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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: JayM
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The bustling streets of the Eastern District.
A place more vibrant at night than during the day.
A place only visible after passing through the Eastern District gate and venturing deep inside.
The bustling streets were filled with various monster-people.
Harpies and Killer Bees flew through the air while scattering flyers.
Venom Spiders with green spots on their backs swung the lights using their webs.
Groups of Kobolds, Goblins, and Slimes could be seen moving in a single file while following an Orc.
Jeong Yoo-shin stopped in his tracks.
Watching people walk around while wearing the skins of monsters, he realized something.
‘These guys…’
He had experienced butchering all of them.
He felt an indescribable emotion.
What should he call it?
Was this what a butcher felt while walking among pigs and cows?
He hadn’t felt this way before.
‘Why am I feeling this?’
As he tried to compose his turbulent mind, two people approached.
A tall dark elf with long, silver hair…
And a girl with orange hair tied in twin pigtails.
A single black horn protruded from the left side of the pigtail girl’s forehead.
She was about his height.
And for some reason, she exuded an aura of mischief.
The orange-haired girl approached him.
“Hello, little barbarian. Are you lost?”
Despite her languid eyes, her voice was clear.
Jeong Yoo-shin tilted his head.
‘What? Is someone captivated by my beauty again?’
He couldn’t deny it, considering the stares he had been receiving while walking down the street.
With his cool sunglasses, he must be irresistible.
Jeong Yoo-shin ran a hand through his hair.
In repentance for his sinful beauty, he tried to sound as innocent as possible.
“Yes, noona. Do you happen to know where the ‘Oak Barrel’ tavern is?”
The orange-haired girl smiled.
“I know it well. Want me to take you there?”
“Lady Astaroth, we are in a hurry. We can’t afford to delay.”
The dark elf standing behind her said with a worried tone.
The orange-haired girl called Astaroth shrugged.
“What’s the big deal? It’ll only take a moment. We’ve been working for months. Cut me some slack.”
“…Sigh. Alright.”
The dark elf sighed reluctantly.
“Good. Shall we go, little one?”
The orange-haired girl smiled again and revealed a single, sharp canine tooth.
“Yes.”
As he walked with the girl called Astaroth, he could feel it.
‘This is serious.’
He felt an unfathomable pressure from both the dark elf and Astaroth.
Like peering into an abyss.
Strong.
If he had to compare them with someone, their aura was similar to Ingrid’s.
Jeong Yoo-shin muttered inwardly.
‘I’ll remember you, Astaroth.’
People glanced at Jeong Yoo-shin and the girl as they walked down the street.
Countless eyes were on them, but the three of them didn’t seem to care.
They passed through the noisy entertainment district and stopped in front of a shop.
“This is the ‘Oak Barrel’ tavern.”
“Thank you, noona.”
Jeong Yoo-shin bowed his head in gratitude.
The orange-haired girl crossed her arms and met Jeong Yoo-shin’s gaze.
“Kid, don’t kill too many. Alright?”
Jeong Yoo-shin trembled.
“Th-That’s a scary thing to say. I’m a good kid. I don’t kill people.”
The orange-haired girl looked at Jeong Yoo-shin with an incredulous expression, then spoke.
“Kid, good kids don’t carry three swords. And your two single-edged swords reek of blood. You don’t seriously think those sunglasses hide your murderous intent, do you?”
“…”
Jeong Yoo-shin paused, then slowly lowered his sunglasses.
“Am I caught?”
“At least try to look convincing next time. I’m going. See you later.”
The orange-haired girl turned around and waved.
Jeong Yoo-shin tilted his head.
‘See me later?’
She sounded as if she expected to meet him again.
‘Does that matter? Get a grip, Yoo-shin.’
Jeong Yoo-shin slapped himself and opened the tavern door.
Jingle.
The wooden door opened smoothly, and the doorbell chimed.
He entered the tavern and looked around.
Dim lighting.
People were chatting quietly.
Behind an antique wooden bar, an elderly gentleman was wiping a glass with a dry cloth.
Jeong Yoo-shin slowly approached the bar counter.
“Grandpa, is there someone named Max here?”
The elderly gentleman, with his slicked-back hair, placed the glass on the counter and looked down at Jeong Yoo-shin.
“Who are you?”
“Max’s friend. I’m here to talk about business.”
The elderly gentleman smiled faintly.
“You reek of blood.”
“Don’t worry. It’s not my blood.”
“At least thirty. No, thirty-one. And you killed them all with a single strike.”
Jeong Yoo-shin’s expression turned cold at the old man’s words.
“…Innkeeper, where’s Max?”
“He’s in room 4, on the third floor. Iruril, show him the way.”
“Yes.”
A cat beast-person approached them and stood before Jeong Yoo-shin.
“Please follow me.”
“Let’s go.”
Jeong Yoo-shin climbed the tavern stairs and stood before Max’s room.
“Is this it?”
“Yes.”
Jeong Yoo-shin opened the door and entered.
A massive, muscular man was sitting on a sofa inside the room.
Over two meters tall.
Messy, earthy brown hair.
His height and weight rivaled that of the barbarians he had seen before.
He was shirtless, showing his muscles rippling that radiated heat.
‘Is this Max?’
A retired intermediate-rank explorer.
His imprint was Health Strength.
It was said that his physique and muscle mass increased with his stamina, and he looked exactly like that.
Jeong Yoo-shin sat on the sofa across from Max.
“Hello, Mr. Max.”
“Who are you?”
Max asked in a low voice.
“It doesn’t matter who I am.”
At Jeong Yoo-shin’s reply, Max picked up a bottle and filled his glass.
Glug.
“Kid, I’m not in the mood to talk right now.”
Jeong Yoo-shin leaned back deeply into the sofa.
“Max. Max. Max. Max, you bastard.”
“…”
Max silently picked up his glass and downed the contents in one gulp.
Thud.
As Max placed his glass on the table, Jeong Yoo-shin picked up the bottle, leaned forward, and refilled Max’s glass.
“Sir, I’ve never seen such an incompetent gatekeeper in my life.”
“Was it Hughie? That kid was a bit out of it from taking drugs. He finally messed up.”
“And you kidnap a pharmacist from the Western District? What were you thinking? And you’re drinking after causing such a mess?”
“…”
Max emptied his glass without replying.
Jeong Yoo-shin stabbed an apple from the plate with his fork and offered it to Max.
“Here, have some snacks.”
Max silently took the apple and crunched on it.
“You eat well.”
“I’ve always been a good eater, even as a kid.”
“That’s something to be proud of, you pig.”
“…”
Max glared at Jeong Yoo-shin, then sighed deeply.
“Sigh. Do we really have to do this here?”
“Then where?”
“…”
Max took a cigar from his pocket, put it in his mouth, and took out his flint and steel.
Click, click.
His trembling hand failed to light the cigar.
Jeong Yoo-shin stood up, brought a candle, and lit Max’s cigar.
Sizzle.
As the tip of the cigar glowed red, Jeong Yoo-shin placed the candle aside and sat back down on the sofa.
“Puff.”
Max puffed on his cigar, exhaling smoke.
Jeong Yoo-shin tapped the wooden table with his finger.
“Drinking, eating apples, and smoking cigars. Brother Jung-gu*, who left after only one cigarette, would be envious.”
Max looked at him with a dazed expression.
“Jung-gu? Is that an explorer’s name?”
“None of your business. You’ll be going soon anyway.”
Max stroked his hair, then spoke.
“…Skar the Butcher, did you kill all of my men?”
“Yes. But do you know me?”
“Black hair. Red single-edged sword. Aren’t you the one who slaughtered all those slave hunters?”
“That’s me.”
“How cruel.”
“You shouldn’t have sold drugs in the first place. And you definitely shouldn’t have forced people to buy them. That’s why I came for you.”
Max turned and looked out the window.
“That’s right. Nothing ever goes my way. Not business, not life.”
“…”
“Why is the Eastern District crawling with so many monsters? And there are so many people telling me what to do… Tsk. I’ve wasted my life.”
Max, who was holding a cigar, looked down at Jeong Yoo-shin.
Jeong Yoo-shin noticed that Max’s trembling hand was gradually steadying.
The boy and the man looked at each other in silence.
“…”
A heavy silence filled the room.
One.
Two.
Three.
The two men smiled.
Max threw a punch.
Jeong Yoo-shin countered with his own.
[Sacred Weapon]
Property imbuement.
Half-Ogre Gauntlets.
A radiant glow enveloped Jeong Yoo-shin’s hand, and their fists collided in the middle of the tavern.
Boom!!!!!
Crash!!!
Clang!!!
The impact of their fists shattered all the windows and sent objects flying wildly around the room.
Thump!!!
The two men crashed through the tavern window and landed on the bustling street.
The people on the street stared at Jeong Yoo-shin and Max in surprise, but no one ran away.
Max winced and shook his hand.
“Butcher, this is truly unfair. How can you withstand my punch with that body?”
Shing.
Jeong Yoo-shin silently drew his red single-edged sword.
The cool blade gleamed, reflecting the stars and the city lights.
‘Incredible strength. My hand is still shaking.’
His hand that was gripping the sword trembled faintly.
His opponent was overwhelmingly strong.
He would only have one or two chances to counter directly.
Given the significant difference in their physique, a direct confrontation was the worst option here.
What should he do?
He would use his small body’s agility to evade Max’s attacks.
As he was formulating a plan, Max charged at him and threw a punch.
A downward strike.
Whoosh!!!
The force of the blow sent Jeong Yoo-shin’s hair flying.
Jeong Yoo-shin dodged to the side.
Boom!!!!!
The immense force shattered the street, sending rocks and dust flying into the air.
‘Good thing I wore sunglasses.’
If even a speck of dust had gotten into his eyes, it would have been over.
Jeong Yoo-shin gripped the hilt of his sword.
Now was his chance while Max’s fist was buried in the ground.
A vertical slash.
Swish!!!
The red single-edged sword cut Max’s wrist.
Slash!!!
Blood spurted out, but Max didn’t even flinch.
The impact of the sword felt shallow.
It was partly due to Max’s hard muscles and partly due to his own weakened strength.
‘Max is an explorer skilled in various martial arts and wrestling techniques. If he catches you, it’s over.’
Snout’s explanation echoed in his mind.
Max brought his arms together and stepped forward.
After two exchanges, he had clearly identified Jeong Yoo-shin’s weakness.
Despite his massive size, he charged quickly and threw a punch.
Unlike before, he didn’t swing with all his might but threw short, quick jabs.
Wham! Wham! Wham!
Jeong Yoo-shin dodged every blow.
Even though Max was punching empty air, the force of his blows made the air explode.
‘He’s incredibly strong. A direct hit would kill me.’
Jeong Yoo-shin, his black hair flying, swung his single-edged sword.
He stabbed and slashed whenever he saw an opening.
Max’s arms became increasingly bloodied.
Their fight was like a butterfly and a bear.
Jeong Yoo-shin, with his dazzling footwork, dodged Max’s punches one by one and swung his red sword.
Max, on the other hand, stubbornly threw punches.
He didn’t flinch from the pain, focusing on short, quick jabs to disrupt Jeong Yoo-shin’s rhythm and create an opportunity to grab him.
The people on the street watched the fight with bated breath.
Even as he moved, a thought troubled Jeong Yoo-shin.
‘Should I use the Gale Sword?’
Was his life in danger right now?
Not really…
But he didn’t have any other way to defeat Max.
Dragging this out would only increase the risk.
Trying to chip away at him with Sacred Weapon would only create openings for his opponent.
What should he do?
Jeong Yoo-shin, his mind racing, stopped abruptly.
Something flashed through his mind.
Could he do it?
He didn’t know.
He had to try.
Max quickly threw a punch.
Wham!!!
Jeong Yoo-shin, while dodging, tripped on a loose stone and stumbled.
“Oh!!!”
“Kid!!!”
“It’s dangerous!!!”
The onlookers screamed.
A rabbit beast-person street vendor covered her mouth and closed her eyes.
A slime that was wriggling on the ground trembled, and the harpies flapped their wings.
“It’s over.”
Max’s cold voice came from above.
And then his fist tore through the air, descending towards Jeong Yoo-shin’s head.
Boom!!!!!
At that critical moment…
Jeong Yoo-shin, who had been stumbling, grinned.
“You fell for it?”
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T/N – Well, the MC met quite a few bigshots in this chapter. I bet my left nut that the little girl with the orange hair is probably the representative of the Monster Queen. The fact that she seems to be as strong as Ingrid is insane to me, considering that she’s a subordinate to the Monster Queen, who seems to be a powerhouse in her own right. There’s also the dark elf accompanying the orange-haired girl.
Then there’s the old bartender, who accurately sensed how many people the MC killed. He gives off a retired badass vibe.
Honestly, they were more interesting than the face-off between Max and the MC. Though I do give props to the author for recreating the tense stand-off scene from those crime films. Check the reference down below for more details.
If you find any mistakes, feel free to point them out in the comments.
*”Jung-gu” (중구) here is a pop culture reference to the classic South Korean noir film “New World” (신세계 – Sinsegye) released in 2013. In fact, the whole line “Brother Jung-gu, who left after only one cigarette, would be envious” is a quote from the movie.
awesome thx