Chapter 399
Chapter 399
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 399
Chapter Title: Harpy Lady
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Whiiiiiing.
A non-human wind buffeted me.
Was this the wind the legendary Wright brothers felt when they first pierced the heavens as the first humans to do so? Razor-sharp gusts assaulted my face like shards of shattered glass. The open sky was throwing a tantrum.
"The Wright brothers."
The legendary duo who elevated humanity's technology by leaps and bounds. They were great scientists who committed the ultimate taboo of encroaching on the heavens' domain.
The sky. What a terrifying resonance that word carries. In Confucian cultures, people fundamentally fear the heavens. For humans, born without wings, it was an unknowable realm forever out of reach.
No matter the longing or the sacrifices offered, humanity could never fly.
Pitying mankind, the brothers created the airplane. They overcame the terror of the skies and hurled their bodies into the void with the spirit of self-sacrifice, laying the foundation for humanity to conquer the heavens.
It was a godlike feat.
Yes, a god.
The airplanes refined by later generations became real gods of death, reigning over the tragedy of war. The moment divinity fell into corruption. A god made by human hands slew humans. People stood no chance against bombers and fighters.
Of course, the Wright brothers could never have imagined their heaven-defying creations would be used to massacre innocents.
It was only natural.
Humanity's origin and essence lay in repaying good deeds with infinite hatred and malice. Benevolent gods wouldn't know that. And so, the Wright brothers were forsaken by their homeland.
In that sense, my current flight through the skies stemmed from infinite malice as well.
"KieeeEEEEEEK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
Not even a three-year-old brat would wail like that. I clung desperately to the harpy's talons, screaming like a child to keep from falling.
If I hadn't trained so diligently, I probably would've plummeted already. My muscles bulged. Strength born of desperation clamped down on the raptor-like claws.
So even if they let go, I wouldn't fall.
"Kyahaha! Shut up, little one! If you don't wanna drop!"
"Wh-what?! You can talk?!"
Then a non-human voice rang from above my head. A woman's shrill, tearing screech—it was the harpy's voice!
A monster speaking human language...!
What madness was this!
The end times!
"The tragedy of flight!"
Apocalypse!
"Please spare me!!! I won't resist!!!"
Since it could talk, I tried communicating. Kidnapping me like this suggested they weren't planning to kill me right away.
What the hell?
What was the point of abducting people?
Were they after fresh meat?
"Fine, fine. Behave, and I won't toss you. Kikikkit."
"Kihehehit! Fresh male meat!"
The harpies mocked me with eerie cackles. Right now, these bitches had my shoulders in their grip, flapping their wings.
Flap! Flap!
Flap!
Other harpies flew nearby, jeering at passing birds or just soaring gleefully.
So fast...!
Naked beauties flying around—what the fuck couldn't I comprehend?
"Fuck!"
I swallowed a burst of profanity. Truth be told, I was scared shitless. The moment my grip slipped, I'd plummet below.
All I could see down there was a forest sprawling like a prairie. Towering treetops everywhere instinctively screamed that I'd die on impact.
Sure, it was a grand sight in its own way, captivating in nature's beauty, but right now it just looked like the jaws of doom.
Falling there?
Couldn't even imagine it.
No parachute—dropping meant death. If I got lucky, maybe snag some branches and survive mangled, but I wasn't betting on that.
It felt like riding a non-human extreme murder ride with zero safety gear. No escaping until the ride ended... a nightmare wonderland!
"Hoo!"
Fuck.
But the situation had already gone to hell. Terror and panic clawed at my brain, but if I wasn't dead yet, there was a way out. That's what I had to believe.
Hadn't I sliced off one harpy's leg earlier?
They weren't transcendent beings. Flesh and bone, bleeding when hurt. Winnable. No need to fear opponents I could beat. GYAAAAAAAAH!!!
"TEEEEEEEENG!!!!!! Too fast, fuck!!!"
"Kikikikit!"
"Kyahahahaha!!"
Suddenly, the harpies gripping my shoulders started shaking me for acrobatic maneuvers. My legs flailed wildly.
Were they toying with their prey?!
All I could do was cling to their talons.
"UOOOOOOOOO!!!!"
Every scream made them laugh harder. You fucking bitches! I'll make you regret not killing me outright!
Of course, with me gripping their feet, they couldn't kill me either. If they tried for real, I'd draw my sword and go mutual destruction.
Smart enough to talk? They'd think twice. Even if they released me, my grip strength could hold for a while. Then I'd climb up and snap their necks.
Use the corpse as a shield for the fall. That was my murderous plan.
Lucky break, snag some branches and survive.
But this stunt flying—was it to wear me out and prevent that?
Who knows.
"Kikikikit!!! This male's got spirit!"
"Kyahahahaha! This'll be fun!"
Anyway, my survival instincts kicked into overdrive. Fear stabbing my brain triggered a surge of courage and valor. Screams turned to roars. Mana raged through my body, fueling my arms.
"KieeeEEEEEEK!!!!"
Nothing short of absolute terror and despair could break me!
The Heavenly Demon Kim Katt always finds a breakthrough if there's hope!
Mind Clear State.
I calmed my heart. Conserving strength, I quelled fear with surging bravery. The harpies flew endlessly toward somewhere.
Probably their nest.
Safe for now, then.
Time passes.
"Wake up, little one! We're here!"
"Kikikit! Better behave!"
And we arrived at a cliffside.
"Damn."
The cliff was pocked with cave mouths like rooms. Massive trees crowded the top and bottom. Harpies swarmed the area.
Harpy habitat? A natural nest smack in nature's heart. Figures flying freaks pick weird spots.
Whiiiiiing!
The harpies gripping me slowed, approaching the cliff.
"Fuck!"
They tried dumping me on the ledge before a cave mouth. I timed it and let go.
Splat!
I rolled with the landing to absorb the impact.
"What the fuck...! Where am I?!"
Dust billowed.
I rolled again, drew my sword, and assumed a stance.
"Kihehe... Gonna resist? Pointless! No one escapes from here!"
"Better crawl into the cave and wait! Kikkit!"
The harpies who'd dragged me hovered, taunting. Then they zoomed off.
Left alone suddenly.
"Motherfucker."
Dragged to a harpy nest—what bullshit.
Just this morning, I planned a simple wolf hunt and back. But shit hit the fan. Like that jungle fiasco.
At least Kobson was there then. Now, totally solo.
Why the fuck do I keep getting fucked like this? Never imagined this crap. Who'd think a work trip ends in harpy kidnapping?
And those abandoning assholes—Palchion, Zenith, Anna, you dickheads. D-rank my ass. Humans are all trash regardless of rank.
"Fucking hell."
Flutter!
Flap flap!
Harpies flapped threateningly around me. Naked female harpies... beautiful on the surface.
Smooth skin, human-like except arms and legs. But monsters. Infamous even among evil humans for brutality.
"Kikikit!"
They glared like zoo visitors mocking an animal, smirking weirdly before vanishing.
"Fucking whores."
Better enter the cave than linger on the ledge. Gripping my sword, I turned.
Having my sword eased my mind. With it, nothing scared me. Pouch on my belt intact too. Water skin good.
Smart buying quality gear.
Stranded here, I could last days. Prep is key. Pouch always stocked with rations.
"Fucking bird bitches. Motherless cunts. Hens from hell."
Cave height about ten feet. Spacious up, down, left, right. Man-made? Solid enough.
No clue what's inside, so entered combat-ready.
Daylight kept it from total dark. Scanned sides, up, down. Noisy. Something ahead.
"Ugh..."
A human groan?
"Who's there?"
I sped up, diving deeper.
Other kidnapping victims?
"Ugh... Wh-who's there?"
"Humans."
Three scrawny young men on the floor. Clothes screamed adventurers? Or farmers. One propped up weakly at my sight.
"You got nabbed by harpies too?"
"Y-yeah... Looks like you did too."
"Seems so."
They looked exhausted.
Starved, sunken eyes.
What the fuck... Kidnap and no food?
If food stock, they'd feed. No food meant other purpose?
Or weaken resistance short-term. Fuck if I know.
No harpy habits knowledge narrowed options.
Anyway, grabbing people meant some goal—toy or eat.
"How long since kidnapped?"
"Maybe ten days..."
"What've they done?"
He sighed, struggling to explain.
"Th-the bastards..."
"Bastards?"
"Kuhk... Kuhk! Kuhuhk!"
Suddenly, he burst into tears.
"What?"
Why's this guy crying?
Something horrific?
"Kuhuhu."
Then the guy opposite chuckled.
"...Why laugh?"
He laughed merrily. Meanwhile, the skinny talker sobbed pitifully.
"Kuhu..."
Stopping, he stared at me.
"We're getting raped by the harpies. Guess he ain't enjoying it... Kuhuhu."
"Wh-what?!?!"
This is insane!