Rain fell on the open space.
The Dark Elf, Quelinn Kalhide, furrowed her brows.
It was stifling. No matter how much she thought about it, nothing particular came to mind from the clown’s name.
But there was one thing she did understand.
He was no ordinary foe.
Quelinn drew her rapier.
“Kael, bring Kundal over here. Let me deal with him using just one arm.”
“Get fucked.”
“Fine. Leave Kundal there and go. I’ll spare your life.”
“No.”
“What is it you want, then?”
“Your necks.”
Jeong Yusin pulled out a magic scroll from his coat.
Assassins instantly placed their fingers on the triggers of their crossbows.
The Dark Elf shouted.
“Kael, what are you doing?! Stop your nonsense and either back off or surrender!”
“Fireball!!!”
Jeong Yusin tore the scroll and yelled.
In an instant, all eyes on the open square were fixed on Jeong Yusin’s scroll.
‘This will work.’
The scroll magic was completely different from the spell Jeong Yusin had shouted out.
[Light]
An intense light burst forth and filled the open space.
The assassins hit directly by the light had to tightly shut their eyes.
“Aaaaagh!!! It’s a Light spell!”
“Shoot! Fire!”
Pong!! Pong!! Pong!!
The bolts fired by the assassins flew in unison.
Jeong Yusin hid behind Kundal.
Fwhooshhh!!!
“Khheeerrgh!!!”
Five or six bolts pierced into Kundal’s body.
Jeong Yusin slipped out from behind Kundal and rushed towards the assassins.
The temporarily blinded assassins were in disarray.
‘Good.’
Jeong Yusin, holding the Aming Sword in one hand, rushed towards the assassins.
One of the assassins discarded his crossbow and drew his sword, wildly swinging it around.
Jeong Yusin moved behind the man and whispered in his ear.
“What are you doing?”
“Khheerrgh!!!”
A deep wound appeared.
Fwoooshh.
The Aming Sword pierced through the man’s back and protruded out of his chest.
“Ghh!!!”
The man’s last cry.
His heart had been pierced; he was already dead. Jeong Yusin quickly moved on to the next target.
A guy swinging a mace while shouting.
Jeong Yusin charged in and swung his sword from above.
Fwooooshhh!!!
The severed hand fell to the ground. Blood spurted from the cross-section of the arm.
“Khaaahh!!!”
The assassin screamed, clutching his severed arm.
Swooooshhh!!!
Jeong Yusin swung his sword horizontally, severing the assassin’s head.
The sword’s light flashed, and the assassins’ heads flew into the sky.
Pong!
The twang of the crossbow string.
Jeong Yusin reacted instantly.
Tinggg!!!
He swung the Aming Sword to deflect the bolt.
The assassins who had started to regain their sight were increasing in number.
Jeong Yusin moved faster.
He aimed only at vital spots, aiming for maximum efficiency.
“Khaaahh!!!”
“Keherrgh!!!”
The Dark Elf kept her eyes closed, raising her rapier in silence.
Regardless, Jeong Yusin encircled the Dark Elf to slaughter the remaining assassins.
“Khaaahh!!!”
“Keherrrggh!!!”
“Mercy! Mercy!!!”
Jeong Yusin weaved between the assassins, swinging his sword. The cries of pain and pleas for mercy echoed throughout the open space.
He severed wrists and pierced hearts.
He slashed open bellies and tore out intestines, plunging the sword beneath the jaw to shred brains.
Jeong Yusin was a dispassionate butcher, while the blinded assassins were grunting pigs.
He carefully and painstakingly ended each one, one by one.
Swooooshhh!!!
Jeong Yusin’s sword split the wind with a brilliant flash.
Thud.
The body of the assassin, decapitated, fell to the ground.
This was the last assassin.
The severed head rolled and came to a stop by the Dark Elf’s feet.
“…”
The Dark Elf didn’t move an inch.
Jeong Yusin swung the Aming Sword to flick off the blood stuck to its blade.
Plok-plok.
Red blood mixed with the rainwater on the ground.
Jeong Yusin leaned the Aming Sword over his shoulder and slowly paced around the Dark Elf. It wasn’t to look for an opening. He strolled leisurely, as if on a quiet walk.
Under the summer rain, while relishing the scent of blood and grass, he glanced around.
Jeong Yusin halted his steps and looked toward where the carriage was.
There were three carriages in total, with the middle one being the largest.
Jeong Yusin approached the largest carriage. A large lock was attached to the carriage door.
Tock tock.
Jeong Yusin knocked on the carriage door. Inside, the sound of someone swallowing hard could be heard.
‘There you are.’
Jeong Yusin turned his body and looked at the Dark Elf.
“Stop your meditation. Black-skinned one.”
At Jeong Yusin’s words, the Dark Elf opened her eyes.
“Kundal… is dead?”
At the Dark Elf’s words, Jeong Yusin turned his head to look at Kundal.
Kundal, with six or seven bolts in him, lay motionless on the ground.
Jeong Yusin spoke.
“Quelinn Kalhide, you killed him.”
“You knew my name?”
“It’s a name that will soon be forgotten.”
Jeong Yusin brought down the Aming Sword he had slung over his shoulder and took a lower stance, one of the positions he had learned while being thrashed by Ashur in combat combinations. It was also called ‘Alber’ in the original world, but the name didn’t matter.
The core of the stance lay in disturbing the opponent or preventing them from concentrating.
In short, it was a psychological warfare stance.
It had a downside, too. If the opponent was proficient in psychological warfare, their head might get crushed or fly off.
But what did it matter?
Having danced tap at the gateway of hell, the threshold had worn away almost completely.
‘Wavering.’
Jeong Yusin steadied his stance and let out a deep sigh.
“Hoo. Come on.”
“Was your job that of a swordsman?”
The Dark Elf’s eyes slightly widened.
“Yeah. Let’s fight honorably.”
Jeong Yusin responded.
The Dark Elf wore an expression as if finding this absurd.
“Didn’t you just use poison and magic earlier? You’re out of your mind.”
“A swordsman speaks with the sword.”
Jeong Yusin straightened his back, stepping elegantly on the ground and retorted.
“…Unbelievably bold.”
The Dark Elf rushed in without wanting to waste more words.
Shiiiiick!!!
The rapier pierced through the rain, aiming for Jeong Yusin’s shoulder.
Jeong Yusin stayed still and calmly looked at the rapier.
Right before the blade hit the shoulder.
‘Now.’
Jeong Yusin quickly turned his body to dodge the rapier and thrust his sword upward.
The Dark Elf slightly stepped back to avoid the blade.
Jeong Yusin inwardly clicked his tongue.
No wonder about the enhanced vision from the Crow Sight. There were no blind spots.
Sshhhiiick!!!
The rapier came even faster this time. It aimed for Jeong Yusin’s head.
Jeong Yusin quickly turned his head. The blade swept past his cheek only by the width of a sheet of paper. A thin cut appeared, and blood trickled down.
[Revencher]
Activation.
Jeong Yusin’s eyes blazed with a blue flame.
‘This guy is resistant to psychological warfare.’
He immediately scrapped the first plan.
With Quelinn’s Fast Weapon inscription, prolonged combat was extremely disadvantageous. This made a short-term fight necessary.
‘Only option is to lose some skin but gain the bone.’
Chang! Cha-chang!
Taking up a mid-stance, Jeong Yusin swung the sword. The speed of the Dark Elf’s rapier gradually increased.
Sshhiiick!!!
The rapier cleaved through the air and stabbed forward.
Puck!
The sword pierced Jeong Yusin’s shoulder.
“Shit!”
Jeong Yusin took a step forward, but the sword was quickly pulled out from his shoulder.
The Dark Elf took a slight step back and sneered.
“Trading flesh for bone, eh? Your skills are showing.”
“…”
Thereafter, it was one-sided attacks from the Dark Elf. She maintained a thorough distance and stabbed with the rapier.
Puck! Puck! Puck!
Shoulder, ribs, thigh.
Everywhere the rapier pierced, blood flowed freely. Correspondingly, Jeong Yusin’s flame grew deeper and darker.
Quelinn inwardly clicked her tongue.
‘He should’ve fallen by now.’
That crazy clown didn’t flinch once and continued to swing his sword.
Unaware of the Dark Elf’s thoughts, Jeong Yusin wildly swung his sword as though possessed.
‘Imagine arrows. Bolts instead.’
Jeong Yusin’s eyes gradually became hazy.
Moments of agony.
Small instances were the hatchets flying towards him on the circus stage.
Larger was the dozens of bolts flying at him in the labyrinth.
This had already become a form of trauma but hadn’t been resolved through drink or conversation.
Instead,
Every early morning, he would reflect on those agonizing moments and swing his sword obsessively.
And in this moment,
The hardships he’d endured became fertilizer through training, causing Jeong Yusin’s strength to flower.
Thud!!!
The Dark Elf’s eyes widened in shock.
“Wha?!”
Did that clown just block her rapier?
The faster swordplay from the Fast Weapon inscription was difficult for even her to control.
It sent a chill down her spine.
Anxiety crept in.
Sssssshhhiiiikk!!!
The rapier cut through the air and plunged deep into Jeong Yusin’s chest.
“Keeerrr!!!”
Jeong Yusin gritted his teeth.
‘He’s here.’
He avoided the heart. He took one more step closer. The Dark Elf’s eyes widened.
The sword.
The sword that had pierced the clown’s chest didn’t move.
‘What the…’
Suddenly,
Krak!!
An immense pain struck the Dark Elf’s lower right leg. Amplified by the Hyper Sensitivity inscription, the pain rattled Quelinn’s mind.
“Kheerrghhh!!!”
The Dark Elf limped back and fell to the ground.
Jeong Yusin smiled.
The jackknife attached to his boots had done the deed. For three days, he’d persisted until Boron finally agreed to attach the jackknife to his boots.
“Shit!!! You sneaky bastard!!!”
The Dark Elf roared in anger.
Jeong Yusin pulled out the rapier from his chest and threw it to the ground.
Dhing.
He spat out rising blood onto the ground.
“Feh!!! Suddenly compliments are embarrassing.”
“Crazy bastard!!! You son of a bitch!!! Aren’t you ashamed as a swordsman?!”
“Anyway, I won, and I broke your proud Fast Weapon inscription.”
The Elf tried to shout but her eyes widened in surprise.
Your green hair… turning black?”
“Are you a half-bred Barbaroy? Not Kael! You’re the butcher, Scath!”
Jeong Yusin ran a hand through his hair.
‘You’re back. To black hair again.’
The magical dye given by Oswald had apparently hit its time limit.
Still, they figured it out at a glance. He clicked his tongue with regret.
Though the fierce nickname “slaughterer” wasn’t exactly his favorite, it was better than being known as a child lover.
He had initially tried to slip a good nickname onto Kael, but that plan went awry.
Jeong Yusin sighed and raised his sword.
“Though you lack virtue, skill, and wisdom in every aspect, mere mortal sword-wielding Elf, I shall now bring an end to your pitiful life.”
“Sh… shut up!!!”
“Die peacefully.”
Jeong Yusin pierced the Dark Elf’s abdomen with his sword, standing it vertically.
Pwooosh!!!
The Aming Sword pierced through the intestines and buried itself into the ground.
“Kheerrghh!!!”
Jeong Yusin stared at the Dark Elf, who was spitting out blood, then stood up and wandered around the open space.
All ten assassins were dead.
The Dark Elf, Quelinn Kalhide, nearly dead.
Walking among the scattered corpses, he picked up a mace and approached the central carriage.
Craaaang!!! Craaaang!!!
After a few strikes, the lock broke.
Tock tock.
“Is anyone there?”
Creeeak.
Opening the door released a foul smell.
Everywhere, mutilated demons, animals, and humans huddled together and shivered in the corners. The animals remained unscathed.
Upon seeing Jeong Yusin’s face and black hair, a few of them instantly wet themselves and fainted.
“I’ve come for you, Ahiman.”
“Chirp!”
A small lizard quickly crawled over.
Jeong Yusin extended his hand, took Ahiman, and examined him.
There didn’t seem to be any injuries.
“Ahiman, you’ve endured a great deal.”
“Chirp!”
“You consider me the best? I understand, thank you.”
“Chirp.”
Jeong Yusin turned his head again and observed the people.
“Ah, fuck.”
The captured people shared a common trait: their ankle bandages were soaked with thick blood.
Jeong Yusin handed a potion to the nearest kobold.
“Take this and treat the people first.”
“Y…yes, sir. Kingking.”
The kobold carefully approached Jeong Yusin and accepted the potion.
Jeong Yusin exited the carriage and quickly approached the Dark Elf.
The Dark Elf was spitting out blood.
“You, you’re not human. Just die already.”
Jeong Yusin drew his sword and plunged it into the Dark Elf’s heart.
“Khk!”
The Dark Elf’s breath ceased.
Jeong Yusin stood up and sat on the carriage steps.
After waiting there for a while, two people appeared from the bush.
Delnaco and Maya.
“Teacher!”
Maya ran, tears streaming, towards Ahiman.
“Chirp!”
Maya carefully took Ahiman from Jeong Yusin’s shoulder and hugged him tightly.
“Sob. I’m sorry. Teacher, you must have suffered a lot for me. I’ll never let go of you again.”
Maya wiped her tears on Ahiman’s face.
“Chirrrp.”
The lizard licked her with his tongue.
After recovering her senses, Maya bowed deeply to Jeong Yusin.
“Master Scath, thank you.”
“Please, don’t mention it. Let’s help each other, right?”
Jeong Yusin waved his hand.
Thanks to Maya’s help, the Female Virgin Degradation inscription had been successfully sealed. It was him who should be grateful.
“Master Scath,”
Delnaco bowed at a right angle and handed over a towel.
“Thank you.”
Right as Jeong Yusin was about to wipe his face with the towel.
Fussuss.
Five people wrapped in masks emerged from the bushes.
Jeong Yusin looked at the masked individuals.
‘These are Oswald’s subordinates.’
That was clear at first glance.
They wore the silver bracelets on their left wrists, just as Oswald had mentioned beforehand.
The masked people dragged five corpses with them.
Out of the 25 assassins, the five missing ones from before were right here.
The mercenaries hired by Oswald approached and bowed their heads to Scath.
“Master Scath, you have worked hard.”
Jeong Yusin, seated on the carriage, looked around at the mercenaries.
Suddenly becoming respectful?
It’s strange.
He cautiously asked.
“Who are you to suddenly speak to me with honorifics?”
“My subordinates.”
A figure emerged from the bushes and into the open space.
An elf with an eyepatch over one eye.
Aldein Ashwood.
The Demon Disassembly Site Director.
