༺ Say You Want To Live – 7 ༻

In the dimming light of the street, only shadows remained. Within the undulating darkness, Wolfen removed the hand covering his eyes. His eyes were dyed with darkness, spread like ink.

“…I realized it belatedly, Magician. Now, I am no longer fooled.”

Initially, he was on guard.

Then, he proceeded as usual.

After that, he was cautious and decisive.

Lastly, he tried not to fall for the opponent’s deception.

In this sequence of excessive caution, he ended up getting entangled in the Magician’s psychological warfare. That was the reason he was outwitted by the Magician.

“This Umbra should have used all his strength from the start and finished him.”

However, Wolfen wouldn’t be fooled anymore. Tricks were not infinitely sustainable and once the Magician had played all his prepared cards, he became virtually defenseless.

If they met again, or rather, if Wolfen extended his senses to find him right now, the Magician would fall under the Shadow’s blade.

｢He has silenced his presence and hid himself, but once this Umbra finds him, it is the end｣

Suddenly, a thin voice reached Wolfen’s ears. From a great distance, presences and the mingled voices of several people reached him.

Wolfen concentrated his hearing on the peculiar presence. And then, he furrowed his brows.

It was as if the city of Amitengrad itself was speaking to him.

Countless voices merged together and seeped in like fog. The voices, both monotonous and distinct, bounced off buildings, spread from afar, and echoed, as if they were singing.

『Military State Signaller Yuel warns all residents hearing this voice. As of now, a Level 5 State of Emergency, Pentagram, is in effect.』

『This is Military State Signaller Deekay. A Level 5 State of Emergency has been declared. All citizens are to cease their current activities and pay attention to the transmitted message.』

『This is Military State Signaller Cien. No one shall be responsible for any disadvantages that will arise from not following this command.』

A chorus of flat voices emanated from the rooftops of buildings, from within uniquely designed street lamps, from clock towers and statues, and even from the midst of clotheslines stretched across the streets.

Before being transmitted through golems, the already monotonous voice became even more metallic as it touched the concrete buildings, and spread throughout the Military State.

『Warning all citizens hearing this voice. Those currently inside their residences must not venture outside until the situation has concluded.』

『Any citizens currently outdoors must immediately lie down with their hands raised above their heads. Do not show any intent to resist. There may be a risk of accidental firing.』

『This is an emergency. The rights of citizens will be partially restricted until the conclusion of this incident is announced. Thus, adherence to instructions is essential for your life and safety, which cannot be guaranteed otherwise.』

The Military State never jested. Thus, this voice transmitting something now was conveying only the truth.

Signallers, the voice of the Military State, were issuing a warning to everyone that this sound reached.

『Tonight does not officially exist. Please forget everything that has occurred.』

『Please halt all signs of resistance and lie flat on the ground. If you show any intent to resist, you will be considered as an enemy of the Military State and dealt with accordingly.”

『An announcement to the enemies of the Military State. Cease your futile resistance and quietly submit to execution.』

As if just that was enough, the voice of warning ceased.

Then, a clear and bright voice added,

『Military State Signaller, Captain Abbey, reports to Major General Historia. Five blocks ahead. The target has been spotted at the location where an abnormal flash of light was observed just now. I shall guide you.』

“Confirmed.”

And then came the sound of footsteps.

Step. Step.

The sound of military boots with cleats echoed off the concrete floor. The sound of metal striking dry ground added a regular and forceful rhythm.

Long, jet-black braided hair fluttered behind her. A tall woman with a languid and weary expression stretched her long limbs as she moved alone through the streets, where everyone else held their breath.

In the silence of the night, only her time seemed to flow normally, as if the stage itself was prepared just for her.

Military boots laced up to her calves, her military uniform draped carelessly, no hat in sight, and a couple of buttons undone. Without the uniform, she might have looked like a thug from somewhere.

However, a single shining star on her chest represented her power.

As she walked steadily, she abruptly aimed the muzzle of a gun at her own temple. And then, without any hesitation, pulled the trigger.

Bang. A strand of noise tore through the darkness, with sparks flashing from beside her head. The bullet touched her temple.

Even Qi Deflection, which was meant to block projectiles from a distance, proved ineffective against a bullet fired from close proximity. Despite what seemed like an act of suicide, the woman’s demeanor appeared too calm. Not just calm, but also nonchalant.

“Ugh… I came running here without even being able to sleep… My condition is terrible.”

With a voice weary from exhaustion, she brushed her hair back. Her broad forehead and clear-cut facial features were revealed. Dark circles under her eyes were pronounced and her lips were dry and cracked, but even buried under deep fatigue, she seemed far from fragile.

As she put away the gun, the spent bullet dropped to the ground with a clink.

The bullet was completely intact as if it were new.

Furthermore, the woman who had fired the gun at her own temple appeared as unscathed as the bullet itself, looking merely tired.

“Agh, my head. I shouldn’t have guzzled beer just because there was no other liquor. Ssseup. They told me just to be on standby, but I knew it would come to this. By the way…”

Was it a lamentation or complaint? The woman muttered languidly, squinting her eyes.

The Youngest of the Military State’s Six Star Generals.

A Saint of Guns who had ascended to the status of a general officer purely by her strength, without any prior experience.

The Incarnation of Violence who was born under the Star of the Overlord. The Daughter of the Military State. The Supernova.

Gunmaster, Major General Historia.

“Fine, Beast Kings are beasts so they act true to their nature. Putting them aside, even the Progenitor is staying quiet right now.”

After roughly sweeping her hair, she glared at Wolfen with her cold, ash-gray eyes.

“So, why is this fucking loser going batshit crazy, trying to stir up trouble? Could it be because you’re not dead yet?”

And then immediately after, the Gunmaster aimed her gun at Wolfen.

Wolfen felt an odd sensation. The fact that the woman, a Major General of the Military State, was aiming a ‘gun’ at him to attack was incomprehensible.

As long as Qi Deflection existed, guns were meaningless. Even powerful arrows could be easily blocked by a layer of Qi over armor, let alone short, lightweight bullets which could never overcome the Qi Deflection surrounding the entire body.

Was that perhaps why? In the gap that Wolfen let his guard down at the sight of the gun…

A gunshot rang out and almost simultaneously, Wolfen’s shoulder twisted violently. Even Wolfen, protected by Qi Arts over his entire body, couldn’t withstand the shock and stepped back two paces.

As he felt a numb pain in his right shoulder, Wolfen inwardly marveled before speaking.

“…Powerful. You truly deserve to stand out.”

He had not been careless. Unlike with the Magician, he had fully exerted his Qi Deflection. But even despite that, the impact was tremendous. He almost dropped the dagger he was holding.

But still…

“Even so, it’s still just a gun.”

With this level of power, it would be dangerous to be unilaterally shot at from a distance.

But what kind of fool would maintain such a distance despite knowing it was dangerous?

He immediately unleashed his Black Shadow Qi Art, sliding along the edge of the road and running towards the soldier with the gun.

The soldier continued to fire with a cold, steady gaze.

Bang.

Was it perhaps thanks to his body being concealed by darkness? The next bullet narrowly missed above Wolfen’s head. Given the gun’s lack of power and inability to guarantee a hit, it called into question whether it could truly be considered a weapon.

Bang.

This time, the bullet ricocheted at an angle because of the Qi Deflection, which acted as a repelling force. Most bullets would be deflected if they didn’t hit directly.

Bang.

The following bullet struck the ground in front of Wolfen. Shards of concrete flew towards him like shrapnel, yet they were not enough to halt his advance.

And then another shot…

Click-click. An empty sound was heard. The Gunmaster frowned, brought the gun close to her eye, and peered beyond it. After checking the inside, the Gunmaster muttered,

“Ah. I ran out of bullets.”

It seemed so foolish that the Military State was attempting to stop him with such a general officer.

｢This Umbra shall quickly deal with her and hide. While taking down one or two general officers is easy, conflicting with the state is troublesome. This Umbra shall show them that attacking me is a losing game.｣

Right as darkness swept over the street lights like a wave, a calm voice from a golem was heard, as if the lack of bullets was not a problem.

『Are supplies needed?』

“Forget it. It’ll be over before resupply anyway.”

The murmuring Gunmaster then forcefully ripped apart a nearby streetlight.

The streetlight bent sharply. As its faint light quickly faded, it plunged into the ground as if a giant had grabbed and thrust it downward. Fragments scattered in all directions as the glass that held the light shattered, along with a sound of darkness tearing.

The Gunmaster, who easily crushed the streetlight with her mere grip, seemed indifferent to its pathetic end, clenching her fist.

“Combat Alchemy.”

Creeeeeeck.

The low-quality alchemic steel crumpled like paper. The body of the streetlight, which had served its purpose in the Military State for nearly 20 years, was twisted in the grip of the Gunmaster. Accompanied by the sound of metal grinding, the soft alchemic steel was squashed like clay.

Though soft due to its low quality, it was still iron. Had it ever been treated so poorly anywhere else?

It was purely due to an adversary that practically laughed in the face of common sense.

Crunch. The Gunmaster lightly kneaded the alchemic steel in her palm, then opened her grip. In her hand was an irregularly compressed metal sphere.

The Captain pointed out.

『Question. The technique you used cannot be called alchemy.』

“Tch, so picky. As long as it makes bullets, it’s fine, isn’t it?”

The Gunmaster grumbled as she forced the handmade bullet into the gun barrel.

It didn’t fit. Obviously. Molding clay in one’s palm wouldn’t produce a uniform sphere, so it couldn’t possibly meet the standard…

At least, not yet.

The Gunmaster muttered,

“If it fits in a gun, then it’s a bullet.”

But with enough force, standards became meaningless.

The Gunmaster applied pressure. The ill-fitting parts seemed to scream as they were ground away. The crushed area heated up and was precisely shaped to fit the barrel, smoothly rolling inside.

If a part didn’t fit, all one needed to do was remove it. If it didn’t go in, just cram it inside. If it resisted, just push it down.

After crafting a bullet in a manner befitting the Military State, the Gunmaster spun the gun and aimed forward again.

“There we go.”

The time taken to mold alchemic steel into a bullet was around five seconds.

In that time, Wolfen had swiftly closed the distance. Concealed by darkness, Wolfen slid into position behind the Gunmaster. A coldly honed, somber killing intent aimed for the Gunmaster’s neck…

Was what he thought until a pair of military boots, studded with cleats, entered Wolfen’s field of vision. The last thing he had seen was definitely an unprotected nape, yet now, for some inexplicable reason, such military boots were growing larger in his vision.

Wolfen thrust his shortsword hastily. Since the foot was extended out anyway, he intended to split it completely, driving it up her entire leg.

But it never reached. The military boot that was kicked out in an instant shattered the shortsword. His arm bent as it even struck Wolfen’s head, sweeping him away in one fell swoop.