Chapter 202
Chapter 202
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 202
Chapter Title: Lawless
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SLASH!
The technique that severed the opponent's upper body: Empty Breast Slash. The unbelievable power behind that swing cleaved through empty air. A true expert indeed. Just as I'd predicted, even in that moment, he'd twisted his body to dodge.
"Haa... haa..."
But the cost was steep.
Because he'd used that bizarre step that half-defied the laws of physics. Techniques like that naturally consumed mana. Blocking my sword with a kick meant he had a decent amount of mana to his name.
Mana—the energy brimming with omnipotence.
The power to evade a decisive blow hurtling toward you in a moment of crisis.
And he'd burned through it?
—Shing.
Convinced of my victory, I sheathed my sword.
Slashing at an opponent that weakened would turn this into a murder case. With his mana depleted, this was enough—I could finish it with martial arts.
"Sheathing your sword? You looking down on me?!"
"Yeah, you fucking rice-brained punk! Against trash like you, my Storm Fist Technique is more than enough!"
"You goddamn bastard!"
—Pa-pa-pat!
"Take thiiiis!!!"
I spun my fists like a windmill, unleashing the forms of the Storm Fist Technique. Time to play around a bit, then hit hard to wrap it up.
"What kind of idiotic technique is that?!"
The blonde, thinking he'd been insulted, spat out ragged breaths as he assumed his stance. Eyes burning with resolve, unyielding conviction. Perfect! That's the gaze of a true martial artist! If you're a fighter, show me your grit!
"Ha! Idiotic technique?!"
Of course, I had no intention of winning with that crazy nonsense. It was just a simple feint to lower his guard. I immediately switched the spinning fists into killing blows. Murderous punches packed with lethal power!
—Pa-pa-pat!
Fierce fist strikes!
"Kuhk!"
She blocked my punch with a kick and got flung backward. Unlike before, her momentum had died down. At this rate, victory was only a matter of time!
"Answer me! Are you an instructor from the Fist Guild?!"
I pointed accusingly and shouted.
Taking down a Fist Guild instructor with my Storm Fist Technique would be sweet revenge. Damn Fist Guild bastards! I'm the kind of guy who never forgets a grudge until it's settled!
I recalled getting my ass kicked by those Fist Guild thugs, and how Serka had trampled on my dignity and tried to sabotage my promotion match.
Then overlaid the sight of my comrades who'd fought and fallen beside me today.
"Kieeeek!!!"
Unbearable rage exploded out of me!
You mother—fucking—bastards!!!!!!!!!!!
For the sake of avenging my guildmates, I had to win!
"Dieeee!!!"
When the enemy's weakened, you pour everything into it!
I charged like a raging bull, unleashing a barrage!
"Kuhk!"
Even so, she countered with kicks. Hard boots delivering trained strikes. Every time they flew at me, I had to block with my gauntlets, and my hands rang from the impact.
The power was impressive.
But not enough to pierce steel plate.
The more she attacked, the more I hammered back.
"In the name of a low-rank Fist Guild instructor, I will not lose!!!"
So she was an instructor after all.
That meant my fist and leg skills were on par with a Fist Guild low-rank instructor. Pretty damn proud of that. I let out a roar, widening the distance from her as she lunged.
—Puk!
—Pa-pa-pat!
—Thuk!
—Whish-whish!
Our punches and kicks, fists and legs clashed. No quick resolution. She was fighting desperately. As a Fist Guild martial artist, she had her pride. She couldn't accept getting wrecked by a swordsman's bare hands.
But equipment made all the difference.
Her weakened strikes couldn't penetrate my armor for effective hits, while landing blows on her—relying solely on boots for everything—was a cakewalk.
"...Gahk!"
At least switch to a training robe with some damn defense!
"Time to end this!!!"
A critical opening at last. Time seemed to slow as her eyes widened. One Heavenly Demon Burst Palm to the gut would—
—Then.
"Hey, you fucking assholes!!!! What the hell do you think you're doing in front of MY guild?!?!?!?"
—Kwaang!
Like a meteor crashing into the ground,
a mass of pitch-black light slammed down right in front of us!
"Uwaaagh!!!"
"Kyaaah!!!"
The shockwave sent me and the blonde tumbling across the dirt. The earth shook, kicking up dust clouds. What the hell? That booming voice? It echoed so thunderously I couldn't even guess who it was!
"Why the fuck you all fighting without the homeowner, you pieces of shit?!?!"
The voice belonged to Karin. Cloaked in a ferocious purple aura, she scanned the surroundings with blazing eyes!
"Uh, uh! Guild Master!"
"Hm? What're you doing here?"
The purple aura faded as I called out.
She approached and checked the area.
The downed training-robed guy was foaming at the mouth, eyes rolled back.
"What the fuck is this mess?! Explain!"
Karin grabbed my collar and shook me violently. "Gaaah!!!" It felt like my head would rip off! Sensing mortal danger, I immediately explained the situation.
"O-over there! That bitch—er, bastard did all this!"
"What?"
The blonde was struggling to her feet where I pointed, clutching her shoulder and glaring at me and Karin.
"Those guys barged in out of nowhere and teamed up with our downed guildmates here—we beat 'em back together!"
"For real?"
"Everything I said is true! The Fist Guild bastards invaded!"
"Yeah?"
Karin set me down and stomped toward the blonde. I stood, stretched, and checked myself over. My forearms felt bruised, but no real damage.
All my vitals were protected by gear.
"Ugh..."
First things first, tend to the injured Swordsman Guild members. While Karin talked to the blonde, I kicked aside Fist Guilders and carried my guildmates inside one by one.
"You okay? You with us?"
"Urgh... Wh-what about the Fist Guilders?"
"We beat 'em all! Even their instructor! Rest easy—it's our victory!"
"Heh... heh heh... good... then I can relax..."
Exhausted, the bald guy finally closed his eyes.
—Zzz. Probably passed out from relief.
Unlike the trashed Fist Guilders, luckily no one was seriously hurt. I moved all ten inside, sorted the wounded by consciousness.
"Can you stand?"
"Ugh... tough."
The conscious ones grinned through the pain and bumped fists with me. I grinned back and returned them. Comrades, brothers-in-arms. Now we were true guildmates...!
"We won!"
"Ooh, yeah!"
Time to cart the wounded to the relief monastery... but first, get permission from Karin.
She had the blonde instructor on her knees, listening to her side.
"Hey, you fuck. Come here. This doesn't match what you said."
"Doesn't match? No way."
I eyed the blonde suspiciously, and she snarled.
"Wh-what the hell, saying that with a straight face! Didn't you smash our guys first?!"
"What kinda bullshit is this? Guild Master! This bastard's lying! I'm innocent! Hey, an instructor from the guild spewing crap like this? Huh?!"
"You lawless cur! You'll pay for your lies!"
"Fucking hopeless!"
No way to talk with muscle-brained Fist Guild idiots. I hated myself for briefly seeing them as equals. Karin demanded the truth.
I explained objectively.
"So, you spotted a Fist Guild girl with a personal grudge, beat her ass right away, then smashed the guys who jumped in to back her up, it snowballed huge, every Fist Guilder in the area chased you down, and boom—this?"
"Exactly, Guild Master! Sharp as always!"
Karin pondered, then nodded.
"You did fucking great."
"Right?!"
Karin got it.
Her expression sharpened as she turned to the blonde instructor.
"Hey, Instructor. My disciple says this, but it doesn't match your story? You made it sound like he went berserk solo and wrecked all your Fist Guilders."
"Th-that's..."
The blonde flinched.
Figured—they didn't check facts, just heard their pals got beat and charged in blindly.
Even if they had, they'd chase anyway if their own got hit.
Point is, calling it my fault was bullshit.
Karin added quickly.
"My disciple and that girl had bad blood. Your guys jumped in, got wrecked—fair game. Sure, same guild, you could gang up for payback. But pinning this on us? Nah. Shouldn't your guild master handle this? What do you think?"
"...Kuhk."
"What's your name, Instructor?"
Grilled by Karin, the terrified blonde instructor gave her name and stood. "...Mariel." Lacking confidence. She'd realized charging in rashly blew it up.
You guys were too reckless.
"We'll let you go for now—take your sprawled pals and beat it. Think of what to say, then come back formally with your guild master. You barged into our turf and trashed the place? We're letting it slide 'cause you got your asses handed to you. Otherwise, I'd have killed you all."
Mariel's face drained pale at Karin's half-threat. She started gathering the rigid Fist Guilders alone.
In that moment, I felt true camaraderie with Karin!
She'd backed her disciple and guildmate—me!
"Hey, you. Did great. Chest out. Let's head in and talk more..."
—Tap-tap-tap.
As Karin grabbed my shoulder to enter the guild building, footsteps approached. City Guards appeared—heavily armored.
Three in total. Two helmeted spearmen, one beret-wearing squad leader.
The leader scanned the scene and approached.
"Good work, Swordsman Guild Master. No troubles lately? Got a report of an incident... what the hell happened? Brawl or something?"
He greeted casually, like it was routine. Rough neighborhood—fights were common. Karin crossed her arms nonchalantly.
"Nah, just a little argument between our guys and theirs."
"Argument? Looks pretty heated."
"Hard to argue when opinions clash. Their brains been ossified forever."
"Hmm, got it?"
The leader instructed his men.
Check for fatalities. None, from what I saw. Fist Guilders were already stirring, helping Mariel with the wounded.
After brief statements, he concluded.
"No deaths, and the guild master confirms. We'll call it that and head out. Just... tone down the arguments next time. Take care."
"Yeah. See ya."
Karin's authority was no joke.
The chaos wrapped up with one word from her.
Guards left; Mariel kept tending Fist Guilders. They'd need healing cash.
Serves 'em right.
Felt so damn good.
How long had it been since I settled a grudge like this?
"Let's go in."
"Yep."
I took Karin's hand and entered. The injured swordsmen cheered us. We celebrated victory, bonding as brothers-in-arms. Per Karin's orders, we carried our wounded to the relief monastery.
Karin, thrilled at screwing over the Fist Guilders, covered all medical costs. True guild master—takes care of her own.
What a great day!