Chapter 344
Chapter 344
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Translator: crow
Chapter Title: EP.72 – The Knight Wore a Suit (3)
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The pillar flew like a spear and struck the central fountain.
The central fountain, a landmark in the upscale district, was equipped with countless defensive spells. It had enough durability to withstand two or three cannon shots.
However...
Kwaaaang!
It couldn't endure the pillar infused with the knight's 'power'.
Kwajijik!
The central fountain crumbled in an instant, shattering into countless pieces.
That fountain was often used for first dates, confessions, or as a meeting spot, so to the street's residents, this was utterly shocking. Tears threatened to well up sadly...
[[KeeEEEEK?]]
"Uwaaaack!"
...but the tears vanished, replaced by sheer revulsion. People began vomiting uncontrollably.
A monster poured out from the ruined fountain—one with an appearance so grotesque it evoked maggots.
Considering the fountain water had served as drinking water, it was hardly surprising that the residents were retching.
But the scene grew even more horrifying.
Wooduk, wooduk!
The massive maggots, their true nature exposed, suddenly swelled and began to grow.
Already repulsive beyond words, they now evolved into fly forms. In an instant, they swelled from puppy-sized to goat-sized.
Chaeng! Chaeang!
The clash of metal rang from their teeth, and the poisonous smoke they spewed made it clear these weren't mere pests.
At minimum, mid-level monsters.
Over a hundred of them—the threat level was top-tier...
"-I'm not interested in you guys."
Pueeeeng!
With the sound of a balloon popping, the monster burst into a handful of blood.
This happened every time the knight's fist shot out.
Hoooouk...!
Smoke rose from his fist.
He wasn't even holding a proper straight-punch stance—just thrusting his fists out casually and silently. Yet over ten punches flew out per second, each unleashing a shockwave. People's ears rang deafeningly.
Mountain-Shattering Fist.
The emission of power known by that name.
It was a technique bordering on the mystical, yet the knight who unleashed it showed no particular emotion.
If it had been last year, he might have found them somewhat troublesome. But now, there was no sense of crisis against opponents of that level.
Simply because he had grown stronger?
No.
'I've dealt with trash like you until I'm sick of it.'
Experience.
An intangible asset that even Taechang's eyes couldn't perceive.
The experiences Lee Han had piled up over nearly a year were profound. He could instinctively grasp how to handle them.
For example, those flies.
'Gotta take them out before they fly.'
Easy to deal with if they don't take to the air. The problem comes when they scatter.
Lee Han instantly calculated their danger and countermeasures, showing no particular reaction to his own feats.
Instead...
"Now you've seen it with your own eyes, so you know. This district is dangerous. Not just the monsters—plenty of other hazards too."
A recitation as flat as could be.
Yet strangely, no one failed to hear his voice.
It felt almost like he was whispering right in their ears.
Even those still in denial, blankly blinking, continued to receive his cold advice.
"The proof is right in front of you. Monsters overflowing. You were slated to be their food today."
"......"
"Here's some advice. Run now. Grab a carriage or whatever and get out of this street immediately. Unless you want to get caught up and die."
"...Th-this is..."
"An explanation? I can give one if you want. But if you end up in a monster's mouth while you're listening, don't blame me for it."
"!?"
Kwaaaa!
"Jeez, they just keep coming."
"Ugh...!"
Screaming 'Aaaah!', people fled in blind panic.
It was utter pandemonium—like a zombie outbreak straight out of a movie. No one would scramble like this.
Even amid the chaos, orcs and fly-form monsters tumbled out from various buildings. There was no lull in the screams.
If anything, it only grew louder.
By all logic, this was the moment for soldiers and knights to step up.
"You bastard, how dare you!"
"Kheuk!"
"Break through! I said break through!"
...but over there, that's what they were doing.
Soldiers and knights grappled desperately by hordes of monsters—orks and knolls—struggling just to hold on.
Forget stabilization; they were lucky not to get wiped out.
For the record, they weren't incompetent or weak.
Average level, but even so...
'Just about right to pit against our kids.'
Lee Han beating them easily didn't make the monsters pushovers.
They were holding up decently. Rather than help them, Lee Han...
Pueong!
...resumed his own task, culling monsters with each burst of power.
"Th-thank you!"
"Hiiiik!"
People saved from the monsters collapsed, their legs giving out.
But instead of a kind inquiry, Lee Han said...
"Where do you think you're going?"
"Wh-what...?"
"You can't leave."
"??"
It was the kind of statement that made heads tilt instinctively. The puzzled group—no, more precisely...
"Parasite bastards, true to form."
Peok!
He hurled his axe at the administrator.
"Why, why!?"
A scream laced with shock—the implication being, why attack their loyal administrator? But he offered no explanation.
Instead...
Swipe.
"Must be wearing those eyes for decoration."
A scathing critique, accompanied by a glance.
Look closely.
At those words, the noble's gaze shifted.
".........Who the hell are you?"
─The 'face skin' of the administrator peeled away, revealing a 'new face' underneath.
Hududuk...
"...Oops, busted?"
"Told you. Found you."
"Confusing, though. I thought you meant the beasts. Turns out not. Playing mind games."
"......"
"But when did you catch on?"
A breezy question.
He showed no concern whatsoever at his identity being exposed.
Merely curiosity. Lee Han, in response...
Hooook!
Pueeeeng!!
"...You're dangerous, for real. What kind of freak are you?"
...simply unleashed a silent strike.
As if he had no interest in talking.
The man effortlessly dodged the lethal blow and promptly shed the cumbersome skin he wore.
Chwaak.
"Tch. Thought it was a pretty decent disguise."
"...What happened to that face's owner?"
"No obligation to answer someone who ignores my questions, right?"
"Wrong. You should answer."
Hoooouk!
If you want to die easy...!
Kwaaaaang!!
Lee Han's Mountain-Shattering Fist ravaged the central street.
─An indiscriminate bombardment targeting every parasite cloaked in administrator skin.
Finding out that the Brass Knights were in the central street—also known as the noble district—was just the other day.
How?
-Process of elimination.
-We searched the entire capital. The only place without suspicious activity was the central street. If they're not there, they're really not anywhere.
That was the conclusion from Roan and Derek after turning the capital upside down. Lee Han decided to trust it.
If they were that certain, there had to be good reason.
At the same time, it was utterly ridiculous.
-Them being there is a joke. They claimed it wasn't dangerous.
The Blood Crusaders—the ones who'd dismissed the cult most vehemently—were hiding among nobles.
This was...
-Not even worth cursing.
-So what'll you do?
-Hm?
-Issue a warning now?
-...Think that'll work?
-Yeah.
Roan smiled wryly, as if even he found his own suggestion absurd.
Right. No matter how much you warn the central street nobles of the danger, they wouldn't listen.
Once they set their minds, they'd cling to their stubbornness even to the death.
It was petty pride, but wasn't that nobles for you?
They wouldn't admit fault—not even in death.
-Self-inflicted doom. Got it. Still, draft an official warning. Say it might be dangerous. Could serve as an excuse later for accountability. If it goes wrong despite all this...
-Their fate.
Cruel, but Lee Han just shrugged.
To him, it was unavoidable.
People numb to danger...
-Only recognize crisis when it's right on top of them.
"-They really didn't prepare a single thing."
Levi couldn't help a wry smile.
Despite the advance warning in the official notice, there wasn't a trace of preparation.
Not just the number of soldiers and knights—watching the so-called upper crust casually strolling and shopping made her sigh involuntarily.
Was it arrogance? Or simply...
"Are they idiots?"
Seogeok!
Levi drew the rapier disguised as her cane and pierced the monster's neck in one fluid motion.
A clean, unhesitating thrust. She withdrew the blade and looked at the woman she'd saved.
"Madam, are you alright?"
"Tr-Tristan lady..."
"Just call me Levi. More importantly, hurry and escape. I can't protect you forever."
"B-but... my legs... they're too weak..."
"......"
Levi wondered what exactly had weakened their legs, but seeing dozens of women in the same state, she nearly sighed.
Good grief...
'What confidence did these people have to keep playing around?'
Pook!
Swallowing another sigh, Levi stabbed and slashed the monster with precise movements instead of lashing out in frustration.
No time to get annoyed.
'Gotta lighten Master's burden.'
Aren't there too many deadweights?
Seogeok!
...Completely useless.
It was the moment a seed of distrust toward nobles sprouted in the girl's heart.