Barbarian’s Adventure in a Fantasy World
Chapter 81: Worshippers of the Grotesque (2)

Chapter 81: Worshippers of the Grotesque (2)

As usual, Ketal had just finished his alchemical work from Arkemis’s residence and was heading home. It was late at night, and aside from the faint glow of street lamps, the path was enveloped in darkness. In the familiar silence, Ketal strolled at a leisurely pace.

Suddenly, a shadowy figure blocked his path ahead, hidden within the depths of the darkness.

“Hm?” Ketal gazed curiously at the silhouette. Despite the width of the road, the figure stood directly in his way. It was clear he was waiting for Ketal. “Who might you be?”

The stranger responded not with words but by unsheathing a sword. The sound of steel being drawn from its scabbard echoed in the stillness.

Ketal observed the stranger for a moment before speaking again. “Are you a Swordmaster, by chance?”

Ketal recalled a similar situation in the past when Swordmaster Kain had confronted him on a late-night stroll. That memory made him wonder if this was another such encounter.

“Nonsense...” The stranger sounded baffled, as if the idea were preposterous. There was no reason for a Swordmaster to draw their blades in the dead of night.

The stranger hadn’t planned on speaking at all, but the absurdity of the question prompted an involuntary response.

Ketal nodded in understanding. “So, not a Swordmaster. Then, are you a bandit?”

“What are you talking about?” The shadowy figure, a warrior of the Hybolka family named Lockbird, was momentarily at a loss.

Someone had appeared from the darkness, sword in hand, with clearly hostile intentions. Ordinarily, people would react with fear or at least wariness—perhaps taking a step back or drawing their own weapon.

However, Ketal did neither. Instead, he simply regarded Lockbird with a look of a mild interest.

Lockbird furrowed his brow, studying Ketal intently. Something about him felt off. However, Lockbird ignored the warning signals. His duty was to act on the will of his master, not to overthink matters.

“I will say it plainly—follow me, barbarian. Refuse, and you will die.”

“Hm?” Ketal tilted his head, puzzled. “So, you’re not a bandit either?”

The stranger hadn’t demanded money, which ruled out robbery.

Frustrated, Lockbird decided to act without further words. His orders were simple: bring the barbarian in. There was no stipulation that the target needed to remain intact.

If I cut off one of his limbs, he will comply, Lockbird thought as he melted into the shadows. His lowered stance clung to the ground like a creeping specter, closing the distance in an instant.

Lockbird swung his blade, aiming to sever Ketal’s tendon.

However, at that moment, Ketal caught the sword with his bare hand. Lockbird’s eyes widened in shock. He instinctively tried to yank his blade free, but it wouldn’t budge—as if embedded in solid rock.

Danger! Lockbird’s mind screamed. He swiftly released the sword and leaped back to create distance.

Ketal tightened his grip and the sword shattered, fragments scattering onto the ground. The clinking sound echoed through the quiet night.

What in the... Lockbird was horrified. That barbarian didn’t even use Aura, yet he crushed my sword with his bare hands!

He aimed for my tendons, Ketal pondered. The attack had been deliberate and malicious. This wasn’t a mere mugging attempt. After a brief moment of thought, Ketal nodded. “You’re affiliated with the Hybolka family, aren’t you?”

Lockbird flinched—just slightly. It was a minute movement, one that would be imperceptible in the darkness by ordinary people. However, Ketal saw the movement clearly.

So, they really are after me, Ketal thought. The Hybolka family had been targeting the Akasha family. It seemed they realized their scheme had been exposed.

If so, it wasn’t hard to guess what their next move would be. Having read many stories in his past life, Ketal quickly deduced the possibilities.

One of the most common tactics was to go after those close to the target. Using hostages as leverage was a tried-and-true method.

According to Milayna, the Hybolka family had employed such methods before, so they wouldn’t hesitate to do it again.

Ketal glanced at the man before him and muttered quietly, “He’s an assassin, then.”

The Hybolka family had sent an assassin after him.

A fantasy-world assassin! Ketal exclaimed inwardly. It was a classic trope, and now it was happening right in front of him. His excitement was palpable, and even Lockbird could sense it.

This guy is insane! Who in their right mind would be excited about an assassin coming after them? Lockbird thought. Grinding his teeth, he narrowed his eyes.

His cover was blown and there was no turning back now. He had to eliminate Ketal, no matter what it took—even if it meant killing him outright.

Lockbird drew two short swords from his belt. Slowly, Aura began to envelop his body.

“Oh?” Ketal’s eyes sparkled with interest as Lockbird’s presence seemed to vanish completely. Even Ketal found it difficult to sense him.

Is this the power of an assassin? Ketal thought.

Lockbird moved silently through the darkness, erasing all traces of his presence. He positioned himself behind Ketal, preparing for the perfect strike.

However just as he thrust his blade, Ketal turned and their eyes met.

Caught off guard, Lockbird flinched. “You—!”

Lockbird swung desperately, but Ketal dodged effortlessly, twisting his neck to avoid the strike. Then, in one smooth motion, Ketal grabbed Lockbird’s arm and slammed him into the ground.

“Argh!”

“Oops,” Ketal muttered. “Can’t go damaging perfectly good roads.”

Holding back just enough, he avoided completely shattering Lockbird.

“Damn it!” Lockbird dislocated his own arm to slip free, using his Aura like a lubricant. He stumbled back, quickly hurling a dagger at Ketal.

Ketal flicked his fingers, snatching the dagger out of the air. The dagger crumbled in his grip, scattering like sand.

“How... is this possible?” Lockbird muttered, his voice trembling.

“Even if you hide your presence, your bloodlust doesn’t disappear,” Ketal said casually.

Lockbird’s blood ran cold. He was an Advanced assassin, capable of suppressing even the faintest traces of bloodlust. Yet, Ketal had noticed it nonetheless.

This man isn’t just strong, he is a monster. I have to take him out, Lockbird thought.

Ketal knew too much, so he had to be dealt with. However, there was no way Lockbird could do it alone.

Making a swift decision, Lockbird vanished into the shadows, retreating to call for reinforcements. As Lockbird disappeared into the distance, Ketal continued on his way with a nonchalant walk, as if nothing had happened.

***

A lone figure moved swiftly through the darkness, crossing the capital like a shadow. The moonlight cast long silhouettes of the city’s grand structures, and above their rooftops, the shadow of a man darted soundlessly.

Trailing behind him from a distance, Ketal followed. He could have subdued Lockbird at any moment, but he chose not to. His face was filled with anticipation.

An assassin’s hideout, Ketal thought. In countless fantasy stories, assassins always made an appearance. Yet, their hideouts were rarely described in detail.

Most of the time, they were vaguely mentioned as being tucked away in some back alley or concealed within the shadows. Descriptions were often kept ambiguous.

However, Ketal had always been curious. He wondered what a true fantasy-world assassin’s base would actually look like. Now, he had the chance to find out—and there was no way he could let that opportunity slip away.

With that in mind, he followed Lockbird’s movements, keeping a safe distance. It wasn’t long before Lockbird slipped inside a building.

So, that’s the place. Ketal gazed at the structure with fascination.

To his surprise, the building wasn’t in some dark, hidden corner of the city but was located right in the heart of the capital. It wasn’t particularly extravagant, but it exuded an air of refined elegance.

That’s supposed to be an assassin’s hideout? Ketal was caught off guard. It was far too conspicuous. He had expected something closer to the typical portrayal in fiction—a decrepit, dimly lit hideout tucked away in the shadows, far from prying eyes.

For a moment, he mulled it over before nodding to himself. Actually, this makes perfect sense.

When he really thought about it, those who hired assassins were usually nobles or the wealthy elite. If their butlers or representatives were seen sneaking into a shabby alley, it would draw unwanted attention.

Even if they tried to disguise themselves in ragged clothing, the very act of moving through the slums could appear suspicious, especially in a well-guarded city center.

Given that, it was far more practical for an assassin’s base to be right in the middle of the capital, disguised as an unremarkable yet respectable establishment.

With that realization, Ketal arrived at a conclusion. So, an assassin’s guild operating in the heart of the capital actually makes sense.

A satisfied grin spread across his face. In reality, the building was simply a property of the Hybolka family, which explained its central location. However, since Ketal was unaware of that fact, he was fully convinced that his reasoning was correct.

This is what true fantasy should be like. Chuckling to himself, he took a step forward. “Well then, let’s see what’s inside.”

With an air of excitement, Ketal strode toward the building.

***

Lockbird stumbled into the building, drenched in sweat. His breathing was ragged, and his movements were sluggish as he reached up to pop his dislocated shoulder back into place.

Inside, waiting in a lavish chair, was the head of the household. His voice was calm and unhurried as he asked, “Did you bring the barbarian?”

Lockbird hesitated before lowering his head. “I... I failed.”

“What?” The man who had been reclining in his chair immediately sat up, his once-relaxed expression hardening. “Failed? What are you talking about?”

“That barbarian... he is strong. I couldn’t handle him alone.”

The head of the family frowned. He knew Lockbird wasn’t weak. In fact, aside from himself, Lockbird was the strongest among those in the building. His abilities placed him somewhere in the middle ranks of the Advanced—an elite even among the elite.

For someone like him to lose... This is no ordinary barbarian, the family head thought. He sighed, rubbing his chin in thought. “So... the Iron Lady didn’t bring him along just out of curiosity. Just how strong do you think he is?”

Lockbird hesitated, and after a long silence, he finally spoke. “I do not know, sir.”

“You don’t know?”

“I know he’s stronger than me... but beyond that, I have no idea. He’s just... overwhelmingly powerful.”

The family head clicked his tongue in irritation. “This is a problem.”

Lockbird’s failure meant the barbarian was fully aware that he was being targeted. There was no way he wouldn’t have realized it by now.

After a moment’s contemplation, the family head came to a decision. “We need to be prepared for retaliation. Summon everyone in the building. I’ll handle this myself.”

“You won’t have to bother with that.” A voice rang out, cutting through the air.

The family head reacted instantly, leaping to his feet. Lockbird, pale as a ghost, stumbled backward in horror.

“H-how?!” Lockbird stammered.

“I just followed you,” Ketal said casually.

“That’s impossible!” Lockbird shook his head violently in denial.

He had moved without a single trace, taking the most roundabout routes and using multiple locations as decoys to cover his tracks. He hadn’t sensed anyone following him, not even once. There was no way he could have been tracked.

Lockbird refused to believe it, but Ketal only shrugged, looking as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.

“Well, I made sure to follow without being noticed,” Ketal explained.

“What nonsense are you spouting?!” Lockbird’s face twisted in disbelief.

The heavy curtains covering the large window swayed gently. By the time they noticed, a massive figure was already standing there.

With an easygoing smile, Ketal looked at them and greeted, “Nice to meet you, assassins.”