The Mercenary Slayer Of Holy Knights

The stale air continued to irritate my lungs, but with each inspiration, a notification of my system was displayed before my eyes.

「Toxic gas absorbed」

「Reinforced immunity: +0.1%」

It was almost fascinating. My body adapted to the environment in real time, slowly absorbing the poison and transforming it into natural resistance.

It's all good, but I would prefer not to have to breathe this bastard longer.

I will take the plunge, hoping to leave this morbid area quickly, but a distinct noise made me slow down. Rustles. Light steps. A presence that became more and more obvious.

Then they appeared.

Gobelins. An entire army, coming out of shadows and toxic mist like cockroaches attracted by a carrion. There were many, at least thirty. Armed with spears, Massuas, and some rusty weapons recovered from corpses.

One of them, larger and more imposing than the others, advanced and growled in an incomprehensible language.

「Kraahh Z'Guhr Akta, Shivak Nor!」

I put an eyebrow.

"Ah, yeah ... of course. I also like apples."

The goblin frowned and growing stronger.

「Graaahk visuuuuk!」

"Are you sure of that? I prefer oranges."

The goblins were visibly upset by my attitude. Some lifted their weapons, and the great chef raised a hand, as if to give an attack signal.

Well ... it looks like the politeness time is over.

The next moment, they charged.

Without even thinking, I drew my sword, akatsuki.

The black blade split the air in a whistle, and in a fraction of a second, the head of the goblin on the front line detached from his body, rolling on the ground in a thud.

Then everything stopped.

The air became heavy.

The atmosphere took care of overwhelming pressure.

The murderous intention of Akatsuki had just been released.

A thrill covered the Horde de Gobelins. Some trembled, others let go of their weapons. But it was already too late for them.

In an instant, the bodies began to collapse. One by one, they fell to the ground, their eyes repulsed, their mouths ajar in a last silent rattle. They hadn't even had time to understand what happened to them.

Only silence remained.

It's always the same ... Akatsuki's deadly targeted intention is an immediate death sentence. I don't even need to move, they simply die by feeling the desire I have to kill them.

My system immediately activated:

「You eliminated 37 goblins.」

「Exp won: + 1,200」

「Current level: 81 → 82」

「New title obtained: exterminator of goblins」

I examined the notification by raising an eyebrow.

"Gobelins exterminator? Seriously ?"

It was not very glorious, but it remained a title.

I got back to Akatsuki and threw up a last look at the corpses before resuming my journey.

It's time to leave this place. The City of Pleasures is no longer very far away.

A new notification appeared before me.

「You have reached level 82」

「You have obtained 20 statistical points」

Without wasting time, I opened my interface and began to distribute my points:

Force: (133) +5 (to increase my raw power, always useful in combat.)

Agility:(200) +5 (I'm already fast, but being more elusive never hurts.)

Endurance: (180) +5 (I crossed a dead area full of poison, it is better to strengthen my resistance.)

Intelligence: (200) +5 (even if the magic is forbidden to me, a sharp mind is better than a brainless muscle.)

「Updated statistics」

A familiar feeling crossed my body while my new capacities were adjusted. My body became lighter, stronger, more resistant.

Perfect. Now, more time to waste.

I had a great inspiration and launched myself forward.

With a leap, I propelled my body to superhuman speed, breaking the ground under my feet. The air around me began to vibrate, then crack. I was running at an absurd speed, far beyond that of sound.

Boom!

Each step caused an explosion of shock waves, lifting clouds of dust and shaking the ground.

At this appearance, I covered miles in a few seconds. What was to be a two -day trip ultimately took only one day.

Then, in the distance, I finally saw it.

The City of Pleasures.

Unlike the city of bandits, where the stench of blood and violence reigned, this place seemed ... alive.

Lights sparkle from all sides, laughter and bewitching melodies resounded in the air. Buildings decorated with colorful lanterns bordered the animated streets, exotic dancers were performing sensual performance on outrades in the open air, and the intoxicating smell of alcohol and bewitching perfumes floated in the atmosphere.

I slowed down my race and stopped at the entrance, observing this place where vice and pleasure were kings.

If the city of bandits was a nest of vipers where only the strongest survived here it was an illusory paradise where entertainment reigned supreme.

I folded my eyes.

But I knew that beyond the attractive facades, this city also hid its own dangers.

I was walking insured towards the entrance to the City of Pleasures. The contrast to the city of bandits was striking: here, everything seemed more ... organized. Admittedly, chaos reigned below the surface, but at first glance, the city looked more like a sanctuary of pleasures than a lair of criminals.

However, even before I reached the immense doors of solid wood reinforced with metal, two mercenaries in light armor advanced and barred the road.

One of them pointed out his sword towards me.

"Stop! Identify yourself!"

I haired an eyebrow. It was the first time that I was asked to introduce myself at the entrance to a city in Chaos.

They are cautious. Too cautious.

The other mercenary, a colossus with protruding muscles and with sharp eyes, spoke:

"We do not let anyone enter without verification. What is your identity and affiliation? "

Reinforced security, huh? No wonder.

It was well known that the City of Pleasures was not only a place of entertainment, but also a hideout of influential businessmen and powerful criminals. Here, money and information circulated freely, but the risks too.

The kingdom of Solaria, and in particular its damn holy knights, had never stopped trying to infiltrate this city.

Many corrupt nobles and chiefs of merchant guilds with interests contrary to the kingdom had settled here, using the city as a sanctuary sheltered from royal laws. If a spy or a murderer of the Holy Knights managed to infiltrate, the consequences could be disastrous.

This is why such security was necessary.

I crossed my arms and cast a piercing look at the two mercenaries.

"Arhon Kurogane, independent mercenary. Affiliation: None."

The two men looked at each other, hesitant. One of them frowned.

"Arhon Kurogane ... This name tells me something."

I sighed inside. Of course my name said something to them.

This is the second time in a day that my name has aroused reactions. Am I so famous?

I raised a hand, showing my mercenary badge.

"I'm here for business, not to sow chaos. Are you going to let me enter, or will I have to go into force?"

The mercenaries crisp. One of them whispered in his colleague, and after a moment of exchange, they lowered their weapons.

"Very well, Kurogane mercenary. But do not cause a problem here."

I smiled slightly and passed the doors.

The City of Pleasures ... Let's see what you have to offer me.