Chapter 94 : Chapter 94
Chapter 94: Auction (5)
‘Captain.’
‘Yeah. Urkel. You’re here.’
‘Yes. I’ve finished cleaning up.’
‘What about Ejel and Lete?’
‘They went to support that golem bastard.’
‘You brat. What do you mean, golem. We’re comrades. Call him Ayulsor. Give him a nickname too.’
‘What kind of comrade is he if he won’t even drink with us. Captain, just say one word. If you say it, he’ll carry it out even if it kills him. Tell him to go have a drink or something…’
‘Alright. I’ll set something up later.’
‘Yes. But… are there any Doom Species around here by any chance?’
‘I don’t know. Why.’
‘Because I feel like I’m about to pass out.’
‘You can sleep. I’ll keep watch.’
‘What you’re watching for isn’t a lookout, it’s an aggro magnet.’
‘I said it’s fine.’
‘I’m not fine. I can already see the untitled Doom Species rushing at us like dogs in heat.’
‘I said it’s fine.’
‘No. I’m scared. I don’t want to die in my sleep.’
‘I said I’ll protect you so you don’t die.’
‘No. I’m asking if there are any Doom Species around. I’ll sleep after confirming that.’
‘I told you I don’t know.’
‘Doesn’t it show up on your Sword Net?’
‘How many times do I have to tell you. The Sword Net isn't omnipotent. It just detects mana.’
‘But you’re ridiculously good at predicting when those bastards are going to attack.’
‘That’s because the surrounding mana fluctuates when a rift opens, you fucker.’
‘You detected Marquis Taparel last time.’
‘That’s because that bastard also has mana. The bastards who only use their powers without using mana don’t get caught.’
‘Then how many entities with mana are around?’
‘Ten? But they’re all magicians or priests. Looks like they came to purify the contamination.’
‘Ah. Then can I sleep for a bit?’
‘Fuck. I told you to sleep. Hurry up and go to sleep. If you don’t want to die.’
‘But is that Taparel bastard still hitting on you, Captain?’
‘I told you to sleep.’
‘If you’re going to desert, give me a heads-up beforehand.’
‘Why. Going to tattle?’
‘Damn it. Why would I tattle on them. Who would that benefit.’
‘Then? You’re going to kill me yourself?’
‘What are you talking about. Why would I kill you, Captain.’
‘Then why.’
‘I was thinking of following you.’
‘That won’t happen.’
‘Well, I’m going to get some sleep. Don’t abandon us.’
‘…Alright.’
***
In my past life.
There weren't that many opponents who weren't caught by the Sword Net.
‘Degrate was one.’
Nurmakan Degrate and his kin.
Or the special-grade Snakes.
They were skilled assassins who knew how to hide the mana they possessed.
There was just no need for it, but if Jiaren decided to hide her presence, I was not confident I could detect it.
‘And the Doom Species.’
Not all Doom Species were like that.
The nobles who resembled humans. If they had a title, they could be roughly detected.
Because such Doom Species usually handled mana as well.
‘Not that bastard from before.’
Evil Eye. It was probably not that baron who possessed an illusion-type power.
He had no combat experience, nor mana. He was a scrub who relied solely on his Evil Eye.
‘Those kinds of guys don’t get caught.’
That was why I hadn’t noticed, even though the guards had been taken down and I had been searching the room right next door.
Doom Species without mana were not easily caught by the Sword Net. I could perceive living beings, but doing so would consume a great deal of mana.
‘It’s not magic either.’
The Sword Net was nothing more than a honed talent.
Innate mana affinity, mana operation, and control. It was an ability closer to an extreme sense than a skill, achieved by honing those things.
The name Sword Net was simply given for convenience. Due to the pressure from my unit members.
‘In fact, I wasn't even the one who named it.’
I always thought it was grandiose.
Giving a name to a mere sense.
‘Doom Species? No. You said Remeter.’
In this era, Doom Species were not common.
What was I saying when I had just killed a baron, but that was the world we lived in.
The Black Fox was a kinsman of Remeter. I trusted Degrate’s information.
“Since when have you been watching?”
“From the beginning.”
Meaning, she had been watching the Black Tiger hunt all along. From where? Step. When I naturally tried to close the distance, she moved away.
As if she knew the range of my Sword Net, the Black Fox did not try to enter my domain.
“Herein Remeter. Right?”
“Let’s just say so for now.”
“Are you going to fight?”
Facing her, I felt a strangeness.
The distance. It was definitely within reach. I could cut her throat in an instant. But, such an image would not form.
‘It’s being blocked?’
I could picture aiming for the throat.
No, I could aim for any vital point and swing.
But I couldn’t picture the cut landing. It was blocked. Would it even touch her body? I didn’t know. It was a sensation I hadn't felt in a very long time.
‘On the same level as Akarr?’
Since my reincarnation.
The only opponent who had given me this sense of helplessness was Akarr.
Medeoban, Orde, Aran, Jiaren and Semenu. Against them, I had always been able to form a successful image.
A virtual sword path that could kill the target was always created. A sword path impossible with my current skill, but possible when applying the level of my past life.
‘Is that bastard that strong?’
Even at the level of my past life, I couldn’t pose a threat with the first move.
Herein Remeter was a powerhouse on the level of the current Akarr.
“I have no intention of fighting.”
“You impudent brat.”
A hint of laughter was in Herein’s voice.
She knew the difference. That woman had realized early on that I lacked the ability to kill her.
“The same goes for me. I don’t have the confidence to kill you right now. I don’t want to kill you either.”
It was hard to guess her gender.
The androgynous voice suited either side. Her height was also like that. Her body was hidden under a baggy robe.
“But I want to kill you.”
A Doom Species above a baron.
Looking at the corpse split in two, I thought of the Black Tower. Basor, Kua, the Doom Species.
‘The father of the Black Land.’
The one Barote called father, and the great magician Gerehk Adre called ‘that person’.
‘The Undying King.’
The ruler of the 4th district. The master of Remeter.
The one called father must be that necromancer.
‘That Death Knight wasn’t on a level someone like Gerehk Adre could create.’
It was a Death Knight of a level rarely seen even in my past life. But it was understandable if it was given by the Undying King.
The corpse of the Doom Species splayed out before me adds to my conviction. It was not a species easily seen in this day and age.
“What about Barote?”
“Barote?”
Herein tilted her head and asked back.
“The magician who came with you when you kidnapped my brother.”
The one who brought down the Black Tower was the Sword Master Orde.
I was not involved with the Black Tower. Mectera had let the world know it that way.
Raphaelo of Serepes had confirmed it.
Basor had claimed no connection with the Black Tower and had not looked for Pegna.
‘Then what about Barote?’
In the underground banquet.
I had identified myself as Haryun Bahab.
Barote probably told Remeter. That he had left Haryun Bahab at the Black Tower.
‘But the real Haryun was in Pakun. That’s why Bahab didn’t move.’
At a hero’s slightest gesture, the surroundings cower and the continent watches. They wonder about the Emperor’s reaction. Heroes are beings who receive the full attention of the world.
There was no way Remeter would be ignorant of Bahab’s movements. Especially since they had ties with Basor and had tried to kidnap a Bahab kinsman themselves.
“Ah. You mean that child. I remember.”
“Where is he?”
“I heard he was disposed of.”
I suddenly thought of Janya.
Killed because she was useless. Barote had said so.
“You killed him?”
“I suppose so?”
“Why?”
“They said he was a failure. The replication of the bloodline was good, but he was born with a deficient mind.”
Remeter had realized that they had failed to kidnap Haryun.
“Who.”
I killed him.
I thought, as I asked.
“Remeter. Ah, my father in this body.”
“Father? How old is that bastard.”
“He is the Undying King, after all. Though the true immortal is someone else.”
Barote.
Was he blameless.
‘He was.’
Then the chance to repent.
‘He would have had it.’
The test subjects of the Black Tower.
Those children knew nothing.
Barote had merely followed his father. He was all grown up in body, but he was only five years old.
“……”
A Sword Aura formed on Elder.
I didn’t have the confidence to kill her. But that was no reason to avoid a fight.
‘I have my Phantasmal Ability.’
I had the confidence not to die.
That was enough.
‘First, the position.’
Amplify with Pegna, and push her back.
I had to get away from Haryun and Kanan. Homer… should I wake him?
‘No.’
Homer was a powerhouse who surpassed the current me. He would surely be of help.
But, I didn't want to show that I could use Elder. I didn't want Homer to be involved any further.
“Wait. I don’t want to fight.”
Herein said urgently, at the killing intent that had become so thick it could be felt on the skin.
“That’s your thought.”
I couldn't stand the sight of her. Her words, as if she had nothing to do with Remeter. It was pathetic.
“Is it because I killed the child named Barote?”
“No.”
“I wasn't the one who killed Barote. Surely you're not trying to practice guilt by association in this day and age?”
“……”
“What have I done wrong now. I am still young. I am only 16. Same as you.”
I furrowed my brow.
It was natural that she knew information about me. I was one of their targets.
“What does age have to do with it.”
“You would be lenient with children.”
“Who says so?”
“Many people do.”
“No, they don’t.”
“I think they do. That’s why you’re acting like this now.”
But that attitude.
Herein’s tone was getting on my nerves.
I didn't know from whom or how she had obtained the information, but Herein’s voice was filled with conviction.
“Shut up. You’re a Remeter.”
“I know. But I’m an unrelated Remeter.”
“Really unrelated?”
“Now that you ask, it’s hard to say for sure.”
“The Black Tower, Kua. You really don’t know?”
“Aha. You didn’t like that. That’s understandable. I really didn’t know a situation like this would arise.”
Chuckle. Herein laughed softly.
“In that case, I will stop. Shall I purge the remaining Kua? All those involved as well. Ah, Basor will still be difficult. The king of Remeter as well.”
“Bullshit.”
Degrate was a group that did not belong to any faction. A continental group that the Black Land did not reject.
Among the countless factions that handle information, they were the only group that was free even in the Black Land.
‘And even in that Black Land, a lot of information has been released about the 4th district, Remeter.’
I recalled James’s information.
The Undying King had lived for over two centuries.
He was the originator of the Remeter bloodline, and was passionate about procreation, unbecoming of his age.
The name Remeter had multiplied and died out a great deal over two centuries.
‘Herein Remeter is not among them.’
Black Fox.
Degrate and the Crows had said that this was the first time they had heard the name Herein Remeter.
Meaning, Remeter had hidden her with intent. It meant she was cherished.
‘Akarr? Did he know this and assign this task?’
Impossible.
If he had known even a little, he would not have.
Herein Remeter was that dangerous of a being.
“I promise.”
“Are you going to make a vow?”
That was why.
Perhaps Herein Remeter really did have that kind of power.
“If you wish.”
“Do it.”
The atrocities being perpetrated somewhere, with Kua at the forefront, might be stopped.
Herein didn't seem to want conflict. If she could stop it with words here, I was willing to put aside my personal feelings for a moment.
“Ah, it’s not a Mana Vow. There is only one we vow to.”
“But earlier.”
“I didn’t. I used the Evil Eye. Let’s offer it to the god we serve instead.”
“Who do you serve.”
“I’ve heard that to believe in a god in the Black Land is to believe in only one.”
The Black Land did not believe in the Ruo that the continent believed in.
They worshiped the Doom Species and believed in their god.
The god of the Doom Species that did not exist on the continent.
“Damn it, a bastard that even oracles can't reach.”
“Sometimes they do reach.”
“Bullshit.”
“It is the truth.”
“I’m sure it is. Get lost. Just don’t do it.”
As I thought.
I let out a hollow laugh.
I must have been momentarily bewitched. It was because I had thought of Barote and Deban’s siblings.
I was trying to walk a different path from my past life, not become a different person.
The Doom Species and the Black Land. I had no intention of going to find them and beat them up, but.
“Those Black Land bastards. What do I have to trust.”
I had no intention of letting this slide after meeting the trash of the Black Land like this.
Sixteen years old? That was bullshit she had spat out after snatching information from somewhere. Herein was enjoying my reaction while teasing me.
‘This is Bahab.’
I had no intention of fighting recklessly.
‘Bermann.’
She said he was the master of Hella.
He was also a powerhouse who surpassed the current me. He must have realized by now that something was wrong with the auction house.
I just had to go on a rampage. If I went on a rampage, Akarr’s subordinates would come out on their own.
So, if only I could get Kanan and Haryun out somehow…….
“Kanan and Haryun. It would be these two.”
Herein suddenly opened her mouth.
“Bermann. Is it this one?”
Thud.
Suddenly, something fell from the air.
A head. It was Bermann. It was identical to the wanted poster I had seen at the Butcher Shop.
“Or the man who was hiding and peeking?”
One more.
It was probably one of Akarr’s subordinates.
From where? A foolish question. The Remeter were a bloodline that had mastered black magic. A subspace wouldn’t be difficult for them.
“It was boring to wait. Ah, I missed number 11. He was a great magician. He ran away with the Elf.”
While the Black Tiger was merely subduing the guards and looking for Elder, Herein had paralyzed the auction house.
She had killed Bermann, the head of Hella, and the one who must have been watching this Bellows-work.
“I was trying to participate in the auction legitimately but I didn't have enough money. If I had known you were here, I wouldn’t have done this.”
“Do you read my mind?”
The timing of her words matched up perfectly, coincidentally.
It was something only possible if she could see right through my head.
“Only the surface, a little.”
“How?”
Was there such magic?
I hadn't seen it even in my past life. It could be a development from the past 20 years, or it could be magic that Remeter developed while dissecting corpses.
“It’s a blessing from God.”
But Herein spat out bullshit.
Again, and again. I was an idiot for thinking I could communicate with the trash of the Black Land.
“I can. I can listen to what you say. If it’s something I can do. Anything.”
“Die.”
“That’s not something I can do.”
“Then I’ll kill you.”
“That’s impossible too.”
“Then what is possible?”
“I can purge Kua, and I can listen to your worries now.”
“My worry now is how to kill you.”
“There must also be the question of how to obtain Elder.”
“It’s already in my hand.”
“Ah, you’d also want to hide the fact that you destroyed the Black Tower. You’d want your existence to remain unknown for the time being.”
I clicked my tongue.
This was why I hated dealing with those who could read minds.
Even if they could only read the surface, they were annoying as hell.
“If it’s unpleasant, I’ll stop reading.”
“Don’t read until you die.”
“As you wish.”
That attitude.
That was also infuriating. The fact that I was being played was truly unpleasant.
“Bermann and this one? Let’s say I killed them too. Ah, this is a fact. There will be no harm to you.”
“You read it?”
“Ah, I’m sorry. Seeing you, I inadvertently…”
“……”
“It seems like it would be good for both of us. Let’s say I took Elder too. If you transform Elder into the sword you used to use, no one will recognize it. The one who was watching you is also gone, so Bahab won’t know either.”
“You came for Elder.”
“I don’t need it anymore.”
“Why?”
“Because I want to make a good impression on you.”
The White Sword Master.
Listening to Herein’s words, feeling the blatant favor she was showing.
I thought about that name.
If other trash had said it, I would have dismissed it as bullshit, but if it was said by trash related to the Doom Species, I couldn't just ignore it.
‘The White, the White Sword Master.’
From Gerehk Adre to the Doom Species split in half over there, to Herein Remeter in front of me.
Everything I met called me that.
‘If they just wanted to describe my characteristics, they could have just said Mectera.’
The young Sword Master of Mectera.
But white? Of course, in that I bore the name of Mectera, that was a clear characteristic.
Because Mectera was the Black Sword. Among them, the white me was certainly a very incongruous existence.
‘But if the Doom Species are involved, that’s not it.’
Elder.
I looked at what was in my hand.
The sword from my past life that no one but Exa could handle.
“You guys aren't thinking something strange, are you?”
Something ominous pierced through my head.
“What kind? It would depend on the listener’s perspective.”
“Just because my mana quality is unique… and I’m luckily using Elder now, you’re not thinking something like, I'm Exa’s successor, are you?”
“No. I have never imagined such a thing.”
“Right. No matter how much of a Black Land it is, they wouldn’t have such a stupid imagination, right?”
“A successor. That’s absurd.”
“Right?”
“Right.”
I laughed along with Herein, then asked with a straight face.
“But why are you being so nice?”
“That’s because……”
Crack.
The sound of something breaking rang out loudly. It was loud enough to wake the sleeping Homer. I used my Phantasmal Ability to put Homer back to sleep.
“Oh dear, faster than I thought. They said he was a hero of the age, it seems it wasn’t entirely a lie.”
A barrier.
From the noise just before, I thought of Remeter’s specialty. A secret art completed by the Undying King, which had a terrifyingly good synergy with necromancers.
“It’s a shame, but I suppose this is it. I do want to take you with me… but no, it wouldn’t be polite right now.”
A heat that felt like it would melt the skin drew closer.
Half of the auction house was engulfed in blue flames. Akarr. The Swelling Flame of Bahab, which was called a disaster on the battlefield, was approaching.
“Let’s say I took Elder. And you and I have never met. I will not say anything about you, whatsoever. I swear it.”
“But I will.”
“They say there is power in words. You will remember me all the more clearly.”
“Damn it.”
“In return, may I have the sword you were using? If you suddenly have two, that in itself would be suspicious.”
“…I don’t have it, you bastard.”
“Ah, you submitted it to the guards. I’ll take care of it myself, thank you. Now, let’s hurry and transform Elder. Akarr Bahab is coming.”
From beginning to end.
Herein never entered my Sword Net. She never even touched it. Thanks to that, I learned nothing.
It was the same now. The Swelling Flame was already flickering right before me. It felt like it would touch the tip of my nose, and my hair was parched.
A flame like this, Herein would easily break through. But she did not. The Swelling Flame was not pierced. There was no sign of a breach anywhere. She had literally disappeared.
‘What was that. A rift? A warp?’
I couldn’t tell what that damn Black Fox had done. Just as when she first appeared, she had suddenly disappeared.
“…That fox bastard.”
I bit my lip hard.
The Evil Eye wasn't entirely wrong. To feel such humiliation from the trash of the Black Land.
This was why I missed my past life.
The traitors. It was a feeling I had already experienced from Akarr, whom I had already met. I had gotten used to it. For the sake of revenge, I could endure for half a lifetime.
“You fucker.”
But, the Doom Species. The Black Land.
To think I had to feel this way even from such trash.
If I had my way, I would smash everything. Hella belonged to Bahab? Even better. What could be better for venting my anger.
…But there was nothing to smash.
“He burned it all.”
The Swelling Flame.
Had already incinerated the entire auction house. It was blinding. I grimaced.
It wasn't because of the Swelling Flame. The auction house had not even left any ash, and if I looked up, I could see the sky. The sunlight was shining down.
“Are you alright.”
Akarr Bahab.