Episode 24: The Demon-Possessed Sword (4)
The bandit leader rejoiced inwardly.
Though he didn't know where these brats came from, their obvious wealth and naive appearance confirmed they were nobles' offspring. Kidnapping noble brats for ransom had always been lucrative work.
Their obedient approach only reinforced his belief - spoiled rich kids ignorant of the world's dangers. As he subtly raised his axe to intimidate them, the boy suddenly froze and locked eyes with him.
"You should provide information worthy of what you've received. Think carefully. I only give one warning."
Had this brat read his mind? Or was this mere noble bravado? The leader straightened his neck with affected arrogance, yet detected no murderous intent from the boy.
Blind rage overcame the leader. He resolved to beat respect into the brat if words failed.
"You little... Get off your horse first," the leader growled through clenched teeth, suppressing his fury. Better to coax gently when extorting proper ransom.
But Karon showed no intention of compliance.
"What if I refuse?"
The boy's insolent tone shattered the leader's already frayed patience. "You little shit!" He swung his axe in a wide arc toward the horse's neck - if they wouldn't dismount, killing their mount would suffice. Though horses were valuable assets, losing one mattered little. Meat was meat.
Whoosh—
Clang!
His axe never reached its target, deflected by Karon's suddenly materialized sword. The leader stared wide-eyed at the pitch-black blade that radiated ominous energy.
'When did—?'
Shink!
The blade didn't pause, thrusting straight for his throat. With desperate speed, he yanked his deflected axe upward to block.
Zing!
Drip—
"Ugh!"
The impact launched his body 3-4 meters backward. His iron axe now bore a deep gash where the black sword had struck. The shockwave rattled his skull and tore flesh from his gripping hand - monstrous strength behind the blow.
But it wasn't over.
'Shit! Fuck!'
As he lowered his guard, the dark blade came streaking toward his heart. He twisted violently aside.
Thunk!
"Gahk!"
Too fast. Black Blade pierced through his shoulder joint, sliding through flesh like hot knife through butter. The force knocked him flat on his rear, disoriented from the impact.
Though barely surviving, the leader burned more with humiliation than pain - bested by a mere boy. "Kill that fucker!!"
His roar snapped the bandits from their stupor. Though Karon's sword had only moved thrice, everything occurred in mere seconds. Their leader's pathetic defeat left them stunned.
"Crazy bastard!"
"Murder him!"
As bandits swarmed from all directions, Karon dismounted to protect his horse and raised his right hand toward the leader.
In that instant—
Shhk!
"Ghk!"
The leader gasped as the sword embedded in his shoulder tore free on its own, flying back to Karon's waiting grip. Blood gushed from the wound as he clutched his shoulder, mind reeling. Some invisible thread? Witchcraft?
This proved merely the opening act. Karon wielded Black Blade like a living whip, crimson afterimages dancing through the air. Bandit heads rolled with single strokes - weapons and armor sundered effortlessly. The blade devoured all resistance, its wielder more monster than man.
Most terrifying were Karon's eyes - hollow pools of apathy beneath languid eyelids. When crimson energy shrouded his form, he became death incarnate.
"Demon! He's a demon!"
"Mercy!"
When half the bandits lay dead, survivors broke ranks. The leader's carefully built empire crumbled in moments.
"Demon! Run!"
Only corpses remained scattered along the road... and their leader kneeling in defeat at the path's end. Karon didn't bother pursuing the fleeing.
"This is absurd..."
The leader's rasp cut short as Black Blade pressed against his Adam's apple. The crimson aura had vanished, absorbed back into Karon's body.
"Ready to talk now?"
"Kkh..."
The leader swallowed blood, all bravado extinguished. Survival required immediate medical aid - he was bleeding out.
"About a year ago... men were searching Beyla for someone."
"Searching?"
Karon's brow furrowed.
"Yes. We sold slaves to traders. They asked us too - seeking a girl with black hair, silver eyes, and a diamond mark on her forehead."
Karon suddenly recalled the girl from the capital's slave market - tangled hair framing jewel-like eyes.
"What did you tell them?"
"Tell them? Girls like that aren't rare. The Chakran tribe east of the capital - all have black hair and silver eyes. Probably went there."
Unknown to Karon. Though he'd traveled with mercenaries, his youth limited his continental knowledge.
"Ask Megamon's gang or Hinjo's crew in the city. They'd know more."
"Megamon? Hinjo?"
"Gangs handling slaves and dirty money."
Karon memorized the names. "Does Beyla trade many slaves?"
The leader barked a bloody laugh. "You go there blind? Beyla hosts Rob Empire's largest auction houses and slave traders. Over half the Colosseum's slaves come from there! Countless like us snatch people for profit!"
As the leader shouted like wronged man, Karon clicked his tongue and sheathed his sword. The bandit finally exhaled in shallow relief.
"He letting you live?"
Shong asked, guiding his horse forward. The Shong he knew showed no mercy. Karon mounted up wearing a satisfied expression - Black Blade had performed beyond expectations. He felt closer to the Black Cloaks' realm of mastery.
While Karon rode off, Shong dismounted and retrieved bloodstained gold coins from the leader's pouch.
"Thanks for the tip. You won't be needing these."
"Kkh... Cough!"
The leader glared, attempting to move but only spewing more blood. Shong danced aside, tutting.
"Tsk. Jumpy. You'll die anyway - that heartless brat never spares lives."
Shong scavenged valuables from corpses before galloping after Karon. Passing the dying leader, he called:
"Mind the big players up ahead! Everything large has purpose. Not that you'll live to care."
The leader vomited blood three more times before collapsing.
When Shong caught up, Karon extended his palm.
"Huh?"
As Shong feigned ignorance, Karon kept facing forward. "Gold."
Shong erupted in theatrical outrage. "You're taking back the gold from that bandit? After his intel? That's shameless! Giving then taking is pure vil-"
His rant died when Karon's hand drifted toward his sword hilt. With exaggerated sigh, Shong surrendered the cleaned coins.
Beyla, port city at Rob Empire's southeastern edge, basked in golden age prosperity.
The capital's insatiable slave demand outpaced supply. Soaring prices attracted black marketeers and criminals. Mountains of blood money built pleasure districts and attracted merchants, swindlers, and crime syndicates battling daily over territories.
Though officials and guards remained, their bellies swollen with bribes barely stirred for mere murders. Only mass slaughter warranted stretched limbs.
Beyla had become lawless hellscape.
Two factions dominated - "Twin-Blade Hinjo" and "Iron Hammer Megamon's" crews. Formally named but commonly called Hinjo Faction and Megamon Faction, they divided Beyla west and east until overcrowding sparked constant central clashes.
Today's streets ran red as usual.
Southern hill overlooking Beyla's walls - built against nonexistent naval invasions.
Two horses stood atop the bluff.
"Woo! Perfect weather! Perfect view!"
Shong stretched luxuriously.
"Think they're here?"
He yawned to no response. Blocking Karon's path, Shong reiterated:
"Like I said! If using informal speech: Keep quiet as usual. No killing. No sword throwing. No gold tossing. Especially gold! Everywhere has eyes - revealed wealth makes you target. Most importantly-"
Shong's face blanked, eyes glazing over as he monotoned:
"Black cloak. Blue hair. Red bead. Speak if known."
His perfect Karon imitation drew no reaction. Coughing awkwardly, Shong continued:
"Never! Nev-er say that. It's announcing we seek them! Must investigate secretly. Understood?"
Met with silence, Shong leaned in impatiently.
"Got it? Let's go."
Karon pushed Shong's face away and descended. After lengthy descent, they found city's entrance... unusually quiet.
