Chapter 13
Chapter 13
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 13
Chapter Title: Branch Point (3) - Damn Well Done
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1.
Grraaah—
As soon as I crested the hill, a horde of zombies was blocking my path. It wasn't a small number either. Even at a glance, there were more than thirty of them.
"Ha..."
I considered swinging into an alley, but I didn't know the way well, and there was no guarantee that side was cleared out.
A sure bet versus an uncertain gamble. If both were gambles, the sure one was better.
Kraaaah—
As I drew closer, their eyes glowed red. At the same moment, the corpses charged.
Slash!
I cleaved through the neck of the first one in front. Blood splashed over my head, turning my vision red.
"Fuck."
Whoosh—
This time, I brought my sword down, bisecting the zombie's upper body. I passed through the splaying corpse and swung horizontally. Two zombie heads hit the ground.
I took half a step forward and thrust out my hand. The sensation of flesh under my blade. Blood and brains soaked my clothes through. Something gross stuck to my face, but I had no time to peel it off.
Slash!
⚡ STAT UPDATE ⚡ Strength: [29 → 30] Mechanically, yet consciously, I quickly diced up the zombies in front of me.
When I felt a lack of strength, I poured points into Strength.
⚡ STAT UPDATE ⚡ Agility: [29 → 30] When my body felt slow, I put them into Agility, gradually closing the gap bit by bit. And the zombies chasing me closed the distance to me just as quickly.
"Hoo—"
I let out a ragged breath.
Fight, flee, fight again. No matter the Good Recovery trait, it was a process that would tire out any human.
'No choice, huh.'
I drew up the mana in my body. Mana that moved sluggishly, like mud in a swamp. I forced it into my sword and swung.
Whoooosh—
The sword flew in a wide arc. Under the dark night sky, another half-moon was drawn. Not a metaphor—it was real. The blade infused with mana gave off a faint blue glow.
Slash!
It was a weak light, but the result it produced was anything but weak. No, it was overwhelmingly powerful. Every zombie touched by the sword's range had its upper and lower body separated, instantly clearing the path.
'Chance.'
I rushed toward the opening in front of me. Amid the zombie horde, I swung my sword nonstop, blood and flesh soaking my face and body. At the same time, my heart pounded. It was excitement.
"Hey, you fucker!"
"That fucking bastard, him!"
As I passed, the zombies filled the gap again. Their sudden shouts pulled the aggro back to them.
Kraaaah—
Panting, I glanced back. A few zombies were approaching, but no problem. More importantly, the main pursuers' feet were tied up.
I turned forward and ran again. My legs were heavy, but the destination wasn't far now.
'How the hell do I explain this.'
Even if she had some trust in me, it'd been less than two days since I met the knight. In that situation, if I said I was going to attack the noble, would she even believe me?
No, even before believing it, getting into the mansion would be the issue.
'She said there were subordinates around.'
If that fucker Karoi had taken precautions, I might get jumped before even reaching the noble.
Thoughts spiraled into more thoughts, continuing endlessly. That was when the mansion was almost in sight.
Whoosh—
I hurled my body aside at the sound grazing my ear. I quickly got up and turned to see a familiar face.
"I noticed earlier, but your senses are sharp, huh? That's probably how you survived even after the world went to shit."
Brown eyes, sleazy face. Karoi smirked at me.
"How'd you catch up?"
"Left it to my underlings and chased."
"That many, zombies would be tough."
"Zombies?"
He rolled his eyes for a moment, then spoke as if realizing something.
"Oh, you mean those moving corpses? Zombies. Nice ring to it. That noble bitch tell you!?"
Karoi suddenly thrust his sword. I yanked back and dodged. His eyes widened slightly.
"Damn, dodged that too? Would've been really great if you'd joined up under me."
"If I say I will now, you gonna believe me?"
"Would you? You fucker!"
He smirked and slashed down. This time I was ready and countered properly.
Clang—
Our swords clashed in midair, red sparks flying. Even with perfect form, my arms went limp. Definitely fatigued.
Sensing it, Karoi pressed relentlessly with nonstop swings.
Clang—clang!
It was a dizzying onslaught. Like hanging off a cliff, the exchanges teetered on the edge.
'Fuck, this is fucking brutal!'
If I lost focus even a bit, I'd drop my sword. After more than ten exchanges, Karoi pulled back.
"Fucking bastard, you're holding up damn well."
He staggered slightly as he said it. It was dark, so I hadn't noticed, but his face was flushed red.
Huff—huff—
With my own heartbeat and breathing, I hadn't noticed, but he was panting too. Probably stamina drained from the booze.
I wasn't the only one worn out. Same for Karoi.
'I can do this.'
Realizing it wasn't pure despair, the corner of my mouth twitched up.
"What're you grinning at, fucker!"
The sword that felt razor-sharp now looked shaky. No, it actually was. His hands trembled from the alcohol.
Clang!
I watched the tip precisely and struck upward. Through his arm flung toward the sky, I saw panicked eyes.
'Now.'
I bit my lip hard, quickly recovered my sword, raised it to my chin, and thrust.
Shick—
A precise thrust into the opening.
A normal mercenary wouldn't have reacted. But Karoi wasn't ordinary.
Whoosh—
The shield in his other hand shot up. A wooden shield rimmed with iron.
'Gotta pierce.'
No matter how drunk and tired he was, not as much as me. If this failed, I'd be the one collapsing.
'Pierce...!'
I scraped together every last bit of mana. Forced the sluggish stuff to the tip.
Under the moonlight, a blue point gleamed pale. Sharp sensation in my grip.
"Guhk—"
Karoi's eyes bulged. Red blood poured from his mouth. I yanked the sword back, and he staggered.
"You fucking..."
He tried to steady and charge, but the pierced heart couldn't function.
Thud—
He hit the ground.
"Huff... huff..."
I collapsed to the ground too. No strength left in my body. Right now, I'd lose to a five-year-old kid.
"Hey."
I turned to look at Karoi, gushing blood. He glared back. If eyes could kill, I'd be dead hundreds of times over.
"Why try to kill the noble?"
Not a question for the dying, but curiosity won. Dead men tell no tales, right?
"Kuhk—"
He opened his mouth, but blood clogged his throat—no words. And that was it.
"He's there!"
"Fuck, Boss!!!"
Voices from behind—I turned to see a group charging at me. Zombies beyond them. Guess they handled the horde.
Just barely won, and life was such bullshit.
"You dog fucker!"
The bald guy swung his sword with a ferocious face. Seeing the weapon come, I sighed emptily.
Splash—!
Suddenly my vision went red. I thought it was my blood at first. But the hot liquid soaking my body and head wasn't mine.
The bald guy's body was bisected as he swung at me. Blood and guts drenched me.
"F-fuck!"
The faces of the guys rushing up turned to horror. At the same time, someone approached beside me.
"Hanson, you alright?"
Flat voice. I looked up to see a black-bobbed woman standing with the moonlight at her back.
"Fuck, not some prince on a white horse."
"What was that?"
She asked at my mutter. I shook my head.
"I'm fine."
I usually spoke casually, but somehow now formal felt right. No, after seeing her strength, respect hit hard.
"Good you're alright. I know the gist, so let's handle these guys first, then talk."
As she passed in front of me, the frozen men spun and fled.
Slash!
The knight's body kicked off the ground, instantly slicing through them. No fancy process needed. One stroke, and living beings turned to meat chunks in a flash.
Watching the faint slaughter scene, I thought.
'Damn right I sided with the knight...'