hotmtlnovel Book 6: Chapter 8
Book 6: Chapter 8
Book 6: Chapter 8
Desert Rose
Lena. Just in case, bring the children and evacuate to outside.
I understand.
Elena guessed what I meant by outside and she nodded with a conflicted face.
The wounded dark elf boy Noi was healed by Elenas light sorcery. We were waiting for him to wake up because even our inn couldnt be said as safe anymore.
We had created a simple base outside the town in preparation for when it was needed. It also had food though few so there would be no problem to stay there for several days.
When Noi woke up, he said that he would also come with me when he heard that Chako was kidnapped but.
No need.
B-but
There was anxiety in Nois face. He was the big brother of the small children. He must have believed that he had the duty to save the big sister of their family. But, he was mistaken.
Your responsibility is protecting these children. Dont mistake the place where you should risk your life.
Yes.
My worry hadnt disappeared even after the children had showed the will to fight. Noi nodded to me firmly after looking at the small children clinging on his clothes while desperately holding back their tears.
I saw off the back of Elena bringing the children away from this place, then I walked toward the other person still remaining in this place.
Sorry to make you wait.
Bitchtsu!
His position was slightly different than before. Perhaps he tried to escape. The tiger striped man whose right knee and right wrist were broken was lying on the ground. Even so he growled like a tiger when I approached him. He used his remaining left foot to kick at me.
Combat strength wise he was around lower rank 3. It was splendid that he still had the will to fight with that injury, but in that case I would treat him accordingly.
I kicked up his foot that tried to kick my right leg. And then the same foot stamped down to crush his ankle.
GUGYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!
Where did you take Chako?
My tone contained no anger or hatred. I simply emitted pressure while asking the question. The mans face convulsed with anything other than pain for the first time.
Y-you
You planned to show me the way from the start right? Also where did you hear that we healed the sickness from?
After doing this to Munza Gang, this townGYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!?
Thats not what I asked.
I grinded my foot on his broken ankle. The man wouldnt talk even with this because he feared retribution from Munza Gang. I broke his left knee next with a kick.
GugiiGYAAAAAAAAAAH!?
The tiger man fainted from intense pain. I woke him up forcefully with different pain. The mans killing intent dispersed from the terror of his body getting broken bit by bit.New novel chapters are published on
S-stoI dont knowthe young head
There was someone who came to you right?
The tiger mans heart finally broke after I crushed his last remaining safe left arm.
After asking the necessary information, I thought that there was defect in that information. I kept the man alive and dragged him by his collar toward the town.
***
Aria!
When I got close to the town, I heard my name got called by a silhouette that was running this way from the town.
People who called me by name in this town were few in number. And the number of people who would walk on the path toward that small hut was even fewer.
Kamil andRon?
Kamils face was exposed but, the other person whose face was hidden under the hood must be Ron. The two ran toward me and their eyes slightly widened seeing the tiger man with broken limbs.
I heard that Munza Gang went to the hut of Chako and others-
Dont tell me, this man-?
It seemed the two ran this way after they heard the danger approaching the children.
From what they told me, it seemed that Munza Gangs thugs also came to their place and attacked, but one of them laughed mockingly at the two after they were defeated and hinted that the children also got attacked.
We managed to save the children but Chako was taken.
Chako isthen Ill go.
Wait Kamil.
Ron grabbed Kamils shoulder before he could rush away. He removed his hood and looked at me with a serious gaze.
Ariais it? Thank you. I had heard about you two from Kamil. But, why are you two going this far for some unknown children?
Rons question was certainly natural. Even I was suspecting that these two had ulterior motive for aiding the orphans without asking for anything back.
Youre asking me that?
I guess. Sorry.
Ron honestly bowed his head to me after seeing that what we did was no different from what they themselves had done.
There was no reason. I could use some flowery words to dress it up but, if I was forced to put into words this subtle emotion that couldnt be described with speech, it was simply that we couldnt pretend to not see what we had seen. That was all.
If Lenayour friend is staying together with the children, they should be fine for the time being. We also have information. Were in conflict with Munza Gang after we destroyed their business but, apparently Kirly Company is also involved this time.
That matched my information. Its likely to be related with our situation. I think they thought that it was our potion that cured the sickness.
That head clerk called Jed, I thought that he was a merchant who would be a bit cleverer than this but, if he was prioritizing greed more than profit, then he was just a thug of this town after all.
No, perhaps he had thought about the profit and emotional benefit, and reached the conclusion of taking away everything as befitted this town. A lot of powerful people was prudent but, among them there were also fools who misunderstood the organizations strength as their own strength.
Im going to take Chako back.
Got it, Aria. Well also
No, rather than that theres something else that I want to ask you two to do.
***
The slum of desert town Cutlass. The whole town was like a slum, but this area was where the poorest were living. It was a lawless area where violence was truly the only rule.
uaa
The crippled tiger man who was alternately fainting and waking up moaned.
Under the blazing hot sun that was at its peak, buildings that were made from soil and rock lined up the surrounding. I could feel some gazes like predator targeting a prey from inside those half crumbling buildings toward me who was walking in the middle of the street dragging a man.
There was nobody attacking even though I wasnt emitting any pressure. Most likely they had noticed that the tiger man I was dragging with me was a member of Munza Gang. They couldnt gauge my strength that had half killed such man.
I kept walking while letting the killing intent that was like heat mixing with the atmosphere washed over me. Then a stone mansion that was larger and grander than the other buildings came into my view.
So that was the mansion of Munza Gangs boss who was in charge of this area.
At first my plan was to attack stealthily to take back Chako, but I instead came from the front. Perhaps because of the killing intent that was filling the surrounding, the cat beastman and dog beastman who were guarding the gate pointed their spear toward me who was approaching them with the man dragged behind me.
You bastard, who are you!
Know that this is Batil-samas mansionbig bro!?
One of the guards realized who was the man behind me and raised his voice. The tiger man woke up hearing that voice. Light of hope lit up inside his eyes and he raised his voice to clamor.
T-this bitch is that woman! Tell the young head! Gyahaha, its over for you, woman! Do you know how many people are here
Noisy.
Goooh!
I crushed the mans throat with my heel that had a plate of magic steel slotted in it. I had no more use of you.
Bastard!
The cat beastman who called the tiger man big bro just now charged at me with his spear after seeing him vomiting blood. I instantly did body strengthening that was focused to muscle power and tossed the tiger man to the spears path.
Wha-!?
tsu!!
The guards spear stabbed the mans heart from behind. The cat beastman froze for an instant seeing that. I grabbed his head in my hand and slammed it on the dry ground.
E-enemy attack!!
The other guard whose life was instead spared because he couldnt move howled so loudly his throat might get torn.
Sounds of rushing and presences mixed with killing intents swelled up from inside the mansion. Dog and cat beastmen surged out as though to blast away the entrances door with spear and sword in their hands. They bared their fangs with growls at me who was standing beside two corpses under my cloak.
What do you want here-!
Big bro said hes that woman-
Dont fuck around! Dont think you can die easily after picking a fight with Munza Gang!
Ill tear off her throat!
Just when the enraged beastmen were about to attack
Wait!!
A voice that was filled with pressure stopped the beastment from rushing forward.
From the terrace at the second floor of the mansion that was facing this way, a cat beastman who looked like a black panther appeared while his arms were holding the shoulders of beastwomen who looked like prostitute.
The cat beastman who was at the middle of his thirty had a body that was slender but packed tight with muscle. He stepped forward without wearing anything on his upper body as though to show off his rippling muscles. He glared at me with silver eyes.
Young head! This woman-
Shut up! Hmph, so youre that woman? Looks like youve gotten the message properly seeing that youre here.
The black panther man looked at the dead mans face and grinned. There was distance between us so I wasnt certain but, I guessed that his combat strength was around 1200an upper rank 4.
Seeing that he got called young head, he was one of the bosses of Munza Gang who was leading the underlings, Batil.
Ou ou, two of my men died just to lure out you alone. You cost me a lot there. What about the other two who were with him?
Dead.
Batil lightly raised an eyebrow hearing my casual answer.
Theen, I gotta ask compensation for that from that Kirlys bunch. Looks like you got a bit of skill in you huh, but aint you worried about that little girl at all?
Im here just to make settlement for this mans attack.
So you dont care about the little girl?
The result wont change anyway. Her fate is set in stone if I lose, and itll be taken care of if I win.
Hah, you got that right.
The space between Batil and me was filled with tense killing intent. It even felt like that the temperature decreased a little.
After a glaring match for a while, Batil bared his fangs in a grin and called out to his underlings.
You bastards, rip off that womans limbs and bring her to me. No money if shes killed. Women, bring me chair and alcohol. This spot is my exclusive seat. The viewing seat to watch crazy stupid idiot like you dying that is.
The prostitutes separated from Batil to go bring alcohol and chair. He turned his back on me to go to his special seating.
Go
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!
In that moment, the beastmen who surrounded me surged at me with a roar.
It was as though they had forgotten the order to not kill me. I leaned backward to dodge a serious slash from a beastman while slashing the ankles of three people who approached me with slashing type pendulum that I rotated. I also planted my black dagger into the eye of a nearby wolf beastman.
First one.
You bitch
I pulled out the dagger roughly to tear up the mans face and the blood spray from that blocked the other mans sight. My knife tore his throat and then without pause I rotated while throwing the general purpose pendulum from the shadow of my fluttering cloak. It pierced the throat of a dog beastman who stopped moving after his ankle was slashed.
Third.
Daaaaaa!
One person aimed at my neck with a long sword. One more person thrust his spear at my foot.
The spear arrived first due to the difference in distance. I stepped on its tip and then ran on the shaft to dodge the sword. The scythe type pendulum that I threw at the same time tore the swordsmans neck.
I continued kicking the head of another person who came at me with his claws and stepped on his head to jump over him. Then I swung down the weight type pendulum that I held with short string to a cat beastman in the distance, breaking his skull.
Sixth.
Hiyaaa!
The gate guard swung down his axe with a yell that sounded like a scream. I smoothly dodged it and leaped toward his bosom while denting his face with my elbow. I scooped the axe that still had its swinging momentum with my ankle and sent it flying to Batil who had his back turned toward me.
The axe approached Batil with a whistling sound. The moment its blade assaulted Batil, he grabbed the chair that a prostitute was carrying and intercepted the axe.
tsk
Batil had turned his back for several seconds. More than half of men were killed in that long. Batils face twisted in irritation for the first time seeing me standing in the middle of their corpses.
Not bad, woman. Its impossible to catch you alive if you can do this much.
Can you do it?
Who said that I need to do it personally?
*Baan-!*
Batil suddenly clapped his hands.
Numerous killing intents thickened as though waiting for that sound. The slum residents stood up from all the small buildings on the street, from the alleys, and from the shadows at the corners.
An old man who looked like a beggar stood up holding a blade. A middle aged chubby auntie was holding a kitchen knife. A boy who wasnt even of age yet was grinning with glinting eyes and a rusty hatchet in his hand.
A lot of beastmen all holding weapons in their hands. A wave of people, old and young, male and female surrounding me from every direction.
I counted their number was more than 200 just from a brief glance.
Do you think the people here are just resident or gang members family? Munza Gang is a pack of beastman. Doesnt matter even if its woman or brat, anyone in the pack are all Munza Gang.
I see. So its just like animals.
Even if they were just rank 1, even if they didnt have combat skill, they would overwhelm everything with the violence of number.
The wave of people was slowly getting closer with weapons in hands. I quietly raised my blade while Batil sat down on the new chair that a prostitute brought to him. Then he drank alcohol straight from the bottle.
Dont think you can run away, woman. Dont die easily before I finish drinking. Now, dance. The main show starts now-!
The wave of people stepped forward with Batils voice as signal.
But at that moment, a flutes sound resounded from far away.
The beastmen including Batil had good hearing. They slightly looked up to the sky.
My lips formed a small fearless smile when I heard that sound.
I asked Ron to observe Kirly Companys movement, while I told Kamil to rescue Chako.
I entered this place from the front to buy time for that, but that wasnt the only reason.
If Munza Gang consisted of only several hundreds, it would be finished if I assassinated them one by one starting from the top. But, mere assassination would only serve to the fan up the anger of an organization of this scale. There was a risk they would take revenge toward other children we didnt know.
I felt the need to teach the meaninglessness of fighting me to Munza Gang, just like what I did to assassin guild and thief guild.
The problem was that when they noticed how big of a threat I was, it was possible they would target Chako even though I had sent Kamil to save her, but now there was no more shackle binding me.
Thinking with common sense, it shouldnt be possible for an individual to win against this number.
But, I could only find the true strength that I sought by overcoming that.
I threw away my cloak that had gotten heavy from the blood sprays. The approaching footsteps of the wave of people got slightly disarrayed seeing my pink blond hair that glittered from the sunlight.
The main show started from here? That was my line.
.
Ill obtain true strength.
.
What was strength?
Were you strong if your physical strength parameter high? Were you strong if your magic power parameter high? Were you strong if your combat skills level high?
None of those was wrong. Pure strength overwhelmed everything.
For example monster was also like that. If your rank was the same then the difference in physical ability would get directly translated into difference in strength. The foremost example of that would be [dragon] that existed in this Thurs Continent. They were the strongest since the moment they were born.
I was weak. I had no strength, no magic power, and no fighting technique when I was just a child. In order to fight against the strong, I could only become strong mentally.
That was why I resolved to kill.
Resolve to kill meant to have the resolve to get killed. You would get robbed if you didnt rob them first. A weakling like me wasnt allowed to have softheartedness to spare those who were hostile against me.
I chose to oppose and fight destiny. To live was to fight. That was why the weak me chose to become strong mentally.
But, I knew that even that strength had limit.
One day an opponent that I couldnt win against with just the strength of heart would appear. As I am right now, I felt that I wouldnt be able to win against Carla who purely sought only strength that she even dropped her heart into madness and risked her life solely for that, turning herself into an incarnation of violence.
[Iron Rose] the technique that I got a spirit to turn it into Battle Skill gave me a deciding factor that I was lacking. But, that power was nothing more than a weapon. Something like weapon that could only be used for limited time was the same like a bow with only several arrows.
What was the strength that I sought?
The answer to that had been inside me from the start.
I who had knowledge understood that it was possible to obtain strength to some degree if you focused to pursue strength in just one field from the start. But I didnt choose that path. I sought the ideal strength with simple straightforwardness.
You little girl, Ill feast on your guts!!
***
The beastman with swarthy skin that gave me the impression of a black leopardone of Munza Gangs young head, Batil kicked on the terraces railing to jump down.
.
Batil Race : Cat Beastman Rank 4
Magic Power : 187/200Stamina : 452/470
Overall Combat Strength : 1203 (With Body Strengthening : 1446)
.
His naked dark skinned upper body was exposed to the sun. He was slowly approaching with two black hand axes that seemed to be made from magic steel.
Ill kill you, woman.
Try it.
*Gakiiinn!*
In that moment, we stepped forward at the same time and my black dagger and Batils black hand axe clashed. It created a piercing sound.
I was pushed back due to the difference in muscle strength. I parried the axe using my wrist and muscle strength while quickly swinging my black knife. Its blade was blocked by the other axe while he swiftly unleashed a kick. I kicked back with the back of my foot to meet the kick and used the recoil to open the distance between us.
Uraaaah!
Batil instantly rushed forward and his axe approached. I matched that with jumping back while rotating and pulling out a knife from my thigh that I threw at him. The instant Batil dodged it, a pendulum that attacked from his side grazed his shoulder. For the moment Batil also took a distance from me.
As I thought Batil was above me status wise.
Our technique was equal. My speed was slightly above, but Batil was above me in everything else. I was superior in overall combat strength, but I was in disadvantage at short head on battle.
In addition my fatigue from fighting 200 people was horrible. A battlefield where I would die instantly if I got hit just from a single lucky shot was like walking across a string with my eyes blindfolded. It put a heavier burden mentally and physically on me than I imagined. Sweat was flowing like river from my body even if I stayed still.
Butthat was fine.
Tsu!?
I dragged my exhausted body and used footwork that had all its waste removed to the extreme degree. Batils eyes widened seeing me closing the distance instantly.
My black knife attacked as though it was scooping up from below. Batil instantly reacted with a strike of his black axe that took advantage of his weight and gravity.
*KAN!*
The sound was light in contrast to the attacks strength. The moment Batil showed his surprise, I used the recoil fully to attack with my dagger.
Tsk!
But, Batil didnt back away even then and swung his other axe.
tsu
I too could only block that with my knife, but I couldnt block it fully and the axe grazed my arm.
But my dagger also gouged Batils shoulder. He paid it no mind and swung his arm powerfully while it was spurting out blood. I crouched on the ground to dodge it, then I bent my whole body like a bow before launching a kick like an arrow to Batils foot.
Haaaaah!!
Uraaaaa!!
We both let out our fighting spirit. Batils kick and my kick hit each others stomach and we both got blown away.
cough
tsk
I coughed lightly, while Batil spat out his saliva that was mixed with gastric juice.
Both of us got damaged, but we were doing body strengthening so it wasnt so serious that we couldnt continue fighting.
Both of us simultaneously took a fighting stance and this time we slowly closed the distance bit by bit while observing for opening from the opponent. The surviving beastmen in this place were watching while unable to even take a breath.
Strong. Even though the vampires I fought were also rank 4, he was slightly different than them who were completely relying on body strengthening.
Master and my fighting style could give a good fight even in exhausted condition. We shaved off any waste until the limit, and used even the opponents strength to deal a sure kill attack.
That was why no matter how strong the enemy was, it would be because of my lack of proficiency if I was unable to defeat them.
fuu
I exhaled. I let out the heat that gathered inside my body and the anxiety that slightly welled up inside me along with my breath. Batil seemed to sense something from me who was silently readying my knife and rushed forward as though something was pushing him.
Uruaaaaaaaa!!
A sharp slash. The axes blade felt like it would burn me just from touching it. I parried that blade with my knife, but it still left a slight gash on me from the difference in physical strength.
Just die already-!
Still not enough. What was not enough? No, that wasnt it. The answer was inside me.
Batils axe was swung with powerful arm.
I slightly diverted that sharp axe by touching its flat side with my hand. Then I used the backlash from pushing the blade and my footwork to shift to the side just for a half step. The axe passed through beside me.
wha-
Batils voice unconsciously escaped him.
Even so he swiftly swung up his axe diagonally from below. I slightly diverted it by kicking up the axes handle with my knee. I even used the recoil from kicking up to take a half step back and dodged.
I didnt use my maximum strength with my exhausted physical strength. I dodged that attack using the skill I learned until today, the technique that I obtained in battlefield, and my skills that I had trained to high level.
My eyes saw the flow of magic particle. Search read the presence of enemy. The pressure that I was slightly exuding delayed the enemys action. Stealth skill hid my next move.
It felt like something slotted into place inside me.
An exchange of only skill and technique that didnt use physical strength. Seeing me parrying his attacks simply using complicated technique and nothing else made Batil finally sweated from his forehead. He roared like an animal.
Youwhat the hell are you-!?
.
Aria (Alicia) Race : Human Rank 4
Magic Power : 213/33010UPStamina : 103/26010UP
Strength : 10 (14)Endurance : 10 (14)Agility : 17 (24)Dexterity : 9
Short Sword Skill Level 4Martial Art Level 51UP
Throwing Level 4Archery Level 2Defense Level 4String Control Level 4
Light Magic Level 41UPDarkness Magic Level 4Non-Elemental Magic Level 4
Daily Life MagicMagic Power Control Level 5Pressure Level 4
Stealth Level 4Night Vision Level 2Search Level 4
Poison Resistance Level 3Abnormal Status Resistance Level 21UP
Simple Appraisal
Overall Combat Strength : 1497 (With Body Strengthening : 1853) 69 UP
.
I wanted to become stronger.
In order to fulfill my promise.
In order to grant Elenas wish.
Until I became able to fulfill Carlas wishto kill her just like she wanted.
LITTLE GIRLLLLLLLLLLLL!!
Batils face turned dark black from rage as he swung down his axe. I chopped the side of the axes blade while keeping hold of my knife. Then using that as the fulcrum I twirled my whole body and circled around himthen I switched the evasive maneuver into offense.
Guoh!?
I struck using my elbow on Batils side from right beside him.
Batil groaned from my sudden counterattack, even so he quickly sent out a kick.
I blocked that with my right leg and slightly lifted up my left leg to let the impact bleed out. My left leg glided smoothly on the ground while my black dagger aimed at Batils throat.
Guo!
Batil bent backward to dodge the dagger. Seeing that his attention was directed to the knife and dagger in my hands, I stopped my gliding feet and took a short step into his range, then my right knee struck Batils side as though to gouge its flesh.
Batils face that was looking upward from behind back his body convulsed. He swung his axe horizontally in pain. I diverted it by pushing it up using the back of my hand, then without pause I landed a blow with my elbow on the area around his heart.
Aiming at his vital spot using weapon would just get dodged. I also didnt know whether my small blade would pierce through Batils tough muscle until his heart. That was why I used palm strike to make the damage penetrated directly into his internal organ.
Ugaaaaaaaaaa!!
Batil even ignored the attack that hit him and struck with both his axes at the same time.
I met those axes with my black dagger and black knife and parried them to left and right. Without stopping I my knee landed on Batils nose as he charged toward me. The impact sent him flying.
Damage was accumulating inside Batil. In the several seconds of exchange after I switched into offense, Batil who had that much stamina parameter was bursting with fatigue that accumulated inside him. Now he could only sent out attack that could be parried away with my blade.
But his eyes were still alive. Even though he was lacking composure due to anger, I could see that Batils fighting spirit wasnt weakening. So I readied my blade in order to whittle him down even more.
But it was then
.
Both sides, stop right there!!
The voice of an old man resounded through the desert. More than ten beastmen had appeared at the edge of the battlefield without me noticing.
Most of them were rank 3 or below, but the small statured old man at the middle had two beastmen at his sides who felt like rank 4.
The eyes and mouth of the wolf-like old man were covered with pure white fur. He was glaring piercingly at me before he moved his gaze toward Batil who was breathing hard while still scowling.
Elder-
Batilyou were acting without order. It would be a different story if you moved because of a request, but its troublesome that you tried to kill without order. Dont touch that girl over there.
What the hell are you saying, elder!!
That Jilgan had gotten his eyes on that girl first. Thats not the only reason but, you must have noticed too. Shes a troublesome fellow to make trouble with.
I was observing them without letting my guard down.
The elder of the beastmen? Jilgan was that rank 4 old dwarf in the adventurer guild. This elderwhat does he know?
I dont give a damn about that! My pack is slaughtered! How can I just let her go after that-!
Will you keep insisting that, even if thatll make you end up leaving the pack of Munza gang?
tsu, of course!
He abandoned even his position for the sake of his honor and pride.
A pack must be something important for a beastman. The color of Batils face changed for an instant when he was told that he would get banished from the huge pack if he kept going like this, but his pride won and his expression when he looked toward me looked somewhat refreshed.
Use that power just now, little girl.
Batil readied his axes once more and spat out those words.
By that power I guess he meant Iron Rose.
That power that killed the Tous Brothers. Holding back while facing this great me, are you screwing around? Im the head of these guys. Aint no way Im losing against some random woman like you! Fight me with damn everything you got!!
Youre just saying whatever you like.
I turned my gaze just for a moment toward the old man while keeping my blade at the ready. The elder just grinned while tacitly consenting with Batils action.
How did the adventure guild which was Hogros Company involved with this? And these guys too, despite saying that it would be troublesome to get involved with me, they cut off Batil in order to observe my strength. Unpleasant.
But Batil. Ill respond to your pride.
Got it. Ill kill you with everything I have. Batil. Stake your life too in the next attack.
Hah, you cheeky little girl.
Even though he snorted and said such thing, Batil took a stance that showed he had thrown any idea of defense to the wind.
I also responded to that and put away the knife in my left hand. I pulled my hand that was holding dagger as far behind as I could.
You aint using it?
Thats my weapon. Im the one deciding where and when to use my own weapon.
Hah, you aint wrong. Then
Batil too similarly twisted his body while pulling back his right arm. Then he leaped forward using his whole body as a spring.
Its gonna be my win if I kill you before you use it!!
He brandished his axe high above his head and struck down in a flash.
[Raging(Mad Rage)]!
The one-handed axes Battle Skill, Raging. It was a powerful Battle Skill that had the strength to kill instantly if it hit directly, just like the short swords Critical Edge.
I threw my pendulum from my left hand just a moment before the Battle Skill was executed, then I similarly fired my Battle Skill with my raised dagger toward the approaching Batil.
Cyclone
!?
Batils eyes widened seeing the Battle Skill that I unleashed.
Cyclone was a sorcery type wide area Battle Skill with insufficient attack power. Even a one hit kill Battle Skill would only neutralize another one hit kill Battle Skill. The wide area skill Cyclone would only divert Raging slightly, but it wouldnt reduce its attack strength at all.
But, that was enough.
We both executed Battle Skill and the effect stunned our body for a moment. But the weight type pendulum that I tossed shifted my unmoving body just a little with its weight.
Guoh!
Fresh blood splattered from my right shoulder. Batil who couldnt even dodge the wide area Battle Skill was hit at his upper body. His sight was blocked by his own blood spray and he let out a moan.
Iron Rose
My pinkly tinged blonde hair changed into the color of gray iron. I kicked on the ground with my left leg that was freed from its stunned state an instant earlier and jumped over Batils head while putting my pendulums string around his neck. Batils neck snapped instantly when the string tightened from my momentum and weight as I landed back to back with him.
*Gukin!*
tsk
At the endwhen the string loosened, it felt like I heard Batils tongue clicking when air escaped from his mouth.
I untangled the string from Batils broken neck as his body crumbled down. The beastmen who was watching let out groans that sounded like scream seeing me standing alone there.
.
Do you want to continue?
I turned a gaze that was pressuring the surrounding toward the elder while also pointing my blade toward him. All his bodyguards readied their weapons in respond.
Stop! Dont be tricked by outer appearance you fools. You all who can only measure someone with vague indicator like combat strength are not her match.
I slowly narrowed my eyes in a glare. The elder smiled at me like a good natured old man.
What did this old man know? Why was he this on guard against me even though this was our first time meeting?
Im an old acquaintance of Jilgan you see. Theres no way someone who made him wary in just a glance is a normal person. I was right to come here following my whim. I still dont feel like stirring up trouble with Hogros Company.
The elder smiled broadly against my wordless pressure.
Im the west elder of Munza Gang, Kushmu. I have a deal for you, girl.
Deal?
Indeed. Itll be troublesome to stir up trouble with a mad dog like you, but killing an adventurer who caught Jilgans eyes will also simply sow the seeds of later calamity. Sell your medicine to Hogros Company. Ill talk to Kirly Company. How about we reconcile with that?
Elder!?
One of the four factions ruling over this town, Munza Gang. One of that Munza Gangs elders was making a suggestion that made them looked like they were backing down. The beastmen guarding him reflexively raised their voices, but Kushmu glared fiercely at those young beastmen.
You guys still dont get it. Strength isnt just power or technique. Whats left in the end is will. Its pointless for all of you to try anything with this girl as long as you dont understand that. And? What do you think?
I accept.
The deal to make up for attacking me and trying something with someone who caught the eye of Hogros Companys Jilgan, we obtained a place to sell our potion to, and Hogros Company obtained high class potion.
Ou, we have a deal with this then. Lets meet again, girl.
Kushmu said that and turned around to leave with his bodyguards but, on the way he slightly turned toward me.
Right right, do you know this, girl. A merchant who came from Carlfan Empire told me. Apparently there is this little girl in a faraway foreign country who made enemy of the thief guild and assassin guild and went around slaughtering everyone. That little girl is apparently called Ash Crowned Princess because of the ash she sprinkled on her hair. Just like you before this.
So that nickname that suppressed the underworld had spread until this far. It wasnt just Kushmu who was wary toward me. Jilgan, the old dwarf of Hogros Company might have also noticed.
Kushmu cut off Batil. Then he not only saw through my true identity, he avoided a hostile relationship with me while at the same time using me as a piece toward Hogros Company.
I didnt know whether he also knew about Elena but, while seeing off the backs of Kushmu and his men, I increased my wariness toward Munza Gangno, the four organizations that were in control of this town.
.
Buttwo days later, I heard a rumor that Riezan Family attacked Munza Gang and Kushmu died during it.