Chapter 33
Chapter 33
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 33
Chapter Title: Ambush
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"Yaaawn..."
"What, sleepy?"
"N-No, sir!"
I asked if he was tired, and the newbie gave a startled shout in response.
Who the hell taught this kid?
"Hey, keep it down. This is a secret base."
"Y-Yes, sir..."
A laugh slipped out at the sight of the newbie clamping his mouth shut in a panic.
I used to be like that too.
"Eh, don't worry too much. Nobody comes through here. It's a tourist spot, but unpopular, far from the main trails, and we've even got private property signs up. Who'd come to a place like this?"
"R-Really...?"
"Yeah. So relax and just keep watch properly."
Ah, standing guard is such a pain!
I sprawled out on the grass, hamming it up to ease the newbie's nerves so he wouldn't feel burdened.
Having to look after the junior like this.
Life really is unfair.
Back in my day,
I learned the hard way, getting beaten by the seniors.
"Th-Thank you, sir."
"Hm? For what?"
"I figured I'd never get used to a place like this. You've helped me out a lot."
"What're you talking about? We're just low-level villains anyway."
"Still... thank you."
Sigh.
How did a guy like that end up a villain?
Some people want to live right, but life doesn't let them.
Seeing such a pure kid always left me feeling bittersweet.
Made me wonder just how rough his life must've been to end up walking this path.
Life sucks, I was thinking bitterly to myself,
when something pitch-black was approaching.
"I think you're really amazing, sir..."
"Quiet, newbie. Something's off."
"Huh?"
"See that? It's a person. Get ready."
"Oh, you're right."
So casual.
I told him to prepare, and he's just admiring the view.
Frustrated, I smacked the newbie on the back.
I held back a sigh as he finally scrambled for his weapon.
He's still a newbie, after all.
I peered at the slowly approaching figure.
...A woman.
Lost, maybe?
Her beaming smile felt oddly ominous.
"This is private property. Please leave."
"Ufufu, is it now?"
"Yes. No idea how you ended up here, but if you're lost, I can guide you out."
I spoke politely while scanning her with my eyes.
No weapons...
No obvious injuries...
Academy uniform means she's a student.
Probably out on a field trip, got lost playing around.
Tch, what a hassle.
Killing someone here would just bring trouble.
An Academy student, no less.
If she goes missing, an investigation starts, and they might find this place.
Best to handle it lightly and send her on her way...
"No, I think I came to the right place. The Übermensch playground."
"...?!"
"Good thing I wasn't too late. Feels great to have found it."
I swung my sword at the woman in front of me.
She twisted away as if she'd known it was coming, but I didn't care.
A girl in an Academy uniform.
One who knew our organization's name and came here alone?
No way.
We've been made. The hideout's exposed.
"Hey, newbie! Hit the alarm quick... Gahk?!"
"Can't let you do that. Laira would be disappointed if anyone escaped. Only fifteen get to live. That's the rule."
Huh, when did she...?!
She had no weapon!
By the time I noticed, my throat was deeply slashed, blood pouring out.
Droplets of blood floating in the air were the only sign I'd been attacked.
...Wait, floating blood droplets?
"Sharp eyes. Too late, though."
I instinctively clutched my throat, but it was no use.
Blood was surging out uncontrollably.
Head getting foggy, vision blurring from blood loss.
...Damn it, dropped my guard thinking no weapon.
Threads.
Thin threads sliced my throat.
She didn't attack.
No movement.
She knew I'd swing, set threads along the path.
"Guh... Academy... lackey...!"
"Mm, no need to chat with someone about to die, right?"
"What's your... goal...? No way... Übermensch is exposed...!"
No surviving this.
This bleeding, I'll be dead in under ten minutes.
Save the newbie at least.
Talking with a slashed throat hurt like hell, but I forced words out.
Had to buy time somehow.
That kid can't die here.
He's pure.
Given time, he'll snap out of it and quit...
"Oh, your friend there? Already too late."
"...What?"
"Lying out in the open like that. No need to worry yourself."
The newbie was sprawled in the field.
Just like before.
Like when I lay down to reassure him.
Covered in a red blanket, using the ground as a bed.
...Haha, hey.
That's an uncomfortable way to lie.
Sleep like that, and your neck'll twist.
"I'll be going now? Enjoy your remaining time."
Step, step.
The dark crimson devil walked away.
Blurring vision.
Foggy head.
I dragged myself to lie beside the newbie.
"Ha... Hey, newbie. Knew it'd end like this someday. Hoped it wouldn't be you."
No reply.
Damn punk.
Senior's still awake, and you're sleeping like a newbie?
Back in my day, you'd get beat all day for that.
"Newbie... Life really sucks, doesn't it?"
No reply, as expected.
And he couldn't speak anymore either.
The strings on the two puppets snapped.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "Intruder! Alert! Alert! What're you all doing?! Stop her!"
"What the hell are the guards doing?!"
"Idiot! They're probably dead already! Less blaming, more fighting!"
...Ahh, so noisy.
Bunch of losers.
They just yell louder when they die in ways they can't comprehend, instead of fighting back.
At this rate, fifteen might not be enough.
Amelia and Siu are the protagonist and heroine.
Even a hundred of these losers wouldn't faze them.
These guys,
are they really superhumans?
Why are they using guns?
"Kahk?!"
"Th-Threads! She's shooting threads! Ditch the guns! Cut the threads with blades! Hurry!"
Someone finally noticed.
...Took them long enough.
Wondered when they'd figure it out.
Way lower level than expected.
Fifteen won't cut it. Need thirty.
The losers ditched their guns at the shout, wildly swinging swords.
Most threads infused with mana didn't cut, but I felt a few snap through my hands.
...Oh.
Some halfway decent ones after all.
"Mm, good. You pass."
"What're you...!"
In an instant, my uniform top burst open as mana-laced threads spread, slicing through the villains' bodies.
The result? Well.
No need to say.
Total success...?
"H-Hiiik...?!"
"Ah, didn't think of that... Ugh, gross."
Nope, not a success.
A failure.
Dozens diced up like chopped vegetables.
...Too gruesome.
Sealing this one.
Feels like the meat I ate might come back up.
Stinks, looks awful.
Covered in blood, bad mood.
Won't use it again.
Good thing the ones I marked didn't die.
Went easy on purpose.
...Ahh, regret it now.
Should've spared that guard.
Thought they were all that level since first one.
Didn't expect it'd take this long to even notice threads.
Would've added him to the survivor list.
"M-Monster...!"
"Mm... Monster? Rude. Call me a person, please?"
So rude.
I'm no monster.
Compared to you lot killing for selfish gain.
If the Writer-nim hadn't multiplied you, I wouldn't need to kill like this.
Making me feel gross for nothing.
"Mm, thirteen... Thirty's too much. Hey, how many left up ahead?"
"Th-Think I'll tell you, you devil!"
"Ah, geez. Not a devil."
What to do.
...Fine.
No choice. Send them off early.
Used both half-gauntlets to gift the survivors.
"Alright, now we're playing tag."
"Just kill me! I won't follow your orders...!"
"Quiet. I'm talking."
Sigh.
Why do they only listen when I snap?
Can't we keep it chill?
Ruined the mood.
"Okay, bit of a commotion. Can I continue?"
"Ugh...!"
"Tag's simple! Go attack the students at the lodge midway up the mountain!"
"A-Attack students...?"
"Kill even one, and you live."
They seemed too scared, so I dangled the carrot gently.
Mm, as expected.
Trash eyes turning even trashier.
Good, motivated now.
Go beat up the protagonist's party.
That's how our heroine and protagonist grow.
Beat them right to the brink of death.
"Go on, hurry. Late, and who knows?"
"H-Hiiik?!"
...Even so, freaking out and fleeing like that hurts a little.
Am I that scary?
No. Mirror said I'm pretty...
"Alright, time to see the execs."
Twelve branches, was it?
Mm, too many. Wonder which one.
What animal, I wonder.