Chapter 3: I've Come for Revenge (2)

The city of Landwalk.

It was a city not far from the House of Haksen. Located at the center connecting the northern and eastern parts of the kingdom, it was a commercial hub with countless logistics operations coming and going every day. As such, the entertainment district had also developed significantly. In his previous life, Demian Haksen often visited the city of Landwalk every two days to indulge in entertainment.

‘To see it again in such a normal state...’

Demian Haksen, entering the city of Landwalk, was momentarily lost in nostalgia. During his time as a Death Knight, he had also destroyed the city of Landwalk by the command of Dorgo.

That day, the screams of people being massacred by the undead still echoed in his ears.

“Master? Your expression is not good.”

Victor, looking at Demian Haksen's face, asked.

“It's nothing.”

“Nothing? Surely, you must be scared to return to that tavern, right?”

Victor's words made Demian Haksen frown.

His expression clearly said, "What the hell are you talking about?"

“I understand. The guards there are quite fierce, aren't they? Besides, they belong to the 'Black Snake,' so they're fearless.”

“Black Snake? What's that?”

“Oh, Master. Why do you ask? It's the name of the most prominent organization in Landwalk right now.”

“Ah...”

Only then did he remember.

There was a very famous organization during this period. Despite being a new organization, it had absorbed all the other organizations in Landwalk in a short time and became the ruler of the underworld. Later, its power grew even stronger, to the point where it could control Landwalk. However, when Demian Haksen worked as a mercenary, it had long since fallen apart, having been completely massacred by a knight who came to the city.

“So, that's why they could act so recklessly.”

Landwalk was a city dominated by merchants. They had built their own power base, free from the control of the nobility, with their vast capital and influence. Therefore, the power of the nobility was weak here. With the backing of the 'Black Snake,' they probably looked down on small noble families like the House of Haksen.

“Lead the way.”

“Pardon? Where, where are you going, Master?”

“Isn't it obvious? Where else would I go if not to that tavern?”

‘I forgot about the Black Snake. There’s no way I could remember the way to that tavern.’

However, Victor's face turned pale at Demian Haksen's words.

“M-Master... Y-You’re not really planning to go there, are you?”

“Yes, I am.”

“I-I thought you were just pretending...”

“You really know how to joke, don’t you?”

Demian Haksen patted Victor's shoulder and laughed.

“Remember this from now on. From today, I don't lie.”

“Pardon? Pardon?”

“If you understand, lead the way quickly.”

Tears welled up in Victor's eyes at Demian Haksen's command.

* * *

“...Master, we’ve arrived.”

Victor said in a weak voice.

The tavern was just a short walk down the alley.

“Master, are you really going in? Please, for your health and mine, think it over one more time...”

Demian Haksen looked at Victor with amusement.

If he really didn’t want to, he could have refused to guide him, but he insisted on finishing the task and then complained.

What a persistent fool.

“If you’re really scared, you can go back first.”

“Pardon? That’s impossible! If Master goes, how can I run away!”

Victor clenched his fists and shouted.

“Still, wouldn’t it be better if we both ran away...”

He added after a moment.

Demian Haksen chuckled. Truly, a funny guy.

“Don’t worry, follow me.”

Demian Haksen stepped forward without hesitation.

Victor, though anxious, followed him.

At the entrance of the tavern, two guards were standing. One was smoking a cigarette, and the other was peeling an apple with a paring knife.

“Huh?”

The guard smoking the cigarette noticed Demian Haksen. Unfortunately, he was bald.

The bald guard, after a moment, turned to the other guard.

“Hey, isn’t that the guy?”

The other guard, who had thick hair unlike the bald one, stopped peeling the apple and looked up.

“The noble who got beaten up and ran away last time, right?”

“Yeah, it looks like him. What nerve to show his face again? We told him he’d be killed if he came back.”

As the two guards were talking, Demian Haksen reached the door.

“Hey, noble sir. Why are you here again? We warned you that day not to show your face here again.”

The thick-haired guard cut a large piece of apple with the paring knife and put it in his mouth.

Chewing the apple, he asked.

“Or are you here to seek revenge?”

“You have good instincts. Indeed, you’re a capable guard.”

“What?”

“I’m here to seek revenge, just as you said.”

The thick-haired guard blinked his eyes repeatedly.

Then he turned to the bald guard and asked.

“Hey, what did this guy just say?”

“He said he’s here to seek revenge?”

“I didn’t hear wrong?”

The thick-haired guard laughed sarcastically.

“Just because you’re a noble, you think you can get away with being beaten by us commoners and your pride is hurt?”

The thick-haired guard threw the half-eaten apple on the ground and slapped Demian Haksen's cheek with his apple-juice-stained hand.

“Let’s see how many times I can hit your face. Maybe you’ll come to your senses when a few of your teeth break.”

He even pinched and shook Demian Haksen’s cheek.

“Just so you don’t misunderstand, a family like the House of Haksen, which may or may not exist, has no power in this city. If we kill you here...”

Demian Haksen looked at the thick-haired guard silently.

His eyes were fixed on the paring knife in the guard’s hand.

“Perfect.”

“What?”

Suddenly, Demian Haksen pulled the paring knife from the thick-haired guard’s hand.

“I didn’t bring a weapon, so I’ll borrow this for a moment.”

“Is this guy crazy!”

The thick-haired guard, startled, tried to grab the paring knife back.

But Demian Haksen was faster. He swung the paring knife horizontally, and it grazed the thick-haired guard’s neck.

The skin split, and blood spurted out.

The thick-haired guard collapsed to the ground, spurting blood like a broken faucet.

“Gah!”

The paring knife, a dull tool for peeling fruit, had sliced through the man’s neck like paper.

The bald guard, shocked by the scene, couldn’t speak.

“What, what! What is this guy doing!”

Demian Haksen had once fought a master called Sal Mangui, known as the “Killer Ghost.” Unlike other masters who specialized in martial arts, he had reached the master level through the art of killing.

Sal Mangui’s mastery, “Raiding Death Sword,” allowed him to cut through a human body like water.

Thanks to the Raiding Death Sword, Sal Mangui could slice through a human body with a dull wooden sword.

He was a notorious villain, and Dorgo had tried to recruit him, but things went wrong, leading to a fight with Demian Haksen.

After a 30-minute battle, Demian Haksen absorbed all of Sal Mangui’s techniques and mastery, securing his victory.

“Dare to mess with the Black Snake? You must be crazy to want to die!”

“Didn’t you hear me? I’m here for revenge.”

“You bastard!”

The bald guard clenched his fists and charged.

Demian Haksen, with an emotionless gaze, read the bald guard’s movements.

He dodged the punch aimed at his face by twisting his upper body.

At the same time, he swung the paring knife upward.

The paring knife grazed the bald guard’s wrist as it passed.

Even with a casual swing, the wrist was cleanly severed.

“Gah!”

The bald guard clutched his wrist and screamed.

Demian Haksen stabbed the paring knife into the bald guard’s temple.

The bald guard’s eyes rolled back, and he fell to the side.

Thanks to this, the paring knife was automatically pulled out.

“Phew.”

Demian Haksen took a deep breath.

Even after just a brief movement, his breathing had become heavy.

‘Indeed, this body is too weak.’

His muscles were underdeveloped, and his cardiovascular endurance was at rock bottom.

He hadn’t even learned any mana cultivation techniques.

‘It will be difficult to recreate my previous life’s mastery with this body.’

When he returned, he would have to start with physical training.

While Demian Haksen was making his plans, Victor ran over in shock.

“M-Master!”

Victor, looking at the bodies on the ground, couldn’t continue speaking.

“W-When did you learn such sword skills... No, why did you have to kill them?”

From Victor’s perspective, it was a reasonable question.

The difference in skill between Demian Haksen and the two guards was stark.

He could have easily subdued them without killing them, which seemed like an excessive action.

However, Demian Haksen didn’t see it that way.

“Why did I kill them?”

No matter how weak his family’s influence was, Demian Haksen was still a noble.

The disgrace of being beaten by commoners in a tavern was something that couldn’t be washed away easily.

“I need to restore my and my family’s honor.”

The only way to do that was to repay the humiliation several times over.

For example, by killing all of them.

After all, the real victim was Demian Haksen.

He had caused a disturbance in the tavern because of an unreasonable overcharge.

Clearly, they had looked down on him and acted that way.

“If you’re scared, you can wait outside.”

Victor shook his head and said,

“N-No, I should at least protect Master’s back.”

Demian Haksen laughed. Indeed, a persistent fool.

“Good attitude.”

With that, Demian Haksen entered the tavern.

* * *

The interior of the tavern was quite spacious.

In the center, there was a stage where dancers in revealing outfits performed.

The customers were seated around the stage, drinking and cheering.

‘Yes, I used to like places like this.’

Memories of the past came flooding back.

Embarrassment took precedence over the memories of his reckless youth.

‘Why did I even come to such a place...’

While Demian Haksen was lamenting internally,

“Screeech!”

“Screeech!”

Female employees, spotting Demian Haksen covered in blood, screamed.

Hearing the screams, guards emerged from all directions.

“What the hell is going on?”

“Hey, who’s that guy? He’s holding a knife.”

One of the guards approached Demian Haksen.

He had a rough life, evident from the scars all over his face.

“Hey, where are you from? Why are you causing a ruckus in someone else’s business?”

“Do you recognize me?”

“Never seen you before. Shut up and tell me where you’re from!”

The guards at the door must have been special.

They were unusually perceptive for guards.

“I have no business with the lackeys. Call the boss out.”

He didn’t really expect the boss to come out. He was just provoking the man in front of him.

“What a crazy guy!”

The man, unable to control his anger, tried to grab Demian Haksen by the collar.

Before he could, Demian Haksen’s paring knife moved.

Swinging it like water, the paring knife severed the man’s wrists.

“...What?”

Could a human wrist be so easily severed?

While the man was stunned, Demian Haksen brushed past him, slicing his neck at the same time.

Blood spurted from the severed arteries and veins, spreading the pungent smell of blood.

“Screeech!”

“Ah!”

The customers and employees were horrified. The guards were terrified.

“I’ll say it again.”

Demian Haksen said to them,

“Call the boss out.”

The guards looked at each other.

Then they all pulled out daggers from their coats.

“You bastard!”

“Kill him!”

A dozen or so guards charged from all directions.

Looking at them, Demian Haksen clicked his tongue.

“Moths to a flame.”

Demian Haksen’s hand moved.

With each swing of the paring knife, a guard’s neck was severed.

“Gah! Gah!”

“Gurk!”

Adult men fell like scarecrows.

In the blink of an eye, all the guards became corpses.

“Phew.”

Demian Haksen calmed his heavy breathing. Indeed, his stamina was lacking.

“M-Master! H-Here, use this!”

Victor, who had somehow obtained a dagger from one of the guards, approached.

Demian Haksen couldn’t help but admire his adaptability.

“Thanks, but I don’t need it.”

“Pardon? Wouldn’t this be better than the paring knife?”

Compared to the paring knife, the dagger was slightly longer, wider, and sharper.

However, Demian Haksen had no intention of changing his weapon.

“Against lackeys, it doesn’t matter what I use.”

Demian Haksen entered the inner part of the tavern.

As he passed, the employees and customers, who had been holding their breath, fled outside in a hurry.

* * *

As soon as he entered the inner area, guards charged at him.

“Charge together!”

“Push with the shields!”

They seemed determined. They held wooden shields to block Demian Haksen.

“Gah!”

“Gurk!”

But their resistance was meaningless.

With each swing of the paring knife, the shields were cut, and necks were severed.

Bang.

He kicked open the door to the boss’s office. The door flew open with a loud noise.

“Noisy.”

Inside, there were two men.

An elderly man sat in the boss’s chair, and a young man stood straight beside him.

“Can’t you come in quietly? I hate noise.”

Despite being cornered, he seemed unusually calm.

Demian Haksen, finding this strange, asked the old man,

“Are you the boss?”

“Yes, I’m the owner of this tavern, Andersson Home. Who are you?”

“Demian Haksen.”

“Haksen? The fool from the House of Haksen?”

The old man, Andersson Home, widened his eyes in disbelief.

He looked at Demian Haksen as if he couldn’t believe it.

“A fool with such skills? And why are you attacking my place?”

“A few days ago, I was beaten and chased out of here.”

“...With such skills, you were beaten by my people?”

Andersson’s confusion deepened. Demian Haksen shrugged.

“I was quite drunk at the time.”

He didn’t come to convince them.

He just brushed it off.

“If you had let me go, I would have stayed home quietly. Why did you come back to my place?”

“I lost too much because of that. I’m here to get it back.”

“Lost? Ah, you mean honor. But I’m old, and I don’t understand. Does the House of Haksen have any honor to lose?”

The old man’s words made Demian Haksen’s eyes twitch.

“My subordinates didn’t even report this to me. Why? Because the House of Haksen is that insignificant.”

“This won’t do.”

Demian Haksen clicked his tongue.

“I was going to let you off with a bow and an apology. Now, I’ll have to take an arm as well.”

“Ha ha ha, unbelievable.”

Andersson Home laughed and stood up.

He bowed respectfully to the young man, who had been standing still.

“Mr. Ted, I think you should handle this.”

“It’s expensive to use me.”

“I know. The boss has already explained it to me.”

Andersson Home took a small leather pouch from a drawer and handed it over.

“Ten gold coins.”

“What do you want me to do?”

“Just cut off his arms and legs. I’ll have my subordinates take care of the rest and dump him in the outhouse.”

“Understood.”

Ted, expressionless, drew his longsword from his waist.

At that moment, a heavy killing aura spread throughout the room.

Demian Haksen looked at the young man with interest.

“You don’t seem like someone who would be hired for a place like this.”

“Don’t have delusions. I belong to the Black Snake. I was on standby here by the boss’s order.”

“Black Snake? I’ve heard they’re doing well these days. Impressive, using a squire as a tavern guard.”

The young man’s face showed surprise at Demian Haksen’s words.

“...How did you guess I’m a squire?”

“I have good instincts.”

To become a full knight, one must go through the stages of trainee, squire, and junior knight.

A squire is the stage right after a trainee.

That doesn’t mean a squire is weak.

A squire is strong enough to easily kill a person with their bare hands.

“Not bad, a decent opponent.”

“Decent?”

Ted looked amazed.

“Just seeing a squire working in a place like this gives me an idea of your worth.”

Demian Haksen added with a sneer.

“I think even the title 'decent' is too generous for someone who was kicked out for lacking talent to become a junior knight.”

Grinding his teeth, Ted’s killing aura intensified.

“Hit a nerve, did I?”

“I’ll start by tearing out your mouth.”

As soon as he finished speaking, Ted kicked off the ground and charged.