Chapter 158
Chapter 158
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 158
Chapter Title: Demon
Demon.
>Rooaaar!
A black flame compressed into a single point.
It erupted in an instant explosion, unleashing condensed flames.
>Fwoosh.
The black flame burned slowly.
As if it would burn forever, the black flame scorched Bang Moojin's body.
>At the same time.
>Sssizzle.
The True Blood Battle Formation enveloping the entire space began to dissipate.
As the black dome vanished.
What emerged was a dilapidated building.
>"Gulp."
>One of the sprawled people let out a hiccup.
His expression was like he'd seen something impossible.
Or like the man pinching his own cheek to check if it was a dream.
>"H-Huh, the Black Heart Pavilion Master in that state..."
"A d-dream? How could the Black Heart Pavilion Master..."
>Murmurs rose from all directions.
> Holy Sword: Good thing you're safe, Yuseong. Holy Bow: The girl was sobbing, thinking she'd lost her master.
The holy sword and holy bow greeted me.
> Holy Sword: You were bawling your eyes out over losing a guy with that face. Holy Bow: A face like that should be passed down through generations as an heirloom. Master, you have a duty to take multiple wives and spread your seed far and wide.
'......'
Yeah, that's a bit much.
I let out an inward sigh at the holy bow's sycophancy and slowly lowered my fist.
>Thud.
Bang Moojin's corpse slammed into the ground.
>Only then did the executives snap to reality, screaming in all directions.
"P-Please spare me!"
"J-Just spare my life, and I'll tell you anything you ask!"
"I know where Bang Moojin hid his secret treasure vault!"
>One executive bowed before me faster than anyone else and spoke.
......A vault, huh.
>'......Settlements are a necessary part of the law.'
>However.
The moment I take the vault, there's a high chance of some magic trap or device activating.
In that case.
>'These guys are from the back alleys originally.'
>The Hao Clan leader had said it.
They're a bunch of nasty pieces of work.
>Not exactly good people.
So, how should I use them?
>For now.
I'll tie them all up and think about it later.
>"Mmph...! Mmmph!!"
>I bound the executives with ropes.
Fortunately, they surrendered without resistance.
>"Sh-Should we pool our strength and make a run for it?"
"Even if we did, could we beat that Bang Moojin bastard? And even if we could because he's tired, have you thought about the aftermath?"
"......"
"Let's just surrender quietly."
>The executive who'd betrayed the others first and offered up the vault location hushed the rest.
> Holy Sword: That guy's not bad. Holy Bow: No way the holy sword is trying to hook master up with some weirdo, right? Holy Sword: Doesn't matter. They're calling Yuseong the Black Flame Demon Mage anyway. Holy Bow: ......Huh?
The holy sword and holy bow chimed in one after another.
>'I think so too.'
That one seems useful.
>Of course, if his crimes are too heinous, better to hand him over to the guild.
They say criminals fear the guild more than death.
>Anyway, the executive who'd tied up the others... too annoying to name, so let's call the one who first snitched about the vault Executive A.
Executive A rubbed his hands together and approached me.
>"Heh heh, are you connected to Han Yuseong somehow?"
"......"
I nodded silently.
Since I'm Han Yuseong, from now on the Black Flame Demon Mage is someone related to Han Yuseong.
>"In that case, there's someone I'd like to introduce you to."
"Who?"
"We have the bastard who messed with Finn from Starlight Spiral Clan in custody."
"......?"
Ah, so that's why the executives were gathered the moment I arrived.
>"I apologize in advance for that. Our pavilion master, who runs the clan, isn't exactly someone who meddles in clan affairs..."
>Executive A bowed at a perfect ninety degrees in apology.
>"But as a follow-up measure, we've already captured and imprisoned him."
>So, they've got the culprit locked up.
>"Lead the way."
"Yes, sir!"
>Executive A bent at the waist and guided me.
>*
>The place Executive A led me to was more unexpected than I'd thought.
>"Here?"
>I tilted my head skeptically and asked.
The executive rubbed his hands and looked at me.
>"Yes, sir! This is where we've imprisoned the vile scum who dared touch that adventurer Finn!"
>Executive A's words.
But for a prison, it was awfully...
>'Luxurious.'
Holy Sword: Poison with poison, right? This guy's pretending to be nice while wanting to off the prisoner. Holy Bow: It's not a lie that he's imprisoned, though. Looks pretty strong too. Even if others at that level rushed him, it wouldn't work.
'Around level 5, maybe.'
Holy Sword: Promising guy, at least.
The holy sword chuckled gleefully.
I strode straight to the door without hesitation.
>Boom!
>I blasted the door open and entered.
> Holy Sword: Ooh, so bold. Holy Bow: Heavenly Demon Divine Art... generations of Heavenly Demons were all hotheads. Does the technique mess with your brain? Holy Sword: Wasn't he always like that? Holy Bow: He's always been sneaky. Not some upright guy like this.
'......'
Sneaky, huh.
Can't I just like money a bit, and prefer backstabs over frontal assaults?
> Holy Sword: That's what sneaky means. Holy Bow: Isn't that righteous enough? Holy Sword: ......Come to think of it, this weapon was used by thief bastards for generations. Holy Bow: Getting distracted by a beauty mid-party and captured by demon forces, or betraying allies for a few coins. Holy Sword: Even Yuseong wouldn't stoop that low.
'True.'
Holy Bow: So for a Thief Hero, he's remarkably righteous.
'......'
So thieves are the type to backstab allies first, huh.
>'Well, that's why they're thieves.'
>I smirked inwardly and stepped forward.
>"Who dares invade my manor?!"
>A thunderous roar.
Mana uncontrolled. A body swaying unsteadily.
>'Trash.'
>His face was flushed with drunkenness, a woman draped over him.
His stance crumbled from the booze, eyes trying to size me up.
>Whoosh.
I slipped right in front of him effortlessly.
>"Guhk!"
>And drove my fist into his solar plexus.
He passed out on the spot.
>'What a pathetic fool.'
>One down.
>"Kyaaah!"
>The woman finally grasped the situation and screamed. Annoyed by the noise, I raised a finger to my lips.
>"Quiet."
"......!"
>She got the message and nodded frantically.
Executive A rushed in and bound him with rope.
>"A-As expected of the Black Flame Demon Mage... incredible, sir...!"
"......"
>What an embarrassing nickname.
Time to correct it, so I opened my mouth.
>"Fist Demon for now."
"Indeed... humbling yourself to conquer the underworld...!"
"......"
>Executive A looked deeply moved for some reason.
> Holy Sword: Might as well rule the underworld while we're at it. Hero titles are always a hassle anyway. Holy Bow: Building money lines here too, huh. Holy Sword: Yeah, dominate these scum, clean 'em up a bit, collect taxes. Holy Bow: Taxes? Holy Sword: That's how the underworld runs. Holy Bow: Thief Heroes never did that. They'd sneak into nobles' houses, circle stuff with their finger, and nobles would pay up. Holy Sword: ......Those insane thief hero bastards! Trashing the hero's dignity like that!
Is it okay to be a Thief Hero like this?
I recalled the people grinning brightly the moment I became one.
>As I looked around.
>"Fist Demon, sir! A gift for you!"
>Executive A hauled in a massive chest.
>"This is the treasure chest that Black Heart Pavilion Master hoarded his whole life!"
"......"
>Guess I'll wait here until Ermé arrives.
>*
>I dragged the guy who'd messed with Finn back to the clan hall.
>"Sob sob, thank you, bro! For me, you..."
"But is this okay? That clan's leader is pretty strong. Of course, since he messed with our clan, we're resolved to fight to the death."
"And this is the guy who was trembling, telling us to stay put until backup arrived."
>Rosen ta mocked him, and Glasses adjusted his specs with a flick.
>"Obviously. But since we've already poked the bear, presenting a solution is what a mage does."
"Well, it'll work out somehow."
>She spoke nonchalantly, but Viola's resolute expression showed she was pretty tense too.
>Hmm, is Black Heart Pavilion that big a deal?
>'......The executives were all middling.'
>Bang Moojin had been a bit tricky.
>"Well... that issue's settled thanks to a helper."
"Settled?"
>Rosen ta tilted her head.
>"Yeah."
>More than settled—the Black Heart Pavilion clan is gone today.
Executives remain, though.
Will they rebel?
Just hope Executive A keeps them in line.
>If not.
>'Might have to kill them.'
>*
>With the issue resolved for now, I lounged quietly at home.
In between, the luxurious house I'd raided got transferred to my name, or they dug up all the Black Heart treasures.
>'......Looking at this, I get greedy again.'
>Waiting for Ermé to return them to the victims.
Swallowing dirty money whole could be risky.
>More importantly now.
>'Something's clicking.'
>Storm Giant's heart.
After eating it, my strength and stamina surged.
Along with wind-attribute powers related to storms.
>'So much to do, it's exhausting instead.'
>Heavenly Demon Divine Art.
Storm Giant's heart.
Hero's orthodox swordsmanship.
And sword arts representing each race.
>I needed to master them properly, one by one.
>First, the Storm Giant's heart.
And the resulting wind.
>'Training, huh.'
>Never really done much training.
I usually just pick it up instantly.
The closest thing was.
>'Old man Volkan drilling me like a rat.'
>If that counts as training.
> Holy Sword: What're you agonizing over?
'Thinking about how to train.'
Holy Sword: ......
The holy sword fell silent, at a loss for words.
What does training even mean?
Ultimately, repetitive practice to yield results.
Should I swing a sword all day then?
>As I pondered seriously.
>"Hello!"
>Ermé returned.