Hmm. Well, that’s messed up.
As I calmly nodded my head, my gaze met with the anxious leader who was nervously biting her nails. At the same time, her lips twisted cruelly.
“You. You little punk. What did you say earlier? Begging for your life?”
“Oh dear. Is it the time to die that’s causing me to hear things? That’s okay, it happens. My grandmother was all over the place right before she passed away.”
“…Huh?”
I reflexively shot back a snarky comment, but the low, menacing voice and the prickly, dangerous aura made me look down immediately.
“Ah… What I meant was that I didn’t say anything.”
If I can hold on a bit longer, I’ll be free, so I really shouldn’t provoke her at this point.
I, Kim Jonah. A man who says what needs to be said, even when death is looming.
…But then again, if bowing my head for a moment can save my life, I’m more than ready to do that.
It seemed like my smooth attitude pleased the leader, because she finally eased up and opened her mouth.
“I don’t care if it’s delusions or whatnot. Just keep begging for your life, unless you want a hole in your side.”
Colorful gemstone rings adorned each of her fingers. Among them, a green ring began to glow, and suddenly a dagger without a hilt shot out from her fingertip.
“…”
I know exactly what that is. Of course, it’s an artifact I set up myself.
It’s a weapon storage artifact from the Mage Tower, usually meant for stashing away a spare weapon…
But it seems she’s been actively using it to store throwing weapons. Just judging by a few of the rings losing their luster, it’s clear.
For a moment, I was impressed by her unexpected usage, but then she suddenly shoved the dagger into the cage.
Swish.
The cold sensation brushed against my cheek, followed by a burning feeling. The leader left a thin cut on my handsome face and growled.
“Who told you to shut up? If you don’t want your neck cut, keep begging!”
“Please, please save me!!”
A scream that came from the heart. Anyone faced with a lunatic swinging a knife right in front of them would shout for mercy without needing to be told.
Finally, the leader sighed with satisfaction. Clearly, being in a life-or-death situation had made her lose her mind.
While I was chewing on the inside, I earnestly kept begging for my life. Then the leader strode over to me, flinging open the cage door.
The guy behind me picked me up and used me as a shield while pointing a dagger at my neck, whispering. He must not brush his teeth; his breath stank.
“Good. You’re doing well. Just keep that up, and I’ll let you live later. It’s a promise.”
Ah ha. So that was her plan all along. But does that tactic even work? And can I trust that she’ll actually save me? After all, she’s the one who was ready to kill me in the first place.
But for now, I nodded vigorously with a terrified expression. If I just hold on a little longer, I’m sure an opportunity will arise.
I wonder what she wanted to hide with that overwhelming perfume that lingered in the air. It was so off-putting that creating a fake expression wasn’t difficult. After all, too much scent just becomes a stench.
“Save… me!”
It seemed she liked how desperate I sounded instead of asking if I was being serious. Just as the leader was about to open the cell door, it was then…
BAM!
Breaking through the chaos was a strange woman who burst in, shattering the door. The moment I caught her face, my breath hitched.
Her hair and eyes were burning red like flames. She looked emotionless, perhaps due to her tightly closed lips, and though she was petite, her full-body armor masked that fact.
She was the epitome of a knight.
I wasn’t the only one who felt that way; she was called by a name that reflected that essence.
Noble Lydia.
Even I, who had no significant connection with the adventurer side, knew of her.
A high-ranking adventurer with a fallen knight lineage, known for her noble character and bestowed title from the guild.
But could it really be that easy? After all, Lydia had seen it all as a seasoned adventurer.
If it were me, I would have just ignored the situation and swung my sword. If I could save a hostage, that would be great; if not, it would just be unfortunate.
There wouldn’t be any penalties for her to bear.
While I regretted not throwing some insults earlier, as expected, the leader who presented me stepped forward to negotiate with Lydia.
“Stop! If not, I can’t guarantee the kid’s life!”
“…Hostage?”
Upon seeing my injured, trembling figure, Lydia scowled deeply. She lowered the sword she was pointing at me.
“What’s your goal?”
“Naturally, it’s my safety. Don’t follow me until I leave this city. Only then will I leave the kid behind by the city wall.”
“That’s nonsense.”
Lydia grasped her lowered sword tightly. Right, that makes sense. This was the right decision.
The leader turned pale at Lydia’s tough stance.
“If that’s the case, I’ll just kill the hostage and die here too!”
“……”
The leader seemed to resign herself, acting out in a ‘don’t care’ manner. Just at that moment, she tensed herself for one last effort.
“…Fine. But guarantee the hostage’s safety. If you break that, I’ll chase you down to the ends of the earth.”
“What…?”
The leader gasped, not expecting such a response. I felt the same way.
She would forsake her own victories, leaving room for repercussions, just to save a total stranger?
Suddenly, Lydia appeared almost angelic in that moment.
“Good thinking! Truly, Noble Lydia! I will also keep my promise!”
The leader’s previously pale face began to regain color as she nodded vigorously.
With a tone of someone who had just survived death. Meanwhile, a sinister aura concentrated around my side. Perhaps that was the case.
While Lydia intends to keep her promise, the leader clearly does not.
She probably plans to stab me and escape. Given Lydia’s character, my injuries would slow her down in pursuit.
Well, I expected that.
From the eyes of a modern human, Lydia’s method seemed far too kind.
That’s why everyone praises her as noble, while secretly trying to take advantage of her—just like the leader now.
So, I decided to lend a helping hand to wrap things up neatly. I mean, she’s technically my savior.
“Hoo… Hoo….”
As the leader stealthily made her way out of the underground prison, I focused intently on her every move, the tension mounting as she approached Lydia.
It was only natural she’d be worried about getting double-crossed, knowing her type. Although that seemed unnecessary.
Meanwhile, I braced myself for the impending pain.
What kind of extra effects could skills like a 3-star magic skill, strong physique from swordsmanship, and divine power from holy magic provide for something as slimy as pickpocketing?
The answer is simple. Agility and flexibility.
Snap.
In an instant, I dislocated one wrist and slipped out of the bindings. Then I swiftly extended my freed hand for pickpocketing.
Naturally, my target was the dagger aimed at my neck by the leader.
“…Huh?”
Caught up in focusing on Lydia, the leader wore a dazed expression, unable to counter as I snatched her weapon away.
Apparently, she thought I was completely restrained and didn’t realize I could slip out of rope bindings at any time?
Satisfied with my reversal of fortune, I smirked.
“Peek-a-boo, you little punk.”
In a flash, the dagger plunged down toward the leader’s neck.
SPLAT!
Blood gushed forth, but since I only had one hand, I lacked the strength for a killing blow. So, I didn’t stop at just once.
“Die! Die! Die!”
Thud! Thud! Thud!
Since it was a throwing dagger not designed for slashing, my palm began to get cut as I repeatedly lowered it.
Who knew the neck was so important? I grumbled inwardly as I kept driving the dagger deeper.
Until my previously fine palm became a mess and the leader’s breath was completely snuffed out.
Thud.
The leader, her throat half-slit, collapsed to the ground with vacant eyes. But the bleeding continued, spraying crimson around like a fountain.
“Ah… ah….”
The relief of delayed pain struck as I gasped for breath, panting as if I had just sprinted.
Thanks to being covered in blood first, I was drenched from head to toe. Well, I’m relieved I lost my clothes. I would’ve been really sad if my new outfit ended up like this.
Just as I let out a sigh of relief…
“What the…?”
I turned around to the disbelieving voice behind me.
Lydia stood frozen as if she witnessed something she shouldn’t have.
Her trembling eyes darted from the hideously dead leader to my blood-soaked self, then back to the dagger in my hand.
Okay. Situation understood.
I quickly tossed the dagger away to hide the murder weapon and plopped down, putting on a pitiful voice.
“O valiant adventurer…! You’ve come to rescue me!”
“……”
For some reason, Lydia took a step back. Almost as if she saw something dangerous.
How rude.
