Noki couldn't shake his disbelief. How is this guy the strongest? He just stood there watching during the fight—too scared to even step in!
Lost in thought, he stared at Edrew—then began poking his arms and shoulders like a curious child inspecting a strange insect.
Edrew's eyebrow twitched. "The hell are you doing?"
"Can I... check your hands, Boss?" Noki demanded, seizing Edrew's wrists.
To his shock, they were smooth, flawless —no calluses of a swordsman, no scars of a mage. Just the hands of someone who'd never known labor.
Noki recoiled as if burned. That damn spirit tricked me again!! he fumed internally.
Tia observed Noki's antics with quiet amusement, a soft chuckle escaping her lips.
Upon arriving at the medic's station, they were met with a crowd of people—families waiting in tense silence, their eyes hollow with dread.
Edrew stepped down from the carriage, handing a slip of paper to the attending nurse.
"What did you give him, Boss?" Noki asked.
"The list," Edrew replied flatly. "They'll call the families to claim their dead."
Noki fell silent. He already knew what was coming—a scene he didn't want to witness.
One by one, names were called.
Wives. Fathers. Mothers. Even children.
They came forward, their grief spilling over as they collapsed before the shrouded bodies. A pregnant woman sobbed over her husband's corpse. Children, now orphans, clutched at lifeless hands, too young to understand why their parent wouldn't wake up.
Noki watched from a distance, his throat tight.
Edrew offered him a cigar. "Need a smoke?"
The ember glowed between them as Edrew exhaled, his voice low.
"What a sight, huh?
The bitterest sight? The dead spirits forced to watch their own families weep over their corpses.
Some radiated regret—but it was far too late.
Noki, unaware of the spirits around him, suddenly burst into tears, his face twisting into an exceptionally ugly cry.
"Booosssuuurrrsss...!" He lunged at Edrew, snot dripping as he clung in a suffocating hug. "It's so saaaddd—HWAAAAHHHH!!"
"What the—?! Let go, you damn mutt!" Edrew shoved at him, revolted. "Disgusting! Who cries like a busted faucet at your age?!"
Clap. Clap. Clap.
Slow, mocking applause cut through the scene. A man approached, smirking.
"Well, well... Our solo corpse collector delivers as usual." His gaze slid to Noki. "And you've got a crew now? Cute. At least you're not alone this time."
Edrew ignored him entirely.
"We're leaving," he muttered, peeling Noki off. "Our job here's done."
Guards, hold him!"
The surrounding soldiers drew their swords, forming a tight circle around them.
"Don't you dare disrespect me," the man sneered. "I wasn't finished—"
Edrew subtly flicked his wrist at Noki—a quick, dismissive wave.
"This is what I've been waiting for, Boss!!"
Noki grinned, unsheathing his sword with a metallic shing and resting it on his shoulder. "C'mon then! My body's been itching for a fight!"
Before the guards could react, Noki swung.
A single, sweeping strike—
WHOOSH!
The sheer force sent every guard flying, their bodies skidding across the dirt like discarded ragdolls.
"Shit! I thought they'd be stronger!" Noki blinked at the groaning pile of armor, then turned to Edrew with an awkward chuckle. "Heheh... sorry?"
THWACK!
Edrew smacked the back of Noki's head. "That was the run away signal, you moron! Not *fight back!" He dragged a hand down his face.
Noki rubbed his head. "Ohhh... I thought you meant 'go wild.'"
Why the hell did I hire this motherfucker?!"** Edrew muttered under his breath.
The nobleman, now trembling, pointed a shaky finger. "Y-You...! You dare challenge me?!"
Edrew sighed—then made another hand signal, this time drawing a finger across his own neck.
Noki's eyes lit up with absolute confidence. Finally, a sign I understand!
As Edrew turned back toward the carriage—
"HRRAAAGH!"
Noki lunged, sword aimed straight for the noble's throat.
"W-Wait!! What are you—?!"the man shrieked, collapsing backward.
"Your last day, scum!" Noki declared proudly. "My boss ordered your execution!"
The blade descended—
CLANG!
A dagger intercepted it at the last second, sparks flying as dust kicked up from the force of the swing.
When the air cleared, Edrew stood between them, his weapon locked against Noki's.
"You rabid dog,"Edrew hissed. "I meant 'wrap this up'—not 'decapitate him'!"
The noble fainted on the spot.
"Now we've got a real problem," Edrew growled, gesturing to the unconscious man. "That's the noble who runs this medic station. Kneel. Now."
Noki dropped his sword and hit the dirt so fast his knees left craters. "SORRY, BOSS!! Your hand signs are confusing!"
"Get. On. The. Carriage."
Noki saluted like a scolded soldier. "YES, BOSS!" He scrambled away, dust trailing behind him.
What are you doing here, Shin?" The armored knight's voice cut through the murmuring crowd like a blade. "What's going on?"
At the name "Shin," the onlookers erupted in hushed whispers.
"Wait—that's Shin of the Twin Heroes?!"
"No way... it can't be him."
"Since when does a legend collect corpses?"
Edrew didn't bother responding. He climbed onto the carriage and snapped the reins, urging the horses forward.
The knight glanced at the unconscious noble, then sighed as a guard rushed to explain the situation.
"Hahahaha!" The knight threw his head back, laughing. "Just wrap this up. Don't make a big deal out of it—I'll handle everything."
As the carriage rolled away, his voice carried after them:
"So you finally show yourself after three years, Shin. I had no idea you'd been playing corpse collector."A smirk laced his words. "We'll meet again soon... right?"
At The Carriage
Tia sat curled in Edrew's lap, her spectral fingers tracing idle patterns on his sleeve.
"Don't you miss them, Shin?" she murmured. "Three years gone... after all you endured together."
Edrew remained silent, the only sound the creak of carriage wheels. Then—
"I discarded that name. That family." His voice was hollow. "That life wasn't mine to begin with."
A pause. The air grew heavier.
"If you must know... the 'Shin' they loved was a reincarnated soul. I was just a spectator—watching as he lived in my body, loved in my place." A bitter laugh. " No one even noticed. They all praised how 'I'd changed.'"
The reins trembled in his grip.
"That Shin is dead now. Only Edrew remains."