Chapter 45
Chapter 45
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 45
Chapter Title: Constellation Gallery EP.44
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One of them turns his head and spits.
And mutters two low words.
"Kill."
Vroom-! Vrrrooom-!
The bastards rev their engines and charge straight at me.
I stand still and wait.
The distance closes in.
I draw the Grave of Ten Thousand Demons.
No need for a big swing.
Just lightly overlay a 'sword trajectory' in the direction they're coming from.
Swish- Slash-
"Gah! You fucker!"
"Ugh, shit!"
The bastards clutch their wounds and spew curses.
A few flinch in pain, roll off their bikes, and tumble onto the road.
"You fuckin' sons of bitches...!"
"You little shit... You must be fuckin' dyin' to get your ass beat."
I grin.
"I slashed super super shallow so you wouldn't get hurt too bad. Don't you gotta acknowledge that kinda consideration?"
The bastards fall silent for a moment.
Then their eyes change.
"...Kinda feels like it."
"Yeah? Now that ya think about it, seems like he coulda killed us but gave us a chance."
"He's a cheeky bastard, but yeah, gotta admit it."
I burst out laughing at the sight.
'They turn into total idiots in seconds. This shit's straight-up broken.'
At that moment, their eyes change again.
There's something off, alien in their gazes.
"Hey, you idiots, snap out of it! Don't listen to that bastard! He's tryna scam us right now!"
"Yeah, felt like we turned into morons for a sec."
I tilt my head.
What's this? Incitement lasting only 3 seconds?
Like the High-grade Archer's 'Forgetfulness Poison'?
Probably not.
If it was, the Constellations would've flipped out.
So, it's gotta be that.
The exact moment their eyes changed is clear.
When I was inwardly mocking them.
I switch my inner thoughts again.
'Honestly, I didn't kill 'em and showed consideration, that's true.'
That instant, their eyes soften again.
Yup, that's it.
The limit of Incitement. Might be more annoying than I thought.
'Not just words, but gotta control my mindset too.'
Slack off and I'm toast.
I toss out words in a calm voice again.
"C'mon, let's go grab that boss or whatever. Don't you think a scumbag like that treats you like tools and kills ya when you're used up?"
As my words end, they exchange glances.
No words, but the mood agrees.
'What total morons.'
Whoops.
Can't think like that.
It's trickier than it seems.
Five bikes pull up behind the building.
Laughter echoes from inside.
Bonus: blaring music cranked up loud.
A crew treating the apocalypse like a festival.
'Look at 'em, all leisurely.'
I dismount the commandeered bike and turn to the guys.
Then open my mouth very quietly.
"Remember. No need to scream or make a fuss goin' in. To them, you're still partners. Exploit that, and it's easy."
Their eyes flicker with complexity.
Revenge, anger, tension.
And relief from trusting me.
"Be the axe they trust, and chop their necks. Then you grab the advantage without big losses. Got it?"
"So, strike when they let their guard down trusting us, and kill 'em all."
"Yeah. Spot on."
Now their eyes are resolute.
Determination and odd loyalty.
"Call me when the job's done. No point goin' in together and raisin' suspicion."
"Yes!"
"Shit, don't yell, you lunatic."
"Sorry."
I look up at the building.
No windows facing this way.
Inside's still rowdy.
'Low chance they heard.'
Eh, even if they did, no biggie.
I turn back to the guys.
"You get the gist? Now go kill each other."
They bow roughly in response, then turn and head into the rundown building.
Tension radiates from their backs.
And strange excitement.
I watch their backs and curl my lip.
'No wonder that Incarnation ran wild with this feeling.'
That's why he handed over 'Incitement' to me.
I can guess the thrill of humans obeying your every word.
Then, Tulip standing beside me looks up cautiously and asks.
"Mister, how'd you do it?"
"Do what?"
"Those guys, they're totally different now."
"Dunno, guess they were convinced by my words."
I chuckle lightly and turn my gaze back to the building.
Alright, time for self-destruction.
Dirty your own hands.
Laughter doesn't stop inside the building.
This was once a billiards hall, now just a crime cartel base.
Flickering fluorescent lights on the ceiling dimly glow, rusted weapons hang by the cues.
"Ah, fuck. Put in one more gensay and I'll smash ya with the billiard ball."
"Whoa~ Don't go threatenin' me."
Amid the guys enjoying billiards even now.
A man sprawled on the fur-covered sofa stretches.
"The ones who went out ain't back yet?"
"Nah, heard the bike engines though."
Lee Daeju casually wipes eye gunk and slips on his glasses.
His height around 160cm early, scrawny with no muscle.
That look ruling a gang made him even more menacing.
"Damn, sleepy no matter how much I sleep."
Lee Daeju scratches his head roughly.
His puffed-up bomb head looks no different from before sleep.
That moment, the returned subordinates push through the door.
Each with a weird glint in their eyes.
Not fawning at the boss like usual, nor defiant.
"Back? Got anything?"
"Nothin' much."
Short reply.
And a faint swallow.
They glance at each other.
A quick exchanged look.
Right then.
"Where ya been workin' so hard, sweatin' like pigs ya are."
"......Weather's just too damn hot now."
Lee Daeju narrows his eyes at the answer, says nothing.
Suspicion rises.
But no proof.
Lee Daeju twists his lip up.
"Fine. Everyone grab a drink and rest up."
"Yeah."
The guys try to act normal.
One quietly heads near the billiards table.
"Bro, ain't this a tough spot?"
"This? Hey, how old are ya not to know. Watch, it's this angle here."
"Ah~ Right. What's so hard about that."
Pretending to focus on billiards at their response, he leans naturally.
Stab!
Shoves the blade into the gut.
"What the fuck... is this...!"
Stab! Stab!
At the same time, the rest move on their marks.
The one casually sipping tilts the soju bottle and smashes his buddy's head.
Crash!
"You gutless...!"
Before the words finish, another shatters his soju glass and jams it into the neck.
The victim clutches his throat and drops.
"You bastards! What's this all of a sudden! What the hell ya doin'!"
"You guys were gonna betray the boss."
"What bullshit!"
"These shits all betrayed the boss! Sold out Lee Daeju!"
"We'll do the cleanin', look tough!"
They were already souls stolen by the First Hunter.
But packaging the bloodbath as 'loyalty' on the surface.
"Guys! Those fuckers were sharpenin' knives for the boss! I saw it!"
The hideout turns into a blood-soaked stage in seconds.
Fluorescents buzz, blood stench coats the palate.
Lee Daeju jumps up.
"Everyone stop!"
Everyone freezes.
Lee Daeju exhales heavily then.
"Damn fuck, what the hell ya doin' now?"
"Told ya."
"Cut it out."
His eyes full of confusion.
Who're the traitors, who's on his side? No clue.
Then, one right beside him quietly circles behind.
Hidden dagger in left hand gleams.
As the shadow raises his arm.
Grab.
Lee Daeju reaches back, clamps the arm perfectly.
"......!"
"Suspicious, too suspicious."
Twists the arm back.
The blade now stabs the guy's throat who stepped behind.
"Gaaahhh!"
Drops the arm, guy flies off.
Trembling, groaning, can't pull the knife from his neck.
"Fuckin' hell..."
Lee Daeju heaves his chest, slowly scans around.
All survivors are the 'returned' ones.
Their changed eyes, blood-dripping weapons, surrounding him.
He swallows.
Heavier than blood.
"Did all this for me?"
"This is for you, boss."
"Tried to get me for my sake?"
"Somethin' musta got twisted..."
"Shut yer trap."
Lee Daeju twists his mouth crooked.
"Ya forgot who I am?"
Low growl, but they laugh.
Not scared, just laughing.
"Know damn well."
One steps forward slowly, says.
"We know what a piece of shit you are, that's what."
"Piece of shit?"
"Now we know who we oughta be under, crystal clear."
"You feel it too, bro."
One raises his voice.
"Look! One left!"
"Ouch, that one meanin' me?"
"Who else?"
"Whoa, not even hidin' it now."
Lee Daeju adjusts his glasses.
"Ya ready to die barkin' like that."
That instant, the door opens.
An unfamiliar figure enters.
"Damn, now what's this."
Lee Daeju tilts his head.
The man in front yawns hugely.
"Almost dozed off waitin'. You Lee Daeju? Or maybe Mok Daeju?"
"......You?"
"Straight to 'you' huh."
"You the one who messed up my boys."
Lee Daeju pushes up his glasses, adds.
"What'd ya give 'em? Drugs?"
"Them?"
Yoo Juhan curls his lip slightly.
"Ah, you mean my subordinates?"