Chapter 241: The Bust and the Scapegoat (6)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 241: The Bust and the Scapegoat (6)
Fwoosh…
As Tess returned to the Fire Realm, Jin regained consciousness. He was so overcome by a staggering sense of exhaustion that he could barely keep himself upright.
“You awake, kid?”
“…What a mess. Did Tess do this?”
Jin reactivated the Rune of Mul-ta and scanned his surroundings.
In the few minutes he had been unconscious, the mysterious elephant-like golem, along with hundreds of humans, beastmen, and bio-golems, had all been reduced to ash. Even though Tess was gone, blue flames still flickered here and there, refusing to die out and radiating intense heat.
The three 9-star mages looked utterly devastated, their will to fight completely extinguished.
“Well, you could say you did it. That being was essentially borrowing your power. It’s just that he used it far more explosively, drawing on his divine insight and experience… No, that’s not what’s important right now. Look over there.”
Jin looked up at the outer castle wall.
A human figure was standing there, slowly descending toward the ground.
“What is that now?”
As Jin tilted his head in confusion, the 9-star mages followed his gaze.
The moment they saw the blurry figure, they hurriedly bowed their heads, their expressions filled with relief as if they had been granted a second life.
“Greetings, Leader!”
“Greetings, Leader!”
The mages shouted in unison, dropping to one knee.
Jin and Murakan couldn't help but be startled.
That… is the Leader of Kinzelo?
Jin had suddenly come face-to-face with a mysterious titan. He hadn't spent much time imagining the man's appearance, but this wasn't what he'd expected from the head of a terrorist organization like Kinzelo.
It was because he was glowing.
As if a god had descended to earth, a brilliant radiance flowed from the Kinzelo Leader’s blurry form.
“Why is he so blurry yet so bright? It’s like looking at a giant firefly.”
As Murakan offered his unimpressed commentary, Jin shrugged.
“It does feel that way.”
Despite their words, both were on high alert. If he led a faction that even Zipple avoided a full-scale war with, he undoubtedly possessed strength to match.
“I didn't feel him approaching at all. Hmm, he’s definitely dangerous… but for some reason, he doesn't seem physical. He has no weight, like a soul or a ghost.”
The Leader landed right in the center of the standoff and remained motionless for a while. Without sparing a single glance at the mages, he turned his head toward Jin.
The distance between them was roughly thirty paces. For an expert, it was a distance that could be closed in the blink of an eye.
Whoosh—.
Murakan stepped in front of Jin, unleashing his spirit energy so he could counterattack the moment the Leader struck.
[To meet the celebrity that Zipple and Viment are searching for with such fervor… It is a pleasure, Barmul.]
His voice was deep and resonant.
[And Murakan, it has been a long time. I heard news of your awakening some time ago… Ah, seeing you protect him, it seems Barmul is a member of the Runcandel family? No wonder such an outstanding figure emerged so suddenly.]
“Who are you? Do you know me?”
[I know you well. After all, I am your savior.]
“Pfft, haha! This is a new one. Savior? What the hell are you? Did you come from a comedy troupe? I’ve heard some nonsense in my time, but this takes the cake.”
[When Temar tried to kill you while you were berserk, I was the one who stopped him, Murakan. Do you truly not remember me?]
Temar Runcandel.
The moment that name was mentioned, Murakan’s eyes filled with bloodlust.
His spirit energy flared as if he were about to pounce, but he reined it in and let out a short, mocking laugh.
“You bastard, how dare you use that name so lightly. You look like some ancient fiend, but there’s no way Temar would have associated with the likes of you. And berserk? I guess you’ve picked up a few rumors here and there. The one who went berserk that day was…”
[Are you trying to say it was Temar, not you?]
The Leader smiled calmly. To be precise, the mouth on his blurry face simply curved into a crescent.
[Setting aside the fact that you don't recognize me, to think you remember that battle as Temar’s fault… I can’t even imagine how wronged our late friend would feel if he knew.]
“…Mention Temar’s name one more time. I’ll kill you right now and send the rest of your Kinzelo trash straight to hell.”
The only reason Murakan didn't charge immediately was because of Jin. If Jin had been in peak condition, Murakan wouldn't have hesitated for a second.
[That would be impossible even for you in your prime. More importantly, I am dying of curiosity. Has your memory truly become so damaged? Do you really believe that Temar, not you, was the one who went berserk?]
“You’re begging for death.”
[Or did you reconstruct your memories to favor yourself?]
“Shut up…!”
[Judging by your reaction, it seems to be the latter.]
Just as Murakan was about to transform into his true form—
“Murakan.”
Jin grabbed his shoulder.
Listening to the conversation, Jin had become certain that the Leader was someone who knew Murakan very well.
He completely understands Murakan’s greatest vulnerability.
Murakan’s breathing was ragged with rage. A frantic tremor ran through his body, and Jin could feel it through the hand on his shoulder. He judged that Murakan had been instantly swept up in the Leader's pace.
“It’s just a provocation. Don't fall for it.”
“That son of a bitch dares… Did you hear what he’s saying…?”
As Murakan spoke, his focus was hazy, like someone possessed.
“Calm down. He’s the Leader of Kinzelo. If we fight him unprepared, there’s a high chance we’ll be the ones to break. Especially in a state like this.”
While Murakan was hardly the picture of rationality on a normal day, Jin had never seen him crumble like this over a few words.
[I understand. Everyone has at least one truth they don't want to admit. Even if you’ve reconstructed your memories, the sorrow of losing your friend Temar must be real. In a way, I feel for you.]
“Graaaah!”
“Murakan!”
Whack!
Jin struck the back of Murakan’s head with all his might. Though his strength was mostly depleted, the blow still landed with the force of an ordinary person swinging a hammer.
Murakan flinched and looked back at Jin.
“Kid? Why’d you hit me? Are you crazy?”
“I’m telling you to snap out of it.”
“What? Why so suddenly… Ah!”
Murakan shook his head.
“Damn it. That snake-tongued bastard got to me. I made a pathetic display.”
The Kinzelo Leader hadn't used hypnosis or mental magic. However, sowing confusion in Murakan’s unstable memories was far more effective.
[Oho. If only it had been this easy to stop your rampage back then.]
Before Murakan could flare up again, Jin spoke first.
“Hey, your blathering since the moment you arrived isn't exactly a pleasant sight. Murakan and I killed all your subordinates. If you’re the leader of Kinzelo, shouldn't you be holding us accountable for that first? Stop reminiscing about Temar and think about your men who were just turned to ash.”
[So this is the blood of a sovereign. Yes, you are right. I acted too flippantly out of the joy of meeting an old friend.]
“If you’ve realized that, why don't you attack right now and avenge your subordinates? Stop wagging your tongue.”
Kid, didn't you just tell me we shouldn't fight recklessly?
Murakan shot Jin a look that said just that. Of course, Jin ignored him, spat on the ground, and stared at the Leader. He even made a provocative gesture, beckoning with his finger.
“What are you waiting for? If you’re great enough to stop Temar, the first patriarch of Runcandel, then you must be incredibly powerful. If that wasn't a lie, you should be able to brush us aside with a single stroke, right?”
[You are an interesting fellow.]
“The only ‘interesting’ one here is you, standing there and doing nothing. I’m starting to think Murakan was right about you being from a comedy troupe. Have you even met Temar? I’ve seen him once. He wasn't the type of person someone like you could ‘stop’ or whatever. You acted all high and mighty, but now that it’s time to fight, are you getting cold feet?”
This childish provocation from Jin was a gamble.
Absolute powerhouses don't talk much. If they want a conversation, they have it after they've suppressed their opponent.
Every transcendent expert Jin had ever met was like that—Cyron, Talaris, Luna, Oul, Misha. To them, conversation was something that took place only after the opponent was half-dead or completely overwhelmed.
On the other hand, provocations are used when one lacks that kind of power or needs to resort to trickery.
In that sense, the Kinzelo Leader’s approach was by no means that of an absolute powerhouse. The Leader was acting as if he would only fight if Murakan attacked first—like a man who had prepared a trap.
“Now, seeing as you judged Murakan’s memories as you pleased, I guess it's my turn for a cheap psychological consultation. This time, I'll guess what's going on in your head. You came here wanting to save those three, and you set some kind of trap. But right now, you’re feeling a bit anxious. Because it doesn't look like we’re going to fall for it.”
A soft chuckle escaped the Leader's blurry form.
“What are you laughing at, you vermin? Am I wrong? Did you think you could just have your way? Answer me.”
Even after all this, the Leader did not attack. He simply stood there, staring at Jin. Naturally, Jin felt the initiative gradually shifting to him.
Because the face was blurry, he couldn't read the Leader’s expression. He could have looked humiliated, or he could have looked amused.
[You’ve got me there. It is as you say, Jin Runcandel. You’ve hit almost everything right on the mark. You see, I am currently in a state where I cannot properly face you two. As you can see, this body lacks even bone.]
“Then wait a few more minutes. Once I’ve figured out what trap you’ve prepared, I’ll destroy it myself.”
[Didn't I just say 'almost'?]
Clang!
Suddenly, shards of metal gathered at high speed right in front of the Leader. The pieces, appearing from nowhere, quickly formed a single sword.
He didn't use aura; he formed a real sword…?
Slash!
The Leader pointed his sword not at them, but at the mages.
“L-Leader… Gack!”
Shlick!
The Leader closed the distance in an instant, and Susan Lilista’s head tumbled to the ground. It stared up at the Leader with eyes full of resentment, her final words cut short.
Next, he stabbed and twisted the blade into Chukon’s chest. Even for a master of defense, it was impossible to block a blade in this situation—especially one wielded by his own lord.
[My apologies. I cannot save you all.]
As Chukon collapsed forward, metal pieces sprang out from somewhere, just as the sword had, and instantly formed a ‘door.’
Beyond the open door was a pitch-black space. The Leader intended to escape through it with Cold Jo.
To the Leader, Jo was someone he could not yet afford to lose. Jo knew this, which was why he'd believed the Leader would save him as long as he managed to survive.
[I look forward to our next meeting being a bit more pleasant for both of us.]
As the Leader stepped inside, the door closed, and the metal pieces that formed it vanished like smoke.