Volume 6 Chapter 19-2 Skull Mask
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
”Can you eat live chickens? Are you going to eat it? Barbarian?”
”In another world, lolis are also legal. Is this what legal loli looks like?”
The men smirked and spread their hands wide, blocking the way.
”See? Don’t be scared. We’re pretty nice. If you get tired, we’ll just sell you to the slave dealer.”
”Heh, a villain spotted. Haha, officer, here he is.”
”Is this a deadly game of tag? If you run home, we’ll kill your family too. Is that okay?”
Saria tried to run, but her knees shook, and she couldn’t move like she wanted. She collapsed. All she could do was desperately shield Yasmin from harm.
”Hey Yuuki, let’s stop this, okay? We’d look like villains then.”
One man, maybe feeling guilty, said softly.
”Since you came to another world, you gotta drop that stupid sense of right and wrong. School moral education is brainwashing. If you want to win, you gotta think for yourself.”
”But turning a little girl into a slave is evil, isn’t it?”
”You have to see the big picture. Remember that store where we sold smartphones? As long as you have money, you can buy anything from Earth there. First, potatoes. I’m a man who conquers with potatoes and saves people from hunger. That’s my fund source—a noble sacrifice.”
Every year, many summoned heroes try to bring potatoes, unaware of wall barley’s poison, and fail. The main seed potato source is the Royal Botanical Garden, which earns good income. Normal land is contaminated by wall barley toxins; potatoes sprout but fail and wither.
These three had only just been summoned. They kept distance from senior groups and didn’t know this. While acting like troublemaking delinquents, they had become small-time villains. But someday, they planned a big comeback.
”Did you hear? People matter most. Yuuki, you always thinks about the world’s people. Villain or dark hero? Don’t like it? Watch us do it ourselves. But you won’t get a share.”
”That’s not fair… I’ll do it too. We’re comrades after all.”
”Yeah, we’re comrades.”
The man who hesitated finally reached for the girl without hiding his desires. Saria could only pray to God.
* * *
After running around the royal capital, the sun was setting before I noticed. I worked hard all morning, but tasks weren’t done. No, they kept piling up.
In games, quests have limits. This world is real. Tasks keep stacking, and even with my Editor skill, managing time is tough. If only I had ten of me.
When I visited Ms. Mahal early, Ms. Nina’s revival seemed to go well. But I couldn’t see her form—apparently, it’s rude to embarrass a girl. Well, as long as it’s going well, that’s fine.
Next, I stopped by Miss Floria’s mansion. Lucky she was home. Thanks to her advice, I’ll start lobbying powerful people tomorrow. Miss Floria handles prep, but I do the negotiations. Just thinking about it makes my stomach churn.
Then I went to the Professor’s apartment to talk cheats, but Mr. Raoh was there too. Ideas flew out… things got a little wild.
The Professor and Mr. Raoh seem good, but Mr. Raoh can’t keep quiet. Info about the new village will leak soon. Since lobbying starts tomorrow, I accepted it.
And tonight, I stay at Miss Floria’s place. No steamy moments—too busy, not in the mood.
Now, walking the streets, people make ugly faces when they see me. Mr. Raoh complained too. It’s probably because of delinquent Heroes. Summoned Heroes’ popularity is tanking in the capital.
I avoid busy streets. Instead, I take a longer route along the royal castle. The scenery is nice—a good change.
The castle tower shines on the moat’s surface, like a tourist postcard. Goose-like birds swim, rippling the reflection. I record it with my Editor skill.
This spot could be a tourist hit but is on guard patrol route. Few come here. Palace guards with rank get attention from women and kids, but low-ranked grunts here are rough, openly demanding money.
Guards aren’t strong, but even summoned Heroes avoid fighting them. For commoners, they’re like robbers, so nobody comes near.
I’d be fine if I dropped Miss Floria’s name.
But I sense humans where none should be. Three men sneak in embankment shadows. They aren’t guards; guards stop groups like them. What are they doing?
Their aura feels like summoned Heroes. I sense Corruption—like human anger mixed with monster hunting. Maybe they killed people or got possessed by vengeful spirits. These are the delinquent Heroes causing trouble.
When I try to avoid them, they start moving. Did they see me? Maybe I should’ve used Stealth. Using Stealth near the castle looks suspicious, but better than getting caught.
They don’t look strong, but I don’t want to fight three. Running is best.
But then they run opposite. They’re surrounding a girl about Ani-Ani’s age.
Who foolishly comes here alone at dusk? It’s her fault. I won’t help. I won’t.
But I recognize her—the cute girl I helped when Agito harassed her. She’s smart and polite. Must be some reason.
Fine, I’ll try to save her. If I don’t hold back, I can win.
I use Stealth skill at full power. I erase my presence and sneak behind them. All three look underage—middle or high school. They joke vulgarly and laugh like tough kids. Dangerous—these kids will do worse than adults for fun.
The girl trembles deeply. No wonder. Their bad intentions show.
I planned to shoot arrows into their brains for instant kills, but their childishness dulls my anger. Punishing these fools feels pointless.
Killing them is an option, but if I kill strangers, I’m the criminal.
If I wait until they hurt her, then kill them, it’s fine. If she’s noble, I could kill thugs even for trying. This world’s laws are a pain.
But the best is the girl fights back. Like Ms. Lime or Yakou as decoys. No time to prepare.
Above all, save the girl.
Thinking about laws paralyzes me. I go for cliché mysterious hero entrance.
I wear the skull mask I bought long ago. The mask’s impact hides my shape. I wear a big black cloak. And the weapon? A twisted wooden staff. This look screams “lich.”
”Wahahahahahaha!”
I use a laughing bag for villain’s entrance. It’s a failed laughing bag—too creepy, made kids cry. But now it works. The eerie laugh hits hard. The trio jumps in shock. Their reactions please me.
I move beside the girl during their distraction.
”Do you know me? I’ll protect you. Stay calm.”
The girl nods quietly. Smart kid—she remembers my voice.
”What the hell’s this freak? Wannabe justice hero?”
They saw the mask. And the shortest one, trembling before, now shouts bravado. But I have experienced in street fights. Loud wins kids’ fights, but not real combat.
”He’s bluffing, Yuuki! His combat strength isn’t even 3000!”
The lanky one checks something behind them. Appraisal skill? What unit is combat strength? Guessing, but still weird.
”Leave it to me! ULTRA SPECIAL! SUPER PLASMA BLADE!”
The tall one swings a glowing sword overhead. Idiot—one thrust could kill me instantly.
Still, I respect the skill. I parry lightly with staff to cancel. Secretly used Frostfang Slash.
My staff is custom, with tiny blades like pen tips at the tip. Using Petite Frostfang Slashes timed right makes Hundredfold Frostfang Slash, stronger than Mr. Escalion’s Twin Dragon Combo.
They attack 3-on-1 with skills, but I cancel all. I’m ready and pumped, but no next attack. Their confidence broke after I canceled their move. Well, that light sword is strong. A hit would even hurt a dragon.
But if they gave up, I should leave fast. Hundredfold Frostfang Slash is to cancel attacks, not strong itself. I fired 3 Spiral Guns while making smoke screen. It hides me well. After putting the girl in magic bag, I used full Stealth. Maybe she trusted me or it was luck. Somehow the chicken she held got stored too. Why a chicken?
Ah, a souvenir for them.
”What’s this? A ninja?”
”Don’t mess with ninjas in another world.”
The three fuss over the decoy log I left. They say ‘ninja’ and stuff. Big success.
* * *
The log quickly catches fire. I had the Fire spirit burn evidence, but there’s more.
The log was soaked in judgment grass oil, a weed called hell grass in Toyata village. Inhaling smoke makes Corruption around visible. It boosts spiritual senses.
It was used to discipline kids or by religious training. It does no real harm. I accidentally inhaled it once and saw quail spirits staring. Scary. I felt crushed by guilt.
”Aaaah!”
Now, the tall guy near me inhaled smoke. He slashed at the log crazily.
”No! It wasn’t my fault! Yuuki forced me!”
The lanky talker also inhaled. He isn’t mastermind but crime is crime. Let him have nightmares.
The short kid wasn’t affected. The smoke works only close range. It seems I need better oil next time.
Anyway, Judgment Herb doesn’t affect true villains without conscience or fanatics like Grace Knights. They don’t care about sins even with vengeful spirits.
”Mooooom!”
The tough brat suddenly burst into a loud wail, stepping closer to the fire. His voice hadn’t broken yet, crying like a little kid. Kids these days are tall… Did I just bully someone stronger than me? They’re level 10 or higher—no weak targets. Maybe this’ll make them think twice.
I probably needed a permit to use Judgment Herb here. If the guards showed up, I’d be caught for sure. I watched nervously as the fire spirits consumed the log faster than expected. Should’ve stored it in my magic bag for better stealth.
Leaving these crying kids behind could cause trouble. I should’ve used a normal log instead. Everything went fine until I messed up at the last second—spur-of-the-moment mistakes always do this.
Luckily, no guards were patrolling. Maybe these guys made this place their hangout. Either way, I need to move fast—get the girl home before her parents start worrying.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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