Chapter 103

The reason I kicked down the door after a brief hesitation is quite simple.

I don’t really trust Delphoi, but there was a slim chance, a 1% one, that Grace might truly have returned.

Even if I had a 99% suspicion, if there was no hard evidence, I’d be the only one at a loss. I needed to be sure, especially since the time frame didn’t align with what I knew.

As soon as I closed the door, Delphoi muttered something in annoyance, and there were words that indicated Grace’s presence.

Crash!!

“I heard that. The voice.”

With evidence in hand, all that was left to do was charge in. I kicked the door hard, forcing my way inside.

I didn’t care that the door flew far away, causing chaos in the research room. What mattered now was Grace.

“What, what?!”

“··· ···”

As I broke in—no, smashed the door—Delphoi looked completely flustered.

As I watched him panic, I noticed a woman lying on the sofa, looking as if she were dead.

It was Grace. She had been lying there with only her top exposed, as if she were about to be violated, and it seemed no further actions had occurred.

‘No, wait. Maybe something has already happened.’

Maybe he had touched her chest. I glanced at her figure, hidden beneath purple lingerie, and then shifted my gaze back to Delphoi.

Delphoi, seemingly caught off guard, was darting his eyes around, deep in thought.

Now that the criminal act was exposed, all that was left was some serious education for him. I took a step forward.

“Wait! This, this is a misunderstanding!”

“?”

What kind of nonsense was that? I halted when Delphoi hurriedly made excuses, reaching out with his hands.

It was obvious to anyone that he was caught in the act of committing a crime. Even shameless Delphoi couldn’t brush this off.

“Hey, hey, you might think I’ve lived in the wilderness too long to understand! This is purely for treatment! It’s definitely not what you think!”

“··· ···”

However, what came out of Delphoi’s mouth was far from what I expected. To say something so brazen was ridiculous.

He seemed to think that my wilderness upbringing meant I lacked common sense.

Not a bad choice of words for an impromptu excuse. Had I really been born and raised in the wild, it might have been convincing.

“So I’d like you to go back. I’ll forgive you for breaking the door.”

“I’ve learned.”

“What, what?”

“I learned from Eli. This is a bad thing.”

What kind of nonsense was he spewing? Additionally, he had something he learned from Eli just in time.

I pointed at Grace while watching Delphoi, who was looking dazed.

“Grace is defenseless. You were going to pounce on her. That’s a bad thing.”

“··· ···”

“Bad things are not allowed. So I stop it.”

Eli said that one must never violate a defenseless woman.

Of course, there are exceptions. If she appears shy and doesn’t resist, that might be seen as a sign of consent or something.

When I heard that, I thought she was educated quite well. I didn’t mind letting it slide, thinking I grasped the gist of it.

‘Maybe Eli can be a witness later.’

Civilization can be upheld only through a powerful barrier called ‘law.’ If not, it wouldn’t be different from the wilderness.

But sometimes, there are instances where fists are closer than laws. Especially in this world, fists can yield greater effects.

Having said all I needed, I strode over to Delphoi. He recoiled with a look of bewilderment.

Then, he peeked at Grace, lying there quietly, before suddenly flashing a bright smile as if he thought of something.

“Y-yeah! I have a great proposal for you!”

“A proposal?”

“Yeah! A proposal! It’d be a shame to enjoy her all by myself, so why not join in? It’s rare to claim such a beauty!”

“··· ···”

I was at a loss for words. How could he say such things while viewing me as some kind of beast?

I looked back to see if anyone was coming. The entrance, completely wide open, showed no signs of life.

It was Friday, and other classes were having exams, meaning there were fewer people around. So no one had arrived yet.

Even if someone did come, Grace could step forward as a witness, so it would be fine.

The reason I brought this up is simple.

“I’m from the wilderness.”

“W-what do you mean all of a sudden…”

“Like a beast. I get told that.”

Living in the wilderness taught me a lot. At the very least, you’d protect your own and not just assault a female at will.

Well, there are sometimes unnaturally intelligent creatures that commit human-like crimes. Especially goblins.

But those actions are driven by ‘instinct,’ not true intelligence. Everyone would know if there were clarity in intelligence.

“It doesn’t feel bad. It’s the truth. I’ve been scolded for it. Told to live like a human.”

That committing rape with drugs is a crime one must never commit as a person.

Delphoi crossed the last line of decency.

“You. You’re worse than a beast.”

Rod kindly taught me this. For creatures worse than beasts.

“I’m going to hit you.”

A hawk is a remedy. I know that from experience.

I dashed at Delphoi before he could utter any more nonsense.

As I charged, he opened his mouth, seemingly preparing to unleash magic. With the hand gestures he made, it was definitely magic.

“My body…! Ugh?!”

The alpha and omega of magic is language. I simply cut off his ‘speak.’

Thanks to my large hand, I could easily grab Delphoi’s filthy jaw with one hand.

<Crash!>

After grabbing his face, I hurled him toward the desk. Being a mage, he was probably weak, so that ought to hurt quite a bit.

Looking around for something suitable before he came to his senses, I couldn’t find anything of use in this mage’s research room.

It was a pity, but punching him was my only option.

“Ugh… this dog… Ugh?!”

I forcibly lifted the staggering Delphoi and then smashed his face into the desk.

Due to the sheer difference in power, he wouldn’t be able to do anything. All that was left was to remove that filthy mouth of his.

‘This is something you see often in movies.’

Though there weren’t any objects that could be called a hawk, there were plenty of pens. I grabbed a handful of pens stuck inside a cup on the desk.

And I forced his mouth open, shoving them all inside. He won’t be able to speak properly now.

Of course, I wasn’t done yet. I slammed my fist down like a hammer.

Smack!

“Ugh?!”

With numerous pens stuffed in his mouth, I precisely punched his cheek like a hammer.

Hitting at the angle with pens sticking out could really kill him. Beasts worse than beasts should suffer slowly.

‘Rod and Verche Duke’s Family will take care of the rest.’

If I make it so he can never live as a mage again, that’ll be the end of it. Time to harvest some corn.

Smack! Smack! Smash!

As I punched down countless times, the pens in Delphoi’s mouth broke in half.

With his sturdy teeth and the impact, they finally couldn’t hold up anymore.

I figured that was enough and pulled the pens out of Delphoi’s mouth.

“Cough… ugh…”

Half-broken pens along with his teeth came tumbling out.

His spit mixed with blood, and I grimaced at the sight. I expected it, but it was disgustingly dirty.

<Whoosh! Crash!>

After removing all the pens and corn, I seized his neck and hurled him against the wall. He flew like a piece of paper.

Delphoi slumped against the wall, having lost the strength to resist. But the lesson wasn’t over yet.

If this were done to a fellow man, it would be the worst of acts, but Delphoi isn’t a man. He’s just a beast that needs to be slaughtered.

As I slowly approached him, I spread his legs apart. I aimed directly for his groin.

“Now, hold on…”

“··· ···”

“Y-you’ll… you’ll…”

Delphoi struggled to speak properly, likely because he had lost all hope. Blood and saliva flowed freely from his mouth.

Yet, he still tried to speak, seeking a way to survive, which meant he had some spirit left.

I figured I should at least listen to the last testament of this condemned man. I paused with my foot still raised.

“Who am I…?”

He slowly lifted his head, glaring at me with venomous eyes, still seemingly dazed.

“Even if you say that… you won’t… get away…”

I understood the gist of what he meant. He was probably saying I would receive just punishment for the violence I committed.

As I mentioned earlier, civilization is surrounded by a strong barrier called ‘law.’ If this law crumbles, civilization falls in an instant.

Since I beat Delphoi to a pulp, I’d surely receive the law’s punishment. Even in different eras, violence is still violence.

But I wasn’t particularly worried. With no backing, I just had to take responsibility myself.

Just a wild man with nothing. I can take responsibility for my own actions.

Thus, I confidently replied.

“Your mom.”

<Crash!>

With a clean jab, I struck his groin. I felt something burst at my feet.

Whether it was his pillars being crushed or an egg bursting, I couldn’t tell. Either way, he wouldn’t be using it for life.

“Grrr…”

Delphoi collapsed, foaming at the mouth from the shock. His eyes rolled back, signaling it hit him hard.

If categorized by body parts, it was akin to his insides bursting. Nevertheless, he’s tough enough not to die.

I glanced at the unconscious Delphoi before looking back. Grace had still not woken up.

“··· ···”

As I approached closer, Grace lay quietly with her eyes closed. I wanted to somehow wake her, but I had no antidote.

If Eli were here, she’d probably mix some kind of potion. For now, all I could do was keep her safe.

“Hmm…”

But something kept bothering me. I scratched my head while looking at Grace’s exposed upper body.

Her school uniform was intact, but the clothes inside were torn in half. It looked like something sharp was used to rip them.

Leaving it like this would be embarrassing for both of us. Instead of fixing Grace’s uniform, I chose another option.

Flap—

I draped my own uniform over her. This should spare her any embarrassment.

Then, a small smile crept onto Grace’s lips. It seemed she grasped what was going on to some extent.

“Grace?”

“Uuuh…”

It was indeed her. Grace responded softly at my call. Her consciousness was still there.

If someone were violated while unable to do anything, that would surely leave a deep scar.

“It’s okay.”

The creature worse than a beast has been dealt with. I knelt before Grace.

Had I been just a moment later, I might never have seen Grace alive again. I was glad I didn’t ignore my instincts.

“A creature worse than a beast is gone. You’re safe now.”

“··· ···”

Upon hearing my words, Grace let out a calm breath. Since she couldn’t move, was she trying to get some sleep?

She shouldn’t. To break the paralysis faster, she needed to start moving her fingers.

It was a skill I learned having been poisoned while living in the forest. I told Grace,

“Don’t fall asleep. Move your fingers.”

“Ohhh…”

“I’ll help.”

Seeing that she seemed to struggle, I took her hand gently, resting on her stomach.

Then, I pressed on it as if I were kneading it like a cat to restore her sensation.

Starting from her fingertips, gradually applying it to her whole body. Hopefully, this would help her some.

“Mmnnn…”

“?”

Did she just moan? I paused the massage and peered at Grace.

She lay still with her eyes closed. I must have misheard.

Press—press—

I diligently applied pressure until Grace’s paralysis eased.

“Hah… uuuh…”

“··· ···”

I should just pretend I didn’t hear that.

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