119
My Villains Chapter 119
31. Phantom Hunter (2)
The battle had ended.
Steedman and Jenesa were treating the wounds on their hands and arms, Cole and Utequais were on guard, and the rest were cutting ears from goblins and orcs or collecting useful items.
"Ugh."
I groaned and unfastened the hook on my left shoulder guard, pulling the strap. When I lifted my padded clothing, I saw that my shoulder was darkly bruised. The piercing pain suggested a possible bone fracture.
"Damn it."
"Are you okay? Can you move your arm?"
"No, it's not that bad."
The reason I was in this state was none other than the warrior Modor, that bastard's hammer.
It looked like just a high-quality war hammer, but it turned out to be a magical weapon imbued with a 'shock' spell.
In the game, 'shock' was a probabilistic option that would multiply basic damage.
When fighting Modor, the hammer only glowed on the last strike. Unfortunately, it seemed the option was activated at that moment.
It didn't seem like a rare item, more like a magic item with good options, but I'd been thoroughly beaten.
I swallowed my curse and handed the war hammer to Utequais.
"...Hmm. A strange object."
"Use it as a secondary weapon. Since we're leaving the long bill at the gate, you'll feel empty inside Longville."
Utequais examined the hammer with interested eyes, adjusting his grip several times. Due to his size, the war hammer looked like a machete.
"It looks very useful. I'll use it well."
While Utequais wore a satisfied smile, Ellen was hurriedly applying ointment to my shoulder.
"You idiot, how dull are you to not recognize a magic weapon right in front of you?"
"....Ugh."
"Stay still, put down your armor."
Ignoring Ellen's scolding, I examined the shoulder guard.
"Ah, it's seriously dented."
It might sound funny, but I was more annoyed about the dented shoulder guard than my bodily injury. My body would heal quickly, but plate armor was hard to come by.
While Ellen wrapped bandages, I drew my battle spirit to examine my shoulder. A rough estimate suggested I'd be fully healed by tomorrow.
As I was about to put on the dented shoulder guard, Amias approached and held something out.
"...What's this?"
"A small orc was wearing it. I'm not sure what it is."
"A small orc?"
Was he talking about the Madman Pangkog?
What Amias offered was a white string necklace. When I touched the surface, it felt like leather or tree bark. Watching quietly, it seemed to be a strange object with a tickling sensation.
Ellen, sitting beside me, examined the necklace with an interesting expression.
"I can sense some magical power?"
"Really? What do you think it is?"
"Who knows."
That's the problem with reality. Even looking at an object, you can't tell if it's usable, and if it is, what effects it might have.
I'll take it to the church for purification first, then try it out. Then I'll know what it is.
"What are we going to do now?"
"Hmm."
In response to Amias's question, I looked at Utequais.
"The troll?"
"I don't know here. We need to go a bit further in."
"How far?"
"There."
Utequais, with the war hammer stuck in his waist - no, machete - pointed somewhere. Following his fingertip, I saw a grove between two peaks of Graduel Mountain.
"Trolls like forests. There's a path nearby where people come and go, so the troll is definitely there."
Freckled Mira, standing next to Amias, chimed in.
"Oh, I heard something similar at the blacksmith's. They said trolls live deep in the mountains, and that might be it."
"Hmm."
I looked at the grove and other peaks for a moment, then shook my head.
"We can't do it today. If we encounter another group like the one we just met, someone might die or get seriously injured. There's no need to take such risks."
Everyone seemed to agree, nodding. But Utequais wore a regretful expression and muttered softly.
"I only scored 100 points today. What a pity."
I feel regretful too. We caught two Named ones, yet it's only just over 100 points.
After roughly wrapping things up, we headed back to Longville.
We had prepared supplies abundantly, planning to stay overnight, but it looks like we'll be returning before sunset. Really, the future is unpredictable.
As we descended along the mountain ridges, there were indeed no small monster groups in sight.
Just as we were about to set foot on the mountain slopes, we witnessed a horrifying scene.
"Wh-what is that?"
"Damn."
Right in the middle of the road leading into Longville, not in a deep mountain or forest. In broad daylight, dozens of corpses were strewn about.
Among them, there were just under thirty corpses of heavily armed mercenaries. Most mercenaries had died from being stabbed by spears or arrows.
The remaining dozen or so were corpses with unusual attire decorated with wide cloth and iron rings everywhere on their armor.
"...Nude tribe."
A thick sense of vigilance emanates from Amias's muttering.
"These dirty bastards. Did they ambush?"
"The rumors were true." Not just Amias, but the other mercenaries were also openly showing hostility. The target of their hostility was the survivors at the center of this horrific scene.
"...Alkarf."
One among the four survivors muttered something small and then slowly stood up.
Tall in stature, with gray hair, sun-tanned skin, and neat, beautiful facial features. A very familiar face.
"...Nix?"
"Atilia?"
"...Ha, how ironic."
Her identity was the Phantom Hunter Atalante. Unlike when we saw her at the mountain lodge, she was now fully armed.
As I took a few steps forward, Atalante downed a glass bottle that seemed like a wound treatment potion. The wound on her side healed, emitting foam and smoke.
Atalante wiped her mouth and showed a bitter smile.
"I heard you were in Longville. Did you change your name?"
"Well, not exactly. Nix is… A kind of nickname."
"Hmm, it was a nickname? I thought so."
Atalante was wearing a protective arm guard made of steel scales on her left arm. From her shoulder to her fingertips, it was completely covered, very similar in shape to the 'manica' used by Roman gladiators.
Apart from that protective guard, there was no metal armor at all.
She wasn't even wearing a helmet, fully revealing her gray hair, and wore a leather armor that looked like a corset, with one side greatly torn, exposing her leopard-like waist.
She wore leather boots up to her knees, but her taut thighs were fully exposed.
In her right hand, she held a spear just over 2 meters long. The spearhead, shaft, and butt had no visible seams, and it was entirely white, a very strange-looking spear.
I quietly observed her and then spoke.
"Was this your doing?"
"It was our doing. But, would you believe me if I said it wasn't entirely our fault?"
Atalante was saying this with a somewhat sarcastic smile.
"Not unbelievable. What happened?"
It wasn't Atalante who answered my question.
"Phoenix, no time to waste."
"...What?"
When I turned around, Ellen had already risen from the ground, holding out a wand.
"They're Nude tribe. Thieves who commit murder as casually as eating."
The bald Steedman chimed in, gripping his axe.
"Not particularly surprising. It's already widely known that the Nude tribe has been ambushing other mercenaries."
Atalante hardened her expression, alternately glaring at Ellen and Steedman.
"Kadhabun. We are mercenaries. Legitimate warriors who earn money by fighting."
As soon as Atalante finished speaking, the mercenaries spat out remarks.
"Legitimate? You Nude tribe know how to say such things?"
"How dare a dirty Nude tribe prostitute..."
"Did you think you could get away with such an ambush?"
Just as I was about to turn to Amias's group, Utequais shouted.
"Shak'tak! Aqun-ta, shut your mouth! Only Phoenix speaks!"
Oh, my ears hurt.
When Amias's group went pale and shut their mouths, I asked Utequais.
"Did you learn mind-reading magic?"
"Grand warrior enjoys learning skills. But I haven't learned such magic."
"...Oh, right."
I shrugged my shoulders while turning to Atalante.
"They're just common racists, so don't get too angry."
"So, it was your doing, but not your responsibility?"
Atalante hesitated for a moment, then sighed.
"...Yes. We were ambushed on our way back to Longville."
"An ambush?"
I glanced around. The gentle downhill and flat road didn't seem to have any spots suitable for an ambush.
Noticing my doubt, Atalante quickly continued.
"I used magic. It seemed like invisibility, suddenly appearing from the roadside—"
"Nonsense, Phoenix."
Ellen's resolute voice followed.
"Casting invisibility on thirty people? Impossible unless you're the Grand Master of the Dawn Council."
"It might not have been invisibility. We don't know exactly about magic."
"How convenient changing your story. To avoid being called Nude tribe?"
"I'm not changing my story. Alkarf, are you saying we attacked first?" Atalante continued, unable to contain her frustration.
"We were only sixteen. Would we be stupid enough to attack mercenaries nearly twice our number?"
"Then how did four of you survive when so many mercenaries ambushed you right in front of you?"
"Because we are warriors of the wasteland."
"I know well. Renowned warriors of the wasteland. Rogues who protect thieves, prostitutes, and murderers!"
At Ellen's sarcastic remark, Atalante's face turned bright red.
"Alcarbatu! Say one more word. I'll skewer you on this spear and feed you to the crows!"
"Try it. I'll burn you alive."
Oh, they're going completely crazy.
"Stop, stop!"
After barely restraining Ellen from shouting something, I reached out to Atalante, who was adjusting her spear.
"Atilia, calm down."
"Haram Milanol!"
"Calm down and lower your weapon."
"Don't order me."
"It's not an order, it's a warning. If you want your remaining companions to survive safely, behave."
Atalante glanced back at her companions. Aside from her, three Nude tribe warriors remained, all in a condition unable to move.
Raising her head again, Atalante showed a resolute look.
"What are you going to do with us?"
"First, drop the spear."
"What will you do if I drop it?"
"Let's go to Longville. Call the guards and investigate what happened."
"That's impossible. No one will believe our side of the story."
A faint radiance flowed from Atalante's light brown pupils. Subsequently, that radiance dyed her gray hair purple.
Seeing that radiance, Ellen cried out in shock.
"Arcane! The power of Arcane!"
"Everyone, step back!"
I gathered my shield and throwing spear in my left hand and shouted to my companions.
"Retreat!"
"Phoenix, what are you—"
"Quickly!"
Drawing Hrunting with my right hand, I turned to Ellen, Utequais, and Amias's group.
"Quickly, go!"
At the same time, Atalante, with her eyes rolled back, screamed.
"No! Can-not go!" Behind Atalante, a dark radiance rose. The Void, drawn by the power of Arcane, began to take shape.
Dark purple light streams emerged from Atalante's back, writhing like a snake.
And then, it rushed forward like an arrow.
"Oh, Jenz—"
Bang!
The 'Spear of Void' struck the shield made from the underground Lord's corpse. I endured the shock with my core and roared.
"What are you stupidly standing around for, you idiots! Quickly retreat!"
Seeing the mercenaries, Utequais, and Ellen stepping back, Atalante's radiance grew even brighter.
"This, witch—!"
The Void Spear attached to Atalante's back stretched out, flying towards Ellen floating in mid-air.
I swiftly drew the Blood Blade and flung myself in that direction.
Swish!
Hrunting, dyed in a brilliant red light, split the Void Spear.
"Ugh!"
The source of Arcane power is nothing other than the mind. As the Void Spear, crafted with mental energy as fuel, was cut by the blade, Atalante gritted her teeth and swallowed a scream.
Immediately after, I twisted my body and raised my shield.
Bang!
As expected, there were two.
The second Void Spear hidden behind Atalante tapped the shield and quickly retreated.
I quickly straightened my posture and immediately planted my feet on the ground.