Chapter 19
Chapter 19
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 19
Chapter Title: Vengeful Ghost and Beastification
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Why the hell is bro coming out from there?
"Huh? Turn on your blinker before pulling in~."
Why are you coming out from there~?
While spouting all sorts of nonsense inwardly, he felt himself calming down.
...Fascinating.
He wanted to see Yulis.
He'd pondered how to torment her upon meeting, how to inflict maximum pain and make her writhe.
Even as he mulled it over, he'd thought it impossible.
He figured that if they met, blood would rush to his head, and he'd draw his sword and attack immediately.
But no.
It felt just like that time.
Several years ago.
When blood had truly rushed to his head.
There had been an incident that let him understand the saying that when people get too angry, they become calm instead.
He felt the exact same now.
Simply... glad.
This moment had arrived, and he was purely joyful.
His heart, once heated like a blazing furnace, had become a blade as cold as midwinter frost.
Coldly—he pondered how to kill that bitch... no, how to make her suffer more than death.
First, assess the situation.
Why was that woman here?
The Hart Clan had surely returned to their main estate due to heir Gold's injury.
Main estate. The Hart Clan mansion was in this kingdom's capital, quite a distance from Milf Village.
Far enough that it was about the size of the Korean Peninsula back home, or so he'd heard.
...Could she be here looking for me?
But she looked too shocked upon seeing him for that.
Maybe it was the festival.
Did the Hart Clan have some involvement that brought her here?
This village had more history than expected—enough for a powerhouse like the Hart Clan to support it?
Or perhaps, really, it was the Red Rat.
If it truly was that infamous monster, word of its subjugation might have spread, drawing her to confirm.
Truthfully, the reason didn't matter.
Why Yulis was in Milf Village—reasons be damned.
No matter why she'd come to Milf Village, if she hadn't considered his survival, his being alive... this was an opportunity.
She'd have no countermeasures against him.
The fact that he'd officially slain the Red Rat hadn't been announced.
Only the adventurers in the guild that day, or villagers connected to them, knew.
And Yulis had just arrived in the village.
She wouldn't know what techniques he used, what powers he wielded.
And the him she remembered was a pretty dim-witted fool.
An Outsider weak to authority, decent with a sword at best.
That was her judgment of him...
.....
No, wait.
He caught himself positively rationalizing his situation unconsciously.
He'd survived Yuna, the Demon King's direct subordinate.
Whether she knew Yuna was the Demon King's direct sub didn't matter; she'd know that one's strength well.
Surviving her would plant caution.
For now... let's rattle her.
He called out to her, voice surprisingly casual.
"Yulis."
"You... you're alive?"
Her shocked face shifted to exasperated disbelief.
Exasperated?
Why you?
Wasn't that expression supposed to be his?
Come to think of it, what did his face look like? He felt calm inside, but maybe he was furiously expressing rage?
"Still that same dumb look on your face."
"Is that so?"
Good. Really, really good.
It didn't show on his face. He was containing his rage well.
Gathering it to thoroughly destroy this bitch.
To repay malice with malice.
"How..."
Yulis glanced around at the others, eyes only.
Right, with the lies she'd spread, she couldn't say it outright?
Should he say it for her?
"You're asking how I survived after you tossed me out as bait?"
"What?"
The response came from the helmeted man beside Yulis.
Yulis frowned.
"Don't spout nonsense, Outsider."
"Nonsense... well, not entirely wrong. I begged and begged that monster to spare me, but it said I was boring and let me go. Really thought I'd die thanks to you, Yulis."
"Hah."
Yulis snorted derisively.
"You clung to life with some Outsider privilege. Expected that much embellishment, but begging for your life? You're trash even among trashy Outsiders?"
She thought he'd escaped Yuna via some Outsider perk?
Well, that skill—Incomprehensible Senses—if that counted as a perk, not wrong.
But why was she mocking him?
Her lack of guilt brought relief instead.
This was an unhesitating villain.
No need for kind responses.
Blan had said Yulis seemed to hate Outsiders.
He'd felt it too.
Back then, he'd thought it was just him, but her words now suggested she despised all Outsiders by status.
.....
Aha. He got what she hated.
A smirk tugged at his lips unwittingly.
It irked her; she furrowed her brow.
"What're you grinning about, you? You know your crimes, don't you...?"
"You called me trash."
"Don't change the subject, bottom-feeder trash."
Yulis growled.
The more he heard, the more her shamelessness amused him.
"Seems like you were worse than that bottom. A knight worse than the lowest Outsider..."
"What did you say??"
Good.
Reaction came.
"Your skills—aren't they actually nowhere near an Outsider's??"
"......!!"
As expected.
Calling her inferior to an Outsider truly enraged her.
Rage burned in her eyes. She was furious.
At least, he'd shaken her.
"Faltz. Ronbrr. This is that Outsider I reported. The one who tried to sell out our heir, Lord Gold."
"......"
Hostility flowed from the two knights.
These two were pretty strong.
Still, he could tell. Both were typical knight types, fighting with solidity and solid fundamentals.
Might be gamer brain delusion... but if his senses were right, no issue.
"Everyone, listen up!"
Yulis flung her cloak and raised her hand, addressing the entire guild.
"This man is an enemy of the Hart Clan. A participant in the female slime subjugation squad hosted by Viscount Gold Hart! But he forgot Lord Gold's grace in allowing his participation!! During battle with the female slime, he offered the squad—including Viscount Gold—to the monster..."
A sneering laugh escaped him unwittingly.
"How exactly did I offer him to the monster? One person, maybe, but skilled fighters like you lot—how could I alone?"
"Shut up!"
Interrupting mid-speech, Yulis yelled, veins bulging in her neck.
"He sacrificed us all to the monster and brazenly fled alone! Thought you'd run far... but shameless as expected! Still loitering in Milf Village!"
Repeated incitement.
But Yulis didn't get her desired result.
"Uh..."
"Hm..."
The guild members' reactions were lukewarm.
They'd already heard from Blan.
Seeing no hostility from the guild toward him, the near-blond female knight scowled.
Then her gaze turned to the fidgeting middle-aged female staffer.
"Head guild staff! Declare him wanted right now!"
"Ah, th-that...!"
Even she, seasoned as she was, hadn't anticipated this and froze. Yulis bellowed again.
"What are you doing?! An enemy of the Hart Clan—nay, this village—stands before you! Are you protecting him?"
Yulis's gaze swept the guild.
Ah, so that's why she proudly bellowed that nonsense—to silence mouths.
Yulis knew the guild had caught on.
So she invoked the Hart Clan.
No matter what you heard, the Hart Clan backs me.
The Outsider before you is their enemy, truth be damned.
No one could speak up.
"But Blan said...!"
An unexpected voice rang out, then cut off. Like someone hastily covering their mouth.
The owner was that warrior kid. Bentler.
The female brawler from before was clamping his mouth.
Yulis scowled.
"What? You?"
"Uh, th-that's..."
"What about Blan? He lost an arm to this one and lies comatose. Just two days ago, I heard they doubted he'd wake."
"......"
"I see... so that's it."
Nodding knowingly at silent Bentler.
"You're this brazen fool's accomplice. Comrade?"
"Wh-what?!"
Bentler panicked.
"Seize him."
At Yulis's order, the two knights advanced on Bentler without hesitation.
He matched their bulk but yielded to their presence, dragged meekly.
The female brawler tried protesting indignantly but wilted under Yulis's glare.
"Ah, uh..."
Seeing the warrior stammer in panic, Yulis said,
"Continue what you wanted to say."
"I-I..."
"I said continue! What did Blan say? Comatose Blan."
"N-no, Blan..."
"Or do you want to protect this guy with such lies? Then."
Yulis's eyes gleamed coldly.
"Are you an enemy of the Hart Clan too? Just you? More? Or the entire guild—"
"N-no, not that!"
Trembling unfit for his size, he flew off with a smack.
Precisely, he'd kicked him.
"Kragh!"
Crashing over tables, he coughed, rose shakily, and stared dumbly.
"What are you doing, Outsider?"
"What are you doing, Yulis?"
He grinned.
Now he got it. From the moment they'd crossed paths here, normal social life in this country was impossible.
No need to drag in companions.
"Mistaking that weakling for my comrade is offensive. Your intellect seems far below even beasts, let alone Outsiders."
"......Beast? Me?"
"Worse than a beast, you moron bitch. And a knight bullying the weak?? Truly the lowest knight. You crippled bitch."
Under his verbal barrage, Yulis trembled, then forced a laugh.
"That loose tongue sure talks big?"
Veins swelled on her forehead, ready to burst.
Ah, this reaction. Perfect.
He ignored her, continuing.
"I roll solo. No way I'd hang with ignorant morons falling for your fake incitement."
"Hmph. Arrogance befitting an Outsider."
Yulis snorted, then bowed politely.
What? Suddenly? Bowing to him?
...No, behind him.
At the branch chief's daughter, who'd been holding his hand moments ago.
"Lady Ashita. I failed to greet you, fearing you sided with him, and acted rashly. Seems I was mistaken. Forgive my rudeness."
Yulis's words meant: stay out if you don't want involvement.
Surprisingly considerate.
Even the Hart Clan couldn't mishandle the guild branch chief's daughter?
Maybe this dizzy glasses girl was more impressive than thought.
But the dizzy glasses girl either missed the intent or had other reasons, shouting instead of acknowledging.
"Th-there...! This Outsider saved my life! There must be some misunderstanding!"
Yulis's expression, head bowed, grew icier.
Sneering at it, he said,
"No, I just planned to use you as bait to lure out the Little Rumrat."
The dizzy glasses girl froze.
"You and your comrades proved even dumber than expected. Pathetic."
With that, he walked toward Yulis.
The two knights blocked him.
"Gonna try something, Outsider? You, fresh in this land, against me, Lord Gold's direct subordinate?"
But he passed the two and Yulis. She stared dumbfounded.
"Where do you think you're going? Think I'll let you slip away?"
By now, Yulis had drawn her sword, gleaming white.
Her blond hair had turned silver, swirling like a blizzard.
"No way. Unlike you, I won't wreck the building casually. Let's fight outside."
"Hah. You seriously challenging me to a duel?"
"What duel with a crippled bitch like you. Let's just brawl. Weakling."
"......"
Yulis nodded curtly to the knights, as if no more words needed.
The two advanced as he drew and strode forward.
"Halt."
"Resist, and we'll execute on the spot."
Clang!
No sooner said, the knights slid back.
Sudden strike.
They blocked but looked shocked.
Even Yulis gaped briefly, then forced a smirk at his mocking gaze.
"...Swordsmanship decent, as expected. Your perk, huh?"
Yulis snorted openly.
Then muttered wearily, "Outsiders always rely on perks..." before shouting at the middle-aged staffer.
"Declare him wanted."
He eyed the still-hesitant woman.
She'd done enough.
Kept faith.
Goodness for goodness.
"Ring it out. Slicing down all who come sounds fun."
".....!!"
The staffer's eyes widened; she gritted her teeth.
Ziiing.
A magic circle bloomed on the counter; she manipulated it by hand.
Suddenly, a grand horn blast enveloped the village.
As satisfied Yulis turned, the staffer murmured into her ear, communicating with someone.
What was that?
...Didn't matter.
Whether calling captors or allies, irrelevant.
Just kill Yulis.
"Now you can't run, Outsider."
"We'll see."
His nonchalant reply irked her.
"Fine, I'll kill you soon. Then that damn mouth shuts."
He headed out.
People panicked. All eyes skyward; he looked too...
Whoa.
His face plastered hugely across the sky, clear as day.
Even his outfit matched current.
Wanted declaration was no joke?
He'd underestimated fantasy security; seemed better than his old world.
Onlookers murmured at him.
As Yulis followed, sensing trouble, they scattered.
"You're to be executed summarily. Last words?"
"You gonna start or not?"
"Hmph. Everyone back! Further! Further!"
Shouting for more distance.
How big an AoE was she prepping...
Not having Fire Sword hurt.
...Whatever.
Only realized facing her, but it'd work somehow.
He could kill Yulis.
Killing her might force flight from this country, maybe the world...
But if that skill, [Vengeful Spirit?], wait no—[Resentment]? Wait, title has Revenge Ghost. Anyway, if as thought... unique playstyle possible.
Pure speculation, but fine.
Kill her.
But Yulis, why so lax?
Why not expect his first strike?
Kwaa!
"?!"
Swift.
So fast only word fit; he dove into her guard...
Yulis's eyes widened in shock.
Perfect ambush, he thought—
Kuang!
Golden mass shoved him back.
Someone intervened.
Despite sword block, he slid, hand numb.
"......"
Blond female knight with huge shield, mask-helmet from brow to nose.
Who?
Yulis answered.
"Repelt? Why are you here..."
Her tone suggested same Hart Clan comrade.
And that knight—Yulis-level powerhouse.
Then.
Thud. Thud.
As all retreated, one man strode boldly toward him.
The one who'd lost to Yuna but pushed her to brink.
The generous payer to a newbie Outsider.
Dignified even facing death.
And likely saw him as ungrateful wretch.
His former employer.
Gold appeared.
"Lord Gold!"
Yulis sheathed her sword, knelt.
Not just her—all around bowed.
Came right after announcement? Fast.
This... trouble.
Yulis alone, maybe; but Gold's mighty projectiles... no chance.
That Repelt felt no less than Yulis.
Flee?
Him? Now?
With that bitch right there?
"Fuck that."
Grin crept on.
This situation thrilled, no fear.
Nothing left to lose—act freely.
Right, like three years ago.
Hurt by people, doing the unbelievable.
Fine if mere hot blood.
Interfere? All die.
Whole world hunts him? Raze it.
Good. Good, Gold.
No grudge. Knew he was decent boss.
But block him...? Fine.
Die too.
How close would he come?
Not firing golden projectiles, just closing distance.
...Didn't seem melee confident. Clumsy, if anything.
Not just him; Yulis hurried to Gold's side.
"Lord Gold! He's dangerous—I'll handle him!"
Ignoring her, Gold kept closing.
He waited for throat-cutting range.
Might as well go spectacular for wanted status.
Hart heir's head? Perfect criminal debut.
Just before that range, Gold halted abruptly.
Sensed killing intent?
Sharp instincts.
Next instant, unbelievable happened.
Gold bent 90 degrees, bowing toward him.
...Someone behind? No presence?
But only him.
Yes.
Gold was bowing to him.
"Lord... Gold?"
Amid Yulis's hollow voice, Gold bellowed,
"Baseless accusations and wanted declaration!! Truly sorry, Outsider Yedre!"
"......?"
Air froze. First real fluster since Yulis appeared.
...What the hell was happening?