Annihilation (2)
Thanks to that lunatic who popped out of nowhere and team-killed his own allies, I could finally catch a breather. But instead of calming down, my heart pounded even harder.
The bastard who'd done the team-killing was a monster who shot fireballs from his bare hands.
Sure, I'd spent every day fighting wars and smashing every kind of monster under the sun, but I'd never faced anything that could conjure and hurl fireballs barehanded.
Hell, that defied common sense. It was impossible. Maybe sleight-of-hand magic tricks, but real magic? In this world? Like some game or fantasy flick?
Of course, no such nonsense existed in the common sense of a 21st-century Korean guy like me. So naturally, I was freaking out.
Invisibility was already bullshit enough—what now? Magic?
"A guy that agile? Fireballs aren't the best pick. Something faster, like a quick-hitting attack spell, would be way better."
I didn't have time to think. The bastard was mumbling and swinging his staff.
The tip of his staff glowed blue, and three ice crystals materialized, shooting straight at me.
Whiiish!
"Gah!"
Crack! Crack!
I threw myself aside again. The ice arrows embedded where I'd been standing.
Seeing that, I let out a sigh of relief. One of the ice crystals was still spinning relentlessly after piercing the stone ground.
Meaning it had enough power to punch through solid rock like that.
What the hell is that thing?
If it hit, I'd be done. Even if it didn't kill me, it'd be a serious wound at least. A hole through my body? Yeah, that's serious.
"Impressive reflexes. Listen up! Whoever grabs that bastard gets this. As for the runners... I'll kill every last one. No need for cowards who won't defend the guild."
The mage flicked a gold coin into the air, catching it a couple times. The Viper goons froze at the sight.
Greed or survival instinct—who knew? But the ones who'd been fleeing turned back around.
To me, it was a massive red flag. More enemies piling on top of the shitshow.
I caught my breath and quickly scanned the foes. One mage on the roof, nine below. Ten against one.
"Hmm, the reward's a bit light. Fine. Whoever catches him, I'll name guild master. Tempting now?"
"Guild master!"
The goons' eyes gleamed with greed. Fear forgotten, they tightened the encirclement fast.
The mage smirked and started mumbling again. I wanted to cry.
Ah, damn it. Should've just stuck with Barrel. Way better than dying here—hell, even rent hell sounds good right now.
Injustice crashed over me like waves. This was too much. Who could've predicted a mage?
Magic didn't exist in this world. That shit was for games.
"I'll kill you all!"
I bellowed. The goons flinched at the roar.
Greed ruled their minds, but the ingrained terror from watching their boss die up close lingered.
I didn't miss the opening. I swung both hand axes horizontally.
My arms bulged like they might burst. Two goons flew like logs, bisected.
Chaos rippled through them. I charged the panicking bastard next to me like a raging bull, slamming my shoulder into him.
Wham!
A sharp crack, and they tumbled away. The encirclement broke.
But I didn't bolt through the gap. Something felt off.
Suddenly, scorching heat hit me. Acrid smoke stung my nose.
Where? From the corpse under the broken encirclement.
I glanced sidelong and freaked. The body was swelling up.
Like it was about to burst.
What the fuck!
Instinct kicked in. I shielded my body with the flat of my axe and ducked my head.
Then the corpse exploded.
BOOM!
Bone shards, blood, guts—flying everywhere.
Dizzying pain hit me. The axe blocked most, but not all.
Fuck, now they're blowing up corpses?
My forearms, sides, legs throbbed like hell. Burns? Felt warm and wet—blood, maybe.
Didn't matter. No time to check minor wounds. Staying put meant death.
"Ho! Nice reflexes! Blocking an explosion with your axe blade!"
The small fry vanished from my sight. Had to grab that mage bastard or I was dead.
Extreme hype and fear numbed my reason. Numb reason followed instinct.
I gripped a hand axe, took a deep breath, reared back my arm.
Like I was gonna throw it.
"Heh, gonna hit me by throwing that? Pointless."
The mage sneered, extending his staff like to block a flying axe.
But nope. What flew wasn't the axe blade—a chunk of mangled corpse.
Arm? Leg? Torso? Some bloody red meat slab hurtled through the air, spraying blood.
The mage panicked. Blood mist blocked his vision momentarily.
He couldn't cast properly.
"What the—"
Whoosh!
"Gah!"
The mage's eyes bulged. Something grabbed his leg.
A rope was looped around it.
"Aaaagh!"
I yanked. He couldn't react, tumbled off the roof.
I rushed over and seized his throat.
"Gotcha."
"G-guhk!"
I grinned. Felt good. This shitty mage fucker.
"Won't kill you yet, mage."
"What?"
"Gonna beat you first."
Thwack!
My fist smashed his jaw. He passed out instantly.
I punched a couple more times, then checked around. No surviving Viper goons. All caught in the corpse blast.
Ha, surviving this shit is brutal.
I flopped down right there. Cool breeze wafted over me as I lay still.
I savored it for a good while.
After catching my breath, I woke the mage and started torturing.
Cut off a finger, no resistance—he spilled everything, tears and snot streaming.
His name was Malik, from some magic tower. Didn't mean shit to me.
Magic tower? Big deal? What mattered was why he targeted me.
Malik wanted me as a test subject slave for magic experiments.
Key fact: As expected, he was Viper's backer.
He protected them, ensured safety; in return, they supplied test subjects regularly.
"Protected them?"
"Yes!"
"Why? You that big a deal?"
"I'm from the magic tower! No one messes with that name! Who'd challenge the tower's authority?"
Vipers kidnapped newbie adventurers visiting the city. Perfect timing—I blipped on their radar.
Unknown barbarian? SSS-class kidnapping target, no fallout.
Guild master Jackson reported a possible barbarian slave to Malik, who came to the hideout to collect.
Ridiculous.
"Got it. Die now."
"W-wait! Sp-spare me!"
"No."
"Barbarian slaves! I'll free the barbarian slaves for you!"
I paused. Slaves? What?
"Barbarian slaves?"
"Yes! Won't you save your suffering kin?"
Hope flickered in Malik's eyes. I laughed in disbelief.
This idiot spouting nonsense. I could barely save my own ass—who's got time for others?
I meant it. My nose was already clogged with my own shit—help neighbors? Broke as hell, can't even buy a house.
"Shut up! Balun smacks. Neighbors in need."
"N-neighbors in need? What does that...?"
"Die now. To Buddha!"
I raised my axe. Malik paled.
What barbarian was this? Refusing to save kin? Unheard of.
Stubborn barbarian. No compromise with enemies, ever.
"Th-then the best weapon! A weapon fit for a warrior! Please!"
"Shut your yapping."
"No! You bastard! Know who I am? I'm the Butcher Malik! Kill me and the magic tower won't—"
Slash!
I decapitated him in one stroke, wiped the blood off my axe.
Why offer a weapon? Give cash instead.
Even if he offered money, no mercy. Crazy to leave loose ends.
I watched Malik's head roll down the slight incline, then stood.
Corpses everywhere. Somehow turned into a massacre flick.
I scratched my head awkwardly.
Damn, not what I came for...
Planned to warn 'em lightly, take the boss's head. Shit escalated.
Awkward. But done was done—what to do?
Loot first.
I shoved distractions aside, ransacked the ownerless Viper hideout.
Emptied dead guys' pockets, scoured the building.
Thought it'd be a bust—no luck inside—but found a secret safe.
"Knew it! Had to be something!"
Cubical safe, locked tight.
Clang! Clang! Smash!
Smash the safe itself—no lock matters.
Holy shit!
My eyes widened. Gleaming gold coins.
How many? Counted: 110 total.
"110 gold!"
Ecstasy filled my eyes. Boss bastard hoarded a fortune!
Thanks, boss. Saved it for me, right?
I chuckled. Rage evaporated. Made bank instantly.
Financial therapy rocks. Skin still burned from corpse blast, but pure joy.
I headed straight for the guard post after leaving Viper's base. To bribe the captain.
Slaughter like that? Guards wouldn't sit idle. They'd hunt the perp.
Why else have guards? So, buy them off.
Hated jail or becoming a fugitive. Had to spend.
Sudden footsteps—a guard picking his nose blankly spotted me, startled.
Huge barbarian in tattered, bloody mess approaching.
"What? What's going—gah!"
Torn clothes showed wounds, blood everywhere. Wild hair. Fresh from war.
"Y-you! The barbarian from yesterday!"
"Here for guard captain."
"What?"
"Take me."
"Wh-what? Think you can see the captain just 'cause you want?"
"Take this."
I handed a gold coin. Guard's eyes bugged.
"G-gold?"
"Gift."
He glanced around—no witnesses—snatched it.
"Ahem. Want the captain? Of course I'll guide you. But why? No grudge, right?"
"No grudge. Got words."
"Then... follow."
Led to guard barracks. Told me wait, came back in a minute, beckoned.
Inside, sharp-faced man eyed me suspiciously. Obviously the captain.
"This the one who wants me?"
"Yes. Said he had words..."
"Got it. Out."
"Yes!"
Guard left.
"The new barbarian everyone's talking about, huh."
Captain scanned me top to bottom. Wary eyes.
"Yeah. Why see me?"
"Gift for you."
"Huh?"
His eyes narrowed. Gift? Suddenly?
I rummaged my pouch, slapped a handful of gold on the table.
His eyes widened. Ten gold.
"For you. Take."
"Giving this to me?"
"Yeah."
"Why?"
"Gift."
Incomprehensible. No acquaintance, random gift? But veteran captain got it quick.
Hush money. What else for this sum?
Bastard's in trouble. Obvious.
Odd part: barbarian bribing? Unheard of.
Barbarians hated cowardice. But who cares? Money trumps sense.
"Barbarian friend, name?"
"Balun."
"Balun! Fine warrior's name! I'm Dane! Thrilled to meet such a brave warrior! Haha!"
Captain Dane jumped up, hugged me, slapped my back like old pals reunited after decades.
I blinked. Face flipped 180 in seconds. From contempt to trust.
"Balun. Your gift makes us friends. Friends help each other, right?"
"Right."
"Good. Trust me, friend. No one touches my friends while I'm around. Haha!"