Bab 49: Have You Looked In The Mirror Lately?
Once Cian pulled the trigger, a guard fell to the ground, lifeless. Every bullet found its mark, expertly piercing each guard's head with deadly accuracy.
This wasn't just beginner's luck, but the result of years of training and honing his marksmanship skills. While Cian lacked physical prowess, he made up for it by focusing solely on mastering the art of the gun.
To conquer this world, Cian knew he had to get his hands dirty. After all, no conqueror ever emerged with clean and unstained hands.
After reloading his pistol, Cian wasted no time and squeezed the trigger, dispatching three guards with lethal headshots.
Suddenly, a sense of imminent danger gripped him, and his instincts kicked in. Swiftly, he evaded a projectile that zoomed past him, embedding itself into the ground. The Paladin, relentless in pursuit, remained hot on his trail. Cian needed to find a strategic spot, somewhere that would shield him from the sniper's line of sight and protect him from the imminent bullet hurtling towards him.
'Can't find a place to hide from the sniper and these guards out here... That only leaves... the inside of the manor,' he pondered, maintaining a calm demeanor despite the chaos surrounding him.
With precision, he continued to eliminate any guard that dared to cross his path as he made his way towards the manor. Bullets flew in his direction, but he skillfully fired back, creating a shield of suppressive fire to deter them from shooting him. The manor was teeming with guards, presenting another obstacle to overcome, but Cian pressed forward, determined to reach his destination.
Despite facing some obstacles, Cian managed to enter the manor, albeit not unscathed. A searing pain shot through his body as a bullet found its mark in his shoulder. However, he refused to let it break his composure, continuing to fire his pistol relentlessly.
"Keep shooting! Take him down!" one of the guards shouted, only to meet a swift demise as Cian's bullet tore through his skull, silencing him instantly.
"...This is getting challenging," Cian muttered behind his mask. 'It would've been a breeze if not for those meddling Paladins... But now that they're in the mix, there's no turning back. You all will play your roles in my grand production,' he smirked, relishing the escalating intensity.
When his pistol finally ran dry, he swiftly took cover behind a sturdy pillar, using it as a shield. Skillfully reloading, he wasted no time, swiftly dispatching another guard with a deadly shot to the head.
But danger loomed once again. A split-second decision saved him as he instinctively moved his head, narrowly avoiding a lethal projectile that struck the pillar instead. Had he not reacted, he would have been the one taking the hit.
Cian's thoughts raced as he took cover behind the pillar. 'Even in this position, that relentless Paladin can still get a shot at me,' he silently acknowledged, a tinge of irritation creeping in. Yet, despite the predicament, he couldn't help but be impressed by the Paladin's skill. In the darkness, their shots came dangerously close to finding their mark. 'Whoever this Paladin is, they must hold a higher rank or possess remarkable abilities,' he mused to himself.
"Well," Cian spoke aloud after reloading his weapon and cocking it, his confidence unwavering, "they won't be able to stop me, though."
Emerging from his cover, he unleashed a storm of bullets upon the guards. Any who dared to reveal themselves would find a swift end with a bullet to the head. With methodical precision, Cian systematically took them down, one after another, as they foolishly attempted to retaliate.
As Cian ascended the stairs, a wave of guards revealed themselves, only to meet their demise with a bullet to the head. Cian couldn't help but marvel at their unwavering loyalty to Zolgar, despite the fact that they had no chance against him. It was baffling that they would go to such lengths to protect someone as wicked as Zolgar, a woman devoid of any redeeming qualities.
Even the most destitute beggar wouldn't stoop so low as to pledge allegiance to her.
The situation perplexed Cian. Not only was their devotion to protecting the malevolent Zolgar perplexing, but their willingness to sacrifice their lives for her was downright absurd.
'Wait... Wasn't it the same with that swine?' he pondered, his thoughts drifting back to Pigman, and his loyal followers who would lay down their lives for him. But that swine, Pigman, had committed atrocious acts that surpassed even the worst criminals. His list of atrocities was so extensive that the deeds of an ordinary criminal would pale in comparison. Kidnapping, killing, and even rape were among his orders, and yet his followers obeyed without question. It defied reason and rationality. Even if faced with a gun to their heads, a sane person, criminal or otherwise, would not entertain such depraved commands.
So why did Pigman have loyal subordinates? And why did Zolgar have them too?
As the relentless onslaught of guards continued, two new adversaries emerged, armed with rifles. The moment they pulled their triggers, a hail of bullets rained down upon Cian. Swiftly evading the deadly barrage, he sprinted out of their firing range, seeking refuge in a nearby hallway. Concealing himself behind a sturdy wall, he caught his breath.
Observing the two guards, a sudden realization struck him. 'Pirates? No, they're members of a criminal organization... I see. They weren't loyal subordinates, but merely hired guns...'
The pieces fell into place. They weren't loyal subordinates; they were simply employed for their nefarious services. Without trustworthy retainers at their disposal, the swine and the wretched woman had resorted to enlisting the aid of these criminal organization members as their subordinates.
Peeking cautiously to avoid the rain of bullets, Cian observed the two guards as they continued firing their rifles. And there, on their arms, he spotted a familiar tattoo, one he recognized from his knowledge of the criminal underworld.
'Black Dog, huh?' he thought, recalling the infamous criminal organization renowned throughout the underworld. The Black Dog were feared mafia figures, their influence stretching far and wide. 'Since both the swine and the wretched woman have connections in the underground, it's no surprise they've enlisted the services of mafia guards. But I never expected it to be the Black Dog of all organizations. Looks like we'll be making enemies with the big players sooner than I anticipated, huh?'
The Black Dog stood as one of the largest and most formidable criminal organizations in the world. They were notorious mafia figures, feared even by the Imperial Knights who preferred not to engage with them. Now, with Cian directly confronting some of their members, he knew he would be making a powerful enemy in the process.
'...Well, it's not like being on the Black Dog's bad side is a concern. We would have crossed paths with them eventually. Besides, we won't be defeated by mere mafias,' he mused, a smirk forming beneath his mask.
Retrieving a stun grenade from within his suit, he swiftly pulled the pin and tossed it, closing his eyes to shield them from the blinding flash. The deafening sound of the explosion and a ringing in his ears followed, but his vision remained intact.
Seizing the opportunity, Cian emerged from his hiding spot, firing at the disoriented enemies. Within a mere ten seconds, they lay lifeless on the floor.
"Now, it's your turn, Zolgar Zuldrake," he declared, determination coursing through his veins. With that, he proceeded to a room where Zolgar was likely to be found.
Upon entering, he was met with a surprising sight. Two old women sat across from each other, calmly sipping tea. Their composed demeanor left Cian momentarily shocked, despite his best efforts to remain unfazed.
How could they remain so unnervingly calm, even after the cacophony of gunshots just outside the room? It became apparent to Cian that their composed demeanor stemmed from knowing that the guards would swiftly dispose of him, rendering any nervousness unnecessary.
Unable to contain himself, Cian burst into laughter. "He... Ha... Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha!"
The sound of his laughter startled the old women, their tranquility shattered.
"W-What's happening?!" Zolgar shrieked, her eyes widening as she took in his presence at the doorway. "You... You're the trespasser, aren't you?!"
Cian managed to suppress his laughter, but a hint of amusement still lingered in his voice. "That's right. How audacious of you to think those ruffians could actually kill me! You truly lack caution, you wretched old woman!"
Zolgar, regaining her composure, retorted sharply, her voice filled with indignation. "You insignificant scum! Who are you to call me an old woman?! I'm not that old!"
"Really? Your face and wrinkles seem to suggest otherwise! And let's not forget, you're already seventy years old!"
Zolgar's face twisted with anger at Cian's taunt about her age. "You insolent rat! How dare you mock me like this!"
Cian grinned, thoroughly enjoying getting under her skin. "Mock you? No, I'm simply stating the obvious. Your withered appearance speaks volumes. Tell me, have you looked in the mirror lately?"
Zolgar seethed, her voice laced with venom. "You insolent fool! I may not be a spring chicken, but I am far from feeble! You'll regret crossing paths with me!"
Cian chuckled, his tone dripping with sarcasm. "Oh, I'm trembling with fear. You and your decrepit self can try all you want, but it won't change the fact that you're nothing but an aging relic."
As the insults flew back and forth, Cian seized the opportunity to delve into the depths of Zolgar's wickedness. "You know, Zolgar, it's quite amusing how you've orchestrated kidnapping and rape, let criminals roam freely within the kingdom, and even engaged in despicable scams. Truly, your moral compass must be nonexistent."
Zolgar's eyes widened, a mixture of fury and fear flickering across her face. "How... How do you know about those things? Who are you?"
Cian smirked, relishing in the moment. "Let's just say I have my ways of uncovering secrets. Now, let me address your companion over there." Turning his attention to the other woman, he spoke her name with a sense of authority. "Briar Wool, isn't it? Your rap sheet is quite impressive too, involving yourself in similar heinous acts as your dear friend Zolgar. Birds of a feather, I suppose."
Briar Wool's composed facade cracked. "How... How did you...?"
"Don't waste any more breath," he coldly interrupted her, leveling the gun at her trembling form. Without a moment's hesitation, he pulled the trigger, and the deafening sound of the gunshot filled the air. Briar's lifeless body crumpled to the ground.
"Because that," he added with chilling finality, "will be your last."
Zolgar's world shattered in an instant. She watched in disbelief as Briar's lifeless body crumpled to the ground, the echoes of the gunshot still ringing in her ears. Paralyzed by shock, her mind struggled to process the horrifying scene unfolding before her.
A sudden sensation of wetness on her face jolted Zolgar back to reality. Her trembling hand instinctively reached up to investigate, only to come into contact with a thick, sticky liquid. As her trembling fingers brushed against the substance, she recoiled in terror, realizing that it was Briar's blood that now stained her skin.
"Hiii!" Zolgar's voice pierced the air, a high-pitched shriek escaping her lips as she desperately tried to put some distance between herself and the gruesome aftermath. Her wide eyes locked onto Cian, fear engulfing her every fiber.
"Time for your demise as well," he uttered with chilling indifference.
"N-No!" Zolgar's plea fell on deaf ears as she found herself abruptly landing on the ground, her rear hitting the floor with a thud. The sight before her was harrowing—Cian aimed the gun squarely at her, his intentions unmistakably clear.
But as Cian pulled the trigger, the room was filled not with the expected gunshot, but with a hollow click. His bullets had run dry. Undeterred, he frantically pulled the trigger again and again, hoping for even a single bullet to be left, yet each attempt yielded nothing more than a dry, maddening clack, echoing through the air.
"H-He... He... You're out of bullets, huh?" Zolgar managed to stammer, a glimmer of hope mingled with her fear. "It seems that fate isn't on your side! Now, you will pay for your insolence, you insignificant rat! Guards! Take care of this intruder immediately!" she shouted, her voice quivering with a newfound confidence.
However, Cian's laughter cut through the tense atmosphere, filling the room with its chilling echo. "Ah, the guards... You see, you old bat, they won't be rushing to your aid. They lie strewn across the floor, their lifeblood pooling beneath them."
Zolgar's eyes widened in disbelief and fear. "Y-You... You killed them all?"
"Have you heard any footsteps approaching to save you?" Cian taunted, his voice dripping with malevolence. "No, I didn't think so. It appears fate has forsaken you as well. Or perhaps, it's favoring me. After all, I still have countless ways to end your pitiful existence. You're just an old woman, after all," he sneered, revealing an object shaped like a square, while simultaneously grasping what appeared to be a detonator. It didn't take long for Zolgar to realize that the item in his hand was a bomb.
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