Chapter 58
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 58
Chapter Title: The Black Mage's Request
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ㅡSling.
From time immemorial, when words failed, the blade spoke the truth. For a mad dog, the stick was the remedy. It seemed I needed to have a frank conversation with Morris.
"What? You gonna kill me with that?"
"Kill who? People aren't bastards to just go around talking about killing."
I intend to kill you.
Unlike me, who had drawn my sword, Morris looked relaxed. This probably wasn't his first time pulling this extortion racket, and he'd seen situations like this plenty. Either way, there was no solving this without bloodshed now.
"Then what's that sword for? Talking about party members dying... Guess you wanna retire from adventuring."
"..."
I furrowed my brow.
Adventurers registered parties with the guild to guarantee their safety. In extreme cases, it protected against disguised bandits who lured parties out only to murder them.
If a registered party suffered a death, the guild launched an investigation. That's what Morris was getting at.
"All of them here, too. Four of you head out hunting, and only three come back? You think those three can even set foot in the Adventurer's Guild?"
More than that, a dead party member branded you as 'the guys who let their comrade die,' making you a pariah. Even without that stigma, suspicion arose. 'Did those bastards set it up to rob him?'
Your adventuring life in the city was over. No more party members, scraping by solo. You'd have no choice but to flee to another city.
Morris exploited this adventurer ecosystem as a common thug.
He seemed pretty confident this trick would work again.
"You little shit, got a real long tongue, huh? So what? If you die, the three of us are fucked, so shut up and hand over the hides? That's how you squeeze money out? Aren't you ashamed?"
"You have a tendency to exaggerate, friend. I'm just saying that's how it is. And how many times do I have to repeat? It's not handing over hides. I'm asserting rightful ownership."
He came out full-on demanding we gut ourselves. Hand over the hides lock, stock, and barrel, or kill him and doom the three of us.
What balls. From another angle, he was a true warrior willing to risk his life for coin. No wonder he was stuck at E-rank into his fifties. I had to be careful not to end up like him.
"Mr. Katt, he doesn't seem reasonable. Maybe just let it go..."
"No, Mr. Gibson. You saying we give him the whole thing? Five coppers per person, five coppers. That's a shit-ton of money. And if we look like suckers once, every lowlife will swarm us like bees."
The adventurer world was structured so one moment of weakness fucked you. Winia was a prime example. Once they pegged you as a mark, they bled you dry, soul and all. Bullying low-rank adventurers like this was everyday stuff.
Still, if I unilaterally slashed Morris here, the fallout would hit Gibson and Cloude too. I hesitated... I couldn't throw obstacles in their paths on my own whim. I had a conscience.
Especially not over pocket change like five coppers a head. Big money, sure, but not worth a life.
But letting Morris walk without beating the shit out of him? I wouldn't sleep a wink. As I gripped my sword, frozen, Morris sneered.
"Trying to kill over one lousy hide? Truly a savage race. I had a bad feeling from the start, but figured you had brains. Killing me gains you nothing."
Fuck.
I'm killing this bastard.
"Mr. Gibson, Mr. Cloude. I wanna kill this fucker. That okay?"
"Please calm down, Mr. Katt."
Gibson, still a teen, had too much to lose. I waited for Cloude's answer. Majority rule—if she approved, I'd swing without hesitation. She'd stood arms crossed, silent.
She finally smirked and spoke.
"Ho, quite the manly type? I like it. A real man needs both intellect and savagery. Hard to find these days—guys with neither, or just one."
Cloude approached, scanning me head to toe like appraising goods. Measuring my height, shoulders—sudden physical exam left me flustered.
"Katt, you got both."
"Uh... That's good?"
"Damn right!"
ㅡClap!
She clapped, gazing skyward and shouting.
"Heavenly Fighting God Hel-Khan! With your name, I hereby establish this arena of duel! Grant your blessings to these two warriors!"
Like praying to her god. Duel arena? What was she planning?
"Katt, sheath the sword flat."
Put it down? Ah.
Realizing her intent, I tossed my scabbard off my back and unbuckled my sword belt to the ground. Smart move. I stretched my arms and neck.
"You, Morris? Drop the axe too."
Cloude demanded Morris disarm. But did he ever listen? He balked, of course.
"Why should I?"
The moment he questioned—
ㅡSlash.
Two curved blades traced sharp arcs with ferocious momentum. In a bizarre sword dance, Cloude shattered Morris's axe into three pieces in an instant, grinning wickedly.
"Because I said so."
"Uh, uhhh..."
The axe chunks clattered at his feet. He stared in stunned dismay.
"I'd love to just kill you and be done, but I'm starting to like this city. Gotta settle it peacefully."
Cloude smiled at him.
"From now on, unarmed duel. Winner decides the hides."
"D-duel? Ridiculous. Why should I?"
"Heh. Your opinion doesn't matter. I already prayed to Hel-Khan."
Duel.
Perfect solution. Drop weapons, fistfight—no issues. Wow, living so brutally lately, I jumped straight to murder. Forgot peaceful options!
I immediately applauded Cloude. She smiled back.
"Kekeke, old man, you're fucked now. Ever hear of Iron Palm Fist Art? I'm a black belt."
For intimidation, I flawlessly demonstrated the three stances of Iron Palm Fist Art.
"Kui-kui."
Legal beatdown time.
I strode forward; Morris stammered.
"I-I'm an adventurer with over 20 years! Pull this shit, I'll report to the guild. E-either way, adventuring gets harder for you."
"Mr. Morris is stuttering♡"
Thrilled, I beamed with aegyo. His face twisted. He hadn't anticipated this. I'd only pondered murder aftermath, not fisticuffs. Martial folk had cool culture.
"Hmm, both ready. Begin. Run, and I'll handle you myself. Hel-Khan's punishment."
Panicked Morris scanned around. No allies left. Not Gibson, not duel-declaring Cloude. None.
I clenched my gauntleted fist. Pure steel punch.
"ㅡNo one can stop,"
"Y-you're making a mistake! You bastards!"
I stood before Morris. Realizing no escape, he awkwardly posed. But unlike young me, he was fifty-something. Beating prime youth with that worn body? Impossible.
Weakling contempt ON.
"Assault Puuuunch!!"
I roared, unleashing full-force punch. Gauntlet wasn't armor now—just a handheld murder tool.
ㅡPow!
"Taste the Iron Fist-!!"
Crisp impact rang out. Juicy sound, fist smashing face—unbelievable pleasure surged up my arm to brain. Electric thrill, I burned with zeal.
"Kugh!"
Morris's face flesh rippled; yellow teeth sprayed. Like slow-mo.
"Grahhh!"
He toppled rolling. Critical hit. Follow-up combo. Perfect for downed foe: I leaped, slamming elbow.
"Judgment Elbow!"
"Guh, guh!"
His body tough-ish, but age weathered it. More soft spots. I unleashed every strike. I was a steaming master now. Fist-steam master.
"Nice! Woo-hoo!"
Cloude cheered.
Round girl cheers vanished mercy from my fists.
"Kahk! Krgh! S-stop! Enough...! Kahk!"
Mind-reform session continued. Referee Cloude declared my win, showering wildflower leaves, but as his doctor, unsatisfied with results—extended time.
Now, ancient master therapy.
I gripped the axe handle Cloude split in three.
ㅡRefreshing sweat flowed.
"Hoo, old man nicer now?!"
"Grrrgle..."
Finally pulverized Morris completely. Duel end. He foamed at mouth.
Didn't kill, reformed antisocial scum—pride swelled from chest depths.
"Hahaha, that was great! Hel-Khan surely enjoyed the show!"
Beaming Cloude slapped my back. Armor-denting blows. Felt familiar...
"You won. So, hides?"
I straddled Morris's gut. Hides? Sell and split best, but his share soured it.
Excluding him felt bad. He was my patient. Somehow, doctor-patient bond transcended.
"Then... Ah, perfect."
What to do. Me swallowing whole? Gibson'd mind.
One answer.
"Cloude, you take the hides."
"Me?"
She tilted head, surprised.
"Yes. You resolved it. Skinned these Scale Wolves too. Fair reward—best you take 'em."
Gibson contributed zilch, so to Cloude. Skinning's skill. Without her, longer time, sloppy job, less value.
"...Fine. If you say so, I'll take 'em."
"Buy some candy with it."
"Candy?"
"Something tasty."
Taking hides, Cloude stared at my face awhile.
"Why? Embarrassed?"
"...Nothing. Let's head back."