NOVEL WEB Chapter 207
Chapter 207
The security spells embedded throughout the hotel began to wail.
Wiiiiiiing!
Standing guard at the entrance, Deputy Knight Commander Yorden let out a deep sigh.
“They couldn’t control their bloodlust and caused trouble after all.”
From the moment Commander Merriott had ordered him to escort these individuals to the hotel, Yorden had anticipated this outcome. After all, they were the ones who had served a criminal lord.
Amidst the commotion inside, two knights came rushing out.
“Deputy Commander!”
“Jimmy and Kenbell, who were guarding the stairs on the 8th floor, have been taken down!”
Yorden’s eyes widened at the knights’ report.
“How could the knights of the Blazing Order fail to stop such rookies?!”
At his harsh reprimand, the two knights of the Blazing Order hung their heads low in shame.
Clicking his tongue in frustration, Yorden issued his command.
“Bring every available man, even those on break, and block this entrance.”
“And you, Deputy Commander…?”
Yorden glanced sharply at the hotel’s entrance.
“I’ll make sure those bastards are escorted to their rooms without further incident.”
* * *
At that moment…
Tatata-tat! Tatatat!
The knights of Armenia burst out of their rooms, sprinting down the corridor at breakneck speed.
“You’re pretty slow, you brute.”
“Shut up, you muscle-bound pig!”
Leading the charge, Roman and Cruel exchanged their usual banter. As soon as they broke through the doors, they knocked out two knights almost simultaneously. Roman, however, was just a fraction faster.
Seeing Roman’s smug grin, Cruel shouted, “If we were killing them, I’d have been quicker!”
“Is that so? Well, if you say so,” Roman replied dismissively, causing Cruel to glare at him.
“Ugh! Can you two stop bickering? Do you really want to have a lovers’ quarrel in this situation?!” Charles, trailing behind, scolded them.
The two men turned their heads, incredulous. “Are you serious?”
“She’s been watching too many weird shows lately,” Roman muttered.
“Focus ahead!” Charles yelled, eyes wide.
In unison, Roman and Cruel summoned their mana.
Zzzzt!
Their swords gleamed with a sharp aura. Ahead, three knights of the Blazing Order stood ready, weapons drawn.
“Left.”
“I’ll take the right!”
With a shout, Roman and Cruel dashed forward.
Tatata-tat! Tatatat!
They split, each charging towards their respective targets, swords at the ready.
Whoosh!
“Who would’ve thought they’d be able to wield sword aura at their age?”
“These are the talents the commander wanted to recruit.”
“Indeed.”
The three knights of the Blazing Order frowned as they watched Roman and Cruel approach.
Zzzzt!
Their swords also ignited with a fiery red aura, the signature technique of the Blazing Order, the Scorching Sword Aura.
They braced themselves for the incoming attack.
“I’m going first!” Cruel shouted, slamming his foot into the ground. His figure blurred as he sped forward.
Boom!
He tore up the corridor floor, appearing in front of the leftmost knight.
“What the—?!”
Caught off guard by his speed, the knight hastily swung his sword.
But…
“Oops!”
Swish!
Cruel sidestepped, causing the knight’s blade to slice through empty air. Seizing the opening, Cruel struck.
Flash! Slash!
His crimson saw-toothed sword, Bloodbath, ripped through the knight’s thigh. The shark-like teeth of Bloodbath shredded the knight’s leg in an instant.
“Argh!”
Thud!
The knight collapsed, blood pouring from his wound, his leg numb from the severed nerves.
“Don’t bother fighting anymore. Use this to stop the bleeding.” Cruel tossed a bandage to the fallen knight before leaping towards his next target.
* * *
Roman’s combat style was entirely different from Cruel’s.
BOOM!
Instead of dodging the blazing knight’s slashes, Roman blocked them head-on, pushing forward with brute force. Though his cheek and the exposed skin outside his armor bore scratches, they were as shallow as if made by fingernails rather than a blade.
“You… you crazy…!”
The blazing knight chuckled nervously as his slashes failed to inflict any real damage. Then, something caught his eye—the distance between him and Roman had shrunk from over a hundred paces to barely ten.
‘Gotta retreat!’
As he thought this and tried to step back, Roman’s eyes flashed, and he lunged forward.
CRASH!
Cracks spread like spiderwebs across the solid cement floor. At the same time,
WHOOSH!
Roman charged at an incredible speed. His massive build made his rush overwhelmingly powerful. The blazing knight gritted his teeth; Roman was too fast.
‘Gotta block…!’
As he raised his sword,
SHING!
A massive greatsword, never before seen, emerged from Roman’s back, its dark gray blade gleaming.
BOOM!
The two swords collided with a tremendous crash, driving the blazing knight’s feet into the ground. Roman’s strength pinned him down, sword and all.
‘This brute!’
The blazing knight’s eyes widened at Roman’s overwhelming power.
CRUNCH!
Before he knew it, he was buried up to his knees in the ground. Any longer, and his body would be crushed. But the pressure suddenly vanished as Roman released his grip.
“Hmm.”
Roman looked at his handiwork with satisfaction, sheathing his greatsword. As he walked past, he said,
“Wait here until someone comes to rescue you.”
* * *
“Ugh!”
The last remaining blazing knight was taken down by Charles and twenty Armenian knights. The knight, looking like a porcupine with daggers sticking out of his body, collapsed forward.
Cruel’s eyes widened as he shouted, “I told you not to kill him!”
“He’s not dead! I avoided the vital points, so stop worrying and clear the path!”
“Oh, right.”
Feeling sheepish, Cruel scratched his head and started down the stairs. Roman followed, chuckling and teasing him.
“This time, I was faster.”
“Just lucky.”
“Not luck, you idiot!”
“They’re coming again.”
Soldiers and knights, armed and ready, were coming up the stairs.
“Tsk.”
The two of them launched themselves at the approaching enemies. With each thrust of Cruel’s sword, soldiers screamed, and with each swing of Roman’s greatsword, knights’ bones shattered.
Those following behind them were in awe of their unstoppable advance.
“Cruel might be a jerk, but his skills are the real deal.”
“And Roman isn’t any less impressive. Even back then, his strength was fit for a general.”
Thanks to Cruel and Roman’s efforts, the Armenian knights easily made it to the first floor. But then they noticed the two had stopped.
“Why aren’t they moving?”
“What’s up?”
The Armenian knights peered over Cruel and Roman’s shoulders. Blocking the hotel entrance was a group.
“Twenty knights…”
“And the one leading them is the vice-captain, I heard.”
“A… a superhuman…”
Cruel glared at the opponent with cold eyes. The presence he felt was far greater than anyone he had faced before, overshadowing the other knights behind him.
‘So this is a superhuman…’
Cruel spoke up, “Hey, old man. You’re not planning to step aside, are you?”
The opponent, Yorden, smirked. “Of course not. The captain told us not to interfere, but after this grand mess you’ve made…”
A massive killing intent emanated from him.
“Even the captain won’t be able to say anything now.”
* * *
The atmosphere in the hotel lobby grew tense as the superhuman unleashed his killing intent. The Armenian knights turned pale under Yorden’s oppressive aura. Only three resisted—Cruel, Roman, and Charles.
Cruel crouched, ready to spring forward at any moment. Roman gripped his greatsword tightly, prepared to counterattack. Charles, deciding to support from behind, held a dagger instead of a sword.
Roman, eyes fixed on Yorden, spoke to Cruel. “You go.”
“Scared, are you?”
Despite his taunt, Cruel carefully studied Yorden’s openings. He knew he had to take the lead.
‘I’m the fastest. I’ll distract him, and Roman will land a powerful hit. If I get in trouble, Charles will cover me.’
Without needing detailed discussion, the three knew their roles.
Thud.
Cruel’s front foot pressed into the ground.
Whoosh!
Like an arrow, Cruel shot towards Yorden, using mana without restraint. The speed was enough to stir the air in the enclosed space. Yorden’s lips curled into a smirk.
“I see your level.”
“What’s with that look, old man?”
In an instant, Cruel closed the distance, infusing his blade with mana and aiming for Yorden’s chest.
Swish!
The blade flew fiercely, but Yorden sidestepped with a single step, dodging the attack. Cruel’s momentum carried him forward.
“Because you are a rookie.”
Yorden chuckled and kicked Cruel’s exposed side. It seemed like a light kick, but the result was anything but.
Crash!
Cruel tumbled across the floor, slamming into the wall. Yorden scoffed at the sight.
At that moment, he spun and kicked into the air.
Smack!
The dagger, secretly thrown, was deflected back.
Thud!
“Ugh!”
Charles clutched her arm and fell to her knees, having been hit by her own dagger. Yorden turned his gaze to see Roman charging at him, teeth gritted.
“Haap!”
With a loud shout, Roman swung his greatsword at Yorden.
Whoosh!
Yorden finally drew his sword to meet the attack.
Clang!
Roman, who had always overpowered his opponents, found himself struggling.
Boom!
The shockwave from their clash swept through the lobby. For the first time, Roman was being pushed back. His greatsword tilted towards him, and his feet sank into the floor.
“Hmm.”
Roman groaned, using all his strength, but it was futile. Despite nearing the ground, his eyes burned with determination. He refused to give in.
Yorden frowned at Roman’s stubbornness. “Annoying.”
He swiftly withdrew his sword and kicked Roman’s jaw.
“Ugh!”
Roman, who had fought to the end, finally fell, his head hitting the floor.
Yorden clicked his tongue, having defeated the three most troublesome opponents. “Struggling against these weaklings? Looks like the troops have gotten lazy.”
He decided to drill the knights hard after this, turning his gaze to the frozen Armenian knights. Yorden’s lips curled into a grin.
“Now, let’s deal with the rest.”