Chapter 34

Chapter 34

In winter, terrible ghost stories crawled on the snowy field, which were hard to carry in words. Stories like a mother ate her baby unable to overcome hunger, or dug up a grave and ate a corpse.

There was no need to worry about beasts particularly on winter travel roads because it was a season where people turned into beasts.

Snow-covered field, wheel marks and footprints were stamped dizzily along the road. Mud was frozen and sharp ppojok ppojok.

And, on some roadside, a half-destroyed carriage was tilted. Corpses sprawled around it. One corpse fallen far away had no head.

Snow stopped for a while and in the morning with cold sunlight shining down, Rickart and Bori-bori stood still and looked blankly at the scene where something swept past. The vast snowy field twinkled receiving sunlight, and white breath puffed out from two boys' mouths every time they exhaled.

Since it was a situation where one would freeze to death even sleeping outside just one night, there couldn't be a survivor. Holes made due to blood were visible here and there on the snow field.

One fortunate thing was that they didn't cut off flesh of corpses. Don't know if it's right to consider it fortunate that they didn't degenerate to that extent.

The questionable point was if they aimed for food or money, they would have stripped off equipment or such, but corpses were in armed state as they were. Even selling as scrap metal, how much money is that.

However, ahead of question, there was one surprising point.

"A bit surprising."

Rickart who was examining here and there said.

"Uh?"

"One person. The person who raided. Looking at sword marks or footprints."

Rickart touched the sharp scratch dug deeply into the carriage and said.

Originally Rickart had ghostly keen observation, and especially with the experience of previous life, the ability to deduce the opponent's military power seeing a certain scene was extremely excellent.

Thanks to this ability, even though they received unexpected raid in past request, they could take tactical advantage.

Especially the current scene, the process of how that one person killed people in what way was all visible.

Not only that, dizzy noise of the scene at the time seemed to graze ears. Sound of blades clashing against each other, desperate screams, fear, shrieks, things like that.

People who died not being able to move even a few steps, people dragged while running away, people whose heads were split in half......

Dead people had almost no other external wounds. It meant killed in one blow per person. And most heads were split. Seemed to use something like battle axe, not sword.

"Uh...... But corpses are over ten? Moreover mostly in armed state."

"So it's surprising."

"Then is here dangerous?"

"Not really. This is like, a beast hunted. It doesn't return since it caught prey."

Looking at the headless corpse far away, Rickart said. It seemed he aimed for that one head, not raid aiming for money.

Essentially if he raided aiming for money, it wouldn't have been alone either, and wouldn't have left leaving valuable things like this, so perhaps it could be a grudge. Of course, couldn't know even this exactly.

Rickart examined inside the broken and tilted carriage. There was a corpse of an unnamed noblewoman there, not in a state where clothes were stripped. There was no trace of being raped.

And unlike other corpses, a dagger was stuck in the chest. Heart was stabbed and died. This method isn't easy to do at once because have to avoid ribs.

It felt as if respecting honor even when killing. Or had other special meaning.

Who on earth, for what reason did like this. Doing so, Rickart felt vaguely strange déjà vu.

Anyway, the way to go is decided, and cannot stay long, so Rickart rummaged corpses and carriage together with Bori-bori dwijeok dwijeok.

Could salvage a few copper coins, a few pieces of hard bread and jerky. Is it lucky?

Wrapping those in paper and putting into the bag, walked the road again leaving the terrible raid scene behind. Since it was not an ordinary trouble if they couldn't arrive at the destination before sun sets.

Because they started from Beringen at gloomy dawn, if they hastened steps, they could arrive at a place called 'Anna's Loss' around early evening. Fortunately, could speed up walking a bit as snow didn't fall.

Bori-bori followed better than thought, considering he left on a long journey alone and arrived at the Academy essentially, he had quite a tough side although the kid was a bit naive.

Being weak was also relative, and as Mana Drive technology developed, he was rather changing like a strong man more and more now.

Dark brown and red cloak, two boys walked the snowy field following the road to the southwest.

Around the time sun set, snowstorm started to rage again, and fortunately could reach a large building located on the roadside.

It was empty but it was a 2-story building equipped with things to be equipped enough to have a separate barn attached, and white smoke rose morak morak from the chimney.

A scratch like a scribble was made big noticeably on the wall exceptionally, written 'Anna's Loss'.

Rickart carried the sword on one shoulder, opened the door and entered the tavern. Cozy air rushed in, but nasty smell also came along.

Inside the tavern was full of people looking bad quality whoever saw. It seemed like gathered all sorts of criminals of the Northeast.

Person whose one pupil was white as if having cataract, few remaining yellow teeth, rough beard grown carelessly, cut off fingers, many scars here and there on face where grime flows were common.

It seemed they expressed the worst appearance human can do uniquely in their own ways.

People who were inside looked back at Rickart and Bori-bori who opened the door. Not all were like that, and there were also people who were already dead drunk and sprawled carelessly on the tavern's dirty floor.

"Close the door. Cold."

Someone said. That person's bad breath seemed to reach here so Rickart closed eyes tightly. Still had work to do, so closed the door and stepped into the unpleasant place.

People were curious wondering what young kids came here, but since they were equipped with weapons, and couldn't cause trouble here, they didn't care much.

Because, here was a place managed by the thief guild Arisen Brotherhood, and played a role of a kind of neutral zone.

Causing trouble here was same as turning the thief guild into an enemy immediately. Rough criminals also stretch feet seeing place to lie down, usually fought going out when making trouble.

Rickart walked to the bar. By the way, the bartender was busy drinking himself rather than serving customers. Lifting with bottle and drinking once each, he was giggling with a cheap prostitute.

Rickart put the golden cloak pin on the bar and said.

"Came because Dunkel sent."

Then the bartender who was giggling not paying attention to Rickart looked down blankly at the golden cloak pin placed on the bar.

Pin with detailed craftsmanship wasn't an object that could be forged lightly. The bartender looked at Rickart properly only then.

Looking at the cloak pin and Rickart's face alternately a few times, he acted annoyed at the prostitute chattering continuously without tact.

"Hey, noisy so get lost."

"Che! Retard."

The prostitute pouted and glared at the bartender. Whether she did or not, the bartender looked at Rickart and asked.

"What is the matter?"

"About Ehrenberg 5......"

"Fuck shut your mouth."

The bartender cut off as soon as Rickart brought it up. And put down the liquor bottle, shook head fiercely, and slapped his own both cheeks jjak jjak.

After that, exhaling hot breath hu-u, hu-u as if calming down surprised chest, he said.

"So where is the person who 'handles work'?"

The bartender seemed to consider Rickart about an errand boy inevitably.

"I am the person who 'handles work'?"

"......What? Don't joke. Do I look like a dog dick?"

"Look like dog dick rice though."

Since the opponent kept speaking roughly, Rickart also retorted same. The bartender felt choked, but felt unusualness seeing Rickart's nonchalant gaze.

Then there was something coming to mind suddenly.

"Is it you? Ricky of Severance?"

"Yeah."

The bartender scanned Rickart's appearance carefully once again. Blond hair not covering ears and hazel eyes, winter gambeson outfit, wearing red cloak and just carrying one longsword on one shoulder.

The body not fully grown yet bothered his eyes.

"......No matter how it is. Dunkel this bastard really...... Look, I also heard and know that you are a rare genius swordsman. But not this work. Go back."

Rickart blinked eyes kkeumbeok kkeumbeok. Because he didn't know work would become like this. Dunkel approved so naturally thought performing request, but it wasn't. Did he send here just purposely knowing this? Without thought to entrust request essentially?

It was something unknown. Unless going back and arguing. Only, walked all day and came here.

Looked back at Bori-bori wondering what to do, but Bori-bori was only shrugging shoulders. Would this kid have any method.

"Heard skilled adventurers are not allowed because faces are known, and it's better for student to step up."

"Know what you mean, but no is no. Since it's night now, stay quietly......"

The bartender and thief guild organization member couldn't finish words. Because, the tavern door opened roughly.

Rattle!

People including Rickart looked back at that side. One man with huge build was standing, and snowstorm blowing from outside was pouring inside roughly.

Whee-o-o-o-o......!

The man was wearing a Nord-style nose guard helmet, and black cloth was attached to the helmet covering the lower face completely so the face wasn't revealed.

Was wearing something like a thick apron over scale armor, and tough leather gloves on hands, leather belt crossing waist and chest, rope tied on left waist, one-handed battle axe on right. And, one heavy bundle where blood was dried and stuck.

Scale armor came down only to about elbow so his forearm was revealed slightly. Forearm was thick like a log, and full of scars all over.

He breathed ssaek, ssaek like a person having difficulty breathing, and scanned inside the tavern seuk. Blue pupils were shining like a beast beyond the eye holes of the helmet.

"Cold. Close the door."

Someone said. However, the newly appeared man just ignored him and walked into the tavern ttubok ttubok.

One paper crumbled severely was held in his hand, and he seemed to compare that paper and someone, then just threw away hwik. It was none other than a wanted poster.

At that time, someone looking fierce who was inside the tavern suddenly shouted trembling in fear. That was the start.

"......Fuck!"

Whish! Kwajik!

The man drew the axe immediately and swung, splitting one person's head in an instant. The person whose head was stamped by the axe floundered body and collapsed.

People stood up warleureu in shock. People who were dead drunk and sprawled on the floor were trampled. And there were not just one or two failing getting caught by their feet.

Tables and chairs overturned, and gambling tools, coins, cups and such on top fell warleureu. The scene became a mess in an instant.

"Son of a bitch!"

There were many so-called tough guys inside the tavern. They drew weapons and rushed at the man. And, the man fought really like a beast.

Whish! Kwak! Whi-ing! Chaeng-gang! Ppeogeok! Whish!

Ignored trivial slashing receiving with armor, smashed human face with fist like iron lump, and heavy axe work split head without fail. And kicked as possible, trampled, stamped with knee.

Bones of several people crushed and broke and chopped. Flesh torn off in chunks fell on the floor cheolpeok cheolpeok.

Situation ended really in an instant, and blood was heavily on the floor, and corpses with twisted bodies here and there were sprawled.

The man stood in the middle of it and panted breath ssaek, ssaek for a while shrugging shoulders.

"Uuuu......"

Whish! Peok!

The man struck down the neck of the person who was groaning sprawled on the floor. And grabbed the hair and lifted, walked ttubok ttubok to where Rickart was. Blood footprints stamped on the floor every step. And blood flowed jureureuk from the cut surface of the head held in his hand.

A cheap prostitute was standing near Rickart, and she only trembled deoldeol, couldn't even scream. Urine flowing down her legs spread on the floor.

The bartender who was sharing conversation with Rickart sat down teol-sseok on the floor as he approached. And trembled in fear.

Wasn't causing commotion inside the tavern turning the thief guild into an enemy? However, the man seemed not to care about such unwritten laws at all.

Rickart just looked at the man quietly. He glanced at Rickart heulgit then turned gaze immediately and didn't pay attention. As he reached close, ssaek, ssaek breathing sound was heard more loudly.

He just grabbed the liquor placed on the bar teok and poured beolkeok beolkeok on scratches and cuts here and there on forearm. And threw away on the floor hwik.

Clang!

The man put the head in the empty bundle, and walked out of the tavern ttubok ttubok. People mostly gathered in the corner trembling and watched the man.

"N, Nameless, Nameless X......"

The bartender sitting on the floor muttered. If Nameless X, he was a famous bounty hunter and one of the Empire's 9 Swords. Why is he here.

"Must be cold outside......"

Bori-bori muttered in monologue.

Rickart was convinced that that person was the one who raided the carriage he saw during the day. He overlapped strangely with himself of previous life, and so was attracted like a magnet for some reason.

"Let's follow."

"Ung?"

"Let's follow. Since don't look like giving information here anyway."

"It's cold outside."

"Can't help it."

"Then let's go."

"Pack one lantern and come out."

"Ung."

Bori-bori packed one lantern that was in the tavern as he pleased.

And two boys walked toward the entrance where snowstorm was still raging in. Closed the door when leaving.

Rattle.

Inside the tavern became quiet again, but it was already a shambles.

Silence hovered as no one dared to make a sound. Only sound of blood drops falling tuk, tuk from the edge of the table was heard.

Chapter 34. End.