Chains of Slaughter

As the bandits rushed in, I stood up from my spot.

I wrapped the chain around one arm, gripping it with the other so I could swing it like a whip.

It was quite heavy.

But despite my frail-looking body, my physical stats were high enough to handle it.

“Haaah!”

“Ha!”

Two bandits charged at me, swinging their curved blades.

Instead of dodging, I swung my arm head-on.

Clang!

The blades were blocked by the chain wrapped around my arm.

This wasn’t just a mana-absorbing tool.

It was an artifact meant to bind criminals—no, monsters that had to be sealed away from the world.

Clatter—!

Their hands went numb, and they hesitated.

I seized the moment and swung the chain with my right arm.

“C-chains?!”

The heavy chain smashed into one of their necks.

He collapsed instantly.

The other tried to attack me—

“M-my strength—!”

The chain absorbed even his mana.

His strength drained in an instant.

He staggered, unable to swing properly.

I stepped down from the carriage and slammed my knee into him.

Crack!

He collapsed backward.

I grabbed his neck and used his body as a shield against another attacker.

“Ghk!”

A blade pierced through his chest.

Blood splattered across my face.

For the first time.

Blood felt hot.

“H-how are you—”

“S-sorry! I’ll p-pull it—”

“What’s getting pulled…”

Thrust!

I shoved him further onto the blade.

The sword pierced deeper.

The bandit became completely defenseless.

I smashed his head with the chain.

Thud!

“Is your skull.”

Crunch!

I crushed his head under my foot.

The reinforced shoes tore through flesh easily.

I felt his breath stop.

I wiped the blood off my forehead.

“M-monster…!”

‘You’re just weak.’

Normally, I’d mock them openly.

But to maintain the act, I only twisted my lips into a grin.

“Do I look weak enough to lose to trash like you?”

“T-this… this isn’t what we were told…!”

There were originally eight bandits.

Now, four were dead.

Half remained.

The leader clenched his teeth.

“…This won’t do. Everyone—fight like you’re ready to die.”

“B-boss!”

“If we all die here, it’s over! At least some of us must survive!”

The bandits steadied themselves and glared at me.

I took a breath and assessed the situation.

‘The fight is in my favor.’

Their level was low.

Unless they all threw themselves at me recklessly.

They couldn’t kill me.

Even the family probably didn’t expect them to.

‘They thought I looked weak.’

Makes sense.

They likely didn’t know the Wanderer was with me.

And defeating Philip in a duel didn’t prove I could handle real combat.

‘Or maybe they’re testing me.’

They might not be able to send someone strong enough to kill me openly.

Not yet.

I’m still a minor.

Killing me openly would attract attention.

‘No intention of interfering?’

The Wanderer watched silently.

As if observing.

‘Good.’

Huuuu.

I exhaled slowly and opened my eyes.

The bandits didn’t charge.

Then.

‘I go first.’

Whirl—!

I released the chain and swung it wide.

It shot forward like lightning.

“Ugh!”

“Charge!”

They rushed at once.

But I already knew their pattern.

I grabbed the returning chain and spun.

Crack—!

“Ghk!”

“Ugh!”

The spinning chain struck multiple bandits.

The chain wrapped back around my body.

One bandit slipped through and swung.

But his blade was blocked by the chain wrapped around me.

“You planned this?!”

I didn’t answer.

I smashed his knee.

“Ghk!”

As his body collapsed.

I grabbed his head.

And slammed my knee into his face.

Thud!

His eyes rolled back.

I crushed his neck just to be sure.

Crack.

I turned toward the remaining ones.

Two couldn’t move properly.

Bones broken.

And one mage was casting from behind.

“Hold him off!”

‘Pathetic.’

Even easier than expected.

I knew their patterns.

I had fought them before.

“I’m ready… just buy me time!”

The mage shouted.

Two injured bandits charged.

I reached into my pocket.

With my improved control, I could remove the ring briefly.

I threw the mana-absorbing ring at the mage.

“F-free—”

Ting!

“Ahh!”

Her mana collapsed instantly.

The spell failed.

A stronger mage wouldn’t be affected.

But for someone like her.

It was enough.

“Ha… ha….”

She coughed blood.

Panicked.

“Hurry! Cast the spell!”

“J-just a moment—”

“No.”

I aimed directly at her head.

And launched the chain.

Like a spear.

Clatter—!

“Ah.”

“Who said you get time?”

Smash!

Her skull exploded.

Blood and brain scattered.

“What are you doing?”

Their eyes.

Were already broken.

“Come at me.”

Clink.

The blood-soaked chain rattled in my hand.

Chains are nearly impossible weapons.

The force weakens toward the end.

They’re not as flexible as whips.

Hard to control.

Yet.

“M-monster….”

A monster wielded it.

And killed them all.

One bandit trembled.

And his fear spread.

“M-monster….”

“He’s a monster….”

“We shouldn’t have taken this job….”

‘It’s over….’

The leader, tied up, sighed internally.

They were supposed to kill Raon easily.

According to intel, he defeated a classmate.

But was injured and weakened.

So he should be easy prey.

But that was wrong.

‘Using chains… as weapons….’

He was a mage.

Yet he slaughtered them with chains.

And drained their mana on contact.

‘And that driver didn’t even move.’

His instincts told him.

If the driver had stepped in.

It would’ve been worse.

They never stood a chance.

‘And this guy… is called trash…?’

Just how many monsters are in that family?

“Hey.”

Step.

Raon approached.

The leader shouted quickly.

“I—I’ll tell you who hired us!”

“Don’t care.”

…What?

The leader’s eyes widened.

Snap!

Another bandit’s neck broke.

Raon wiped blood from his face.

“Next.”

He stepped toward another.

“No—please!”

Crack!

“Stop!”

Crack!

“Stooop!”

Even if they were foolish.

They were comrades.

They survived together.

That’s why.

When the Rigbelto family found them.

He pledged loyalty.

—You’re our dogs now.

“Please… stop….”

The leader trembled.

Raon’s footsteps approached.

‘I can’t die.’

Who will bury them?

Who will remember them?

‘Boss! Put us in golden coffins!’

‘Hahaha! At least let us touch gold in death!’

He couldn’t protect them.

At least keep that promise.

“Please! I’ll tell you everything!”

“…Really?”

“Yes!”

He revealed everything.

They were the family’s hunting dogs.

And one of the direct heirs ordered Raon’s death.

The Wanderer stiffened.

Abella clenched her fists.

But.

Raon’s expression didn’t change.

As if he already knew.

“I know what you’ve done.”

The chain wrapped around his neck.

“And I hate people like you.”

Snap!

The leader’s neck broke.

“I’m sick of it.”