## Chapter 279 – Winter Sonata
ㅡ…
The moment we confirmed each other’s presence, an unpleasant silence gripped the area. Meeting a fellow professional in a secluded and remote place is never a pleasant experience.
The adventurer profession is essentially a hellish occupation where most practitioners are no better than human garbage. If someone appears weaker, many will readily switch to murder and robbery for extra income.
Finding the silence unbearable, I stepped forward, flashed a bright smile, and greeted them.
“Oh, how are you doing, gentlemen? Wow, you’re working hard in this cold! How’s the haul today?”
“H-hey, Barbarian…”
“It’s alright.”
I reassured Copson quietly as he grabbed my shoulder.
There were five of them in total.
As I greeted them, I took a quick look at their faces. In order, they looked like a serial killer, a murder fiend, a murderer, a murder addict, and a pleasure killer.
It didn’t seem like there was a single sane one among them, but I’m not a KKK-level, vicious, human-trash criminal who judges people by their looks.
As the saying goes, you can’t spit on a smiling face, so I greeted them first.
They were undoubtedly harboring the same suspicions as us.
Even if they look a bit rough, they might actually be good friends once you exchange a few words. Conversation is essential for a positive resolution.
Didn’t medieval knights shake hands as a sign of no hostility?
That was the meaning behind my greeting.
“…”
But the greeting wasn’t returned.
The bearded old man who looked like a pleasure killer ignored my greeting and simply glared at me. It occurred to me that I probably looked like a vicious criminal to others as well.
Was greeting them first a bad idea?
“Gentlemen, don’t be so wary. We’re just passing through. You’re thinking the same, right? It’s freezing cold out here. We’ll all freeze to death if we just stand here. Hehehe.”
“…”
I tried again with a playful tone, but still no response.
The other four were also silent, glaring at us.
“…”
In my experience, anyone who doesn’t talk is never normal.
They’re either defective in some way or just human garbage who lost their parents at a young age and never learned to speak properly.
“Let’s go.”
As I changed my attitude and said that, the five men shifted slightly, making way for us. Copson and I moved forward first, with Maria, shield raised, cautiously following behind, keeping watch.
“…Barbarian, I don’t like this feeling. They look like murderers.”
“You have a good eye for people. I bet they’ll attack soon.”
“What? Why are you so calm about it?”
It might just be my imagination, or an uncertain hunch, but I definitely felt something like murderous intent.
There’s a chance they’ll chase us and attack.
“I’m just a calm guy.”
But looking at them, they were just small-time thugs.
You can tell just by the fact that they didn’t attack first.
They probably weren’t confident of victory, or they were intimidated by my appearance. Even though it’s hidden by my cloak, their equipment doesn’t look that great either.
They might whisper for a bit and then come to shake us down.
An attack is the worst-case scenario.
But with Maria here, we shouldn’t lose.
In the first place, anyone with real skill wouldn’t be doing robbery in this snowy mountain for uncertain income.
I figured these were just rookie robbers who had gathered, their eyes set on the suckers who were blinded by the sight of owlbears.
“Still, it’s better not to fight. Let’s retreat for today. The day wasn’t good. Hey, Maria. Come on.”
“…Yeah, okay. Ugh, how creepy. Did you see their eyes? They were glaring so intensely.”
“Let’s get down quickly.”
We immediately picked up the pace and quickly descended.
Unfortunately, today’s earnings were meager. Well, that’s winter for you. It’s a cruel season. People become violent because there’s nothing to gain.
When the weather gets cold, so does people’s generosity.
That’s just human nature.
“Uh, uh? They’re following us!”
“…I see it too.”
As we were descending, Maria shouted.
ㅡThump, thump, thump!
They were chasing us.
It seemed they started pursuing us as soon as we left as if we were running away. Looks like they underestimated us.
“You crazy! Barbarian! We’re screwed!”
“Hey, hey. Calm down. These guys are pushovers.”
“There are five of them!”
Would five goblins be able to beat an orc?
Chun Ma Kim Kat can never lose to these petty robbers.
We could run away faster, but we’re going on the offensive here.
Today’s earnings weren’t great anyway, so this is perfect.
“Maria. Copson. Keep watch around us and make sure there aren’t any more. Don’t separate. Always fight together.”
“Kat? What are you?”
I turned around.
ㅡThump, thump, thump, thump!
ㅡThump, thump, thump, thump!
ㅡThump, thump, thump, thump!
They were already coming down with their swords drawn, so there was no need to look any further.
Of course, there are robbers hiding in the winter mountains.
They make the people who come to find hibernating monsters hibernate instead. It’s ironic, but it shows that they also have a hard time making a living if they don’t do this brutal job of hunting humans in the middle of winter.
Maybe these are the ones who need to hibernate.
“You bastards! I’ll send you to eternal rest!”
Of course, they’re no match for me.
After awakening my mana and freely using my incredible power through extreme control, I can now gauge someone’s level just by looking at them.
For example, when I’m in front of Claudia, I can feel the mana fluctuating.
That means she’s strong.
But these guys were just people.
ㅡ…!
ㅡ…!
The guys who were following us slowed down, startled when they saw me turn around. Then, they foolishly spread out and came down.
“Idiots!”
ㅡChunma Gunrimbo.
I immediately kicked off the ground and ran uphill. Fragments of snow soared from the kicked ground, and my body shot up quickly.
“Siljang Sword Technique!”
I charge up the hill, preparing to attack.
I don’t know what they were thinking spreading out like that… I’m just grateful that there are fewer enemies! A shining blade cuts through the cold air!
“Hey! Hey! Gather! Everyone!”
The guy who looked like a murder fiend shouted.
He’s clearly panicked, so he’s done for. A good robber should always think coldly and only consider the benefits in any situation!
“Gather my ass!”
ㅡInstantly, I approach him and thrust. He clumsily raises his sword to retaliate, but his swordsmanship can’t stand up to my sword skills, which have been honed to the limit.
ㅡSwoosh!
ㅡClang!
“Ugh…!!!”
I knock away his sword and stab him in the face.
“You son of a bitch!”
“Ki, kill him!”
Anyone skilled enough to stand against my swordsmanship wouldn’t be spending the winter as a robber. It’s the mediocre ones who fall into a life of crime.
“Dare to try to rob the pouch of this Chun Ma!”
An uncontrollable impulse erupts, and rage boils within me…!
If I let these guys go, there might be more victims! Thinking about the money and equipment they might have, a sense of justice began to well up. I absolutely can’t let any more victims be created!
Punish evil.
Judge criminals.
And thereby revitalize the local economy.
That’s who I am, Kim Kat!
“Copson! Maria! Don’t let them escape!”
I roared like a beast and kicked off the ground again, chasing after the guy who was spread out. Maria and Copson also seemed to gain confidence after I killed one of them, and they started running after one guy.
“You murderer! Stop right there!”
“D-don’t chase us! We’re not murderers!”
“What! Really?!”
“Yes!”
But listening to his voice, I could soon tell that he was lying. His voice was already that of a serial killer.
No matter how much he begs with that voice, it’s not convincing.
I’d rather believe that the KKK was actually a black rights group.
“You can’t lie, you son of a bitch!!!”
“Aaaaaaaah!!!!!”
He couldn’t escape me at his speed. Realizing this, he screamed in terror and raised his double axes to face me.
ㅡWhoosh.
A wind blew across the white snowy mountain.
Facing him, I happily spun my sword around as I approached.
If I just took those axes and sold them, I could probably get 40 coppers. And his gloves and cloak… I’m glad I came to the mountain today.
That’s why adults go hiking every weekend.
If you receive the good energy of the mountain, good things can happen.
Come to think of it, maybe I was rewarded for doing good deeds, like Copson said. Didn’t I save those baby goblins? I did all sorts of good deeds, so the gods must have rewarded me.
“You impolite bastard. If you had just accepted my greeting, this wouldn’t have happened. Hehehe.”
“Y-you son of a bitch! Don’t come any closer!”
He seemed quite confident in wielding his double axes, as he swung them wildly in all directions while backing away. You can’t be a warrior or a robber if you’re scared before you even fight.
When you peel back the layers, these murderers are the biggest cowards.
“What a cute bastard.”
Now that he’s been labeled as weak, he just looks cute.
“If you come any closer, we’ll both die, you motherfucker!”
“Wh-what?! Die?! You son of a bitch! You can’t just say you’re going to kill someone! Is that how your mom taught you! Huh!”
Enraged by his audacity, I shouted and charged at him!
How dare he! How dare he just say he’s going to kill someone! I was going to be nice to him, but I can’t! I felt that the only way to benefit this world was to get rid of this human trash!
“A MOTHER LIKE THAT DESERVES THE DEATH PENALTY!!!!! YOU UNFILIAL BASTARD!!!!!!!”
“Aaaaaaaaaaah!!!!!!!!!!”
I watch the trajectory of the axes swinging and time my movements to cut off his wrist. It was a very simple task because my reach was longer.
ㅡSwoosh!
At the same time, blood gushes out and the axes fall.
“You murderer! How many people have you killed on this mountain!”
“Kaaaaaack!!!”
ㅡThwack!
I immediately kick him in the chest and then stab him in the neck. Watching him spit out blood foam and die with his eyes rolled back, I felt a deep sense of satisfaction and accomplishment.
“I am Judge Dredd Kim Kat.”
First, I surveyed the surroundings.
Seeing that no one else was approaching, it seemed that the other guys had already run away. I quickly darted off to find Copson and Maria.
We can collect the spoils later, but first, I need to take care of my comrades.
ㅡClang!
ㅡClang! Clang!
As I ran quickly back the way I came, I heard the sound of metal. It turned out that Copson, Maria, and two robbers were fighting fiercely.
“You son of a bitches!!!!!”
Maria shouted fiercely.
With her shield in front, she was tanking, and Copson was fending off the robbers who were trying to get in. That kind of back-and-forth was continuing.
“Oh, oh! There’s another one coming!”
The robber who spotted me shouted.
As if on cue, the two tried to run away, and Maria seized the opportunity and charged forward. Showing your back carelessly during a battle is the worst thing you can do.
As a result, they would become prey.
“Catch them! Don’t let them escape!”
“Got it!”
I immediately used my footwork to rush to the scene of the battle.
“Silent Steps on Snow (踏雪無痕)!”
The violently churned snow spread out to the left and right, creating white wings. That’s right. I was an angel. Brutal Angel Kim Kat, that is!
ㅡThwack!
“Ugh!”
Maria caught up to the guy who was running away and slammed him with her shield.
The guy who was knocked away by the blow rolled on the ground, and Copson, who quickly jumped out, finished him off by stabbing him in the side. The other guy had already run far away.
Pursuing him… seems impossible.
“Haa… haa… that was dangerous.”
Maria, who slammed the head of the gasping robber with her shield, said, catching her breath.
“Hoo, I thought I was going to die, Barbarian. Did you take care of the guy you were chasing?”
“Yeah. I killed two guys in total.”
“So, you killed three, which means the other two escaped.”
Ah, damn, that’s really unsettling.
“Let’s collect the bodies first.”
We dragged the bodies of the robbers we had dealt with and gathered them in one place. It wouldn’t be good to be misunderstood by other passersby, so we secured a spot in a secluded place and rummaged through their belongings.
“Hehehe, these guys had quite a lot of stuff.”
“These bad guys. This money must have been stolen from innocent people after killing them. What is the ghost doing? Why aren’t they catching these guys?”
“We caught them.”
Fortunately, we were able to collect quite a few useful things from the three bodies.
First, cloaks and winter gear. And gloves, shoes, equipment, and cash. As the saying goes, just as a tiger leaves its skin when it dies, a person leaves their wealth.
I felt like the cold winter was warming up with hot blood.
Isn’t this the true Red Cross (赤十字)?
“Ah. It’s snowing again?”
At that moment, it started snowing again.
Maria, who had stood up, looked at the sky and caught snowflakes on her face.
“Let’s go down soon. Today’s haul was good!”
“Hehe, let’s do that. It’s a damn good day, you son of a bitch.”
In the end, our winter hunt turned into a brutal killing spree. It felt somewhat inhumane, but when you think about it, we did a good thing.
We judged the wicked, so Buddha will surely praise us.
We, who had done a good deed for the first time in a while, went down the mountain in a good mood.
Yes, this is everyday life in another world. Small happiness and joy shared with comrades. And the hope that we can live tomorrow too.
What else is there?
“Hohoho!”
“Hehehe!”
“Kekeke!”
Our laughter echoed through the snowy mountains.
Merry Christmas.
