Chapter 351
Chapter 351
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 351
Chapter Title: Kim Katt and the 40 Bandits
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Our journey had begun.
The adventurers, each laden with their packs, marched on in grim silence, their faces dark and brooding. Aside from one, they were all E-rankers, but judging by their menacing auras and sharp glares, more than half seemed like seasoned killers in their own right.
Adventurer ranks mattered for skill, sure, but promotions ultimately hinged on results.
A rank signified trust, after all.
Even if they were E-rank, the fact they'd eagerly taken a job to go kill people suggested their combat prowess was beyond doubt. There was one martial artist and two female adventurers, but they all looked solid enough—no red flags there.
"We'll head to the site of the bandit ambush now!"
The merchant at the front took command.
He looked shabby without even a mount, and the sword at his waist seemed to radiate hatred. Looked like he planned to fight the bandits himself if they showed up.
Impressive.
Dumping his hard-earned coin into revenge showed real grit—far more enterprising than rebuilding his fortune. He'd willingly emptied his wallet for brutal retribution.
A true son of a bitch move.
In this turbulent world, only those with that kind of boldness and ruthlessness raked in the big bucks. Still, he needed to stay alive, so it'd be best if he hung back during fights. He'd already deposited his budget with the guild.
Walking beside the merchant was a hooded D-rank adventurer who was supposedly helping track the bandits. The two were huddled over a map, whispering.
"How long till we get there?"
I was bringing up the rear with Winia and Elise. We'd started moving, so I was curious about the ETA. I shouted up to the front, and the merchant replied.
"If we keep this pace, we'll arrive by afternoon!"
A bit far.
Our walking speed was decent, but no real issues.
I was a pure pedestrian at heart, Elise was stronger than me anyway, and Winia, being a skilled mage, had stamina and strength well above average.
Other mages might not, but Winia was top-notch all around. Though pure strength? I'd still win.
"Darkie. Piggyback me."
As we chatted idly, Winia—craving some skinship, no doubt—made the request. No choice but to oblige.
"Hop on."
Even with her on my back right away, it felt effortless. Mana training had boosted my physical abilities massively.
"...You two really have great chemistry. I'm so relieved."
Elise commented on the sight.
"Heh heh heh, right?"
"A saint as pious as you, yet so valiant—and above all, righteous. It's only natural."
"Yeah, totally natural."
The name Heavenly Demon wasn't one to toss around lightly.
"What? Darkie's pious and righteous?"
While talking with Elise, Winia piped up from my back.
"Valiant I get, but pious and righteous? What bullshit is that?"
"Winia. There are hardly any in this world as pious and righteous as me. You still don't know me that well?"
"If darkie's pious and righteous, this world's fucked. I love you tons, but watch your mouth."
I agreed the world was fucked, but couldn't endorse her wording.
"Then what about me do you like?"
"Everything."
"Hawawa. Me too!"
We kept walking, scanning our surroundings and chatting lightly. The road was still clear. We hadn't strayed far from Isvant, so no big worries.
With ten bloodthirsty types around, danger was minimal anyway.
"By the way, nunny. Those bandits connected to the heretics from before?"
Winia asked Elise mid-stride.
"Not certain. But suspicious circumstances piled up, so I suggested investigating with the saint."
"Yeah? Well, heretics or bandits, same difference. Monster scum. Just kill 'em all."
Exactly.
"That's the spirit, Winia. Mage through and through."
"A true pursuit of knowledge from a mage. Such insight and erudition from so few words."
"What'd I even say to get that reaction?"
Thief = robber = heretic = bandit—all synonyms. Different words, same trash concept.
Simple example: if a thief steals my stuff, I can claim damages from bandits or heretics just the same. Heretic sins? Punish bandits under the same charge. Robber killing? Counts as illegal heresy-spreading.
This was Fusion Confucianism's teaching.
"Our nunny's buddy darkie thinks just like her."
Lots in common with Elise.
She shook her head at that.
"Don't say that. I'm a frail thing compared to the saint."
"No, Elise. Can't agree. We're Divine Friends! Shared ideals and justice! You're no frail thing! Your service to the world endures forever!"
"Y-Yes! Thank you for saying so!"
"Gonna puke. Darkie, cut the crap."
Wonder when Winia would embrace Fusion Confucianism.
Thus we marched on, until lunchtime snuck up.
"We'll rest here a bit!"
Adventurers claimed spots at the merchant's shout.
"Darkie, wasn't I heavy?"
Setting her down, Winia grinned happily.
"Lighter than a feather."
"Hee hee. Really? I'm that light?"
Winia's weight—with her massive bust—was no feather joke. If that was a feather, no birds would fly.
"Of course. Where's a lighter girl than you?"
"Darkie says the sweetest things. Eeyoo, you're so good."
"Heh heh heh. Let's rest too. Elise, lunch."
"Yes."
The subjugation party settled in, munching packed rations while staying vigilant. Some scarfed and napped, others picked tree fruits.
Whish whish.
One martial artist punched trees like it was training. Didn't he recognize me?
Anyway, we shared jerky, hardtack, and dried fruit.
"Faster than expected—we'll hit the ambush site soon. Bandits might be nearby, so if fighting breaks out, I expect you to give it your all."
We overheard the merchant during lunch.
We were here for pay, so no running. Contract paid on return. Desertion meant breach—no pay.
"You're D-rank too."
Post-meal, stretching with Executive Fist Technique, the hooded middle-aged man approached. The D-rank adventurer.
"Katt. You?"
Gruff like Kobson, I gave my name. He offered a handshake, revealing his. Black-gloved hand. Three short swords at his waist—shorter than standard one-handers. Maniac setup.
"Lactos. Seen you at the guild."
"Heh heh heh, hard-to-miss hair. Just saying hi— you'll be the most reliable in a fight."
"Same for you. Looking forward."
Quick greeting, then he returned to the merchant, map out, whispering. Might cross paths more on jobs. D-ranks were guild elites—trusted skill. Reliable, having steadily worked Isvant for years.
Break over, party lumbered onward.
No stragglers.
Smooth arrival at the destination.
"Halt! This is it!"
Shing.
Shing.
Adventurers drew weapons, clustered, hid, and scanned. I shielded Winia behind a tree with Elise, checking around.
"Traces of a destroyed carriage remain."
"Yeah. Seeing it."
As Elise said, wreckage littered the area, shoved to road sides—likely by passing carts to clear the way.
Assholes with no road manners.
If cleaning, do it right—why half-ass it?
"Smashing carriages like this? Bandits are irredeemable. Gotta smash 'em like this to forgive."
"Well said. Judgment nears. Their blood will heal the merchant's wounds."
Deliberate destruction—pure malice.
"...No bandits nearby."
Adventurers emerged at the merchant's call.
"Now we track. Per contract, 70 copper each if we meet 'em—wipe 'em out."
"No worries."
"That's the plan."
"Got it—move out."
Parting words exchanged, we left the road for the mountains. Lactos and merchant blazed the trail.
Tracking starts here.
They'd investigated other attacks too. Guessing a spot. Dragging it out meant more wages, so they'd hustle. Revenge fuel.
Swish!
Crunch!
Climbing, sudden rustles. Adventurers leaped toward the sounds.
They showed?!
Felt a sinister vibe!
Elise raised her mace like lightning.
"Over there!"
A cocky martial artist sprinted, flying-kicking the bushes. Damn, he was fastest.
Then—
Splaaaat!!!
Screeching.
Gremlins, by the sound.
Fuck.
"...Gremlins."
Thought bandits— just monsters.
The brief commotion ended with the gremlin family brutally massacred. I didn't lift a finger. Mountain-weary adventurers vented stress with stabs early on.
Thus, slaying encountered monsters, search continued smoothly. Time passed without issue.
"Saint. Sun's setting."
"Wrap investigation, prep camp."
"Darkie, got the blanket?"
"Obviously."
Sky turned orange.
"We'll camp now. Setting watches—pairs, two shifts."
Murmurs from adventurers, then quiet. Paired with chatty march-mates.
Winia and Elise teamed; I grabbed an isolated adventurer. Five pairs rotating. Assigned order, prepped bivouac.
Rustle rustle.
Mountain camping routine for adventurers—they swiftly cleared branches, built sites. I made mine, handed blanket to Winia.
"Darkie, guard me good. Some guys eyed my chest earlier."
"Which fucking bastards."
All must die.
"Hee hee. Just guard well."
"Sleepless vigil it is."
"Winia, no worries."
Thus we watched through the night.
Spotted bandits next morning.
Pop!
"That bastard's fleeing!"
"Catch him!"