Act Like a Boss, Mr. Swallow

Chapter 19

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[Translator Jjescus]

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Melje, who had been closely observing the auctioneer, turned her head back to Devourer. Devourer remained silent, nodding stoically with closed lips.

[Kill the auctioneer right away.]

The figure currently drawing the attention of everyone in the ongoing auction. It was a task that one couldnt easily approach or torture, especially considering the auctioneer likely knew more than the manager. Devourers judgment was to take control of the situation by swiftly killing the auctioneer.

Understanding Devourers demand, Melje responded with a subtle gesture.

Through the hazy curtains, only the silhouette of the auctioneer could be faintly seen, and only a booming voice was audible. But even that was enough to make casting spells as easy as breathing.

Melje pondered whether the auctioneer was an ordinary human or someone who had emerged from numerous battlefields. After a brief consideration, Melje concluded it was the former, likely specialized in magic rather than combat.

In that case, She wondered how strong the individuals among the humans behind the curtain might be. There was certainly no shortage of powerful figures.

Considering the nature of the items being auctioned, there would be attendees and guards matching their worth. The fact that the auction houses security was lax indicated there was a certain level of trust in the attendees abilities.

The dilemma arose: should she use a low-level magic spell to kill the auctioneer with minimal mana emission? Casting a conspicuous spell in a situation where the enemys strength was unknown would undoubtedly expose them to many observers.

Melje briefly hesitated, contemplating the consequences if someone noticed the precursor of magic and informed the military. Looking at Sir Devde, Melje couldnt help but recall the frightening expression she had seen before entering the auction house.

He seemed to be taking the matter more seriously than Melje had initially thought. Clearly, the person Mr Devde was searching for was Ms Renee. The legendary being that had gone missing.

Understanding the gravity of the situation, Melje wondered if Sir Devde would let his anger escalate further. It was likely he was already considering the possibility of things getting out of hand. In any case, the situation was bound to escalate regardless of their actions.

Melje decided not to unnecessarily hinder themselves by worrying about the potential consequences. As Melje took a deep breath, a subtle light gathered in front of her. The irregularly shaped light, resembling graffiti more than a magic circle, soon settled into position. Subsequently, slender light stakes, resembling a mixture of arrows and spears, formed from Meljes shoulders to her elbows.

Improved and reinforced, intermediate magic: Dumb Dagger.

From casting to throwing, not a single sound was heard. True to its name, completely silent. While its power was no more than that of a low-level magic, it was sufficient to kill an ordinary human.

The clearly defined light stake advanced towards its target without making any sound or indication. The noise beyond the curtain was too loud to hear the stake being driven in with a thud. However, judging by the disappearance of the auctioneers voice, it was undoubtedly successful. Beyond the curtain, the shrunken form of the auctioneer gradually collapsed to the ground.

Devourer took the lead, followed by Melje, staff in hand.

All the attention that had once been monopolized by the auctioneer now focused on the two who emerged after breaking through the curtain.

Devourer, especially, commanded attention. Covered in blood from methods like smashing heads or crushing abdomens of guards, he looked more filthy and grotesque than brutal. Moreover, his attire was far from suitable for someone participating in such an auction. Devourers presence seemed more alien compared to Melje, who followed in a more dignified manner.

The commotion slowly subsided, with no one attempting to flee. Perhaps it was because Devourer stood in the direction of the auction houses exit, or everyone took pride in their individual strengths.

The sound of murmuring was audible, but no one among the humans dared to speak to Devourer first. They were waiting for someone to properly assess the situation.

Devourers first words.

Observing the humans packed in the semicircular seating arrangement, reminiscent of a theatrical stage, Devourer asked, Are you all here to purchase the Brachycephalic Tooth?

No one responded. The murmuring only slightly intensified, and no one stepped forward to represent them.

Pushing the head of the auctioneer, whose head was impaled like an arrow in an apple, with his foot, Devourer walked to where the auctioneer had stood. Perhaps the space beneath the wooden floor was empty, as Devourers footsteps echoed throughout the silent hall.

In the center of the stage was a round table. Surrounding the table was a crimson silk draped gracefully over a multifaceted metal stand.

Devourer directly picked up the dagger placed on the stand.

A single thin cord woven into the handle, a smooth blade in the shape of a crescent moon this was the Brachycephalic Tooth.

Externally, there were no distinctive features indicating it belonged to Renee. There was no name engraved on the blade, and Devourer didnt have enough interest in her weapons to remember such details.

In the first place, Renee had an infinitely wide range of choices when it came to weapons. Sharp objects were manipulated and examined in any way possible. If unable to wield, she would throw them, and if too heavy to throw, she would use the weight to crush or strike. If the blade was not strong enough, she would break it into pieces and use the fragments, and on occasion, she would even seize the enemys weapon. Even though the Brachycephalic Tooth was her favored dagger, recognizing it immediately as her weapon would be a lie.

Yet, Devourers lips curled as if filled with conviction. His gaze trembled.

Brachycephalic Tooth, this dagger.

Denying that it wasnt Renees was impossible; her scent permeated it too strongly.

The situation is complicated, but this is an item with an owner. So, Ill return it to the original owner. Sorry for interrupting your bids.

Saying so, Devourer gripped the Brachycephalic Tooth Despite exerting a considerable amount of force, no blood flowed from the hand holding the blade.

After securing the dagger at his waist, Devourer finally raised his head.

Hundreds of eyes stared intensely at Devourer, harboring hostility.

G-Guards!! What are you looking at, go capture that bastard immediately!!

As if in response, Devourer chuckled, feigning nonchalance.

I feel the same way.

His intentionally casual voice suddenly split into two.

[Ill tear you all to pieces and bury you along with this building.]

He declared it.

Thats when it happened.

One human, who had been dormant in the audience, slammed her chair and leaped high into the air.

For a human, it was a significant leap. Effortlessly drawing a parabolic trajectory, she flew as if experiencing less air resistance or gravitational influence than others.

Despite this, the distance seemed insufficient, and she landed a bit farther than the front row of seats. The ground near the landing site vibrated and sank, making a dull, heavy sound.

Subsequently, several more individuals, spinning like wheels, flew into the air and rushed towards Devourer.

A rather nimble flying squirrel. It would have been better if you used those moves to escape.

For a human, she was surprisingly fast, but Devourer could easily keep up with her movements.

Up close, he saw a slender woman. Lets start by getting rid of her as an example. Where should I hit her first? Maybe grab her first. If he squeezed with just a little force, the girl would burst like a juicy fruit, spraying juice in all directions.

As Devourer contemplated this, the girl threw a punch towards him. The recoil added force as the punch traveled upward. It was a powerful and simultaneously flexible posture.

Above all, the cyan gauntlet adorning the girls arm piqued Devourers curiosity.

Ill give credit where its due. Quite impressive for a human. The gauntlet had a decent design and matched the girls skillful movements. But that was all. Moreover, aside from the gauntlet, she had no other armor. It looked amateurish.

Alright, for now, lets crush that hand along with that gauntlet.

Devourer reached out towards the gauntlet.

Shatter!

The girls powerful energy burst and swallowed all the sounds within the building.

The gauntlet extended in a straight line, cutting through the air. The air unable to withstand the shockwaves exploded in a chain reaction, producing a series of thunderous blasts.

Devourers hand met the girls fist.

At that moment, it wasnt the girl who sensed imminent defeat in a single blow, but Devourer.

He should have easily applied force to his hand. The girls fist should have exploded as soon as it touched Devourers hand, scattering red juice.

However, that fist did not stop. On the contrary, what was being pushed back was Devourers extended hand.

Sensing that something had deviated from his expectations, Devourer looked down at his own right hand.

In slow motion, as if in a slow-motion replay, all the way up to his elbow, his skin was tearing apart.

As time, which had momentarily slowed down, rapidly regained its pace, a shock surged towards him.

* * *

Thud!

The sound of air bursting resonated, accompanied by a storm-like wave.

A massive distortion of the air occurred around the point of impact. Everything in the straight line of the unleashed fist was destroyed and pushed away. The wall of the building behind Devourer started to collapse with a deafening noise. Soon after, a giant vortex swept through the auction house as an aftermath.

The girl, with her light blue hair fluttering, maintained a firm posture.

Shortly afterward, the recoil, as powerful as the escaping air, rushed back through the punctured wall.

Dust-laden winds, accompanied by debris from the shattered wall, enveloped the area where Devourer had stood. Sharp stone fragments tore through the empty space like the claws of a beast.

An attack that shook the entire building, overwhelming power.

However, despite the devastation, the girl, Historia, looked grim.

It didnt kill him? Historia muttered.

It wasnt just that he didnt die; usually, with shockwaves alone, most explode in whats known as blast death. Even ordinary dungeon bosses would vanish without a trace.

But it seemed different for that man, or rather, the entity taking the form of a man. He wasnt just alive; he didnt take any damage.

It wasnt a victory. She merely seized the opportunity by taking a step forward.

Crunch! Thud!

The smallest cracks should have been easily regenerated as they were a replica of the apocalypse. Something that could endure shocks three times its power.

The cracks that appeared on the gauntlet gradually expanded. The gauntlet, covered in cracks, soon shattered like fragile pottery, falling silently to the floor.

Simultaneously, amid the swiftly dispersing dust, the figure that had taken the full force of the punch became visible. At a glance, the man appeared unscathed.

It wasnt just a matter of surviving the blow. Typically, most would explode from the shockwaves alone. Yet, that manno, something taking the form of a manremained unharmed.

However, the single blow was undoubtedly effective. To prove this, the mans right hand was a complete mess. The skin, muscles, and even the bones were torn and gouged out.

Only this much?

Even the smallest wound regenerated in an instant. But it wasnt just a wound; it was something much more severe.

Dark Blood No gas

No, not blood. There was no way it could be blood. Looking at the black substance flowing from the mans body, reconstructing it into bones and muscles in an instant, Historia was certain. It didnt fall to the ground, nor did it flow freely; it clung to the body, defying gravity.

What was the identity of that substance? More importantly, who was the entity?

Not human. Not an ordinary monster.

If not human, nor an ordinary monster, then what was it?

Unfortunately.

Her thoughts stopped there.

Historia sensed impending death.

Instinctively, she reached out both arms. The man, Devourer, met her gaze. The color of his eyes was the same as the black substance flowing from his body. In the middle of that, sharp golden pupils looked down at Historia. His gaze lowered a bit more. The mans right arm, which should have been crushed, had somehow cleanly regained its form. The right arm was now aimed at Historia with a posture full of strength, mirroring her own.

!

Impossible

Only moments ago, that arm

Wooiiiiiiiiiin!

A deafening scream echoed. Wooin Historia turned her head towards the source of the sound. From the direction of the audience seats, a figure with outstretched arms was rushing towards her.

No, Garotte. Dont come.

If you come, its no good.

If you come

Before she could finish her thoughts, Wooins emaciated body floated in the air, overwhelmed by an unbearable shock.

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[Translator Jjescus]

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