Chapter 96

#096 Chapter

"Let's drink until our noses are crooked."

"Then you should stop drinking, right? Once it's broken, it's always crooked."

"Then I'll drink until it's back to normal."

Laughter erupted among the warriors.

The grand hall, located beyond the square.

The spacious interior, devoid of any furnishings, was a space where almost all the village events took place. Sometimes it was also used to evacuate women and children.

Today, it was a space for the festival.

"The number of people on night watch has decreased, so don't worry and enjoy yourselves!"

"When your stomachs are full, you can look at that disgusting head. You'll be able to empty your stomach and start over."

Various kinds of meat, such as deer, goats, and wild boars, were roasted whole, and bread, cured meat, and homemade alcohol were taken out of the warehouse without restraint.

The white devil's head, impaled on a pole, was placed in the center of the hall for everyone to see.

The residents, freed from the recurring nightmare every night, indulged in eating, drinking, and shouting, strengthening their joy and unity.

Ian sat in a corner, silently eating meat and drinking.

The residents wanted Ian and Charlotte to sit next to the High Warrior, but Ian firmly refused.

He didn't want to eat the well-prepared meat and drink while being conscious of the gazes around him.

Everyone respected his decision.

"..."

Only Charlotte, who was always with him, noticed that there was more to Ian's refusal than just that.

"Why are you staring at me like that?"

Ian, who was chewing on the meat, asked Charlotte, who was sitting across from him.

Charlotte spoke calmly.

"This seat was made to thank you, but you don't look happy at all."

"There's nothing to be happy about. It's not a seat I wanted. Of course, it's not bad either."

Ian took a sip of alcohol and, glancing at Askel sitting next to Charlotte, added:

"The meat is good, and the alcohol is great. It feels like the fat is washing down my throat."

"Eat as much as you like. I'll keep refilling it so you don't run out."

What a good kid.

Ian, exchanging a glance with Charlotte, put more meat in his mouth.

"Everyone, you've worked hard!"

Valeri, who had suddenly stood up, raised his glass and shouted.

At the High Warrior's toast, the hall fell silent.

"We have endured and overcome a time as harsh as a blizzard. Karha must be watching over us. But this hardship was not overcome by our strength alone."

His voice was deep and resonant, fitting his large build. Valeri looked more experienced than his age, largely due to his voice and beard.

"Hunters from the mountains. We owe a great debt to these outsiders. Let's raise a toast to express our gratitude. Everyone, raise your glasses!"

The residents tapped the tables and raised their glasses.

All eyes were on Ian.

Ian, holding his glass, spoke with a calm face.

"We only completed the mission. I'm grateful for the good food and drink, but I don't owe you anything, so don't worry about it."

Ian took a sip of the alcohol in his glass.

The residents, who had looked at each other in confusion, burst into laughter and raised their glasses to their mouths.

As Valeri's hearty laughter filled the hall, someone suddenly stood up.

It was Urd.

He raised his glass and looked at Ian, then spoke.

"I have a question for the hunter who killed the White Devil."

Ian, tilting his head, turned to look at him.

"Go ahead."

"Look at the strong warriors in front of you. And look at the others around you."

The laughter and voices died down.

Urd, having looked around at the residents, turned back to Ian.

"Do you think the village can continue to be protected without you?"

What's the point of asking this? Is he trying to pour cold water on the celebration?

Ian's eyebrows slightly furrowed, but Valeri's laughter burst out first.

"What are you bringing up at a celebration, Urd? Surely you're not going to say something cowardly like leaving your hometown again-"

"That's not for me to decide. However…."

Ian's voice cut off Valeri's words. Valeri's thick, dark eyebrows twitched.

"This is already the territory of the monsters, not of humans."

Ian continued calmly.

"So the village will continue to be a target for the monsters. Especially with the sacred statue, which will attract even more. The weak fear the sacred, but the strong hate it."

Ian raised his glass to his mouth.

It seemed he had said all he needed to say.

The hall had become quiet.

Some faces showed the unease they had momentarily forgotten amidst the food and drink, while others showed a faint anger.

Urd looked at Valeri.

"Does the High Warrior still have no intention of moving the village within the walls of the autonomous region?"

"This is our hometown. It's also where Karha's great battle took place and where his statue stands. As a son of the north and a warrior, how can I abandon my hometown?"

"Even if, as a result, everyone ends up dying?"

"We were not born to fear death, sir. Those who are afraid should leave now and never return. I won't stop them."

Valeri added, looking around the hall.

No one stood up. If they did, they would be branded as cowards who abandoned their hometown.

'He's a clever one.'

Thinking this, Ian raised his glass to his mouth.

What he was curious about was Urd's intention.

Surely the old man didn't expect the situation to unfold like this.

"Pushing the High Warrior's decision down to the lower ranks is cowardly. A High Warrior must bear the most difficult and painful decisions."

Urd spoke calmly.

Ian's gaze turned to Askel.

A calm face, but he couldn't hide the anxious eyes.

After a moment of staring at Urd, Valeri finally spoke.

"I am already bearing the most difficult and painful decision, sir. If you are so dissatisfied with my decision, show it through action, not words."

Action…?

Ian's eyebrows slightly furrowed.

At the same time, Askel's eyes began to tremble.

Urd's voice continued.

"Yes. A warrior must show his intentions through action, not words."

He put the glass he was holding on the table.

Valeri let out a hollow laugh.

"It's best to stop there, sir. Out of respect for the former High Warrior, I don't want to kill you."

"…!"

Ian's gaze finally turned to Urd.

He was smiling calmly.

"As a former High Warrior, there is no order in leaving."

Valeri's expression became strange. It seemed like he was trying to hide his smile by frowning, or trying to turn a frown into a smile.

"Come outside. I will challenge the authority of the High Warrior in front of Karha."

Urd, speaking calmly, turned his body.

There was no need to deeply consider what challenging the authority of the High Warrior meant.

'That old man…'

Ian's forehead completely furrowed.

He finally understood why the old man had made such a bold statement.

He must have thought that if he had no confidence, Askel would have no reason to stay in the village.

"A warrior's blood will be spilled on a joyous day…"

Valeri, with a bitter smile, stood up.

The village residents also began to leave the hall, holding their glasses.

"Is the High Warrior and Urd sir going to fight each other?"

Charlotte asked Askel, turning to him.

With a low voice as dark as his eyes, Askel replied.

"Yes. Until one admits defeat or… one of them dies."

Ian took a sip of the alcohol in his glass.

'Talking about finding a place to die. What a dog's work, sir.'

He clicked his tongue and put down his glass, then stood up.

***

In front of Karha's statue.

Valeri and Urd, who had been waiting, faced each other.

"..."

"..."

The residents who followed stood around, keeping a distance.

No one tried to stop or intervene.

A duel for the position of High Warrior was a sacred ritual.

Valeri, taking off his cloak, said:

"Stop now, sir. Even if I defeat an old man like you, it won't be glorious or honorable."

"A warrior does not take back his words."

Urd, speaking calmly, loosened his body.

"I will not use a weapon. This is the greatest respect I can show."

Valeri's words brought a smile to Urd's lips.

"You are cruel, boy."

His one eye turned to Karha's statue.

"Watch, O hero of the north."

Whoosh-

The faint sacred power spread from the tip of Karha's greatsword immediately after.

"Oh… Karha…"

"Urd sir is being blessed…"

The warriors watching let out exclamations.

The residents also watched the miracle before their eyes, holding their breath.

"The northern god is kind. Do you always watch over us like this?"

Charlotte, leaning against a corner, asked.

She didn't seem to like the duel that was about to take place.

Askel, standing stiffly with his fists clenched, shook his head.

"No. It was rare for blood to be drawn from the sword, and even rarer for the sacred power to be bestowed. For Karha to bless our sir…."

His tone was more resentful than joyful.

Just as Charlotte was about to say something.

Thud!

Urd charged at Valeri.

An unbelievable speed for an old man.

A faint trail of sacred power, like a mirage, scattered behind him.

Urd, who had rushed to Valeri's face in an instant, extended his fist.

"…!"

Valeri raised his arm, slightly surprised.

Smack!

An unbelievable impact sound, coming from an old man. Valeri, pushed back a step, slightly curled his lips.

"Karha must want a fair duel."

At the same time, he extended his fist. Urd blocked it without dodging. The old man's thin body did not bounce back from the High Warrior's punch.

Thud! Crack! Bang!

The brawl continued. Valeri was fast and strong, and Urd, blessed by Karha, was experienced and resolute.

Thud! Crack!

He did not hesitate to attack vital points or to roll on the ground or show an ugly face.

Blood splattered from the two warriors' bodies, staining the surroundings.

"…"

Ian, who had been watching quietly, finally turned his head.

His gaze stopped on Askel, who didn't even blink.

Eyes as cold as the ice of a snow mountain and as deep as the abyss.

'You're wrong, sir.'

Even if he died, Askel would not leave the village.

He would stay and, one day, take revenge with his own hands.

And he would probably die in the end.

Regardless of whether the revenge succeeded or not.

His gaze eventually turned to the statue, where the sacred power was flickering.

'Don't interfere, Karha.'

A strange sensation followed.

For a moment, time seemed to stop, and his vision stretched like a strip of paper. His consciousness was pushed into the center, where the shape was hard to discern. The surroundings were instantly covered in lines and turned white.

…Don't interfere.

Although it was not intentional, Ian was not surprised. He calmly waited for what would happen next.

Something was felt beyond the curtain of light. He could not recognize the exact form or existence. To accurately perceive this being, a new type of sensory organ was needed. All he could feel was an endless vastness.

Of course, Ian already knew who it was.

'I don't intend to serve you or become your High Warrior, Karha.'

Since he couldn't speak, Ian just thought.

It was uncertain if it would be properly conveyed, but it didn't matter.

'If you're going to kill me, do it. If you're going to keep me here forever, do it. Otherwise, get lost. I don't want to be involved with you again.'

Whoosh, a gust of wind roared from beyond. Soon, a thunderous sound enveloped the surroundings. The curtain of light trembled like a wave.

Surprisingly, it was a laugh.

And in the next moment.

"…"

Consciousness returned to reality as if cut by a knife.

A quest completion window appeared before his eyes.

A strange warmth was felt in his left shoulder and arm.

Ian, frowning, the last voice that had pierced his mind echoed like a residual sound.

-Do as you please. I will too.

…What a reckless kid.

Thinking this, Ian closed the window and looked at the client who was engaged in a bloody battle.

It was time to go and terminate the contract.

***

'Not bad, old man.'

Blocking Urd's punch with his forearm, Valeri's eyes gleamed.

Urd was a stronger opponent than expected.

But it wasn't enough to make him feel threatened.

On the contrary, it was welcome.

Thanks to this, he wouldn't have to hear that he killed a weak old man.

He would be remembered as a strong High Warrior who overcame the challenge of a seasoned warrior blessed by the god.

'This should be enough-'

Squeak!

While blocking Urd's punch with his forearm, Valeri moved to his side. He had known the old man's weakness, the lack of a left hand and eye, from the beginning.

Swoosh-

Urd extended his left arm, which only had a wrist, immediately after.

It wasn't a punch, but it concentrated the impact on a narrower area, a last resort.

'…If I hadn't anticipated it.'

Valeri easily twisted his body.

He had already noticed that the old man was saving his left hand, pretending not to use it.

Valeri, taking in the old man's distorted face, grabbed his collar.

Bang!

Urd was slammed into the ground.

Blood spattered from the old man's open mouth.

Valeri didn't stop.

Cr