Chapter 150
Chapter 150
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter Title: Discord
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I kicked off the ground and charged toward Han U-sol. Right then, Aselrika leaped out to block my path.
Unexpectedly, Aselrika was in perfect shape. She had a bunch of minor scratches, but nothing serious. Plenty of spears had flown at her too, it seemed, so maybe she was way tougher than I'd thought. Did she have some kind of tank ability?
Clang! My sword clashed with Aselrika's. In less than a second, dozens of strikes came raining down on me.
Just moments ago, I'd been scrambling to dodge and running all over the place, but now I deflected her attacks with ease.
It was thanks to my thigh wound healing. More precisely, the holy power that had clung to me long after the bullet passed through, tormenting me relentlessly, had finally faded. Of course, Aselrika being worn out helped too.
"Hehe, how's this? This is my real strength!"
"Ugh…!"
Whoosh! Clank! I met her descending sword head-on and parried it upward.
Kaaang! The impact was unbelievable for mere metal on metal—it vibrated through the surroundings—and in our test of strength, her arms flew up high.
"Kuh…!"
I didn't miss the opening. I dove into her guard and—
-Kwaaaang!
—kicked her armored stomach, sending her flying far away.
-Paat!
The moment Aselrika sailed off, I crouched low and lunged straight at Han U-sol beyond her. It happened in the blink of an eye—a split second too fast to react.
"………!"
Han U-sol stumbled back.
Dodge? No chance. Counter? Not possible. I could sense his utter helplessness. I didn't even need to look to know he was panicking.
-Kwaang!
In the end, my shoulder tackle slammed into Han U-sol's solar plexus. The guy who'd blocked countless black spears crumbled from a single tackle.
His feet lifted off the ground with a whoosh before he crashed onto his back.
"Urk…."
Han U-sol clutched his chest, gasping and retching. I grabbed him by the scruff of the neck and started spinning him around. He flailed in respiratory distress until centrifugal force took over.
Then, with a whoosh, he flew off into the distance. Just like the other heroes.
I'd tossed him a bit roughly out of spite. How dare he point a weapon at me without going all out. What a pathetic ranged scrub.
"…What the hell are you doing?"
After seeing off the last two standing, Kahartel's expression was priceless. I smirked and replied.
"What?"
"Why'd you let them live instead of killing them?"
"You told me to clear them out, so I did. What's the problem?"
"You asking because you don't know? They're clear obstacles to killing Yeriel. Especially Han U-sol. You know damn well they'll keep interfering if we let them live."
Kahartel's face twisted in irritation. Seeing that made me so damn happy.
"Interfering? Obstacles?"
I spread my arms wide toward the now-wide-open checkpoint path. Ta-da.
"The path is clear. What's the issue?"
All the heroes blocking the narrow checkpoint were gone. Nothing to stop the magic beasts anymore. They'd spread through the entire district unchecked.
The city would descend into chaos, and eventually, Yeriel would show up.
Even if I headed straight there, the shattered heroes wouldn't have time to block me.
They were already overwhelmed by the beasts—how could they predict where or when Yeriel would appear, or how I'd get there to interfere?
"Right?"
The demon scowled even harder, clearly displeased. That just made it better.
I had a pretty good idea why he looked like he'd eaten shit.
Obviously, letting so many heroes survive pissed him off.
Not just because it denied his sadism and bloodlust, but because it meant combat power against the beasts was still around.
Magic beasts couldn't be summoned infinitely. If they could, he wouldn't have slept for so long to recover his strength.
In this world, even transcendent beings were just individuals with limits.
Could one demon's horde of beasts really blanket the entire city? I doubted it. If so, humanity would've gone extinct back when multiple demons roamed.
Overwhelming with numbers worked in this cramped choke point, but spread across the city? Different story. Casualties would be huge, sure.
Above all, Han U-sol—the biggest thorn in his side—had survived and left. If the heroes rallied around him and charged desperately to kill Kahartel, it'd be a real threat. His beasts were already scattering everywhere.
He lacked meat shields to guard his lurking ass from behind.
But so what? What did it have to do with me?
Our contract was strictly for 'killing Yeriel,' right?
No clauses about 'aiding Kahartel's city invasion' or 'protecting Kahartel.'
Chaos would draw Yeriel out eventually, and I'd just go hunt her. I'd cleared the path blocking me, so job done.
Whether they played whack-a-mole picking off stragglers or went all-in rushing each other's bases for a late-game push—that was their problem.
"What're you staring at, sleepyhead?"
"………."
I spat the words at his glaring face. Ah, that murderous glint in his eyes was getting on my nerves.
The more he seethed, the broader my grin. Proof I'd thoroughly fucked up his plans.
I spun once in the air, landed, and threw my arms wide. Bam.
"Kekekeke. Well, I'm off for a stroll then? No telling when or where Yeriel might pop up."
Do whatever, dude.
My mouth stretched ear to ear. Watching his face rot was pure joy.
You know what? Truth is, I hate you more than Yeriel.
Betty's the only reason I've held back, but you're a real piece of shit.
I slowly walked through the path the beasts had swept clean.
Central district. Beneath the mansions of the city's elite sat an emergency bunker for crises like this.
Powerful people usually had money to burn and cherished their hides. A few escape routes for doomsday weren't unusual.
If they weren't using the citizens as bait, that is.
These elites' bunkers were deep underground, built for a select few.
Made of sturdy steel beams and thick walls, they differed from public shelters in key ways—one being their stealth, undetectable even by magic beasts.
Not visually obvious, buried deep to dilute scents, and housing so few that even sensitive beasts couldn't sense the presence.
Unlike with the citizens.
"What's the situation? The beasts?"
"Doesn't seem like they've reached the center yet… Not sure."
"Damn it. The heroes?"
"No idea."
As the huddled group chatted on luxury furniture,
-Clank. Creeeak.
the bunker door slid open.
The massive steel slab lifted, kicking up ancient dust. Everyone held their breath.
"Looks like the moles have gathered."
Parting the dust was Colton. He strode in with his adjutant at his side and private guards in tow.
Anxious stares locked onto him.
"Don't look at me like that. No intention of shoving gutless cowards into the fray. You couldn't fight anyway."
Colton brushed it off with a snort. He wasn't here for these cowards.
He scanned the room. Mostly spineless weaklings—not physically, but mentally. Defeated eyes devoid of fight or resistance.
They'd held mid-level association posts once, but Colton had purged them upon becoming city lord.
Not corrupt enough for execution, too incompetent to keep. He'd demoted them to dead-end desk jobs.
Among these losers stood a group with fit, trained bodies that didn't fit the vibe. Probably private guards they'd brought.
'Knew it. Even after all that purging, they still hid private forces.'
The one thing that pleased Colton: unlike the others, these guards had a spark of spirit in their eyes.
He addressed the most upright-looking one.
"You there."
"Yes, City Lord."
The guard replied. A hint of respect colored his voice.
Association execs' private forces got poor rep—mostly slum rats.
Many were forced into dirty work: trafficked from outskirts as kids or blackmailed via family.
Colton's first act as city lord? Freeing them. He absorbed the remnants after purging execs.
Formed security forces for patrols, gave hero aspirants proper paths.
Staff shortages meant many stayed as privates, but he'd pulled them from shadows to light. Hence their admiration.
"You've kept up training. Like the fire in your eyes."
"Thank you, sir."
"Good. Which unit?"
"Direct command of Erhan over there, sir."
The guard pointed. At the end sat a man awkwardly on the sofa.
"Hm. Tricky. I'd love to scoop up these promising lads, but even a city lord can't just poach… Adjutant, your take?"
"Should be fine. Every soldier counts for humanity's sake. Erhan will understand."
"He says that. Your thoughts?"
"If you take us in, we'll give our all."
"You bastard! Traitor now?!"
Erhan shot up, yelling.
"You're supposed to protect us here! Betray me and your families will—hup!"
He started his usual threats but clamped his mouth upon meeting Colton's gaze.
Erhan's face darkened in real time. He'd dodged purges by hiding dirt, but one slip exposed it.
Colton eyed him briefly before turning back to the guard, vowing to deal with Erhan later.
"…I overlooked your situation. Where's your family?"
"Outskirts, T District slums."
"Others too?"
"Mostly."
"……Hm."
Colton paused, choosing words, then spoke.
"Can you fight?"
"Plenty of experience against humans."
"Magic beasts?"
"Command us, and we'll obey."
"Barrier's down—you know that. Front lines breached, beasts incoming. Hate to say it, but… they'll hit the outskirts first."
"………."
"If I order you to defend there, will you?"
Resolve hardened in the guards' eyes.
"We'll obey."
Colton nodded, satisfied.