Chapter 227 The Collector

Chapter 227 The Collector

After reuniting, the two shared a high-five that resonated through the dreadful place, combatting its darkness before heading deeper into it together.

“Emilio and Yuna are doin’ fine, no doubt about it,” Everett suddenly stated as they traversed the corridor.

Melisande was taken aback by the random words, though realized that the bumpkin was likely just trying to reassure her as she nodded, “Of course. They’re both strong.”

–

SQUELCH.

Slicing through the burned and stitched together flesh of deformed beasts, the red-haired demi-human fought alone in a colosseum of tunnels, which were home to the grotesque creations.

“–“

Yuna was dead calm as she swept her daggers through the hissing goblin that rushed her, cutting its neck before it could even thrust its makeshift spear.

Rushing towards her now was a hound covered in spiky quills, salivating as it leapt towards her with its jaws parted.

She kicked the eviscerated goblin back, knocking it against the spiked hound to throw it off before rushing forward. In a swift, silent dash, the feline demi-human dragged her dagger across the belly of the beast before it could even respond in kind.

“Rooorgh—!” The monstrous hound howled before dropping to the ground.

Shoddy spears were thrown towards her from the higher tunnels in the underground chamber, launched by foul goblins that yelled and hissed unintelligible speech.

It was easy for the woman as nimble and swift as a cat to evade them, flipping around and catching one of the spears before throwing it back with fearsome precision.

“Grah! Gra—l”

One of the spear-throwing goblins was silenced as the returned projectile shot straight into its left eye socket, piercing through its head.

Deformed goblins rode on the spiked hounds, using saddles to guide the savage beasts as they came at Yuna from every angle.

Four targets. Alright, she thought.

In an instant, the sharp-eyed woman deciphered the actions needed to be taken, picking up one of the daggers from a felled goblin and sharply tossing it towards the rider approaching from the left.

A perfect hit.

Straight into the skull, the dagger embedded itself into the goblin rider, knocking it off and causing the hound to stumble—a perfect chance for Yuna to dash in and shred its neck.

The true nature of the Godless Style was such: the unequivocal versatility with any weapon the user found in their fingertips.

“…I hope that’s all,” Yuna mumbled.

Around the woman were the bodies of the fallen experiments; she let out a breath before pulling her scarf back over her mouth.

Footsteps echoed through the vast, interior colosseum, bringing Yuna’s guard up as she looked towards the east corridor, witnessing a mysterious figure approaching.

“Disappointing. They were all failures anyway, but…they were still my failures,” the approaching man said with a deranged smile.

He was bald with tan, calloused skin, holding an ax in his left hand as he stopped just as a thrown blade shot past his head, slicing through his ear lobe.

“Oh?” The man smiled, “Merciless. I like that.”

“I can tell just by looking at you: you’re a cold-blooded killer and you embrace that. You’re the one responsible for this mess, so—do me a favor and die,” Yuna said.

There was no hesitation from the demi-human rogue as she wielded an array of small throwing knives from her pockets, tossing them towards the man.

In a surprising bout of finesse, the bald-headed man leaned back an unnatural amount, avoiding the knives with a laugh.

“I like you! I think I’ll add you to my collection!” The man claimed as he leaned back up.

Yuna was already soundlessly in front of the man, unleashing a clean, ruthless slice across the figure’s throat.

“Gkk—”

Blood sprayed out from the lethal wound as the man’s pitch-black sclera went blank for a moment before—

“—!”

The rogue found herself shocked as she had to block a powerful strike of the ax with her daggers, being knocked back by the tremendous force.

“—You’re not dead?” Yuna questioned.

Even though the man’s neck was split, he laughed out before running his finger across his wound, conjuring stitches that closed the killing blow seamlessly.

“The name’s Collector, by the way,” the man introduced, “I’m unkillable.”

“No such thing,” Yuna responded coldly, readying herself.

“Ha-ha! Let’s experiment, then!”

There was an almost feral way to the Collector’s movements as he howled with joyous laughter while wildly swinging his ax without any regard for his own safety.

Even though Yuna was able to find various, small openings to unleash deep cuts on the madman’s body, it did nothing to so much as make Collector flinch as he continued his mindless rush.

“—Woohoo!” Collector called out.

A wild kick launched itself against the rogue’s side, hitting the nimble woman with incredible strength that knocked Yuna to the side.

Just as quickly as she was knocked off her feet, she landed smoothly with a slight wince.

…He’s strong. Fighting somebody without any restraints for their own safety—there’s nothing more annoying, she thought.

Collector stopped for a moment, laughing out as he rested his ax on his shoulder, “I’ve been trapped in this valley for countless years now! Sorry, but a beauty like you really gets me going!”

“Foul,” she muttered in disgust.

In a movement that would surpass the perception of the naked eye, Yuna drew a needle from her cloak and threw it forth, sailing directly towards the eccentric criminal’s left eye.

As it neared the man’s iris amidst his wicked smile, it was evaded at the last moment as Collector lowered his stance like a beast before dashing forward.

“I’ll turn you into my next Masterpiece! How about it!?” Collector yelled.

“No thanks.”

Through swift footwork, Yuna weaves through the ax swings that hissed through the air.

Right as the Godless Style using cat woman went for a riposte through a nimble flick, kicking the man’s wrist, Collector broke through with his mindless aggression. Using the hammer-side of his ax, the man bludgeoned the woman’s abdomen.

“Gyah—!” Yuna spit out.

“Ha-ha!” Collector howled out.

It was like fighting a relentless machine; Collector halted for no blow or wound, pushing past any technique or counter and ruthlessly continuing his offense.

Sliding across the smooth, stone flooring of the underground colosseum, Yuna struggled to get back up as the blow left her without breath.

“Nngh…”

I’m rusty…I knew it was a bad idea taking this trial right now. Oh well…If I was too weak to win, then that’s just the way things are, she accepted.

As she laid there, gasping for air as her stomach bruised over from the blunt wound, she accepted her fate as the maddened criminal approached.

“Don’t worry—death is not the end for my toys. My special ability—’Life Stitch’—is what made me an S-rank criminal. They even designated me as one of the ‘Three Devils of Parmesus’, pretty big deal, right?” Collector spouted, “With my power, I can stitch together my toys and create unique, one-of-a-mind toys.”

As the bald-headed man spoke, Yuna felt herself gaining breath again, though each inhale and exhale came with its own pain.

My ribs are bruised. It’ll be difficult, but maybe…I have to try, she resolved.

“…Don’t worry. I’m not a sadist—the process will only hurt for a few weeks,” Collector said,

Just as the man raised his ax above his head, the window of opportunity was found as Yuna slid, lunging her dagger forward as she stabbed it straight into the man’s ankle.

“Oh!? That stings!” Collector smiled.

“Tch…” Yuna winced.

It was to be expected, though it was a hopeless feeling as the man only laughed at the flesh wound.

“Enough playtime—let’s end this,” Collector said.

Out of moves in that moment in her precarious position, Yuna didn’t close her eyes, looking up as the bald-headed man began to swing his ax downward.

CLANG.

Sparks flew and steel clashed as Yuna found herself not felled just yet, looking up to find a familiar, shirtless young man with unmistakable blonde and black hair clashing blades against Collector.

“You—!?” Collector looked surprised for once.

“Yeah—me,” Emilio said, holding a strained smile as he struggled against the man’s ax, “Sorry, but that precious Masterpiece of yours wasn’t all that.”

Amidst their clash, a burst of flames was short forth from Emilio, repelling the maddened Collector who leaped back.

“Ha-ha! I see! I see! That’s great!” Collector laughed.

“Great…?” Emilio raised an eyebrow.

“Of course! I’ve found subjects even greater today!” Collector claimed.

While there was space between them, the young man extended his hand to the demi-human woman, who accepted it before being helped to her feet.

“You alright?” Emilio asked.

“…Fine. Just stay focused on the enemy,” Yuna said with her usual coldness.

“You don’t need to tell me that,” he breathed out.

Swiping his hand forward, he unleashed a wave of flames forth, cutting off the experimenter as he attempted to rush in, cutting Collector off as he flipped upward.

“A mage of respectable skill!” Collector commended.

“Save it.”

Emilio used a burst of air from above to knock Collector down to the ground with lethal force, causing the criminal to slam down on his own head.

Without missing a beat, Collector jumped back up with a kick of his legs, laughing as an open wound on his head spilled out arterial fluid.

“Spicy!” Collector grinned.