Chapter 33
Chapter 33
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 33
Chapter Title: Knight Hanson (3) - Let's See How Long You Last
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"...What the hell were those things?"
In the quiet carriage, one of the mercenaries cautiously opened his mouth.
"What else? Goblins."
"But weren't they too weird for goblins? They weren't even carrying weapons. And yet their teeth and claws looked so damn sharp."
"Looked sharper than the weapon I was carrying, that's for sure."
Everyone chuckled at the mercenary's half-joking remark. One man had died, but the mood wasn't all that bad.
'We're used to this sort of thing from the start.'
Anyone who'd been a mercenary for even a month knew it. Their lives were like mayflies—short and fleeting.
If you got lucky, you might live long enough to retire, but that was the stuff of legends. Most didn't even make it close; they died or quit within a month.
That's why they didn't make a fuss over a comrade's death. Getting attached just led to headaches.
"Do you know what they were, Sir Knight?"
"I've seen something similar, but even I've never seen goblins act like that."
"Even you, Sir Knight?"
"Fuck. What's the world coming to..."
The air grew heavy again. Sensing the mood, the merchant called over one of the mercenaries and treated us to beer and sausages.
"Whoa, what's all this?"
"He said it's thanks for getting us out safely."
"Robert sure knows how to be generous when it counts!"
The mercenaries rejoiced like kids. After everything that had happened, staying sober on top of the carriage wouldn't be easy.
"Join us for a toast, Sir Knight!"
"Sure."
One mercenary glanced my way hesitantly, and I nodded readily, stepping over to them.
"Alright then. To our bright futures... Cheers!"
"Cheers!"
We killed time with idle chatter until dawn, forcing the day's events from our minds.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "Valone is in sight!"
Thankfully, we weren't attacked again before reaching the next village. A small mercy amid the misfortune.
'It's still standing?'
It looked pretty sizable from afar, so I'd assumed it was wiped out. But to think it was completely intact.
'Dina was reduced to ruins, though.'
It hadn't even been that long since the outbreak. Never dreamed it'd end up like that.
"Is Valone a decent village?"
"It's got a ton of mercenaries in the Boris Region. The locals are rough around the edges, but not bad people overall."
"Good to hear."
"With all those mercenaries, there's plenty to do—entertainment everywhere. And best of all, lots of whores. It's practically the village's main business."
I just nodded silently, eyes on the approaching village.
"Halt!"
The carriage stopped at the militia's shout. Robert climbed down and chatted with them briefly.
"You're clear to enter!"
It didn't take long. They must trade with the village regularly.
"You have our deepest thanks!"
After handing off the carriage, I stepped out right away. Stretching made my joints pop everywhere.
"Thought my back was gonna give out."
"Tell me about it."
As I mingled with the mercenaries for a bit, Robert approached after paying the storage fee.
"Truly, thank you so much, Sir Hanson!"
"Yeah. You did good too. So, this means we've reached the destination?"
"Yes. I'll sell the food here and figure out what to buy next. Oh, and here's your pay."
He pulled a pouch from his pocket and handed it over. A quick peek showed it was nicely stuffed.
"You didn't have to."
"You saved my life—how could I not? Just... next time we meet, heh."
"Got it. I'll remember this favor."
Robert paid off the mercenaries and left soon after. He looked pretty upbeat from behind.
"Sir Knight, any plans from here? If not, why not come to the inn with us? We know this place inside out."
"Yeah, pick the wrong inn and it's filthy with crap food. You'll just get pissed."
"If that's what you want, sure."
Wandering villages stressed me out when it came to inns and food. Nice to have it sorted this easily.
'Perks of passing myself off as a knight.'
Sure, I'd saved their lives, so they liked me well enough. But that's all it was. Mercenaries didn't do loyalty or favors.
"I'll lead the way!"
Following them, I scanned the streets. Bustling village—like the world before the apocalypse.
'How is this possible?'
Zombies had been around a bit, sure. But the damage should've been too fresh to recover from already.
'What kind of magic is this?'
Were there really that many mercenaries keeping damage at zero? Just because of that?
'Doesn't matter. Not my problem.'
"Here we are."
🛖 Mercenaries' Haven 🛖 "Welcome!"
A bright voice greeted us as the mercenary pushed open the inn door. Being afternoon, the place was fairly crowded.
"We're gonna grab a drink down here. What about you, Sir Hanson? Join us?"
"Appreciate it, but I'm good. Kinda beat."
"Fair enough, after all that. Alright, then how about breakfast tomorrow...?"
I chuckled and nodded.
"Sure. Breakfast together it is."
"Thanks! See you tomorrow!"
I paid for food and lodging with a silver coin from my pouch, then headed upstairs. Unpacked my gear and sat on the bed.
'Not bad.'
Soft, clean—damn good bed. Spacious room, no drafty chill either.
This is why you hit mercenary-frequented inns. Wanted to crash right away, but had some checks first.
⚔ STATUS ⚔ ⚡ Strength: 45 → 46 💨 Agility: 45 → 46 ✨ Mana: 23 I allocated my remaining points, boosting my stats.
'Mana rises fast, for sure.'
Didn't realize a proper mana cultivation method made this much difference. Best part? The recovery rate showed it clearest.
I pulled a glass vial from my pocket and shook it.
🩸 Blood Elixir 🩸 A potent elixir distilled from the power and essence of mighty beings. No one knows what consuming it will do. 'And I've got this too.'
The high-grade elixir from Count Bardi.
He'd originally planned to give me something far inferior, but Anne pulled strings for the good stuff.
'Wonder how Anne's doing.'
Edwin's raid, snagging the elixir—her influence in the family must've tanked. Hope she's not struggling.
Especially with hundreds of goblins in the forest right outside the city.
'But the city's no pushover to fall to goblins.'
I tucked the elixir back carefully. Not the time to drink it.
Finally, something to test—I drew my sword. I could now infuse it with a faint trace of mana, leaving blue trails on swings.
'So, what if I infuse fire instead?'
Fire magic used my mana as fuel, and coating the blade did too. Should work, right?
Focusing on the blade.
A thin wisp of mana rose. I tried channeling fire into it, but no flame—just the mana vanishing. Like repelling magnets.
'Not possible?'
If I could coat the sword in fire instead of mana, it'd be a game-changer. Intimidating alone, and fire was killer against zombies.
'Give up?'
Flopped onto the bed, one idea sparking.
In an old comic, the hero swept flames from his hand up the blade, igniting the whole thing.
'Worth a shot?'
Infused mana into the sword again. Then imagined fire in my other hand.
The dim room lit up. Heat on my skin. I swallowed hard and slowly reached for the blade. Gripped it.
Whoosh!
Flames spread from the center, engulfing the sword. Roaring blaze.
'It works!'
Never thought I'd recreate a comic in real life. Useless knowledge never hurts.
The fire lasted about 30 seconds before fading. Not long, but mana cost considered, solid combat trick.
'Time for bed.'
Exhausted from carriage naps. Lay down, eyes closed—sleep hit fast.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Clack-clack—
The sound snapped my eyes open. Sharp senses caught the faint noise.
'What?'
I rose silently from bed. Turned to the door—the handle rattled.
Creeeak—
Old hinges groaned as it slowly opened. I surged forward with mana in my legs, kicking the intruder's shin as he entered.
Crunch—
Sickening snap. The man's eyes bulged. Before he could scream, I clamped his mouth and crushed his throat.
"Guhh—"
His face turned beet red. Slammed it to the floor, pinned his back with my knee. To stop resistance, stabbed his hand with my dagger.
"Arrrgh!"
Grabbed his other arm, subdued him, then asked.
"Who are you?"
"W-what bullshit! D-do you know who I am, you fuck?!"
He glared venomously. Not the answer I wanted.
"How should I? More importantly, why sneak into my room?"
"Th-that's... I mean, why the fuck should I tell you, you piece of shit! Could've been the wrong room!"
Yanked the dagger out suddenly.
"Guh..."
"Cut the crap. Not talking, huh?"
"Fuck you, asshole!"
I infused mana into the dagger. Lit fire in my other hand.
Sizzle—
"Gaaaaah!"
Burning flesh stench filled the room. He thrashed wildly. Dagger aflame, I held it before him.
"Let's see how long you last."
His face went ghost white.
"Wait! I'll talk! I'll talk!"
"What's this about?!"