Chapter 73
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 73
Chapter Title: Plot and Trap (3)
They walked through the night.
Fortunately, the moonlight shone as bright as midday, making it easy to navigate the mountain path.
Everyone's minds were abuzz.
Four Thousand Four had asked Fox to handle it, but shaking off the Remorseless Killer was everyone's problem. It wasn't something to entrust to just one person; they all had to pitch in.
What could they do?
Their feet groped along the mountain path, but their heads ached with the search for a solution.
Before they knew it, dawn was breaking in the east.
A red glow began to suffuse the world, and the crimson sun peeked over the horizon.
"Let's rest here for a bit."
Vanguard settled into a spot and sat.
"Why the long faces? Catch some deathly illness? Brighten up those mugs. Ah, lack of sleep?"
"Shall I whip up some breakfast?"
Hanbi started to rise.
"No, eat breakfast with what we've got. Chewing a couple pieces of jerked meat is plenty. Everyone, sit. I've got something to say."
Vanguard hurried the ones still standing.
Hanbi and Jaja sat. Four Thousand Four and Wild Boar sat too. Fox had probably sat somewhere nearby.
Vanguard scanned the faces of those seated, then blurted out something utterly unexpected.
"Four Thousand Four, you take charge of Fox and Wild Boar."
"…?"
Four Thousand Four stared at Vanguard. His eyes posed the obvious question: what do you mean?
Vanguard explained.
"Our squad... let's tweak the structure a bit. Everyone's seen what this guy's capable of... His methods don't mesh with ours. Follow his way, and we look like idiots. Stick to ours, and he ends up dead."
"Hmm! Can't argue there."
Jaja chuckled softly.
No one denied Four Thousand Four's abilities. They'd all witnessed them firsthand.
Four Thousand Four wasn't a martial artist. And yet, he was. He wasn't an assassin. But he'd slain more lives than anyone. The reason for all those kills before his imprisonment in the Nineteen Hells remained a mystery, but the body count was undeniable.
Four Thousand Four was quiet. Yet profoundly dangerous.
Vanguard continued.
"Wild Boar, no need to cower around Hanbi and Jaja anymore. Team up with that guy and cut loose."
"Vanguard, that would shatter our squad's formation..."
"That formation shattered ages ago."
Vanguard shook his head.
"Wild Boar, take a good look at him. Last time, he just ran. This time, he barely fought back and got wrecked. Next time? Same story. Keep going like this, and he'll die for sure. Luck's kept him breathing so far, but not next time."
"…"
Wild Boar had no retort.
He knew all too well his own impotence. Bursting out of Martial Camp, he'd bellowed at the world. Even playing guard in Thunder Prison at the Nineteen Hells, he'd sneered at it all.
With the right mindset, he could've been top dog in Martial Camp. He was sure of it.
That confidence had crumbled completely this time.
Next time? He had no luxury to ponder it. Truth be told, he'd been certain death was coming this round.
Four Thousand Four in charge? Bluntly put, it meant serving under him, taking orders. Guard and prisoner roles flipped in a blink.
Didn't matter. No headspace for pride now. Hell, with ten mouths, he'd still have nothing to say. He hadn't even pulled his weight as a Strength Division member.
"No need to overcomplicate it. Think two-horse carriage. I'm squad leader, he's deputy. I command you two; he commands Fox and Wild Boar. We confer on shared goals. Joint effort, but splitting off in two directions."
"Understood."
Four Thousand Four nodded.
Most would've demurred a bit, but Four Thousand Four? Not a chance.
Pure pragmatism.
"Alright, if you've got it... rest up proper today. Catch some sleep, recuperate... We move at dusk. Bit of talk before we go. Rest till then."
Vanguard stretched long and sprawled backward.
Sleep came. Jerky got chewed. Water got drunk. Light training loosened limbs.
Everyone rested their way.
No one obsessed over Vanguard's morning words. No burning questions on the hows or whats.
Four Thousand Four was fresh out of the Nineteen Hells. Handing deputy reins to him? No hard feelings. They'd long transcended such pettiness.
Hanbi and Jaja had no thirst for the leader spot.
Assigned? They'd handle it. Not? Fine. Lives dangling by threads anyway. Too busy stamping out foot fires. Always had been.
Even the tapped deputy, Four Thousand Four, barely seemed to register Vanguard's words.
The day passed in easy comfort for all.
Then, right on cue as dusk neared, they gathered once more before departure.
"Take this guy and tail Fox. You know the rendezvous?"
"Yes."
"Pursuit'll be brutal."
"Yes."
"One more thing. Even if word comes we're dead, don't flinch."
"That's a harsh joke."
"Joke? These words?"
"…"
"Ha! You little..."
Vanguard winked at Four Thousand Four.
Vanguard had split the squad in two. Seemed the only way to shake the Remorseless Killer.
He skipped the details. Wanted to spill, but couldn't. Birds hear daytime talk, rats hear nighttime whispers.
Yet Four Thousand Four got the gist.
Four Thousand Four rose. Offered a polite fist salute.
"Then we'll head out first."
"You really catch all that?"
"Yes."
"For real?"
"Yes."
"Truly?"
Four Thousand Four offered no more. Simply turned and walked away.
"What're you dawdling for! Go!"
Vanguard nudged Wild Boar with his foot.
"Ah!"
Wild Boar sprang up and chased after Four Thousand Four.
A moment ago, something unspoken had passed between Vanguard and Four Thousand Four. A meeting of minds.
What exactly? Unknown. But definite exchange happened. Enough to justify the split.
Vanguard muttered at the receding Four Thousand Four.
"Good. If you got it, that's what counts. Seen your killer chops. Now... show me life-saving skills. Think he can pull our asses out?"
"What're you on about?"
Hanbi shot back, baffled.
"Hahaha! Just something like that. Haha!"
Vanguard boomed with laughter.
"Wild Boar, dropping honorifics."
"Huh?"
"First off, how many lives you packing?"
"Punk, what the hell?"
"Asked how many lives you got."
"Idiot, one's all anyone has! Two-lifers exist?"
"Spend that one now."
"…"
Wild Boar eyed Four Thousand Four.
Two months plus with the guy. Nearing three? Whatever. Close-quarters survival proved one thing: he didn't joke.
Four Thousand Four meant business with the life.
"That in the stuff you swapped with Vanguard?"
Four Thousand Four gripped Wild Boar's shoulder.
"Hold. Right here."
"Holding. Why?"
"Block the Remorseless Killer here."
"Say what?"
"Simple. Raise your axe at him. He'll claim your life."
"That... a deputy order?"
"Ain't that the Strength Division's job?"
Wild Boar bored holes into Four Thousand Four.
Three months rubbing shoulders... Observation yielded more. He never ditched comrades.
Nineteen Hells convict. Murderer. One of those thousand-mark killers unfit for the world.
By the numbers, total no-go for trust. But survival said otherwise. Trust him. Anyone else? Maybe not. Him? Absolutely.
Wild Boar spoke.
"You just name-dropped Strength Division duty?"
"Yeah."
"Kekeke! Deputy, huh. Fine, deputy. I'll bite. Die here?"
Four Thousand Four didn't reply. Already walking away, back turned.
Wild Boar muttered at his back, voice raised deliberately.
"Damn... crueler than Vanguard."
"Eek!"
Hanbi yelped in shock.
No clue why, but Wild Boar geared for battle. Drew twin iron clubs, twirled them whoosh-whoosh.
Told him no fighting.
Opponent obvious. Tail was the Remorseless Killer. So, clash incoming.
Suicidal maniac.
Fine up to there. Four Thousand Four, pulling ahead after ditching Wild Boar, vanished abruptly.
Wild Boar missed it, back turned, awaiting the Remorseless Killer. No spare glance for the deserter. Vanguard's crew, though, watched.
"Where'd he vanish to?"
"Missed it."
Jaja shook her head.
"Vanguard! You catch it?"
"Nope. Heh! That guy's something... Few words, and he nailed my intent."
"This your plan all along?"
Vanguard nodded.
"Handed them to the Remorseless Killer?"
"Punk! Gotta phrase it that way? Think I baited 'em for the Killer while we bail? Who you take me for!"
"Ah! Sorry!"
"Sorry? Don't sound it."
"C'mon... quit bickering like kids. Spill—what's the play?"
"Those two? Bait."
Vanguard turned grave.
"Only diff is, we're bait too. Heh! Us, them... both sides bait. Remorseless Killer picks which to chomp. Up to him."
"Then?"
"What? Time to do our thing."
"Hohoho! Perfect. Hated getting dragged. Hope they bite us."
Shiiiik!
Jaja blurred from sight.
Four steps only. One step. Two. Three. Four... Her form faded step by step, gone by the last.
"Damn... more I see, more wondrous. Gotta crack that secret before croaking."
Hanbi muttered, then moved.
Shiiiik!
Hanbi rocketed into the woods, swift as wind.
Like Jaja, utterly vanished. Presence undetectable between earth and sky.
"Heh! My turn."
Vanguard stroked his chin.