Chapter 50

Thank you for the compliment. As thanks, I willgiftyou apiece of information on your way to Hell.

Zich bent one of his knees and met the mans eyes.

You might not believe me, but I am trying to live a kind life.No matter how much I think about it, you guys are the bad guys,and you alsoattacked me.

They were bad guys who antagonized him,and for Zich who tried to live a kind life after his regression, he needed to kill them at all costs.

So, I plan to wander around the world to find people in your organization. And I will sendeach and every one of themto your side. How does that sound? You wont get lonely in Hell then.

Your post-death service seems to be on-point. But would you actually be able to do that? If you become our organizations enemy,you will quicklyjoin me inHell.

Its a pity that I cant make a bet with you about that. Even if you told me to swear on the whole world, I would have done it.

I pray that youllalways remember those words so that once the time comes, youllfeel fear to your very core.

I will keepyour wordsin my mind. Then, lets say our farewells. I must go to Snoc quickly. Whether Istopor save him, its better the faster I go.

Save? That guy?The man chuckled.Its impossible to save him. Ah, I think I know what you are thinking. Since Iforcefully fused them together, do you think that if hejustmakes a contract withNowem, he will return back to normal? But Snoc will never be able to accept Nowem. Even if he goes over that huddle, therellbe another huddlefor himto go over. Thats hisfatethat was decided before weformulatedthis plan.

Fate? Thats a good word. Its a word that I really like to crush.

Lets see you try.

I will try.After saying thesewords, Zich swung his sword.He aimed his swordstraight at the mans neck.

Slice!

The mans head went flying high upin the airand then fellandrolled on the ground. Was the man teasing him until the end? His head rolled to Zichs feet and stopped as ifthe manwas looking up at him.The mansface wassmiling widely; it was as if he was sendinghis chilling intentionsto laugh at him even after death.

It could havebecomea trauma forordinarypeople,andeven for brave souls, it would havemadethem feel uncomfortable or unpleasant. However, Zich was indifferent. In comparison tomany ofthe things he experienced in his life, this wasnt even considered a curse.

Kick!

Zich kicked the mans head as if he was kicking a ball, and the battle ended like that.

Then should I go looking for Snoc?

Zich widened his senses. Because the mans transformed state hadbeen farsuperiortohim in sheer strength, Zich hadnt been able to spread out his senses. He had to focus all his attention on the man; thus, unlike usual, Zichcouldnt checkhis surroundings.

Huh?

He sensed a presence that hadrecentlyregenerated; it was an absurd and contradictory presence that felt familiar yet unfamiliar. It was Snoc. Feeling the earths energy pouring out of him, it was definitely him. The problem was that there weretwo other presences besides Snoc.

Why aretheyhere?

After listening carefully, he heard battle sounds from far away. Zich began to move towards them.

* * *

Even though it was such a bizarre happening,Hans couldntprocessthe significance of seeing a person he knew dropdown dead centerinabarren mountain in the middle of the night. But in a way, it was understandable. Hans couldnt afford to assess the situation.

Craash!

A boulder came flying his way. The rock was 0.5 times bigger than an average person.A person who was directly hit by that would obviously suffer graveconsequences. Hans bit his lips and straightened his sword.

Haaa!

With a shout, he swung his sword at the stone piece.

Slice!

Although his hands feltslightlynumb, he was able to successfully cut the boulder. The boulder, which split into two pieces, fellon either side of him.

Rumble! Rumble!

He heard vibrations that were strong enough to shake the mountain. However, Hans didnt even have the time to focus on that and blocked the next attack.

Pop!

It was a colossal stalagmite this time. Sharp stalagmite shot up from the ground and surged forward like spears sticking into their enemies.

Damn!

His heart thumped. Still, Hanscalmedhis emotions and sliced the stalagmites coming his way. Dont panicno matter thesituationitwaswhat Zich had told him while forcing Hans into all kinds ofadverse scenariosunder the guiseof training.

During training, Hans felt great resentment towards Zich for making him go through so manyhardships, butas a result, he was able to maintain a surprising level of composure; and that element allowed Hans toshow100% of his skills.

Damn! Now, I wont even be able to insult him in my mind.

Since he experienced the result of his training first-hand, he couldnt complain about it anymore. While he was thinking this, his body moved. His movements were fluid, making it hard to believe that he had lived a life far away from swordsmanship or physical workjust recently. However, that didnt mean that hewas at anadvantage.

Thanks to Zichs harsh training and Hans natural talent, Hans was able to block Snocs attacks. However, Snoc wasnt an easy opponent. Although Snocs attacks were rough and simply based on instincts, the combination of Snoc and Nowems natural mana created a convergence of powers that wastruly formidable. Besides, Hanshad an additional burden to consider.

Buurst!

The ground rose up like waves. A massive mass of dirt came upon Hans like a violent wave.

Shit!

After judging that he couldntblock this attack with a sword, Hans tried to quickly escape the area. However,there was another person he had to consider.

Grab tight!

Hans carried Sam like a piece of luggage and backed off in a hurry.

Craaash!

A heap of soil swept over the area where Hanswas standing. However, as if it wasnt satisfied by that, the earth rushed over the ground like a tsunami and chased after them.If he had been by himself,Hans would have been able to move effortlessly with little mana, but with the addition of Sams weight, his mana consumption increased by severalfolds.

He had no choice but to pour in more mana in his legs and increase his distance. He tried to let Sam escape many times, but forsome unknown reason, Snoc also kept ruthlessly attacking Sam without exception.

Snoc! What are you doing? Stop! Its me! Sam!

While hanging onto Hans shoulders, Sam screamed out toSnoc. Sam also felt like he was goingcrazysince Snoc, who he cared for like a brother, gained a strange power and wastrying to kill him. Yet, all he could do was yell at Snoc while Hans protected him.

Kuuaaaaaah!

All thatcame back to himwereSnocs beast-like cries andhis mercilessattacks. Hansdodged with his headand flung away stone pieces that came flying in his direction.

I think it will be hard for me to escape while carrying Sam. But I cant just throw him away as bait to make my escape.

Hans sense of justice didnt allow it.

I cant do much but hope that Sir Zich will sense this battle and come rushinghere.

Hans didnt even want to think about a situation where Zich wasnt nearbyor failed to sense them. Surprisingly, it didnt even cross Hans mind that Zich might lose the battle.

Crash!

Hans sliced a stone that was the size of a fist.

Why isthismy first actual battle without Sir Zich?

Hans had to protect a civilian while facing an opponent with special power; he lamented the fact thathis luck must have run out ever since Zich broke his nose. Hans continued to block all of Snocs attacksso well thateven he wasimpressedbyhimself. Finally, his hard workwas payingoff.

Craaaash!

Turbulent waves of strong mana rushed in.After tormentingHans in all kinds ofways, Snoclooked stunned. A mass pile of dirt rose infrontof him;boulders formed a wall, and rocks clumped up together. However,a giant mass ofmana squeezed into the barrier.

Craash!

An explosive sound swept over the area. Piles of dirt scattered away, stone walls split off into pieces, and clumps of stones broke away. The last line of defensethe rock armor that Snoc had hurriedly wrapped around himselfdisappeared at the manas touch. However, these barriers didnt fully dissolve the manas impact, and Snoc rolled on the ground.

Why are you guys here?

It was a calm voice, indifferent to the feelings Hans felt while fighting with his life on the line. Something negative seemed to stir up inside Hans heart; but Hans overlooked that feeling andrecognized thathe was more glad than anythingto seeZich.

Sir Zich!

Zich!

Hans and Sams voices overlapped. Their responses were like those of children who had reunited with their parents after a couple of decades. However, Zich didnt pay attention to their feelings and waved his hands.

Yeah, yeah, its me.

Zich ignored their sparkling eyes and stared at Snoc. HewonderedwhySam and Hans were all the way out here,but he could always ask them later. Snoc was a more pressing problem.

He is still out of control.

Out of control? Do you know why Snocbecame like that?Sam responded as Zich seemed to know something.

He was mixed up inatroublesome matter. Icame hereafter killing the guy who made Snoc like that.

What do you mean byatroublesome matter Snoc is just a miner! Whywould he get mixed up in something like that?!

Sam, even if you live a normal life,it doesnt mean that youwontgetdraggedinto troublesome matters.Thepeoplewho usuallycausethese troublesome matters dont think about things like,I must not cause harm to othersas much as possible.

Zich could say thiswithcertainty as someone who used toinstigatethese troublesome matters.

Furthermore, I think Snoc is not just a normal miner. He has talent.

A talent?

Yeah,talent. A quite remarkable one at that. Thats a good enough reason to get mixed up into troubles.

A person with outstanding talent usuallyattractedattention from other people. Depending on the situation,theysometimes receivedbad or good attention; and unfortunately for Snoc, he had attracted bad attention this time.

Samwas shocked to hear someone like Zich, whobasedhis life on self-worth and pride, praise his childish, younger-brother; Snoc must possesssomething amazing for Zich to say that Snoc had talent. But that wasnt the importantissuenow.

Are you saying that Snocbecame like thatbecause ofhistalent?

Its definitely a factor.

Then, can he everreturnback to normal?

Even Zich couldnt give him a clear answer.

I have something in mind. We have to do something about thatmagicalbeast of the earththathas beenforcefully fused into him.

Beast of the earth?

Its probably what you guys call theminingmonster.

Thats just a legend!

Among legends, there are some that are real andgive peoplea real headache. This one is probably that case.

Zich fixed the grip on his sword. Snocgot up fromhis fall and exudedbloodlust.

From now on, I am going to fight him so stay agood distance away. And Hans!

Yes, sir!

I dont know why you are protecting Samhere, but let me say a fewwords.

WasZichangry at him for not protecting Sam properly? Or was he planning to scold him for not defeating Snoc? Hans nervously gulped his saliva back down. However,Hans did not receivecriticism but athumbs-up.

Great job! Your response was amazingin a difficult battle where you had to protect a person while simultaneously fighting a tricky opponent! I will give you full marksforthis battle!

For an entire minute,Hans couldntcomprehendZichs words. Zich's words had been completely out of his expectations, butafterprocessing what Zich said, Hans face brightened up.

T-Thank you, sir!