Chapter 34
Chapter 34
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 34
Chapter Title: Slum District (4)
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-Heavenly Nameless
I sliced down one more piece of trash who lost his mind at the sight of his fallen comrade and charged at me.
"Ha!"
My heart pounded like it was about to burst. My pupils contracted, and their movements seemed to slow down.
The corners of my mouth lifted so wide it felt like they might tear—this sensation I'd never felt before in my life.
"Aaah!!"
Another piece of trash, still clueless about his place, came rushing in to roll on the ground again.
A clumsy, oversized swing aimed to cleave me from torso to top.
"Sloppy!"
I sidestepped it in one motion, thrust my wooden sword deep, then slashed.
Even so, this one who went down had some toughness to him—or maybe it was my own inexperience—because as he lay sprawled on the ground, he reached out to grab my ankle.
That's right, that's how you do it.
For some reason, at that sight, my heart raced even harder, and a smile bloomed on my face.
I stomped down hard on his hand.
Crunch—
"Gaaahhh!!"
The sound of something crushing.
Stimulated by the sight of their comrade's hand mangled beyond repair, the trash turned red-eyed and charged all at once.
But I simply readjusted my grip on the wooden sword and recalled Master's words.
"Perfect control of your muscles."
With tension rippling through every muscle in my body, I arched my back and drew the sword horizontally.
Crack—
A sickening sound like bones shattering echoed, but it only brought me pleasure.
Feeling the wooden sword crush ribs, I rolled my eyes to check my surroundings.
"I've cleaned up one of the trash who rushed in, so one should be left."
No one entered my field of vision.
"Then."
Carrying the momentum of the horizontal slash, I spun my body wide and swung the wooden sword at the remaining trash.
"Guh... kuh..."
This one didn't feel as satisfying as the last.
I looked down.
I approached the trash clutching my side and trembling nonstop, then raised my wooden sword high.
I wanted to feel that sensation again.
The moment I was about to drive the sword into his face with an impulse bordering on obsession—
"That's enough."
My Master grabbed my arm.
"Ah..."
My heart went cold.
Master furrowed his brow and gave me a cold look I'd never seen before.
"Nameless, what has you smiling like that in delight?"
I didn't know myself, so I couldn't answer.
But I could tell for sure that Master was disappointed in me, so I just bowed my head.
"I'm sorry..."
I felt ashamed.
Master let out a light sigh and patted my back.
"Let's head inside for now."
"Yes..."
-Heaven Cleaver
The scene was more wretched than I'd expected, making my brow furrow involuntarily.
Men sprawled on the ground, shedding tears and gasping ragged breaths.
One man clutching a hand so pulverized its shape was unrecognizable, sobbing uncontrollably.
"Was there really any need to go that far?"
Looking at the state of them, the bones and muscles were twisted so badly they'd be hard to fix.
I didn't know the medical level here, but they'd probably never live normal lives again.
I let out a deep sigh and rubbed my face.
What had gotten into Nameless to turn people into that?
No matter how I thought about it, he'd crossed the line.
But I didn't get angry at Nameless. No, I couldn't.
This was my own shortcoming too.
I should've let him gain real combat experience against something other than people, or in some other way.
I should've gauged his tendencies better, but I hadn't.
That said, if I had to make an excuse, Nameless had never shown this side during spars with me.
And living holed up in the mountains, how was he supposed to get real battle experience?
A sigh slipped out.
Maybe he'd taken so many hits from me in spars that he was unconsciously venting here...
Hmm, if that was the reason, it was possible.
I tilted my head this way and that, then stopped thinking.
No point dwelling when no solution came to mind right now—it'd just waste energy.
I patted the dejected Nameless on the back.
"Let's head inside for now."
For now, I'd think about it later.
"Yes..."
Nameless nodded faintly, and I ran from the problem.
Unlike before, with no one to block us, entering the tavern was easy.
Since we'd already caused a scene, no need for politeness—I kicked the door open like I was smashing it.
"Hmm."
As we entered the tavern, people stared at Nameless and me with eyes full of fear. But since no one charged this time, it seemed those five were the only fighters here.
Or maybe there were experts hiding from my presence.
But no way someone like that would be in a place like this.
As I nodded to myself, an awkward silence settled.
Feeling out of place, I glanced sideways—Nameless, standing next to me, flinched and trembled, clearly lost in thought.
Hmm, yeah.
Having everyone look at you like that with terrified eyes wouldn't feel good.
He must be troubled.
Nameless didn't seem like he'd speak anytime soon, so I did.
"Hmm, who's the owner here?"
"..."
No reply even after I spoke.
Feeling ignored, my lips pouted.
"Then there's a way."
I shook my head with a deep sigh and pointed at a familiar face in the crowd.
"You there, red bushy hair, come here."
The guy who'd shared his bread with others before.
Good heart, so he'd answer well.
"...Me? Yes?"
"Yeah, you. No other redhead besides—"
...There were a lot.
Feeling embarrassed, I covered my mouth and cleared my throat lightly.
"Ahem, anyway, you there, come here."
"Yes..."
The redheaded young man approached slowly, face pale.
Hmm, no plans to hurt him...
To ease his tension, I gave him my biggest smile.
"Where's the owner?"
The youth looked dazed for a moment, then pointed upstairs with an "Ah."
"Thanks."
As thanks, I pulled a bread from my bag, handed it over, and led Nameless up the stairs.
This tavern doubled as an inn, judging by the many rooms, so I figured finding the owner's would be tough—but one spot reeked with an especially foul smell.
Different from tobacco, and every time it wafted into me, my qi squirmed—not a good sign.
I circulated my qi to block it and warned Nameless too.
Opening the door with the nasty smell, sure enough—
A shady-looking man sat arrogantly.
"Ah, so you're the owner here?"
Muscular build, tattooed scalp—he looked like a fighter.
I flinched a bit, but sensing his weak aura, I squared my shoulders.
I had confidence I could be endlessly strong against those weaker than me.
With my chin raised high, staring down for a while, the bald guy spoke.
"Ha... Sent by another gang?"
Another gang...
Seemed there were more than one or two groups like this.
As I pondered silently, the bald guy spoke again.
"How much did they pay you? No, whatever it was, I'll double it. How about joining us?"
"Hmm, we weren't sent by anyone. We're just curious what goes on in this tavern."
Hearing my answer, the bald guy scowled, laughed loudly once, and stood.
"Ha!"
Hmm, what's so funny in this situation?
As I tilted my head in confusion, he approached slowly, grinding his teeth and twitching his eyebrows.
"You half-killed my boys for that lame reason?"
Nameless flinched.
I stroked his back and lowered my raised chin, bowing my head.
"Ah, for that, I apologize on his behalf. My disciple's at that hot-blooded age."
"Master?"
"You bitch..."
Nameless, not expecting me to bow, broke his silence, eyes wide and mouth agape.
The bald guy, despite my apology, got so furious veins bulged on his forehead, his whole face twitching.
"For that crap reason, you hurt Mark and John—!"
He slammed the desk, roared, clenched his fist, and charged at me.
Hmm, I really just came to talk, how did it come to this?
Sighing, I glanced at Nameless—he was sweating profusely, knowing he'd messed up.
"Ha... No helping it."
No need for the wooden sword.
I slipped behind the madly charging bald guy and struck his neck.
"Sorry, but cool your head with a nap."
The bald guy face-planted and fell asleep.
While the bald guy slept, I was lost in thought.
How to resolve this...
Tsk, would one strawberry be enough for forgiveness?