Chapter 20: Checkmate [1]

There has never been a time when I didn't use the heart of a beast.

Of course, I've only had one fight with it. Still, the opponent was quite talented. The northern peoples had a reputation for ferocity and outstanding military power.

But they too fell to my gavel one after another. Once I activated the skill, it was easier than twisting a child's wrist.

However, the monster before my eyes was something that defied common sense.

'The attack... stuck? In the air?'

It felt as if some kind of shield or intangible force had intervened. I swung the gavel again. If the emphasis before was on speed, now it was a blow with all my might.

"Hwaap!"

Quaching!

Then, a different result came out than before. The hammer head crashed into the air the same way, but the monster's body heaved and was pushed back.

"Ohh? It seems you can't completely rule out an attack, right?"

If this is the case, the story changes.

This means that the ability will break if the shock exceeds its limit. I smiled faintly and lightly relaxed my shoulders.

As the activation time increased, a feeling of sorrow welled up from deep within my heart. The Heart of the Beast is a skill whose power increases as the desire to kill the opponent becomes stronger.

'But I must exercise moderation.'

My purpose is to reveal the truth, not to kill anyone.

The border between reason and recklessness. It was not easy to maintain exactly that middle point. But I was able to do it. Didn't I almost reach the point of liberation while dealing with unreasonable civil servants?

"This is just gum!"

Suhuaaang—! Whoops!

The gavel, engulfed in red-hot flames, struck the air. Sparks exploded with an ear-piercing roar. It was like molten iron splashing out of a furnace.

-Ugh!

The monster screamed in pain.

The red energy that penetrated the defense shield struck its entire body. It must have been in great pain, as it twisted its body and hurriedly retreated. However, it could not be defeated with just one blow.

-Yes, you!

The monster's eyes began to flash and emit bright yellow rays of light.

A bundle of light extended straight and then bent sharply.

It was a very difficult attack to block because the trajectory was long and there were dozens of shots. However, I was able to block the yellow beam without much difficulty.

Kwagwagwagwagwang!

Bang!

'Hey! Is this what happens?'

Honestly, I thought this one was a little dangerous.

I never imagined that such a high-level attack would occur. First of all, the opponent is a monster. I thought they would just point their horns at me ignorantly.

Ta-da-da-da-da!

I quickly closed the distance. It would be impossible for the monster to unleash such powerful attacks in succession. As expected, it did not respond properly.

-Woah, step back! Are you trying to touch the body of a great being?

"I don't know what's great. I have to investigate, so get out of my way!"

-What kind of investigation are you daring to undertake?

"Ah, that's so annoying."

Bah!

The gavel, swung sideways, was aimed at the monster's legs.

However, the moment the opponent lowered its thick arm to defend, the attack trajectory twisted. It soared upward out of nowhere and hit the monster's chin.

―Kaaaaaa!

Although it was a simple trick, it was surprisingly easy to catch.

'For some reason, this guy feels like he's barely experienced any real combat.'

Actually, I was the same in that regard.

However, I and Abel had first-hand experience in chasing down criminals.

That small difference created a big gap.

Puck! Plop!

-Ahh! Whah! Okay, stop!

"I can't hear what you're saying."

-Surrender! I Surrender, you bastard!

"Is that the attitude of someone who surrenders? You man-eating bastard?"

―I will cooperate, so please stop! Ugh!

"Okay. It should have come out like that a long time ago... But why does your attitude change so quickly?"

I tilted my head at the incredible speed of the monster's change of stance. For a creature that calls itself a god, shouldn't it be much stronger mentally?

A monster crushed in a corner. Soon, I looked at the meat and bone pieces it was eating.

'Uh?'

But something was a little strange. No matter how you look at it, it was significantly different from a human. You can't call a skull this long a human, right? Even if it looks strange.

"Anyone can see that this is an animal. Hey, what do you usually eat?"

―Why are you suddenly asking that?

"I told you, it's an investigation. Do you want to tell me the truth? For your information, I am still in the process of arresting criminals."

―… See, I usually eat grilled meat, as provided by hom.

The monster pointed at Viscount Erset, who was lying flat on the floor and shaking.

I frowned at the unexpected results.

"Have you ever eaten someone?"

-I am a great gourmet. Unless it's a high-quality cow raised on grain, I won't even touch it. Searᴄh the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

"You said something like that when you just chewed it raw and swallowed it. It makes me really angry."

-Sometimes I eat raw meat. You get sick of just baking manna.

"Ugh! Just stop."

I raised the gavel and lowered it with a sigh.

What's the point of beating up a guy who's already been subdued?

Moreover, if I move even a little, he gets scared and flinches. By the way, if this guy didn't eat them, where did the miners go?

"Was it simply an accident that resulted in them being buried in the ground? Was the author just trying to cover it up?"

-To be buried?

"The miners disappeared. I heard it happens often here."

-I heard a lot of mines are collapsing. But it was definitely avoidable.

"What does that mean?"

I narrowed my eyes at the word the monster inadvertently uttered.