Part 17 (2/2)

”Argh!”

G.o.dfree's HP went down a little, and at the same time Kuradeel's cursor changed from yellow to the orange color of criminal status. But this didn't change anything. There was no way that someone would pa.s.s by on a floor that had already been cleared.

”G.o.dfree-san, I always thought you were an idiot, but I never imagined that you were this hopeless. Is even your brain made out of muscle?”

Kuradeel's sharp laughter echoed across the wastelands.

”There are still a lot of things that I want to say to you...but it wouldn't do to waste my time with appetizers...”

Kuradeel drew his two-handed sword as he spoke. He raised it high into the air and stretched out his thin body. Sunlight reflected off the thick blade as he waved it about.

”W-Wait, Kuradeel! You...what...what are you saying...isn't...isn't this training...?”

”Just shut up and die.”

Kuradeel spat out and swung his sword down without mercy. A heavy and dull noise sounded, and G.o.dfree's HP greatly decreased.

G.o.dfree finally grasped the seriousness of the situation and started screaming. But it was already too late.

Twice, thrice, the sword came down with a merciless glint, and G.o.dfree's HP reduced noticeably with each swing. Then, when it reached the red area, Kuradeel stopped.

Just as I thought that he wouldn't commit murder no matter how crazy he was, Kuradeel reversed his grip on the sword and slowly pushed it into G.o.dfree. As G.o.dfree's HP went down bit by bit, Kuradeel began to press his entire weight against the sword.

”Aaaaaaaahhh!!”

”Hyahahahaha!!”

While G.o.dfree's wailing became louder, Kuradeel began mixing in a strange scream of his own. The sword dug into G.o.dfree's body slowly and his HP reduced at a steady pace- While the other member and I watched silently, Kuradeel's sword penetrated completely through G.o.dfree, and his HP bar reached zero at the same time. G.o.dfree most probably didn't understand what was going on even as his body shattered into countless shards.

Kuradeel slowly pulled his sword out of the ground, then spun his head around like a clockwork doll and looked at the other member.

”Ah!! Ahhh!!”

With these short screams, the member flailed around in an attempt to escape. Kuradeel then started walking towards him in odd steps.

”...I have nothing against you...but according to my scenario, only I can return alive...”

He raised his sword while muttering to himself.

”Aaaahh!”

”You wanna hear~? You see, our party-”

He swung it down; his ears deaf to the member's screams.

”Was ambushed in the wilderness by a large group of PKers-.”

Another swing.

”We fought bravely, but all three had died-.”

And another.

”I was the only one remaining, but I drove back the criminals and managed to stay alive before returning to HQ-.”

After the fourth attack, the member's HP vanished. A sound effect that sent s.h.i.+vers down my body resonated. But Kuradeel looked as if he had heard the voice of a G.o.ddess. He stood there, in the middle of the explosion of shards, and listened to it with a blissful expression on his face.

It wasn't his first time...

I was sure of this. His cursor may have turned to the orange color of criminals' only moments ago, but there were plenty of despicable ways to kill people without triggering it. However, understanding this fact now didn't solve anything.

Finally, Kuradeel turned to look my way, with an uncontrollable mirth spreading across his face. He slowly walked towards me, his sword making an unbearable noise as he dragged it along the ground.

”Hey.”

He crouched down next to me, who was still sprawled on the ground, and said in a whisper.

”Because of an idiot like you, I had to kill two completely innocent people.”

”You seem quite happy about it though.”

I responded as I looked desperately for a way out of this situation. The only thing that moved was my mouth and my left arm. Because the paralysis condition kept one from opening the menu window, it also forbade the player from sending any messages. Even though I knew it wouldn't do me much good, I struggled to move my left hand, which was inside Kuradeel's blind spot, while I continued to talk.

”Why did a person like you join the KoB? A criminal guild would have suited you better.”

”Keh, why are you asking something so obvious? It's because of that girl.”

He said this with his raspy voice and licked his lips. When I realized that he was talking about Asuna my blood began to boil.

”You d.a.m.n b.a.s.t.a.r.d...!”

”Woah, why are you glaring at me like that? It's just a game isn't it...? Don't worry. I'll look after your precious sub-leader for you. After all, I have a lot of useful items.”

Kuradeel picked up the poisoned water bottle and then shook it to produce some splas.h.i.+ng sounds. Then he gave an awkward wink and kept talking.

”And you just said something very interesting, that a criminal guild would suit me more.”

”...well, it's just the truth.”

”I was complimenting you. You're pretty sharp.”

Kekekeke.

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