My Demons

Chapter 21

Chapter 21

The bustling market at noon was filled with noise and a sea of people. Shouting vendors, busy merchants arranging their stalls, and servants hurrying about left no room to maneuver.

There are so many people, sigh, I remarked.

Yeah, its true, Daria agreed.

To avoid a water carrier coming from the opposite direction, Daria moved closer to me, hunching her shoulders.

Oops, sorry, she apologized.

Its okay, dont worry about it, I reassured her.

And then, almost instinctively, she held onto my arm as if seeking support.

The soft sensation through her light clothing and the fragrance of a woman that tickled my nose made my head spin.

They say a healthy body leads to a healthy mind.

But I found myself in a state where the strong physique of a knight was coupled with the weary spirit of an office worker. In that state, how would I react?

Initially, Kim Seung-soos sanity barely regained composure. It was due to the realization that Ellen was unwell and I needed to obtain medicine promptly.

However, it seemed that Phoenixs body perceived the situation in a slightly different manner.

Phoenix, whats wrong? Daria inquired.

Oh, its nothing, I replied, trying to steady myself as I lowered the shield hanging from my shoulder, shielding my abdomen.

Not now. I said no, you crazy bastard!

I looked out towards the horizon, focusing on the national anthem in my heart, thinking of my beloved homeland.

Despite my efforts, this accursed body refused to listen. Even if I tried to ignore it, all my senses were fixated on my arms and nose. The intense sensation and alluring scent fanned the flames of desire in my lower abdomen.

Thankfully, the street was crowded. If it werent, Daria would have surely noticed my physiological changes.

Attempting to avoid people, discreetly adjust myself, and take care of Daria, we continued walking in a daze until we eventually arrived at a square in front of a trading post.

It was at that moment that a fierce and seemingly savage roar reached our ears.

Yayyyy!

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Good grief, how many of them were there?

The square was swarming with seemingly hundreds of people. They encircled a stage positioned in the center, spewing curses and swinging their fists in the air.

That stage was a gallows.

And now, certain individuals were climbing onto the gallows like prey being pursued by beasts. These individuals, their tattered clothes turned inside out and bound with ropes like mussels, were condemned prisoners.

Cursed bastards!

Kill him! Kill him!

As the condemned prisoners ascended the gallows, the shouts grew even louder. The peoples unintelligible cries, whether screams or cheers, resembled fans welcoming a rock star.

I was overwhelmed by the heat or madness exuded by the multitude of people.

Oh, they mentioned there would be a public execution today.

A public execution?

Yes, just a moment.

Daria approached a woman who looked familiar, observing the gallows with a friendly expression, and asked her something.

After a brief conversation, Daria returned to me, shrugging with a disappointed expression.

They said only the gallows today. Lets just go, Daria said, her disappointment evident.

Confused by her reaction, I wanted to ask why she was disappointed, but before I could say anything, Daria grabbed my wrist and pulled me along.

As we walked diagonally across the bustling square towards the grain warehouse, I couldnt help but keep my gaze fixed on the gallows.

Men dressed in red, presumably guards or some other officials, placed nooses around the necks of the condemned prisoners. With a kick to their buttocks, they pushed them off the gallows.

Although the gallows were quite far away, and the surrounding noise made it difficult to hear, I could faintly perceive a thud.

Some prisoners dropped straight down, but most of them writhed and struggled for a long time. It wasnt until Daria and I reached the grain warehouse that their bodies finally hung lifelessly from the gallows.

As if anticipating it, another wave of cheering erupted from the crowd.

The sight of the corpses hanging from the ropes was gruesome, but what chilled me even more was the sight of the onlookers laughing and chatting while observing the scene.

Once again, I was reminded that this was a ruthless world.

.

.

.

The rations we received consisted of one sack of oats and one sack of barley.

While walking, Daria glanced at the sacks on my shoulder and wore an apologetic expression.

Arent they heavy?

Well, Ill manage.

If it becomes too difficult, let me carry one too

No, Im fine. Lets hurry.

I said it just in case, but it wasnt an act of bravado. Each sack weighed around 20 kilograms, I suppose? It was indeed a considerable weight, perhaps around 40 kilograms in total, but it wasnt overly burdensome. Perhaps this was the dignity of my strength stat of 23.

Who the hell are you?

Prepare to die.

Huh? These guys are drawing daggers and clubs as weapons.

Their posture, with their hips pushed back and weapons brandished, was typical of thugs.

I couldnt help but chuckle at their audacity.

You guys drew first.

Dont these idiots have eyes?

Im not completely unarmed either. Im wearing armor, a helmet, and even carrying a shield. And theyre drawing knives?

I swiftly unsheathed my falchion. Weapon maintenance is a basic rule for a fighter. The large blade of the falchion gleamed in the sunlight.

Moreover, I held a round shield covered in the scales of a giant reptile, catching the attention of the stunned thugs.

Now, hold on a second.

No need for questions or mercy when dealing with scum like them.

If you dont want to die, drop your weapons.

With a final warning, I raised my shield and confidently approached them.

It was a scene where a seasoned warrior, with a towering shield, pointed a sword at a group of thugs armed with crude weapons, similar to pointing a machine gun at armed robbers.

You idiots.

Hey, wait. Hold on a second.

One of the cunning and smart thugs fled, while the foolish yet loyal ones dropped their weapons to the ground and raised their hands.

As expected from thugs who harass women, none of them displayed any bravery.

We made a little mistake Urgh!

I swung my left hand, thrusting the edge of the shield into the chest of the guy who was blabbering. He stumbled back, while another thug groped for his weapons with a bewildered expression.

If If we drop our weapons, youll spare us! one of the thugs pleaded.

Youll spare us, right? another one added.

Ignoring their pleas, I drove my fist, falchion clenched, into the guys nose.

Ugh!

He couldnt even scream properly, clutching his nose and collapsing to the ground.

The thug who had escaped had disappeared into the crowd. I wanted to chase after him and teach him a lesson, but I couldnt leave Daria behind.

So I sheathed my sword and ran towards her.

Daria, are you okay?

Uh, yeah. Im fine, Daria replied, trembling, her hands clasped together. Upon a quick glance, it seemed that fortunately, she wasnt injured.

Lets go back quickly.

Feeling apologetic, I swiftly picked up the bag of grains and grabbed Darias hand, preparing to move.

Ugh, you bastard!

The hulking figure that had initially fallen after my knee strike was now writhing on the ground, glaring at me.

You, I remember your face. Ill kill you soon.

Wow, all that effort just for a suicide attempt?

I chuckled and pressed my foot firmly on the guys throat, eliciting a scream.

Ugh!

You shouldve thought about that before, you idiot. Now you want to be killed, huh?

That bastard! If you kill me, Lord Ubar wont let you go!

Who is this guy? Begging desperately for a murderous favor, pathetic.

But wait, Ubar? Where have I heard that name before? Who is he?

I pushed aside my doubts and mockingly responded, Youre insane. You said I wont be left alone anyway, right? So killing you now would be better, wouldnt it?

Although I said that, I couldnt simply kill someone in the middle of the city, especially not right next to the plaza.

I discreetly glanced around and saw that the spectators were already buzzing with excitement.

Come on, lets go quickly. The guards will be coming.

As Daria had predicted, the crowd on one side became restless.

Whats going on?

Make way, clear the path!

Seems like the guards have arrived.

These lazy guard bastards only act quickly in situations like this, instead of engaging in crime prevention activities.

Suddenly, I longed for the patrol car that was always parked in front of the apartment alley.

Lets go quickly!

I kicked the face of the brawny guy spouting nonsense like a soccer ball, and then I pulled Daria along as we started running.