Isn't This the Kind of Thing That's Usually a Lie?
Yoahim flinched as he stared at the severed head of the pursuer, its eyes gleaming with an eerie light. The sight of the decapitated head opening its mouth and speaking on its own was pretty damn creepy.
"...What the hell are you? One of those Wichikill bastards?"
The severed head moved on its own, turning to face Yoahim directly. It was hard to keep his eyes open against the intense glow pouring from its sockets. The head, standing alone on the floor, mumbled as if about to speak, then suddenly spewed out a gush of blood.
Yoahim jerked back at the abrupt action, but the head spat out a few more mouthfuls before finally starting to talk.
Ah, ahh, ahh. Ahem, yeah, much better now. The connection's been shit because we're so far apart.
It had stuttered at first, but now it spoke clearly. Yoahim raised one eyebrow, watching the head's antics. Despite having no neck, the head glided smoothly across the floor, taking in the faces of Yoahim's group. The glaring red light from its eyes forced anyone who met its gaze to squint.
Hmm, I've memorized your faces. One human... and the two in the back aren't. I can tell even with the hoods hiding your faces.
Sasha and Leon instinctively tugged at their hoods, but the head had already figured out what they were. It wasn't sight—it was instinct—so the hoods didn't help much in hiding their identities.
"Hey, I asked you a question. Are you one of those Wichikill guys?"
Yoahim fearlessly nudged the head with his foot. It rolled away like a ball, then popped right back up like a roly-poly toy, humming thoughtfully.
Bold human, aren't you? Am I part of Wichikill? Yeah, that's right. Consider it an honor that you've heard my name. Because I am Alkados, one of the three heads of Wichikill.
"Alkados!"
Sasha let out a shriek-like cry from behind. What, is he famous or something? Yoahim tilted his head, and Sasha swallowed hard before explaining.
"Alkados is one of the three who rule Wichikill. He's infamous for burning down Eldow Castle single-handedly and massacring countless people. He's one of the twelve villains designated by the castle knights of Raelro. They formed a subjugation force to kill him, but he slipped away and became one of Wichikill's three heads."
Oh? You know me. Well, I am pretty famous. The Eldow Castle massacre... good times. That's when I truly felt alive. Burning the castle, slaughtering people—I finally understood what I was.
There was a faint laugh in Alkados's voice. Yoahim scowled, staring hard at the head. If this guy had taken down a castle alone, he was a powerhouse with real strength and skill. And now Yoahim had made an enemy of him.
Shouldn't have killed the pursuer. But who could've predicted this? Useless regret.
"Alkados, huh... big shot. So why show up borrowing a dead guy's head? To warn us? That you'll hunt us down to the ends of the earth?"
Yoahim sneered, and Alkados replied.
This guy was one of my loyal subordinates. Human trafficking wasn't really my thing... but it paid well. I was gonna bring him into Wichikill after this job. Shame.
The head twisted in grief, sobbing dramatically. Obviously Alkados's doing.
And a warning? Hmm, that was the plan, but I've changed my mind a bit. I have a proposal for you.
"A proposal?"
Yeah, a proposal. Normally, I'd track you down and tear you apart. That's Wichikill's way. But... honestly, doing that every time is a pain in the ass. Sure, killing you upholds our reputation, but why should I avenge these pathetic losers? They were weak, they died—weakness is a sin.
The conversation was taking a weird turn. Yoahim swallowed hard.
So I'm giving you a chance. To become my subordinates. You seem pretty capable. What do you say? Join me, and I won't kill you. Hell, I'll even make you full members of Wichikill. You mercs know this is a rare opportunity. Better than scraping by with swords.
"Hah."
What bullshit. Alkados's offer was so absurd it drew a hollow laugh. Join Wichikill? It'd fit Yoahim, apostle of an evil god, perfectly—but he had zero interest in kidnapping and killing people.
"Are we crazy? Work for you? If you're gonna spout crap, fuck off."
Alkados chuckled darkly.
Bold as ever. Most would be weeping with gratitude. But you... hmm, interesting. You reek of an evil god. And not just that—there's another power...
Alkados fell silent, as if pondering, then let out an intrigued hum.
Ah, that familiar aura. Blessed by a demon, huh? Heh heh heh, receiving power from a demon—fascinating. What's your name?
"Why do you wanna know?"
Your boldness makes sense now. You're blessed by a demon, but not his slave. And it's just a pittance of power. If you want real strength, come to me. I can give you more.
"You deaf or something? I said no."
Hmm... such a rare chance, and you're throwing it away. Fine. I offered, you refused. From this moment, you're Wichikill prey. I don't like long explanations, but remember one thing: our methods are more brutal and relentless than you can imagine...
Crunch!
Before Alkados could finish, a sword pierced the top of the pursuer's skull. The voice cut off, and the glow in its eyes faded. Yoahim yanked the sword free from the head.
"God, that thing wouldn't shut up."
The head went limp, the connection severed. Leon, who had been watching silently, approached Yoahim.
"Well, Apostle. Normally, you'd pretend to join, then figure out how to kill him later. Flat-out refusing like that? Now we're all dead meat."
"You wanna keep mouthing off?"
"Kidding, of course. But we just started this journey, and shit's already hitting the fan. Wichikill's dangerous. And Alkados is even worse."
Yoahim clicked his tongue. "So what the hell is this Alkados guy?"
"Huh? You don't know Alkados? Apostle, did you live in a cave cut off from the world?"
Fuck, there was no such guy in the game. Yoahim tsked again, and Leon continued.
"Like Sasha said, Alkados has the power to topple a castle alone. Started as a merc, fought in countless battles, and grew to enjoy the killing. The crazy part? He's a swordsman who wields magic like a proper mage—powerful stuff. Earned the nickname Magic Swordsman Alkados back in his merc days."
There was no such class as Magic Swordsman. Sure, mages who pumped strength stats called themselves that, but from the description, Alkados was someone Yoahim's game knowledge didn't cover. Annoying.
Wonder what his level is. These guys wouldn't know.
No way to gauge his strength without seeing him. Stronger than Haellagos? Weaker than Lilith, probably.
What a pain.
Poking the hornet's nest meant the bees would come swarming. As Alkados boasted, Wichikill would hunt him to the death.
"Apostle, so what's the plan? If Wichikill says they're coming, they will. Running buys time, but we'll have to crush them to end it. With our power..."
Leon trailed off, but the implication was clear. Even without Alkados, his underlings would be a threat.
"...It's not like we have no options."
"As expected of the Apostle! You always have a way!"
Sasha's eyes sparkled, and Yoahim hesitated before saying, "We'll name-drop Haellagos."
"...Pardon?"
"Didn't tell you guys, but I'm on good terms with Haellagos. Next time attackers show, we invoke his name. Even Wichikill knows how powerful he is."
Sasha blinked in stunned silence at the unexpected answer. Leon stepped forward.
"For real? Use Haellagos's name? What if Wichikill decides to subjugate him?"
No telling Wichikill's size, but Leon might be right—they could go after Haellagos. Alkados was shockingly strong, and he was just one of three heads. Dropping Haellagos's name could escalate things.
But.
"Why's that my problem?"
"Huh?"
Yoahim wasn't worried at all. Why the hell should I care?
"Whether Wichikill fights Haellagos or not, what's it to me? He's not even a friend—just an acquaintance."
Yoahim planned to take Haellagos's power and stab him in the back, but even if Wichikill took him out, it wouldn't matter. There were other ways to get strong.
"Impressive, Apostle... ruthlessly pragmatic."
Leon nodded in admiration.
First things first—finish the commission. Wichikill won't catch up right away.
Head to Tolstone. For mercs, trust was everything. Jobs had to be done perfectly.
"Alright, before we go."
Yoahim started rummaging through the fallen pursuers' pockets.
"Time to loot. You two grab anything valuable too."
Leon and Sasha nodded at his command.
"Dunno what 'loot' means, but that cold-blooded scavenging from the dead? I like it, Apostle."
The three quickly gathered the spoils.