Chapter 135
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 135
Chapter Title: Arena's Barbarian Warrior
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"Fierce Dragon Solo Sword Slashhhhhhh!!!!!!!"
—Shwick!
I charged forward, swinging my sword wildly in every direction. The goblins shrieked at my ferocious momentum and scattered to the east, west, north, and south. A wise decision. My sword strikes, fused with taekwondo, were impossible for anyone short of a true master to counter.
Running was their only option.
—Kerraaaack!
—Kerek!! Kerek! Kerekerek!!!
—Krererereruk!!!
"Behold, the essence of barbarism! These savages have no concept of 'swordsmanship'! Their raw flesh and ferocity replace it entirely!!!! To that barbarian, swordplay is a pathetic skill for weak civilized folk!!!! Oh! Can you believe it, ladies and gentlemen of the audience! Those demon-like goblins are fleeingggggg—!!!!!"
The excited announcer bellowed into his mic like he'd installed a motor in his mouth.
—He's like a monster! So savage!!!
—It's too shocking! I can't believe it!!!
—Is he really human!? Oh gods!
The audience was tearing at their hair in cultural shock they couldn't comprehend. Some were even streaming tears down their faces.
Who knew over-the-top screaming and hyperactive antics could draw this much hype.
This world without cultural content truly lived up to its reputation.
They were the kind of people who exploded in laughter at outdated slapstick comedy.
"Hwanung—!!!!!!!!!!"
In my frenzy, I invoked the name of the great heavenly god at the pinnacle of our people's indigenous faith. —The primordial war god who held mugwort in his right hand and garlic in his left, beating fierce tigers and violent bears half to death until they submitted!
Even a barbarian needs faith!
In this moment, I was Hwanung's holy knight!
"The utterly deranged barbarian Katt has called out to someone!!!! Who could it be!!! N-No way!!! No no no no noooo!!! Is he calling their god???!!!!"
The announcer had real instincts honed from years on the job.
Bullseye.
The cooldown on Fierce Dragon Solo Sword Thrust reset. I kicked off the ground again, intent on hunting down the scattered goblins one by one.
"You little shit!"
—Kerrrruk!!!
I picked one out and chased it down like I was gonna shove my blade up its ass. It freaked out and bolted. But those stubby goblin legs could never outrun me, dead or alive.
The difference in leg length and muscle mass was absolute.
—Keruk! Keruk!!! Kerrruk!!!
The goblin ran.
Ran and ran some more to escape.
A goblin that had lived its whole life oppressed in the arena was running for 'freedom' for the first time ever.
It had to run. If it didn't, it would die.
That's what the goblin thought as it pumped its legs.
Somehow, the goblin's streaming tears scattered across the arena like the Milky Way. The teardrops sparkling in the sunlight looked utterly sacred. Surely because they were tears of freedom.
But 'freedom' is just another word for 'lawlessness.'
I couldn't just let this goblin rampage unchecked.
If it escaped the arena, the world would plunge into great chaos. As Hwanung's holy knight, I had to execute this goblin lost to unrestrained debauchery.
It would never leave this arena.
Never.
"Graaaaaah!!!!!!"
Finally, I caught up. An insane rush of pleasure exploded in my brain. I roared in ecstasy like thunder.
Startled by the sound, the goblin turned and opened its mouth. No, it tried to. But it couldn't because,
"—You're dead."
It was already gone.
—Whoosh!
The goblin sailed through the air, its face blank and hollow. Its last thought of gaping its maw was cut short as body and head parted ways.
"One shot! One single shot! He took down the goblin in one hittttttt!!!!!!"
The goblin's head spun, spraying droplets of blood. Splatter. I took that sinful blood straight to the face. Drip. It ran down my cheek. In that frozen space where the world stood still, I alone stole every gaze.
"Slurp."
I licked the blood off with my tongue.
The metallic tang hit me.
—Gurgle!!
The nearest spectator foamed at the mouth and passed out.
—Uwaaaah!! Monster! He's a monster!
The crowd recoiled in secondary shock, sparking a chain of accidents. The arena had long since become a hell of frenzy and terror. Exploding screams and wails assaulted my ears.
Pure chaos. The descent of madness.
But I hadn't even shown a fraction of my true intent.
"Behold my true intent."
Drunk on blood, I hurled my sword aside and gave in to unstoppable impulse, dropping to all fours and racing across the arena floor.
—Splat!
I was a wolf. A bloodthirsty wolf devouring men!
A roar erupted!
"Kieeeekeeeeeeek!!!!!!"
The reaction was total pandemonium.
Few could stay sane witnessing the raw rush of the wild.
"Th-this can't be! Can't be! Can't be! A human running on all fours!!! This is a first! This isn't an opening act anymore! This isn't gladiator combat at aaaallllll—!!!!!!!
—Uwaaaaaah!!!
—Kyaaaaack!!!!!!!
—N-no way!!
—Impossible!!
—Oh, what am I even seeing!!!
Even the announcer and audience clinging to sanity lost it in the massive shock. True madness reigned.
No one had ever imagined a human shrieking like a beast on all fours.
This went beyond shock—it was terrorism!
Culture Terror!
Ignoring the fainted spectators, I leaped like a predator onto a goblin mid-gallop. With every screw loose in my head, nothing could hold me back!
"Behold!"
The goblin and I tumbled across the ground.
"I am!!!!"
—Kerararak!!
It flailed.
But escape was impossible. The ultimate wrestling hold—steel rear naked choke—crushed its body. Twisting its joints, I—
—declared.
"The Barbarian Waaaarrrior!!!!!!!!!!! Kim Kaaaaatt!!!!!!!"
Roaring like a lion, I—
—Kerraaaaaack!!!!!!!!!!!
—bit into the goblin's nape!
Humanity's omnivorous pinnacle, the teeth at the top of the food chain, pierced the goblin's frail flesh. Otherworldly screams erupted from its maw, like cries from divine beings beyond the veil.
—Kerrrrrrrrrruk!!!!
Incisors sliced meat, canines severed tendons. Molars just pulverized the torn chunks. Chomp chomp. In that instant, I devoured the goblin. Rich blood flooded my mouth.
Yes!
This was it!!!
The power of barbarism!!
"Ahh! Bulgogi! Thirsty for that hot love!"
Devour!
"Th-this! A human eating a goblin alive! Unbelievable! This shouldn't happen! St-stop! We must stop it!!!! Wh-what? Continue? Proceed with the opening as planned?! Y-you're insane! That madman! And everyone here! All of you are insane!!!!"
The announcer descended into apocalypse chants. Ptoo! I spat out the chewed flesh. The goblin had been dead ages ago. No thrill in a corpse. I was a barbarian warrior hunting battle.
"One down."
I trampled its body and murmured.
"One left."
—Splat!
No one could control me, blood-drunk as I was.
This was the arena where life and death crossed, true warriors offering struggle to the gods. Winners lived, losers died!
"Stretch the legs."
No one could halt this sacred bloodbath!
"Plant the feet."
They wanted this, not me.
"Heavenly Demon Supremacy Step."
The Heavenly Demon Divine Art's secret movement technique, said to be the strongest across history, activated. I didn't know the details, but its effect made the last goblin cower and tremble.
"I am the Heavenly Demon Kim Katt."
Frustrated mid-stride, I gave in to impulse again and kicked off. The goblin dropped its stone axe in terror and fell on its ass.
"Pathetic worm!"
—Keryak! Keryak!
It couldn't even stand, just grinding its butt on the floor, crawling backward to escape. Futile. To flee me, it'd need at least cash for a mount or wings.
But goblins had no such means.
"Heavenly Demon Divine Art—"
Fine then. At least.
I'll end it in one blow.
I charged and leaped.
"—Magnum Kick."
I drove a jumping side kick into the cowering goblin.
—Kwaaack!!!!
And that was that. Nothing lived in this arena but me. Kobold corpses. Goblin corpses. Blood and flesh. Shattered bones.
Piled on enemy remains, I claimed victory.
"Victory is mine!!!!!!!!!"
Surveying the arena, I spread my arms wide and declared triumphantly.
About twenty minutes? Thrilling, fulfilling work. I'd burned all my energy, but thinking of that 1 silver made strength surge anew.
"I-it's... over... The winner is... the savage, barbarian Katt..."
The fallen announcer sobbed out the declaration. Cheers, screams, gasps, and wails exploded from the seats. Had I overheated the vibe too much? Kim Katt's diligence was unmatched.
Job done per contract.
I retrieved my discarded sword from afar.
Victory declared, the iron gate where I'd entered swung open. I savored the triumph as I strolled back.
Unlike the sun-baked arena, the basement was refreshingly cool.
Blood and sweat on my skin cooled against the air, soothing my overheated body. I'd overused my inner energy. Two Heavenly Demon Supremacy Steps? Sealed for now.
"Wh-what the hell did you do up there... rookie?"
Back in the waiting area, gladiators gawked and asked. Right. They'd been underground, missing the show. Just heard the roars.
I grinned.
"Got the audience all riled up... Heh! Maybe overdid it! They're not riled—they've lost it. Kahahat, hahaha!"
Roaring heartily, I pushed past to find Durban. Around the corner, there he was, face alight with excitement.
"You, you!"
"Tone it down."
"In-incredible! Amazing! Know what happened? Boss asked about you! This is huge!"
"Yeah, huge. Pay up quick. Tired."
"Y-yeah! Here, take this, and!"
Flustered Durban handed over 1 silver coin. Good. Secured. Throat raspy from yelling, but massive for thirty minutes' morning work.
At his feet, a box held my shredded clothes. I changed while he blabbered.
"Huge! Massive, Katt! Do another opening next time?! Pay bump! Boss said! Higher pay to get you back!"
"Oh? That big? How much?"
"3 silver!"
"Fuck yeah, where's the contract?!"
Looks like Durban and I's partnership would last a bit longer.