1.
Eclipse.
The ones who swore to become shadows to eclipse the empire’s sun.
Out of hatred for the emperor,
Because of their love for slaughter,
Because they were shadows from the beginning, etc.
Each of them had their own reasons for becoming part of the Eclipse, and among those who became officers, there were merely seven.
The sole criterion for selection was power.
The seven beings, who had established rankings based on survival of the fittest, were seated around a round table.
The first to speak was the second of the Seven Calamities, <The Calamity of December>.
“It was excessive.”
A gruff voice echoed throughout the room.
“Even if it was Gardner’s territory, even if all of Kwangmyeong was residing there, unleashing all the <Huntsmen> was excessive.”
The <Huntsmen> that December spoke of referred to the assassins cultivated by the Eclipse, and it seemed that he was dissatisfied with their full deployment for the <Theft of the Celestial Barrier> mission.
As if refuting his claim, a soft voice came from the fourth seat.
“Why, are you feeling sorry because they’re your own recruits?”
“…Never.”
“Isn’t it? No matter how much you train them, not all of them become pretty flowers, right?”
Upon seeing the second seat, the woman from the fourth seat, <Calamity of the Blood Flower>, smirked and added,
“The Huntsmen are trash. If they succeed, good, and if they fail, they’re just the kind of expendable trash you can blame on the emperor.”
Twitch.
Without realizing it, the brows of the Calamity of December twitched as he turned his head toward the fourth seat.
“I agree. The weak are trash. Especially those who only criticize those below them and grovel in fear before those above them are even worse.”
“Hmm? That’s strange, why do I feel targeted?”
Duduk,
Tudududuk.
The brief exchange alone caused the airtight room to shake, causing stones to crumble and fall.
“A weak dog is barking.”
“I didn’t know you had that kind of taste?”
With a roar,
The collision of the two auras caused a corner of the round table to break and fly toward the wall.
And that wasn’t enough. Just as the round table was about to split in half,
“Argh, stop it!”
Terrified, a clear voice echoed, and the damaged table was instantaneously repaired.
“It’s beginning!”
It was the sixth seat, the Calamity of False Belief.
Clap!
When the youth clapped his hands and then spread them out, a picture hovered in the air.
Projected was Gardner’s manor.
—
“Kyaahhh!!!”
“Monsters are attacking!!”
“What!? Could it be the Black Wolves?!”
“…This is ridiculous.”
The scene showed a tangled mess of the hundred Huntsmen who raided the mansion and the residents.
The vanguard’s entry disrupted the order, while the rear, having circled around, climbed the mansion.
Observing the systematic movement, the fourth seat, the <Calamity of the Blood Flower>, snorted.
“Are they useful?”
Indeed, they were.
The Hero’s Party – Kwangmyeong, the knights, and mercenaries stationed at Gardner’s manor, despite the presence of outstanding knights and mages among the guests,
“Entry.”
Pshang!
The head of the Huntsmen swiftly breached the master’s office and unlocked the vault containing the <Celestial Barrier>.
“Amazing. Were you really once the Great Master of the Eastern Palace?”
“…”
“Since you’re silent, I take it you’re feeling better. How about it, why don’t you teach me something? Great Master of the East, December.”
“I’d like to! I’d like to learn too!”
In the gradually relaxed atmosphere, the Seven Calamities chatted amongst themselves.
“…”
The curse from the screen stopped them.
The reason being, the <Celestial Barrier> they had targeted was gone.
The chilly atmosphere that had temporarily dissipated returned instantly, and without realizing it, the <Calamity of the Blood> mumbled.
“…We’re in trouble.”
Subsequently,
Trrrrrrrrrrr!!!
An oppressive sensation, incomparable to the previous shock, erupted from the highest seat.
Pang!
Creeak!
Grrrrrrr!
The round table splitting apart, the ceiling collapsing, the six calamities shattering beneath them.
Under the barely suppressed oppression that held them just shy of death, the lone remaining man tersely spoke.
“Find and kill the Saint.”
A clean abandonment.
Simultaneously, the beginning of the next plan.
From the first seat, the six calamities who bowed their heads to the Annihilation dispersed in a flash.
The lone Annihilation stood for a long while afterward, looking at the screen and muttering.
“…Black Wolves.”
Was it your doing again this time?
If it was,
“[Failed children, you, too, are the seeds of calamity.]”
We’ll meet soon enough.
The calamities on the screen began to run rampant.
2.
It’s unfair.
I had just recovered from an accidental injury to Hestia, who fell over, and barely moments ago I was still covered in blood.
“Kyaahh!!!”
“Monsters are attacking!!”
“What!? Could it be the Black Wolves?!”
I wasn’t even able to change out of my blood-soaked clothes when the Eclipse’s attack began.
And that’s not all.
Even though I did my best to act as if nothing had happened, like a broad-minded priest and offered comfort,
“To this side, miss!!”
“A! Just, wait!! That person! That person too!!”
“If they are the Black Wolves, your safety comes first!!”
“Let go of me, Uncle Rohan!! Priest!! Priest!!”
I was completely abandoned while they spirited Hestia away.
“…Shit.”
Yeah, I understand.
‘I get it. If I was the Black Wolf lured here, you’d attack those related to Gardner first, so it makes sense to prioritize Hestia.’
Even more so since she can’t walk and you all care so deeply for the young lady who protected you from the Black Wolves.
But…
“?…?…”
Couldn’t you clear out at least one threat for me?
True, I hadn’t even been introduced as her benefactor, and with my disheveled appearance, I was naturally pushed to the backburner.
“…Priest? Are you a Free Priest?”
“Does that matter at a time like this?”
“Of course. We burn regular priests and tear the Free Priests apart.”
“Uhhh… fiery… No, I guess you’re full of vigor.”
“Ah, a Free Priest.”
Isn’t that a bit extreme?
Nahan pondered.
‘What can I do?’
Right now, I’m Ian Red.
By setting, I have the power to determine life or death just through touching someone’s belongings.
So I can’t use the power possessed by the Black Wolf or Yellow Dragon.
Certainly, if no one’s watching, I could use it secretly and turn it off, but…
“I overheard on the carriage. Hero Selena is monitoring the entire Gardner territory.”
While I don’t know the exact extent of her surveillance, it seems she hasn’t detected my disguise artifact yet because nothing’s been said.
But if I use my powers…
“Of course, I’ll be found out.”
My heart was pounding under the scrutinizing gaze inside the carriage.
So, back to square one.
‘Then what can I do?’
The meager authority bestowed upon me meant much effort had been made, but ultimately, I became a Free Priest outside the Church, this ‘Ian Red.’
So what can I, Ian Red, really do?
As my survival instincts slowly kicked in, my bloodstream circulated throughout my body.
“Are you scared? Scared to be torn apart?”
“…”
“Kil kil, of course you are.”
The shabby figure that licked the edge of a longsword snickered and approached Nahan.
“Don’t worry. The tongue that screams will be the last thing I tear out.”
Oh, thank you.
Because of that, I can keep my tongue while Nahan tensed slightly, pretending to swallow his fear and asked softly,
“Are you the Black Wolves?”
“…”
“What’s your purpose? Why did you attack?”
“…”
Silence continued.
Despite his seemingly dull voice, his training seemed proficient.
It wasn’t without merit, though.
While asking the man questions, Nahan slowly retreated while checking his status window.
(Name: Kilson)
-Title: KilKilson.
-Rank: C+ (Aura User)
-Info: Lower-ranking member under the second seat among the Seven Calamities, <The Calamity of December>, of <Huntsmen>. Former leader of the C-grade mercenary group, Kilson Mercenaries, recruited by Eclipse. Skilled with longswords and has a habit of licking blood.
*Sometimes bites his own tongue.
A C+-ranked mercenary.
Sword Expert Beginner-Competent level and capable of Aura usage.
Both the Black Wolf and Yellow Dragon possess EX-rank powers, and most of the artifacts they wear are Transcendent Grade.
Though unable to use most of their abilities due to Selena’s surveillance, preserving life while deleting the persona of ‘Ian Red’ is possible.
Skills of the Black Wolf,
Skills of the Yellow Dragon,
Regeneration from Iaso’s ring.
All these abilities don’t match the powers of ‘Ian Red,’ and Bulcanus’s ring only enhances magic resistance, making it useless in this scenario.
The Celestial Barrier also poses a high risk of exposing oneself to the Gardner family if used.
Practically, it’s a situation where there’s nothing to do except engage in close combat.
And that’s a battle against a C-rank swordsman while pretending to be a civilian.
“…Escape?”
Naturally, impossible.
The difference is like between a child and a full-grown adult due to his Aura usage.
In such a situation,
…Tuck.
The retreating footsteps stopped in a part of the mansion that resembled an alley.
“Huh, no more places to run?”
Kilson smirked and shrugged.
The boy had known it all along.
The spot where Nahan’s retreat brought him, surrounded on three sides.
“Kil kil, how should I kill you?”
A despicable smile only a predator facing trapped prey could wear.
However, he didn’t know.
“Hard.”
“What?”
“Try to kill me hard.”
The location, surrounded on three sides by fortress-like structures ensuring privacy, was not chosen by him but by Nahan.
-Your talent is survival instinct.
The talent of Nahan discovered by the big brother of the Black Dragon Sect was survival instinct, but before that…
-Isn’t it fighting?
-…That’s sort of true, too.
Indeed, it was a fight.
Looking back, Nahan had never once lost in his past life.
The reason being,
[The Demon Slayer’s Necklace(A+) has been activated.]
[“Desire! Then it will be mine!”]
[Restriction, not Plunder, is imposed on Kilson(C+)’s Aura!]
[The target’s Aura is sealed for 10 minutes!]
If the opponent to be fought was on the same level as oneself,
“I’m definitely stronger.”
Before Nahan even finished speaking, Kilson’s Aura was stifled, and he stiffened, asking,
“You…!! What did you do?!”
“I wonder? Come closer and lend an ear.”
And I’ll bite it off for you.
Nahan vs Kilson match.
“I’ll ask you after I kill you!!!”
“As you wish.”
The battle began.
3.
Aahack!
A tearing sound like cutting through the wind erupted around Tehelaran Gardner.
His destination was the backyard.
Despite many of the attackers being subdued by Kwangmyeong and the soldiers, it was curious that the head of the family would head to the backyard instead of the front.
But it couldn’t be helped.
“Please!! If it weren’t for Ian Red, I would have died!!”
Because he had heard that the savior of his daughter had been left alone.
Swiftly.
Even as he ran hard, Tehelaran was observing his surroundings.
The majority of the attackers were Upper Sword Experts, A-class experts.
Moreover, they were specialized in one-on-one combat and assassination, making it impossible for a priest known for being fragile, one with a meager granted ability like the Free Priest, to withstand them alone.
The kidnapping of Hestia,
Two attacks,
And the loss of the Celestial Barrier,
If on top of that, the man named ‘Ian Red’ were to die and the chance to repay a debt of gratitude were forfeited,
‘Just how far has the Gardner family fallen?’
As he grew more anxious, Tehelaran hastened his pace, reaching the backyard just in time.
Paaak!
Puueekk!!
A bone-chilling meat-tearing sound grabbed his attention.
“Damn!!”
These people, armed with unique weapons, intended to beat him to death. What a terrifying mindset, was it?
Gguuek.
A tremendous force gathered in his hands gripping the massive shield and short battle-axe.
‘Let me take you down with one blow.’
At the moment it came into his sight, the battle-axe that had been a lifetime companion would split the heads of four of them.
After coming to a determination and just before throwing the axe,
“…Huh?”
He unintentionally let out an astonished sound.
And for good reason,
“I! Dog! Shit! Rong! Why! Keep! Hacking! Kilkiling! What! The! Hell!!!”
“…”
“Laugh! Again!! Laugh! You, dog!! Bastard!!!”
Pheuuck! Pheuuck! Pheugueuck!
The man, who had all the features the daughter had mentioned and was definitely one of the attackers, was now being beaten and beaten again by the other.
“…I don’t understand these priests these days.”
Is there such a thing as battle priests now?
But such observation didn’t last long.
-[Failed children, you too are the seeds of calamity.]
An ominous aura began to burst forth from all over Gardner’s manor.
