Chapter 43 – Chain of Rampage (6)

“Finally, I found it.”

A tree root protruding between the buttons of a white shirt. Pupils trembling red.
The pants are torn, and blood oozing from the split skin saturates the floor.
As coarse breaths escaped the man, the tree bark gradually enveloped his chin, climbing upwards. Soon, the human form vanished, leaving only the monstrous figure behind.

Ent.
-Mend and perish, stained in red, what do you seek?

A verse from a poem believed to have been penned by a human who first laid eyes on an Ent.
Though I’m unsure what turned it into such a grotesque creature, the monster didn’t appear favorable to me.

“Heh heh, heh heh”

-Aaaaaaah!
-Pl, please save me!

A man rendered incapable of even using human language.
The streets embracing the Ent are nothing short of a boiling pot of madness.
A sordid spectacle unfolds as people shove one another, each desperately fighting for their own survival.

**”Keruk.”**

The massively swollen man bowed his head and placed his heavy arms on the asphalt. His appearance resembled an orc or troll clad in armor. It seemed impossible for such a monstrous creature to possess consciousness, only endlessly bellowing something.

**”…Medicine.”**

The air currents shifted. The atmosphere grew heavy, and a tremendous pressure bore down upon the body.

“Dad… *sob*, Dad?”

The child’s futile mutterings were obstructed by Sansuyu’s hand, preventing him from seeing what lay ahead. Sansuyu gave me a meaningful glance, and I nodded in agreement.

First and foremost, we needed to escape from here.

**”Yaaaaaaaah!”**

The brute screamed like a wild beast and charged toward me.

I bent my legs and lowered my center of gravity. As I gathered magical energy throughout my body, the surrounding air currents began to ripple in a circular pattern.

The formless power rode the wind, soaring high into the sky.

Dust and sand on the floor were lifted into the air by the currents.

– There are three crucial aspects when it comes to subduing an ent. First, preventing human casualties; second, dealing with the ent; and third, ensuring the facility remains undamaged.

I surveyed my surroundings and tensed my legs before leaping forward.

– Paaang!

“Keruk!?”

A ripple formed in the air. The flustered ent threw a fist as big as my body at me, and just before it made contact, I stepped back.

– Huung!

The bark grazed my nose. A drop of blood from the tip splattered onto the pavement.

Perhaps due to the excitement of battle, the pain was insignificant. With my shifted center of gravity, I kicked the ent in the chest.

“Keew!”

The ent let out a hideous scream. However, its massive size prevented it from being pushed back by the force of my kick.

I intended to kick back, but the attack isn’t effective. Could it be the difference in weight class?

“Aaargh!”

His fist grazes my hair.

‘If only I had a sword… Or would it not make any difference even with a sword?’

The body of the one who was bleeding has long since regenerated.

He clenches his fist.
I do the same.

Our fists, each embracing our own magic power, collide with each other.

– Kwaang!

Violent vibrations and pain engulf my entire arm.
Curses. The torn armor climbs up my arm and reaches my shoulder.

“Ugh.”

With a short groan, I kick the ground and raise my chin.
For a brief moment, I send the man who floated into the air flying backward with a forceful push from my left palm.

“Khaaak!”

The Ent soars through the air behind me.
My right hand throbs, and my finger joints feel dislocated, leaving me with no strength.

Utilizing the power of healing intermittently, I approached the Ent.

Sansuyu and the child had disappeared from sight. The man sprawled on the ground seemed to have burned away all of his life force, as there was no luster in his eyes.

As I was about to deal with the Ent,

“Kyaaaaaaa!”

A sudden uproar erupted nearby.

**”Creak, crackle.”**

**”Groooowl.”**

Two Ents. They wreaked havoc on the shopping district’s streets, exuding an abundance of vitality. A chill coursed through my entire body.

“One… No, wait.”

I couldn’t help but utter the foolish words. Seeing a young man being targeted by the Ent, my body launched into action faster than I’d anticipated.

“Please, save me!”

The young man squeezed his eyes shut and helplessly reached out his hand. I mustered all my strength and kicked the face of the Ent as it swung its fist toward him.

The Ent’s body teetered and toppled.

-Throb.

“…Damn.”

I moved too hastily, failing to properly wield my magic. The pain of ruptured muscles surged through my foot. I grabbed the young man by the nape of his neck and flung him away, allowing the Ent to attack him once he had regained his position.

*Bang!*

His fist struck my face.

I didn’t retreat. Flesh that had been scraped away by the armor fell to the ground as blood streamed down. My face remained unscathed thanks to the mask, but the pain was unbearably intense.

‘When will you arrive?’

As I grumbled inwardly, I heard footsteps approaching from behind.

*Tap!*

The sound of familiar strides, with a rhythm I recognized from countless encounters.

Cornus.

Bright yellow petals tickled the tip of my nose.

*Whoosh!*

“Arghhhhh!”

The forearm of the man who had struck my face fell off.

“…You look good like that, bastard.”
“Sian.”

“Ah, I’m fine.”

I held my nose and stepped back. Thanks to the healing power and my innate regenerative abilities, the bleeding had already stopped.

As Sansuyu bought some time, I caught my breath and surveyed our surroundings.

A crumpled building sign lay beneath a broken streetlight. Shattered glass was strewn across the pavement. I spat out blood and imbued my fists with magical energy once more.

– Mmm.

A surge of power rose above my shoulders.
The darkened magic retained a similar intensity to when I had confronted Lee Seong-han.

Sansuyu faced off against one of them, leaving the other one. The creature currently demolishing a building with a grin on its face.

It turned its head and locked eyes with me.
Heh. The monster twisted its smile.

**”Kuaaaaa!”**

Thump, thump, thump, thump.

The ground shook as though an earthquake was rumbling beneath us.
The tension that resonated in my chest no longer fazed me.

Guided by instinct, the body moved as it willed.

– Huung.

2m.

As he swung his fist toward me, I leaped off the ground and took flight.

His fist could not reach me. A strike imbued with dark energy pierced through his forehead.

“Keruk-.”

The colossal figure crumbled, and the death of the Ent that Cornus had been combating was confirmed. At last, the battle was over.

* * * * *

After the fight, we joined the members of our organization. Matters unfolded quickly. The fallen Ents were transported elsewhere by Zodiac’s magic, and the shattered landscapes of the streets began to mend one by one, thanks to her enchantments.

I leaned against a collapsed street lamp, dazed. Rossi approached me with a grin.

“You did well, junior.”

Rossi offered words of encouragement.

I accepted the water bottle she offered and twisted open the cap.

“Three Ents. There must be a reason you’re the Master’s disciple. That’s quite impressive for someone your age.”
“At this age? How old is Rossi–”
“If you don’t want to die, shut your mouth.”
“–Haha. I want to live a long life.”

She grinned playfully.
I took a swig of the open water. It had a subtle, sweet taste.

“Why does it taste like this?”
“Don’t ask. It’s been properly prepared. There’s no problem.”

With water in my mouth, I momentarily glanced downward at her.
Come to think of it, I recalled Sumpy mentioning several times that Rossi was a woman who engaged in lascivious acts.

‘…Could it be that this too?’

-Gulp.

“It’s a reward.”
“…What are you saying? You, my junior, are not normal either. But do you know?”
“What?”
“Some of the potions sold on the market are said to contain the fluid of a male’s virile essence.”

“What the fuck?”

A shiver ran down my spine. Does that mean I just drank…? Overcome with revulsion, I bowed my head and retched with all my might.

“Ugh! Cough, cough. Bleh!”

“No, no… Why are you reacting like that! It’s normal!”

Normal or not, why would I drink someone’s love juice?

As I continued to vomit, blood began to drip.

“Why… Why did you do that?”

“…I refuse to drink male fluids, even if it kills me.”

“Did you hate the idea of drinking blood that much?”

“Blood? That’s not it?”

Rosi tilted her head in confusion.

“I mean, they said something about love juice, so I thought it must be semen—”

“Shut up, junior! There’s no room for modesty in a disaster. What kind of insane man would sell something so disgusting? Most potions of lower-grade are made from the sap of the Gorosoe tree!”

Rosi covered my mouth and scolded me. Feeling foolish, I scratched the back of my neck in embarrassment.

“But below the upper class? Above the upper level…?”

“Well… I won’t comment on that. It’s true that it’s effective when formed that way.”

I made a resolution to myself: never drink a potion above the high-grade level. However, as I considered this, I began to have more questions.

“By the way, are the ones made by Senior Rossi available on the market or sold?”

Rossi slowly blushed.

“…Well, look for it. There might be some. But our mercenary group doesn’t usually drink potions found on the market.”

“Really?”

“What do you think the drink you’re having now is made of? It was crafted from the essence of a wooden person with the most outstanding blood among the Gorosoe.”

I looked at the water bottle in my hand. It didn’t resemble a mass-produced item at all. For Rossi to mention this now… could it really be true?

“I’m not sure.”

As I tried to dismiss the fact, Rossi chuckled softly.

“Well, everything turned out well without any major issues. You did a remarkable job, didn’t you?”
“Ah, it wasn’t such a big deal.”

I responded nonchalantly to Rossi’s praise.
Just moments ago, people who owed their lives to me came forward to express their gratitude.
Naturally, it’s expected after risking injury to protect them, but honestly, I never imagined I’d come to this world, help others, and receive such heartfelt thanks.

‘Not too long ago, I was ridiculed for my appearance.’

Do they know what I’ve become?

Thinking about being dragged to the police station because of my face still makes my insides boil.
Oh, speaking of which, I wonder how that security guard is doing?
If I happen to be near my apartment later, I should buy them a drink.

Hwangdo, who had just wrapped up her work, came running over to me, waving her hand.

“Frostbite!”

Zodiac embraced me as I leaned against a lamppost.
P, who had been watching us from a distance, whistled.

“Our idol is kind~ You did incredibly well. Hehe.”

Zodiac, who ruffled my hair, gazed at me and giggled for quite some time.

“Shall I receive a reward?”
“I’m excited for that.”

Zodiac seductively licked her upper lip. After hearing her fitting response, I let her go and rose from my seat.

“Then, may I accept something as a reward?”
“What is it?”

Zodiac nodded affirmatively. Only then was I able to fully notice the child who had been desperately averting her gaze.

Today, in a disaster that was a blessing amidst misfortune, with no casualties.
There was only one child who had lost her father.

I asked her for a favor.
Zodiac smiled and agreed.