There Is No World For ??

Chapter 48: Pavane For A Dead Dwarf

Since dwarves are not human beings, they cannot be protected under the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.The only international law that applies to you is the 'Wildlife Protection And Management Act.'?Stalin's response to dwarf diplomats protesting against the Soviet invasion.?

***Thinking about his mission, Jung Mapil raised his greatsword.

Filled with ambition to become a general, Colonel Jung¹ assigned the task to Jung Mapil using a mix of threats and persuasion.The best possible outcome here would be for him to provoke the opponent before returning because they did not show up.Even that would cause reporters to write articles about the mercenary group being humiliated, and the internet would be flooded with comments mocking the Sonjuk Mercenary Group.It was a petty but the most satisfying outcome for both the military and Jung Mapil.The next best outcome would be for Jung Mapil to beat up his opponent thoroughly.Even in that case, the outcome wouldn't change, but the problem was that it was possible for a wave of sympathy for the kid named Cheon Yeomyeong to arise.And the worst outcome… would be if the opponent was really skilled enough to cut through a dragon's rib bones.I’m screwed.Whoosh—Seeing the mana gathered around the opponent's sword, Jung Mapil smiled bitterly.The mana he felt on his skin was unusual. It meant that he had either mastered a special martial art or there was a significant difference in their levels.- Let's begin!- Jung Mapil, this bastard, really… No matter what, how can you challenge someone young enough to be your son?- Newcomer! Cut that bastard's arm off!Although Jung Mapil could hear the mockery and criticism of the onlookers, he didn't care.Indeed, it was because of situations like these that he was the one who was sent instead of a superhuman who was actually affiliated with the millitary.And now that he was here, there was only one thing he could do.Alright, let's see how this goes.Pushing aside the distracting thoughts, he gathered his mana and struck down with his greatsword.Clang!The sword of a soldier who had rolled in the fields of Manchuria for over ten years clashed with Yeomyeong's standard-issue iron sword.It was a sword strike delivered while bearing the dishonor of being the first one to make a move. Fortunately, it proved to be effective.Seeing how easily his opponent’s stance was shaken, it seemed like his opponent was lacking in swordsmanship when compared to his ability to handle mana.Swish!Not missing the opportunity, Jung Mapil followed up with another series of strikes.Swinging his greatsword horizontally, he aimed for the boy’s head, but the boy managed to block the attack by a hair’s breadth.Trembling hands, resisting mana.According to the original plan, he should have taunted the boy at this moment, but he gritted his teeth and infused mana into his sword.His battle-honed instincts warned him this was not an opponent to take lightly.And his instincts were right.After ten exchanges, the opponent's sword movement changed suddenly.The standard-issue iron sword accelerated in an instant, slashing through the air like a beam of light.Clang!His military greatsword was barely able to withstand the force of the iron sword. Mana surged as the blades clashed.The strike revealed the difference in their skill levels. Jung Mapil's hand trembled so intensely that it felt like it might tear apart.In order to block the next series of attacks, Jung Mapil held his breath and tensed his muscles. He was prepared to lose an arm if it meant that he could protect his neck.However, contrary to his expectations, the follow-up attack never arrived.As if the previous strike had been a lie, the opponent swung his sword with unnecessarily large motions, almost as if he was telling him to see and try to block it.He's not going to end it with this? No way, this bastard...Intentional power control, glancing at the reporters occasionally.Even though he was in direct combat, Jung Mapil could tell. The opponent planned to use this as his debut stage.He intended to turn the crowd reporters and onlookers, who were here to humiliate the Sonjuk Mercenary Group, into his own publicity helpers.This crazy bastard.Jung Mapil was honestly impressed. And at the same time, he realized that losing an arm might not be the problem here.Not only would the petty plan to humiliate him backfire, but it would instead become an opportunity to make the name Cheon Yeomyeong known.Those boomers are going to go ballistic.He had to do his best to prevent that outcome. Or at least he had to show that he tried his best so that he could avoid the wrath of those boomers.Resolving himself, Jung Mapil swung his sword again.Each step was filled with murderous intent, enough to make the onlookers frown.- What the hell is he planning to do in a duel?- Did he really lose it after taking that hit?- The Newcomer’s going to die! You crazy bastard!In the end, I will be the one who dies. Jung Mapil left behind a bitter smile as the swords of the two men began to speed up.Mana-infused blades sliced through the air, sending dust and strands of hair flying.Reporters flashed their cameras in amazement, but Jung Mapil was in agony.He really has this level of skill at that age?With every exchange, the gap in their abilities became even more evident. His labored breaths and the sweat running down his back were proof of that.Is he even human?A small disturbance managed to create a brief opening. And almost immediately, Cheon Yeomyeong's golden eyes glinted.The standard-issue iron sword pierced through the gap in Jung Mapil's downward strike.The tip of Cheon Yeomyeong's sword went straight for Jung Mapil's arm.Slice—!Cheon Yeomyeong's sword flashed as it grazed his forearm. The mana-infused blade sliced through bone and flesh with the precision of a surgical scalpel.Thud, Jung Mapil lost his balance and fell on his butt. And belatedly, both of Jung Mapil's hands, still holding his sword, hit the ground.Defeat. A crushing defeat at that."That swordsmanship just now... what was it?"Jung Mapil glanced alternately at Cheon Yeomyeong and his severed arm with an expression of utter shock. He was unable to bring himself to ask if that was an application of his own swordsmanship.The contraction of mana, the movement of the wrist, the way he went for the opening at the end.Everything resembled his own swordsmanship... but he still couldn't believe it.Did this boy really manage to steal his unique swordsmanship, which he had developed over the years based on military swordsmanship, various martial arts, and practical experience, in just a few minutes?"No way, is that what I'm thinking?""Yes."It was an unbelievably calm reply.Watching Cheon Yeomyeong shake the blood off his sword, Jung Mapil laughed without realizing it. It was a laugh filled with astonishment rather than dejection.Even as the pain from his severed arm surged up belatedly, the corners of his mouth didn't drop.Old men, it looks like you've messed with the wrong guy.

***"Wow, look at how clean that cut is. Would a healing priest be able to reattach it immediately even if they hurried to the scene?"

On the rooftop of a military building overlooking the Mercenary Zone.Wollard, who was observing the fight between Cheon Yeomyeong and Jung Mapil, exclaimed in admiration. He would have been even more thrilled if he could have seen it up close like the other onlookers.He barely managed to swallow the words wriggling in his mind. After all, he was in the presence of his respected older sister."Wollard.""Yes, Noonim².""What do you think of that kid?"Moryne, the woman wearing a blue coat with a rat mask covering half of her face, asked.Though the question was lacking in details, Wollard understood what she was trying to say and answered immediately."He’s a talent who will be able to become a VIP of our company within ten years.""That's a generous assessment.""When it comes to growth speed, he has no equal. And I haven't seen anyone like him since Jeon Yunseong."At the mention of Jeon Yunseong, Moryne licked her lips. The young man was comparable to the pride of the United States.She remained silent for a moment, looking down at the Mercenary Zone.Among the members of the Sonjuk Mercenary Group, who were now getting ready to board the truck, a mercenary wearing a poncho caught her attention.It was a female mercenary carrying two automatic rifles, three revolvers, and hugging an anti-tank rocket.She didn't need anyone to tell her who it was. After all, it was her beloved daughter, the Saintess.Fortunately, none of the onlookers realized that she was the Saintess.After all, who would ever think of her as the Saintess?With a faint smile, Moryne spoke again."What about the task I assigned you?""...Everything has been scrubbed clean.""There won't be any loose ends, right?""You should know our skills the best. Even if someone from our industry digs into it, they won't be able to find out that guy was once Dung Beetle."Wollard didn't hide his exhaustion. After all, it wasn't easy to completely erase someone's past in just two days.The paperwork wasn’t particularly difficult since there was already a death report..."How many people did you have to take care of for that?""Just one janitor named Park Gusik.""...Just one?"Wollard shrugged and pulled a small piece of paper from his pocket—a sheet containing the memory transfer spell, something the Blue Rat were particularly proud of."It's better if you check for yourself."Moryne accepted the sheet and immediately infused it with mana. The next moment, various memories and information flooded her mind.It was information about the janitor previously known as Dung Beetle. She slowly organized the information in her mind.A back alley janitor with no family, an ordinary third-rate life in the slums.There was hardly any information available.She couldn’t even fathom how he had lived his life up to this point, only passing the GED and not even registering for a mobile phone, which was an everyday necessity for most others.The only point of note was the history of the Foreman who raised him.Other than that, it was nothing different from what she already knew.He was reportedly killed by the Incheon murderer but was actually alive and active.How did he manage to come back to life when there were even photos of his corpse? Unknown.How did he become a Superhuman? Unknown.What were the martial arts he practiced? Unknown.It also looked like he was related to a series of incidents that happened in Incheon recently, but the details remained unknown.This was unknown, that was unknown.If only they could dig into the old man named Jang Man, they might have found something... but he was someone whose safety her daughter had guaranteed by staking her Holy Relic.It wasn't just that they had to protect him; digging into his past was completely out of the question as well.After reaching that point, Moryne spoke again.It was the moment Cheon Yeomyeong climbed onto the truck amidst the cheers of the onlookers."You should manage Cheon Yeomyeong's identity consistently from now on. Fix any deficiencies, and if anyone tries to track him, find them and... you know what to do, right?"Wollard nodded."Understood. But, Noonim...""But?""Is that kid really worth all this investment? You’re erasing his past, protecting his information, and you even gave him the Blood Tear Key, didn't you?""Are you dissatisfied in any way?""I did say that he could become a VIP within ten years, but... you’ve only met him once. The Saintess, too... Honestly, I don’t understand why you’re investing so many resources in him."Moryne looked down at the truck that was just about to depart before answering him."...Wollard, are you doubting me? It’s unlike you to talk so much.""I'm always on your side, Noonim. It’s just that… the board of directors are acting rather strangely. Some of them might even use this as an excuse to create trouble.""Let them try. It doesn’t matter what those remnants of the fallen country try to do."Moryne’s voice grew cold. She was about to say more but then shut her mouth.An abrupt silence descended.Wollard glanced over, wondering what was happening, then stayed quiet once he realized the reason.The mercenary truck was now leaving the Manchurian base.Being a moment of a mother seeing her daughter off, and Wollard had enough sense to understand that, and hence, he decided not to break the silence.After a while, once the mercenary truck disappeared beyond the horizon, he spoke again."...Noonim, did you make a deal with him?"It was an unusually sharp question. Moryne looked at Wollard and replied."Does it look that way?""You used a telepathic sheet. I was able to at least notice that much."Was able to notice? Moryne chuckled."A deal... If you could call it that, then yes.""Does the Saintess know... Ah, she probably doesn't, does she?""Of course, she doesn’t. Why? Are you going to tattle?"Wollard knew this was a good time to laugh and lighten the mood.However, seeing Moryne's chilly smile, he was unable to muster a laugh."Will it be really okay? The hero candidates we managed to identify...""This bastard, that bastard. None of them are related to my daughter.""...That's blasphemous. Noonim, what if the gods get angry?""Well, if they were going to get angry over something like this, they would have punished us back when a Soviet-born commie gave birth to the Saintess.”Only then was Wollard able to laugh. Talking about their fallen homeland always made him laugh bitterly."...Huff, this is really… Is that something you should say, considering that you married a Holy Knight?""Family and faith are separate matters. Think of Stalin's mother.³"They exchanged a brief joke, lightening the atmosphere a bit.Moryne turned her gaze towards the dispersing reporters and onlookers."Wollard, can I ask you to do one last thing?""...Noonim, if you give me any more work, I’ll die."Wollard pleaded earnestly, but Moryne paid no heed."Contact all the major media reporters who had just gathered in front of the mercenary group.""...""It would be nice if they wrote positive articles about Cheon Yeomyeong. It’s not difficult, right?""It seems difficult, but..."Wollard trailed off, but that was it. He didn’t dare to refuse the order and simply sighed deeply.

Do as you're told.

That had always been the rats' long-standing tradition, since the time they were still living in Siberia.

1. Colonel Jung is a separate individual from Jung Mapil. Although Koreans may share the same surname, it does not always imply that they are blood relatives.2. Noonim is the respectful form of Noona. Younger males use this to address their older sisters, older female friends or even females who may not be blood related but are respected as an older sister like in this case.3. Ekaterine "Keke" Giorgis asuli Geladze was a deeply religious woman who wanted Stalin to become a priest, even going as far as to work as a seamstress in Gori to pay for his education