Chapter 139
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 139
Chapter Title: The 31st Horse Overturns the Game Board
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The words spilling from the woman's mouth were the name of Kang Seol's ultimate technique.
Th-that thing!
Shouting the name of your ultimate move in public!
That's embarrassing!
She's worse than those thugs lololol
Let's pull her teeth! Eeee!
If it hurts, just pull it out.
The flustered woman hurriedly covered her mouth.
"Ah... sorry."
Kang Seol sat down following Carmeli, lost in thought.
'A tracker, huh? Seems legit.'
Trackers came in all sorts, divided by the weapons they wielded, their tracking methods, and more—endless variations meant countless ways to train them.
One of those abilities must have picked up on his skills.
'Beast sense or danger detection, something like that.'
When a tracker with such a skill made contact, their interface would highlight the opponent's most threatening ability.
'First time seeing my ultimate? Or...'
Even now, the woman's gaze lingered on Kang Seol. He didn't bother avoiding it, deep in his own musings.
"Um..."
Carmeli awkwardly interjected.
"This is Philia from the pursuit team handling this job... and this is Snowman from the suppression team."
"Nice to meet you."
"Nice to meet you too."
"......"
"......"
Carmeli wasn't much of a talker herself, but letting the silence drag on would waste time, so she spoke up first.
"Sorry for being late, Philia. There was an incident on the way..."
"The square."
"...Pardon?"
"You mean the thing at the square?"
"Ah, yes. How did you know?"
Tap tap.
Philia pointed at the window with her finger.
"Ah!"
Looking out the window, the square came into view.
"You saw the whole thing?"
"Yeah, I was bored waiting. ...Though I dozed off for a bit."
She glanced back at Kang Seol.
"It was... entertaining enough."
Funny to you?
From afar, it probably looked hilarious lol
For real lol
"Still, drawing too much attention isn't great..."
"Sorry, it was because of me that you had to step in..."
Kang Seol would've stepped up anyway, even without Carmeli, but pretending otherwise suited the situation, so he stayed quiet.
Carmeli looked between them and said,
"I already briefed Philia once, but since Snowman is new, let me explain again."
"Sure."
"You two have gathered here to suppress or repel the Black Knight. We'll proceed assuming pilgrims will assist."
He knew the gist already.
But Kang Seol listened carefully anyway, not wanting to miss any details that could lead to mistakes.
'Do the pilgrims really not know the Black Knight's identity?'
They were in this together now, yet all the info on the Black Knight was just that he wore black armor and cut through crowds.
'Or maybe they're tangled in something shady.'
As Kang Seol pondered, Carmeli wrapped up.
"So, the pursuit and suppression teams will operate separately. And actually, Philia's been helping us for quite a while now."
"Quite a while?"
Philia answered.
"About two months. My last adventure was tracking the Black Knight too."
"Hm... any progress?"
"Carmeli, is it okay to share?"
"Yes, he's already on board."
Philia slightly pulled back her robe's hood.
Compared to her greatbow, she looked rather slender.
'Must have strength-boosting skills.'
Greatbows relied heavily on strength. For a tracker prioritizing agility, they were a burden despite the power.
Using one anyway meant either stats didn't matter or she had the chops for it.
Anyway, Philia began her explanation.
"From our tracking so far, the Black Knight's massacres have mostly hit remote villages. Hardly villages, really—just tiny hamlets with fewer than five households. I've been following the traces he leaves behind."
"Any distinctive marks in the traces?"
"No common traits among victims. He's like a killing machine, sweeping away anything in his path. Natural disaster level."
Carmeli nodded beside her.
Philia continued.
"The trail vanished near Ilia about a month ago. If he just vanished, great—but if not..."
"He could enter Ilia."
"Exactly. Letting the Black Knight into the city would be a nightmare."
Citizens massacred, regular soldiers caught in the crossfire.
"If he senses us and retreats, tracking gets tough. If he enters Ilia, suppression's harder."
"No record of him entering cities yet, but we stay cautious. How the lord responds in the worst case matters too..."
Kang Seol and Philia used nicknames—no real names. Philia seemed more comfortable that way, so he followed suit.
Little chit-chat, so the meeting ended quickly.
They exchanged contacts and brief future plans before parting.
[‘Oitopaki’ Post]
Posted: Just now
Title: GG, Penitent showed up lol
Triplet thugs wrecked lol
Was watching in the square and nearly pissed myself laughing
Water park opening lol
Triplets? Triplets brothers?
Triplets?
Your loose lips are hilarious lol. You cowards who avoided Jang Kyung-su's eyes are suddenly posting here? Kinda pathetic^^
Se-hyun-ah, haven't left Ilia yet? Last cart's leaving soon, hurry up. Bro's busy, can't go far~
For real lol wanna get dragged? Should've just killed the penitent today fr.
lol Jang Kyung-su's crew dipped quick earlier.
These idiots only listen when you snap.
[‘PleaseBeAnonymous’ Post]
Posted: Just now
Title: Good riddance. Time to sprinkle salt.
Those vicious bastards... ugh.
But karma lol, messing with Penitent's friend? Legendary.
Those punks' rep's spread everywhere; they'll get cut down before settling anywhere lol
No place as lax as Ilia anymore. Jang's crew probably regretting it hard lol
No sympathy at all; they're no better than thugs
Sympathy? F*** I saw Jang beat someone to death in a bar, real talk. Still haunts my nights
Jang's bad, but Yoo Tae-rim and Kim Se-hyun rode his coattails too hard. Basically bully girlfriend and frontman.
Making me rage outta nowhere; gotta relive today's scene hard.
[‘HonoraryCitizen’ Post]
Posted: Just now
Title: But did Penitent really step in for a friend?
I heard they were like bros?
Nah, high school classmates apparently
No, girlfriend lol
Both dudes, where's the gf bs coming from lololol
Triplets? Stop!
Triplets enough already!
Having Penitent connections is OP. Cause trouble? "You know Penitent?" Done.
Just like high school: "You know so-and-so's bro?"
For real lol not the wild west
Penitent at least keeps lowkey, love that. Hero'd in, yanked teeth, ghosted.
Tooth fairy? lol
Tooth fairy lololol
The community's forums buzzed for a good while over the daytime fiasco.
Kang Seol finished with Philia and went to see Jo Kyung-taek.
Jo wasn't fully recovered, so he couldn't stay long, but got the essentials.
- Was heading to Team Brian, but a noble there needed an item. Came to Ilia for it. Trade merchant crossing the border was passing through...
But Kim Se-hyun's crew spotted it and tried to snatch it.
Jo figured the client was a notable Team Brian noble, hence the rumors.
- Bro, sorry... I'll repay this favor!
Kang Seol could only give a wry smile as Jo bowed unsteadily.
If he hadn't passed the square then, Jo's humiliation would've been unspeakable.
Anyway, Kang Seol headed back and was now at the lodge with the black pilgrims.
The lodge had a main building and annex; he stayed alone in the annex.
"Haa, feels alive being out after so long."
Karen had been pacing the annex garden well before returning. Lately, she mostly stayed in the shadow space.
Thanks to the Ancestor's Blood, the summons were bound even tighter in lord-vassal ties, potent suppression via bloodline.
Phew... Karen almost Pikachu'd
Karen's no mouse, she's huge lol
Karen wasn't the only one out in the annex.
Jamad and Karuna strolled the garden too.
"Bigger inside, sure, but outside's comfier. Wouldn't mind staying out if not for eyes. That useless red fairy's tantrum makes sense now."
"Who're you calling useless!"
"Overheard, huh."
"Sticking to the master lately, you've gotten..."
Jamad and Karen bickered loudly.
Kang Seol looked away to Karuna.
Karuna stared at the moon.
"...Karuna?"
"Mm..."
"Karuna? What's wrong?"
Karuna clutched his chest, grimacing.
"Chest pain..."
It faded soon; his face relaxed as he told Kang Seol,
"Since arriving in Ilia, my chest feels tight, zoned out all day, Master. What's going on?"
Kang Seol had no clue, so Karuna got no answer.
"Karuna, you okay?"
Karen approached.
"Ah, yeah. Fine now."
"See? Locking us in shadows all day causes issues."
"I'm fine."
"Troll shut it! Fairies have our own thing!"
"Fairies are troublesome."
"Ugh... can't take it! Size means everything?"
Karuna smiled at Karen and Jamad.
Meeting Kang Seol's eyes, he said,
"Don't worry. It'll pass soon."
Two days later, nearby town of Emild.
Not right next door to Ilia, but not far either.
"We really leaving?"
"Penitent said so!"
"Both shut up. You screw up then act all proud?"
"But fleeing like this is lame, right?"
In an Emild tavern.
Jang Kyung-su's crew, fleeing Ilia, nursed grudges here.
Kim Se-hyun especially couldn't hold rage, smashing an orc mug on the floor.
Crack!
"Wh-what..."
"What's her deal..."
Kim Se-hyun yelled at startled patrons.
"What're you staring at? Wanna die?"
"......"
"Ahem..."
She'd trembled before Kang Seol, but unleashed on mild patrons.
Actually, she still shook—left hand rattling the table.
"Aftereffects my ass... Live like this forever? Hey, Jang Kyung-su. Your friend's like this and you..."
Jang's eyes iced over at her. Even drunk, she knew that look—Jang mad.
"So you want me like that too?"
"That's..."
"Dumbass drags everyone down then yaps like it's fine? Answer me."
"......"
"Joking? Answer. Say it to those shaking cuz of you too."
Yoo Tae-rim stopped Jang.
"Kyung-su, ease up. Se-hyun's frustrated..."
"I'm most frustrated, you punk. Quiet life, no issues. Why stir shit?"
"F***..."
"F***? Keep talking?"
"...Gonna smoke outside."
Kim Se-hyun grabbed smokes and bolted as vibes soured.
Jang chugged booze in frustration.
"When's that punk growing up..."
"Kyung-su, Se-hyun's heart's..."
"Heart my ass... We all know we're scum. Why fake now?"
"...Done talking?"
"Wouldn't be if you didn't egg her on."
"Why bring that up!"
"You lot acting like..."
Then.
Crunch!
The tavern door shattered under a kick.
Jang and Yoo flinched, eyes on entrance.
Maybe Kim pulling stunt for attention.
"Hah... huff..."
Drip...
Drip...
A knight stood amid shards. Blood dripped from his sword.
The black-armored knight held Kim Se-hyun's severed head, bowed low.
"KyaAAAAAAAAH!"
"R-run..."
A guttural rasp from the Black Knight.
"...Here."
Shing!
Slash!
Three or four bisected in a blink.
"Back door! Back door escape!"
Panic at Jang's shout.
Whoooosh...
Black Knight channeled eerie energy into sword, swung horizontal.
BOOM!
Tavern exploded.
"Getting... closer..."
Whoosh...
The Black Knight's form blurred and vanished after the slaughter.