Chapter 141
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 141
Chapter Title: The Arena's Barbarian Warrior
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"Chwi, chwiieeeek!!"
Hot blood gushed out from the hole pierced through Bulverza's back.
It was a veritable blood faucet.
He tried to pry me off using his thick forearms, but breaking the Rear Naked Choke—a secret ultimate technique of the Heavenly Demon Divine Art—was impossible unless you were some peak master. Especially not with a hole punched through your body. Trapped in the tightening prison of muscle, the old orc spewed blood and screamed in agony.
"Chwiieeeek!!"
"All living beings die."
I whispered softly to Bulverza.
There are no undying beings.
If you've survived by piling up victories, then dying at the moment of defeat is only natural. We needed to win to survive. Bulverza had simply failed.
Life is fleeting. Thus, death is equally light.
This was that kind of place.
"Accumulating karma and bearing sins until death—that is the meaning of life."
There was a reason I didn't finish off the orc right away. Bulverza was a warrior on my level, or perhaps even stronger. Our battle had given me profound insights. It revealed my shortcomings and deficiencies.
Having staked our lives in mortal combat, he and I were bound like priestly brothers in spirit. In other words, Soul Brothers.
Thus, as a warrior, I would grant him time to end his life.
"And return to the earth."
"Chwiik...!"
The blood pouring out soaked my lower body completely. As time passed, strength drained from Bulverza's body. His thick forearms grew as feeble as a child's. He could no longer resist. A hole in your body meant exactly that.
Choked breath and draining blood.
"The blood-drinking bird lives the longest."
All of it heralded his death.
"I'll drink your precious blood."
Bulverza's trembling body finally went limp.
He had met his end. This one-eyed orc, who had reigned as the arena's executioner, died by my hand today. But I didn't release the Rear Naked Choke. He might fake death and ambush me. Who knew what cunning tricks orcs could pull—they were devious bastards.
"I live on."
The blood still flowed.
I had to drain him like an empty water tank.
Because I...
...was the blood-drinking bird.
Birdman Kim Katt plants the seeds.
"Bulverza! Bulverza has been defeated!!!!!! The orc who executed countless criminals in the arena for years! Now, he's been executed by some savage barbarian who rolled in from who-knows-where!!!!!!! An unbelievable triumph!!!! Who will execute the criminals nowwwwww!!!!!"
—Katt! Katt! Katt!
—Bulverza! Bulverza! Bulverza!
The announcer's and crowd's cheers echoed faintly. Bulverza's corpse was still warm. Because he had a warrior's heart, it hadn't cooled yet. I wrung more blood from his body.
Through today's battle, I'd learned a bit about orcs.
I wouldn't panic if I ran into one unexpectedly later.
—Thud.
Time to go. I released my hold and stood. Bulverza's single eye stared vacantly into emptiness. I humbly closed it for him.
Rest now, Bulverza.
The match is over.
I didn't roar in triumph.
That would be poor form.
No more fan service.
As I picked up my sword, the arena gate clanged open. I exited the bloodstained pit immediately. A breeze blew in. Dust stuck to my blood-soaked legs.
A life stained with blood and dust—gladiator.
That life, too, was as ephemeral as dust in the blood.
"What bullshit is this?"
Anyway, Durban. I needed to find that fucker and get the full story. These arena assholes dared screw me over? After I'd busted my ass for them?
These uncivilized isekai bastards worked me hard for their sake, then stabbed me in the back.
I'd given my all for the arena. But these motherfuckers broke the contract, pitting me against the powerhouse orc Bulverza—who didn't have much life left—just to squeeze out some drama. I could've died. Above all, Durban should've warned me first.
I hadn't even known who my opponent was today.
Fleeing without telling me was accessory to murder—a grave crime.
If I'd lost to that fucker Bulverza, I'd be dead. Leaving just my armor and bolting without a word?
I could never forgive this.
"Durban! Where the fuck are you, Durban, you bastard!"
"Heh heh heh. Durban asked me to deliver this."
As I searched for Durban, gladiators heading to the arena spoke to me at the entrance. He pointed with his sword tip to a box with my clothes, sheath, and leather pouch.
"Where's Durban?"
"Beats me. No idea where he went. Heh!"
The gladiators shrugged it off and left.
No way, fuck. Did that bastard really bail? Afraid I'd kill him? Or decided he'd seen enough and to take the money and split?
Still, he paid the advance properly. Five silvers in the small leather pouch. I'd change clothes first.
"Fuck these arena bastards. I'm never coming back."
Next time I saw Durban, I'd have to beat his ass. I couldn't complain anyway. Storming the arena bosses now would just get me a boot to the face.
"Motherfucking sons of bitches."
Still, the arena hadn't left me empty-handed. Far from it—way more than expected. Dozens of silvers in cash over two months, plus invaluable combat experience. Oh, and murderous intent toward Durban.
I'd grown stronger.
Strong enough to take down a veteran arena orc one-on-one. I'd gained enlightenment in battle itself.
Calm the mind and body.
I'd summon Durban through Kobson later.
No need to waste energy now.
"Cl, cl, cl, cl, cl, cl."
Outside, Cloudy was waiting.
"Cloudy!"
Seeing her, joy surged through me. I ran straight to her. No weird stuff today. Hell, I'd fought a brutal deathmatch. She'd be thrilled.
"Katt, you even took down an orc this time?"
"You saw?"
"Everything."
Cloudy smiled and spread her arms. Grinning, I jumped into them. Jump hugs are the best. Soft sensation enveloped me. This was it.
"How's my 「strength」?"
"What's with the weird emphasis? I didn't think you'd win like that, but damn, you did great. Staking your lives, smashing that orc proves your skill."
"Hee hee hee."
A gentle hand stroked my head.
"Heh heh, you really have the makings of a warrior. That orc looked seriously strong. Refined fighting spirit—he'd battled in the arena for years."
"Definitely a tough bastard. Fucking strong. No bullshit, I thought I was done for. That fucker was 100% stronger than me, probably."
"Yeah, yeah. Good job, our Katt."
Her praise made me feel like I could fly.
Perfect.
I'd made plenty of money already. The arena had showered me in coin. Now, use it to boost my combat power.
Money earned through martial prowess, spent on martial growth.
Rest today, hit the Swordsman Guild tomorrow.
"Cloudy. Got something to say."
"Hm? What?"
"Gonna take a break from work starting tomorrow."
"A break? What do you mean?"
"Thinking of going to the Swordsman Guild. Time to learn proper swordsmanship. Fighting that orc showed me how much I'm lacking."
I explained my combat power-up plan seriously from her embrace. Isekai's full of orcs. If a sick old one was that tough, what would a prime one be like? No clue.
I needed to get stronger.
"Great! Awesome! Smart move!"
Cloudy's energy spiked.
"Of course! A true warrior always refines himself. Yeah. With time and money, no better chance. Humans age fast if you slack... Hmmm, not tonight then—tomorrow?"
"Yeah. Tomorrow."
"Tomorrow it is—full throttle!"
Suddenly, Cloudy snatched my hand and strode off. Her grip was iron—I couldn't resist and got dragged along.
"W-wait, Cloudy. Hold up. Where we going?"
"Gotta reward our star Katt, right?"
"Reward?"
Cloudy beamed ear to ear. Her eyes gleamed through curved lashes. Oh no. Those eyes were dangerous. What trigger did I hit?!
She hauled me straight to the dorm and tossed me roughly onto the bed. Shit hit the fan. She was gearing up to ravage me hard!
"Wait!"
"Can't wait!"
Cloudy stripped in a flash, eyes blazing as she approached. I scrambled to escape, but my novice skills couldn't outrun her. If only I had the strength!
"Katt! Be good! I won't do anything bad!"
If only I had the strength! (x2)
"Gaaah!!"
Cloudy lunged to strip me. This couldn't be happening. The Cloudy I'd first met wasn't like this. Sure, her libido was always high, but not this brake-less after getting too comfy with me!
"Heh heh heh heh, Katt. Why do you look so cute today? Do as I say?"
"Wait juuust a sec!"
I reflexively grabbed both her ears.
"Eek!"
Cloudy's dominating form crumpled. Right—her weakness was her ears. Sensitive during songs, grabs, everything ear-related.
But no letting guard down. Like always, I tickled the tips and rubbed the outsides. The beastly Cloudy went limp instantly.
"Grrr... L-let... gooo...!"
"Haha!"
Ears grabbed, she freezes!
Cloudy writhed.
"I'm Birdman Kim Katt!"
"Wha...t... craaap—kya!"
She'd pounce if I let go, so I took time to rub thoroughly. Soon, fluid dripped between her legs, forming a puddle.
"Also Heavenly Demon Kim Katt!"
"Grrraaah...!"
Enough now.
My body was filthy with dust and Bulverza's blood. Cloudy's eyes were rolled back, unconcerned, but I couldn't embrace her like this.
I released her ears. She exhaled hot breath and slumped. Temporary reprieve. Her monstrous stamina would recover in minutes, then charge again.
In that gap, I stripped and headed to the shower.
—Splash.
Water from the hose cleared my head. Blood and dust washed away.
Executioner orc Bulverza's blood would drain into the sewers forever, but our spiritual bond wouldn't break.
Bulverza and I lived on as one.
That was the blood-drinking bird's fate.
"Kaa... tt...!"
Then Cloudy battered the shower door. Boom! Sounded like it shattered.
"Hm."
Her purple hair floated, glowing like deep amethyst. Right, she had that gimmick. She strode in and tackled me.
That day, I got fucked relentlessly until the lust-crazed Cloudy was satisfied.