Chapter 280
Chapter 280
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 280
Chapter Title: Winter Love Song
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...
The moment we spotted each other, an uncomfortable silence gripped the air. Meeting business associates in some dark, secluded spot was never exactly pleasant.
Adventurers were a hellish line of work where most folks were little more than human trash. If someone looked weaker than them, they'd switch to murder-for-hire in a heartbeat to make some extra coin.
The silence was so damn grating that I stepped forward with a big grin and a friendly greeting.
"Hey, bosses, business booming? Man, it's freezing out here—you guys are troopers! So, how's the haul today?"
"H-Hey, Barbarian..."
"It's fine."
Kobson grabbed my shoulder, but I waved him off lightly.
There were five of them in total.
I sized up their faces as I greeted them: serial killer, murder fiend, killer, murder addict, pleasure killer—in that order.
Not a single sane one in the bunch, by the looks of it. But I'm not some vile, monstrous criminal like a KKK klansman who judges people by appearances.
They say you can't spit in a smiling face, so I figured a greeting was the way to go.
They had to be just as suspicious of us.
Someone might look sketchy, but one chat could reveal a decent friend. Talk was essential for a peaceful resolution.
Hell, medieval knights shook hands to show no hard feelings, right?
That was the spirit of my greeting.
"..."
But no reply came.
The bearded old-timer who looked like a pleasure killer just glared at me, ignoring it completely. Made me think I probably looked like a hardened criminal to outsiders too.
Was jumping straight to greetings a bad call?
"Come on, bosses, no need to be so on edge. We're just passing through. That's all you guys want too, right? It's too damn cold to stand around—we'll freeze our asses off. Heh heh heh."
"..."
I tried again with some clownish charm, but still nothing.
The other four just stared us down in silence.
"..."
In my experience, guys who didn't talk were never any good.
They were always defective somehow, or the kind of human scum who lost their parents young and never learned to speak properly.
"Let's just pass through."
I changed my tone, and the five men shifted slightly, clearing a path. Kobson and I went first, with Meria bringing up the rear, shield raised and creeping along warily.
"...Barbarian, this feels off. They look like killers."
"You've got an eye for people. They'll probably hit us soon."
"What? Then why are you so calm?"
Might've been my imagination, or just a hunch, but I definitely sensed something like killing intent.
They might chase and jump us.
"I'm a calm guy."
Still, they were just run-of-the-mill bandits. Nothing special.
The fact they didn't attack first said it all.
They probably weren't confident they'd win, or they chickened out at the sight of me. My gear was hidden under the cloak, but it wasn't exactly top-shelf anyway.
They might circle back for a shakedown.
Full assault would be worst-case.
With Meria here, though, no way we'd lose.
Guys who bet it all on one swing wouldn't be scraping by as bandits in these mountains.
Probably newbies targeting weaklings blinded by aurolbear loot.
"Still better if we don't fight. Let's call it for today—bad vibes. Hey, Meria, hurry up."
"...Yeah, okay. Whew, intense. Did you see their eyes? Gave me chills."
"Let's head down quick."
We picked up the pace and descended fast.
Today's take was meager, sadly. Winter was always like that. Brutal season. No gains make people savage.
When the weather chills, so do hearts.
That's human nature.
"H-Hey! They're following us!"
"...I see 'em."
Meria shouted as we went.
Crack-crack-crack!
The bastards were chasing.
Soon as we bolted like we were scared, they gave pursuit. Guess they underestimated us.
"These psychos! Barbarian! We're screwed!"
"Hey, hey, chill. Those punks are toast."
"There's five of 'em!"
Five goblins don't beat an orc.
Heavenly Demon Kim Katt never loses to punk-ass bandits.
I could run faster, but here? Counterattack.
Shitty haul today—perfect chance.
"Meria, Kobson—watch surroundings, make sure no extras beyond the five. Stick together, no splitting. Fight back-to-back."
"Katt? What're you—"
I turned around.
Crack-crack-crack!
Crack-crack-crack!
Crack-crack-crack!
They'd drawn swords already. No need to look closer.
Winter mountains hid bandits too, obviously.
They put monster hibernators to permanent sleep. Ironic, but it showed even they struggled to survive come midwinter without human-hunting gigs.
Maybe they needed hibernation.
"You fucking bastards! Time for eternal rest!"
They weren't my match, of course.
Once I awakened mana and mastered extreme control for freakish power, I could gauge someone's level just by looking.
Like how mana churns around Cloude—means strong.
These guys? Just people.
...!
...!
The chasers slowed when I turned, then fanned out stupidly in a five-man spread.
"Idiots!"
Supremacy of the Heavenly Demon.
I kicked off the ground and charged uphill. Snow shards flew from the impact as I rocketed up.
"Execution Swordsmanship!"
I raced the slope, prepping my strike.
No clue why they spread out... but fewer targets? Thank you! My gleaming blade sliced the frigid air!
"Hey! Group up! All of you!"
The murder-fiend-looking one yelled.
Panicking hard— you're done. Real bandits stay ice-cold, thinking profit always!
"Group up? Dream on!"
I closed in instantly, thrusting. He clumsily raised his sword to counter, but that amateur swing couldn't touch my honed-to-perfection blade work.
Whoosh!
Clang!
"Gaaargh!!!"
I knocked his sword away and plunged mine into his face.
"Fuck!"
"K-Kill him!"
No real swordsman wastes winter bandit-ing. Only middling trash turns to crime.
"You dare try to rob this Heavenly Demon?!"
Irrepressible rage boiled over...!
Let 'em go, more victims pile up! Thinking of their cash and gear sparked righteous fury. Can't let innocents suffer!
Punish evil.
Judge criminals.
Boost the local economy.
That's me, Kim Katt!
"Kobson! Meria! Cut off their escape!"
I roared like a beast and kicked off again, chasing a scattered foe. Meria and Kobson, pumped after my first kill, targeted one and gave chase.
"You murderer! Stop right there!"
"D-Don't chase! We're not murderers!"
"What?! For real?!"
"Yeah!"
But his voice screamed serial killer. No convincing pleas from that throat.
Might as well believe the KKK was a black rights group.
"Liar! Die, you fuck!"
"Kyaeeeeek!!!!!"
He couldn't outrun me. Realizing it, he freaked, raising twin axes to fight.
Whooo.
A wind blew across the white snowfield.
Facing him, I spun my sword gleefully as I approached.
Those axes alone? Forty copper on resale. Plus gloves, cloak... good call climbing today.
That's why adults hike weekends.
Mountain vibes bring good fortune.
Like Kobson said—good deeds bring blessings. Spared those goblin kids, did good works. Gods rewarded us.
"You rude prick. Would've been fine if you'd just greeted back. Heh heh heh."
"F-Fuck off!"
Pretty confident with those axes—he swung wild, backpedaling. Scared before the fight? Useless as warrior or bandit.
Peel the shell—these killers are cowards deep down.
"Aw, so cute."
Once marked weak, he just looked adorable.
"Come closer and we both die, you bastard!"
"What?! Die?! You dog! Flippantly threatening murder! That's how your mom raised you?!"
His audacity enraged me—I bellowed and charged!
Dare threaten life so lightly! Thought I'd go easy— no! Purging scum like this benefits the world!
"Moms like that get the death penalty!!!! Berserk!!!!!!!"
"Gwaaaaaaargh!!!!!!!!!!"
I read his axe arc, timed my dive, and sliced his wrist. My superior reach made it child's play.
Splurt!
Blood sprayed; axe dropped.
"Murderer! How many have you killed on this mountain?!"
"Gaaaaah!!!"
Thud!
I booted his chest, then stabbed his neck. He foamed blood, eyes rolling back in death. Deep satisfaction surged.
"I'm Judge Dread Kim Katt."
Scanned around.
No more incoming—others fled. I bolted to find Kobson and Meria.
Loot later; secure allies first.
Clang!
Clang! Clang!
Running back, metal clashed ahead. Kobson, Meria, and two bandits in a fierce scrum.
"You fucking bastards!!!!!"
Meria snarled fiercely.
Shield forward for tanking, Kobson smashing at any who lunged from behind. Back-and-forth raging.
"H-Hey! Another one's coming!"
A bandit spotted me and yelled.
Signal to flee—but Meria pounced. Turning back mid-fight? Fatal mistake.
They'd be prey.
"Get 'em! No escape!"
"Got it!"
I dashed in with footwork.
Treading Snow Without Trace!
Snow exploded wildly, fanning white wings left and right. Yes—I was an angel. Brutal Angel Kim Katt!
Boom!
"Guhk!"
Meria caught a runner, shield-bashing him flying. He tumbled; Kobson lunged, stabbing his side to finish. The last fled far off.
Pursuit? Nah, too late.
"Haa... haa... close call."
Meria gasped, shield-smashing the gurgling bandit's skull.
"Hoo, thought we were goners, Barbarian. You get your target?"
"Yeah. Two down."
"Three total, then. Other two ran."
Damn, itched bad.
"Gather the bodies first."
We dragged the corpses to a secluded spot—wouldn't want misunderstandings with passersby. Then rifled their pockets.
"Heh heh heh, loaded punks."
"Evil bastards. This cash is from killing innocents, right? What're ghosts doing? Not hauling 'em off."
"We did."
Luckily, three bodies yielded solid loot.
Cloaks, winter gear, gloves, boots, equipment, cash. Tiger dies leaving pelt; man dies leaving wealth.
Somehow, the cold winter warmed with hot blood.
True Red Cross, right?
"Ah. Snowing again?"
Meria stood, catching flakes on her face, skyward gaze.
"Time to head down. Good haul today!"
"Heh heh, yeah. Fuckin' great day, jerk."
Our winter hunt morphed into a brutal killing spree. Felt inhuman, but hey—we did good.
Judged villains; Buddha'd approve.
Feeling virtuous, we descended happily.
Yeah, this is isekai daily life. Simple joys, sharing with comrades. Hope for tomorrow.
What more ya need!
"Ho ho ho!"
"Heh heh heh!"
"Kukuku!"
Our laughter echoed the snow peaks.
Merry Christmas.