Chapter 328
Chapter 328
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 328
Chapter Title: 〈 328화 〉무투가 녀석들
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 328
Chapter Title: Those Brawler Guys
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"That's got me a bit interested. How does it work?"
I figured that if I just beat the thugs half to death like I did earlier, it'd be easy to squeeze money out of them. The thought was itching at me so bad I couldn't stand it.
Might as well give it a shot myself.
If one guy coughs up just 10 coppers a month, ten of them would net me a whole silver every month.
This might even be a primitive form of a guild.
Primitive because modern guilds offer protection and useful skills in exchange for dues, while my version would just pour on the violence and take the cash.
No legal protection whatsoever—not even the city guard bothers with this slum. Murders between beggars happen as casually as breathing, and violence or extortion aren't even crimes here.
No wonder a cult like the Eternalists managed to worm their way in.
So beating a few criminals to death around here wouldn't cause any issues. No legal problems with setting up a primitive guild at all.
More than no problems—it'd practically be a public service.
The more I thought about it, the more becoming the guildmaster of a slum primitive guild felt like the epitome of a righteous outlaw's life. Plus, I could always transform into the Dread Judge on the spot if I got fed up.
"Watch it, punk. This is my turf. A new partner means less cut for me."
"Nah, not stealing your business. So, just beat up the kids and take their money? Just curious."
If it worked out, it seemed like decent side income. I wasn't expecting much, but the pocket change temptation was real.
"Pretty much. Just kill a few self-proclaimed bosses as examples. No issues causing a ruckus here anyway."
"Heh heh heh, you murderer."
"You're one to talk."
I'd pegged Rijet as pure hate material, but surprisingly, we could actually talk business.
Of course, I hadn't forgotten the grudge.
But he'd shared some good info, so I'd let him off today.
"Anyway, that's the deal. Thanks for the tip."
I'd tuck this away and make use of it for sure.
Rijet seemed to run his gang like those thugs I'd wrecked earlier—money streams managed by fists. If you had the skills, easy money was out there.
Then again, so could I.
"Catch you later. We'll settle that bet next time we meet."
As I said goodbye, Rijet shot me a sharp glare.
"What, wanna throw down? Come find me at the guild. You're holding back 'cause one of us might drop dead, right?"
He knew.
"Like I'd go to your place and see whatever bullshit again."
"Scaredy-cat."
"Not scared, you bitch."
"Come anytime for a lesson."
"Pass."
With that, I left the blood-soaked scene. Time to go see Lady Risha.
"A lesson, huh."
Of course, no plans even if he came back from the dead.
Anyway, my chat with Rijet got me thinking. Yeah, this was an isekai world. A harsh one ruled by strength and violence.
When I'd first arrived, I'd holed up in the slums, leaving me with tons of bad memories and grudges.
Thugs had beaten me senseless and stolen my hard-earned cash multiple times. Back then, it was just frustrating, sad, full of hate.
No money meant starving.
Get robbed, submit. Spot a weaker beggar, sneak off and steal their bread. Lived that cracked-mirror nightmare life.
That was the daily grind for foundationless F-rank adventurer Kim Katt.
Even at rock bottom, those criminals crushed others like hyenas for scraps of sweet gain.
Now it was my turn to stomp the alley trash.
—Heavenly Demon Outlaw Kim Katt.
Nice ring to it.
Lost in those thoughts, I navigated the alleys like my own backyard. I'd come here plenty for Lady Risha, so it felt familiar. Even the filthy lanes and powerless glares from beggars felt cozy.
—...
The occasional passersby were downright endearing. Every one looked like a wanted poster come to life—broad daylight murder in plain view probably wouldn't even count as a crime.
—They were all glaring at me as they moved.
"..."
I tolerated the stares decently enough until a ragged, fierce-looking man approached from the opposite direction, bulging his eyes and glaring daggers.
What the hell?
Do I know him?
—He halted dead.
He stopped completely, just standing there, head turned, eyeing me like a curiosity.
—The sudden malicious vibe wasn't my imagination. These types size you up with a glare to see if you're mugging material.
Show fear, and they pounce.
But even seeing my full gear? Or maybe he just didn't get the advantage of armor.
Anyway, he kept staring like he wanted something, so I asked first.
This was clear provocation.
"What're you staring at?"
"..."
"What're you looking at? Keep glaring like that, and it hurts my feelings."
—He shook his head.
I spoke first, and he glanced left and right.
Looking for buddies? I gripped my sword hilt—whoosh! He spun and bolted full tilt!
"Wh-what! Why run!"
Like I'd been possessed, I was chasing him down at full speed without thinking. He dared glare at me then show his back?
Couldn't let that slide.
If the provoker's a weakling, you never tolerate it—that's Fusion Confucianism doctrine.
—Thud thud thud thud thud!
His pathetic pace couldn't shake me. I caught up in under ten seconds.
"...Pant?! Why're you chasing!!?"
Finally realizing, he yelled in shock.
But I was already airborne. Flying Kim Katt mode. No stopping me now.
"Kim Katt Dropkiiiick!!!!!!!"
—Splat!
Like always, the dropkick landed clean.
"—Guh?!"
Sole connected, then I shoved with leg power.
—Boom!
Mana-infused muscles turned it into a killer blow. He flew across, slamming the wall.
—Crash!
"Gaaahhh!!!!"
Pure instinct.
His hostility was obvious—I had no choice. Clear provocation, a challenge. No forgiving that.
Still, to confirm intent, I approached slowly where he'd flown.
—Dust rose.
It cleared, revealing him writhing in agony.
"Gah...! Guh! What the hell...! Who the fuck are you... hack!"
Twisting like a maggot, clutching his back, spewing curses. Suspicious as hell.
Definitely planned to rob me.
"What? You fuck?"
Bad day.
"Ughhh...! Hack! Fucking hurts...! Shit! Who are you! Why the sudden bullshit!"
His words blanked my mind white. Pissed all day.
"You fuck. You glared first!"
I kicked scattered crate shards, bellowing. He frantically guarded.
"Th-that..."
"Ignored my words too... Thought I was a punk, huh. Not enough, you dare curse me? You're done today."
Seeing him, felt like outlaw debut time. Good test subject.
"You're my primitive guild's first member starting today, you dog fuck!"
"What bullshit—"
"—Shut it!"
Rage took over; I beat him wildly. —Thud! —Whack! —Crunch! Each kick mangled him real-time, stirring righteous fury.
This was the outlaw spirit.
"Aaaahhh!! Stop! Please! My bad!"
"Why provoke like that! Spill the truth or die!"
Recalled interrogating heretics with Elise; beat mercilessly. Whip's medicine for scum.
"Sorry! Sorry! Was pickpocketing! Sorry!"
"Who pickpockets that obviously!"
"Hack!"
Final blow—pig-like squeal erupted. Human mush now.
"Hand over everything!"
"H-here..."
He painfully pulled three coppers from his pocket. 3cp? Enough for mercy. I pocketed them.
"You criminal fuck. Live straight from now on. You lot rob every outsider, that's why the welcome's soured. Got it?"
Send him off nicely.
"Sob...! Yes! Honest life from today! Please forgive!"
"Tsk tsk tsk, parentless fuck. Scram. Next time just 3cp, won't end pretty. Carry more cash."
"Y-yes... sorry... sorry..."
—He staggered off zombie-like, clutching his face.
Solid first step. Start's half the battle—already 3cp richer.
"Satisfying."
Dusting arms and legs quietly,
"B-bro?"
Familiar voice.
Turned: filthy-looking Lina stood there.
Alive meant she'd managed.
"Lina, huh? Doing alright?"
"Y-yeah, it's you... but, uh, that guy just now...?"
Witnessed the beatdown? Looked frozen. Anyway, nice to see her after ages.
We had bad history, but as a kid, I kinda hoped she'd make it.
"Tried picking my pocket. Deserved it, right?"
"Ah... yeah. Totally. How've you been?"
"Great. You, though..."
Up close, she looked ragged.
Something off.
I'd given her 5 silvers after the heretic mess—her share from trophies, plus condolences for her grandma.
Slum girl's life ain't worth much.
5 silvers were mostly my goodwill.
Should've changed her fate... but she still looked like shit-tier beggar.
"Why still beggar rags? Gave you plenty. Gambling junkie? Blew the 5 silvers already?"
"N-no... just... living here..."
"Just?"
Tough topic; she fidgeted, avoiding my eyes. Her issues. No prying.
Can't weather the world solo? Death's all that's left.
"Always... get robbed..."
What?
"Robbed? What? All 5 silvers gone?"
Still getting extorted?
Even 5 silvers...
"Y-yes... next day..."
I roared.
"You fucking bastards dare steal my condolence money!!!!!!!"
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