Chapter 80

Chapter 80. If You Die, Consider It Your Fate (2)

Luke had almost given up on finding the Red Comet. But sitting still was too frustrating, so he aimlessly wandered the streets.

Then, the sound of the world collapsing echoed.

“Why do I feel like Keter is over there?”

Prejudiced, Luke decided to run toward the sound.

Misfortune screamed at him not to go, but unlike before, he could now ignore it and go wherever he wanted.

Eventually, he found Keter. On a rooftop, loading a Mana Arrow.

Keter was aiming at a giant red bat. Protected by a sphere of blood, the bat looked incredibly dangerous at first glance.

“Luke, joint attack. Squeeze out your soul and give that bastard a shot!”

“Huh, huh?!”

Even without understanding, thanks to repeated training, Luke instinctively nocked an arrow.

Luke’s strongest technique was the Taurus Bow, firing three arrows simultaneously in a triangular formation.

“This probably won’t even scratch it.”

Luke, who rarely spoke negatively, felt the incoming red bat was overwhelmingly strong. His arrows felt like toothpicks.

But Keter was also loading a Mana Arrow, so Luke trusted there was a plan.

Finally, the Red Comet spread its arms wide, filled with the intent to capture them alive.

“Kyaaaat!”

Luke used the Taurus Bow, shouting to shake off his fear.

Three arrows flew straight toward the Red Comet’s head.

But the arrows couldn’t even reach its face, blocked by the blood sphere and dissipating weakly.

But this wasn’t the end!

If it’s Keter’s Mana Arrow…

“Keter?”

Confused, Luke looked up.

At that moment, a Mana Arrow pierced his chest. The danger his ability warned him of wasn’t the Red Comet but Keter.

Luke’s head slowly lowered. He looked at the arrow in his body, then back at Keter.

“Why…?”

“You snore when you sleep.”

“…!”

*Squish!*

Keter pushed the shallowly embedded Mana Arrow deeper.

The effect was immediate.

*Kieeeek!*

A pitiful scream.

It wasn’t Luke’s scream. It was the Red Comet, clutching its chest in agony.

“Nice!”

Keter didn’t miss the chance, leaping toward the Red Comet.

The blood sphere had already turned into a puddle on the ground. Keter jumped high, avoiding the Red Comet’s flailing arms.

*Kwaang!*

The curse of the Mana Arrow spread through the Red Comet’s chest. Luke’s misfortune reflection had even reflected the curse.

Luke’s reflection ability transfers damage to nearby ‘living beings’ except the attacker. And now, there were only three around.

Luke, Keter, and the Red Comet.

Meaning, all damage Luke would have taken was transferred to the Red Comet.

Why go through such a hassle instead of shooting directly?

If Keter had just fired the Mana Arrow, the Red Comet’s blood sphere would have blocked at least one shot. Maybe even two.

But thanks to Luke, Keter could use his reflection ability to hit the Red Comet with a single shot.

Saving Mana Arrows and eliminating variables.

No reason not to.

“If you die, consider it your fate.”

Keter landed on the struggling Red Comet’s back, holding an Aura Arrow, and plunged it deep into the nape.

*Kiiiiik!*

The Red Comet thrashed even more. Keter held the arrow with both hands, pushing it deeper.

After a while, the Red Comet, twisting its body, smashed buildings like cookies, then finally collapsed forward.

*Kuuuung!*

The Red Comet fell into a pile of rubble. Dust rose thickly. Keter, coughing, stood up and held a new Aura Arrow.

*Puuk!*

Another Aura Arrow pierced the same spot. Keter believed in confirming the kill.

*Pshiiik…*

Whether it was the confirmation or the Red Comet’s strength running out, steam erupted from the massive body.

The steam, thick enough to obscure vision, soon subsided, and the giant red bat was gone.

In its place was a white fluffball, Jjokjjok.

“Alive?”

Keter poked Jjokjjok with his foot.

No response.

Picking it up, the body hung limply.

But it wasn’t dead. A pulse could be felt at the fingertips. It seemed just unconscious.

“You survived. Congrats, little guy.”

Keter wasn’t being sarcastic. He meant it.

Surviving is great. It was Keter’s absolute, unchanging truth.

Putting Jjokjjok in his chest pocket, Keter looked back.

“By now, that brat should be running over to grab my collar.”

But Luke didn’t come.

Going back, Keter found Luke collapsed.

Poking him with his foot, Keter nodded like a researcher.

“Is this Luke’s limit? A Mana Arrow attack drains his stamina and mental strength. Not a single wound. No wonder his skin is so good.”

Forcing someone with depleted stamina and mental strength awake could cause serious aftereffects, so Keter had no choice but to carry Luke on his back.

“You’re the third to ride my back. Consider it an honor.”

Keter’s legs trembled. Fighting the Red Comet had pushed his body to its limits.

Even with Amaranth’s protection, an A-grade named monster’s breath attack was no joke. His muscles were torn, bones broken. Just breathing caused excruciating pain.

But Keter didn’t grimace or scream. He chuckled lightly as he walked.

Then, someone blocked his path in an alley. A mercenary who followed Cork.

“I can’t believe my eyes. You took down an A-grade named monster alone.”

“You’re even more impressive for blocking my path.”

“Don’t think we’re cowardly.”

He wasn’t alone.

More mercenaries appeared, blocking Keter’s path completely.

“We don’t want to harm you. Just stay still.”

A request’s completion ends upon reaching the guild.

Even if Cork finished the transport request, he had to return to the guild. Keter, having defeated the Red Comet, needed to file a completion report at the guild.

Meaning, not entering the guild meant no victory.

Keter set Luke down and summoned Amaranth.

“Since when did mercenaries act like knights? You’re disqualified as mercenaries.”

As Amaranth formed an Aura Arrow, mercenaries appeared behind Keter. One stepped forward, shouting.

“Since when did ‘mercenary’ mean a dog serving its master?!”

It was the mercenary who tormented Luke under Keter’s request. Seven in total, all Platinum class or higher. The Gold class were all hospitalized after attacking Luke.

Cork’s mercenaries shouted back.

“You’re helping Keter too!”

“Of course, he’s the client!”

“…!”

“Are you risking your lives for Cork’s money?”

Not a single mercenary lied.

Cork’s promises to his subordinates were sweet whispers of the future and fear.

Some mercenaries received magical tools from Cork, but they were meant to fight the madman Keter, not given out of goodwill.

Among Keter’s allies was Hansen, who pointed at Luke.

“I’ll take care of this guy.”

“Good, show some sense.”

Hansen, taking care of Luke, stepped back.

Cork’s subordinates’ morale visibly dropped. They were busy watching each other.

Facing Keter alone was tough, but with six Platinum-class mercenaries joining, even a desperate fight seemed hopeless.

Finally, the mercenaries made excuses to avoid the fight.

“Enough! I’ve done my part!”

One mercenary left the formation.

Others followed, scattering with excuses.

“Riches and glory mean nothing if you’re dead.”

“I have a family at home, so I’m out!”

“I can’t fight Keter, my life’s savior.”

Once scattered, the mercenaries dispersed like leaves.

But surprisingly, one mercenary remained. With a solemn expression, he adjusted his weapon and spoke.

“I received payment from Cork. I’ll keep my promise to the client.”

*Thud.*

An Aura Arrow pierced the mercenary’s forehead.

It was over.

Keter, lowering Amaranth, started walking toward the guild.

Seven mercenaries followed. They didn’t mourn the lone mercenary who died blocking their path. They knew Keter’s clean kill was a sign of respect.

A true mercenary dies upholding their will, even against overwhelming odds. There’s no reason to pity such a mercenary.

* * *

In front of the mercenary guild.

Cork’s subordinates eventually returned to the guild.

They didn’t block Keter’s path. They supported Cork only because his ambition seemed achievable.

But now, it was impossible.

Keter’s divine status surpassed their imagination, and half the mercenaries sided with him. Moreover, Keter completed an S-grade request deemed impossible.

Now, even Cork’s supporters acknowledged Keter. Keter fought fair, while Cork was cowardly.

Then, Cork’s shout came from afar.

“Keter’s entering! Stop him! What are you doing, you fools?!”

He must have run from afar, his hair wet, eyes bloodshot.

But the subordinates, thinking the battle was over, ignored him. Keter smirked at Cork and entered the guild.

Cork gritted his teeth, speeding up.

‘It’s not over yet. He needs confirmation of the request’s completion. I just need to sign.’

It’s not over. I still have a chance!

Running with all his might, Cork saw something strange.

‘The guild’s door is gone.’

It was Keter’s supporting mercenaries blocking the path.

“What?!”

Cork’s eyes filled with venom. Drawing his sword, he planned to break through without stopping.

The mercenaries didn’t back down, raising shields and drawing weapons.

Cork found them laughable.

‘You think Platinum-class fools can stop me?’

His sword was a level 2 magical tool. Infused with aura, it could cut through anything.

Cork swung his sword with all his might.

“I’ll split you and your shield!”

The shield-bearing mercenary shouted back.

“Stop talking nonsense!”

The mercenary angled the shield, deflecting the sword.

Mercenaries on either side crossed swords, blocking Cork’s strike head-on.

*Kwaajangchang!*

Cork’s sword shattered the shield and swords. The shockwave shattered the guild’s windows.

Through the broken window, Keter’s back was seen, leisurely filling out the completion form.

Failing to break through, Cork swung his sword again in desperation.

“Move, you scum!”

Cork’s swordplay was no longer artful but still threatening.

Cork fumbled at his waist, planning to use more magical tools to break through.

But his hand found nothing. The magical tools he gave to his mercenaries to fight Keter were gone.

“No, no!”

Underestimated mercenaries had him cornered. Cork decided to kill them, unleashing his swordsmanship.

Hidden by magical tools, his swordsmanship was Diamond-class worthy.

Determined, his swordsmanship shattered the mercenaries’ formation. Just before their necks were severed-

*Clang!*

Cork’s sword was deflected, bending backward.

Keter, holding Amaranth in his right hand and the completion form in his left, spoke to Cork.

“If you want to make a mess, do it in front of me.”