Chapter 32

After being led away by Dalles and his henchmen for a short while, we arrived at a spacious, vacant lot in a back alley. Unlike the streets that remained lively even at night, an eerie silence hung over this place. It was an area without streetlights, where the darkness of night seemed to pool in every corner. Only the moonlight faintly illuminated our surroundings.

Alice and I stood side-by-side in the center of the lot. Our weapons had already been confiscated, leaving us completely unarmed. Dalles’s henchmen lined the perimeter at equal intervals, carrying a variety of weapons—swords, staves, and rifles. The lack of uniformity was likely because each person chose equipment suited to their personal Status.

Dalles stood directly in front of us. He wore an expression of pure delight; even with the bandages covering his face, it was obvious. He didn’t doubt his own superiority for a single second.

I could understand the feeling. From an objective standpoint, we were backed into a corner. It was only natural for Dalles to get cocky. However, that carelessness would be his downfall. He just didn’t realize it yet.

I suppressed my inner thoughts, keeping a cool expression on the surface. I fought hard to contain the boiling impulse within me, all for the sake of ensuring Alice’s safety. I couldn’t start the fight just yet.

Dalles’s voice broke the heavy silence.

“You’ve got guts, I’ll give you that. I expected you to resist before we even got here.”

“I’m a very reasonable man. Though, I have to say, being invited out by a guy is a letdown. I’d have preferred a beautiful woman.”

“Keep up the small talk while you can. I’ll listen until you’re satisfied—since you’re both going to die here anyway.”

Dalles spoke as if it were a foregone conclusion. Hearing that, I raised an eyebrow.

“That’s not what we agreed on. Wasn’t the deal that I’d go through the same thing you did?”

At my remark, Dalles let out a mocking laugh. He looked at me with a gaze full of utter contempt.

“You actually believed that nonsense? How pathetic. There’s no way I’d ever forgive trash like you.”

Dalles’s henchmen laughed in unison, as if they’d rehearsed it. It was clear they were making fun of me. Convinced their position was absolute, they were basking in their triumph.

I see. I understood perfectly now. They were practically begging to be killed. I’d have to grant that request.

Still feigning composure, I spoke to Dalles.

“Okay, fine. So I should take that as your final answer?”

“Obviously. The matter is decided. No matter how much you beg for your life, nothing will change.”

“Are you sure?”

I stared intently into Dalles’s eyes, emphasizing the question. I didn’t blink, measuring the true intent behind his words. Dalles furrowed his brow and clicked his tongue.

“Don’t make me repeat myself. I’m going to kill you after putting you through the maximum amount of suffering. You’ll die gasping, regretting your own mistakes.”

Dalles answered grandly, spreading his arms wide. He was really drunk on his own words. A mood of admiration rose from his henchmen, with some even letting out cheers. For us, the environment was as hostile as it could get.

In the middle of it all, I clapped my hands loudly to draw everyone’s attention. The excitement of Dalles and his crew cooled instantly. In its place, I felt their growing frustration. They seemed annoyed that I’d spoiled the mood.

Once I was sure I had their full attention, I asked Dalles a question.

“By the way, how much did that Magic Sword cost? It’s got a teleportation ability. I bet it was a high-end luxury item.”

“What are you talking about…? I see. You’ve finally lost your mind from the tension and fear.”

Dalles spoke with a suspicious look. I wagged my index finger back and forth, my smile deepening.

“Lost my mind? Is that what you said? Not quite. I’ve always been crazy. It didn’t just start today.”

I took a step forward. The henchmen regained their wariness and leveled their weapons at me. Ignoring them, I followed up with another question.

“Forget that—the price of the Magic Sword. Tell me.”

“Why are you so obsessed with knowing that!? It has nothing to do with a man who’s about to die!”

“It matters to me. I got a little curious. I wanted to know the value of the weapon I’m about to snap in half.”

“What…?”

Stunned into a daze, Dalles let out a sigh and a dry laugh. He held up the Magic Sword, staring at the blade as he spoke.

“Enough with the tough act. Snap my Magic Sword in half? Impossible. What could someone like you possibly do in this situation?”

“Heh, so you’re saying I’m powerless?”

“It is a pure and simple fact.”

Dalles stated it without a moment’s hesitation. He still hadn’t doubted his own superiority. What a truly pathetic sight.

I shrugged and let out an exaggerated sigh. “Well, if you’re going to go that far, I can’t exactly keep quiet. Fine then—it’s about time I showed you my hidden talent.”

I snapped my fingers. From outside the vacant lot, the heavy bass of an engine roared to life. Dalles and his henchmen stirred in confusion. Mocking them with a grin, I made my grand declaration.

“It’s time to party hard. I expect to be thoroughly entertained.”

As if on cue, the golem car burst through the wall of a nearby abandoned house. The vehicle drifted violently as it emerged, sending several henchmen flying. Having executed a magnificent start dash, the golem car screeched to a halt, wedging itself between us and Dalles.

“Exquisite. I couldn’t ask for more.”

“Thank you. I’m glad you liked it.”

I placed a hand on Alice’s head and gave it a pat. By using remote commands, she had moved the golem car from where we’d parked it at the tavern and hid it inside that abandoned house. Dalles and his crew couldn’t have imagined such reinforcements. We had caught them completely off guard.

“Wha… What…!?”

Just as expected, Dalles was struck with shock. His henchmen were frozen, unable to act. Their minds simply couldn’t keep up with the sudden turn of events. Taking advantage of the opening, I scooped Alice up.

“It’s going to be a rough ride, but here we go.”

“Mm, I’m ready.”

With her confirmation, I tossed Alice toward the golem car. Detecting her approach, the vehicle instantly began to transform. The side doors unfolded and retracted in a fluid motion. Alice executed a graceful mid-air rotation before being caught securely by the interior seating. The golem car then transformed back to its original shape.

A second later, a hail of gunfire rained down, but every bullet was repelled by the armor. Not a scratch reached Alice inside. With her safety secured, I was free to go on a rampage to my heart’s content.

“Kill him! Kill him right now!”

Dalles snapped back to his senses and screamed his orders. Multiple muzzles swung toward me, immediately spitting fire as they unleashed their rounds. I sprinted sideways, dodging the incoming bullets. In the same motion, I kicked one of the henchmen aside and snatched away his steel staff. I threw it with the force of a javelin.

“Gyah—!”

The staff pierced the eye of a henchman holding a rifle, neatly skewering his head. He collapsed, twitching as he stained the ground with blood and brains.

“Uoooooh!”

Another subordinate swung his sword at me. I ducked under the descending blade and drove my fist into the bridge of his nose. The counter-blow sent him flying back, mucking down the men behind him like a row of bowling pins. The golem car then charged forward, crushing the ones trying to scramble back up.

“Ha-ha! Talk about perfect coordination!”

I laughed joyfully as I picked up a sword, giving it a light spin to test its weight. It didn’t feel half bad.

I looked over at Dalles and his crew. They were falling into a state of total chaos. Dalles himself was stumbling about with his Magic Sword, seemingly torn between whether to attack me or the car. He could have just used his teleportation to tuck tail and run, but I suppose he had his pride. He was probably in a position where he couldn’t afford to look like a coward.

The tide had completely turned. From here on out, the stage belonged to us. In other words, it was the start of the long-awaited slaughter.

“I’m paying back the humiliation you gave me a hundredfold. Don’t go breaking on me too easily, now.”

I dragged the sword along the ground as I closed in on Dalles. The passion I had suppressed was finally unleashed.