Chapter 50
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 50
Chapter Title: The Lion Dies
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Before the Night of the Wolf began, Kang Seol was gathering information on Chao.
But there was no real news. She clearly hadn't returned to Nobira. The glass windows of the mansion housing her lab were still shattered, with no signs she'd been there.
'No witnesses... If there's nothing by tomorrow, I'll have to rely on whatever info she left in the lab.'
Not every effort yields results.
Doesn't he ever get tired? Wild.
Real workaholic.
Never rests, never rests.
They've always said the Supreme Emperor works harder than any newbie.
For real lol.
Before heading back to the annex, Kang Seol stopped into a tavern on the street.
A bit of a buzz was perfect for shaking off fatigue, but there was also something nagging at him.
'Why's someone tailing me?'
Someone was following him.
He'd suspected it when leaving the annex, but by the time they reached Chao's mansion, he was certain.
'...Who is it.'
Kibo? Or someone from Heca's crew?
Maybe connected to Chao?
Kang Seol had entered the tavern to gauge their reaction.
"Hahaha! Clear your schedule for sure!"
"You're really taking me again?"
"I've never been fooled. I liked your work, so come back next time too."
"Thank you! Thank you!"
Murmurs filled the air.
The two-story tavern buzzed with chatter.
A server approached Kang Seol.
"What can I get for you?"
"Grilled eggplant, and..."
"M-My god..."
The server startled mid-order, backed away awkwardly, and vanished into the kitchen.
In the absurd moment, Kang Seol glanced back. The lively noise had fallen silent.
Someone had entered through the tavern door.
A monstrous man even bigger than Kibo.
His hair was unkempt, hanging to his shoulders, and he reeked of something foul.
'...Blood.'
Amid the stench, the thick scent of blood stood out.
How many lives did it take for blood to cling to a person like that?
"H-Heca..."
"Heca? Oh, damn..."
"Out, get out!"
"Where? He's blocking the door..."
"Back door! Go out the back!"
"This is gonna end badly."
The crowd fled in a panic.
Heca ignored them, eyes fixed ahead without a glance aside.
And the spot he stared at? The very seat Kang Seol had just taken.
Thud... Thud...
Heca lumbered toward Kang Seol.
Presences gathered outside. Heca's gang was likely surrounding the building.
'Scouting, or a clash.'
Kang Seol pegged his tail as one of Heca's men. No way this was coincidence otherwise.
And despite it being their first meeting, Heca strode over like he knew exactly who Kang Seol was.
'Things just got messy.'
Kang Seol figured his identity was out, or the deal with Kibo had leaked.
'Too early to say for sure, though.'
He'd hear Heca out first.
Thud.
Heca loomed across from Kang Seol's table.
Any normal person would've bolted in terror, but Kang Seol just rested his elbows on the table and met his gaze.
"I'm Heca. They say you're strong?"
"Who told you that?"
"Who else? Me."
Me?
It's me.
It was me all along.
Kang Seol paused at Heca's blunt, rude question before replying.
"Not weak."
Heca had been rude, so Kang Seol dropped the pleasantries too.
"Pff... Liar. I smell fear. Pissed yourself?"
"What's your business?"
Thud.
Heca dropped into the chair opposite, their seated heights still miles apart.
"Punk like you... Where'd you snag that treasure?"
"Treasure?"
"Don't play dumb. You handed it to the Wolf?"
"Who said that?"
Kang Seol played it cool.
Not bluffing—he wanted to probe the leak. Heca's straightforward style might spill it all.
"Hmph, messing around? Hey! Bring her in!"
Heca bellowed outside.
He seemed relaxed even with Kang Seol right there.
"Uh... She can't really talk right now."
"Bring her anyway. One look at his face, she'll spill."
"G-Got it."
Someone with arms crudely bound staggered in, supported by goons.
"Mmph..."
"Stay still! Unless you wanna die."
Her face was swollen like a fish, bruised black and blue.
One word, and blood would gush.
Kang Seol recognized her.
"Rita."
"Mmph..."
"Keh... You two know each other?"
"Some business."
"Me too, some business. Hey, sit her down."
They propped Rita next to Heca, across from Kang Seol, limp as a corpse.
Holy crap, Order guy's pissed.
For real, face went blank;;
Order guy coming out after ages?
Info: Only the guy in front doesn't know his situation.
Heca bared his teeth at Kang Seol.
"She sang. Little beating, and she spilled everything with regrets."
He nudged Rita's shoulder. Half-conscious, she droned mechanically.
"I... I'm not deeply involved. Really. Just brokered the treasure deal... Cough... Believe me. Really. Don't hit me... It hurts..."
"......"
"Hear that? Thoughts?"
Kang Seol's golden eyes stared blankly at Heca.
Heca leaned in, authoritative.
"That treasure? Shouldn't have gone to the Wolf."
"Why not?"
"We're on bad terms. You wouldn't be in Nobira without knowing that."
"Of course."
"Knew and handed it over... Hm. And that ring on your finger."
Heca's rotten teeth gleamed.
He grinned grotesquely.
"Looks familiar."
"No time. Spit it out."
"You with the Wolf?"
"Not yet."
"Oho... True? Lie again, and I'll boil."
"Not yet."
Intrigued by Kang Seol's boldness, Heca asked.
"They say you're the strongest Awakener."
"Maybe?"
"Oh? I'm Heca, strongest in Nobira. And I hate Awakeners."
"Why?"
"You act like parasites. Crossing our turf, taking what you need."
"Didn't like that?"
"Nah, excuse. Fun tormenting the weak."
"Figures. As expected."
Heca was scum of the worst kind. Doju probably no better.
Rumors he kills Awakeners for fun. Circumstances make it near-certain.
'It was true.'
Kibo's words weren't just to recruit him. Just facts.
Heca said to Kang Seol.
"You still got a way to live."
"A choice, huh."
Choices were symbolic to Kang Seol.
He always picked right, unlike others—real options appeared.
"What's the choice?"
"Hit the Wolf. I'll forgive your grudge then."
"...And if I refuse?"
"Kill the woman first."
"Then?"
"Snap your neck here."
"After that?"
"Curious about after death?"
"Even a dumb novel's sequel piques interest."
"You little shit..."
Whoosh...
Whirl-!
Kang Seol snatched Rita with Shadow Hand in a flash.
Heca hadn't expected a summoner so quick—could only watch.
Hmm... Won't be easy? Nobira's biggest incident—even the baker or sewer rats can't escape the fallout.
Kibo's words when Kang Seol refused to join.
'Just like the Wolf said.'
The incident found him anyway.
"Running? Already in the lion's jaws?"
"Lion my ass..."
"...You just lost your survival option."
"Lost it earlier."
"What?"
"Never mind."
When Heca demanded allegiance, a choice had popped up. Kang Seol ignored it outright.
Shing...
A massive spear erupted from Heca's back.
Bone handle, jagged steel blade. No avoiding combat now.
Kang Seol gathered black energy in both hands and unleashed.
Whoooosh...
Whip! Whip-whip!
Mountain Sorcerer Jamad positioned to shield Kang Seol and Rita. Moonlight Knight Karuna blocked Heca.
Boom...
Crunch...
"Wh-What."
Jamad, far bigger than Heca, loomed protectively over Kang Seol.
Sensing trouble, Heca yelled.
"Everyone in!"
His gang poured inside, gasping at Jamad and Karuna.
"Wh-What's going on..."
"Boss Heca! It's dangerous!"
Kang Seol told Heca.
"You asked if I joined the Wolf."
"He's a summoner! Rush him like Kibo!"
"Yes!"
Kang Seol stood at their center.
"Answer's changed. Just did."
Shing-!
Lightning-fast, Karuna's sword flashed out.
Claaaang-!
Heca parried with his spear but flew back into the inner wall.
"Huff... Huff... Gilmo! Hurry!"
"I'm going! You're too fast! Match the troupe's pace!"
"Late means innocents die."
"Huff... Tonight alone... huff... how many innocents?"
"Still! Minimize casualties!"
"Fine. Go, go! Everyone, push harder!"
"Yes!"
Yumi commanded respect in her hunting party.
Newbie or not, her courage and grit breaking ruins made them follow. She'd crushed the Black Serpent Galrota.
Talented, always leading.
'If we're late... Snowman’s in danger.'
Kibo said Snowman was unpredictably strong.
But still an Awakener. Half a year max here—couldn't beat Heca, especially with his crew.
Gilmo, running beside her, jabbed.
"...Don't expect much."
"What?"
"Think Heca left him alive? Deal leaked."
"Shut it."
"If he sided with us, Heca'd kill him brutal for show. Think rationally!"
Gilmo meant: if Snowman's dead, no suicide charge with this force.
"I'll decide."
"Don't lose it and act rash—"
"Street 3! There!"
"That it? No one's around the building?"
"Positive! That's it."
"Run!"
Fear it was over chilled Yumi's neck. Wiping cold sweat, she reached the tavern door—supposed clash site.
"Hey! Who'd be that obvious..."
"......"
"Yumi! Snap out! What's wrong?"
"All..."
"What?"
"Dead..."
Gilmo sighed, approaching. He figured Heca was long gone.
"Told you not to hope. Check details first, then regroup with Kibo—"
Then he saw inside.
"...Huh?"
An incomprehensible scene. He stood dumbfounded like Yumi, mouth agape.
Like an idiot.
Yumi said.
"All dead."
"Impossible..."
"That monster Heca too. Everyone..."
"No way."
Walls bloodied like fresh paint. Limbs scattered.
And.
Something presumed Heca's head sat on Kang Seol and Rita's table.
Rita sobbed from the horror.
Then Kang Seol's eyes met Yumi's.
"You're late."
In this hellscape, his calm words made it seem nothing happened.
Only Heca's head, frozen in disbelief, screamed it was real.
"...Snowman."
Night of the Wolf.
The unforeseen happened.
The lion died.