It had left only that intense memory of gazing down from the rock, then vanished without a trace. But today, they met like this. Judah giggled like a madman.
Honestly, thinking about it, the self-loathing he'd felt upon seeing Cain was no big deal. Humans were selfish; it was natural to think that way. But even so, he couldn't tolerate it in that moment. He needed an emotion intense enough to smother that self-loathing discomfort. He craved the chill and tension of death at his side.
It had been reckless and foolish, but he had no regrets. If he died here, he'd return, and next time, he'd think and act more coldly. Even if these wolves charged and tore him apart right now, it'd be fine. Sure, it'd suck not to do anything with Requiem after finally meeting it, but since he'd quelled his boiling emotions, he'd achieved his initial goal. Of course, next time he'd think twice before acting so rashly....
......
Requiem still showed no reaction. It just kept its gaze fixed here. Beneath the moonlight, countless black wolves awaited its command. That's why none lunged with bared fangs at Judah, who advanced step by step.
"You remember me, right?"
......
No answer. He hadn't expected one. But it surely understood.
Black wolves were clever. They simply didn't speak, but their intelligence was high. Especially the leader, Requiem.
"Judah!"
Just then, Cain—who'd presumably caught up—called his name. Turning back, Judah saw Cain in his holy knight's armor, panting heavily after chasing him here. Judah's gaze shifted to him.
Foolish Cain, pathetic Cain. Stupid Cain.
He'd come all this way in the end. Why chase him? For what? If it were Kaseun, the Holy Sword's owner, maybe, but what could he hope to do alone? Did he think they could do anything together?
Judah couldn't help but admire the guy's recklessness and courage. He could die. Judah could afford to be reckless knowing regression followed death, but Cain didn't know that and had no such safety net. Death meant the end in this timeline. No returning to the past, no reviving. Yet he'd chased after him.
Was he unafraid of death?
If he came relying solely on the blessing from Saint King Gabriel and being her sword, Judah wanted to call him an idiot. If it was a complacent "it'll work out somehow," he'd call him a moron. Feeling strange thoughts swirl every time he saw Cain, Judah turned his gaze back to Requiem.
Fortunately, the black wolves didn't charge at Cain or Judah. They merely awaited their king's order. Judah stared at Requiem and spoke without hesitation.
"Requiem! I challenge you to a duel!"
Among the rewards from felling Korrkan was the right to duel Requiem. It wasn't an item, but as a quest reward, these words should hold power. And they did.
......
Until now, Requiem had kept its jaws shut tight, but it bared its teeth in what looked like a smile and let out a short, powerful bark: Kyung! At the sound, the black wolves parted left and right like the Red Sea before Moses, opening a path to Requiem. They even closed their eyes and bowed their heads, as if inviting him to walk through. The intermittent growls and threats ceased.
Cain, who'd been steeling himself to charge in sword raised to help Judah or fight the wolves alongside him, gaped at the words. He was even more shocked by what followed. Stunned, he just stared dumbly at Judah's back as he walked the path cleared by the wolves.
"What... what's going on?"
A duel...? Cain muttered in disbelief. But whether Cain was shocked or not, Judah's steps didn't stop; he advanced toward Requiem one foot at a time.
========== Author's Note ==========
Whew. It's amazing that there's someone who can manage a different menu for every meal!
Thank you, snioa-nim and septimus-nim, for the support coupons.
Forgive the late thanks. And thanks to everyone else who gave recommendations, coupons, and comments.