Ancient Ruins, Bizarre Truth
Sweat trickled down my back. I asked casually anyway.
“Whew, it’s hot. So who the hell are you guys?”
The three thugs looked flustered, their stances crumbling. I used the opening to dash forward.
Swish, tap-tap-tap!
I drew my sword and drove it straight into the nearest one’s chest. The blade flew in a perfect line, piercing flesh. I spun once more, spraying blood as the edge tore open another thug’s throat.
“H-huh…?”
The last one left backed away in panic. I tossed him a line to keep him calm.
“Don’t worry. I’ll kill you last.”
“W-what the hell? Why us?!”
“Why are you three showing up in front of me at this hour, in this weird place? You didn’t come with good intentions, did you?”
The blunt truth made his mouth clamp shut. Pity. I could’ve sliced his lips off for fun.
I sighed and scratched my head.
“One mouth is enough to spill the truth anyway. And that’s you.”
I thrust the sword toward him. Under the moonlight, the Imperial Gaz gleamed faintly through the sticky blood. The thug stared at it and suddenly smirked.
“Heh. You think we came without any backup?”
“Huh…?”
“Relax. The sun will rise soon. It’s called Doomsday!”
A familiar chill ran down my spine. Footsteps echoed from the side. I felt killing intent and leapt backward.
Whoosh—shaaak!
A massive greatsword sliced through the air where I’d been standing. The arc was so smooth it was almost hypnotic.
I turned. A Cross woman in light armor stood there, flashing a white smile. Red energy wrapped around her entire body.
That aura… I knew it well.
‘Aura…? If a Cross has that kind of power, she’s no low-rank.’
Running into a Cross here of all places. My luck was absolute garbage.
“What, your employers already dead? Damn.”
“H-hey! I’m still alive! Kill that bitch, quick!”
The thug scrambled backward, shouting. Pathetic sight.
The Cross woman clicked her tongue.
“No hard feelings. I’m just here for the money, girl.”
“You lot always rationalize it like that. Just be honest—why so talkative?”
“That’s how society works.”
“If someone paid you to screw your own parents, would you? Typical Cross—free-spirited battle tribe, huh!”
She twitched at the mockery.
“Haa… Sorry, but I’m an orphan.”
“Proud of that, rootless bitch? Anyway, you’re using aura with that rank?”
“Yeah. I’m a Centurion. Why? Thinking of running?”
Cross ranks rise with strength. I’d been fighting low-tier berserkers until now. This time I faced a Centurion—one rank higher, with real skill and self-defense rights.
“You’re the one who should run. You’re about to die, yet you keep flapping your tongue.”
Without warning, I poured energy into my blade and scattered it. The energy flew like a clear crescent moon, slicing through the air.
The woman gripped her greatsword with both hands.
“What the hell is that?!”
She coated her own blade in energy and swung down hard. She actually canceled my Comet Sword and was pushed back. She staggered sideways, barely regaining balance.
I smiled calmly.
“This girl… You’re pretty good?”
Centurions always had at least one personal technique. No way she’d fall for half-baked tactics.
“Centurion, huh? You can pay taxes or act freely, right?”
“Of course. But your mouth is way too light.”
“Not as light as your chest, though.”
“Shut up, you little runt!”
She charged, teeth grinding. I met her calmly. We clashed amid swirling fallen leaves.
Whoosh—bang! Clang!
The Cross twisted right, then suddenly cut left, swinging her greatsword in a wide arc. I ducked under the trajectory and struck back without coating my blade in energy. She blocked my straight thrust with the flat of her sword and tried to overpower me. Dodging and only using normal attacks made her sneer.
“What, lost your momentum? Disappointing. I had expectations.”
“Expectations only lead to disappointment, rootless bitch.”
“Time to go.”
Whoosh—clang!
Our swords met again. Metal screamed as we pushed against each other, neither yielding an inch.
She created the opening first.
Thud!
She kicked me away and raised her sword. I steadied my grip while being pushed back.
“Dieeeee!”
She activated her aura and swung the greatsword in a full-power arc. I’d been waiting for this.
“Yeah, playtime’s over.”
I slipped behind her and unleashed a rapid combo. My sword flashed in diagonal, straight, and horizontal strikes. Skin split, flesh turned red, muscles tore. The moment she collapsed like a rag, I landed and severed her neck.
Shhhk!
I kicked the severed head toward the watching thug. It rolled to his feet.
“Eek! The Cross lost?! No way!”
He shook his head in denial, but reality wouldn’t change. I approached and pointed my sword at him. Sweat soaked his entire body as he stared at the blade.
“Now, who are you people?”
“W-we… we’re…”
“Don’t stutter. I’m not a murder freak. I’ll let you go if you talk nicely.”
His eyes shook as he wrestled with the decision. Finally he spoke.
“W-we just… wanted revenge for Big Bro Sinbadu.”
“Ah, so some of Sinbadu’s men were left. That’s you?”
“Y-yeah! So… you’ll let me go now, right?”
I scratched my cheek and nodded. A promise was a promise.
“Yeah. Looks like there was a misunderstanding. I was just doing my job, you know?”
“R-right! I get it!”
“Good. Let’s not meet again.”
I deliberately tapped the blade against his neck a few times before stepping back. Just as he smiled, thinking he’d survived—
A sword danced in the air.
Shhhk—splash!
“Next stop: Hell. This is Hell Station.”
No better place for trash like him.
Only corpses remained. I looted everything, including the Cross woman. Something interesting turned up.
A map.
‘A map of this area…?’
I took it to Winz. She rested her chin on her hand.
“Hmm. The assassins are getting quite varied.”
“Still not worth my time. What should we do with this?”
“Shall we check it out once the sun rises tomorrow?”
“Really?!”
“We might find treasure!”
“That’s my Winz!”
She understood me so well. Haa… Marriage might be too soon, but living together would be pure bliss. Yeah, cohabitation sounded perfect. I couldn’t keep drinking kimchi soup alone.
We spent the rest of the time that way and went to sleep.
I woke up in the morning and ate a simple breakfast. I walked over to Winz, who was quietly doing her tasks, and hugged her from behind.
Poof.
“Oh my?”
“Thanks for everything, Winz.”
Because she alone had stood watch all night. I’d insisted on taking turns, but she stubbornly claimed an elf should handle it. That stubbornness was impossible to break. I wished I could crack it just once. Why did she insist on carrying every burden herself?
Her ears turned bright red.
“Honestly, Miss, you’re such a Casanova. Hehe.”
“I’m not a guy.”
“Physically, no.”
“Then why even more so? Ufufu.”
“You’re ridiculous, Winz.”
We packed our things, mounted the bike, and headed for the location marked on the map. It wasn’t far.
We arrived at a place where rocks had collapsed. The atmosphere was pure wilderness. A ruin in a spot like this?
“Is this really the right place?”
“Oh my, the map says it is…”
I looked around more carefully. Then Winz suddenly pointed at the ground beneath us.
“Huh? Why?”
“Wouldn’t it be under our feet?”
“Why do you think that…?”
“Y-yes?”
Winz looked visibly flustered. She cleared her throat and answered calmly.
“Ah, I felt something beneath my feet. Besides, famous ruins are usually underground!”
“Really?”
“Whatever it is, let’s check quickly! Hehe.”
“Hmm… Elf intuition?”
“Yes, exactly! Elf intuition! Hehet♥”
I decided to trust her. When I examined the ground, one spot sounded different. I stomped on it with all my strength.
Crack—rumble!
The ground collapsed, revealing an entrance. A passage led straight down, dust billowing endlessly. Winz and I exchanged glances, then descended.
We arrived in what looked like underground ruins. Sunlight from unknown sources lit scattered patches. It felt familiar somehow.
Winz’s shocked voice rang out as she pointed at the ceiling.
“L-look over there! What is that…?”
“Hm?”
A massive mural covered the ceiling. Its content was ominous.
Five trees surrounded a gigantic black entity that split the world in two.
It was none other than the final boss. And the other things…
“Those are… Life Trees…?”
What in the world was the meaning behind this painting?!