Anagin Chronicles

Chapter 134

Freedom’s Thread is a magical tool that allows information to be shared with an unspecified number of people.It was an unknown magical tool with more mysteries than known facts, but its usefulness could not be denied.

There were rumors that, due to its limited quantity, there were not many users. However, that only meant that those who did possess it were highly capable individuals, so a fair amount of high-quality information circulated through it.

Ah, that didn’t mean only a tiny minority benefited from it.

Even if the quantity was limited, its users were varied.

Some shrewd individuals would even resell the information they obtained through Freedom’s Thread at a high price to others who did not possess it.

From their perspective, it wasn’t a bad deal.

Though expensive, they could obtain the information they wanted quickly and accurately.

The Coins of Greed were one such case.

Recently, it had been frequently mentioned in the Talaria Weekly that the rising newcomer, the Practitioner Killer, possessed it.

More people than expected flocked to northern Hellas in pursuit of the Coins of Greed, and as a result, those aiming for it had no choice but to keep other competitors in check or fight them outright.

The competition grew fiercer, and those lacking in combat ability either withdrew or ended up lying in ambush along the routes, waiting for Anagin.

Who knew? Maybe fortune would come if they waited?

However, the situation suddenly took a sharp turn.

Anagin abruptly revealed his identity and destination through Freedom’s Thread, then declared that anyone was free to try and take the Coins of Greed from him.

Lies, deception, trickery....... Everyone doubted his words, yet they had no choice but to act regardless.

If what he said was true, someone else might snatch the Coins of Greed first.

Whether they believed him or not, everyone was forced to head to the forest Anagin had mentioned.

From skilled fighters confident they could seize the Coins of Greed with their own strength, to opportunists hoping to benefit from the chaos, when all their numbers were combined, it became overwhelming.

And then something absurd happened.

They ended up spending more time and effort keeping other competitors in check than watching or targeting Anagin.

Meanwhile, the target himself, Anagin, had used some kind of magical tool to instantly construct a building and was living comfortably.

‘No wonder the Talaria Weekly hypes him up. He’s got rare magical tools!’

‘There might be more to gain than just the Coins of Greed.’

Because of that, everyone started recalculating.

If they couldn’t secure the Coins of Greed, then they would at least take the magical tools Anagin possessed.

And it made sense—the Coins of Greed numbered only a few dozen. Far too few compared to the number of competitors.

Those lacking confidence in their abilities, while others aimed for the Coins of Greed, began planning to at least take some magical tools as a substitute.

And some even planned to loot items from the corpses of others once the fighting began.

A situation that could only be described as utter chaos, on the brink of complete disaster.

Then, Anagin gathered the subordinates he had brought with him.

Just as everyone wondered what he was planning.

He turned the Interspatial Bag at his waist into a wild boar, then poured out a massive amount of gold and treasures.

It was enough to momentarily tempt even those who had come for the Coins of Greed.

Then he gave it all to his subordinates and told them to leave.

An incomprehensible situation.

Everyone hesitated.

Should they attack those guys who were leaving with the gold and treasures or not?

Everyone’s minds became tangled.

What if those guys had the Coins of Greed?

Even if they didn’t, they had just taken a considerable amount of treasure.

Was it really right to just let them go?

What if it was some kind of trap?

Still, that treasure would be quite helpful to one’s livelihood.

As all sorts of thoughts flashed through their minds.

“The Coins of Greed are hidden in the village bandits’ luggage—!!”

Anagin shouted.

He claimed that the ones leaving were village bandits and that the Coins of Greed were hidden among their belongings.

The forest, which had been quiet despite the summer heat as everyone watched each other cautiously, seemed to fall into a brief silence.

Before erupting into chaos as if it had exploded.

* * *

Anagin watched.

The moment he shouted that the village bandits had the Coins of Greed, the bandits’ faces turned deathly pale.

In particular, the village chief, the leader of the bandits, turned back to look at Anagin with an expression as if he had been betrayed.

Like a child who had been abandoned.

So, did he feel any guilt?

Not at all.

Even after seeing the village chief’s face and the terrified expressions of the bandits, Anagin did not feel the slightest bit of guilt.

Weren’t they bandits? Ones who targeted the very guests they invited.

It wasn’t that he intended to judge right and wrong, but at the very least, he thought they were in no position to complain, even if they suffered the same fate.

If they didn't want to end up like this, they should have cleaned up their act long ago.

“You son of a— Kgh!”

Before the thought even finished, an arrow flew in and pierced the village chief’s throat.

An arrow shot by a looter hiding nearby, watching Anagin.

Those who had been holding their breath and observing him until now began to move.

‘Well, I made it that way.’

Logically, it made sense.

Why would Anagin, unless he were insane, hide the Coins of Greed among those bandits’ belongings?

In reality, the Coins of Greed were with Anagin.

But that was only from his perspective, given their situation, they couldn’t help but think otherwise.

If, by any chance, the Coins of Greed really were with the bandits, they would be letting them slip away right before their eyes. Objectively, the likelihood was low… but who knew?

Anagin suddenly recalled something his master had said in the past.

He said that people are deceived not because they are stupid, but because they are greedy.

No matter how intelligent someone is, once greed takes hold, they become a fool.

Back then, he had let those words go in one ear and out the other—but now, as if to prove otherwise, his master’s teaching was unfolding right before his eyes.

Even with Anagin right in front of them, the looters—who had been too busy checking each other to act—now poured out and began slaughtering the village bandits.

They competed as if claiming what was theirs.

“S-save me, please!”

“Die!”

"Ah, a-ah...!"

“Shut up and hand it over!”

“This is mine!”

The village bandits begged for their lives, but the looters didn’t listen and simply swung their weapons.

It was a bit ironic. For the end of bandits to be caused by banditry.

Or should it be called karma?

In any case, once the village bandits were dealt with, the looters began fighting among themselves.

Well, that was only natural.

The real problem came next.

Starting with the attack on the bandits, the looters, who had been merely watching each other, began to move all at once.

And a considerable number of them rushed toward Anagin.

While others targeted the bandits, they intended to go straight for Anagin himself.

However, by the time they charged, Anagin was no longer there.

“Did he run?”

He hadn’t run. If anything, it was the opposite.

[Feather Piercing]

Anagin rushed toward the looters attacking the bandits, tore off a handful of harpy feathers from the wing guards on his arm, and hurled them.

When he threw the stiff harpy feathers infused with Energy(Γι), they displayed power that put ordinary arrows to shame.

Only a few managed to defend; most collapsed with screams as the feathers pierced their bodies.

[Face Crusher]

Anagin plunged into the fallen looters and began throwing punches without hesitation.

Caught off guard by the sudden ambush, the looters were so shocked their eyes nearly popped out.

They had never imagined Anagin would choose to jump into the middle of this chaos.

While they were stunned, Anagin intensified the assault, hurling more harpy feathers and swinging his fists to stir up even greater havoc.

The looters tried to counterattack once they regained their senses.

“This is where I take my leave.”

“Y-you…! You crazy bastard!!”

But the moment Anagin sensed their retaliation, he turned back the way he came and fled.

At a glance, it seemed like a wise move. But in truth, it wasn’t. Because—

“There are enemies everywhere.”

Sphinx, now transformed into a cat perched on Anagin’s shoulder, spoke.

As she said, in the direction Anagin was heading, countless looters were already rushing in like a swarm.

Having reached a silent agreement to take down Anagin first.

As if to prove it, arrows and javelins poured toward him all at once.

A rain of arrows and spears. Avoiding them was physically impossible.

Without hesitation, Anagin pulled out Pairon from his waist and transformed it into a wild boar.

Kkweeiik?

Startled at being suddenly summoned, Pairon squealed in confusion.

Was this really the time to call him?

But it was.

This very moment, when countless arrows and spears were raining down, was exactly when Pairon was needed.

[Meat Shield]

As if he had been waiting for this moment, Anagin coolly shouted the technique name and held up Pairon, now in boar form, toward the incoming arrows and spears.

Like a shield!

"Oh… heavens."

Sphinx stared in shock, as if she had just witnessed a demon.

Pairon was equally shocked.

Countless arrows and spears struck his body directly.

Kkwie?! Kkwiieek?? Kkwieeek-kwiieeekk-kwiieeek—?!!

Each time he was hit, Pairon let out spasmodic squeals—pitiful cries that stirred sympathy.

But Anagin, who always chose to see things positively, took even this as a good sign.

If he could squeal that loudly, it meant the hits weren’t fatal.

In fact, though many arrows and spears struck him, none pierced Pairon’s hide.

Perhaps influenced by the toughness of the Interspatial Bag, Pairon’s skin was incredibly durable, deflecting most attacks outright.

The attackers were the ones left bewildered.

Not missing the chance, Anagin grabbed Pairon and hurled him.

Kweeeeeeiiiiik—!

The sight of a house-sized boar flying through the air was a spectacle so grand that one could only watch it blankly.

Sphinx, perched on his shoulder, asked in genuine curiosity,

"Is it okay to use him like that?"

“I’m doing it because I don’t know.”

No sooner had he spoken than Pairon slammed into the ground with a thunderous crash.

Naturally, those directly beneath him were crushed flat.

They couldn’t withstand Pairon’s immense weight and unyielding hide.

Kweeeeeeiiiiik—!

Enraged, Pairon sprang up and began rampaging wildly, charging in all directions.

He used his massive tusks and bulk to run wild violently, but the looters were skilled as well.

Perhaps experienced in boar hunting, they pulled out chains, nets, and enchanted spears to subdue him.

Gradually, Pairon’s movements began to slow.

Then, at that moment.

He spat out the miscellaneous junk in his stomach and launched it at the looters ahead.

Ptooey—! Kwa-gagagagang!!

Stone fragments, anvils, work hammers, and various weapons he had swallowed at the Chiron Tower.

As those deadly objects rained down into a dense crowd, considerable damage was inflicted, and Anagin used the opening to charge in and attack the looters.

By now, their formation had all but collapsed into chaos.

Their aggressive assault had failed, and having been struck by an unexpected counterattack, the looters could only be beaten down helplessly.

Then again, this fight had been something they were dragged into—so perhaps it was only natural.

It wasn’t a battle they had chosen, but one they had been swept into.

Those close to Anagin were forced back by his momentum, while those farther away tried to close in on him.

The looters became hopelessly entangled.

As a result, the chaos only deepened further.

Just as it began to feel like Tramachus and his group—who were surely watching from somewhere—should step in and drive the final nail in.

Boom!

A massive explosion erupted in the distance.

Kooong!

Soon after, from another direction came a different kind of shockwave, like the tremor of a giant walking.

And that wasn’t all.

Grrrrrrr—! Kwaang—!!

Kyarrrrk!

Grrrrrrrr—!

From the nearby forest, a large pack of beasts burst out and attacked the looters.

“Aaaagh—!”

“W-what, what is this?!”

“W-wait! Hold on…!!”

There were all kinds of them.

From green-furred leopards, to wolves several times larger than ordinary ones, jaguars with steel-like fur, packs of hyenas, and even a gray bear carrying a massive platform on its back.

The beasts poured out in droves, sinking their sharp fangs into the looters’ necks and skulls, while the massive bear’s forepaws tore open bellies, ripping out entrails and even tearing bodies apart.

“It looks like the real heavyweights have started moving.”

Balancing herself on Anagin’s shoulder, Sphinx reported as she observed the situation.

Having asked the wind to scout the surroundings, she relayed that from the north, a group of treasure hunters was advancing while detonating explosives, and from the west, a group of Gigants was approaching.

As for the beasts in front of them, it was obvious at a glance that they were being controlled by a mage.

Otherwise, it made no sense for mere beasts to overwhelmingly crush a group of looters that included Gigants and those blessed with divine power.

They must have been enhanced by magic.

Perhaps because of that, the beasts driven by the mage possessed enough power to terrify even Gigants. Their fangs instilled fear, and their enraged roars paralyzed the body.

Because of this, even Anagin felt a bit concerned.

Would Pairon be able to hold out against those beasts?

Objectively speaking, it made no sense for the fangs of beasts to pierce Pairon’s hide, which neither spears nor blades could penetrate, but you never knew.

Kkweeeeiiiiiiik!!

Right then, Pairon let out a cry. A scream that sounded truly painful.

Perhaps because he was still a boar at heart, he seemed unable to fully withstand the fangs of the beasts controlled by the mage.

Hyenas and wolves surrounded Pairon in an organized manner, biting at his legs to immobilize him, while a jaguar leapt onto his back, aiming to sink its teeth into his neck.

Shing—!

At that moment, Anagin drew the Beast Devourer.

The beasts immediately recoiled.

They had sensed the aura emanating from the blade the moment it left its sheath.

Just as the beasts, now fearful, began to retreat.

“Heh heh, you’ve got quite an interesting item there.”

An unpleasant voice came from the platform atop the giant bear.

An old man revealed himself arrogantly from within.

‘What a ridiculous getup…’

Even in the summer heat, the mage was adorned with accessories made of animal hides and bones, making Anagin frown.

Unaware or perhaps uncaring of how absurd he looked, the old man waved his staff, made from an eagle’s skull, calming the retreating beasts.

It seemed controlling animals was his specialty.

“As expected of the brat who’s been making a name for himself lately. This old man’s name is—”

Thud!

Something slammed straight into the old mage’s face.

It was Pigmenes, summoned the moment Anagin drew the Beast Devourer.

Anagin had kicked Pigmenes and sent it flying straight at the mage.

Then he gave the order.

“Suck that old man dry of every bit of his energy.”