Executioners (4)
April's Injection Explosion activated.
Injection Explosion
Of course, since flames weren't infused into the bastard's body right now, no explosion occurred. The bleeding wound simply tore open wider.
Wound Aggravation property. If I could land that on him, it'd hit hard.
Wound Aggravation.
The upgraded version of the Bleeding property. While Bleeding dealt fixed damage over time, Wound Aggravation scaled with the opponent's remaining health.
Meaning the more HP the bastard has, the bigger the chunk it takes.
One of the cheat properties: Wound Aggravation. The guy's wound, which had only been bleeding before, now gaped open dramatically.
"H-how did you...?"
He clutched his side and staggered. Blood was pouring out like a faucet.
This was a solid hit. Probably caught him completely off guard.
"Guh...!"
But taking him down with this? Fat chance. I was just showing off my skills.
The Executioners were watching every move right now, after all.
"You dare..."
Thwack!
Boom!
"Kragh!"
His rage-fueled kick slammed into me. I crashed into a tree and crumpled.
Ah, feeling this again. I'm really gonna die.
Level 90 was no joke—even a kick like that packed this much punch.
Thud. Thud.
Meanwhile, the executioner approached, clutching his side. He meant business now, ready to finish it.
"Hey. You gonna stop or what?"
That's when a familiar voice rang out from above me.
Not slurred with booze today, huh. She must've followed right after I left.
"Huh? Isn't that the request office owner?"
"...Angela. So that's it. Damian accounted for Angela!"
Angela.
The reason I'd openly announced taking an individual request. To summon her.
"...Angela?"
"You Aria, by any chance?"
This was her real strength. She was a former Executioner.
Not just any—once tipped as the next chief.
Whoosh. Thud!
Angela landed in front of me, shielding me from the Executioner.
"You're Aria, right? How about pausing for a sec?"
The executioner sheathed his dagger. Then he removed his mask.
Pale skin, long blonde hair cascading down.
"...Angela."
The one called Aria glared at Angela.
"She's my request handler, y'know? So put the sword away."
"......"
Aria's eyes turned icy.
"Still interfering with duty, I see."
Huh, so Aria held this much grudge. The vibe was even more murderous than I'd imagined.
There was a misunderstanding between them, but it wasn't the kind that cleared up easily.
Still, it had to be resolved. That's why I'd dragged Angela into this—to accelerate it.
"Senior. Or rather, not even senior anymore. You quit the Executioners. Step aside, Ms. Angela. The execution must proceed."
"...Ms. Angela?"
Whoosh!
Angela's mana surged explosively. Aria matched it, powering up in response.
"Grown some balls while I was away, huh?"
"Same to you, Ms. Angela. That irresponsible streak..."
"The fuck you sayin', bitch."
Swoosh!
Angela lunged in an instant. Aria's face flashed surprise at the speed, but she raised her dagger to block.
Clang clang clang clang clang!
The daggers clashed and sparked. They followed up immediately.
Over ten exchanges in a blink.
Assassin vs. assassin. Pure speed battle.
"You're fully obstructing an execution now. Request office owner, Ms. Angela."
"Guess you can't see straight anymore."
"Been dying to knock that smug nose down!"
Swoosh swoosh swoosh!
Thrust, slash, slash again. Neither yielded an inch in their furious exchange.
Yeah, that's what a real Executioner looked like. Aria had been underestimating me, no doubt.
That's how I'd held out this long...
"...Ngh."
But as time passed, Aria started losing ground. Angela's raw power played a part, but mostly it was the Wound Aggravation I'd inflicted.
Like a body block effect? The longer it dragged, the worse it'd get for her.
Facing Angela on top of that? No wonder.
Sizzle!
That's when Aria, mid-clash with Angela, suddenly leaped back.
She hesitated, lost in thought.
Got the message, huh.
Probably an order from Executioner HQ. Exactly what I'd been waiting for.
"......"
Aria's lips curled into a smirk.
"Executioner HQ summons you. The request office owner who obstructed an execution, An-gel-a, too."
Perfect. Now I could enter Avalon.
* * *
Soon, a luxury sedan pulled into the village. Limousine-length, like something modern.
Silver plate armor with intricate engravings. Looked premium and tough.
"So how'd you fuck up that bitch?"
Alone now, Angela grilled me.
"No way you could've handled her with your current power... That's Wound Aggravation, ain't it? How the hell'd you pull that off?"
"Kinda happened."
"Kinda? The fuck you mean 'kinda'?"
No point explaining—she wouldn't get it. And I didn't need to spell it out.
Just knowing I'd grown this much was enough for her.
"Still, what if you actually summoned a real Executioner? Told you you'd die."
"You showed up, so it's fine. Was heading to Avalon anyway."
"What? You pulled this stunt on purpose to get there? You crazy fuck..."
Yeah, deserved the curses. I'd have died without her.
But I knew she'd come.
Angela can't abandon me.
I was essential to her now. For revenge on the Orion chairman who forced her out.
"You're no ordinary punk, that's for sure. Curious how far your power goes. And how valuable you are to that bastard."
Angela murmured, staring out the window.
Screech.
After a while, our ride halted in Avalon territory.
Eastern district. Everything here belonged to Avalon.
That's the forge.
Forge, alchemy lab, creature stables, mech garage. Countless facilities, all for Avalon's sole purpose.
We headed for HQ.
Crossed a massive bridge—even by car, five minutes—then faced four towering spires.
Grand clock gate. Crystal construction. Not just huge; unscratched through history.
Rumble rumble.
As we approached, the 20-meter clock split open.
Inside sprawled like a city.
The car drove deep, stopping at the second tower.
"Get out."
Aria, out first, yanked the door irritably. We followed.
Endless stairs ahead. Climbing that'd take forever. Everything oversized.
Tap tap tap.
Four figures rushed down. Executioners, by the look.
"You've arrived!"
"Yeah, take these two."
Aria pointed us out. But their faces stiffened.
"A-Angela, ma'am?"
"How's Angela ma'am here..."
Aria snapped at her subordinates recognizing the old boss.
"Hey, you idiots lost it? She's retired—call her Ms. Angela."
"B-but..."
Aria glared at the hesitant underlings. They hooked arms with us reluctantly.
"Easy now. I ain't running."
"Y-yes, ma'am!"
Escorted like criminals, but Angela was chill. Her handlers? Sweating bullets.
Level 90+ Executioners, tense as hell.
They knew her rep, but seeing this hammered it home.
"Behave properly. You're here as an execution obstructer. Know what happens for that?"
Aria stuck to Angela, yapping nonstop. Bad blood piled high.
"Wonder if you'll act this cocky in front of Igor?"
"Talk much? Jaw hurt?"
"Sorry. Just excited. Igor's pet peeve is rule-breakers... A retiree pulling this? He'll be pissed."
Pat pat.
Aria tapped Angela's shoulder.
"Might get poisoned ugly—sure in front of this guy?"
"......"
"Eh, not my problem."
Ignoring Aria's barbs, we reached a broad stone platform. Magic elevator shot us to the top.
One door there: Igor, Executioner chief's office.
Shrr.
Portal-door slid open. Igor lounged on a red sofa.
"Brought the rule-breaker and execution obstructer."
Aria reported crisply.
Level 90s bowed low to their chief, Igor. Over level 100, top dog in the world.
"Mm."
Black hair with white streak. Crisp purple suit. Poison mage Igor the Poisoner.
"Come sit."
"Yes, sir!"
Aria strode confidently to Igor's opposite side.
Igor stared blankly.
"What?"
"Uh, sit, you said..."
"Aria, my handsome mug got you crushing? I meant Angela."
"What..."
"You always smile at me—thought so."
Endless puns, unfit for his station. Igor's true colors—or facade.
"A-Angela's a criminal! Igor, sir! Why's a criminal..."
"......"
Igor eyed Aria silently.
"What're you on about? Didn't order criminals."
"Then..."
"Missed an old colleague."
"Sir?"
Aria gawked. Her face beet red.
"Angela. Coming or what."
"Right."
Angela sat. Smirked at Aria.
Twice killed the poor girl.
We sat; Aria stood awkwardly.
"Been well?"
"Yes. Request office is fun enough."
Fun my ass. She boozed; Jena did the work.
"Hahaha. You, running a request office? Still can't believe it. Reminds me... What the hydrogen said stepping on the cow..."
"...What's that?"
"'Cow, sorry.' Never forget the debt you owe me."
"......"
Chill swept the room. Bone-freezing.
"Not funny?"
"Still with the lame puns."
"Never laugh at mine."
"Holding back curses—stop."
"Hahaha! Alright, alright."
No criminal vibe. Pure old pals.
"I-Igor, sir? Even if Angela ma'am, this guy's an execution violator! How..."
Aria couldn't hold back.
"I-Igor sir values rules! He broke them!"
"Mm, so? Gotta explain my rules one by one?"
"I mean, as Executioners..."
Whoosh!
Mana flooded. Overwhelming, unseen force.
Green mist rose from Igor; Aria trembled.
"...Looks like we need more talk."
"Th-that!"
"Out."
"Y-yes!"
Aria bolted like an alarm.
Terrified. As trained.
"Tea?"
"Sure. He likes Americano."
"Americano... Got it."
Treating like family.
Plan worked so far. Using Angela to reach here.
Now snag the trade chance.
"Anyway, you. Used some weird power against Aria. Swords, magic, summons—even dark magic."
Igor spoke like he'd watched.
"One reason I'm helping. Impressive, right?"
"Not just that?"
"...Knew? Yeah. Tied to Orion."
"Angela. Still hung up on that?"
Igor brought up Orion—the chairman, precisely.
Why Angela quit. Why Igor led now. All linked.
Slurp.
Igor sipped his tea.
"Angela, still grateful for that day. You saved me from him—got me here."
Seven years back. Pre-Orion.
Chairman battled Executioners fiercely. Angela lost her squad; Igor gravely wounded.
Angela dragged him out.
"Can't forget my dying squad's faces. You know, yet let Orion slide?"
"Angela. Things changed. You know. Executioners—Avalon—don't meddle in corps. Balance holds, we ignore. Rule."
"...Yeah."
Igor eyed her silently.
"Know why you quit too. Squad aside, like that 'maybe-is, maybe-isn't island'... Probably to escape Executioner rules."
This guy's serious? 'Maybe island'? Sneaky dad joke.
Almost glossed over. Chill stabbed bones again.
"Won't stop you. Not my place. This incident? Let it slide."
"...Thanks."
Igor turned to me. Lips twitching—bullshit incoming.
I wrapped my coat preemptively.
"You, impressive. Join Executioners? Angela's ally saved you, but nearly became 'world's hottest sea'."
World's hottest sea? Ignore, but brain hunts answer.
"Almost boiled over! Hahaha! We hate rule-breakers."
"......"
"You too, 'stone-faced personality.' Stoic."
Ah, stop. Please...
Why make this character? Devs' intent?
"That one's rough? Tough guy. Ahem, anyway... Train here?"
'Anyway' a pun too? Nah.
Every word grates now.
Sudden recruit?
...Didn't see this coming. Not guild—Executioners scouting.
"You know, we grab the strongest. Never seen your power."
Tempting. Executioners: strongest if pure power. Could solo low corps.
...But no ending then.
Can't join. Derails story completely.
"Thanks, but I'm still too green."
Another reason: Joining blocks helping Angela. And my plans using her.
"Mm, really?"
Igor puzzled. Most'd jump at it.
Knock knock.
Man entered. Thick file. Grim face.
"Read this."
Handed to Igor. His face soured reading.
Monster rampage.
Glanced the page. Sudden monster frenzies everywhere now.
Cause: 'Oni'.
This is it.
I knew this event. How it started, how to end.
"Mind if I make a proposal?"
Time to bait Igor.