Chapter 35 : You’re my practice partner!

“…”
It was as if time had stopped. No one could even flinch. The sight of a blade shattering against human skin and a head exploding from a seemingly weak punch—it was beyond comprehension. The mercenaries, in particular, looked as if their souls had been stolen by a ghost. Their main concerns had been the female knight and the wolf. To them, the girl with the wild beauty was merely a hostage to threaten the knight. Yet that same girl had just killed a person as casually as swatting a fly. The current situation far exceeded their imagination.

So what happens to the plan now? No, more importantly, the wolf…?
“Arghh!”
A sickening crunch rang out. Another person died—this time, even more gruesomely. The giant wolf, a vicious beast, a predator, was chewing on the upper half of a human body.

Lena’s reaction was truly spectacular.
“Hey! Let go of that!”
Grrrr!
“I told you not to eat human meat!”
Grrrrrr!
“What, rebelling? Have you lost your mind? Dogs that eat human flesh get euthanized.”

Badugi snapped back to his senses. His master did not lie to him. She’d said something about how even joking lies could damage the bond with a pet. Badugi spat out the human he’d been chewing. But his excitement hadn’t subsided. These damn humans had threatened his master. He wasn’t allowed to kill them just because they were the same species? His loyalty couldn’t accept that.

“I just said don’t eat it.”
!
Does that mean…?
“I stopped you from running wild because I was being cautious, right? Go play as much as you want.”

Permission granted. Badugi moved like a phantom, darting between shadows to attack the enemies unpredictably.

“I should have some fun too.” Lena loosened her stiff wrists. This was the first time she’d laid hands on a person. Still, she felt no guilt or pangs of conscience. Probably because these guys were beasts wearing human skin—no different from the monsters she’d relentlessly beaten up until now. Organized thugs, bandits, scammers—there were more than enough reasons for punishment. Add a spoonful of resentment for thoroughly ruining her mood earlier?
“Beasts that bare their fangs at people must all die.”
Not a single one could be left alive.

Mykol felt like he was walking in a dream. A dream, yes, but a nightmare—one overflowing with bloodshed and burning brimstone. Screams echoed from all directions. Blood hung thick in the air like mist, and mangled corpses littered the ground. Watching the wolf bite, tear, and bludgeon people to death was naturally terrifying. It wasn’t an ordinary wolf—that was a monster. He didn’t know how a monster could be tamed by a human, but either way, it was just a monster acting like a monster. This was a natural fear.

But the girl, as cruel as the wolf, represented an unknown terror. It was like how something hidden in the depths of a cave feels more frightening than facing a beast head-on. She merely swung her hands and feet lightly, yet that alone killed his subordinates, the mercenaries. When she occasionally licked her lips habitually, tasting the blood, she seemed like a resurrected vampire from legends. Of course, she quickly spat it out as if realizing her mistake, but the very act of licking blood being a habit was extraordinary. Numbers were powerless before her—like ants, no matter how many gathered, simply crushed underfoot. They were no match. That thing is a monster.

“What were they thinking, bringing a monster like that…?!” A knight, and on top of that, a beast in human form—it was a disaster they couldn’t handle. He felt like mutilating the corpse of the already-dead mercenary leader.

George’s Crew only ever targeted caravans on the verge of bankruptcy. Nine out of ten caravans heading to Carvalon Castle fit that description. They had to consider breaking even a success, so they cut budgets wherever possible to scrape out a profit. The easiest area to save money was mercenary contracts. Dealing with monsters from the Great Forest required capable mercenaries—beyond their means—so they hired cheap ones just to make up the numbers. George’s Crew exploited this tendency. They contacted mercenaries in the towns and cities near Carvalon Castle and tipped them off: lure the caravan to a designated spot, and they’d take care of it and split the profits. Low-level mercenaries are greedy—they’d rather gamble for a windfall than earn petty cash and maintain trust. They’d been making handsome profits this way until now. There was intel that the Red Rose Knights were starting to catch on, so this was realistically their last chance to score. He never dreamed it would end like this—a bolt from the blue. Who could’ve imagined creatures like that would join a failing caravan?

“Snap out of it! It’s just a wench and a wolf! We can definitely take them!” Mykol shouted at his subordinates. Honestly, he didn’t think it would be effective. He’d deliberately understated the enemy’s numbers. If the female knight went on a rampage again, they couldn’t even handle her alone. The purpose of his shout wasn’t to rally his men. Run. I have to use my subordinates as bait and escape alone. Those who can survive should survive, right? He was just about to sneak away.

“There. Stop.” That damn strange tone came from behind him. Mykol sucked in a breath and turned around. Standing there was a human-shaped beast, covered head to toe in blood.

“Leader. Subordinate. Leave. Flee. Cowardice. Forbidden… Ah, this is harder to say. Anyway, where do you think you’re going?” The voice was full of amusement. The corners of her mouth twitched, her expression positively beaming. To smile after killing so many people, after showering in blood—just what kind of atrocious killer was she? Mykol had killed a person or two, but he sensed he couldn’t compare. She was an utterly vicious beast—especially since she hid her hideous nature behind a beautiful appearance. Luring enemies with a delicate look, then devouring them—a tactic that would work on anyone not exceptionally wary.

“A leader should fight at the front and die first. How can you cowardly run away?”
“S-Sorry. Please spare me. It was all my fault.”
“Just as I thought, you are a beast. Attacking first and then tucking your tail is characteristic of monsters. It’s really infuriating.”

Who’s calling who a beast? Though indignant, Mykol hid his feelings. The most important quality for survival in the underworld was the patience to endure even the most ridiculous nitpicking from superiors. He could brush off this level of insult.

“And you’re not using polite speech, your head held high. Is that how you apologize?”
“I made a mistake. If you spare my life, I’ll definitely repay this kindness.”

Mykol swallowed his pride. If you’re going to grovel, you have to go all the way, as if offering everything.
“I hold some sway within George’s Crew. Carvalon Castle is your destination, right? I can ensure you receive the utmost convenience there.”

“Oh.” She seemed tempted. Mykol, who’d been bowing low, raised his head. Anyone heading to Carvalon Castle would’ve heard of George’s Crew, who ruled the underworld there. With their backing, a luxurious life rivaling any noble’s was possible. Even a blood-crazed killer is still human—everyone has a desire to be treated well. How could she turn that down? This could be a blessing in disguise. Who cares if all his subordinates died? Returning to the organization with such a monster backing him would be a greater achievement. If he played his cards right, he could even overthrow the organization entirely. This monster was that skilled. Those higher-ups are all dead. From now on, I’m the boss!

His increasingly concrete delusions wiped clean the moment he met Lena’s eyes.
[You have been exposed to Dragon Fear!]
His mind went blank, and his body trembled uncontrollably. Are those… human eyes? Animal, beast, predator—no word could describe them. That was the manifestation of fear itself—a monster impervious to negotiation and compromise, a natural disaster that swept everything away according to its own will.

“Is that all for your last words?”
If he wanted mercy, he shouldn’t have blocked her path in the first place.
“I specially gave you time to ramble on with your last words. Admit it?”
Having displeased her, there was no path to survival.
“So don’t complain if I play around with you a bit.”

The girl drew her sword.
“I learned swordsmanship, but I didn’t have anyone to actually swing it at. You’re my practice partner.”
Mykol could only blankly accept the death looming before him.

“I didn’t even get to swing it that many times,” Lena grumbled. The leader should be the most skilled, right? She’d had expectations, but she didn’t even get a chance to properly utilize the swordsmanship Celine taught her. He just took the blade with his body, as if he’d lost the will to resist, and that was it. How anticlimactic. Isn’t there anyone else to practice on? Lena scanned her surroundings. But the situation was already over. Bandits and mercenaries alike lay dead on the ground. Well, how skilled could bandits and cheap mercenaries possibly be? With Badugi running rampant and Celine lending a hand, it was a fight destined to end quickly.

Of course, Lena’s work wasn’t finished yet. There was still one crucial task remaining. Which was…
“Let’s see how full these pockets are.”
Exciting looting time!