บท 27: Consecutive Kills

'First kill.'

Despite having already caused the death of a third of the squad, Leo only counted the first victim to be his first kill. The reason for that was simple, this was his first intentional kill.

Unlike the first two who simply died due to their ignorance of the 'field' he had set, or the other two that were killed by the inaccurate knives that he threw for the sake of intimidation, Leo had particularly killed this man using his battle plan.

Considering that he lacked both physical strength and sword breath at the moment, Leo had set his 'field' for the sake of killing the Fanged Wolves' team. Unlike the straight-forward traps set on the edge of the 'field', the ones that were installed deeper into the circle were designed so that they would kill every target in their 'area' as long as they were triggered. The true purpose of the throwing knives was none other than to force the thugs to fall into the traps he had installed.

Although this didn't count as true confrontation either, Leo believed that the kills he earned through this method were his since he was forcefully 'handicapped'.

'Eight more to go…'

As silence pervaded for a few seconds, Leo stared back at what was left of the dozen-men squad who were hiding behind their leader, making calculations to prepare their path to death.

"Freaking cowards! How long are you going to stay still like this?! Are you gonna cower in place just because that dog died thanks to his incompetence?"

The scar-faced leader's temper flared as he perceived the boy's stare as if he was mocking them. Feeling both shame and anger, he drew his sword and roused his sword breath to intimidate the rest of the men.

However, unlike the first man who was quick to accept his fate in fear, these men who had witnessed his fate weren't as eager to try their luck. Even in the face of confirmed death, dying to these traps covered in horrible poison seemed more intimidating…

"I see… Since none of you want to do it, how about I do it instead?"

Hearing their boss' magnanimous suggestion, the horror on the subordinates' faces subsided. Whether the boss really caught the kid or not didn't really matter, as long as he either succeeded or died to the traps, they would survive this seemingly never-ending night! However…

"But."

Swoosh!

"If I'm to do it myself, then I have no need for the rest of you!"

Rattle… Rattle…

Just as the men were rejoicing deep inside, horror found its way to their faces once more as they stared at the object that rolled their way.

The object itself shared the look on their faces. After all, it was nothing other than the head of the man standing the closest to the scar-faced man!

Thud!

"I will do it!"

As the corpse of the man collapsed to the ground, the man that was closest to him shouted to announce his willingness to follow the boss' command, fear controlling his mind once more.

'...Seven more to go.'

Ever since the possibility of intimidating the Fanged Wolves' team to leave from the very start had vanished once, Leo didn't consider it anymore. In fact, he was 'grateful' to the boss for being so resolute.

Having already revealed his plan, it would be more detrimental if the leader was to act more reasonably. With the possibility of a tactical retreat to counter his 'field' out of the way, Leo was confident to survive his ordeal.

"Then go."

Having surrendered to his will to live even a second longer, the second subordinate picked up a small pebble from the ground to imitate his predecessor's method.

Although using a larger object to detect the trap seemed like a better method, with the example of the earlier victim dying to the spreading steel arrows, triggering traps indiscriminately was scarier than securing a step's space.

Despite the fear of the poisoned knives still persisting, the man took his chances and used the same path his predecessor had used.

Chhit!

However, he still didn't dare to relax, his worry proving necessary as he heard the sound of the boy drawing another knife.

"Hah!"

Expecting this to happen, the man didn't panic with the earlier experience as his guide, quickly moving backward and stepping back on his colleague's body where the steel arrows trap had already triggered.

"Who's smart now?"

Feeling smug about himself for surviving the boy's trick, the man smiled at him. However…

"Khaak."

Something had lodged itself into his body!

'Second kill.'

Unlike the last time, Leo didn't stand still, instead, he threw one knife after the other, managing to land one on the smug man's body thanks to him standing still for a few seconds.

"Do I need to waste my breath on all of you again?"

Unaffected by the man's death as if he had already got used to it, the scar-faced leader glared at the rest of his subordinates, prompting the one currently closest to him to silently walk towards the shack.

"Gkahk!"

'...third kill?'

Fortunately for Leo, the man didn't seem to have particularly learned anything from the earlier two experiences. Despite using the same method as them, he walked carelessly enough to trigger a trap before he even reached the two dead bodies piled on top of each other…

"Ptuff! Stupid!"

Spitting on the ground, the scar-faced leader cursed the man for his 'noble sacrifice', glaring at the next man to proceed.

As if they had already resigned to their fate, the turn whose turn had come walked into the 'field' sweat piling on his forehead.

Acting as carefully as possible by taking each step after testing for traps every single time, the man successfully crossed the three dead bodies and reached the farthest spot ever reached by the Fanged Wolves' team.

Wherr!

Regrettably, as if his luck had reached its end, the man classically fell to another trap while trying to avoid another throwing knife.

'Fourth… kill.'

However, despite managing to reduce the number of his opponents to less than a third, Leo wasn't exactly cheerful as his body tensed up. After all…

'It's time.'

A straight path to him was completely cleared!