154th Chapter: The Witch of Death in the Forest of Swords
“Taking care of the traitor.”
Having finished speaking, I immediately delivered the second blow.
The Vestark in my right hand wasn’t merely decoration.
“Hmph!”
Bang! As the swords collided, a light shockwave arose. A heavy impact ran through my hand.
The sound of the explosion was unusually faint. Was this also the effect of the Silence Magic? It felt like digging in water.
‘Here we go again!’
Kikikik! Though I unleashed a storm-like flurry of attacks, once again, Geom Rim parried my strikes. Each time, a different sword revealed itself.
Looks like the decoration of carrying many swords wasn’t for show. I clicked my tongue in frustration.
‘What on earth is this thing?’
A moment of standoff ensued. The dagger Geom Rim extended was quite unusual.
Thin grooves were carved all over the blade, and the edge of Vestark was perfectly lodged within them.
Before I could activate The Eye of Mimir, Older Brother Sooho suddenly shouted urgently.
“That hole! Get it out! Quick, it’s breaking! It’s breaking apart! Brother, I’m dying here!”
Any passerby could easily misunderstand his rushed ramblings.
Confused, I tilted my head slightly but still managed to break the contact with his blade and pulled away. Although Sooho may be flighty, it’s never been harmful to heed his words.
Then, a belated activation of The Eye of Mimir finally unveiled the panel of the peculiar dagger.
[Item Information]
[Name: Gaisers Swordbreaker (Rare)]
[Modifiers: Strength +15, Agility +15]
[Details: Product of Gaisers, the largest weapon production site in Unterland. Though mass-produced, this is an excellent masterpiece capable of destroying an opponent’s blade by locking it into grooves.]
[Upgradable Count: 1]
‘Ah… real deal, Brother. Almost broke your precious stick, hmm?’
I shuddered at the thought and glanced briefly at Vestark, now understanding why Older Brother had freaked out.
Relieved to have some distance between us, Brother Sooho sighed deeply.
“What is the meaning of this, Friend of Adrang?”
From the opposite side, Geom Rim asked. His gaze remained calm, as did his tone.
However, I could detect a quiet fury smoldering beneath the surface. I shrugged.
“I already told you. I’m dealing with the traitor.”
“… Traitor? On what basis do you make such absurd claims…?”
“It’s already been done. Paek Eun and the Golden side.”
“…!”
“All I can say with certainty is that you’re an Apostle of Cassas. Bet your head on that. Now, either step down or fall.”
Geom Rim fell silent at my words.
I, too, paused for a moment, keeping an eye on his condition. Was it due to the Silence Magic? As we clammed up, the area was enveloped in an overwhelming silence.
I smirked unpleasantly and tapped my shoulder with Vestark.
“Why are you alone on our side? Are you slow or something? You’ve been sold out by those two. They begged Adrang for their lives and sold you out.”
“That’s absurd… they would never do such a thing…!”
Geom Rim firmly dismissed my claims. I raised an eyebrow in mockery.
“Do you really think it’s absurd? Then how do you explain my detailed knowledge of the Apostle of Cassas? Who informed me that you three are traitors? Huh?”
“…”
For the first time, Geom Rim’s impassive demeanor cracked. A mix of anger, confusion, and suspicion painted his face.
That reaction was essentially a confession. I allowed myself a smug grin.
It’s the prisoner’s dilemma, isn’t it? Good job thinking things through, Jung Yong.
After observing the sequence of events, Older Brother Sooho interjected, and I nodded slightly in agreement.
Yes. The traitor wasn’t alone. Adrang’s ability to judge people was worse than we could imagine.
It’s almost as if the saying “birds of a feather flock together” exists for a reason.
‘Elfride and Knightrea. Except for Portia, they’re all Apostles of Cassas.’
This knife enthusiast here. And the golden and silver hatchet men who followed Adrang.
They’re all traitors. In the subtitles beside the name of Adrang’s personal Knight, there was prominently displayed the title “Apostle of Cassas.”
[Name: Gatreck Ronan]
[Nickname: The 83375935th Official Hero. Knight of Geom Rim. Witch Hunter. Apostle of Cassas. Wireless]
[LV. 336]
[HP: 1650/1650 MP: 1850/1850 Physical Condition: Normal]
[Strength: 340 Agility: 429 Intelligence: 361 Hero Sense: 38]
‘That’s why, even Adrang doesn’t stand a chance against such betrayal.’
While internally scoffing at the situation, I turned my gaze toward the residential district far away.
Adrang is likely going through the same ordeal right now, interrogating the bunch. That’s what I told him to do.
I’ve personally witnessed Adrang’s overwhelming power. There’s nothing as useless as worrying about that guy.
What I need to focus on now is taking care of my own business.
“Uh, Jung Yong… what exactly are you talking about… Ronan also, why are you humorously going along with this meaningless joke…?”
Elfride, seemingly unaware of the current situation, slowly approached Geom Rim with a puzzled look.
I immediately felt my hair stand on end and quickly threw Espada between her and Geom Rim with all my strength.
A sudden flash of light and sparks erupted.
Just as Geom Rim’s massive broadsword was about to strike Elfride’s neck, it deflected off the sword I had thrown.
“…Ah?”
Elfride belatedly reached to touch her neck and stumbled backward. She soon collapsed onto the ground, realizing how close she had come to losing her head.
Seeing her reaction, I sighed.
“Oh geez, you sure have a trigger finger. Are you seriously going to hit a woman like that?”
“Priority targets in a many-to-one situation are the mages. I merely acted according to Adrang’s teachings.”
As I muttered under my breath, Geom Rim retaliated sarcastically. I grunted in annoyance and caught Espada mid-air as it had bounced off.
Geom Rim stretched his arms wide and spoke softly.
“Indeed, it was as Lord Hector said. The Guiding Raven… the Demon King’s contractee with incomprehensible power. You were the one who should’ve been eliminated first.”
“… Your damn crow talk X—!…”
Before I could finish my complaints, swish-swish! All the swords attached to Geom Rim’s body were suddenly drawn out.
Dozens of blades with a chilling sheen appeared in various shapes and hovered around him, guarding him in midair.
“Damn.”
Jesus, what the X—?! I unintentionally gasped.
“What the hell. How many sword styles is that?”
“About twenty styles, I reckon.”
Older Brother Sooho naturally chimed in. Even to me, it looked like about twenty styles.
Geom Rim, Forest of Swords. Just as the name suggests, isn’t it? I snorted softly to myself.
“For the harmony of the world, vanish.”
With that mid-grade junior-high dialogue, Geom Rim lunged at me.
Swish! Three long swords slid by my cheek simultaneously. Bending my head down immediately afterward, a few strands of my hair were cut off by Geom Rim’s swing of the great broadsword.
“You’ve got decent reflexes. Adrang has certainly trained you well.”
Hiss! Geom Rim pressed forward with relentless attacks. I bent my waist with a gasp.
Tossing the great broadsword into midair, Geom Rim grabbed one of the hovering daggers and stabbed directly at my stomach.
“Uh—!”
Fortunately, he missed, but my posture was thrown off significantly.
Taking the opportunity, Geom Rim launched all of his swords toward me at once.
‘Fluid Movement.’
However, that same moment, I suddenly shifted behind Geom Rim.
As my vision flickered, I swung my double swords in an X formation. Even then, Geom Rim hadn’t noticed my position. The game was over.
But, paf-paf-paf! Instead of spurting blood, sparks jumped in front of my eyes. I widened my eyes.
‘What the heck?!”
A few great swords flying around Geom Rim recognized my attack and intercepted it.
Thud-thud-thud. The swords that blocked my decisive strike shattered entirely and fell to the ground.
“Your defense function is ridiculous X—!”
Frustrated, I raised my voice. Only then did Geom Rim notice my presence and hastily stepped back.
He had a bewildered look on his face as he gathered the swords in midair tightly around him.
“You’re using strange sorcery. It’s neither magic nor internal energy. What exactly are you?”
“Business secret, bud.”
For details, consult Lord Halsenberg. I’m just an industrial spy, so I don’t know the specific mechanics for Swordsmen.
Anyway, it seems difficult for your sensors to detect the Fluid Movement skill. Understood.
‘Fluid Movement!’
Activating the skill again, I positioned myself behind Geom Rim.
Swish. As my vision flickered and Geom Rim’s back came into perfect view, I simultaneously sensed an eerie chill and swung Vestark behind me.
Kachang!
Once again, numerous sparks flew. I gritted my teeth against the tingling sensation in my right hand.
Several of Geom Rim’s swords unexpectedly aimed for my back.
“Looks like you can only move behind me.”
“…!”
“You won’t fall for the same trick twice. What a foolish guy.”
Geom Rim mocked me.
At the same time, countless blades silently swarmed toward me. There was no time to dodge.
“Urgh!”
Paf-paf-paf! I began to fend off all the incoming blades. They attacked from various angles and launched irregular patterns.
Swish-swish. A few blades found their way through my defenses, carving into my flesh. Sparks kept flashing in the darkness. Fresh blood oozed from the red wounds.
‘No openings…!’
Somewhere along the way, the swords in midair had surrounded me in a perfect circle and pressed me systematically. I could only focus on blocking as they came at me from all sides.
There’s no way out. I felt as if I was trapped in a forest of swords, densely packed without any gaps.
Calming observing my desperate struggle, Geom Rim exclaimed in awe.
“Even caught in the Heavenly Net, you persist so long. Your stats are certainly much higher than mine.”
“Shut up!”
Biting my teeth, I focused all my energy on blocking the blades closing in from all sides. The circle of swords tightening around me grew narrower. My wounds multiplied.
This won’t do. I need to devise a plan.
Should I escape using Fluid Movement? No, it’d lead to the same situation as before.
Then, what should I do…?
“Give up. No one has ever survived being caught in the Heavenly Net….”
As he bragged about locking me into a prison of sword strikes, Geom Rim’s voice suddenly froze.
“Guh… uhgh…”
Suddenly, Geom Rim’s eyes widened as he began twisting in agony.
I stared in shock.
That’s not all. The movements of the swords pressing against me began to slow down one by one. In a little while, all the swords lost control and wavered about.
Then, thud. They all fell to the ground in a heap.
“…Ronan, the Wolf Brother trusted you… more than me?”
At that moment, a voice came from behind me.
The voice was damp and icy, like that of an undead creature. Both Geom Rim and I snapped our heads around.
Geom Rim grabbed his neck and strained to produce a voice full of pain.
“El…fride…!”
There was Elfride.
Her eyes radiating a purple flame of hatred captured our attention.
“I have… sometimes envied you so deeply… Yet… is this your repayment…?”
Her pale hands clenched into fists as she twisted Geom Rim’s neck, with black tears streaming down her eyes, pouring out a dark, ominous aura.
“I didn’t think… I’d ever use this spell… on a living person…”
Dark energy centered on Elfride’s clenched fist surged violently toward Geom Rim.
She muttered,
“The Mortal Curse… Black Maiden.”
Roaaaar!
The black energy coalescing around her swirled and formed a monstrous shape.
Long flowing disheveled hair, extended claw-like digits, and the thin, grotesque figure of a woman.
“Devour her.”
Ki-i-i-e-eek!
At Elfride’s short command, the black woman released a shrill, ear-piercing screech.
It sounded like a scream and somehow like a laugh simultaneously.
Crunch! The woman’s body violently split down the middle vertically. Inside was complete emptiness. The surface was covered in countless sharp thorns, resembling the giant fangs of a beast.
Squish! The split-open body swallowed Geom Rim’s lower half. His slackened face collapsed onto the ground.
“Urgh…!”
Gurgle-gurgle-gurgle.
The black woman swayed her whole body as if savoring the lower half she had devoured. Satisfied soon, she vanished gracefully into the ground.
“Ho-haa… Hee-hee. Hufff.”
Regulating my rough breaths, I watched this happen.
And then, ting! A cheerful sound effect rang out, and a panel appeared before my eyes.
[Skill Activation: Prometheus]
[You have learned the skill ‘Sword Mastery’ (御劍術).]
[Details: The pinnacle of harmony between sword and user. Infuse weapons with mana to control them like limbs. Power is linked to main stat and connected skill ‘Internal Arts’. Prometheus’s effect copied the skill; as it levels up, mana efficiency increases, but you can only control 3 weapons.]
The annoying Prometheus skill triggered again.
The skill I had struggled against moments ago was Geom Rim’s. Though it was embarrassing to admit my respect for him, I secretly felt pleased for managing to copy such an incredible skill.
“… Ronan…”
At that moment, Elfride wiped her ink-black tear-streaked face with her sleeve and began walking slowly.
At the sight of Geom Rim, whose torso was also slowly being consumed by black energy, she stopped.
“How long…?”
Judging from the context, it seemed like a question asking “how long had you betrayed us?”
Geom Rim chuckled, as if hearing something amusing.
“From the very beginning. I had no interest in your fools’ heroic play.”
Elfride’s eyes wavered.
Biting her lips, she mustered a frail voice.
“What about Gold and Silver?”
“Them… cough! I roped them in. I revealed the underbelly of this crazy world to them, and they immediately followed my words. Chickens without spines. Cough… Cough! Urgh…”
“Underbelly…?”
Geom Rim curled his lips upward as if to show off.
“Ask the one you blindly trust, Adrang. He knows the underbelly of this world and still plans to kill the Witch. The guy’s completely lost it.”
“…”
“An idealist madman, a love-crazed woman, and a power-lusting woman all in one place. Quite the gathering, isn’t it? Witch hunt? Ha, stop kidding around. You guys are… simply a group of crazy lunatics. Haha…!”
Crunch! Suddenly, Geom Rim’s face crumpled.
A dark and massive surge of energy, like a hammer, crushed and pressed against his face.
Glancing around, there was Elfride emitting the enormous energy from her fingertips.
“You shouldn’t insult Wolf Brother.”
Elfride let out a complex sigh and dissipated the dark energy gathered in her hand into the surroundings.
She briefly looked down at the body that had no human form left. Then she turned back to me, smiling cheerfully.
“Come, let’s go… We need to eliminate Cassas’s apostles… right?”
“Yes. That’s correct. Let’s go.”
Though Elfride appeared calm, her back looked unusually shadowed with sorrow right now.
“…”
I silently followed behind her. I made sure to keep quiet.
I knew better than to stir things up when the mood was this way.
