"Hahaha!"
I had contemplated that a direct confrontation with the organization's members might allow some of them to escape and report my existence to higher-ups.
Moreover, the threat posed by the Chimera concerned me.
Even with confidence in my skills, I lacked the ability to use magic at the moment. My mana was significantly depleted after consecutive use of Merlina.
So, I devised a plan to utilize the Chimera's frenzy to collapse the cave, killing two birds with one stone.
'Of course, not all of them will die in the collapse.'
Especially the formidable presence I sensed in this place.
But it sufficed for me, who laughed eerily as the entire location crumbled.
I advanced at incredible speed, slicing through everything—bodies, debris, and even intact walls.
I broke through it all.
Reaching the top floor, I repeated the process. However, this time, my enemies paid no attention, desperately running to escape.
Unfortunately for them, I was not merciful.
With swordsmanship honed to the limit, I deftly severed heads in my path.
At that moment, my silhouette resembled more a death reaper than a hero.
***
- CRACK
About twenty men in black robes rushed out of the cave.
By the time the last one emerged, the cave entrance collapsed, resonating with a loud roar throughout the forest.
Everyone's expressions hardened as they realized no one else had escaped.
"THESE USELESS!!!!!"
Thomas, the investigation leader, erupted in fury.
The collapse obliterated all ongoing investigations and claimed the lives of most project members—elite individuals chosen for their expertise in biological manipulation rather than combat skills.
The value of these lives surpassed even that of the Chimera project.
And who would bear responsibility for this?
Thomas himself.
"The culprit was either a madman or an idiot who buried himself trying to kill us all," Jones Beckett remarked wearily.
"I'll return to headquarters to report. In the next few days, there will be a trial for the incompetence of the person responsible for this project."
A cold, dictated sentence.
Thomas, devastated, lowered his head, hiding his outrage.
Jones Beckett gazed at the collapsed cave, where the research lab stood.
'I hope we can recover the Chimera's corpse.'
His sole concern was retrieving the Chimera's remains.
"Well, I'm getting out of here. If you manage to recover the Chimera's corpse and salvage your investigation, your trial sentence might be lenient."
A chance for forgiveness.
With that, Jones Beckett and two assistants vanished using mass teleportation magic.
A moment later, Thomas, still reeling from the events, heard a voice behind him.
"So, you guys can even use magic in this place?"
A man with deep blue eyes and straight black hair stood atop the rubble.
His smile contradicted the predatory gleam in his eyes.
'It's alive!' Thomas thought.
Two thoughts flashed through Thomas's mind.
Capture the culprit to alleviate his burden of responsibility.
Smash the bastard's face!
"CATCH HIM!!!!!!!!" he yelled furiously.
The sixteen-robed combat elites formed an attack formation, leaping toward me.
Accepting the challenge with a smile, I swung my sword to redirect an attack aimed at my head.
This encounter differed significantly from my previous clash with another group from the organization.
No hostages this time.
No residential area, eliminating collateral damage concerns.
Moreover, this group was substantially stronger.
Most had unique abilities.
"Paralysis!"
"The wrath of the earth!"
"Blindness!"
While blocking physical attacks, unique abilities were unleashed against me—status effects like paralysis and blindness.
Debuffs.
'Can't afford all these effects simultaneously.'
Unable to dodge every attack and deprived of magic, I swiftly strategized to deal with enemies while minimizing damage.
Three sword attacks approached.
I dodged the first, using the attacker's body to block the second, unintentionally killing him. My counterattack followed.
Now, only the third attack remained.
Yet, with debuffs affecting me, I couldn't block it with my sword stuck in a previous victim's neck.
The enemy's blade struck.
Or so it should have, but there was no blood; my bare hand seized the sword as I looked away. I pulled the sword and buried it in the ground, taking the weapon from the attacker on my back. A backward kick exploded the unarmed enemy's head.
Without pause, I faced a new trio of attackers.
Moments later, one had my sword through his neck. I had unexpectedly thrown it like a projectile. In the ensuing shock, I crouched in front of them, landing a powerful right blow that exploded another head.
The last attacker froze as a sidekick from Franz shattered his body like a giant hammer hit.
The men in black robes collectively thought:
'This guy is a monster!'