Slaughterer

"Let's go."

"Y-Yes."

The soldiers guided Blade down into the basement. They descended a narrow, winding staircase for nearly three minutes before stopping in front of a massive iron door, its surface marred by deep scratches and dried blood.

"O-Over here."

The sound of heavy breathing rumbled from the other side—low, guttural, and menacing. The soldier nearest to the door hesitated, his hands trembling as he fumbled with the lock.

Click.

As soon as the lock was undone, the soldiers bolted, their retreating footsteps echoing up the staircase.

Now, Blade was alone.

Step. Step.

The sound of his boots echoed in the basement, mixing with the Slaughterer's deep, ragged breathing.

Kuoooh!

As the Slaughterer emerged from the darkness, Blade finally got a clear look at him.

It was a horrifying sight.

His skin was peeled away, exposing raw, red muscle. Rusted metal spikes jutted out from his flesh, driven deep into his arms, legs, and chest. His twisted body bore evidence of years of relentless torture. His face was hidden behind a battered, bloodstained mask, but the eye patch and single exposed eyeball revealed his suffering.

A broken man. A tortured soul.

Blade exhaled.

"Poor guy. I'll end this quickly, so you don't suffer anymore."

Blade took out his Abyssal tyrant great Sword wielding it as he faced the abomination in front of him.

Kuaaaaah!

The Slaughterer roared. When it saw the weapons, it was reminded of its nightmarish days of being tortured.

[The cry of the Slaughterer has caused fear.]

[You have resisted.]

[The persistent eyes of the Slaughterer will penetrate through your weaknesses.]

[You have resisted.]

Kung kung!

The Slaughterer rushed with its massive body. Then it randomly swung its weapon.

'How crude.'

Blade, who had fought against Piaro, naturally found the random swings of the Slaughterer weak and unimpressive. His eyes remained sharp, analyzing the movements of the raging beast.

'Brute force without skill is nothing but wasted strength.'

The massive blade of the Slaughterer cleaved through the air with a deafening whoosh, but Blade stepped lightly to the side, avoiding the attack with ease. The ground shattered where the weapon landed, but Blade was already on the move.

With a flick of his wrist, his sword lashed out like a serpent, slicing through the air toward the Slaughterer's exposed flank.

Clang!

Sparks flew as the Slaughterer instinctively raised its crude weapon to block. Despite its lack of technique, its raw power was undeniable. Blade's hands tingled from the impact, but he smirked.

'It can block, but it can't counterattack properly.'

He shifted his weight and launched another strike—faster this time. The Slaughterer tried to follow, but its movements were slow and predictable.

Blade ducked under a wide swing, stepping into the beast's guard. His blade shimmered as he unleashed a precise thrust toward its ribcage.

Shhk!

The blade bit deep into flesh.

Kuaaaah!

The Slaughterer howled in agony, staggering back. Its blood splattered onto the battlefield, steaming as it hit the ground.

But instead of fear, its eyes burned with an even deeper rage. The air trembled as the Slaughterer's presence grew heavier.

[The Slaughterer refuses to fall.]

[It enters a state of frenzy.]

The Slaughterer was filled with rage. Why did he have to always suffer like this? He didn't want to be born a monster! The Slaughterer seemed to be crying out. As hiss weapon fell towards Blade's head...

Chaaeng!

Sparks exploded as Blade's sword met the Slaughterer's weapon mid-air, deflecting the monstrous blow. The sheer force behind the attack sent a shockwave through the battlefield, cracking the ground beneath their feet.

Blade gritted his teeth as he steadied himself, feeling the weight behind the Slaughterer's anguish. There was more than just rage in its strikes—there was pain, a deep, unrelenting suffering that fueled its every movement.

The Slaughterer wasn't just fighting.

It was screaming.

Its wild, bloodshot eyes locked onto Blade's own, pleading yet furious. It wasn't fair. It never had a choice. Born a monster, treated as a monster, forced to suffer as one.

"... Tch." Blade clicked his tongue, gripping his sword tighter.

"I am sorry you suffered, so let me put you out of your misery," Blade said, pushing the sword away as he struck once again.

[ Emergency Quest Granted ]

[ Helping the Tortured ]

[ You have once again come across a poor soul tortured beyond recognition. ]

[ Help him regain his wisdom. ]

[ Quest Clear Condition: Reduce the Slaughterer's health to the bare minimum, then use Sun Purification on him. ]

[ Quest Clear Reward: The Slaughterer will regain his humanity. ]

Blade's sword slashed through the air, meeting the Slaughterer's crude weapon with a sharp clang. The sheer force of the impact sent shockwaves through the battlefield. The monstrous being staggered, its maddened eyes filled with confusion and rage.

"Kuaaah!" The Slaughterer roared once more, its mind clouded with pain and instinct. Yet, beneath its rage, there was something else—a flicker of recognition, a desperate yearning for something long lost.

'Good. There's still a part of him that can be saved,' Blade thought, tightening his grip on his weapon. He could feel the weight of the quest on his shoulders. If he failed, the Slaughterer would remain trapped in his torment, never to regain his true self.

With renewed determination, Blade surged forward. He had to weaken the Slaughterer, but not kill him. His strikes became more precise, aiming for non-lethal spots, dodging the wild swings of his foe.

[ The Slaughterer's health has dropped below 10%! ]

[ Now is the time to use Sun Purification! ]

The system message flashed before Blade's eyes, and he didn't hesitate. He raised his free hand, channeling divine energy into his palm. Golden light gathered, forming a brilliant radiance that dispelled the darkness around them.

"Be free," Blade whispered as he thrust his palm forward.

A pillar of light engulfed the Slaughterer, his monstrous form trembling violently. He let out a deafening scream, his body writhing in agony as the purification process began. His grotesque flesh started to fade, shifting and reshaping. His eyes, once filled with madness, flickered with clarity.

[ Quest Completed! ]

[ The Slaughterer has regained his humanity. ]

When the light dissipated, a man stood where the monster once was. His body was frail, his eyes filled with exhaustion—but he was human once more. He looked at Blade, his lips trembling.

"Th-Thank you..." he whispered before collapsing to the ground.

Blade let out a deep breath. "Rest now. Your suffering is over."

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