Chapter 32
Chapter 32
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 32
Chapter Title: Knight Hanson (2) - Fire
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1.
'This is really comfortable.'
When he'd first planned to hitch a ride on the carriage, he never could have imagined things would turn out like this.
"Ahem..."
"Cough, cough..."
He turned his head to the side. The mercenaries were glancing around nervously. One of them even startled and started coughing.
'Ah, this is hilarious.'
He barely managed to stop the corners of his mouth from curling up at their foolish behavior.
Of course, he knew the current situation wasn't all that great. The merchant had misunderstood on his own, but Hanson had declared himself a knight.
Impersonating nobility in this world was a grave crime. If caught, it meant the gallows without fail.
'On the flip side, that means I just have to avoid getting caught.'
There were countless families in the world, and thus countless knights. Even if he ran into a real noble and they didn't recognize his family name upon introduction, it wouldn't matter at all.
They wouldn't even dream of doubting him—they'd just assume it was some family they didn't know about.
'They'd think, "Who would dare impersonate a noble?"'
That mindset alone would keep them from suspecting anything.
'And in this messed-up world, who has time to worry about that anyway? They're all too busy saving their own skins.'
Far from it—they'd welcome him with open arms if a knight approached them like this. Of course, he wouldn't push his luck too far, lest his tail get stepped on.
'For now, just enjoy the moment.'
He flashed a grin and lounged comfortably in the carriage. It was VIP treatment no mercenary could ever dream of.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "So, you're saying the whole world's gone to hell?"
"Yeah, at least everywhere I've passed through so far—cities and villages alike. So the city you're heading to as your goal might be the same."
"N-No way..."
The merchant Robert seemed clueless about the state of the outside world, so Hanson explained the current situation. After all, he'd received quite a bit in return already.
"Then even if we reach the city, we might not get paid at all. Hell, the buyer might even be dead."
"Pretty likely, yeah. But don't worry too much. If you can't sell there, just sell somewhere else."
"Where the hell would that be?"
In response to Robert's question, Hanson raised his beer mug and said,
"Anywhere."
What Robert had stored in the carriage was food—bread, meat, booze. No one in this world would turn that down.
"...If there's no one there either, where the hell am I supposed to go?"
He was poking at the campfire and muttering like a down-and-out now, but eventually he'd realize what a golden opportunity he'd snagged.
'And by then, I'll make sure to get my cut.'
Excluding the ride, food, and bed he'd gotten for free, he hadn't received any real compensation. One could argue that was compensation enough, but right now he was playing the part of a knight.
'This much is just my due.'
He grimaced at the cheap beer and chewed on some jerky.
"More importantly, how is a merchant like you so clueless about the world?"
"I've been in a village at the edge of the East for a long time."
"Why stay there so long?"
"My mother was ill. I nursed her until she passed recently, so now I'm back out in the world."
This had turned into an awkward therapy session without meaning to. Hanson cleared his throat awkwardly and said,
"That's unfortunate."
"No, it's just how things go."
"Still, keep at it. In a time when the whole continent's in chaos, isn't this the best opportunity for a merchant?"
"You're right. I'll do my best."
They stared blankly at the campfire in silence. The mercenaries were handling the watch, so there was no need to stay vigilant.
"Well, time to turn in."
"Yeah, probably for the best."
As Hanson broke the awkward silence first, Robert quickly agreed. The moment they both stood up—
"A-Attack!!!"
He whipped his head toward the shout, not far off.
"Guess I owe them a meal before bed."
He drew his sword from his belt and charged toward the noise. As he closed in, he heard the groans of mercenaries and monsters.
'Goblins again?'
He'd hoped for something stronger, but he sighed deeply and leaped into the fray.
Slash—!
He cleaved through the two goblins banging on a shield first. Their heads rolled cleanly across the ground from the precise strike.
"Th-Thank you."
The mercenary stared at him in shock. Ignoring him, Hanson rushed the others.
Stab—
He thrust out his sword hand, piercing the hearts of three goblins at once.
"Th-The knight's here!"
"We're saved!"
They'd been so uncomfortable riding with him earlier, but now they seemed thrilled at his help.
Slash!
There were quite a few goblins, but it didn't take long to wipe them all out.
"Good work!"
As the last one fell, the mercenaries approached and bowed their heads.
"You too. It was dark—you spotted them well."
"They usually hide behind trees or crawl on the ground, the sneaky bastards. But tonight, they just charged right at us like they'd eaten something bad."
"Lucky they're idiots. We almost got done in!"
They chatted idly, but Hanson felt an inexplicable unease.
"Step back a sec."
He crouched by a corpse and examined it closely. But it was too dark to see properly.
"Torch."
"Here."
One mercenary brought it close to the ground.
The one with a pierced heart looked like an ordinary goblin corpse at a glance, but...
'No.'
Its skin was darker than green, and its nails and teeth looked much sharper.
'No way...'
His unease was about to take shape when—
"Gaaahhh!"
A sudden scream made him jump up. Turning, he saw a goblin latched onto a mercenary's neck, claws buried in his side.
It raked downward, splitting flesh and spilling guts amid a gush of blood.
"H-Help... Gahk..."
The goblin's teeth and claws weren't that sharp. If they were, it wouldn't have needed crude weapons.
"Wh-What the hell is that?!"
"We definitely killed those goblins!"
He glanced at where the mercenaries had fought. Four corpses—gone.
'Shit!'
His hunch was right. The goblins had turned into zombies.
"Everyone, be careful!"
"Huh? What—"
Zombie goblins burst from everywhere at his shout. Easily over ten of them.
'Where the hell are they all coming from?'
The question was brief—an attack whistled from behind, forcing him to spin.
Slash!
Purple blood sprayed skyward. The mercenaries raised their weapons at the sight of the zombie goblin's head hitting the dirt.
Bam! Bam!
"Th-These bastards are way stronger!"
"What the fuck is going on!!!"
Confusion and fear filled the mercenaries' eyes.
'This is bad.'
At this rate, everyone but him would be wiped out, derailing the journey ahead.
'Take them out fast.'
He gathered mana and crouched. He crossed the air in an instant, slashing every goblin in sight.
Stab!
Each swing felled at least two, always targeting hearts or heads for certainty.
'Why are there so many?'
He'd cut down over ten, yet more kept coming. Not fast, but not slow either.
He'd seen mutants before, but existing monsters turning zombie? First time—clueless.
"Fall back!"
They judged quickly. He gathered the scattered mercenaries and bolted for the carriage.
Screeech—
They burst from the forest to the parked carriage.
"I heard screams, Sir Hanson. What the hell's going on?!"
Fortunately, the carriage was untouched. Robert wasn't asleep yet.
"No time to explain. We need to go—now."
"Y-Yes! Got it!"
Realizing the gravity, Robert hurriedly reloaded his dropped goods without questions.
'Shit, they're already catching up.'
Zombie goblins emerged one by one from trees and bushes.
"Get going!"
"On it! We're off!"
The carriage lurched forward slowly. But they'd be overtaken before it picked up speed.
"Ha, shit..."
He sighed and charged the oncoming zombie goblins. His mana-infused blade glinted faintly in the dark.
Slaaash!
A perfect arc. Every goblin in its path lost its upper body to the ground.
Whoosh—
He dodged a lunging body lightly and stomped the head of one rising from the dirt.
Crunch!
Blood and brains splattered. Grimacing, he swung again.
"Sir Hanson, you need to board now!"
He nodded at the mercenaries' shout and turned.
Zombie goblins now filled the area. Where had they all come from?
'The whole tribe infected?'
Not his concern now. If he didn't board soon, he'd be done for.
'But how the hell do I break through?'
Swordplay alone wouldn't cut it. The carriage would leave first.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ Strength [44 → 45] Agility [44 → 45] You have purchased 'Magic: Fire'. A new Magic Window has been added upon acquiring magic. Judgment was swift, action swifter.
He quickly allocated his stats and bought the favorited spell.
Knowledge of the magic flooded his mind. Absorbing it all, he instantly knew how to use it. Felt great, but no time to savor.
'Not sure if it'll work, but...'
He had to try everything. Gathering mana, he envisioned fire—intense fire.
Roar!
Red flames banished the darkness, filling the road. Radiating fire engulfed the nearby zombie goblins.
Screams and the stench of burning flesh filled the air. The heat on his skin made him grin.
'It worked!'
He'd thought of this from the description. Pump in enough mana, and this was possible.
Problem: mana drain was insane. Barely five seconds, and he was under half.
'Gotta conserve.'
Infusing mana throughout his body, he swung. Burning goblins sliced like tofu.
Fwoosh!
Short bursts of flame when needed, clearing the goblin-packed path. Vision cleared as they died—the carriage visible ahead.
'I can catch up!'
He sprinted toward the not-so-distant silhouette. Closing in, but mana dwindling.
'Come on, come on...!'
Five meters away. So close, yet not reaching.
'Fuck it, whatever!'
Burning his remaining mana, he leaped forward.
"Sir Hanson!"
A mercenary's hand grasped his just in time. Momentum tumbled him across the carriage floor.
"Huff, huff..."
Slumped on the floor, he looked back. Goblins poured from both sides, red eyes gleaming in the dark. Hundreds at least.
'Man, thought I was done for...'
For now... he survived.