Chapter 368: The Manic Chase ( 368 )
Hiiikkk!! Who is this black-haired human!?
The assassin leader was one of the strongest in the guild, and the other two were supposed to be the best and fastest among them!
And yet he grabbed them like they were nothing!?
He stared at Hazuki’s eyes, that manic grin spreading across his face as he closed the distance, stepping over the groaning bodies of his comrades.
Eeepppp!! I better run now!
The assassin archer threw away his bow and bolted, running at full speed, his heart pounding in his chest.
I have to get out of here! Fast!
"Oi, oi! Who said you could run, huh!?" Hazuki shouted, sprinting after him with terrifying speed. "Come back here, you piece of shit! You’re going to pay for the food you ruined!!!"
"Eeeekkkk!! I’m sorry!! I’m sorry!!" the assassin wailed, tears streaming down his face as he ran for his life, glancing back to see the enraged human gaining on him with murder in his eyes.
Who is that crazy human!?
And how is he that fast!?
Shit, shit, shit!
I have to get out of here!
The assassin’s legs pumped frantically as he sprinted through the winding streets, knocking over a barrel and shoving past a few startled dwarves, his breath ragged and panicked.
He rounded a corner and spotted them, their escape horses, waiting near the edge of town, with two other assassins already mounted and ready to ride.
Yes! Once I get there and mount the horse, I’ll be safe from that crazy human! No way he can outrun a galloping horse!
He pushed himself harder, his lungs burning, his hand reaching out toward the reins.
Just a little more... just a little more!
Just a little more and I’ll be free from this madman!
"Oi."
A voice came from right behind him.
The assassin’s blood ran cold as a hand grabbed his collar, yanking him backward.
"Eeeekkk!! I’m sorry! I’m sorry!" the assassin begged, tears streaming down his face as he squirmed in Hazuki’s grip. "Please don’t kill me! I’ll pay for your food! I’ll buy you ten skewers! A hundred!"
Hazuki’s manic grin widened, his eyes glowing with a crazed intensity. "How dare you ruin my food when I was hungry, hmm? Now you’ll pay the price!"
"Ah! Wait! Over there!" the assassin suddenly pointed toward a nearby alley. "That food stall! They’re selling delicious roasted meat at a bargain price! It’s even better than what you had!"
"Huh? Where? Where?" Hazuki glanced around, momentarily distracted.
In that split second, the assassin slipped out of his clothes, leaving Hazuki holding nothing but his tunic as he leaped onto the nearest horse and kicked it into a gallop, leaving the other two assassins behind.
"Hyah! Go! Go!"
Hazuki blinked, staring at the empty tunic in his hands.
The other two assassins watched their comrade flee, then looked at Hazuki.
"Huh? What’s wrong with him?" one muttered.
"Dunno. Why’d he run from just one human with torn clothes and a crazy look?" the other shrugged. "What a dumbass."
"Yeah... what a coward."
Hazuki’s eyes narrowed, glowing red with fury, his manic grin returning.
"How dare you trick me, huh!? And you think you can run? Very well."
He let out a manic laugh, sprinting toward the two remaining assassins. He leaped into the air, aiming both fists straight at their faces.
Bam! Bam!
The two assassins were knocked cold before they could react, tumbling from their horses and hitting the ground with a thud.
Hazuki landed smoothly, not even glancing back as he continued chasing the fleeing target on foot, his laughter echoing through the street as he ran down the road the assassin had taken.
Meanwhile, at the main gate.
One of the dwarven guards let out a long, exaggerated yawn, leaning his weight against the wooden barrier as his partner checked the line of travelers waiting to enter the town. The queue stretched a short distance, a mix of merchants, adventurers, and travelers presenting their identity cards and having their belongings inspected. A few other guards circled a carriage, peering underneath and flipping open storage compartments.
The first guard scratched his beard and glanced around with a bored expression.
"Another borin’ day o’ work, innit? Once me shift ends, I’m headin’ straight to the tavern for a proper pint."
The other guard nudged him with an elbow, smirking. "Aye, aye, always the tavern with ye. And then yer wife’ll come marchin’ in again and drag ye out by the ear, just like last time."
"Bah! That won’t scare me! I’m a proud dwarven warrior! I fear no woman!"
"Yer right, it won’t," the second guard chuckled. "Because last time, I saw ye hidin’ under the table when she came in, furious as a dragon with a toothache. Ye were tremblin’ like a leaf in a storm."
The first guard huffed, crossing his arms. "That was one time! And she had that look in her eye..."
Just then, a commotion from down the road caught their attention.
All the dwarven guards at the gate glanced toward the sound of thundering hooves approaching fast.
The first guard narrowed his eyes and saw a rider on a horse charging toward the gate at full speed. The rider was shirtless, with a dark cloth covering the lower half of his face like an assassin’s mask, his eyes wide with panic.
"Oi, lad!" the first dwarf called out, moving casually toward the middle of the road while the other guards quickly ushered waiting travelers to the side. He planted his spear firmly and raised a palm, shouting, "Stop right there for inspection!"
"Make way! Make way!!" the assassin screamed, leaning low over the saddle.
With a powerful leap, the horse cleared the barrier, soaring past the guards and landing smoothly on the other side before galloping off into the distance.
"Oi!! I said stop!!" the first guard shouted, but the rider was already gone, disappearing down the winding road.
"Blasted fool!" the first guard roared, turning to his fellows. "Mount up! We’re chasing that bastard!"
But before any of them could move, a new sound caught their attention.
A human was sprinting toward them at superhuman speed, laughing maniacally, his eyes glowing faintly red, his clothes torn and flapping in the wind. He ignored everyone, kept chasing, and passed them in a blur of motion, leaving nothing but a gust of wind and the echo of his crazed laughter.
All the guards stared, stunned for a moment, before the first guard slowly lowered his hand and sighed.
"Ah... it’s that crazy human, eh?"
He shook his head and waved a hand toward the other guards.
"Well... let him be. Back to yer posts, lads. Nothin’ to see here."
One of the younger guards blinked, looking after the fading figure. "But... shouldn’t we do somethin’ about him?"
The first guard just shook his head, leaning his spear against the wooden barrier with a scoff. "Nah. Just do yer usual work. That black-haired human’s harmless. Everyone in the market, the tavern, even the kids know him. That’s the crazy human."
The younger guard frowned. "Shouldn’t we at least report it to the captain?"
Another guard chuckled while checking a traveler’s identity card. "Even if ye report it to the captain, he’ll just tell ye to let him be."
"W... why?"
A third guard joined in, crossing his arms. "Ah, ye must be new here, lad. Just posted this week, aye? That’s why ye don’t know much about that crazy human yet."
The younger guard tilted his head. "Why do they call him crazy anyway?"
Before anyone could answer, a firm voice cut through from behind.
"Because that’s what the folk here call him."
All the guards turned and immediately snapped to attention, standing straight and saluting as the captain of the guard approached with his escort.
The captain continued, his arms crossed. "Someone who talks to the air, asks the blacksmith if they can forge crystal shoes, sleeps on the street even though he pays rent for a proper house. But he’s always good with the folk around here, and the kids love him. Not scared of him at all."
He paused, glancing down the road where Hazuki had vanished.
"Besides, he holds the highest permission from the dwarven royal palace itself. He’s free to come and go as he pleases, and until he causes real trouble, we let him be."
The youngest guard hesitated for a moment before saluting the captain. "But... but, Captain... isn’t that human already causin’ trouble? He just ran past the gate like a madman, chasin’ someone half-naked and laughin’ like a loon!"
The other guards glanced at each other before doubling over with laughter. Some leaned against the wooden barrier, clutching their stomachs, while the one checking the traveler’s identity card shook his head, chuckling.
The captain exhaled slowly, rubbing his temples. "Lad... ye’ll soon see why no one in this town wants to get involved with that human’s business."
The first guard, finally wiping the laughter from his eyes, shook his head. "Aye, who in their right mind’d want to deal with that? Last time I had to check his identity card, he kept shoutin’ at the air, grinnin’ like a fool, then rubbin’ the back of his head like he was havin’ a full conversation with someone invisible. Then he’d look at me, smile all polite, then go back to shoutin’ at nothin’ again."
Another guard chimed in, leaning on his spear. "And ye should’ve seen it last month. Walkin’ down the street, calm as could be, then outta nowhere, he started slappin’ his own face, back and forth, while laughin’ like a madman. Some of the folk thought he was cursed."
The captain nodded, his expression thoughtful. "He’s strange, but harmless. The kids follow him around like he’s their favorite uncle. The old widow at the bakery gives him free bread. And the royal palace has made it clear: as long as he doesn’t hurt anyone, we leave him be. Now, back to work, all of you."
"Aye, Captain."
( End Of Chapter )
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