Dark Fantasy: Super Coward Mode

Chapter 129

The Outer Gods approached us slowly, their tension palpable, enough to make my skin crawl.

The Outer Gods near Londan were generally the type who took their mission of killing humans very seriously.

Whether it was for fun or hatred, I couldn’t be sure.

Judging by the twisted expressions on these particular Outer Gods, it seemed to be the latter.

Perhaps it was because they’d been constantly encroached upon—or maybe because the Outer God Slayer Woman had been active nearby.

Regardless, the chances of forming any kind of friendship with these Outer Gods was effectively zero.

Which meant we had no choice but to subdue them.

"Three of them, just right. Let’s each take one," the Martial God said with a sly grin, clearly relishing the upcoming fight.

His expression was a perfect reflection of his personality, someone who found joy in combat.

Even after fighting Outer Gods fiercely the day before, he was still eager for more.

This man must truly be a descendant of the Vikings.

"Ah, it’s been a while since I’ve had a nice, quiet fight!"

He declared, spouting a contradictory statement, and then surged forward with heavy, yet astonishingly swift steps.

Despite his heavily muscled frame, the speed at which he moved was remarkable.

"Let’s go too," Muyeon said, watching her father charge ahead.

"Right."

The moment we moved, the Outer Gods shifted into battle stances and started throwing projectiles—shuriken-like weapons.

Ninjas, perhaps?

I couldn’t help but think that Outer Gods were far trendier than Londan’s knights.

None of the shuriken reached us, though.

The Martial God deflected every single one with wild swings of his ominous-looking axes.

"You sneaky bastards! Fight me head-on!"

When the shuriken stopped coming, the Martial God leaped.

Quite literally, he leaped into the air, lingering in the sky for an unusually long time due to his powerful jump.

In the blink of an eye, he closed the distance between himself and the Outer Gods. Before they could properly react—

"Ha-ha-ha! Come at me, Outer Gods!"

The Martial God swung his worn axe over his head and brought it down.

The Outer Gods scattered in an instant.

Boom!

With a resounding crash, a sizable crater appeared where his axe struck.@@@@

"What the—?!"

"Humans this strong usually don’t come here unless it’s that dark-looking guy!"

"Something’s seriously wrong lately! It’s so unfair!"

Their voices were filled with a pitiful sense of injustice, but it didn’t change the fact that they were mass murderers preying on weaker humans.

It seemed we’d stumbled upon another group of nasty Outer Gods.

"Don’t run! Stand and fight!" the Martial God roared.

"Eek!"

Even after delivering such a devastating blow, he twisted his body and charged at the fleeing Outer Gods, terrifying them even further.

But he wasn’t the only human here.

"Hyaah!"

Muyeon, having shaken off most of her fear, rushed toward one of the panicked Outer Gods and swung her oversized training axe.

The Outer God narrowly dodged her attack—

"Something on your mind, Tanton?" he asked, tilting his head.

"I couldn’t help but be impressed by how the Martial God fights."

"Well, his style is always bold and flamboyant—quite a spectacle."

I prodded him subtly, and he responded with a satisfied smile.

"Given your own combat style, you’ll grow into something similar. No need to feel envious."

"That’s high praise."

His compliment caught me off guard, and I felt my face flush with slight embarrassment.

Still, it seemed unlikely I’d ever reach their level.

"Come to think of it, you and the Martial God have some similarities. Unlike us, who kill Outer Gods however we can, he believes many of them are pitiable. That’s why he decapitates them cleanly—to minimize their suffering."

...What?

Hearing that, I couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow in disbelief.

"He killed the last one by striking its side with his axe."

"What? That doesn’t sound like him. He usually delays the fight just to ensure he can strike a clean blow to the neck."

The Vice Commander looked genuinely shocked, but I clearly remembered the Martial God’s smug expression after striking the Outer God’s side.

The Vice Commander rested his chin on his hand, deep in thought, before nodding as if coming to a conclusion.

"Well, he’s been fighting Outer Gods alone for a long time. In a life-or-death situation, he might have chosen efficiency over principle."

Perhaps because they were friends, the Vice Commander seemed to rationalize the Martial God’s actions, gazing sympathetically at the tightly shut door he had exited through.

Choosing extreme efficiency to protect one’s own life.

If the Martial God truly thought like me...

I knew I would never make that choice.

"Sir Tanton!"

"Muyeon?"

I found Muyeon waiting by the brazier, alone.

"Didn’t you leave with your father?"

"I had something to say..."

Muyeon fidgeted with her fingers, looking embarrassed as she hesitated to speak.

It seemed she had finally gathered her resolve.

With wide, earnest eyes, she looked at me.

"Thank you... for earlier."

"For what?"

"For... helping me feel proud of myself by pointing out my accomplishments to my father. I’ve always wanted him to see me succeed, and you made that happen."

Ah.

That.

"When he missed my attack, I felt too self-conscious to bring it up myself, but you told him for me!"

...That’s not what happened.

The Martial God definitely saw her attack.

There’s no way he could have missed it from that angle.

Unaware, Muyeon was simply expressing her gratitude.

"It’s nothing. Really."

"...You’re always so kind to me. It’s... confusing..."

"Sorry?"

"N-Never mind! I’ll get going now!"

Muyeon muttered to herself, then startled as if realizing something, and ran off somewhere.

Watching her retreating figure, I made a decision.

I’d need to investigate further.

For Muyeon’s sake.