61 – Uninhabited Corpse Field (1)
“…Kraak!”
A dark sorcerer clutched his tear-streaked eyes and collapsed to the ground.
“Damn it…damn brat!”
The plan was flawless. Observe the mercenaries’ headquarters from the sky and gain the upper hand in information.
Even if that brat hadn’t shot a gun out of nowhere, it wouldn’t have turned out like this.
He tried to stifle his groans, but couldn’t hide his fear.
“Oh no…”
Footsteps drew near. Realizing what it meant, the dark sorcerer immediately slammed his head against the ground.
Beyond the gaze pouring with blood, the figure of a man cloaked in a large cape appeared.
“Oh, I can still fight. Just, just give me an hour. No, thirty minutes will do. Within that time, somehow…”
This is why those fools from the mainland… The man spoke, his disdain evident.
“Was it so difficult to keep an eye on them without getting caught?”
“I-I apologize! I thought I was clearly outside their range of perception-“
There was no need to listen any further. In the next moment, a scream tore from the dark sorcerer’s mouth as if it was being ripped apart.
The reason was clear. His arm had been torn off entirely.
“Understand. I didn’t think I would tear you apart this easily.”
“K-Krahahahaha…!”
The dark sorcerer’s laughter took on a curved shape.
“Just stay still. This time, I’ll be even more gentle than before.”
“Oh no…!”
The dark sorcerer barely regained his consciousness and attempted to stand. No, he tried to.
But the moment his other arm was torn off, he couldn’t endure any longer and collapsed. The man, seemingly losing interest, casually tossed aside the arms pouring out blood and looked up, staring at the dark sorcerers on this side with eyes filled with a lot of fear.
These guys who handle corpses are so scared.
But what could be done? To transport hundreds of corpses at once, their help was absolutely necessary.
The man, as if nothing happened, wiped the blood off his hands and then clapped, gathering everyone’s attention.
“Now, let’s focus. You all know, right? Our clients aren’t known for their patience.”
Perhaps due to the vitality overflowing in the man’s eyes, the dark sorcerers couldn’t dare to meet his gaze.
If others had witnessed this scene, they would have been horrified. Dark sorcerers are not beings who obediently submit to anyone. But even they couldn’t dare to confront the man.
Because they already knew the result.
The dark sorcerers who resisted were slaughtered in the past. They were torn apart in both hands, torn open as if exploding, screaming in agonizing pain as they died. All in front of everyone.
Some might mock them as cowards, but it couldn’t be helped. The man’s power far exceeded the limits they had assumed.
Even though they knew it would become a symbol of the military, they all visited the burial ground for that reason.
“What are you waiting for? Not running away?”
The dark sorcerers all answered in unison and quickly moved, disappearing.
Watching that scene, the man lowered his gaze to the writhing dark sorcerer with both arms pulled out. As expected from those who mastered sorcery, the noose around his neck was certainly tough.
Still, he would be dead in a few seconds.
“I should have asked how many there were.”
Of course, there wasn’t any feeling of regret, but it didn’t matter anyway.
They were just a bunch of mercenaries.
KWaaaNG!!
A massive explosion echoed through the once-silent land. It seemed that the Claymore Tina had set up in advance had been activated.
[Direct your gaze over there.]
Wooooong…!
Muller’s voice came through the earphones. Simultaneously, medium-sized drones hovering in the sky unleashed powerful flashes in all directions. It wasn’t enough to dispel the dense fog, but it was sufficient to stimulate the optic nerves.
“Argh! My eyes!”
“…It’s over there!!”
Shouts came from nearby. Lian moved forward discreetly, keeping his senses wide open within the dark mist.
Uhh, uhhhhh!
The cries of the corpses echoed with each step.
However, Lian completely ignored them and advanced straight ahead. Occasionally, groups of corpses blocking his way were swiftly dealt with as he plunged his fist into their heads.
Squelch!
The place where Lian’s footsteps halted was a forest filled with eerily twisted dead trees. Perhaps due to the dead trees, the fog here was several times denser than in other areas.
Kill…!
Valid…thud…
As if gunshots and screams reverberated the moment one entered the forest.
“…”
Lian lowered his body, then dispersed his magic as thinly as possible. He sensed a presence not far away.
‘Six, no. Two individuals.’
Except for the two people standing in the middle, there is no sign of life. The rest are clearly corpses.
“Do you really plan to do as that bastard commands?”
“…Stop talking nonsense and start moving. You might end up dead if you don’t.”
The dark sorcerer chuckles.
“From the beginning, that guy can’t even carry a corpse without us. He knows that, so he only killed a few as a demonstration.”
“….”
“After all, he’s just a country bumpkin from the Eastern Continent. No matter how skilled he is, he won’t be able to defeat a dark sorcerer in a graveyard.”
The dark sorcerer’s lips twitched with a sneer. Then, the body of the corpse standing beside him swelled up and transformed into a muscular giant.
It was imbued with the aura of death that surrounded the area.
“….”
Lian narrowed her eyebrows as she watched the giant created by the dark sorcerer.
Regardless of its repulsive appearance, the power held by the giant was by no means ordinary.
It was reminiscent of a physical powerhouse.
If there were many monsters like this on the inside, it would disrupt the plan.
“I should reduce their numbers in advance, even if it’s just one.”
Lian slowly reached for her waist.
The dark sorcerer, who had been watching the giant with satisfaction, spoke.
“The others have also agreed to cooperate with me. Join us too.”
“…Do you really think you can defeat that monster?”
“I have prepared hundreds of corpses. No matter how strong he is, he won’t be able to handle that many…”
The moment the man, deep in thought, attempted to grab a hand.
A dark dagger pierced through his forehead. An inevitable instant death.
Swish!
“…Huh?”
From Noble mtl dot com
For a moment, wearing a puzzled expression due to not understanding the English, the dark sorcerer quickly enveloped his surroundings with a protective barrier.
‘Where did it come from?’
It was unseen. Even with enhanced vision through dark magic, the attacker remained invisible…
‘From the sky!’
As soon as he discerned the assailant’s location, the sorcerer hastily commanded the corpses, but it was too late.
The azure-bladed dagger was already dangerously close to his nose.
“This damn-“
Before the astonished sorcerer could finish his sentence, Lian’s dagger descended like a flash.
Shuaaak!
The lightning-infused blade effortlessly cut through the barrier, even the sorcerer’s feeble defenses.
Perhaps due to the disappearance of the sorcerer, the colossal corpse giant crumbled without offering any meaningful resistance.
Thud.
Lian flicked off the sticky blood clinging to his dagger. So far, it matched what Muller had described.
Yes, so far.
-Thak.
A man emerged from beyond the mist. Behind the man, a gigantic double-edged spear, easily exceeding three meters in length, was strapped.
The man, dabbing at the blood on the windowsill, finally spoke.
“I never expected to meet someone of your caliber in a place like this.”
“…”
“Forgive me, but might I inquire about your affiliation within the factions?”
Concealed vitality beneath sullen black irises.
Even the aura was taut.
Imposing.
“What does it matter? Will it change anything?”
“Surely not.”
The man twisted his lips into a smile.
It was a mere inquiry, perhaps from a business associate, nothing more.
“Just curious if I could have killed you.”
“And what’s the conclusion?”
“Well, must I articulate it?”
“A final word before dying might benefit you too.”
“…Speaking of it makes me even more curious about your sect.”
A subdued chuckle escaped the man.
“Truth be told, I know a group that raises youngsters like you for slaughter. About five, I reckon?”
For slaughter? Was it because of the dagger?
Rian smirked and replied.
“So?”
“After tearing off your limbs like that, I’ll sprinkle them in front of the bastards’ training ground.”
Lian looked straight at him and chuckled.
“First, I’ll pluck out those disrespectful eyes of yours.”
The man placed the spear on the ground and slowly adjusted his stance.
Goooong!
Light radiated from the man’s spearhead and seeped into the blade.
Swoosh!
With each swift swing of the spear, thick tree trunks were mercilessly cut down.
“You know how to use a sword, right? I brought a weapon all the way here, but it won’t be fun if it’s too easy.”
Hidden behind his casual tone was a hidden strength. His unwavering pupils were evidence of that, even as he looked at this side.
But instead of taking out his gauntlets, Lian smirked and raised his dagger.
“It’s time to use this too.”
He never intended to rely solely on his fists. Especially in a situation where there were no witnesses, like now.
Crackle!
In the next moment, lightning engulfed the blade.
*****