Chapter 10: The Hidden Truth in the Mine

“Aaah!”

Hans, a soldier of the Erseth Mine, let out a sigh of despair.

It was because his comrades had collapsed in droves as the figure of Duke Carius plunged down.

It was truly a sight he had never seen before in his life.

How could a person do such a thing?

To knock down dozens with a short hammer, not even a warhammer.

“That, that must be the berserker from the north…….”

A word that unintentionally slipped out.

As if hearing it, someone let out a groaning sound.

“So that rumor was true?”

“What rumor?”

“They say he caught and killed dozens of barbarians every day. For five years without missing a single day!”

“Come on, they’re just rags-wearing fellows anyway. We could do that much too.”

Hans, quickly regaining his composure, refuted his comrade’s words.

No matter how famous he was, that man was holding only a toy-like hammer.

In contrast, the soldiers of the Erseth Mine were well-armed and trained. They had drawn their swords without hesitation even under the order to oppose the duke.

Moreover, they had abundant real combat experience.

Recently, they had even hunted an ogre lurking around the area.

In fact, they were comparable to the empire’s regular army.

There was no need to fear recklessly.

“We have to block him somehow, at least. Things have come to this.”

“If we retreat, it’s death anyway.”

“Alright. Let’s go at him.”

The soldiers immediately began surrounding Abel.

As the saying goes, one hand cannot beat ten.

No matter how strong, if beaten from all sides, there would be no answer.

“Attack!”

Soon, the squad leader’s command fell, and everyone rushed in at once.

Just like when hunting an ogre called the king of the forest.

With battle cries, weapons were swung.

It was a much more precise linkage than usual.

Attacks charging in with brief intervals.

Even if a berserker grandfather came, he couldn’t survive.

“Got him!”

Hans’s eyes momentarily filled with ecstasy.

They had numerical superiority, but still, the opponent was the berserker from the north.

Taking down such a big shot was a great achievement.

Being selected by Viscount Erseth and entering the imperial guards wouldn’t be just a dream.

But a result completely different from imagination popped out.

“Pathetic.”

Claaaang!

Along with Abel’s murmur, tremendous pain was felt.

To the point where he couldn’t hold the handle at all.

Hans unknowingly dropped his weapon.

Yet, the shape of the sword that was flung away was too strange.

“Huh? Why is it bent like this?”

The weapon received from supplies was crumpled like paper.

It was fine even against an ogre, yet it shattered so futilely.

It was hard to believe even after witnessing it directly.

After a brief dazed sound, soon an immense shock was transmitted.

A hammer enveloped in crimson energy was thrust into the side of his head.

As his mind faded away, Hans mumbled.

“Ah, no. I, I have to become a guard…….”

Thud!

***

I was literally running like a gust of wind.

Dozens of weapons entangled and came in, but none touched my body.

No matter how precise the linked attack, there are always gaps.

In the first place, it was slow enough to yawn, so how could I not avoid it?

Rather, controlling my strength was much harder.

I’ve got a mountain of things to dig out, I can’t split the witnesses’ skulls, can I?

With each swing of the hammer, three or four soldiers tumbled down.

Thud thud!

“Kuek!”

“Keh!”

Seeing such results from a light gesture, it somehow felt refreshing inside.

If it was like this during my police days, how great would it have been?

There was a time I was mobilized for a random stabbing incident.

I had a really hard time then.

The criminal was holding two large knives, so subduing him was inevitably difficult.

If I had been in this state there too, I would have directly arrested him and even gotten a special promotion.

Sigh. What kind of delusion is this.

It was no different from the soldier who was muttering about becoming a guard.

“Groooan! I need to finish this quickly.”

I quickly moved my hands.

Because the longer I sustained the Beast’s Heart, the more murderous intent rose.

I almost completely crushed one soldier’s head. Crack! Thwack!

After about three minutes passed like that, the whole situation ended.

I stood tall among the dozens of sprawled soldiers.

Soon, the sound of someone running breathlessly was heard.

When I slowly turned my gaze, the faces of the judges came into view.

“Ahaha……. These guys came at me so roughly, I had no choice.”

“I’m sorry. Your Honor.”

Kolund and Joseph were being held by the soldiers.

I had told them to watch so they couldn’t do anything foolish, but instead, they became prisoners.

It was actually a natural result.

Well, they’ve probably only dug into law books their whole lives. What strength would they have?

It happened because I thought too much from my perspective.

Moreover, I didn’t expect the resistance to be this fierce.

“It’s fine. I’ll rescue you soon, so stay still.”

“Wi, will that work?”

Joseph’s eyes were full of distrust.

Probably because a knife was at his throat right now.

Of course, Judge Kolund Emir, who was always calm, had a slightly different reaction…

“Uwaaah! Your Honor, please save me.”

No, he wasn’t much different either.

He usually gave a reliable feeling, but in reality, he couldn’t escape the category of a noble weakling.

I, who came down after topping the fame in the north, was the special one.

“Surrender quietly. Otherwise, these people’s lives are forfeit!”

The soldiers shouted triumphantly.

But the result was the same as before.

Because I closed the distance in an instant and struck their heads.

Whiiish! Thud!

I looked down with indifferent eyes at the soldiers who collapsed without reacting.

Then Joseph quickly approached and prostrated closely.

“I never doubted Your Honor for a moment!”

He was truly an amazing guy in many ways.

To flatter even in this situation.

I nodded roughly and was about to move my feet when Joseph’s words continued.

“Right before being caught by the soldiers, I discovered something strange.”

“Oh, really?”

“Yes! This way.”

It hadn’t been long since we parted from the judges.

Only about 30 minutes, yet he had achieved results?

His actions were hateful, but his ability seemed certain.

The place Joseph guided to was a hole on the opposite side of the cliff.

It seemed to have been a tunnel originally, with supports erected.

Yet, the entrance was completely covered with bushes.

“How did you find a place like this?”

“Haha! I have sharp eyes, you know? I saw someone coming in and out of here.”

“Who?”

“Those guys just now.”

Joseph pointed to the fainted soldiers.

It seemed investigation was needed.

But waking those guys to ask was honestly a bit troublesome.

It would take time too.

Just go in and check.

I quickly searched the soldiers’ pockets and found glowing stones.

The workers going in and out of the tunnels wore these on their shoulders or foreheads.

“Is this how you do it?”

Hanging it on a loop on my clothes, it looked quite plausible.

It seemed there would be no problem entering the tunnel right away.

As I was about to turn my steps, suddenly a strange gaze was felt.

Kolund and Joseph were looking with subtle eyes.

“Do we have to go in too?”

“You’re not going?”

“It seems to collapse quite often, if we get into trouble…….”

“We’re not going to pickaxe right away. Besides, this is the place you discovered?”

“Still, it’s unsettling?”

“Then wait here. But if you get caught next time, I won’t rescue you.”

“Huh? No, then the story changes.”

The two judges quickly picked up glowing stones.

If the troops elsewhere returned, they’d obviously get caught again.

They seemed to judge it safer to be by my side.

Soon, we stepped into the dark tunnel.

“Why were those guys coming in and out of this place? It seems like a spot not used recently.”

“Indeed. And somehow the atmosphere is creepy.”

If it was a tunnel in active work, they wouldn’t have covered the entrance.

They would have left tools and carts in front.

But this place showed no traces of work at all.

Just a feeling of being neatly emptied?

Is there really nothing?

As we went deeper inside, a place where the atmosphere suddenly changed appeared.

Glowing stones that hadn’t been seen until now were all gathered in one spot.

Perhaps because of that, only this area was extremely bright.

“Huh? What is this place?”

Momentarily, Joseph tried to raise his voice.

I extended my arm in front of him.

Because I sensed some subtle presence.

“Shh!”

“Gasp!”

With an urgent intake of breath, the surroundings became quiet.

Then, soon a bizarre sound was heard.

Crunch! Crack!

Should I say it sounded like bones breaking?

A chilling feeling stabbed deep into my lungs.

Suddenly turning my gaze, the two judges’ faces had turned pale.

They seemed startled by the unexpected situation.

I can’t not confirm if it’s dangerous.

The secret of the Erseth Mine must be lurking inside there.

I turned the corner and entered the area bright as daylight.

And there, I could witness an astonishing sight.

A huge furry thing devouring something heartily.

Horns sprouting on its forehead like a deer, giving a demonic feel.

“Crazy…….”

A curse unintentionally burst out, and the creature’s head snapped around.

Like an owl, 180 degrees.

With blood and flesh clumps all over its mouth, it looked even more grotesque.

Moreover, something much more surprising happened.

—Who are you bastards?

A voice slamming into my head.

With that oral structure, it couldn’t speak human words, so it seemed like telepathy ability.

A vicious-looking monster speaking into my mind?

What kind of crazy situation is this.

Moreover, the content was also spectacular.

—If you’ve seen this body, you should kneel first. What are you standing there for!

Boom! Eeeeee—!

With a heavy shockwave, tinnitus rang out.

Some invisible force was pressing down.

It wasn’t just intimidation, groans burst from behind.

“Urgh!”

“Bo, body……..”

Thud!

Before I knew it, the two judges were on their knees on the floor.

The monster seemed to have cast some spell.

But I only flinched slightly, no different from usual.

Tsssss!

A faintly rising crimson aura, thanks to the Beast’s Heart.

The skill activated on its own.

Probably because if I stayed still, my body couldn’t endure the situation.

Anyway, battle with it seemed inevitable.

That way, I could reveal the identity of the bone fragments behind.

I took out the gavel and regulated my breathing.

My first fight with a strong one. I wonder if the Beast’s Heart will work on that guy too?

Honestly, it was doubtful.

I didn’t know how strong the opponent was, nor where my limits were.

But I had no intention of retreating.

That’s how it was since my police days.

There should be no compromise in facing injustice.

But right at that moment.

Tatata! Thud!

“Great Earth God! Forgive the rudeness!”

Someone suddenly popped out from behind and prostrated flat.

At first, I couldn’t recognize who it was.

Because his head was deeply buried in the floor.

But soon, a name flashed in my mind.

“Viscount Erseth?”

Standing with a dumbfounded expression, Viscount Erseth slightly raised his head.

Then he growled at me in a low voice.

“What are you doing? Kneel down right now.”

“……Crazy.”

There was no other way to express it.

This human too, and the whole mine seemed to have gone mad.

Then what should I do.

“Mister, save your bullshit for hell. I need to fix this dogshit right now.”

Tap! Boing—!

Kicking the ground, I charged toward the monster.

Then swung the gavel exhilaratingly.

Craaaaaash!