Weapon-Eating Bastard [EN]: Chapter 158

Weapon-Devouring Bastard 158

The moment I heard the scream, a wave of unease washed over me, and my hair stood on end.

I refocused the mana of the mirage and entered the building.

‘No special devices here.’

I immediately scanned the surroundings with my magic eye.

Upon entering, the building seemed ordinary, no different from the outside.

However, my magic eye revealed that the space was saturated with an unidentified mana.

‘It’s underground.’

A staircase leading down to the basement was visible on one side.

Silently, I opened the door and slowly descended.

“Kkeueueuk! Heueuk! Heuk!”

The sound of sobbing grew louder.

In the darkness of the basement, an ominous purple glow flickered.

Cautiously, I entered the basement where the screams originated.

‘This is…’

The scene in the basement unfolded before me.

The place was filled with strange occult tools, geometric patterns, and arcane symbols.

In the center, figures in black robes huddled together, engaged in hushed discussion.

“Something is wrong after all. The soul’s traits are different. Heterogeneous…”

“The sample is insufficient. I searched extensively, but this is all I could find.”

The robed figures were looking down at something.

I could scarcely believe my eyes.

Pujik!

There was a monster.

Mana permeated its body, turning its skin a sickly purple, and bizarre characters were scrawled all over it.

The sight filled me with anger and disgust.

‘……It’s a dwarf.’

My magic eye pierced through the monster’s essence.

That grotesque, twisted form.

It was a dwarf, one of the natives of this land.

These bastards were conducting human experiments on dwarves in their own workshop.

* * *

First, I surveyed the surroundings.

Being in an unknown place, caution was paramount. I couldn’t simply draw my weapon and barge in.

‘First, I’ll finish searching this place.’

I meticulously searched the building, recalling the information about the workshop I had gleaned from Baher, as well as details about the humans operating here.

I surveyed dangerous-looking areas from a distance using my senses and magic eye. When I felt I had enough time, I investigated directly.

‘They’re not just amateurs. This is a proper organization.’

The number of people in the workshop was far greater than Baher had suggested.

He estimated around 15 people, but there were at least twice that many.

I counted 20 warriors who seemed to be around the 5th level, and about 10 people in robes, engaged in research or other tasks.

Sensing presences in buildings I hadn’t entered, I guessed there were about 10 more.

They were organized, disciplined, and seemed to share a common purpose.

This was a secretive and well-established organization.

‘I’ve never heard of anything like this.’

From possessing an ability that suppressed the power of the Mystic races to conducting human experiments without hesitation, they were unlike anything I’d encountered.

I continued my search.

Most of the buildings were set up as laboratories or mages’ workshops.

‘Even if they’re a different race, how could they do this to another being?’

Each time I passed a building, I fought the urge to draw Black Night and Mujin [his swords].

Before long, I reached the largest building in the center of the workshop.

‘……That’s a relief.’

In the dimly lit space, rows of iron bars held dwarves captive.

Their faces were etched with despair and exhaustion.

However, their physical condition seemed stable.

It wasn’t out of concern for their well-being.

‘They’re maintaining their health for the experiments.’

I had gathered the information I needed: the approximate strength and organization of the workshop’s occupants, the dwarves’ current situation, and the location of the survivors.

I took one last look at the survivors and left the workshop.

* * *

Once Baher, Ron, and I were a safe distance from the workshop, I revealed the information I had gathered.

I explained everything as objectively as possible.

Baher clenched his teeth as he listened.

“Only 10 survivors?”

Apparently, 23 residents had been captured.

Ron and I had rescued 2 the previous day, leaving the fate of 11 dwarves uncertain.

“Human experimentation… These things aren’t even human…”

Ron clenched his fist, trembling with rage. Uncontrolled mana leaked from him.

“Why on earth would they do such a thing?”

“I don’t know exactly, but…”

I frowned, recalling what I had seen with my magic eye.

‘It was like… extracting power.’

To harness the power of the Mystic races.

That was my impression.

“The power of the Mystic races? Is that even possible?”

“Magic operates on the principle that nothing is impossible. If some forbidden technique has been developed, anything is possible.”

“But, Young Master Lee Cheol.”

“You saw them too, those clay dolls.”

Ron’s eyes widened.

“Don’t tell me those are…”

“That’s right. It might not be a complete success, but it’s likely somewhat effective.”

Some spells aim to achieve godhood, and magic is similar.

Many things in the world defy logic and reason.

I had experienced that firsthand during my martial journey.

‘The Six Nights I saw in Gyeongju. They were called Behemoths.’

They were beyond logic and reason.

Kkuk!

I noticed blood dripping from Baher’s clenched fist.

He was suppressing his anger, feeling powerless and guilty as the village head.

Unable to contain himself any longer, Baher spoke with a trembling voice.

“…I’m sorry. Let’s rest for a moment and talk.”

Baher stood up and walked a short distance away.

With trembling hands, he pulled a cigarette from his pocket and lit it.

A sound that was neither a sigh nor the sound of exhaling smoke filled the air.

I watched Baher for a moment, then turned to Ron.

“Ron, have you ever heard of the Six Nights?”

I instinctively felt a connection between them and these people.

I asked, hoping Ron might know something.

“The Six Nights? What’s that?”

“…It’s nothing. Never mind.”

Ron didn’t press the issue.

He looked at Baher’s back with a confused expression, then turned back to me.

“Young Master Lee Cheol. What are you going to do?”

“About what?”

“The forces at the workshop and the dwarves.”

“I have to save them.”

I said firmly.

“Will it be possible with just the two of us?”

“Subduing them with just the two of us isn’t the problem. The problem is…”

I can’t predict all the variables.

I don’t know exactly what kind of beings they are.

‘Honestly, there are so many variables that it almost doesn’t matter. I’m past the point of worrying about that.’

The most concerning thing is the puppeteer.

If that being is the ‘that person’ I’m thinking of, then a significant figure has emerged.

I’m not afraid to face them, but we need to be careful since our goal is to safely rescue the survivors.

“…Anyway, we can’t go in right now. You know why, right?”

“Yes, I know that too.”

Ron looked gloomy.

“I guess… it’s going to be difficult?”

There are two of us, and eleven hostages.

We don’t have enough hands to deal with all the enemies and save the hostages.

That was Ron’s concern.

But I smiled and shook my head.

“I have a plan.”

If things go according to plan, it won’t be difficult, as I confidently assured Baher.

“A plan?”

As Ron asked, Baher returned.

“A plan? What plan are you talking about?”

I looked at Baher and explained the plan.

Baher’s expression was one of astonishment as he listened.

* * *

The dwarves’ workshop.

A man in a robe sat in a chair, listening to a report.

“Tell me again. What happened while I was performing the ritual?”

“I’m sorry. We lost two test subjects to be used as bait and two followers.”

“Tsk!”

The man in the robe frowned.

“You lost two important test subjects?”

Showing no concern for the deaths of his colleagues, the man slammed his fist on the armrest.

“My clone should have been there in the first place. It doesn’t make sense that they were taken. What on earth…”

Under the shadow of the robe, the man’s eyes shone with a blue light.

Then, he paused, as if sensing something.

“Huh, they’ve been annihilated?”

“We were ignorant… I’m sorry.”

“It can’t be something those dwarves could do… Is it an outsider?”

“Yes, it is presumed to be.”

“Hmm…”

The man receiving the report took a deep breath and pondered.

“This has become troublesome. I’m going to get out of here. There are still far from enough test subjects, but… I can’t help it.”

“Are you sure? Seon-gakja [Awakened One]. I’m afraid it will disrupt your research.”

“This place is within the territory of that detestable Iron-Blooded Knight [Henry Russell, a famous English swordsman]. It’s better to distance ourselves than to get caught.”

The man referred to Henry Russell, one of the great swordsmen of England, as the Iron-Blooded Knight.

“Then I’ll prepare accordingly…”

However, at that moment,

A Pakistani man with a sword rushed into the building and shouted.

“The dwarves suddenly opened the barrier!”

“The barrier? Suddenly?”

“They’re each carrying their luggage and moving. They’re escaping!”

The man in the robe jumped up.

Could it be that the dwarves requested help from the outside through some means, and they are helping the dwarves escape?

‘Escaping means they’re not confident in facing us… Then.’

The man in the robe laughed loudly and ordered.

“From now on, catch all those who are escaping! Hurry!”

Until now, he had to proceed with the research carefully because of the barrier.

But they’re running away on their own. Isn’t this a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity?

“But it could be a trap. Besides, protect the test subjects…”

“I will stay here. Instead, I will send all my dolls.”

Greed dripped from the man’s voice.

Even madness could be felt in the light flashing from inside the robe.

“Go and move towards the truth!”

The man in the robe shouted.

At those words, the two men who came to report bowed their heads and shouted a common slogan.

“For the inherited wisdom and truth!”

Soon, the people in the workshop quickly began to run through the darkened forest.

* * *

Meanwhile.

A boy stood in front of the people heading towards the dwarves.

“These demons in human skin… They followed after all.”

The boy, Ron Russell, unleashed a clear blue aura.

Ron raised his sword, standing in front as if to protect the residents of the Black Root Village behind him.

“That holy sword… Could it be that he’s the son of that detestable Iron-Blooded Knight?”

A man walked forward and said.

That voice was similar to that of the man called Seon-gakja earlier.

“You, you’re not human?”

Ron’s Yong-che [spiritual sense] felt an unpleasant sense of incongruity.

And the moment he felt that sense of incongruity, Ron recalled the doll that Lee Cheol had brought.

The energy he felt was definitely human, but it didn’t feel like a living person.

It was something that imitated humans.

Ron frowned at the alien energy.

“What are you talking about?”

“Is it a doll trying to imitate a human? What is your identity?”

“You are foolish. To not see what is in front of you even though you possess the body of a dragon.”

At that time, Seon-gakja raised his hand.

“Lost, foolish lamb. I will show you a glimpse of the truth, so close your eyes in joy.”

-Geueoeoeoeong!

Along with Seon-gakja’s gesture, numerous clods of earth rose from the ground.

They were clay dolls.

Moreover, it wasn’t just dolls.

Dozens of people flocked in and surrounded them.

Ron took a deep breath and raised the aura on the holy sword even more intensely.

The aura that spread out wrapped around the dwarves.

“You are foolish. You alone will not be enough.”

Seon-gakja smiled bitterly.

Ron raised his aura even more intensely and said.

“It doesn’t matter. It’s not like I’m going to do anything.”

“…Hmm?”

“Now!”

Along with Ron’s shout.

“Got it! Young friend!”

“Earth!”

The dwarves, who had been silently watching from behind, shouted something and touched the ground with both hands.

Kugagagagak!

Then, the clods of earth wriggled and rose as if they were alive, and wrapped around Ron and the residents in a hemisphere.

That wasn’t the end.

When Ron deployed the aura he had been preparing little by little with all his might, the light of the intense holy sword and the light of the aura permeated the clods of earth.

“You’re stupid. How long will that last…”

It was that moment.

Everyone stopped moving.

Beonjjeok!

It was the middle of the night.

But the sky was bright.

Like the sun had risen, the darkness in every corner of the world was swept away in an instant.

Everyone’s eyes went up to the sky in search of that light.

Pajijijijik!

Something wrapped in light was falling.