※Includes depictions of bloodshed. Please be aware if you are not comfortable with such content.

—Ability 《Dash》

A physical skill unlocked at Level 2.

It’s a foundational ability that consumes ST to quickly move a short distance.

I don’t like having my rear being taking like this.

I activated 《Dash》, closing the several-meter distance between Darren and me in one breath.

Then, I swung my drawn iron sword at his right leg.

“…Huh? ‼ Ghhhh—⁉”

“Hii⁉”

“You bastard! You little shit‼”

Engaged in conversation, Darren couldn’t react to my attack and lost his right leg.

Despite his large stature, Darren let out a pitiful scream due to the pain of having his leg severed.

He doesn’t need his arm either.

“Higgyaaah‼”

I severed Darren’s left wrist as he was holding his leg.

Him having two arms allows him a certain degree of freedom in action.

With the pain added, he should be a bit more docile now.

Well—

When I turned around, Joe seemed surprised at the sudden sight before his eyes.

And James is drawing his sword and charging.

Joe is completely backing down.

I guess I can deal with him later.

I’ll deal with James first.

—Ability 《Slash》

A sword technique unlocked at level 1 of 【One-Handed Swordsmanship】.

Its effect is to unleash a 【110%　Attack Power Slash Attack】by consuming ST.

The multiplier changes as the level of 【Swordsmanship】 or 【One-Handed Swordsmanship】skills increase, making it a handy ability.

At this point, my 《Slash》 is a 【170%　Attack Power Slash Attack】.

But the reason for using the ability is not the attack power.

Sword technique abilities are corrected for the trajectory and speed of the slash by the system.

Therefore, unless one takes evasive action the moment they see the preparatory movement or counters with a sword technique, it becomes a virtually certain pre-emptive attack in most cases.

My iron sword, clad in a light blue aura, draws a vivid trajectory.

And it slashes through James’s 【Iron Sword】, cutting his right arm diagonally.

Blood spurts out.

His right arm dances in the air.

“My, my arm is⁉”

“Hiiii‼”

James screams while holding his severed arm.

It’s troublesome if he escapes, so I sever both his legs.

That leaves one.

Joe, who had planned to escape at some point, is making his way through the bushes.

Given the status, catching up to him from now on would be a hassle.

“What the hell! No one told me it’d be like thi—iiii⁉”

The field dressing knife I threw hit his shoulder.

Joe, who was leaning forward, fell down.

While he was falling, I caught up with him using 《Dash》, and cut off his foot and left wrist.

With this, I have incapacitated the three of them.

However, it would be foolish to just kill the three of them as they are.

If I do, my Adventurer’s Guild license will be revoked, and I’ll be wanted within the kingdom.

So, I’m going to take the trouble.

“It hurts, it hurts so much……”

I grabbed the squirming Joe by the hair and dragged him to where the other two were.

Thanks to the STR correction from acquiring skills, I was able to carry him without much trouble.

Then, to the three men groaning in pain, I calmly declare.

“Now, we’ll play a game.”

“A…game?”

“Damn brat‼”

“Shut up.”

I kicked James in the face as he interrupted the conversation.

Of course, I aimed for the center of his face.

The already bloody bandage became even redder, and James quieted down.

“It’s a simple game. I’ll give Darren and Joe a chance.”

“A…chance?”

“Ugh……”

“Yes, a chance. Please kill James. If you do, I’ll save the two of you.”