Chapter 71
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 71
Chapter Title: Strategic Cooperation
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Strategic Cooperation
“Kuhh!! Kurteun, who shits sitting down!!”
Kurteun flicked his sword at the man.
*How dare he…*
Though his hands trembled with rage, Kurteun desperately clung to his reason.
At first, he had expected an easy victory.
His opponent wasn't a knight, just some brute with immense strength. It was only natural. There was no way he, a man who had once been part of the Imperial Knight Division, could lose to an ignorant fool who couldn't even wield Aura.
That conviction shattered the moment their swords met.
*How can he have such power without Aura?*
It wasn't just a matter of monstrous strength. The man charged forward without any regard for his own body, as if he couldn't feel pain.
Watching his opponent rush at him while bleeding from a hole in his stomach, Kurteun felt a fear he hadn't experienced in a very long time.
Even with a hole in his own gut, the man advanced another step, and that sheer recklessness added more wounds to Kurteun's body.
Though the brute was clearly bleeding far more, Kurteun felt as if he were the one on the defensive, and he bit his lip in frustration.
*Damn it, of all places, a tournament.*
If he could just use his Aura, he would have sliced the man in half long ago.
Kurteun was certain that with his Aura, he could have split him in two with a single strike. Kurteun's Aura was twice as sharp and large as any other knight's—a fang that tore through everything.
But he couldn't use Aura in a tournament.
There were too many eyes watching. He didn't care about the others, but the knights… there were too many knights.
If this continued, he might actually lose.
Losing to someone who wasn't a knight was a fatal blow to his pride, but it was possible. Being a knight didn't guarantee victory.
Normally, he would have raised his hand, forfeited, and stepped down. Then, he could find the man later and tear him apart with Aura to reclaim his victory.
That would be far easier to handle than breaking the taboo of using Aura in a tournament.
However…
“Kurteun! Sits when he pees!!”
Seeing the man squat down and laugh heartily, the option of defeat vanished from his mind.
He could lose to anyone else, but not to this bastard.
He absolutely could not lose to this man, not even for a moment.
*Thud! Thud!*
A heavy sound echoed with each of the man’s steps.
The sight of him charging forward, blood pouring from the holes in his body, exuded a bottomless, horrifying ignorance.
Kurteun readjusted his grip on his sword and waited.
He leaned forward, planting his feet firmly.
*When he steps with his left foot and roars, his movements become larger.*
The analysis was complete, but Kurteun didn't rush. With his life on the line, he couldn't be too careful.
“Kuhhh!!!”
The roar came with the left foot.
And a massive swing.
A wide, predictable motion he had seen several times now.
Kurteun suppressed his anger, leaping back to create distance before thrusting his sword.
Another hole opened in the man's body, but Kurteun's left chest was grazed, and blood splattered.
Though his opponent had lost more than twice the amount of blood, Kurteun gritted his teeth, feeling like he was the one taking the loss.
“Kuhh!!”
Again, the roar and the left foot.
It was foolishly honest, but Kurteun didn't let his guard down.
He blocked the man’s sword with his dagger and thrust his rapier.
A heavy force pressed from his left. Even while circulating Aura internally, he was being pushed back, a searing pain shooting through his left shoulder.
A heavy sensation came from his right hand. Blood gushed from somewhere around the man's waist.
But the man didn't stop, taking another step forward without a hint of hesitation. Kurteun felt a chill run down his spine once more.
It was like fighting a monster, not a man.
His hands began to itch. Fear made him want to unleash his Aura right now and tear the man in two.
The man kept coming, blood streaming down his body.
His face was hidden by that stupid helmet, making it impossible to tell if he was human or monster, which only amplified the fear.
Kurteun had a gut feeling he would lose if this continued.
The best course of action was to raise his hand and forfeit.
If the man attacked after he surrendered, he could cleanly cut him in half with Aura.
If he didn't, he could find him later and slice him and everyone associated with him to pieces.
But…
“Kurteun! Sits! To! Pee! Kurteun has no balls!”
The bullshit the man spouted with his slurred speech.
““Kurteun has no balls!!!””
The cheers of the crowd echoing around him.
He couldn't take it anymore.
With rage boiling over, Kurteun doubted if he could even make a rational decision.
To tear the man apart, he had to use his Aura.
But using Aura would ruin everything. He would lose any justification, and a mountain of trouble would surely follow.
“Pssssss-! Kurteun! Pssssss-!”
*I will tear that bastard to shreds.*
Having made his decision, Kurteun lowered his stance.
*I’ll end it in one move.*
If he could release his Aura for just a brief, shimmering moment, he might be able to pass it off as nothing.
Just one move…
He would concentrate as hard as he could and aim for the moment the man’s movement became largest.
Kurteun tightened his grip on his sword.
“Kuhhh!!!”
Again, the roar and the left foot.
A stupid, obvious habit.
Even without looking, Kurteun could picture his opponent’s next move.
Just a momentary, shimmering Aura.
Yet, it had to be sharp enough to slice through thick iron and flesh in one go. This required immense concentration, even for Kurteun.
He had seen the man's movements countless times.
He could visualize the opening and the motion perfectly without even needing to see it.
Kurteun closed his eyes to focus.
*Thump, thump.*
His head felt like it would explode from the extreme concentration, but Kurteun gritted his teeth.
*Now.*
Kurteun stepped forward not with his right foot, but his left. His waist naturally twisted, and the sharp point of his sword drew a perfect, unerring horizontal line.
And at the last moment, concentrating so hard that the blood vessels in his eyes burst, he imbued his sword with Aura.
*It’s over. You ignorant fool who doesn’t know his place.*
A fraction of a second.
Kurteun’s sword flashed brilliantly. A blue light erupted from the blade, stretching out as if to cleave the arena in two.
It was a masterful display of Aura control.
Though its power was pathetic compared to his usual output, it was a flicker so brief that others might mistake it for a glint of sunlight.
Confident of his success, Kurteun opened his eyes.
According to his calculations, the man should be raising his sword high at this point, leaving his torso wide open…
*He didn't swing?*
Instead, the man was holding his sword out in front of him.
As if he had been waiting for this exact moment.
*But he definitely stepped with his left foot and shouted?*
Kurteun's confusion was brief.
The man's right foot, not his left, was forward.
It wasn't the situation he had anticipated. The distance was wrong, and in an instant, everything fell apart.
Only then did Kurteun realize how overly agitated he had been.
*Clang—.*
The man's sword met Kurteun's.
Then, against his will, Kurteun's sword moved along with his opponent's.
No, it flowed with him.
“So it works.”
The man muttered as he thrust his sword into Kurteun's wide-open front.
That voice wasn't the dull, stupid one he had been hearing, the one that couldn't even form a proper sentence.
It was a deep, menacing voice, like the growl of a predator, with every syllable clear and unslurred.
*This bastard!! He tricked me!!*
Only then did Kurteun realize his opponent had been wearing a mask all along.
To think his stupidity and ignorance were an act!
To think he would injure his own body just for an act!
The meticulousness of it all made his hair stand on end.
His overheated mind cooled in an instant, and he finally saw the situation for what it was. The man had used an act to provoke him, to make him incapable of sound judgment.
“Like this?”
The man extended his sword.
The movement was strangely familiar.
*…Is that my swordsmanship?*
He tried to summon his Aura in his panic, but it was too late.
The price for not seeing through the mask was an arm tumbling to the ground.
***
*That was close.*
I muttered, touching the long gash on my chest.
The moment I took his arm, the man lost his senses and openly unleashed his Aura, slashing at my front with his dagger.
He was clearly out of range, yet his extended Aura sliced through my breastplate. The plate split near my navel and blood spurted out, but the wound wasn't deep.
*If I hadn't heard about the left foot from that woman, I would have been dead.*
I had been subtly laying the groundwork, but timing the detonation required extreme finesse.
If I hadn't known that his left foot was the signal, I would have been in serious trouble.
I offered a silent thanks to the woman with the moderately-sized breasts.
“…You tricked me.”
The man spat out, glaring at me.
Blood streamed from the severed stump, but his gaze only grew sharper.
A blade-like Aura swirled around him.
He was unleashing his Aura. The mud around his feet scattered as if cut by unseen blades, kicking up dust.
*What is he, a Super Saiyan?*
His overwhelming presence was absurd.
He was so dangerous that if I hadn't prepared so meticulously, I would have had to draw my own Aura in response.
*I was aiming for his neck.*
Since he had used his Aura, the justification was now on my side.
I had aimed for his neck to achieve the cleanest conclusion, but since it was my first time deflecting an Aura-clad sword, I was slightly off.
Even though he had only unleashed it for a moment, the force of his Aura was as wild as a raging bull, and the counterforce was incredibly strong.
Because of that resistance, it didn't go as I had planned, and I only managed to sever his right arm.
He stood still, pointing his dagger at me, grinding his teeth with a *krr-krr* sound.
The match was already over.
He had used Aura, a taboo in the tournament.
“Knight Kurteun!! Disqualified for use of Aura!!!”
Ska's urgent voice rang out.
Sensing the gravity of the situation, Ska repeatedly shouted the disqualification as if he were about to cough up blood.
A mixture of cheers and jeers filled the air.
I stared back at him. Even though the man had lost his right hand, the lifeblood of a swordsman, his momentum hadn't died down. If anything, it was raging even more fiercely.
His eyes. That was the problem.
They weren't the eyes of a man who would accept defeat. They were the venomous eyes of someone who would do anything to erase his loss by eliminating his opponent.
Of course, he might have been the type to accept it gracefully, but I didn't want to leave things to chance and have him bite me in the back later. That's why I'd aimed for his neck…
*I should have killed him.*
Looking into those hate-filled eyes that screamed murder, I already felt uneasy.
Still, I had taken his right arm. If I drew my Aura as well, I could probably take his head somehow, but…
*There are too many eyes.*
I could see men around the arena slowly getting ready.
The guys from Squad 4 were gathering around him, as if they were planning something.
Dylan, who had lent me the sword, had somehow acquired a massive axe and was spitting on his hands.
*A shame.*
Still, I had gained the moral high ground and neatly severed his right arm, so I had accomplished most of my goal.
My back was already itching with unease, but I had no way to deal with him right now.
Just then.
A chilling presence washed over us.
*Guwoooooooh—!!*
A silent roar shook the surroundings.
My gaze naturally turned, and—
*Craaaash—!!*
A section of the castle wall collapsed as if struck by a battering ram.
Dark brown debris scattered in all directions like a landslide, revealing what lay beyond.
The sky had already grown dark, but beyond the wall, something even deeper and darker writhed. It was large enough to be seen over the wall, and its presence was so heavy that just looking at it made my hands tremble.
—*Looks delicious.*
The sight of it intensified my tenant's hunger. I started to feel hungry myself.
*Guwoooooooh—!*
Again, the silent roar shook the area.
Hideous things began to pour through the broken wall.
The first were monsters covered in fur.
They howled like beasts, leaping and bounding about.
Following them were corpses that looked at least two weeks dead, and skeletons that seemed even older.
Then, figures clad in black robes came over and took up positions around the wall. Behind them were two demons, tainted by corrosion.
I focused on the darkness beyond them. The entity that looked down upon us exuded an aura that made my hair stand on end.
*Looks like The Society is having a company outing.*
I muttered under my breath and relaxed my guard.
The cheering crowd fell silent in an instant.
They seemed unable to process the surreal scene before them.
I pulled two potions from my pouch, poured one over my hole-ridden armor, and drank the other.
A stinging sensation brought me to my senses.
I glanced back and forth between Kurteun and the colossal entity.
Kurteun was still glaring at me with blazing eyes. Blood continued to flow from his severed arm, but his eerie Aura remained undiminished.
Even neutered and one-armed, his presence was enough to make my hair stand on end.
*Guwoooooooh—!!*
The black mass howled as if demanding my attention, but I shook my head.
*I’ll deal with this one later.*
Even with his menacing aura, he probably wouldn't charge at me with a severed arm.
He might show up later with a hook for a hand, but that was a problem for another time.
“Kurteun, it was just a joke. A joke.”
“…”
I extended an olive branch, but he just glared at me, grinding his teeth.
*This is going to be a pain.*
The hideous creatures that had crossed the wall were now charging toward the plaza. Unfortunately, the main road just in front of the broken wall led straight to it.
The spectators finally seemed to grasp the situation. The tournament had shifted from one-on-one matches to a free-for-all, and they had all been automatically entered.
“Aaargh!” “Kyaaaah!”
All the sounds blended into a chaotic cacophony.
Just then.
“The Sword of Humanity, fulfill your duty!!”
A straight, firm voice rang out.
It was Baron Pulpuchu.
His usual bored expression was gone, replaced by the face of a Lord as he shouted once more.
“The Sword of Humanity, fulfill your duty!!”
Those around the baron echoed his cry. The shout spread, gradually filling the entire area.
“The Sword of Humanity, fulfill your duty!”
The knights, who had been hesitating, began to draw their swords one by one.
“The Sword of Humanity, fulfill your duty!”
Firefly-like blue lights began to fill the plaza.
Though their intensities varied, they were all blue.
“The Sword of Humanity, fulfill your duty!”
The Baron’s continued shout was like a signal, and the knights charged forward.
The sight of dozens of knights running, emanating blue light, was a rare spectacle.
By then, the things that had come over the wall were rushing toward the plaza. Their numbers were so vast they looked like a black tsunami. A tsunami of corpses and monsters.
And into that terrifying tsunami, the firefly knights willingly plunged.
Among the knights were some of the guys I’d beaten up, but unlike before, they now wore determined expressions, their lips pressed into thin lines.
*A knight’s duty.*
I muttered softly.
Soon, the black tsunami and the cluster of fireflies collided.
The overwhelming difference in numbers made it seem like the fireflies would be swept away in an instant, but these were the Swords of Humanity.
*Kieeeeeeek—!*
The cluster of blue light flashed, tearing through the black tsunami in a single stroke. It was as if a giant blue sword was cleaving through the darkness.
The blue light didn't stop there; it pushed further forward.
“Guards, evacuate the citizens to the inner castle!!”
Baron Pulpuchu shouted again, then took the lead and vanished.
Nova, who was behind him, glanced at me for a moment.
I gave her a thumbs-up. She muttered something and then disappeared after the Baron.
The frozen plaza erupted into motion again. The guards acted like shepherds, shouting and swinging their fists to guide the crowds.
I scanned the chaos for familiar faces.
It was easy to find them, as Choco stood out like a sore thumb.
There was Hana, trying to come toward me with a panicked look, and Kanna, who in contrast was calmly muttering something.
And Choco, who had Hana by the scruff of her neck, and Gwo-baro-woo, who was saying something to Kanna, and the rest of them.
They were all nicely huddled together.
I looked at Bermunt.
Bermunt gave a big nod.
My mind raced.
The knights were still holding back… no, they were pushing back the tide of The Society’s minions. They weren't called the Swords of Humanity for nothing.
At this rate, it seemed they could hold them off, but I doubted the enemy would have made such a grand entrance by smashing the wall if they were going to be stopped this easily.
*If they’re after the young lady, the inner castle is also dangerous… but it’s still better than being out here alone.*
If that big, dark thing advanced to the inner castle, it would be dangerous there too, but by then, everywhere else would have already turned into a living hell.
I waved my hand, and Bermunt pushed them into the crowd. Hana seemed to resist, but she was no match for Bermunt’s strength.
I turned my gaze back to the one-armed eunuch.
“The Eunuch Sword of Humanity, fulfill your duty!”
I shouted, mimicking Baron Pulpuchu.
“…Shut up. That only works on low-class fools.”
My impression must have been poor, because his response was sharp.
Despite his words, his eyes betrayed a flicker of conflict. Then, his expression shifted, returning to that familiar snake-like gaze.
A sinister, irksome gaze that made you feel like he would slither up and bite your ankle if you left him alone.
“You look busy. Should you really be standing around like this?”
The one-armed eunuch taunted nonchalantly.
He was the type to show up and cause trouble someday. I considered it, then shook my head. As he said, I was busy.
“Yeah. I am.”
“I’ll be sure to see you again.”
After spitting out the cliché line that made me relax a little, he waved his remaining hand.
*…Tsk.*
I swallowed the bitter aftertaste and stepped down from the arena.
“This way!! Clear a path and guide the people!! Stay sharp, you bastard!!”
The Daejang and the guards were running around frantically, shouting at the top of their lungs.
Just then, I saw a familiar face. A man who drew the eye with his colorful clothes amidst the monochrome crowd.
It was the dumb gatekeeper I’d seen back in Karzan.
And next to him…
*The Knight Hunter?*
The Knight Hunter was sizing up the backs of the knights' heads with a discerning eye, like someone picking out a ripe watermelon.
A sense of urgency washed over me. Right now, the knights were precious manpower, a vital breakwater. Every single one was needed.
“Gerkin!! Old man!!”
At my shout, Gerkin and the Knight Hunter turned their heads simultaneously.
“No, I am Geureun.”
“Hoo…”
As Gerkin muttered, the craving in the Knight Hunter's eyes vanished, replaced by irritation.
“A knight? No, you’re that man from before.”
The Knight Hunter stared at me for a moment before giving a short reply.
I looked at the Knight Hunter and organized my thoughts.
I had no time to scuffle with him now, nor could I afford to hand over the precious knights. In that case…
*Come to think of it, isn't there one knight who isn't so precious?*
I didn't know if it would work, but if the old man was truly a Knight Hunter, he would surely rank knights by their class. And the highest-ranking knights were undoubtedly from the Imperial Knight Division.
“Old man!! The guy up there on the stage is from the Imperial Knight Division! The Imperial Knight Division!! A very strong and amazing Imperial Knight!! A tender, chewy Imperial Knight!”
I pointed at Kurteun, who was picking up his severed arm and heading down, and shouted at the top of my lungs.
At that, the Knight Hunter’s demeanor changed completely. He flared his nostrils as if he’d caught a delicious scent, and his Adam's apple bobbed as his salivary glands went into overdrive.
Seeing his obvious reaction, I knew my guess was right. I pointed at Kurteun and shouted again, “The Imperial Knight Division!!”
The Knight Hunter began to walk slowly toward Kurteun. His steps were cautious, like a predator careful not to startle its prey with the sound of its footsteps.
“Tender and chewy! Imperial Knight!!!”
I shouted one more time at the back of the Knight Hunter's head.
It felt refreshing to see two of my problems getting tangled up and disappearing in an instant.
“No, it is Geureun.”
A sullen voice spoke up.
“Right, Gerkin. Follow me.”
“No, it is Geureun. And my mother told me not to follow strangers.”
His astounding reply left me speechless for a moment. He truly seemed to have no intention of moving, staring down at me with a sullen look.
“You have a mother?”
“No, she is dead.”
Hmm… I see.
I thought for a moment, then slightly lifted my helmet.
The man’s eyes widened.
“You’re that man from before. A familiar face.”
“Right, now follow them.”
“No, my mother told me not to follow strangers.”
A flash of anger made me consider just letting him die, but I shook my head and grabbed a passing man to introduce him to Gerkin. Only after a proper introduction did Gerkin finally blend into the crowd and follow along.
Just then, a white light erupted from behind me. It was the Abbot and his monks. The faces of the monks following the Abbot were pale, as if they were being dragged onto a battlefield.
The Abbot’s expression, however, was the same as always. Stubborn eyebrows and a mouth constantly muttering prayers. The very picture of a fine abbot.
When the Abbot turned his head, the monks chuckled nervously and recited their prayers.
Then, beside them, a group radiating an even more brilliant light appeared. It was the annoying Inquisitor and her followers.
*She looks like she’s having fun.*
The annoying Inquisitor’s eyebrows were raised in a peculiar way.
With that, things were more or less in order.
What was needed now wasn't a guard Jojang, but ‘Dark Vader,’ who might have once been a sword master.
Unlike when I faced that man earlier, I had no time for prep work, and the target was too big to be simply torn apart with a sword.
—*Slurp…*
*You’ve got to be kidding me.*
The sound from my tenant was so absurd I had to laugh.
Even so, his hunger was being transmitted to me in full.
The target was clear.
The black mass, lurking ominously beyond the wall.
Judging by its presence, it was the final boss.
*One master and five executives left, was it?*
I recalled the information I had read about ‘The Society.’
That giant black mass had to be the one they called the master… and the executives were likely positioned where the blue lights were flickering in the distance.
The regular grunts couldn't handle knight-level opponents.
I organized my thoughts as I looked at the path leading to the boss-like black mass.
The objective was clear, and the path to it was simple.
One boss and five mid-bosses.
And the rest of the small fry.
The knights were handling them admirably, but there were spots where the blue lights were dimming. If left alone, they would eventually be pushed back.
*Ignore the small fry, focus on the bosses.*
The simpler the plan, the better.
That way, it could be flexibly modified.
“As-sem-ble!!”
I raised my sword high and shouted.
There was no response, as if my voice was lost in the pandemonium, so I kept shouting.
“As-sem-ble!!”
I subtly added ‘brilliant leader’ to the mysterious man ‘Dark Vader’s’ backstory.
As I continued to shout, the guards who were organizing the area, the Abbot, and the Inquisitors approached.
“You, why are you…”
The Abbot muttered in a displeased tone.
“…”
The annoying Inquisitor narrowed her eyes and looked up at me. I nodded at her wary gaze, and her eyes widened into circles.
“I! Dark Vader! Was a strategist!”
I bellowed.
“…A strategist?”
Mutterings of disbelief came from all around, but I raised my voice even louder.
The one with the loudest voice always wins.
“The target is that thing!!!”
I pointed at the black mass and roared.
They still looked skeptical, but they all nodded. They must have felt it instinctively.
“Who is the target!!”
I shouted again.
“That thing, sir!!”
A reply came from the guards.
The annoying Inquisitor nodded vigorously. The chick-like inquisitors followed her lead.
Their faces were all flushed, seemingly excited for the battle to come.
“Follow the back of! The strategist! Dark Vader!!”
A slightly larger, awkward cheer followed.
Come to think of it.
It seemed Nova had told me to do as I pleased.
“Follow my back!!”
I kept shouting until they all replied, and eventually, I got a response from everyone.
They, too, had felt the need for a leader, and it seemed they had realized that the mysterious man ‘Dark Vader,’ the tournament champion, was the perfect fit.
Now, it was time to show them a brilliant strategy.
***
Knight Adolf had never once thought of himself as a genius.
After all, in the castle where he grew up, there was a friend who had shown a talent for swordsmanship from a young age, and Adolf had never once beaten him.
He had defeated everyone else except that friend, but because there was a clear wall he couldn't overcome, Adolf never considered himself a genius.
But he wasn't on bad terms with his friend.
He just hated him inwardly.
Then, he and his friend took the Imperial Knight examination together.
His friend failed, and Adolf passed. He used to think only geniuses passed the Imperial Knight exam, but that wasn't the case.
The qualification for a knight was…
“Hey! What are you thinking about!!”
“Ah, my apologies.”
The shout from his side snapped Adolf back to reality. He readjusted his grip on his sword and stared ahead.
“A lovely face you have there.”
A demon stood before him.
A demon whose entire upper body was corroded.
But there were two knights here.
Normally, this would have been over quickly, but…
*Guwoooooooh—.*
*Damn it, my body feels heavy.*
That strange darkness was the problem.
His body was heavy, his vision was blurry, and his hearing was muffled.
It was as if he were drowning in dark, black water.
It got worse the closer he got to the darkness, and up ahead, there was even a knight who had tripped over his own feet.
Just then, the demon moved its hand, and—
Adolf barely managed to dodge, but the nameless knight next to him was hit and sent flying backward.
*This damn oath!*
But he couldn't run away.
Because Adolf was a knight.
*To die for 40 gold…*
Adolf bit his lip and raised his sword high.
What a shitty life. Getting beaten up in front of everyone by some weirdo in the middle of nowhere.
He kicked off the ground with all his might, but it felt as slow as moving through water.
The demon extended a hand stained with patches of red blood.
Adolf sensed his end.
*It’ll probably hurt less than that guy’s fists.*
As he braced for the coming impact with a bitter joke.
*Craaash!*
A loud roar came from his side as something burst through an intact wall.
“Target acquired!!”
It was him.
The strange black armor with a bucket on its head. The bastard who had beaten him to a pulp in front of everyone!
He charged fearlessly toward the demon.
The demon's long hand changed direction to aim for him, but he endured it and closed the distance, and—
He slammed the demon into the ground.
“Assemble!!”
The man, holding down the thrashing demon, shouted an unknown word.
People in armor poured out of the hole he had made and surrounded the pinned demon. They looked like ants swarming a piece of food.
“Strategic Cooperation!!”
The man shouted again.
And then, the people began to beat the demon with their respective weapons.
One had a giant hammer that emitted a bright light, another had an axe, and a woman had a greatsword.
*Stra…tegic Cooperation?*
Adolf was so shocked by the novel concept that he forgot to speak, simply staring at the scene.
A very short time later, when the man stood up, the demon had been reduced to a mere lump of meat.
“Are you alright?”
Just then, a middle-aged man placed a hand on his shoulder and asked.
A bright light flowed from the hand, and the weight pressing down on his body lessened slightly.
He could barely move.
He nodded and got up, and the man approached him.
“Join us!!”
It was an ignorant-sounding voice, but his massive frame and deep tone carried a weight of reliability that matched his ignorance.
Adolf hesitated for a moment, then stood at attention and answered loudly.
“Understood!!”
The man took a small step back, then nodded.
“Don’t get too excited!! You’re loud!”
The man’s subsequent words made Adolf’s face flush with embarrassment.
***
“Wow, our Lepongd is eating well.”
“Who said he’s your Lepongd!”
Grig shouted at Greg’s muttering.
Grig was furious with Greg, who had slowly crept closer and was now personally feeding Lepongd.
“Did you forget that Lepongd got stronger thanks to me?”
“…I never asked you to!”
He shouted again, but Grig averted his gaze. It was true that thanks to Greg, his beloved corpse, Lepongd, had grown stronger.
Grig slowly looked around.
*As expected of The Society.*
They had pulled off something no one else could, and with such flair. They had even brought the ‘Great Darkness’ along.
Right now, Grig was in the midst of a historic moment.
Countless knights, crushed by the Great Darkness, had become fine meals.
Watching the hypocrites charge forward, oblivious to their impending deaths, was incredibly satisfying.
Grig and Greg, who together made up one of the executives, just had to collect the fallen knights and feed them to the Great Darkness.
The ‘Great Darkness,’ a warlock and a vessel for a demon, was the closest thing to a demon itself. It had recently lost its sanity due to feasting, yet it was astonishing to see it distinguish friend from foe and cast a wide-area curse.
*It’s not called the Great Darkness for nothing. If I made a direct contract with a demon…*
“What, are you having weird thoughts again?”
“What!”
Grig yelled at Greg, who was smirking beside him.
“You want to become a mindless moron like that?”
“But it’s strong.”
“My name is Grego!”
“Seriously, I’ve told you how many times that joke isn’t funny…”
*Grrrrrr—.*
“So the unholy ones were hiding here!!”
Just then, a hypocrite came running from the side.
The blue light, the proof of hypocrisy. Normally, he would fear it, but not now.
The curse of the ‘Great Darkness,’ the warlock and demon vessel, was absolute against those of a lower class than itself.
The hypocrite’s movements were sluggish, and he had ‘Lepongd.’
“Kuaaaargh!!”
Lepongd, who had already latched onto the hypocrite’s head, was feasting greedily.
“Lepongd! Don’t eat too much, you’ll get a stomachache! Be careful!”
“Lepongd is too skinny. He needs to eat more.”
“Shut up! Greg! What do you know!”
*Craaaaaash!!*
As they were bickering, the wall next to them suddenly exploded.
And what appeared was…
“Target acquired!!”
The iron chunk that appeared reached for Lepongd. Lepongd resisted, raising all the bones in its body, but the man ignored the piercings and grabbed Lepongd’s head, slamming it into the ground.
*Thud!!*
“Wh… what.”
“Lepongd!! You son of a bitch!!”
Unlike the stunned Greg, Grig’s eyes widened as he began to chant a spell.
The man was overpowering Lepongd with sheer strength, but he didn't seem to be able to wield Aura, so he wasn't doing any real damage. That was natural; Grig’s beloved doll, Lepongd, was made of orc sinew, troll skin, and…
“Assemble!!!”
“Waaaaaaah—!!”
Just then, the man roared, and armed people rushed out of the hole he had made.
“Strategic Cooperation!!!”
They quickly formed a circle around Lepongd.
Then they began to indiscriminately swing the weapons in their hands at the captured Lepongd.
*Thud! Thud! Thud! Thud!*
Mixed in were holy power, which was deadly to them, and the Aura of the hypocrites.
“Strategic Cooperation!! Is the best!!!”
A particularly excited-looking hypocrite swung his Aura in a long arc for the final blow.
Under the cowardly and indiscriminate assault, Lepongd was instantly reduced to rags.
“You cowards!! What strategic cooperation! This is just a mindless…”
As Grig shouted in disbelief, his world turned upside down.
*Tumble, tumble—.*
The last thing Grig saw was a beautiful woman with a black bob cut, who looked very excited, nodding her head.
“This! Is Strategic! Cooperation!!”
“Strategic Cooperation!! Strategist Deokgu!!”
The Abbot, who had followed them in, quietly recited a prayer as he saw even his monks shouting.
“…Strategic cooperation.”
Inquisitor Joanna, standing next to him, muttered in an excited voice.
It was the first time Abbot Brighton had ever heard Inquisitor Joanna’s voice.
*Guwoooooooh—!!!*
Just then, a particularly long and resounding silent roar was heard, and Abbot Brighton tensed his body to keep from trembling.
*No matter how dark it is, the sun will shine.*
“Kuh—!!!”
Watching Aron let out a great roar, Abbot Brighton muttered softly.