Chapter 28
Chapter 28
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 28
Chapter Title: Duke Edwin (3) - Main Tower
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1.
The moment we passed through the residential district and reached the commercial area, we were greeted by hordes of zombies and mutants.
'Just as I expected.'
I'd figured there'd be mutants gathered somewhere, or maybe a special specimen. And sure enough, it was the former.
'Feels just like looking at Chungmuro Station back then.'
As a brief memory from the past flashed by, I quietly asked Anne beside me.
"What’s the plan?"
"We break through head-on. Anyway, excluding the areas held by the rebels, most places are probably like this."
"Got it."
I carefully drew my sword.
"There are too many enemies, so I won't be able to protect you during the fight. If it gets dangerous, run. Understood?"
"If I were weak enough to just run, I wouldn't have come along. Worry about yourself."
She smirked at my response and patted my shoulder.
"Right. Good luck. And survive."
With that, she drew her sword and charged forward.
Kieeeek—!
Kraaaah!
This was the commercial district, after all—a wide road packed full of zombies and mutants lunging at Anne.
Some spat green saliva from their mouths, others charged with razor-sharp claws leading the way. Still others whipped their long tongues like tentacles.
Each attack could cause a fatal wound on impact, but she never backed down.
Whoooosh—
Instead, she accelerated even further, hurling herself into the thick of the enemy. The moment Anne landed from a leap into the sky and slammed her sword down.
Kwaaaang!
A massive explosion rang out, and a wave of mana swept over the mutants. The zombies touched by the spray melted away on the spot.
'She's insane.'
She'd said mana felt like a waterfall, and sure enough, this attack embodied that trait.
Watching it, I finally understood why there was such a massive gap between those who comprehended mana and those who didn't.
'Comparing the two almost feels unfair.'
From efficiency to handling and destructive power—everything was on another level. It was pure overwhelm.
Gulp—
'Someday, I'll be able to do that too.'
The thought made my heart race. Of course, I also realized I'd need to level up fast and earn gold to get there.
I moved my legs and thrust my sword into the pack in front of me.
Puk—!
I pierced the head of a Jumper heading for Anne. Pulling it out, I cleaved the head off a nearby zombie.
Kraaaah!
As my comrades started dropping one by one, some of the horde finally noticed something off and turned toward me.
Kyaaaak!
The moment our eyes met, they screeched and charged like mad. Smiling, I drew up my mana.
"Come on, all of you bastards!"
My shout drew even more enemies. I poured my mud-like mana into my upper body and sword, then swung wide.
Whoooosh—!
Unlike Anne's clean arc, my sword trail was crude. But the results were anything but.
Splaaash!
The enemies sliced by my blade had limbs severed and tumbling to the ground. Blood sprayed through the air as I relentlessly swung away.
Kraaaah!
A jolt at my ankle made me glance down—some had crawled up and were gnawing at my legs and feet. The leather armor kept them from penetrating, though.
'These fuckers.'
I stomped down hard.
Thud!
Its neck snapped, skull crushed. The squishy feel of brains under my boot sent chills up my spine. I still couldn't get used to it.
Whoooosh— Splaaash!
We fought like mad. The commercial district was vast, teeming with zombies and mutants.
Kyaaaak!
Honestly, I have no idea how I dodged all those mutant attacks. My sharpened senses probably played a big part.
As I swung on pure instinct, someone suddenly grabbed my shoulder.
Whoooosh—
I spun and slashed—the hand caught my blade. Looking up, I saw short red hair soaked in blood.
"Hanson, you can stop now."
"Hah, hah, hah…"
I collapsed to the ground at the sight of Anne's face.
"Whoa…"
"Here, drink."
As I panted, she handed me a leather pouch. The squishy feel told me it was a waterskin.
Gulp gulp—
Water sliding down my throat brought a bit of strength back.
"Not tired?"
She chuckled at my polite tone.
"This is nothing. I didn't use much mana, and battlefields like this are familiar to me."
"Makes sense."
I handed the waterskin back; she tucked it into her belt.
"You drank a lot."
"What, you want it back even if it's mine now?"
"Never mind. Anyway, if you're rested, let's move."
Pwoooo—
"Looks urgent."
"Yep."
I took Anne's hand and stood. I shook the blood off my sword but kept it in hand—from here on, combat could break out anytime.
"Then let's go."
⚔ STATUS ⚔ ⚡ Strength: [34 → 37] 💨 Agility: [39 → 40] Name: Hanson | Lv. 78 I quickly opened the window, allocated to Strength, and closed it.
'The experience is insane.'
Risk came with solid rewards. Grinning, I dashed down the street again.
*
"Fuck, hold the line! Block them no matter what!"
Desperate shouts from ahead. Behind a makeshift wall of furniture and carts, archers nocked arrows.
"Watch out!"
"Fire!!!"
Despite my warning, Anne charged silently. As they loosed their arrows in unison.
Shhhwick—!
A blue curtain erupted from her swung sword, swallowing the volley. Then, as she retracted and thrust her hand forward again.
Splaaash!
Waves converged, punching a hole dead center in the crude barricade.
"Aaaargh!"
"Fuck, what the hell is that?!"
"Crazy, it's a knight! A knight!!!"
Mana strikes sent body parts thudding to the ground. Some pierced in vitals died instantly.
This grand church, meant to brim with sanctity, echoed with human screams and splattered blood.
"Hanson, join up quick!"
"Yes, ma'am!"
As part of their line crumbled, she bellowed. I drew mana and dove through the gap she'd made.
"You bastard!"
"Kill him!"
The rebels showed me no mercy. If anything, they targeted me more relentlessly than the knight Anne.
I dodged the first charger's sword and thrust mine home.
Puk—
"Kuhak!"
I kicked the blood-spewing foe to free my blade, then whipped it sideways.
Splaaash!
The neck of a guy coming from the right flew off; he tumbled. Two down in seconds made the rest flinch and halt.
"Attack, you fuckers! Attack him! He's no knight anyway!"
The shout came from a man amid the enemies, barking orders. While everyone else wore shabby armor, he had proper gear.
'The commander.'
Leading this ragtag mob, he was a prime target.
'Anne's busy with others.'
Clang— Cliiing!
Even the distant sounds hinted at an intense fight over there.
'Guess I'm taking him down.'
I scanned the surrounding foes.
Despite the commander's yells, they weren't charging. Obviously, killing them all was impossible.
But there was a way to break through without wiping them out.
"I'm no knight?"
Terror.
"Then let me show you."
I smirked, slicking back my dripping bloody hair. To them, I must look like a demon.
"Why don't you check for yourself!"
I surged mana and kicked off the ground. Crude control, but it shattered human limits.
Puk—!
Two soldiers in front of me had their heads pierced in an instant.
"Huh?"
Only then did the guy next to them react. Too late.
Splaaash!
My mana-charged blade scattered blue light, followed by red blood.
"M-Mad!"
"He said he wasn't a knight!"
They recoiled in horror. The distance widened far more than before—from caution to outright fear.
"Don't block my path. I'll kill every last one."
The surrounding enemies flinched.
Blocking meant death—which implied not blocking meant survival.
"W-What are you waiting for, fuckers?!"
They got it; the path split like the Red Sea. I walked slowly along the cleared lane of retreating soldiers.
"Attack, attack him! Fuck!"
The commander's frantic cries. But they had no courage left to fight me.
'They weren't real soldiers to begin with.'
"Aaaargh!"
I stabbed the nape of a guy turning to flee. The trembling commander gripped my blade with both hands, straining to pull it free.
"Guh, kuhuk…!"
Gurgling blood, his body slumped forward.
"R-Run!"
"Aaaargh!"
The moment the commander died, the civilians around me hesitated, then scattered every which way.
"Hoo…"
Only as they vanished into alleys could I finally relax.
"Good work."
Anne watched me with a smile.
"Was ready to help, but you handled it solo."
"If I couldn't manage this, I never would've tagged along."
"True enough. Shall we head in?"
We climbed the steps to the grand church doors.
Gulp.
Tense, we both reached out and shoved. The doors creaked open slowly.
"Huh?"
Peeking through the gap, something felt off. As they fully parted, we stepped inside cautiously.
"……No one's here?"
"What the hell?"
The church where we expected Duke Edwin was pristine and silent, as if no one had ever entered.
"How is this possible?"
"They heard the horn and fled."
"If they'd fled at the horn, it wouldn't be this spotless. Cleaning up in the middle of escaping? That doesn't add up."
"Hm."
Anne nodded and spoke.
"Then maybe he wasn't here from the start. We came on assumption, not certainty, right?"
"Still weird. If Edwin's not in the church, why set up such a heavy defense line and post soldiers around it?"
No, thinking back, it was off from the beginning. Why did Edwin release me? What did he trust after I overheard his rebellion plans?
Every word and action has purpose. So why capture and release me?
"No way…"
The thought hit, dizziness surging. Rubbing my nape, I whirled around.
"Hanson? What's wrong?"
Ignoring Anne's faint voice, I walked out. No—ran.
Pwoooo—
Outside, across the wide street, soldiers approached. The ones we'd split from earlier.
"Lady Anne, success!"
The knight in the distance—the guy who'd clicked his tongue at me before. I should've felt safe seeing the army, but my heart pounded harder.
Edanbora was a massive fortress city. Easy to get lost, but one building served as a landmark.
"Hanson, what's going on?! Speak!"
"Main Tower."
"What?"
She caught my whisper, looking up.
The faint main tower—Bardi Count's residential area—billowed black smoke.
"Fuck."