Chapter 84
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 84
Chapter Title: Zombie Parade
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Shweeeeeek!!!
The translucent ghost that took a full swing from my sword split clean in two. It let out an extreme wail of anguish, fluttering through the air like a torn A4 sheet before vanishing completely.
"Moon... Ah... Ten... Thrust."
I held the pose from slicing the ghost for a good ten seconds, then sheathed my blade with all the weight of life's burdens in a quiet motion. Only then did the holy enchantment's duration end, the sacred glow scattering like dust.
"Ahh."
With that last 'slash,' I'd cut away my own weakness.
Ghosts no longer scared me. I'd always been a huge scaredy-cat—after watching horror movies, I couldn't even shower properly at night. I'd be washing my hair, convinced the lights would suddenly go out and a ghost would appear, tormented by delusions like that.
I couldn't sleep well either. Waking up at dawn terrified me to open my eyes, convinced some ghost would be shoving its face right in mine for some reason.
When I spotted a ghost in the army, I was so freaked out the only thing I could do was cling to my junior's hand. Even heading back to duty, I gripped it tight—the weird look the duty officer gave me still haunts me.
All those past fears... I'd just slashed them away.
"Ha, haha! Hahahahaha!"
And I burst into mad laughter.
Now, not even ghosts could block my path to domination. This boiling sense of accomplishment had my tension skyrocketing. I felt like I could do anything right now.
In my excitement, I thanked Elise.
"Thanks, Elise! Because of you, I cut away my fear!"
"I don't really get it, but you look happy, so that's good."
Ghosts were true monsters—physical attacks passed right through them. If newbie adventurers ran into one deep in the forest, they'd be done for.
These bastards loved grabbing people's hearts with their phasing spirit hands and crushing them. If you couldn't use magic or holy power, you'd just have to take it like a chump.
But I, Kim Katt, even if it was thanks to Elise's holy buff, had bisected one of those powerful ghost shits. This was my true skill.
Grinning ear to ear, I flashed a thumbs-up at Claudy.
"Claudy! I slashed a ghost!"
I had to share this glorious victory with her.
"Hm... If you're happy, then good for you? Nice job. My Katt's awesome."
"Fuckin' badass awesome."
I needed to keep riding this high. I slung my sack back over my shoulder. Time to move to the next area.
"Elise. How many more times can you use that buff skill?"
"If I don't use any other skills, up to six more times."
"Got it."
Ghosts always huddled together due to their eternal loneliness.
Where there's one, like cockroaches, there were probably more nearby.
For the public good, I had to wipe them all out.
An unstoppable impulse surged.
Today's me was the Ghostbuster, proxy reaper Kim Katt.
"Let's go!"
I rummaged through the surroundings. The gloomy forest echoed with ghosts' wails everywhere. I tracked the sounds to scout likely spots. Soon enough, I found more ghosts.
Whiiiii.
Huroooo.
Hooo...
These cursed spirits were translucent monsters draped in ragged, fluttering cloth, withered and twisted. They forced open barely-working mouths, wailing mournful fates.
Just looking at them filled me with disgust. Moments ago, I'd felt fear, but now only revulsion.
Weaklings.
They were weaklings.
So, it was right to despise them.
Three in total. I itched to slash them all right then. I drew my sword and roared.
"United by Buddha's compassion, you ten ghost fucks! I'll send you all to nirvana!"
Whiii!
Aggro pulled—they all flew at me. Slow as molasses. At that speed, they couldn't touch my heart, let alone a single hair.
"Heh heh heh, aren't you enjoying this too much? You look thrilled."
Claudy chuckled softly from behind. Having slashed my past, I was in a great mood. My lips curled up. Perfect chance to show her my cool side.
"Elise! Buff me up!"
I asked Elise for the buff again.
Time to activate Infinite Sword Strike and shred these ghost bastards.
"Got it!"
"By the glorious power of God, drive out all evil..."
Elise responded energetically and chanted her prayer.
I murmured a badass line like a prayer.
"Dust to dust. Ashes to ashes. It's my destiny to send these undead back where they belong."
Szzzzzt!
My sword blazed with radiant light again. Holy Enchantment didn't last long. But that was enough time to take down not just ghosts, but their grandpas too.
Their frail spirit bodies would slice like tofu before my blade.
I immediately activated Infinite Sword Strike.
"Unbelievable!"
Fuck.
It failed from the start. Out of practice, I said "Unbelievable" instead of "Unlimited." Shit. Too late to correct.
"Blade!"
Spilled milk.
I kept chanting, raised my sword high, and charged.
Takatakata!
"Worth!"
And thus, the most astonishing sword strike activated.
How astonishing, seriously!
Whiiiiiit!
"Die!"
One ghost reached out an arm.
But bare-handed, it couldn't bridge the gap to my sword strikes. I swung with my charging momentum, halving it into oblivion. Truly astonishing power.
Shlick!
Two left. Even two couldn't keep up with my speed—the gap was rabbit vs. turtle exaggerated.
I kicked off again, stabbing one. Puk—the holy-infused blade pierced its chest. It clutched its heart, crumbling to ash.
Still time left on the buff.
One remaining!
"You're fucked now, you shit!"
The last one, seeing two nirvana-bound in seconds, hesitated.
Terrified, it turned to flee. I, Kim Katt, who scared even ghosts, pursued. As said, their pathetic speed couldn't escape me.
Whiiiyoooo (Fuck! Spare me!)
"Shut your dead mouth!"
Too thrilled, hallucinating? Its wail sounded like begging. No mercy from me.
"True Iron Path!"
Shwick—I horizontally slashed its waist.
Clean hit.
It should split and vanish.
Pffft.
But.
"Wha—what?"
My sword passed right through the ghost.
Caught off guard, I froze. So did it. Clutching its head, convulsing, it looked back. Checked itself, tilted head puzzled.
"Hm."
I eyed my sword.
Buff ended—back to normal blade.
Whiiit (Dumbass!)
"Fuuuuuuuck!!!!!!!!!!"
Ghost's hand-claw rushed me.
A primal scream erupted as I executed lazy donkey roll.
"Fuck! Save me!"
I rolled away, but against something immune to my attacks, nothing worked. I bolted. It floated after slowly. Forgotten terror surged from my depths.
My fear wasn't conquered.
Just hidden by Elise's buff, mistaking it gone.
In this desperate pinch, it reared its head.
Foam at mouth incoming.
"Claudy—!"
Needed shelter. Thought of hiding in Claudy's chest like always. But she was gone. Where?! Fuck!
"...Yeah, ghosts are unavoidable."
Voice from behind.
Shiiik!
Turning, Claudy with her sharp curved sword. One swing turned the ghost to dust. Legs gave out—I collapsed.
"Fuck... Almost got fucked over big time."
Ragged breaths. Claudy approached.
"Knew it from your hyper happy jumping. Careful, yeah?"
"Sorry as hell."
Grabbed her hand, stood. Soaked in sweat. Got too hyped, not like me. Vowed never glance at ghosts again.
"Uh, fuck?"
One overlooked fact: ghosts dropped zero items. All that bullshit, no loot, just HP drain.
Coldly, hunting ghosts was pure loss. Deep regret. That time could've netted more talents. Wasted effort, shit.
"Not true. You purified them, didn't you? Saint's efforts weren't wasted."
"Is that so."
Elise comforted my grumbling.
Yeah, cleansing wandering evil spirits is good. In this busy life, occasional charity's fine.
After, we hunted undead till the wire. Kill gods if met, Buddhas too—same vibe, slaughtered every undead on sight (not literally).
Sunset, sack full, descended.
"Ahh, super satisfying day."
"Yeah. Collected way more heads than expected."
"I'm thrilled too."
Now, haul skulls to church for talents. This grind's the festival's charm. Normal farming for gear—pure RPG.
"37 heads total—12 each, I take the extra."
Hauling 'em bent my back.
Girls offered to carry midway, but as double macho guy, no way—even if stronger.
Entered nearest Brass Celestial Society church. Placards everywhere, training yard like flea market stalls. Festival heat full swing.
To the counter, dropped sack.
"Ooh, lots. Thanks for holy service."
"Pushed hard today, heh."
Handsome priest counted skulls, handed 37 talents. Divided 12 each, I took last.