NOVPUBThe guard, struck by Ghislain’s kick, crumpled to the ground. Immediately, the surrounding guards’ faces twisted in anger.
“This crazy bastard, who the hell are you?!”
There were a good number of guards stationed in front of the estate, and they all rushed toward Ghislain, unleashing a flurry of blows.
Thud! Thud! Thud!
Despite being kicked and stomped while lying on the ground, Ghislain shouted at the top of his lungs.
“This rotten world! Some live in mansions, lounging around, while others can’t even afford a loaf of bread! It’s unfair!”
“What the hell is this guy rambling about?! Are you drunk or just insane?”
Pow! Pow! Pow!
The kicks rained harder, but Ghislain continued his tirade.
“You filthy aristocrats should all be skewered on spears! Revolution is what we need! Freedom and equality! We are all brothers!”
The word “revolution” stopped the guards in their tracks, their expressions morphing from anger to shock.
“W-What did he just say? Revolution?”
“Is this guy with the revolutionaries?”
“He looks like a drunk, but his words are dangerous. We can’t take any chances.”
The mere mention of “revolution” was enough to set off alarms. In the past, even the slightest whisper of rebellion led to severe punishment, as revolutionaries were considered a threat to the entire kingdom.
Unable to risk letting him go, the guards bound Ghislain with thick ropes and dragged him toward the underground prison.
The estate’s dungeon was packed with prisoners—common criminals, petty thieves, and those wrongfully imprisoned. However, a large group of 50 or so dwarves had recently been added to the population, filling the cells to their limits.
As Ghislain was shoved into a cell, the dwarves, lounging lazily across the way, perked up at the sight of him.
Each dwarf thought the same thing:
“There’s no way that guy got caught on accident.”
Years of experience told them one thing: Ghislain being here meant this was all part of his plan.
The dwarves exchanged knowing smirks. Their “lord” had surely devised something clever, and his extraordinary strength meant this prison break was already half-finished.
Coincidentally, Ghislain was placed in a cell directly opposite Galbarik, the head of the dwarves. The guards, having run out of space, had stuffed him into the first available cell.
As the guards walked away, Galbarik gripped the bars and whispered loudly enough for only Ghislain to hear.
“As expected, you’ve come to rescue us, my lord!”
“No, I got caught,” Ghislain replied bluntly.
“...”
Galbarik averted his gaze awkwardly, realizing Ghislain’s tone carried a hint of irritation.
“Great, now he’s sulking.”
The dwarf sighed inwardly. While it was true that their plan had failed, he still found the circumstances frustrating. It had been an uncomplicated operation—just bad luck that a lazy guard had stumbled upon them.
Desperate to explain, Galbarik leaned in closer.
“My lord, listen! The plan was flawless, I swear! But wouldn’t you know it, some guard was sleeping in the exact spot we were tunneling through! Of all days, of all times—it’s as if the heavens themselves wanted us caught!”
Ghislain snorted, amused by Galbarik’s frantic defense. The explanation was entertaining, even endearing.
“Unexpected problems always arise,” Ghislain said with a wry smile. “No matter how perfect the plan, there’s always some random hiccup.”
But Ghislain wasn’t worried. Problems, no matter how unexpected, had always been part of his life—whether in his past or his current reincarnation. What mattered was his ability to adapt and resolve them.
“Don’t worry. Rest up tonight. When I make my move, head for the tunnel. My knights are waiting there.”
“What about the fight? Won’t you need us?”
“No. You’ll just get in the way. Move as soon as you get the chance.”
Though dwarves were capable fighters, Ghislain didn’t want them involved in the battle. The risk of them being injured or captured again was too high.
“Understood,” Galbarik relented, though a part of him felt useless. With an enemy force of over a thousand, even the lord can’t do this alone... right?
As night fell and the cells quieted, a large, hairy brute lounging across from Ghislain broke the silence.
“Hey, newbie. Aren’t you gonna introduce yourself? What’s so interesting about those dwarves? They’re getting moved anyway.”
Ghislain turned to face the man, noting his slovenly appearance and smug demeanor. The other prisoners huddled against the walls, clearly terrified of him.
It didn’t take long for Ghislain to figure out what was happening. The brute was the cell’s self-proclaimed “boss.” Yet among the fearful faces, one middle-aged man stared at him with eyes full of venom.
The man’s face and body were battered and bruised, evidence of relentless beatings. Ghislain glanced between the two, piecing the situation together.
The brute noticed Ghislain’s gaze and sneered. “Curious why that guy’s all messed up? He tried to kill me, the idiot. So I beat him within an inch of his life. I’ll finish him off soon enough.”
Ghislain’s interest piqued. “And what’s your crime?”
“Robbery, murder, and rape.” The brute grinned, reveling in his depravity. “Oh, and that guy’s daughter was one of my victims.”
He let out a guttural laugh, clearly enjoying the middle-aged man’s anguish.
“His kid got in my way, so I dealt with her. As for him, some knight threw him in here after he complained. Funny, huh? Putting me and him in the same cell. Gotta say, it’s been entertaining.”
“You bastard!” The middle-aged man, though barely able to stand, lunged at the brute. But with a single kick, the brute sent him flying.
Thud!
“Pathetic,” the brute spat, stomping on the man repeatedly.
“Stay down, you worthless piece of shit! Who do you think you are, coming at me like that?!”
Thud! Thud! Thud!
The other prisoners cowered in fear, pressing themselves against the walls. Even Galbarik and the dwarves, who had been amused by the scene moments earlier, now frowned in disgust.
After thoroughly pummeling the man, the brute turned to Ghislain.
“See that? I’m a beast when I lose it. So, if you know what’s good for you, strip down and get over here.”
“And if I don’t?”
“Then you’re dead, plain and simple. Six feet under, just like that guy’s daughter. You’ll be number six for me.”
The brute chuckled darkly, but Ghislain remained unfazed. Instead, his expression hardened, and his tone grew icy.
“I don’t enjoy picking on the weak.”
“What?”
“But trash like you? I don’t mind taking out the garbage.”
“You little—!” The brute stormed toward Ghislain, only to freeze in place.
Clink!
“W-What the...?”
Ghislain had extended a single hand, and with a casual flick of his fingers, the brute found himself unable to move—as if invisible chains were binding him.
The brute screamed in agony as Ghislain casually twisted his fingers, causing the man’s limbs to bend unnaturally. His arms and legs contorted in ways they were never meant to move, and with a thud, he collapsed onto the floor, utterly incapacitated.
“G-Gahhh...”
The brute could only writhe on the ground, drooling and trembling, unable to comprehend how he had been so thoroughly defeated. He barely managed to think: This isn’t a normal man... why is someone like this in a common prison?
Ghislain loomed over the brute, his cold eyes filled with disdain. With a flick of his hand, one of the iron bars of the cell sliced cleanly apart, and he grabbed the severed piece, channeling mana to sharpen its edge to a deadly point.
The sharpened bar now resembled a makeshift spear, more than capable of delivering a fatal blow.
Step. Step.
As Ghislain approached, the brute panicked, squirming helplessly. “P-Please! Please spare me! I didn’t know who you were!” he begged, his voice trembling with terror.
Ghislain looked down at him for a moment before turning to the battered middle-aged man nearby. Without a word, he handed him the makeshift weapon.
“Only those who’ve tasted vengeance know its flavor. Here, have your revenge.”
The man stared at the improvised spear in shock, unable to process what was happening. But when he looked down at the brute, memories of his daughter flashed before his eyes. His trembling hands tightened around the spear, and his resolve hardened.
The brute’s pitiful pleas rang out. “P-Please, don’t do this. I—”
The middle-aged man cut him off, his voice hoarse with grief and fury. “Did my daughter beg for her life too?”
“W-Wait, I—”
“Go to hell and apologize to her.”
The man climbed onto the brute’s chest, his weight pinning the man to the ground. With unrelenting force, he plunged the spear into the brute’s throat.
Thunk!
“Grahhhh!”
The brute’s screams gurgled as blood spurted from his throat, but the middle-aged man didn’t stop. Again and again, he drove the spear into his victim, his actions fueled by years of pent-up anguish.
Thunk! Thunk! Thunk!
By the time the man finally stopped, the brute’s neck was unrecognizable, shredded beyond repair. The brute’s lifeless eyes stared blankly at the ceiling, his mouth agape as if he hadn’t accepted his fate.
Breathing heavily, the man stood, his body trembling. He turned to Ghislain and bowed deeply.
“T-Thank you... I can’t express how much this means to me. I don’t know how to repay you.”
Ghislain waved dismissively, but before he could respond, cries erupted from nearby cells.
“He killed him!”
“There’s a dead body here!”
The commotion quickly drew the guards’ attention, and the sound of boots pounding against stone echoed through the prison halls.
“What’s going on?!”
“How the hell did this happen?!”
The guards burst into the room, furious and panicked. Seeing the corpse, they immediately began shouting orders.
“Everyone down on the ground, now!”
“Check them all! How did they smuggle in a weapon?!”
The prisoners knew better than to argue. Everyone, save for Ghislain, pressed themselves against the walls or the floor to avoid the guards’ wrath. The middle-aged man dropped the spear and knelt down without a word.
One guard pointed his club at Ghislain, shouting, “You too, get on the—”
Clink.
The club froze mid-swing, caught effortlessly in Ghislain’s hand. He shook his head, muttering, “Why does it never go smoothly?”
Before anyone could react, Ghislain moved.
Boom!
The guard who had tried to strike him was sent flying, slamming into the bars of another cell. He slumped to the ground unconscious.
“What... What the hell?!”
The remaining guards and prisoners alike stared at Ghislain in shock, their bodies frozen. The nonchalant way he had dispatched the guard made it clear: this was no ordinary man.
Ghislain smirked and glanced around the room. “Guess we’ll just start now.”
It was time to rescue the hostages and make his escape.
