Chapter 43
Chapter 43
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 43
Chapter Title: Archdemon Beast Leghorn
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‘Time… I need to buy time.’
[Cluck? Ah, even rotten, an apostle of a constellation, huh? Cluck cluck, to think it can use something like this. Cluck cluck, indeed, this is like their ‘absolute law’ that can’t be broken by force.]
“…….”
[But it doesn’t matter. Cluck cluck cluck, in the end, just take down the caster and it’s done. Cluck cluck cluck. I won’t disgrace that constellation’s name—I’ll at least let you speak your name. I am Leghorn, one of the Archdemon Beasts guarding His temple, apostle of the Slaughter King. Cluck cluck, human wench, state your name.]
Clack!
Leghorn snapped its beak while fluffing its feathers, glaring down with oppressive pressure. Shin Ayoung thought she’d bought quite a bit of time thanks to this barrier conjured by a constellation’s power, so she steadied her stance and decided to observe proper etiquette.
“Ayoung, apostle of the Balancer. Then…….”
[Cluck cluck. Yeah, I heard.]
‘Too fast?’
The moment Shin Ayoung named herself, Leghorn closed the distance in an instant, mercilessly thrusting a fist covered in feathers right at her face.
‘No way…….’
It was as if time itself had been severed—Shin Ayoung hit the ground without even feeling the pain, her consciousness fading.
A strike so swift she couldn’t even register her own helplessness. Leghorn checked her pulse to confirm she was still alive, then relaxed.
[Cluck cluck, wasn’t confident in holding back, but at least I caught her without killing. Cluck cluck cluck. This one should fetch a high price.]
Not just anyone, but a soul chosen by a constellation, one who even possessed her own pride and nobility.
The only flaw was that she was laughably weak against him, but regardless, Leghorn eyed the crumbling Judgment Field, planning to hand her over alive to that priest.
But then, an unfamiliar voice echoed from beyond the shattering barrier.
“Hey, chicken-head. Put that down nice and easy and scram.”
[Cluck cluck? What are you? Golden armor? What a ridiculous getup.]
“Covering yourself in feathers is basically strutting around naked, so why rag on my armor? You nudist bastard.”
[Cluck cluck cluck, cheeky human! You look worth more points than this female, but for that rude attitude, I’ll fry you extra crispy.]
Rooooar!
Leghorn puffed up its feathers, menacing the golden-armored knight who’d appeared before it, but he simply stared back calmly.
Of course, inside that golden armor, Yoo Seongwon was currently drenched in cold sweat.
***
Thanks to the coordinates from Ayoung’s mom and my skill, the (Unique) Spirit Knight ‘Silleion Forest Blade’ Secret Art, I’d easily followed the forest’s guidance to get here.
Decisively, the Judgment Field had pinpointed exactly where the trouble was.
Problem was, I’d arrived just fine, but the moment I did, there was this obviously dangerous monster with Ayoung slung over its shoulder like a sack.
‘Ah, shit, this is bad. Call the others and gang up on it? But that’d screw over my knightly honor again? Still, with lives on the line, hard not to… Wait, no time to call anyway?’
My instincts and skills were blaring danger signals the second I tried to open my mouth to summon them—warning that the fight could end right then.
Plus, the guys inside the knight order’s sanctuary seemed to be taking their sweet time coming out.
It felt like the tense standoff in a Western, where a single shot decides it all.
[Cluck cluck, state your name. I’ll hear it.]
“No name for a beast who lays hands on a lady. Just know me as a knight.”
[Cluck cluck cluck, got it. Nameless Golden Knight… there!]
In that instant, the damn chicken-head hurled Ayoung at me.
Figures a demon would play dirty like that, but I’m a guy who grew up in Hell Korea, where even Satan studies abroad.
I didn’t catch Ayoung—instead, I gripped Titan’s Stake without hesitation and swung it over my shoulder.
And just like that, the chicken-head slammed right into it.
[Kwaaack!]
With a heavy thud, the bastard rolled across the ground, smashing through dozens of trees.
Only then did I check Ayoung’s consciousness and pulse where she’d fallen.
Fortunately, she was just knocked out, not dead—and I quickly realized their goal wasn’t outright murder.
‘Not sure why these cannibal monster birds are keeping her alive, but it’s good news.’
[Kweeeck! Unforgivable! Humans! Everyone, come out and beat this guy!]
Letting out a morning crow, the chicken-head charged at me with bloodshot eyes.
The real trouble started now, but thanks to buying some time, I’d managed a few countermeasures.
First, I summoned the knights from the knight order’s sanctuary and gave them orders.
“Seom-myeol, take her and evacuate to safety. Krokbane, Gaulf, Akaron—can any of you help me out?”
[A battle to rescue the lady and fell a demon is honor incarnate! Gladly, Master.]
[…Contractor, strong foes are always welcome.]
[Krokbane… likes… chicken… meat.]
Perfect. Now I can fight without worries!
I handed Ayoung off to Seom-myeol and faced the incoming chicken-head with the remaining three.
Anticipating its charge, I rushed forward first, swinging Titan’s Stake.
[Cluck cluck cluck!]
“Haaaah!”
Boom!
The chicken demon blocked my full-force swing with its blood-magic infused feathered wing, and we glared at each other like we wanted to kill.
Damn, tough one. But this opening—my knights’ll gang up on you!
[Lord Leghorn! We’ll help now! Peep peep!]
[Cluck cluck! How dare you!]
[Peep peep! Unforgivable!]
But nope, that stayed in my imagination.
A bunch of yellow, short-feathered chicks—beak-heads without crests or horns—called it Leghorn and swarmed us, forcing Akaron, Krokbane, and Gaulf to scatter and deal with them.
“Damn it! Calling for backup? Golden olive fried chicken! That’s low!”
[Cluck cluck cluck! Pot calling the kettle black, human!]
“Ganging up is standard playbook for humans, got it? Half fried, half seasoned!”
[I am Leghorn! Human! Kreeee!]
Kwaaa!
Each clash sent blood magic sweeping the area, toppling trees and gouging the earth.
The bastard kept wincing and enduring, so my hits must’ve stung.
But experience gap’s no joke—while I scrambled just to block, it pressed me with one-sided aggression.
‘Good thing I’ve got this weapon, or I’d be in deep shit already.’
I was grateful anew for how insanely sturdy Titan’s Stake was.
Without it, that magic-infused feathered fist would’ve shattered my weapon ages ago, leaving me wide open and in agony.
[Cluck cluck cluck, you… what the hell are you? What are you, human scum?!]
“What, wanna say it’s just weapon carry?”
Feathers bristling, it glared murderously with bloodshot eyes.
Did I piss it off? Well, as a top-tier constellation apostle, its pride must hate even trading blows with a human.
Anyway, no clue, but I caught my breath whenever I could.
‘Strong… but I’m getting the hang of it bit by bit. Scary, but…….’
My traits, especially the (Unique) Myeong’s Knight Grandel’s Martial Talent skill, were pulling their weight today.
I was adapting so fast even I was shocked, but with life or death on the line, no room to be picky.
[Cluck! What the hell are you?!]
“No need to know. Haven’t tasted anything like this yet. Ribs or whole chicken? Suwon wanggalbi chicken!”
[Kweeeck!]
Crack!
With a breaking sound, Leghorn staggered back, clutching its snapped wing and glaring at me.
My increasingly precise strikes with Titan’s Stake had finally pushed it to its limit—bone jutted from the wing joint amid spurting blood.
[Human bastard… how dare you! Cluck cluck.]
“Nice. Now finish it…….”
[Hee-hi-hi-hiing! What a fun show. Pruuu!]
I thought I had the upper hand and moved to press, but a strange whinny came from behind.
Right, these guys weren’t solo acts.
Seven S-ranks, each with minions? Shit!
“Damn… dragging it out just screws me more. Got friends, huh…….”
[Przewalski! Cluck cluck! Don’t just watch—help!]
[Hi-hi-hiiing! Were we the helping type? Puu-hiiing! We’re just under the same constellation, rivals at best. Embarrassing to call a guy getting handled by one human an apostle too. Puu-hiiing!]
Silver lining: they weren’t tight, so the horse-head perched on a tree branch, spectating like it was an arena fight.
Whew, facing both would’ve been disaster—lucky break for me.
[Cluck cluck! You’ll pay, horse-head.]
[Puu-hiiing, say it after you win, chicken-head.]
‘…Ah, they even trash-talk with animal names. Huh?’
Whoosh!
I’d just noted that trivia when scorching heat rushed in.
What? I turned to see Leghorn’s white feathers turning red and yellow, shifting from plain chicken to something flashier.
[Cluck cluck cluck cluck, consider it an honor to witness this, human. Normally reserved for those who break through trials to challenge the Slaughter King’s temple! Behold this Phoenix Ascension—you’ll boast of it even in death…….]
“Heavens! Behold my supreme blade. This strike proves I stand as the chosen on this land!”
[……!]
I’m no idiot—ain’t waiting for a shonen power-up like some fool.
It was morphing from chicken to dangerous phoenix vibe, magic surging way stronger—only an idiot would stand there.
Plus, the slow transformation made it prime for a big hit.
[Cluck cluck cluck! W-wait! Hold on!]
[Puu-hi-hi-hiiing! Puu-hi-hi-hiiing! Still a chicken-head after all, Leghorn.]
“Tyrant Heavenly Sword Style, Chapter 1—Earth Star Flash!”
Panic on the half-transformed chicken-head’s face crossed with the horse-head’s mocking laughter.
At the same time, my finisher that once felled an S-rank demon activated. A massive sword beam tore through the earth, engulfing Leghorn before its phoenix form could complete.