Chapter 11
Chapter 11
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 11
Chapter Title: Black Hammer Gang (1)
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The massive leader's corpse lay surrounded by the butchered wolves. Their silver fur was long since soaked red, stripped of its original sheen.
The final blade wolf hadn't even managed a proper resistance.
Puuk!
-Kying, kying! Keeeheee...
Stabbing the blade into the back of its skull made blood pour from its maw. Soon, the stream reversed, flowing back into its mouth. Not a single drop was left behind—the 'Mosquito' had greedily devoured every bit of blood.
Tzuzhak!
Kadim crushed the brittle wolf's head underfoot and yanked out the blade.
A thin wisp of smoke rose from below his shoulder. At last, every wound had vanished completely. Not just the calf bitten by the wolf, but even the mortal gash left by the holy knight's spear.
The barbarian warrior had regained his peak condition.
"...Hoo."
He caught his breath for a moment and gazed at the blade, which had swallowed countless blood.
As expected, the 'Vampiric' effect was incredibly useful. A recovery speed incomparable to mere 'self-healing.' No more worries about dying from injuries before he could even fight back.
That said, it didn't mean he could afford to get reckless from now on.
The weapon's low grade meant the 'Vampiric' efficiency wasn't great. To go from battered to full strength like this, he'd needed to slaughter dozens of monsters. If he took more damage in the process, it'd require even more...
The deadliest flaw was that it was useless against foes without blood in their bodies.
'...Even so.'
It was an undeniably fine weapon, and he'd survived a brush with death. That much was certain.
Besides, 'The One Who Sharpens Names' wasn't limited to a single use. Once enough time passed to receive the blessing again, and another moonless night arrived, he could obtain another weapon with a new 'special effect.'
For now, that was enough. Expecting too much from the start only led to trouble. His first playthrough had taught him patience.
He kicked aside the desiccated wolf corpse. He wiped off the bits of flesh and re-sheathed 'Mosquito' at his waist. After roughly scraping the clotted blood from his hair, he leaned against a tree trunk for a belated rest.
Basrak—
The merchant hiding in the bushes finally emerged. Overwhelmed by the killing intent, he'd barely been able to breathe—his face was still pale as a ghost.
Kkumeuleu.
"...Hup."
Duncan recoiled in horror at the twitching wolf corpse. He didn't even dare poke it with his foot, just bolted straight toward the perpetrator of this massacre without looking back.
"M-My lord...? What in the world happened? W-What was that crimson light earlier? A-Are you alright? I saw smoke rising from your skin the whole time... H-Hey?"
He belatedly noticed Kadim's wounds were fully healed. Duncan's eyes went wide.
"How... all the wounds are gone..."
For ordinary folk like most people here, magic and miracles were tales from another world.
They knew strange things beyond common sense happened somewhere in this world. But to Duncan, they felt impossibly distant. Without personal experience, such knowledge floated in the mind like empty fiction.
Yet this time, he'd witnessed a miracle firsthand. Vividly, right before his eyes.
Decades of everyday life and common sense shattered, plunging him into an utterly alien world.
...Though the one who'd truly fallen into another world was the barbarian before him.
Kadim ignored Duncan's questions. Saving his life was favor enough; he had no duty to explain further. Instead, he turned the inquiry around to what had piqued his own curiosity.
"Why didn't you run, merchant?"
"P-Pardon?"
"If you'd fled while I was down, I never could've chased you."
Ah.
Duncan let out a sharp gasp, mouth agape. He'd been too focused on tending him to even think of it. Kadim let out a faint, barely audible snort.
Still, it had worked out in the end. Abandoning Kadim and running would've made Duncan wolf chow for sure.
As the southern border neared, the security gaps were becoming apparent. In this lawless zone, survival demanded personal prowess, a protective group, or miracles.
Now that they'd come this far, going solo without the barbarian was impossible.
A pale mist spread through the raggedly intertwined leaves like torn fabric. The flowing starlight hid behind the pale remnants ushered in by the morning sun. The long, blood-scented night ended as a new dawn approached.
Kadim closed his eyes and murmured.
"Keep watch, merchant. I'm beat and need some shut-eye."
"......"
"If you're thinking of running while I sleep, make damn sure you reach the ends of the earth. Get caught this time, and I'll rip out your guts through your ass and make a bowstring."
"P-Pardon?"
A statement whose sincerity was impossible to gauge.
Duncan could only sweat bullets and greet the dawn with wide-open eyes.
Duncan alternated between the map and the surrounding terrain. His eyes darted up and down frantically.
"Hmm..."
After deep deliberation, he rendered judgment.
"Looks like it'll take another ten days or so to reach the Free City Alliance, my lord. The south is mostly Imperial territory, so the border takes longer to hit than from the center."
Kadim arched one eyebrow slightly.
"No issues crossing the border? I'd rather not run into any more holy knights."
"Y-Yes, no problem there. That's why we took this route with lax borders, right? Worst case, we might hit bandits instead of knights, but they wouldn't stand a chance against you..."
He'd already witnessed the barbarian rampage solo three times. Duncan's faith in his might was rock-solid. Unless a massive bandit crew ambushed them, no one could touch this man.
"We'll need to restock food along the way. Anything decent between here and the border?"
"Yes, my lord! There's a small fortress called 'Molden' midway. It's so out of the way, the Church's influence doesn't reach it."
"Got it. Plan the route to stop there, then explain how we head after hitting the Alliance."
"Aye! The Alliance roads are even better paved than the Empire's. Smaller territory, booming trade. Follow this shortcut, and we'll hit the 'Golden Highway.' From there, it's a straight shot to Vesta!"
The merchant confidently proffered the map.
Sure enough, the boldly marked 'Golden Highway' snaked through the Alliance's key cities to the eastern coastal target.
The issue was the 'shortcut' he'd indicated. It was riddled with terrain that screamed danger at first glance.
'Not an easy trip. Still, way better than the old days...'
Three hundred years ago, the continent's east was a chaotic arena of petty kingdoms, duchies, and city-states vying for power. People grew insular; outsiders were shunned. Especially hulking barbarians who might cause trouble.
'...Melissa looked at me like a bug at first too.'
Truth be told, eastern xenophobia wasn't the issue then. Who'd warmly welcome a random barbarian proposing companionship? Especially a lifelong bookworm girl mage...
'Atalan from the wilds, copper skin, towering height and ogre-like bulk! (Human-monster hybrid? Possible? → See research topic 31), suddenly demands to travel together upon meeting (Human trafficking? Slave trader lackey? High criminal probability!! Caution advised!!!)'
That's what Melissa had jotted after their first encounter. Recalling the needless memory curved the barbarian's lips faintly.
Anyway, it was a relief. The chaos had unified into the Free City Alliance, now more welcoming to barbarians. Kadim matched the merchant's pace and pressed on.
They hadn't gone far before halting.
"......"
"......"
Then silently peered into the distance.
Until now, luck had been on their side. Reaching a village without drawing steel. About fifty meters off, thugs brandishing weapons bellowed threats. Kadim narrowed his eyes slightly.
They didn't seem one group. Closer inspection revealed two being menaced by seven others.
The odd part: the seven's targets stood frozen before their bluster.
"Merchant, what do you make of that scene?"
"W-Well, my lord... They look like bandits by their getup, but what they're doing, I can't..."
Kadim strained his ears. "Shut your trap" repeated amid the wind. Some quarrel, but details muddled.
Whatever it was, getting involved promised nothing good. Kadim turned to detour.
Then, a few bandits suddenly glanced their way.
"...!"
"...He's here!"
"For real..."
The seven bolted straight toward them in unison.
Tsk. Kadim waved them off irritably. Duncan ducked behind him instantly. Kadim gripped his handaxe in his left and raised 'Mosquito' in his right.
Yet the bandits didn't flinch at the menacing barbarian. They nodded gleefully, as if on cue, then wheeled around right in front of him.
As if greeting a staunch ally.
"Hey! Get over here, you bastards!"
"What'd you say earlier? Come on, flap your gums again!"
"No way he'd come? Bullshit! Look, he's right here!"
The two left behind panicked. They glanced at the savage-looking barbarian, eyed each other, glanced again, and exchanged loaded looks.
Finally, they turned tail and fled together.
The seven bandits burst into triumphant laughter.
"Kuhahaha! Look at those idiots scamper like rats!"
"Yeah, run tell your moron boss! 'Agon’s Furious Horn' is here!"
"Kekekeke! You're all dead meat now!"
But Kadim couldn't laugh with them.
"What the hell are you doing?"
"Kuhahak! Oh man, my sides. Those nobodies strutted on numbers alone—what a pathetic sight..."
"What are you doing?" he repeated.
"Ah, I knew you'd come through! Our boss ain't ordinary—who needs more backup with his connections? We could take the whole turf..."
"Last chance. What are you doing?"
Only then did one bandit snap to and look back. He nodded perfunctorily and extended a hand for a shake.
"Ah, sorry about that! Honor to meet you, uh... barbarian sir! Or should I say 'Agon’s Furious Horn'? My bad! I don't know barbarian etiquette!"
"I'm not 'Agon’s Furious Horn.' Not helping you either. Got places to be—move."
The mood plummeted.
Bandits exchanged uneasy glances, visibly rattled. Realizing no reinforcements, the giant barbarian suddenly loomed far more threatening.
Still, numbers favored them. In a brawl, quantity ruled. No matter how fierce-looking, one against seven was impossible. True to lawless locals, they pressed brazenly.
"What, then?"
"......"
"Why pop up and confuse everyone? Worthless punk..."
"......"
"Hm? Who's hiding back there? Porter? Hey, hey, don't run—come here. Won't eat ya. Got gold bars in that bag?"
"H-Hup..."
Duncan fully hid behind Kadim. The bandit shoved past toward the bag. Kadim seized his shoulder, blocking him.
The bandit scowled and snapped.
"Hey, barbarian. You show up outta nowhere, mess us up, and now you're uncooperative? Thanks to you, we're fighting those guys without backup."
"......"
"Fine, got it. Hate us touching your pockets? Tch, alright... How 'bout this? You look tough—join us, fight them. Pretend you're 'Agon’s Furious Horn.'"
"......"
"Easy! They won't know who from who. Just yell it in the fight now and then. 'Raaar! I'm Agon’s Furious Horn! Super strong barbarian! Never changed my undies once!'"
Puhk! Puhat!
Kilkilkill...
The others erupted in jeers. Buoyed by the chorus, the bandit's shoulders squared. He prodded the barbarian's pride further.
"Pay? We won't take the bag! Hell, if you hadn't shown, things wouldn't be tangled. Man up and own your mess!"
"......"
"Wait, you ain't a chick under that build, right? Sorry, sorry—my mistake. First barbarian I've met. Don't know how to tell males from females..."
Puhahaha, kuhak!
Kuhahaha! I'm dying!
Kadim's taut face fully relaxed. Putting up with this mockery meant a coward with big muscles. Embarrassed for fearing his looks.
The lead bandit lost all fear, smugly thumping Kadim's arm.
"Alright, partners now, barbarian sir? No, wait—partners shouldn't be 'sir.' What's your name?"
Kadim obliged.
"Kadim."
Thwack—!
He smashed the handaxe into the bandit's crown.
He didn't forget to announce himself to the rest, their faces twisting in shock.
"Great Warrior of Atala."