“Phew~ Now I can finally breathe easy.”
After cleaning up in a nice shower, I felt a sense of purification wash over my mind and body.
Looking out the window, I could see the sky dyed red by the slowly setting sun.
“Well… maybe I went a bit overboard, but it should be fine, right?”
Taking the strategy of carefully chipping away to minimize damage was going well…
But when this monster reached its recall time, instead of disappearing quietly, it unleashed its remaining demonic energy!
If I hadn’t been able to suppress that, the entire forest would have been obliterated.
“My body’s still sore… those heretic bastards…”
A rare set of expensive clothes I bought in the capital has been reduced to rags.
Though they look intact, they’re soaked with demon energy. If I don’t get them purified, I’ll be the one branded as a heretic.
Damn, the purification fee is pretty steep…
Comparing the cost of purification with buying new clothes, it seems like just throwing these away might be the better option.
I absentmindedly tossed them into the corner and started stretching my weary body when a large mirror caught my eye.
The reflection showed my body covered in countless scars.
Cut by swords, pierced by spears, crushed by axes…
There was even a time my arm had been severed. My body is practically tattered.
If I hadn’t ascended to Master, I probably would have died anytime without raising an eyebrow.
“Hmm, I wonder how that guy’s doing…”
When I became a Master, most scars disappeared, but many stubborn ones remained.
The biggest one stretches from my right shoulder to the left side of my hip.
I absentmindedly placed my hand on my chest and touched the scar.
Though fully healed and no longer painful, I could feel the difference in texture compared to normal skin.
This scar holds significant meaning for me.
In fact, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say I owe my Mastery to this scar.
While idly stroking this now nostalgic scar, someone knocked on the door.
Knock knock-
I roughly threw on some clothes and asked.
“Who is it?”
“I thought you might need some food.”
Opening the door, I saw a middle-aged man bowing politely.
As I was about to thank him,
I noticed the black dagger tattoo on his neck.
Evidence that he was from Blackwater, one of the Empire’s special forces units specializing in scouting and assassination.
The familiar sight made me ask without thinking.
“How’s Black Wolf doing?”
“…It’s been a long time since I graduated, so I don’t know much about her. I’m just a professor here now.”
A briefly wavered pupil, a somewhat lowered voice.
Sensing something off, I quickly apologized.
“Ah, sorry. Got carried away there.”
Come to think of it, graduating from Blackwater is basically the same as being expelled, isn’t it?
Would’ve been better if I’d remembered that sooner.
The man awkwardly waved his hand.
“Black Wolf is probably the only person who’d be glad to see you. She’s… merfolk after all.”
Black Wolf isn’t some grand nickname.
Anyone seeing the soft mammalian ears atop her black hair would naturally call her that.
“Why does everyone dislike such a capable person? I’ve received so much help from her.”
“You’re the one known as the ‘Barbarian Massacre’, aren’t you? It feels strange hearing you say that.”
“It wasn’t her fault, but theirs, right?”
The man gave a strange nod.
“…If I ever meet her again, I’ll pass on your regards.”
With that, the man placed the tray of food he brought and turned around.
“By the way, what’s your name?”
“I’m Darius. I teach information-related courses.”
Hmm, sounds like the kind of name that goes well with an axe.
I smiled faintly and gave a small wave.
It was an invitation for a handshake.
“I see. Looking forward to working with you, Professor Darius.”
Staring at my face and outstretched hand, Darius let out a small sigh before accepting the handshake.
“The other professors won’t be as kind as me.”
“As long as it doesn’t interfere with my duties, I’ll be fine.”
If it does interfere, appropriate consequences will follow, but…
Making eye contact with Darius, he silently shook his head.
“Hopefully everything goes well. I’d rather not get dragged into any trouble.”
He’s quite perceptive for someone from Blackwater.
“Will anything really happen?”
I just gave a deep smile.
***
The food on the tray far exceeded my expectations.
The rich soup, likely made with beef fat, came with warm bread.
There was also a steak and salad – truly a feast worthy of the name.
“Wow, this makes my mouth water.”
As soon as I cut a piece of steak and popped it into my mouth, the juicy meat juices filled my mouth.
Feeling ecstatic for a moment…
A subtle emotion suppressed my appetite.
That occasional guilt that comes when I become too happy.
Could this be considered PTSD?
“Hmph… guess these scars are bothering me more than usual today.”
Black Wolf, one of the three leaders of the Empire’s special forces unit Blackwater.
I first met her in the second year after stepping onto the northern battlefield.
That day, as usual, I was patrolling near the base while enduring the cold northern wind.
“What a goddamn cold day. So boring.”
Looking around, all I could see was the white snowy landscape.
Admiring it for a moment, but by now it’s gotten unbearably monotonous.
Why am I doing solo patrols in this tedious place, you ask?
Because I have one of the highest survival chances.
Other guys would just be troublesome baggage.
“Nothing unusual today… Have they gone into hibernation or something?”
“Snowmen don’t hibernate. Human.”
“Huh? Oh, I know that… Who are you?”
I calmly asked despite suddenly hearing a voice.
Despite being praised by the sage as having senses nearly reaching mastery level, I got caught off guard from behind.
Meaning this person was a threat to my life.
“Blackwater”
At the mention of “Black Dagger”, I swallowed hard.
“…What an honor. To meet the famous Blackwater.”
“‘Infamous’ would be more appropriate. Human.”
The sarcastic tone clearly indicated lack of friendliness.
Still, they wouldn’t kill an ally outright, so…
I decided to cautiously gather information first.
“Our reputation isn’t exactly great either. ‘Suicide Squad’, you know. Neither of our units seem particularly desirable… Let’s skip the sad stories and get straight to business, how about that?”
“Business?”
“Why is Blackwater here?”
“You shouldn’t be unaware of what we do, human?”
Blackwater’s mission involves espionage and assassination.
Is it possible to conduct assassinations in this snow-covered mountain range?
“Blackwater can kill anyone.”
We’ll see if that confidence is justified.
More importantly, who exactly are you planning to kill…
Clang-
At the brief lapse in vigilance, a metallic sound came from behind.
Reacting instinctively, my body drew the sword-
– Ughh!
A grotesque cry echoed.
The white snow began turning crimson.
Eventually, the melted snow revealed the frozen corpse of a snowman.
“Tch… Would’ve been nice if you’d given some warning.”
Looking at the black dagger embedded in the snowman’s neck, I sighed.
“You couldn’t notice something like that? You’re worse than your file suggests, human.”
“Don’t know what’s written in your files, but…”
Using every muscle in my body for explosive power, I swung my sword.
My target was directly behind me, where the person stood.
– Ugh!
“?!”
“Is Blackwater’s skill not as great as rumored?”
The tip of my sword passing by their head held a snowman’s head.
Thinking about what’s coming next, I explained with a tired voice.
“Snowmen usually move in groups. The ones hiding in the snow serve as bait. When you focus on the bait, the real threat approaches silently from behind. As long as you don’t show any openings, they won’t attack, so I just left it be…”
The scream of a fellow snowman will surely draw others nearby soon.
– Uuugh…
Look, the cries of snowmen are already echoing from afar.
“…I made a mistake. Sorry, human.”
“It’s done now, so let’s move on…”
Just as I turned to take a look, I couldn’t help but be surprised.
The soft-looking black hair resembling arctic fur topped with mammalian ears.
Proof that she was merfolk.
Noticing my wavering gaze, she asked expressionlessly.
“Is there something wrong? Is there any important information I should know?”
“Ah, sorry. First time seeing a merperson.”
“…Your file must’ve been exposed. Apologies for showing you something unpleasant.”
She hastily covered her ears with her robe.
For some reason, seeing her slightly dejected appearance made me blink and ask.
“Why is it unpleasant? Is there any reason it should be?”
“You… don’t dislike merfolk?”
“I’d say I like them, if anything. They’re cute, aren’t they?”
If she looked completely animalistic, I might have hesitated,
but aside from the ears, she looked like a regular human.
This could almost be considered cosplay, right?
Most importantly, merfolk are allies of the empire.
“Cu… cute?! Your tastes are certainly unique, human.”
Tossing her amber eyes around nervously, she eventually bowed her head.
Anyway, how long do you plan to keep calling me ‘human’?
“My name is Allen. What’s yours?”
“…7th Unit. Human.”
“Stop calling me human and use my name. Hmm, 7th Unit…”
Looks like we’ll be working together for a while.
Calling someone by such a rigid designation feels like addressing a slave.
After briefly pondering, I decided to keep things simple.
“Alright. From now on, you’re Black Wolf.”
“Bl..ack Wolf?”
Translating directly, Black Wolf.
While it sounds like a junior high syndrome name… still better than Black Dog, right?
Fortunately, she didn’t seem to dislike it.
“Until whenever, I look forward to working with you, Black Wolf.”
“Understood… Allen.”
– Wooohooo!
Before we knew it, numerous snowmen had surrounded us.
Though tight, it’s not something we can’t handle.
Judging that, I proposed a bet to Black Wolf.
“…A bet?”
“Yeah. Let’s see who can take down more enemies. The loser has to follow one order from the winner.”
“Fine.”
“By the way, if I win, I’ll be touching your ears for life.”
They looked so soft, I wanted to touch them forever.
“Wa…what?!”
“Opening!”
Leaving the flustered Black Wolf behind, I rushed toward the snowmen.
“Y-you despicable…!”
Thus, from our very first meeting, we engaged in a bloody battle for our lives against the snowmen.
And until the last member of the snowman tribe on that mountaintop was wiped out, no reinforcements arrived.
Later, when I asked, the elder said
“If you were going to die easily somewhere, you’d be dead already. You survived, so that’s all that matters.”
Immediately challenging him to a duel,
of course, I couldn’t defeat the elder who was already part of the Golden Way Zodiacs back then.
…Shit
***
About a year passed.
Black Wolf and I finally succeeded in assassinating the Snowman King.
“…Can this even be called an assassination?”
The surroundings were littered with snowman corpses.
Even after drawing most of the enemies away with other troops, there were still too many snowmen to count on our fingers.
Since we prepared thoroughly for this operation, retreating was never an option.
Therefore, we had no choice but to eliminate all these snowmen.
I grinned and replied.
“Originally, if there are no witnesses, it’s called an assassination.”
“I still don’t understand you…”
“That’s my charm. Anyway, since this dirty mission is over, I’ll be taking my leave.”
Internally, I had developed quite an attachment and felt a bit reluctant to part ways.
“How about we finish this conversation after you stop touching my ears?”
“While I don’t know when we’ll meet again, I should enjoy this while I can.”
The soft and fluffy sensation made it impossible to remove my hands.
Though Black Wolf frowned, she didn’t shake off my hand.
After all, I won our first meeting’s bet.
Ever since then, whenever I got bored, I would touch her ears.
Do you realize how much healing this brings me in this desolate battlefield?
“…You’re going to get yourself killed like this.”
“It’s fine. It won’t be fatal.”
The wound inflicted by the Snowman King throbbed painfully.
Being hit directly by his massive axe was nothing short of miraculous that I didn’t die instantly.
“Why did you save me? If you hadn’t…”
When we almost had him, the beast’s eyes turned blood red and started thrashing wildly.
The problem was the rapid transformation left Black Wolf too late to react,
and I had no choice but to throw myself to save her.
“If I hadn’t saved you, I would’ve lost these soft ears, wouldn’t I?”
“You…”
“Don’t worry. Now that I’ve become a Master, I won’t die… hopefully.”
Perhaps sensing my life was in danger,
or realizing we’d both perish otherwise,
for whatever reason, I awakened the aura as proof of becoming a Master.
Thanks to that, I managed to survive miraculously, but…
I couldn’t move a single finger.
“This isn’t just because of the wound. If you don’t change your fighting style, you’ll lose yourself someday.”
Her expressionless face remained stoic as always, but after spending so much time together,
I could see the sadness and concern in her amber eyes.
“Using dark magic to mimic barbarian traits is definitely a talent no one else can replicate… But continuing like this, you’ll cease to be human.”
“Wow, you’re unusually talkative today. Looks good on you.”
“This isn’t a joke.”
I know what Black Wolf is worried about.
My fighting style is unconventional enough to earn me the title of “crazy bastard”.
“Fortunately, it seems the side effects have disappeared, though I can’t be sure even after becoming a Master. This is uncharted territory for everyone.”
There’s a forbidden art in dark magic that manipulates the body.
Using that, I transformed my body into that of a barbarian.
Like turning myself into a chimera, you could say.
Thanks to that, I could slaughter enemies despite my inferior skills.
The only minor drawback is that the longer I maintain the transformation, the harder it becomes to return to my human form…
Fortunately, after becoming a Master, the traces of barbarian characteristics scattered throughout my body have disappeared.
“Since you’ve become a Master, stop using such dangerous techniques. Even without them…”
“There’s no way I can do that, and you know it.”
If Masters alone could exterminate the barbarians, the war would’ve ended long ago.
There are masters comparable to ours among the enemy ranks too.
Just take the Snowman King I defeated as an example – a monstrous Master-level opponent.
To end this war, I can’t change my current fighting style.
“Don’t worry. I have no intention of dying. Have you ever seen me lie?”
“…This might be the first time.”
“Haha, I won’t die even if I want to, so don’t worry.”
As I forced a laugh, my consciousness started fading gradually.
“Da…time… na…ma…”
Through the blurred consciousness, I barely understood one word.
“Thank you.”
Don’t mention it.
Just before losing consciousness, I thought I saw tears in Black Wolf’s eyes.
I’ll have to ask her about it next time we meet.
