1.
The key to this operation is swift execution.
The moment rumors spread that the purge has begun, the trash will hide even deeper.
Of course, we can still find and kill them, but if <Eclipse> intervenes, the members who have not yet been “saved” and had their ranks elevated may be in danger.
‘Especially the First Elder.’
The other Elders also have higher ranks than the members who haven’t had their Restrictions removed, but the First Elder might be a being comparable to Black Wolf.
Which means, if the First Elder steps in, the entire unit could be in danger.
‘And that’s not all.’
The majority of the purge targets are the bodyguards requested by Duke Halorand, so if we drag this out, the <Hero Party> might also join the fight.
“Everyone purges the trash assigned to their team as quickly as possible.”
At the calm yet deadly killing intent, all members bowed their heads and received the command.
“Wait at your designated positions with your assigned partner. Never move alone. Report through the communication mana stones upon arrival. Dismissed.”
The moment Nahan finished speaking, eight shadows—excluding Nahan himself—paired off and scattered.
Teams assigned by Nahan.
Lactea – Ruby Red.
Ruby, who is overwhelming in numbers but relatively weak in her main body, is supported by Lactea.
Peter – Yuria.
Peter, strong in both illusion and long-range combat, paired with Yuria who still has much to learn.
Kassler – Dalan.
A chuunibyou and the old man who can keep him in check.
Han-Ryang – Luna.
Once two fools, but after “Salvation,” their power skyrocketed—top-tier pairing for both close and long-range.
From the top, the call signs were: Red Gold, Fanatics, Cold Heart, and Mayhem.
Of course, Cold Heart was—
Of course, Cold Heart was—
– Next… Kassler. Your team’s call sign is—
– Cold Heart.
– …Let me give you one first.
– Cold Heart
– ……Do whatever you want.
—A call sign forcibly assigned by Kassler’s insistence.
In any case, now—
Including the solo team of Black Wolf himself, a total of five teams had mobilized, with targets being approached from farthest to closest.
Within minutes, reports came through the communication mana stones, worn like earpieces.
[Cold Heart standing by.]
[Fanatics standing by.]
[Red Gold standing by.]
[Mayhem standing by! Shh. Quiet, sir. Understood…! Mayhem standing by…!]
Elite teams of the <Black Wolf> Mercenary Corps, formed considering members’ traits and synergies.
【Notice – <Acting> has begun!】
【Phase 1 – <Analysis> complete.】
【Character – Understanding of <Black Wolf> is increasing exponentially!】
【Phase 2 – <Immersion> complete.】
【You perfectly replicate the image of <Black Wolf> as you understand him.】
Nahan himself, after a brief preparation, arrived at his point and issued the order:
“Twenty-four assassination targets. Operation ends in exactly 30 minutes, then regroup at the hideout.”
Immediately after—
“Operation start.”
The Night of Purge began.
2.
Baron Halbert.
Located in the southern part of the Empire, his territory thrived through the cultivation of various fruits. It had the lowest tax rate in the Empire, earning him the praise of all his citizens.
But the citizens didn’t know.
That beneath the fertile land lay a secret farm, where women with no connections were kidnapped and raised—for his meals.
That the low tax rate was merely bait to lure in those with no ties.
Of course, a long tail will eventually be stepped on, and a few years ago, he nearly got exposed by the Empress.
– …Where did you say you’re from?
– Eclipse.
Thanks to <Eclipse>, the new supporter of the Noble Coalition, he narrowly escaped crisis.
That’s why Halbert liked <Eclipse>.
They saved him from the disaster of being exposed and losing everything to the Empress.
It wasn’t that he feared for his life.
He simply feared that if everything were revealed and he were executed, he’d never be able to taste such delicious food again.
That alone was the disaster and divine punishment Baron Halbert feared most.
Which is why—
“Please eat. It’s freshly cut.”
To him, the wicked woman who appeared before his eyes was no different from a saint.
Chomp.
Grabbing his severed right arm with his left hand—an arm cut off by Yuria—Baron Halbert began to chew and eat it.
Crunch, crunch.
Crack!
An unpleasant rancid stench. This is why he only ate women he raised himself.
‘Well, I’m dying anyway, so I won’t complain.’
I’m a noble who attained everything I desired until the very end—a successful nobleman.
As he greedily devoured his disappearing right arm, Peter, who had been watching, smiled and asked:
“Oh vile and wretched man, perchance do you know of one named Erysichthon from the myths of foreign lands?”
Munch munch.
Gulp.
“Dunno… never heard of him?”
“You claim not to know of the accursed man whose hunger never ceased, who eventually devoured his own body?”
Peter calmly continued the explanation.
A man cursed with endless hunger, who consumed all around him and ultimately ate his own body.
In the end, only his teeth remained, forever clattering with sound.
“How envious.”
“Envious, you say?”
Halbert chuckled and replied.
“Thanks to that saintly lady, I think I too might die that way.”
Munch munch,
Slurp slurp,
Crunch! Chomp, chomp!
“Oh right, I’m nearly finished. Could you cut my leg now, saint?”
Human flesh.
To Halbert, it was a feast, and what Yuria did out of fury—wanting him to suffer—was like a death-row inmate’s final, glorious meal.
“…You disgusting bastard.”
Only then did Yuria realize her mistake and moved to kill him.
Slide.
Gently reaching out, Peter softly embraced Yuria and whispered in her ear.
“Have you finally realized, Sister? When dealing with such monstrous evil… we, the Punishers, must also become monsters.”
“…Yes, Senior Punisher.”
“Excellent.”
Peter, with a faint smile, clasped Yuria’s hand. Then, transparent tears slid down his cheeks as he offered a prayer.
“Black Wolf, my only god… Your young Punisher repents with all her heart. So please, forgive me, the one who failed to guide this young Punisher properly.”
And then, a distant memory quietly surfaced—
– …I am a sinner. Nothing can ever wash away my sins.
– The sin you so fear—though I cannot wash it away, I will bear it with you. Every sin you’ve committed, and every sin you ever will.
It’s done.
He had repented, and so he was forgiven.
Snap.
In an instant, Peter wiped away his tears and strode over to Halbert, who was still in the middle of his “meal.”
“Remember this, Sister. True punishment is to deny the sinner the very thing he most desires.”
The next moment—
Crack!
“Gyaah!!”
With a short strike of his fist, Halbert’s teeth shattered and scattered.
“Shh.”
Peter, covering his mouth, moved again and pulled out the remaining teeth.
Once not a single tooth remained, he ripped off Halbert’s nose.
After completely removing his sense of smell, he finally seized Halbert’s thick, gluttonous tongue and asked.
“Do you repent?”
Teeth.
Nose.
And tongue.
Of the three most essential things for tasting food, only the tongue remained.
‘…You mean, I can’t eat anymore?’
A fear that was worse than death, which he had never felt since he was born, crushed Halbert’s brain.
‘I have to beg!!!!’
Even if it costs him his life, he must protect his last remaining tongue!
Using his remaining hand, Halbert pressed it to his cheek and desperately rubbed as he pleaded.
“Auh-hahiha!!!! Uha iihu ahae ihi auh-haida!!”
I repent.
I truly, deeply repent with all my heart.
So please…
“Hu… hu auuuu…”
My tongue,
Please… just my tongue…
At last, a properly fearful expression surfaced on his face.
Peter, satisfied, gave a small nod and set fire to the pile of human meat stacked nearby. Then he whispered into Halbert’s ear, now full of despair:
“F*** off, you son of a b*tch.”
Crunch!
His tongue was cleanly torn out and thrown deep into the blazing fire, where it turned to ash.
“AAEUH…!!!! AAEUHHH!!!!!!”
The man hurled himself into the flames.
“HuaaaaAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!”
By the time he finally grasped his tongue—
Crackle,
Snap-crackle…
His entire body had already burned pitch black, his expression frozen in terror.
Even as Baron Halbert’s body burned to cinders, Peter and Yuria remained steady:
“This time, you’ll do well, won’t you?”
“Yes!! Senior Punisher!!”
“Aah, how spirited. I’m sure Lord Black Wolf will be pleased.”
<Black Wolf> moved diligently, steadily reducing the targets assigned to them.
And then—approaching the 30-minute mark.
[Black Wolf, returning.]
[Cold Heart returning.]
[Fanatics returning.]
[Mayhem returning!]
As if waiting for it, the dispersed <Black Wolf> began to return.
The only team left was Red Gold.
Since it was the team with Vice-Captain Lactea, there had been little worry. But now, with the full 30 minutes passed and no word, tension began to rise.
“…”
Under Black Wolf’s silence, the other returning members waited anxiously.
Finally, a report came in from Red Gold.
[Red Gold at that moment.]
[This is Red Gold.]
The voice was Lactea’s. The contents of the report:
[While assassinating the final target, we were ambushed by the <Hero Party> and <Eclipse>. I successfully shook off the <Hero Party>, but Ruby Red engaged with an Elder of <Eclipse>—the Calamity of Blooming Blood. She has been out of contact for approximately four minutes.]
The next moment—
“I apologize, Captain.”
【No.5 of <Black Wolf> – <Dalan – Monstrous Dragon> is releasing his Restriction.】
【<Monstrous Dragon> Dalan (S+) is being promoted to <Dalan (SS+)>】
Dalan left the hideout.
