Chapter 587: Recognition—Butcher’s Lethality—Chrollo’s Plan
Despite the three Hatsus all aimed at him, one of them even creating an artificial rage inside of him, Alex remains somewhat calm and in control.
Heh... that doesn’t work. That rage is a joke compared to the effects of [Uzin’s Rage V2]... my [Drakul’s Vitality R2] is also helping me, meaning these Hatsus are... pathetically weak. However, speaking of [Uzin’s Rage V2]....
Avatar of Vengeance activated
Unstoppable for 32 seconds
STR and AGI doubled for 32 seconds
Release Rage activated
You have lost 120 HP
STR and AGI + 22 for 11 seconds
Using both effects of his [Uzin’s Rage R2], Alex not only perfectly regains his clarity, but the ape still clinging to his leg completely loses any effect it previously had.
With his STR and AGI enhanced to unnaturally high levels, Alex draws his [Executioner’s Blade R2] and unleashes a Flying Blizzara Sword, sending a massive frosty sword wave forward.
At the same time, Machi uses her threads to attack the Pure Paladin Squad members who are on the edge of their tight formation, assaulting them from the side, managing to kill two members, causing the Minotaur to briefly flicker, as there is not enough Aura left to maintain it. Alex’s attack cleanly passes through it and strikes down the Hunter that the Hatsu belongs to, before it crashes into more, their tight formation now a crucial weakness.
You have dealt 319 damage to Pure Paladin Squad Hunter
You have killed Pure Paladin Squad Hunter
...
You have dealt 251 damage to Pure Paladin Squad Hunter
You have killed Pure Paladin Squad Hunter
...
As his sword attack loses more and more power, still managing to kill a total of four Hunters, Alex rushes forward, his speed so fast that the hostile Hunters are unable to even react.
“Counter him, Formation A5!” Bushidora yells, five melee-centric squad members stepping forward. Every one of them is physically strong and carries impressive weapons such as swords, spears, or clubs.
Alex mercilessly swings his giant blade at them, their Aura-covered melee weapons being cut apart as Alex’s weapon manages not only to destroy their weapons, but also cut into their bodies in a single stroke.
You have dealt 159 damage to Pure Paladin Squad Hunter
You have crippled Pure Paladin Squad Hunter
With his overpowered stats allowing him to sidestep any attempted counter, Alex slays Hunter after Hunter, even causing the effects of Bushidora’s command to fall apart.
You have dealt 216 damage to Pure Paladin Squad Hunter
You have killed Pure Paladin Squad Hunter
You have dealt 211 damage to Pure Paladin Squad Hunter
You have killed Pure Paladin Squad Hunter
You have dealt 171 damage to Pure Paladin Squad Hunter
You have killed Pure Paladin Squad Hunter
“M—monster!” one of them yells.
“Do not falter, use strate—” Bushidora tries to order, but suddenly stops, Alex seeing his head suddenly flying into the air, Jewel’s red ruby teeth chomping down on his neck after gathering her strength for a full-force Namtaru Bite.
Jewel has dealt 201 x 3 = 603 damage to Bushidora
Jewel has killed Bushidora
“B...boss!”
“Run!”
“I... I want out!”
“I thought this was only arresting some criminals?!”
The remaining Pure Paladin Squad Hunters, now only numbering around ten, quickly flee. Because the effects of [Uzin’s Rage R2] are only temporary and Alex already feels a hint of exhaustion, he decides not to give chase.
Also... these are not even the enemies I expected... I’ve wasted too much strength on these people. Anyway, good job, Jewel.
❤️
His blade, looking not only bloody but grotesque on an entirely different level, with various organs, chunks of meat, and even bones visible on its surface, Alex briefly spins it before slashing forward one more time, causing most of it to fall off.
While Jewel quickly collects the loot, Alex and Machi walk over to the Troupe.
Should I give them food... damn my precious food... I’d lose thousands and thousands of FC! That shit is Blue or Deep Blue Quality....
Still, deciding not to be stingy, Alex quickly hands them all a [Twice-Infused Wiggenweld Potion Variant], minus Shizuku, who is unconscious and seemingly out of Aura, but not actually injured. One for Shalnark, Franklin, Uvogin, Nobunaga, and Feitan. In addition to the one he gave Machi, he suddenly only has four of them left.
As for himself, he eats a [Exceptional Dish (Meatpaste Supreme)], which helps offset the exhaustion he is feeling after using Biotics and boosting his stats to the limit.
Recovered 20 HP, MP, AURA, BP
Recovered a moderate amount of Stamina
“You...” Uvogin mutters, staring at Alex, the light returning to his eyes, his teeth tightly clenched together. “You... I...”
“Save it,” Alex says, waving him off. “Let’s quickly leave!”
Shalnark, Feitan, Franklin, Nobunaga, and Uvogin all stare at Alex, their expressions unreadable.
Meanwhile, Jewel arrives, handing Alex 16 [Pure Paladin Token], a Blue chest, and three White chests.
“Thank you, Jewel,” Alex says, picking her up and gently petting her. “You did a great job.”
❤️
Princess Jewel merely killed the Peasant leader. It’s nothing to brag about.
No... you really did well this time. You are incredible.
❤️
Princess Jewel is...
However, just as Jewel wants to reply, Alex’s phone rings.
Menchi doesn’t hesitate and immediately begins speaking:
“Alex, the Pure Paladin Squad is fleeing. It looks like you did it, but be careful. The Mafia, which was told to stand back, has noticed and is mustering every last man they can. In a few minutes, there will be thousands of people after you, as it originally unfolds. You’d best hurry.”
“Thanks!” Alex says, ending the call and turning to the Troupe. “We’ve got a few minutes before we’ll be surrounded by an army of people, and... the ones who I suspect planned this trap haven’t made their move yet either. We need to move.”
“You are right,” Shalnark says, looking slightly embarrassed.
Together, Alex and the Troupe quickly run back, taking a few minutes to reach the building with their balloon.
However, much to their shock, hundreds of Mafia members are already close by, despite it being less than a minute since Menchi warned them. Some of them spot the group and begin firing at them from a distance.
“I’ll kill them all!” Uvogin yells, charging forward, easily tanking the bullets and killing dozens of them who are attempting to block their path.
They quickly rush inside and climb up to the roof, the Troupe beginning to heat up the balloon, which requires a few minutes. Meanwhile, multiple gunmen positioned on nearby rooftops take aim at them.
“The balloon will get destroyed at this rate,” Shalnark warns, his calm and confident expression replaced by worry for the first time.
However, much to Alex’s surprise, Machi uses her Hatsu Nen Stitches—quickly patching up any holes in the balloon by stitching them together.
Princess Jewel will help the Peasant Amateur Web user!
Exactly as she declared, Jewel uses her own web to protect the balloon, which is growing in size by the second as more and more web, strengthened by Jewel’s Aura, is wrapped around it.
Meanwhile, Franklin counters, quickly using his remaining gun arm to kill the Mafia gunmen.
Just a few minutes later, the balloon finally lifts off, and the Troupe, including Alex, flies away.
The balloon, now protected, manages to gain enough height to escape, Yorknew’s traffic making it impossible to give chase effectively.
With some of the supplies on board the balloon, the Troupe takes care of their lingering injuries, with Shizuku waking up as well.
“I...” Uvogin once again tries to speak up, looking at Alex.
“Just drop it. I know you are an arrogant fuck, but it’s not entirely your own fault. Also, I know you are actually sorry, so there’s no need to say it,” Alex says, getting annoyed by Uvogin’s half-assed attempts to apologize.
“... fine,” Uvogin says. “I owe you... not just a little, but a lot. I’ll make this up to you. I am also sorry for calling you a coward... the way you unleashed hell on them... I get why you are known as the Butcher... frankly, I can’t help but want to fight you when this is all over. You are far more impressive than I could have ever imagined.”
“Your swordsmanship is impressive,” Nobunaga agrees, staring at Alex’s [Executioner’s Blade R2] on his back.
Feitan glares at Alex, his surprise unmistakable. “His technique may be great... but his Strength and speed are the issue. They are simply unnatural. As well as his numerous Hatsus. Conjurer, huh? I’m doubtful... something like that... can only be done by someone like the Boss.”
Everyone looks at Alex, but nobody speaks up or pressures him into revealing more.
They silently fly out of the city, planning to take a detour into the desert and then re-enter the city stealthily on foot, making it appear as if they’ve fled.
Finally, Shalnark calls the boss, his special phone having survived the ordeal. He quickly summarizes the events, making Alex appear in an extremely positive light, stressing that he, along with Jewel, has killed most of the Pure Paladin Squad without any help.
“We’re flying towards the desert to escape and then re-enter...” Shalnark explains.
“I see,” Shalnark says before looking at Alex. “Are you still able to fight?”
“Yes,” Alex replies.
“Okay...” Shalnark replies, ending the call.
“The Boss wants to draw them out. The desert is fine. Little Jewel, you can stop strengthening the balloon; Machi, no need to fix it anymore. We want to crash... we need to find the person who took the loot and draw out the others.”
Alex looks a little sceptically at the Troupe, their injuries quite heavy.
“We won’t get caught off guard again,” Nobunaga states, looking at Alex. “We’ll handle this. You have done more than enough and can be our backup.”
Similar to how it happened in the original story, as soon as they reach the desert, the open terrain seemingly becomes a huge problem for them. With no more traffic, the Mafia vehicles quickly catch up with them. The balloon is easily destroyed by the continuous fire, causing it to crash-land in the desert.
Alex looks around, vaguely recognizing the area around him.
We crashed on a hill... below us, a large empty space. It’s the exact same spot as in the original story!? How can this be?
Just seconds later, hundreds of cars park nearby, and twice that number of Mafia members approach the Troupe members.
Shit...
“Hehe,” Uvogin says, grinning. “Hey, stay out of this! I’ll handle it.”
Before he can slide down the small hill into the open zone below them, Alex speaks up. “Wait!”
I need to take control of the situation!