Extraordinary Voyage

"What's going on today? Why am I encountering these bizarre and disgusting things one after another?"

Despite complaining, Aiven's actions were unwavering; he leaped onto the nearby building and sprinted towards the "crime scene" at top speed.

As a Navy Officer from the Order Camp, he couldn't let such things happen right before his eyes. Of course, the most important point was that the "murderer" in his view didn't exceed the scope he could handle...

On the other side, a puddle of slime on the ground was no longer satisfying the blood-soaked "Hammer Youth," who turned around searching for a new target.

The two workers stumbling and crawling yet unable to run fast quickly caught his attention.

Step... step... step...

The "Hammer Youth's" pace wasn't hurried, but even at this normal walking speed, he easily caught up with the two fleeing workers.

Arriving behind one of them.

With the heavy hammer raised high, the youth's mouth twisted into an exaggerated smile, and his pale face showed sincere joy, which looked like an unabashed pervert to others!

Suddenly.

Bang—

A half-brick flew from afar like a cannonball, accurately hitting the "Hammer Youth" on the head. He staggered, and the hammer struck off course, landing heavily beside the worker, shattering the ground and temporarily saving him from a dismantled fate.

As if reacting sluggishly, the "Hammering Man" clutched the long-handled hammer, tilting his head with eyes lacking gleam, looking towards the direction from which the brick flew.

A figure dressed in strange attire tossed a half-brick between his hands, then leaped from the rooftop, landing silently like a nimble cat.

"Sorry for the disturbance! Also, whatever you are, the game is over tonight!"

Having the brick he threw with full force smash onto the guy's head, yet still acting as if nothing happened, left Aiven somewhat perplexed, uncertain whether the person before him was actually... human.

Unexpectedly, the "Hammer Youth" completely ignored Aiven, said not a word, shook his head, and continued towards the worker.

"Hey, buddy, look over here."

Aiven couldn't let him continue his violent act; the half-brick in his hand was once again thrown, striking his occiput with a boom, shattering the brick into powder yet the youth merely staggered slightly, not even bothering to turn his head this time.

By now, the feedback from Aiven's Data Visualization had arrived. This guy dressed like an ordinary city youth working in a factory had physical qualities beyond human limits, reaching the level of an Official Knight.

His physical defense, uh, at least against bricks, was astoundingly high, far exceeding Aiven's understanding of Official Knights.

Additionally, he clearly possessed an Extraordinary Ability that could affect others' thoughts or sense of direction. This explained the bizarre phenomenon of the workers being unable to escape.

"The most important thing is, this guy... has no body temperature. I really hate dealing with someone unknown like this, such trouble!"

Just in case, Aiven poured the remaining half-bottle of No. 3 Holy Water into his mouth, but didn't swallow.

[Sword Style: Jumping Wave!]

His feet pressed on the ground, and Aiven transformed into a blur, flickering like frames of jumping images, arriving behind the "Hammering Man" in mere flashes.

With full force like a lion hunting a rabbit, especially against such eerie beings that defy common sense, having learned his lesson from battling the Blood Hand Gang's "Parasite," caution wasn't an option.

Swoosh—

The Swift Sword drew a perfect arc, aiming for his neck. This strike was incredibly fast; for an ordinary person, the sword's glow might just reach their eyes as the neck was already severed.

Unfortunately, the "Hammer Youth" was clearly not ordinary.

His shoulders seemed unrestricted, suddenly reversing to block the hammer against the back of his neck.

Clang—

A thunderous crash echoed as the lightning-fast strike was blocked!

But that wasn't all; the "Hammering Man's" waist suddenly rotated 180 degrees; the long-handled hammer swept with gale-force winds, like a spinning windmill striking towards Aiven.

Boom—

The "Hammer Youth" reacted swiftly, and Aiven was equally quick.

Poof—

As he retreated swiftly, a large spray of faint golden mist from his mouth splashed onto the "Hammer Youth's" bloodless, pale face.

To Aiven, the No. 3 Holy Water resembled plain water, but to him, it was more terrifying than concentrated sulfuric acid.

"Ah—!!!"

This wretched cry was the first thing the strange figure uttered that night, provided that cries counted as language.

Strike when he's down.

[Sword Style: Jumping Wave!]

In an instant, Aiven executed the Swordsmanship Secret Technique to its extreme, nearly forming three parallel phantoms to surround the "Hammer Youth," swinging swords simultaneously!

"Slash!"

Severed neck! Severed chest! Severed waist!

The trio of sword lights flashed by, and the "Hammering Man" was effortlessly sliced into four parts, falling to the ground.

Thud!

"Ha..." Aiven exhaled lightly.

Following the "Hammer Youth's" death and the continued vaporization of the Holy Water's corrosive effect, a thick black mist quickly dispersed from his corpse, slowly disappearing into the air.

Within only half a minute, as night winds blew, the ground showed no trace, even the seemingly heavy steel hammer vanished without a trace.

"Evil Spirit? Ghost? Living Corpse? Undead? Reanimated Corpse?...?"

Even with Aiven's current Mystical Knowledge, he couldn't distinguish what exactly this guy was.

If not for the strength of the Holy Water prepared in advance for the Blood Hand Gang's Demon Extraordinary, who knows how much effort it would take to resolve this guy.

"Maybe I should take care of some Church business again? Next time, I'll show the Iron Cross Medal and might secure some internal supply of No. 2 Holy Water?"

Standing alone at the street corner, Aiven fell into a contemplation about future precautions.

...

The next day, New Inn Port City Hall.

The semi-circular tiered meeting room was already full, and though their attire varied, each exhibited extraordinary presence.

Representatives from the Goddess Church, City Defense Committee, Crowman Team, City Guard, Navy First Fleet, Royal Navy Academy, Noble Congress gathered in unison, even top executives from two major civilian organizations, the Adventurer Association and Sea Hunter Guild, were present.

The content of today's meeting was evidently unusual; the level of attention made clear the turmoil caused by the Blood Hand Gang was mere child's play.

"Miss Lola, please brief the gentlemen and ladies on the current situation."

Following a simple welcome speech by New Inn Port's Governor Mr. Murdoch to colleagues and friends, he went straight to the point, inviting his trusty assistant to present the situation to the attendees.

All present were leading figures with real power in the city, having no time or interest in idle chatter, immediately focusing on the capable female assistant beside the Governor.

"Gentlemen and ladies, as stated in the meeting notice, we have a major problem now!

The city hall has received reports indicating a sudden rise in unnatural death rates within our city; just last night, over forty-five people in the urban area were killed!

Note, killed rather than missing!"