## Chapter 253 – The Butcher of the Beach
“Ilga Silgak Techaaaaaaa!!!”
There were too many fishmen!
Having already seized every corner of the alleyways and main streets, the fishmen, with their lidless eyes gleaming, hunted humans!
—Kkyaaaaak!
—Uwaaaak!
Fleeing soldiers and adventurers fought back, only to be stabbed by the fishmen’s harpoons from all sides and collapse to the ground.
Three against one.
The fishmen remembered an old, forgotten adage, and they acted as it dictated. They were the fishmen who drank water!
“Ugh! God!”
“You fucking fish bastards!”
“Hey! Hey! Behind you! Someone watch the rear, you morons, aaaaak!!”
The individual combat strength of the fishmen was certainly inferior to that of the adventurers who had lived by the sword. The same went for the professionally trained soldiers.
But when the fishmen, armed with the ultimate weapon called the ‘trident,’ formed an army and swarmed in droves, there was simply no answer.
And for some reason, the fishmen were incredibly desperate. Not the attitude that simple invaders would show… They seemed to be throwing away their lives not for themselves, but for something ‘else’!
It was a truly fanatical fervor…!
Only the same fanatics can defeat an army of fanatics who throw away their own lives as if they were nothing!
—Chwajak!
“Fire Blast!”
—Pabababak!
We were barely escaping thanks to the fantastic combination of Claudia clearing the path, Winia using magic to eliminate the attacking fishmen, and me protecting Winia as she chanted.
Even so, the fishmen kept swarming in.
Even if we killed them and cleared the way, the number of fishmen pouring in from the sea itself overwhelmed the number of humans. The fact that this was a port city was the cause of our defeat. Not only had they seized the port, but the fishmen were landing anywhere connected to the water!
“Fire Bolt!”
—Hwiik!
—Peogeong!
Winia focused solely on chanting even as she ran.
“Siljang Swordsmanship!”
—Jweeeeek!
I protected Winia by skewering the fishmen who broke through the gaps with my sword. I couldn’t let her interrupt her spell. Protecting the mage was the tanker’s mission.
No one can touch my Winia!
I’m the only one who can touch Winia!
—Chwajajak!
We ran along the path Claudia had cleared.
The fishmen charged fiercely like the last three hundred warriors of the ancient kingdom of Sparta, but when Claudia, kicking off the ground and shooting like a cannonball, slashed through the space, they were turned into sashimi and scattered their innards.
“Claudia-mama is the best, dejaaaaaaaat!!!”
But that, too, wouldn’t last forever.
No matter how powerful a warrior Claudia was, there were clear limits to her stamina and mana. If you poured enough quantity, even the most skilled person couldn’t handle it.
There’s no match for numbers.
Even the many gods who ruled the Earth died from being ganged up on!
“Too many!”
Claudia said, looking back.
“Jotmaaaaaaaang!!!”
Even our Claudia is helpless against this many!
It felt like that time I almost died in the Kobold Dungeon!
—Jweeek!
A fishman, using his comrade as a shield to block the Fire Bolt, lunged at me, brandishing a coral sword. Even as my stamina was running out from running, I focused my senses and unleashed Siljang Swordsmanship.
“Get lost, you bastard!”
Siljang Swordsmanship is the ultimate swordsmanship honed through actual combat and murder! It’s an ultimate secret technique that can never be matched by a fishman’s clumsy underwater swordsmanship!
—Shwiik!
The fiercely thrusting blade tore through the fishman’s wrist and forearm, skewering him like a kebab. I pulled out the sword without even glancing at him and ran on.
That series of movements flowed like water without any pause. My skills have definitely improved compared to before. I could see the trajectory of the enemy’s attacks, and I could wield my sword like an extension of my limbs.
“…Damn it!”
But now my heart felt like it was about to explode.
In a state of extreme concentration, I endured the pain of my throbbing heart and simply inhaled and exhaled. I had to focus on my breathing. Once my breathing was disrupted, there was no stopping it!
The moment my concentration broke, my breathing would go to hell, and then I wouldn’t be able to run anymore. I focused my transcendental concentration, paying attention to the attacking fishmen, the direction Claudia was going, and Winia’s condition.
—Run!
“Hey, Darkie! Throw away the backpack!”
Winia shouted fiercely, noticing that I was struggling. Hehe, is she worried about me? Our Winia has become much cuter.
“—I can’t do that.”
But I won’t throw it away.
I won’t throw it away.
I won’t let go.
“What! Why!”
This contains my dreams and hopes that I wouldn’t trade for anything…! So I can never throw it away! Micro bikinis! Sling bikini! And swimsuits in one-piece and tank top styles, and sexy traditional clothes that well represent the open atmosphere of the port city!
I won’t let go of any of them.
I draw out the inner.
Mana.
I get stronger every time I overcome my limits! That’s how it’s been so far, and that’s how it will be in the future! “Uooooooo!!!” I replace the pain with a shout! At the same time, a boiling, fanatical power! Unbelievable stamina springs forth!
I convert mana into stamina!
Now I can reach that realm—
—I reached it.
“If you’re having a hard time, Darkie, throw it away quickly! Quickly!”
“No! This contains my dreams and hopes!”
So I answer.
Winia shouted again.
“You perverted bastard obsessed with swimsuits! Aaaagh! I’ll wear anything you want when we get back, so throw it away! I’ll do anything you want, so please!”
“You’ll do anything?”
“Yes! I’ll do anything, so please throw it away!”
That was the final blow.
I spread the surging power throughout my body.
“Thank you, Winia.”
The strength of my muscles, which had been exhausted to the limit, quickly recovered. I couldn’t even control my breathing, but the strength of my muscles had recovered.
Then I can run more.
“Your words gave me strength.”
“Whaaat?!”
“I’m overflowing with power!”
An unstoppable impulse! I ran vigorously again! Slaughtering the attacking fishmen, chasing after Claudia, and escorting Winia at the same time!
I finally caught up with Claudia.
“I can’t do it anymore!”
Claudia, who had built a mountain of fishmen corpses, said that!
“I’m fucked! Uwaaaaaaaa!!!!”
“You just said you were overflowing with power, you idiot!!!”
Claudia had shown inhuman power and broke through the wall of endlessly appearing fishmen, but she had finally reached her limit! I felt despair! There was still a long way to go to escape the city!
The fishmen were swarming, and the people who had been faint were now not even visible.
“Now, fuck…! Fuck, let’s just run!”
I grabbed the hands of the two women and ran.
“Da, Darkie, beside you!”
“Katt, watch out!”
I immediately let go of their hands. We were already surrounded! On both sides! And behind! Fishmen making jweeek sounds from three directions were rushing in! At that moment, a building appeared in front of us.
Damn it, a wall here… No, it’s not!
“Let’s go in!”
“What! How do you know!”
“There’s no other answer right now!”
It’s the best choice!
Surrounded by nearly hundreds of fishmen, with a building blocking us like a wall right in front of us, this is the only way to survive!
—Kwang!
I kicked down the door!
I let Winia and Claudia inside,
—Kwaang!
I went in and closed the door!
“Qu, quickly! Anything to block the door!”
“Kyaaaaaaa, what do we do! What do we do!”
—Beonjjeok!
Claudia picked up a large table and jammed it in front of the door. I also brought boxes, containers of water… everything I could find and blocked the door. —Kwang! —Kwang! The fishmen started pounding on the door!
“Fuck! Find a place to hide… Huh?”
Where is this?
“An aquarium?”
I looked around. What I saw under the still-lit lights was, yes. The inside of an aquarium. That strange place where those terrible monsters I saw last time were being held.
First, I looked for a window or something. There was no way to break in except for a very small hole… A back door! Claudia and I ran in a panic and blocked the back door as well.
“Fuck… What do we do now!”
The back door seemed quite sturdy, so it seemed okay.
The entrance was also properly blocked.
But how long can we hold out… Fuck. I’m going crazy with anxiety.
“I don’t know, fuck! We’re all dead! Darkie! I love you! I love you so much! I loved you so much! I love you more than anything! And I didn’t hate Unni either! I didn’t like you touching my body, but I still liked you!”
Then Winia started screaming in a fit.
She seemed to be in a panic.
“Heh heh.”
Claudia laughed when she saw that.
“I didn’t know Winia thought of me that way?”
“I don’t know! I’m just being honest! Heuaaang! What do we do now! Fuck!”
“Ca, calm down, Winia! We can live! And I love you too!”
“Darkie, you fucking bastard! Shut up! Kiss me instead of talking!”
“O, uh!”
Winia grabbed my collar and started kissing me violently. After a while, she seemed to calm down, and she took a deep breath and exhaled.
“Fuck… Really…”
“Are you calm now?”
“What’s the point of being calm? There’s no answer right now.”
“Hoo… That’s true… Claudia.”
Claudia was smiling with her eyes, but she also looked serious.
“…It seems like a bit of a serious situation. I think I can break through about two more times. If the fishmen break down the door… Yeah. Let’s try again then. We can do it.”
I don’t know if it will work. Claudia added in a low voice.
“Damn it…”
Feeling uneasy, I wandered aimlessly around the aquarium.
The fish, which looked even more bizarre than deep-sea fish, seemed to be mocking me. You’re the ones who will be caught now. You’re the ones who will be eaten…! And so our fish will overwhelm humans!
—Kung kung kung!
The sound of fishmen kicking down the door!
“Shut up!”
So I broke the tank!
“Don’t… Don’t laugh at me!”
—Jjaenggeurang!
The tank broke, and a gloomy fish came out with the water. —Padak padak! —Ppeokkeum ppeokkeum! He twisted his body and opened his mouth. Serves you right, you moron. You guys are nothing without water, you bastards.
As I left the scene, I suddenly felt a presence.
“Is there anyone else…”
It was a deep-sea monster the size of a person trapped in a cylindrical glass tube. The one I saw last time. He was stuck to the glass wall, looking at me.
“…”
I approached him.
What is it?
This guy?
It was a bizarre fish that seemed to be a higher being perfectly adapted to the marine environment, while at the same time giving a touching and admirable impression.
—Ppeokkeum.
He opened his gills, looking at me.
“What… Are you laughing at me too?”
“Darkie, what are you doing? Hold my hand and pray instead of doing useless things.”
“Katt?”
Then the two women approached.
They also witnessed the existence that seemed to be the ruler of this seabed.
“…What is it? This energy?”
“Eung? Definitely…”
Winia and Claudia said, sensing something.
“Why? What is it? What is it.”
“No, something feels strange…”
—Kukung!
That was the moment!
The entrance door was smashed, and fishmen swarmed in! Damn it! Already! Claudia, raising her twin swords, took a stance, and Winia chanted as if screaming!
Just looking at them, there were more than dozens rushing in!
I was prepared for a desperate resistance!
—Jweeeeeeeek!!!!
—Jweeeeeeeeeek!!!
—Jweet, Jweeeeeeeet!!!!
“Everyone attack, dejaaaaaaaat!!!! Chunma Kim Katt will never be defeated… Huh? What are you guys doing?”
—Stop.
The fishmen, who had been roaring and rushing in like crazy, suddenly stopped. Right in front of us, too. Claudia, who was about to kick off the ground, stopped, and Winia also canceled her chant, looking flustered.
…What is it?
“Wh, what is it. What are these carp-headed bastards doing!”
The fishmen who had been running wild fell silent.
And quietly opened their mouths.
—Jwee…
—Jwee…
—Jwee…
The fishmen’s gazes were directed at me.
“…Me?”
Why me?
“…”
No.
It’s not me.
It’s not me, but as if it’s behind me…
“Fish monster!”
The fishmen’s gazes were fixed on the glass tube behind me!
—In an instant, my head spun as if struck by lightning!
Fishmen swarming fanatically as if aiming for something… And a fish of admirable form detained in a glass tube… And the strange energy that Claudia and Winia felt…
Decisively!
The fishmen are kneeling as they look at the being in the glass tube now!
—Jwee…
—Jwee…
—Jwee…
The fishmen who had put down their weapons were kneeling and worshiping!
As if to their god, to their king, reverently!
“Kneeling…? Unni?”
“W, well… What is this…?”
With this, all the pieces fell into place!
“You guys… Do you want this.”
Having realized it, I said in a voice like Copson.
—Teoeong.
At the same time, I tapped the glass tube once with my palm. —Jweeeeeeeek!!! Then the terrified fishmen twisted their bodies like live eels thrown on a griddle!
—Jweeeeek!!
—Jweeeeeeeee!!
And they screamed as if they had witnessed their mother being stabbed with a knife! You fucking bastards! This was it!
“Stop!”
Gwangcheoncheonma Sajahoo (Crazy Heavenly Demon Lion’s Roar)!
I shouted strongly with determination!
—Jweet…!
Then the fishmen stopped all movement!
“Ka, Darkie, you’re communicating with the fishmen?!?!?!”
Winia said, surprised.
“I am Chunma Kim Katt.”
Calming my frantically trembling heart, I answered as if hypnotizing myself. Calm down, calm down, Kim Katt. You can live. Calm your mind.
As the sages said, even if you are dragged into a tiger’s den, you can survive if you keep your wits about you.
“To Chunma.”
I am the existence beyond the heavens.
“Nothing is impossible.”
—Jjaegeurang!
I immediately broke the glass tube. Claudia and Winia were horrified like girls who had witnessed a money-grubbing bug appear in the middle of the night, and the fishmen also jumped up like frogs seeing a snake, screaming with their bellies turned over.
—Jjweeeeeeeeeeek!!!
—Bweeheeeeeeeek!!!
—Gweeeeeeeeeek!!!
“This is.”
—Ulkeok, the monster of the seabed poured out with the water.
Ppeokkeum ppeokkeum. He opened his mouth with a blank look and reached out to me. I looked down at him for a moment… It was as if his unknown will was being conveyed to me.
I slowly.
And gently hugged him.
At that sight, the fishmen who had been kneeling and trying to vomit their intestines shook their heads and made gestures as if begging with both hands clasped together. Tears were streaming down their eyes.
Crocodile tears.
I don’t know what this fish is.
But I know it’s important.
Maybe the reason the fishmen invaded was to recover this.
“Was this your idol?”
The spirit of the weak being despised.
—It burns.
I immediately held the knife to the monster’s neck.
—Zzeuek, the blade touched the monster’s skin, creating a red line.
Ttok.
—Kkeok!
When a drop of blood fell, some of the fishmen who had been tearing at their hair made a kkeok sound and fainted!
“You fucking bastards! If you don’t want to see the hostage die, you better get the hell out of here!”
And I shouted!
Now there’s no answer unless I take a hostage and threaten them!
“Can’t you hear me, you fucking ball-less bastardsaaaaaㅡ!!!!”
—Kkieeeeeeeeeeeek!!!!!!!!!!
As I roared like a pterodactyl and shrugged my shoulders, the astonished fishmen began to open a path!
