Chapter 165
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 165
Chapter Title: Kobolds and the Underground Labyrinth
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In this world, there are no problems that can be solved with words.
If problems could be solved with words, wars wouldn't happen. A prime example is the World War that drove humanity straight to hell.
In my view, there's nothing quite as useless as dialogue as a means of communication. If ideologies and thoughts differ, conversation doesn't work from the start—no words needed.
Sadly, humans are still just violent monkey brats who can't control themselves. In technical terms, they're fuckers.
—Sring!
The six adventurers—no, the six bandits—drew their weapons.
Disguised as adventurers until now, they'd finally revealed their true colors.
Swords drawn meant bloodshed was inevitable.
"Hey, you planning to hog all the treasure? That's not cool. What I mean is, why not share a bit? Honestly, we all busted our asses—doesn't it seem unfair for one guy to take it all?"
"Keep your bullshit to a reasonable level, you fucking bitch. Pretty sure I was the only one busting ass."
Specifically, while these assholes were poking around a kobold dungeon full of dreams and hope, we were risking our necks in a deathmatch with the cursed queen. The quality of the grind was on another level.
And this crap about sharing treasure because we all worked hard? Total nonsense I couldn't even wrap my head around. What did your sweat have to do with us? Criminals really do think different.
"Heh heh, any idea how many kobolds we killed? Fought a whole week without seeing sunlight, all for that treasure."
"Wow, then dig through their corpses."
"You really want blood?"
"Then why'd you draw your sword?"
I was sizing up who to kill first when—
"Stop!"
Elise thundered like lightning, jabbing her mace forward.
"Right now, you're coveting others' property out of greed! Snap out of it! That's a wicked thought! You haven't acted on it yet, so it's forgivable! Drop your weapons and beg God's forgiveness! Only then will there be light!"
Mace raised high, she preached with true zealot fire, like a devout holy woman. Sure enough, Elise was the only one here with her head screwed on straight by faith.
"Aw, a cute little nun. But your words are kinda weird, no? Who's the greedy one here—you lot or us? Heh heh heh."
"Nonsense!"
The bandit leader's bullshit twisted Elise's face into a demon's snarl. I whispered to her.
"Elise. No point talking to these bastards. They reek of evil corruption... Y'know, suspicious. Heretics, maybe? Heretics...! Gotta be! Total heretics!"
"...!!!"
Her eyes went wide as she glared at the bandits anew.
"Certainly... suspicious. Evil-tainted humans could be called heretics, but they haven't committed the crime yet, so I can't be certain."
Not biting, huh.
Claudi was grinning like she was loving every second. Winia just scowled in annoyance, probably pissed we weren't killing faster. Murder fiends!
"Last warning! If you don't back off, I'll have to redeem you!"
Elise stepped up, and mocking laughs echoed from the bandits. Fair enough—her height matched Winia's. A girl like her yelling probably looked pathetic to them.
But here's the thing.
Elise was badass.
"Eek, scary stuff. Tried talking it out, but no dice! Heh heh, just kill and take it! Boys, show these hoarders a les—Guhk??!!"
—Ppak!
His words cut short.
"Repent in death, wicked human! Light, no mercy for heretics!"
Elise pounced like a leopard and caved his skull in one swing.
Like a summer watermelon split open, guts spilling as he mumbled nonsense and faceplanted. Kek, guk. Duhak? Total gibberish.
A curse tongue, maybe!
Heretic confirmed!
"H-heh?! C-captain!"
"Heretic bitch!"
I charged at the same time.
The first asshole who'd picked a fight with me panicked at his boss's smashed head. Daring to zone out with sword drawn? No basics at all! My raging blade ripped through the air.
"W-wait! Fuck!"
"Too late, fucker!"
He flailed and raised his sword in panic, but no skill meant no block for my technique. What a joke. I'd drilled sword basics for three months straight. Laughable.
—Sring!
My blade slipped past his and plunged into his neck.
"Kwek!"
Carotid severed, blood gushed as he crumpled. They picked the fight thinking four against six, but now it was 4:4. Tough luck.
No more talk.
Kill and silence.
No hesitation. No mercy. No chat!
Once it pops off, only way is total wipe!
I lunged at the next one.
—Chaeng!
"A-aaak!"
Chaos was my opening—full assault!
They'd figured themselves as attackers seconds ago. Reversal like that? Maximum panic.
Exploiting that gap makes a true warrior.
Warriors seize chances!
"Punishment! Redemption! You scum aren't worth living!"
Elise butchered them mercilessly, like cracking monster skulls. Watching, I remembered the rumor: 'Radiant Cross Society folks are all psychopaths.'
To her now, these criminals were monsters. They probably preached that exact doctrine, and she bought it hook, line, and sinker—no qualms killing.
"S-stop!"
One decent swordsman among them: grizzled elder with a dignified white beard. The guy I'd aimed to one-shot blocked me. Daring to parry? I unleashed a barrage.
"You stop!"
"Kuhak...! Why the hell?!"
—Chaeng! Chaeng!
Blades clashed, sparks flying.
Solid form. Trained swordsman for sure. No quick kill. But no breather—he was still yapping, prime kill window!
"Why the fuck you think?!"
"H-hear me out!"
"Hear me out!"
"Kraa!"
He twirled, sword whipping for my neck. Fucker knew feints? Missed anyway. Easy parry, counterstrike.
Not as good as he looked.
—Paat!
Blinding light erupted behind me—Winia's amped-up Light Bolt. I faced away, fine; he squinted dead-on.
"M-my eyes!"
"Who blinks mid-fight?!"
—Ppuuk!
Gap open, I kneed his gut. He flew back. Done! Solid swordplay, but no match!
Decap time!
"S-surrender! I'm innocent! Pretend nothing happened, spare me!"
Suddenly he tossed his sword, begging.
Negotiated nonstop, finally cracked.
"Bullshit. You drew steel too. Accomplice."
No mercy planned.
He'd unsheathed on captain's order.
Guilty as fuck.
"Th-that was...!"
Face drained white.
Started sputtering excuses. No time for that. Spare him, word leaks, headaches incoming.
Kill clean.
"Heh heh heh! Die, you fuck!"
"Kwaaak!"
—Puuk! Blade through neck. Clutched the gusher, still hoping to live. Vacant stare tracked me.
Blame yourself.
Blame your shitty luck, bandit fucks.
"It's over."
Elise said.
Glanced around—cleanup done.
Two mine.
Three skull-smashed.
One ahead, backstabbed by a curved blade... Claudi nailed the runner with a throw.
"Loot time."
Sudden bandit fight soured my mood hard, but spoils? Pumped now. Finally, real money.
Life's a bitch—bad with good.
"Winia. Thanks. Made it easy."
"Yeah. Blackie's on point. Loot quick. Map, right? Grab it, we're out."
"Roger."
Heart racing.
What'd they pack?
"Katt. That was badass. Skills leveled up?"
"Heh heh, yeah? Felt my 'strength' surging."
"Hmm, that emphasis?"
"Nothin'."
Claudi sheathed up, dragged a corpse by the ankle. Loot hour. Me, Elise, Claudi stripped 'em eagerly.
Gear subpar.
Decent used leather armor for resale? Solid haul. No plate? Disappointing.
"Found the map."
"Ooh!"
Elise scored the map; Claudi rifled bags. Winia's light pierced the dark—we looted joyfully amid the dead.
"Cash too."
Scored 12 silver plus junk. New bags packed exploration kit. Weapons, leathers, knives, valuables—everything.
"Katt. Corpses?"
"Eh... nearby holes. Kobolds still around."
Dumped bodies in kobold burrows. Stragglers'd sniff blood and handle it. Could leave 'em, but nipping loose ends better.
All dumped, cash split.
Gear for city sale.
"Happy day."
Winia checked map. "What shit-drawing is this?" griped, but pinned our spot. Elise smiled.
"Process aside, evil beast ashed, fallen sinners redeemed—God's smiling."
"Damn right. We crushed good today."
"Your aid was key, Saint."
"Psh, we're breathing!"
Followed Winia's lead upward.
Load heavy, but new bags split with Claudi. Gear sale alone? Fat stacks.
Wonder why people pay more than monsters.
'Cause humans don't listen?
Maybe. Biggest reason? This world's fucked.
World sucks.