Chapter 533
Chapter 533
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 533
Chapter Title: Useful Guy
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Clap clap clap clap clap clap!!
"Waaaaah!! Prophet!!"
"Raaaaagh!!!"
"Long live the workers!!!"
As soon as the speech began, the workers erupted into frenzied applause and screams. Some of them were openly sobbing, dropping to their knees and clasping their hands in prayer.
"Heh."
It was a total madhouse.
Was this the power of a demon?
In the face of the giant demon's schemes, the lives of the common folk were as worthless as weeds in the wind.
"Kyaaaaah!!!"
"Long live!!!"
Anyway, these guys seemed to have lost their minds completely from attending rally after rally. That was the terrifying thing about brainwashing. They worshipped the speaker like devotees of a cult.
If he just collected a single copper from each of these idiots every day without doing anything else, he'd rake in a fortune.
Even at three hundred heads, that's three silvers a day in pure profit. Expand the flock, and the money could really pile up.
No wonder the kid sold his soul to a demon.
"A world for the workers! We workers make up this world!! If we unite our strength! We can drive out the oppressors and exploiters! No matter how mighty they are, they can't defeat our solidarity!"
-Rooooar!
The speaker's muscles pulsed as he let out a full-throated roar.
What kind of power did the demon give him? Demons were all random as hell, so who knew.
"This place will be our foothold!"
"Waaaaah!!"
"Long live!!!"
"A world for the workers!!!"
In truth, the city didn't have much of a garrison, and they didn't seem all that strong anyway.
The captain was just a somewhat trained guy with no mana to speak of. If a massive uprising of fanatical workers broke out here, quelling it would be a real pain.
"Hmm."
Was the demon after the blood that would flow in the chaos?
Whatever it was, that was their kind of goal from the start. That's why they tempted humans and dragged them to ruin. Chaos and blood were their favorite food.
"Prepare to rise up!"
The speech carried on like that.
I slowly pushed through the crowd toward the platform. So I'd be ready to move the second the guards burst in.
-Murmur murmur.
I'd been keeping an eye on the door at the back the whole time I was watching the speech.
The guards should be showing up any minute now. The moment they did, I'd take him down and reveal the proof of his dealings with the demon. A sinister aura was already leaking from him. Proving it on the spot would be easy.
"A world where everyone shares wealth equally is coming soon!!"
Just as the speech hit its peak, the door flew open.
-...!
-...!
Their uniforms marked them as city guards for sure.
About time they got here.
"Raaaaagh!!"
"Guaaaaaah!!"
But the workers were so lost in their frenzy they didn't even notice. There was just a bit of commotion from the back.
Time to take him down—
"—Look behind you! The lackeys of the rulers have finally arrived!!!"
Suddenly, the speaker pointed straight at the door and yelled. Of course he'd spot them—he'd been facing this way.
"Wh-what?!"
"They're here!"
"Dogs of power!"
The workers all whipped around to look.
"Arrest them all!!!"
"Attack!!"
The city guards charged in, shields first, shoving through the workers to start rounding them up. The ones with clubs began beating the workers down.
"They've come to oppress us! To exploit us forever! If they catch you here, it's over, everyone! Look at this violence!!!"
At the same time, the speaker started inciting them.
"Stop them!"
"We have to stop them!"
"Kill them all!"
Emboldened by his words, the workers lunged at the city guards.
"Uwaaaaaah!!"
"Kyaaaaah!!!"
"Stop! Stop it!"
The hall plunged into a pit of violence in seconds.
It was pure pandemonium. Workers swinging fists, guards swinging clubs. Casualties mounted on both sides, blood spraying everywhere.
Cloudy and Winia were somewhere in that mess.
I was seriously worried, but they were pros. They'd handle themselves.
Time to do my job.
"Deeejjaaaaaah!!!"
I unleashed a Lion's Roar and executed Heavenly Demon Supremacy in one fluid motion, leaping onto the platform. At the same time, I flung off my robe and struck a pose.
-Flash!
"Brass Celestial Society Junior Priest Kim Katt enters the fray!"
My armor gleamed!
"Th-that guy's wearing armor! He's a spy!"
"Kill him!"
At that moment, burly muscleheads who'd been waiting behind the platform charged. They were tall and ripped.
These were the bodyguards, huh?
Four in total.
"Die!!"
They looked tough enough, but just street brawler types. To take me down, you needed a real warrior!
"Who the hell you think you're messing with?"
I dodged a flying fist and slapped his cheek hard.
-Thwack!
"Gwehk!"
A sound like a mortar round firing. He flew back, crashing into workers below the platform.
"Aaaah!"
Even a truckload of mana-less normies couldn't touch me. Only someone with technique, skill, and raw power could!
"Protect the Prophet!"
"Run, sir!"
"Die, dog of power!"
My battle-honed techniques and mana-forged body had long surpassed mortal limits. The three remaining guards rushed me.
I dropped into Divine Execution Fist stance.
"Divine Execution Fist!!!"
-Pa pa pat!
-Whoosh whoosh!
"Uwaaaaaah!!"
"Gyuaaaaaah!!"
"Kyaaaaah!!"
I unleashed Divine Execution Fist, sending the three flying with screams. Nine hits on three targets—took less than two seconds.
-Kyaaaaah!
-Kuaaaaaah!!
Bodyguards done.
"You worthless shits!"
But below the platform, it was full-on war.
"Fuck off, dogs of power!"
"Shut up, you reactionary scum!"
Blood and flesh flying as they beat the hell out of each other. Overall, the guards had the edge. No way unarmed workers could beat prepared troops.
"...!"
I stood still on the platform, locking eyes with the ringleader glaring at me with burning intensity.
"Heh heh heh, my friend. Daring to borrow a demon's power? For what?"
"You bastard! Lackey of power!"
He pointed at me accusingly.
"Lackey of power?"
"How dare you cause this uproar! What's wrong with demanding our rights? Today again, workers slaved away for a day's pittance! Stop oppressing the workers' rights!"
-Fwoosh!
His pupils glowed crimson.
-The demon power manifesting.
"Workers' rights?"
Was this idiot seriously borrowing demon power for that?
Maybe he was genuine about it. Didn't matter—I was here to slay demons.
-Flutter!
The ringleader suddenly stripped off his shirt.
"You bastard! Those muscles... no way!"
What was revealed—
"The workers' grudges have become my power!!!"
-A body honed to steel perfection.
Sculpted muscles covered him entirely.
-Writhing.
Black energy seeped from between the throbbing muscles.
This was... Demon Muscle!
I'd figured it'd be impressive, but seeing it up close was even more overwhelming! So this was demon power! A body like the legendary Diamond Yaksha!
"Now is the time to rise! The time to show the workers' power! I will never bow to the oppressors' tyranny!"
-Rooooar!!
As he roared, black demonic aura swirled around his body.
"Infinite power overflowing!"
Hilde said gathering this many people was perfect for a demon to amp up its power! The aura was insane!
"Take the strike of the oppressed workers! Hyaap!!!"
-Boom!
The agitator stomped, shattering the platform floor as his body rocketed like a cannonball.
-Swoosh!
This guy was fast!
"Fist of Workers' Liberation!!!"
The punch came with devastating power to match its speed! I flowed into Divine Execution Fist stance, defending with fluid, water-like motions.
-Thud!
My arm met his fist.
"What the fuck!"
-Skreeee!
The massive impact slid my feet back, pushing my body away!
Unreal power! Making me retreat!
"Th-the Prophet's showing his fist arts!"
"Muscles forged by hard labor!"
"It's a miracle! A miracle!"
"Waaaaah!! Kill him!!"
The workers watched and screamed fanatically. As if this bullshit fist art could exist!
"See that! That's the power of workers!"
The agitator shouted triumphantly, then leaped high with a powerful vertical jump, kicking at me like a meteor. Why was the ceiling so damn high!
"Kick of Just Labor Rights!!!"
-Boom!
I crossed my arms to block. Heavy impact, but I held. I repelled him and counterattacked.
"You demon-borrowing fuck! What do you know about workers' rights!"
"Shut up, you tyrant!!!"
This guy was stronger than expected!
"Taste a raise!!"
I blocked his barrage of bizarre punches and kicks. Pure power rivaled Lisette? Each blow carried an unknowable conviction.
Demon power or his own? Hard to tell.
He pressed with brutally efficient, destructive techniques, trying to shatter my guard.
"You're strong."
Those with conviction are strong.
Uncompromising, forging straight ahead—that's their strength.
His fist art embodied that.
"Shatter, oppressor!!!"
-Whirrr!
He spun four times in midair, channeling centrifugal and rotational force into a ferocious punch.
"Paradise, come!!!"
-Boom!
I sidestepped with Divine Execution Steps, and his fist cratered the floor. Power enough to embed his knuckles.
"A world for workers!!"
But he didn't quit. He yanked his fist free and leaped like a frog, aiming for my throat.
"I'll make it happen with these hands!!!"
-The incoming fist was solid.
"Ha, haha! Hahahahaha!!!"
Laughter burst out.
This guy took demon power, but he was a true warrior.
The flying punch slowed in my vision. Black demonic aura gathered on his fist, pulsing wildly.
Demon power? Or his own?
I couldn't know, but I bet the latter.
-Then I'll meet it head-on.
"Asura Blood Fist."
I fired Asura Blood Fist right at it.
-Boom!
Fist met fist.
"Not bad punch. I'm impressed."
-Jiiiingle!
His fist vibrated, rattling my bones. His soul and conviction shook me.
But still.
"Why... why won't it land!! My fist holds the conviction of liberation! It should be unbreakable!!"
He couldn't beat me.
His face twisted in agony.
"I get your ideology."
"Urgh!"
He pulled back his mangled fist and charged with a flurry.
"Noble cause. Fighting for others is truly honorable and resilient."
"Then why block me!!!"
Dodging was easy. Tilt head to evade the face shot, step with Divine Execution Steps for the chest strikes.
"But you trusted the demon too much."
"What?"
"You think it gave you real power?"
"Don't insult my ally!"
The black demonic aura swirling around his body started clinging to his skin.
That's when I saw it clearly.
His corruption. His failure.
"Look at your body."
I pointed. He looked down and recoiled in horror.
"Wha...! Th-this is!!!"
As the demon aura melted into his flesh, his skin turned black from the feet up. Reminded me of black folks lost fighting imperialism.
"Uwaaaaaah!!!"
Once his skin was fully blackened, a eerie voice echoed.
"Kuh... ku ku ku!! The goal is achieved, human!!! You're no longer useful!!!"
"Wh-what?! Zeltouma! Didn't you promise to build a workers' world with me?!"
The demon voice came from the agitator's mouth.
"Kyahat! Kyahahahaha!! Fool! I'm sick of your drivel! What a power-packed body!!!"
The split personality screamed and cackled like Count Asura.
"Th-that's!!!"
"The Prophet's body...!"
"A demon!!!! It's a demon!!!! Uwaaaaaah!! Unbelievable!!!"
"Sorcery! Sorceryyyy!!!"
The guards-versus-workers brawl had halted. Everyone stared at the agitator—no, the true demon Zeltouma—gushing demonic energy, mouths agape in screams.
Perfect!
"Charge!!!"
I drew my Heavenly Demon Sword and shouted at the crowd!
"I am Brass Celestial Society Junior Priest Kim Katt!!! You've been deceived! This man is a demon worshipper! He sweet-talked you into throwing everything away!!! Behold his evil power! The truth of your Prophet reborn as a demon!!"
I unleashed sword aura.
"This junior priest will save you all!!"
-Crackle crackle!
Blazing blue sword energy seized everyone's attention.
"P-Priest!"
"The priest came to slay the demon!!!"
"God!"
Guards and workers were united now.
"Come at me, foul demon!!"
I slammed my Heavenly Demon Sword into the floor.
-Boom!
The noble blade pierced deep.
"Kyahahaha! I feel infinite power! I'll sacrifice you too, strong human!!"
-Flash!
The cackling demon's eyes burned red as it blurred across the room at insane speed.
"Uwaaaah!!"
"What the hell is thaaat!!!"
"Lizard demon crawling on walls!!!"
Every wall-run and ceiling-dash brought screams. Then it rocketed at me like a missile.
-That speed.
"Hard to track with the eye."
The Prophet dreaming of workers' liberation had been fully possessed by the demon. Demons corrupt convictions like that.
"Become my sacrifice, humaaaan!!!"
The punch to my face felt like rage from the depths of hell.
"Your fist."
I stared at it, taking one step back.
"Lacks conviction."
"What?!"
Another step, then I threw my punch.
"Heavenly Demon Heaven-Shattering Palm."
Divine Execution aura-coated fist. Exploding inner mana. Like a bolt-action anti-materiel sniper. My Heavenly Demon Heaven-Shattering Palm.
-Splaaat!!
"Daring to mock a man with that tongue? Death penalty, you bug."
Pierced the demon's heart.
-Crack!
"Guh, guheeeek...! Wh-what power... is th-this...! Guhak!"
"A soulless punch can't touch me."
-Splorch!
I pulled my fist free, black blood and heart chunks trailing. His body collapsed toward me.
"That's the story."
I shoved the corpse away.