Chapter 134: The Well of Chaos (5)
Chapter 134: The Well of Chaos (5)
“You’re here sooner than expected! My name is—”
“Get lost.”
I swung my hammer in a wide arc at the bulky man blocking my path. Expecting him to go down instantly, I tried to push past him without losing momentum.
Clang!
Contrary to my expectations, a heavy recoil, as if I’d struck solid metal, jerked me back.
“Tsk.”
I could easily guess what had happened. Clicking my tongue, I threw myself backward.
Boom!
A hammer slammed into the spot where I had just been standing. It was a massive, heavy metal hammer, even larger than mine.
That was the weapon that had blocked my attack just now.
“Ha! Did you think I’d fall as easily as those guys before me, Crimson★Hammer? I might not be on your level, but when it comes to hammer techniques, I’m—”
Crunch.
His mouth met my knee.
“Shut up.”
A guy who knows who I am is really standing there flapping his gums?
Taking advantage of the moment The Enemy was lost in his own self-praise, I kicked off the ground and drove a knee strike straight into his head.
“Fast as expected… Impressive…”
What? He’s still conscious?
Crunch.
Maintaining my posture, I grabbed his head with both hands and delivered another knee strike.
Then, spinning my body, I kicked his head to launch myself into the air.
I performed an unnecessary mid-air rotation, twisting my muscles to load The Hammer. Just in case he wasn't out yet, I was prepared to deliver a finishing blow. However…
It wasn't necessary.
I de-summoned The Hammer and landed cleanly, looking back at my enemy.
Despite having his head dented by two consecutive strikes, the man remained standing tall.
He’s certainly sturdy.
Not only did he survive a hit from me with my Limiter released, but he’s also managed to pass out while still on his feet.
Is this the fifth one?
Three more to go.
Based on the information I beat out of the ones I’ve encountered so far, it’s certain there are eight A-Ranks in total.
There’s one strange thing, though. I wanted to interrogate this guy too, but I didn't have time to wake someone who was already out cold. I left him behind and sprinted down the hallway again.
With my Limiter gradually releasing, every step I took shook the building, but there was no helping it.
The situation demanded that I release the Limiter…
If time were the only issue, I wouldn't have to act this urgently. The real problem was that the villains blocking my path were getting progressively stronger.
Take that guy just now. Even with my Limiter significantly released, it took me over ten seconds to deal with him.
Considering the first two took about a minute combined, including the time for interrogation, this was startling.
Tsk.
I don’t like this.
Releasing the Limiter like this is going to cause me a lot of trouble later. Calming down boiling emotions is an exhausting task.
I understood there was no other way, but I wasn't happy with the situation itself.
Why the hell are these guys so strong?
Sure, they’re A-Ranks, so they should be strong. But since when were A-Rank Heroes—or villains—this common? In a world where even low-tier A-Ranks are scarce, how did so many high-tier A-Ranks capable of withstanding my Limiter-released attacks gather here?
I tried to gather information, but everyone strangely kept their mouths shut on that specific point.
Something is going very wrong.
And The Key to explaining all these anomalies likely lies with Kim Tae-jun.
It’s going to be even harder to hand him over now.
I never really intended to give him to The Society anyway, but now I’m certain. I’m the one who will secure Kim Tae-jun.
No matter what.
With that thought, I shifted into an even higher gear.
* * *
Killing intent.
I sensed the danger instinctively and twisted my body, but my frame, accelerated to an immense speed, was sluggish to react.
A brief flash of light.
A burning pain flared on my cheek.
I managed to avoid the attack aimed at my eye, but I couldn't prevent the wound on my face.
Of course, The Enemy would pay dearly for it.
There you are.
I turned my head toward the direction the needle had flown from and charged.
In a single stride.
My Limiter-released body tore through everything in its path, landing instantly in front of The Enemy.
“How?!”
The Black-Robed Enemy, now within my attack range, let out a predictable scream.
What do you mean, "how"?
Did you think I wouldn't be able to track you just because you’re invisible and faster than a bullet?
The flow of the air, the angle of the wound, the biological signals you couldn't hide. Unless you’re on the level of Meteor or Quilp, snipers are meaningless against me.
Therefore.
“You get lost too.”
I swung my hammer.
Boom!
It was a strike meant to pulverize everything in the vicinity. However…
“…?”
I didn't feel the sensation of something being crushed.
All that lay beneath my hammer was a shredded black robe.
A special ability tied to the clothing? The effect was likely a one-time negation of an attack.
If this had been accompanied by long-distance teleportation, it would have been annoying. But it doesn't seem like that’s the case.
I turned my head and glared at the spot where I sensed a biological reaction.
I could hear The Enemy’s heartbeat.
The Enemy’s breathing.
The scream The Enemy had swallowed.
I leaped.
Toward the location of my prey.
I took my stance to bring The Hammer down immediately once more, but…
“…Sigh.”
How very villain-like of you.
Thud.
Forced by circumstances, I slammed my hammer into the ground instead.
The circumstance being a villain holding a dagger to a civilian’s throat in a hostage situation. An offer I couldn't refuse.
As long as I’m a Hero, I have no choice.
“What do you want?”
“Don’t interfere with Kim Tae-jun. Just stay right there.”
As he spoke, he tilted the dagger slightly, as if to say he’d stab the hostage if I didn't listen.
Whew.
Anger flared at his actions, and I reached into my pocket.
“Don’t move!”
The villain shouted, seemingly terrified by my movement.
“Oh, come on. I can’t even take out a smoke?”
I pulled out a Black Rod and bit down on it.
Crunch.
I usually don't chew on these during combat. But I just couldn't stand the irritation.
Perhaps thanks to that, the heat rising from the Limiter Release settled, and I felt the coldness of the metal through my tongue.
My rationality returned, allowing me to observe The Enemy calmly.
A man in light casual clothes, having shed his robe. He had a dagger at his waist and wrist guards embedded with needles, but his appearance wasn't particularly unique.
What stood out more was his trembling, unable to hide his anxiety.
The villain before me was wound tight, overreacting to my every move. When I took my hand off the rod and lowered it, he stared intently at my hand; when I tapped my foot, he recoiled in terror, backing away while dragging the hostage with him.
If you’re going to be like that, why even take a hostage?
“So, is that it?”
“…What do you mean?”
“Is that all you’re demanding for the hostage? Just for me to stay here?”
Well, I have no intention of complying.
“Yes!”
The villain screamed in response to my question.
A trembling voice, unstable accent, breaths hitching between words. Classic signs of terror.
He didn't even seem to have experience taking hostages, as the dagger began to drift away from the civilian’s neck.
If you have no experience and you’re that scared, why do it?
“Taking a hostage… As someone who was once a Hero, aren't you ashamed?”
When I threw that question at him.
“Ashamed? You’re asking if I’m ashamed?”
Did my question strike a chord? The villain’s eyes widened as he shouted, seemingly shaking off his fear.
“Yes, I’m ashamed! But I’m scared. I’m terrified! I’m scared, but you guys call yourselves Heroes and keep… Did I become a Hero because I wanted to?!”
And his lament was…
Splurt.
“…Huh?”
…cut short by a fountain of blood.
“Uwaah? Ah? What?”
The man let out bizarre noises, seemingly unable to process the reality that his arm had been twisted and torn off.
Well, I suppose he never imagined his hostage would be the one to rip his arm off.
So.
“You should sleep too.”
I kicked off the ground, closing the distance in an instant, and slammed his head into The Wall.
After confirming the villain was unconscious from the impact, I spoke to the civilian who had been the hostage.
“I didn't need the help.”
“Haha. But it would have taken you longer otherwise.”
The man in the suit laughed as he tossed aside the villain’s severed hand.
“That guy was doomed the moment he took a hostage anyway.”
By taking a hostage, his movements were sealed. As an assassin, he had already exhausted his means of escape, his right hand was occupied with the dagger, and he was burdened by the hostage.
I was confident I could crush his skull faster than he could move that dagger.
The only reason I had watched the hostage situation play out was because the hostage was someone I knew.
“Setting all that aside, what are you doing here?”
“I have a message from the Elder.”
The man who had taken us to Elder Li. Elder Li’s bodyguard and informant.
He opened his mouth to speak.
“Ah, that? The information he said he’d give?”
“Yes. I shall tell you…”
A dream that everyone… has in their heart…
The man had been acting all serious to deliver the message, but he suddenly made a bizarre face, looking flustered by the song that started playing.
“…Ah, sorry. That’s my phone.”
“…Please, take it.”
Of all the times for it to ring. I really should change the ringtone.
Lamenting to myself, I put the phone to my ear without even checking the caller ID.
“Hello.”
“Captain? I understand you’re in Nanjido right now.”
The voice on the other end was one I’d heard recently—my Former Subordinate, Ivan.
“How do you know that?”
This was an operation marked with a Black Seal.
“It’s urgent, so I’ll explain that later. More importantly, please evacuate immediately. The High Command has gone mad.”
What are you talking about? Why has The High Command gone mad?
“Look, I know it’s urgent, but give me some details. I already know about the bombardment, and I’m working my ass off to stop it—”
“It’s not a bombardment.”
Huh?
“The use of a Thermonuclear Weapon has been authorized. Most were against it, but some suddenly changed their minds…”
….
“…Understood. I’m hanging up.”
“Captain! Surely you aren't planning to stay—”
Click.
As soon as I hung up, I turned back to the Nanjido resident.
“You heard that, right?”
“…About the Thermonuclear Weapon?”
“Yeah.”
“…We can discuss that later. First, let me give you the information.”
He’s remarkably calm for someone who’s about to have a nuke dropped on his head. I really wish the kids in our intelligence department would take notes.
“Fine, let’s hear it.”
“Brat. What do you think you’re doing?”
“You want to die? Brat?”
Does this guy think he can say whatever he wants just because he helped me out?
“…Those aren't my words, but the Elder’s message.”
Ah. Then he should have at least tried to mimic Elder Li’s tone.
“Ah, sorry. Go on.”
Crunch. Crunch.
I channeled my inner turmoil into the rod as I listened to the man.
“‘Why are you turning Nanjido upside down when you’re supposed to be chasing Kim Tae-jun? This is why hammer-wielders are… Tsk.’”
…I’m starting to get annoyed.
“‘Here is the additional information I promised. We have quickly located Kim Tae-jun.’”
Finally, some good news.
“‘Go underground. Below the dark basement where you used to stay. They are up to something there.’ …That is all.”
Underground.
I felt like I’d been going deeper and deeper, and it turns out they went all the way underground.
“Got it. Thanks for the info. You should get out of here too. It’d be even better if you took some civilians with you.”
Elder Li didn't seem to have any intention of running away anyway.
Just as I was about to turn and head for the basement.
“We cannot leave.”
A voice filled with resignation reached me.
“Elder Li said the same thing. Is there something here?”
Like a seal or something?
With that thought, I turned my head, and a twisted, bitter smile met my eyes.
The face of someone who has given up on everything.
I’d seen it before. In the mirror, back when I was rotting away.
The face from the days when I hoped for nothing and thought of nothing.
“You’ll understand once you get there.”
“…Right.”
Not knowing what to say to someone like that, I smashed through the floor and leaped down.
Praying that my actions might be enough to bring that old face back.