The Mad Spearman of the Northern Front - Chapter 24

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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The Mad Spearman of the Northern Front (24)

“…What?”

Formanker let out a hollow laugh as he looked at his subordinate.

“That bitch has finally lost her mind. All she had going for her was a pretty face, so I kept her around.”

Formanker rose from his seat.

The subordinate who had made the report unconsciously stepped back from the pressure emanating from his considerably bulky frame.

“Julan, Heirquan.”

“Yes, Master.”

“Yes, Boss.”

At Formanker’s call, Julan and Heirquan, who had been standing on either side, responded and stepped forward.

Julan had a lean build and short stature, but his sharply slanted eyes and thin lips gave him a distinctly sharp impression.

In contrast, Heirquan was easily a head taller than Formanker, with a considerable build to match.

Though they seemed like polar opposites, these two were the most skilled individuals in Shadow Fang.

Both could handle mana and were at a level comparable to 2nd Star.

The reason these two followed Formanker was solely for money and treatment.

The Back Alleys were full of all sorts of dirty work.

There, they had become rulers who could have whatever they wanted.

Alcohol, women, gambling.

They had over a hundred lackeys who moved at their single command, and they couldn’t help but follow Formanker who maintained such power for them.

And now Shadow Fang was facing a war at a major turning point.

It was a golden opportunity to attach themselves to greater power and gain stronger influence.

“Give her what she wants. Crush her properly… and you can play with that bitch however you want before killing her.”

“Hehehehe, however we want, you say?”

Heirquan, who was quite lustful by nature, let out a sinister laugh as he asked.

Formanker nodded in response.

“But you must kill her. After you’ve had your fun, cut off her head and bring it to me.”

There were quite a few forces following a woman with no outstanding abilities.

Only by killing Rishiven decisively could this faction become entirely his.

‘Once that happens…’

He planned to lead the now-unified Shadow Fang and properly align himself with the lord of Almers.

With the current subtle power struggle between the Northern Region and Central ongoing, their lives would change depending on which side they chose.

Formanker couldn’t hide his smile.

He thought this power struggle that had continued for quite some time would finally come to an end.

She probably had some card up her sleeve as well.

‘I don’t know what she’s thinking, but…’

There was no one in these Back Alleys who could defeat Julan and Heirquan.

Moreover, there had been no news of anyone entering from outside.

That meant whatever she had prepared was meaningless.

Eventually, watching Julan and Heirquan move out, Formanker spoke to his subordinate beside him.

“Contact Baron Aslan. Tell him I request a secret meeting.”

“Understood.”

Once his subordinate left, Formanker, now alone, was simply shrugging his shoulders while imagining a rosy future.

* * *

Rishiven, who had only made indirect protests until now, had officially challenged Formanker.

Naturally, those who followed her were greatly shocked and opposed the idea.

“It’s dangerous. None of us can defeat Julan and Heirquan.”

“If our factions clash directly, it’ll be even more dangerous. The guild members following Formanker far outnumber us…”

“Lady Bugilma, this method is too dangerous.”

Those who were Rishiven’s close associates tried to dissuade her.

“Wouldn’t it be better to just become independent and form a separate guild now? That would be much better.”

Milo, who was like the youngest member of the guild, spoke pleadingly as he looked at Rishiven.

He was deeply troubled, thinking that Rishiven might have made this decision because of the note he had delivered.

However…

“If this drags on any longer… you’ll get hurt. It seems right to… end it here.”

Rishiven spoke firmly.

As she said, the longer the conflict continued, the more guild members following her would be hurt and killed.

From Formanker’s perspective, it would be ideal to absorb Rishiven’s entire faction, but sacrifices were inevitable in that process.

For this reason, Formanker was ruthlessly killing guild members who failed to be swayed.

Because of this, Rishiven had been thinking she needed to make a big decision, and it was at that moment she met Arteon.

Then, Keyton, who could be called Rishiven’s right hand, asked.

“But Master, that person… is he really trustworthy?”

“…”

Rishiven fell silent at Keyton’s question.

Arteon’s image flashed through her mind.

Though it was only for a brief moment, the incredible killing intent he had shown.

She had seen countless dangers and many people in the Back Alleys until now, but.

‘There wasn’t a single person who… emitted such killing intent.’

For a very brief moment, she had wondered if it was really killing intent that a human could produce.

Moreover, the way he skillfully handled mana.

She couldn’t even predict what level his abilities might be.

The only question was ‘why’ he was helping her…

―Companions who fill each other’s needs going forward… something like that?

It was such an absurd thing to say that it still didn’t feel real.

However, in the current situation where guild members following her continued to be sacrificed, Rishiven wasn’t in a position to be picky.

Besides… didn’t they have their own work to do while he was in action?

“Gather all the guild members. We have… our own work to do.”

“…Will it be alright?”

“If we fail this time, things will become very difficult going forward. Here… we need to settle this.”

Rishiven knew as well.

That this was the most important and perhaps the last opportunity.

Her close associates nodded.

“Understood.”

“We’ll gather everyone.”

The atmosphere changed rapidly.

They couldn’t guarantee how the suddenly appeared boy would block them, but if he failed, there would be gains from that as well.

But…

‘If he succeeds…’

As he said, this one fight could completely end the conflict that had continued so viciously.

Eventually, Rishiven’s eyes, as she moved with the guild members, gleamed more seriously and coldly than ever before.

* * *

The sun set over the city, and even deeper shadows fell over the Back Alleys.

The deathly silence crept around like a strangling grip, and only the intermittent sounds of creaking window frames and rats’ cries could be heard from somewhere.

A chilling stillness settled down.

However, cutting through that heat, two shadows approached each other from opposite ends.

“What, isn’t that Rishiven?”

“Is that fox-like bitch up to her tricks again?”

Seeing a boy who appeared at the location, Julan and Heirquan frowned.

Naturally thinking it was a trap set by Rishiven, they had prepared thoroughly.

“Who are you?”

“What do you think this place is… Are you dying to get killed?”

Julan and Heirquan threatened the boy before their eyes.

But…

“I thought I only had to deal with two… There are more than I expected.”

The number of those hiding in the darkness seemed to be at least fifty or more.

Arteon lightly moved the spear gripped in his hand.

There was no need to use Iglis.

Just any spear sold at a marketplace blacksmith would be sufficient.

But at Arteon’s words, Julan and Heirquan frowned.

Looking at this guy’s attitude…

“So you’re what that bitch is relying on.”

“…This young fool isn’t in his right mind.”

Julan drew the sword from his waist.

He didn’t know what made him side with Rishiven, but he needed to show him that decision was foolish.

“I’ll cut off your head and hang it in the center of the Back Alleys. I’ll make you regret coming here alone.”

As Julan stepped forward, Heirquan from behind grinned wickedly while looking at Arteon.

It was a bit unusual that he was holding a spear, but that wouldn’t change anything.

“Julan, let’s finish this quickly and go back. It’s unlikely, but this rookie coming alone might mean there’s some other scheme…”

Thud!

It was before Heirquan could finish speaking.

Suddenly the boy in front of them seemed to kick off the ground forcefully.

Whoosh!

In an instant, he disappeared from sight.

“…!”

Julan, who had been approaching Arteon, flinched momentarily and turned his head.

Where did he go?

But finding him wasn’t difficult.

“Gurgle…”

With the sound of rattling breath from behind, Julan’s gaze turned.

And there, an unbelievable scene was unfolding.

“He, Heirquaaaaaan!”

Julan screamed.

Because the boy who had definitely been in front of them just moments ago had pierced Heirquan’s throat with his spear.

It truly happened in an instant.

It was a speed that made it hard even to react.

“E-everyone come out noooow!”

Julan leaped back, creating distance from Arteon.

At Julan’s shout, all the hidden subordinates burst out. But soon they couldn’t hide their bewildered expressions seeing Heirquan collapsed on the ground.

“He, Heirquan sir!”

“This crazy…!”

“He, Heirquan sir is…”

It must have been a shocking situation.

Even if a dozen of them attacked together, it would be difficult to face Heirquan alone due to the vast difference in power.

And Arteon pulled out the spear stuck in the Big Guy’s throat while scanning the surroundings.

‘Roughly… fifty people and one 2nd Star level…’

Even for Arteon, facing two 2nd Star level opponents wouldn’t be easy.

That’s why he had to kill one of them first, when they were most off guard.

If that strategy failed, Arteon would also have to take enormous risks.

But…

“Anyway, these Back Alley guys, they love to exaggerate just like before.”

Arteon casually rested the spear blade on his shoulder while looking at Julan.

These guys… were trash not even worth grading.

Both this guy called Julan and the recently killed Heirquan.

He didn’t know if they could handle mana, but at best they were guys who barely surpassed 1st Star.

Arteon looked at Julan.

Julan unconsciously flinched and stepped back.

Gulp.

‘Wh-what kind of kid has eyes like that…’

Cold sweat trickled down Julan’s spine.

Even in these rough Back Alleys, he had never seen eyes that emitted such dense killing intent.

It felt like a massive beast was baring its claws right before him.

But…

“What are you doing! Kill that bastard!”

When Julan shouted, the Thief Guild lackeys surrounding the area rushed toward Arteon.

“Die, you bastard!”

“Who do you think you are, coming here alone!”

“We’ll avenge Heirquan sir!”

At the charge of those completely blinded by the Big Guy’s death, Arteon’s eyes grew coldly calm.

Just by watching how they attacked, he could tell.

These guys…

‘They’re trash not even worth grading.’

Swiiish! Thwack!

Arteon’s spear thrust straight forward, piercing right through one lackey’s chest.

As the spear blade penetrated his chest, the guy died instantly without even managing to scream.

Thud.

But that was only the beginning.

Swish! Swoosh!

Arteon retrieved his spear and immediately tripped the guy next to him, then swung his spear wide to the side.

Thwack-thwack-thwack-thwack!

“Argh!”

“Aaaah!”

“Uagh!”

The moment three more collapsed to the ground in succession, Arteon’s spear mercilessly took their lives.

Truly in an instant, four lackeys had lost their lives.

The lackeys frozen in terror hesitated in place while looking at Arteon.

A fear that seemed to drive them insane.

It was as if a demon from the darkness was devouring and seeping into the surroundings.

And in that crushing fear.

Swish.

He raised his spear and spoke as if making a declaration.

“You will all die here.”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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