Chapter 471 When you stare into the abyss, the abyss also stares into you
Is such a rotten world and despicable king worth challenging?
Looking into Hawkwood's tired gray eyes.
It seemed that for the first time, Hui Jin felt the despair and discouragement rooted in Hawkwood's heart.
"……I have no idea."
Ashes said.
I am just an ember awakened by the sound of bells and longing for fire.
For one reason or another, the Xinwang are unwilling to continue the initial fire, and what I have to do is to bring the Xinwang back, or bring back their firewood, so that the first fire can continue and the world can continue.
That is my mission, my innate desire for fire as a fireless ashes.
When the flame was about to extinguish, I threw myself into the furnace and burned my soul, humanity and even my body.
But in the end, due to lack of strength, he eventually became ashes and failed to reach the rank of Salary King.
So I can't understand how miserable this rotten world and this despicable king are.
As the scheduler of the salary kings, all I believe in is my mission.
And with that said...
Ashes looked at the sword carried behind Hawkwood.
It was a sword that looked similar to the Wolf Sword, but it had always been wrapped in a scabbard and had never been pulled out by Brother Cangxin.
During the days and nights at the Fire Sacrifice, he held the shield in his hand, sat dejectedly on the steps and sighed.
It was only at this moment, the first time the two of them talked so much, that Hui Jin noticed Brother Cang Xin's sword, which seemed particularly familiar.
"...Perhaps...can you talk about the Frank Undead Team?"
Hui Jin's eyes retracted from the hilt of Brother Chong Xin's big sword.
It is not difficult to find that Hawkwood's sword is the Farlan Great Sword - exactly the same style as the large swords that are engraved next to the empty throne with "King of Salary - Farlan Undead Team" engraved on it.
But there is no doubt that he must know some information about the French Undead Team.
Hearing this, Hawkwood took a deep look at Ashes.
"...what a fool..."
Even so, do you still want to continue your mission?
For a moment, he couldn't see clearly the true nature of the ashes in front of him.
When they first met, he had thought that this poor non-combustible garbage was just an apostle of the Fire Prevention Woman, willing to be a tool that could be manipulated for the so-called "great cause of spreading fire".
But this moment.
He also seemed to see something in Ashes' eyes.
what is that?
Is it hope? Is it sincerity?
Or a faint but bright ember spark?
The same answer as Ashes - he doesn't know either.
Perhaps at this moment, as someone who knows King Xin's past, he, like Ashes who has lost his memory, is just a fool who is ignorant and confused about the world.
Perhaps at this moment, the faint but blazing fire in Hui Jin's eyes also made his heart waver a little.
Salad—Salad—
Stepping through dry and barren yellow weeds, Hawkwood left the Wolf Sword Tomb and walked towards the Fire Transferring Sacrificial Site.
"...Outside Lothric City, in the lower level of Undead Town, I heard there is still a way to go."
"That is the road for transporting living sacrifices to the Deep Church. If you follow the road, you can reach the Fortress of France..."
Speaking of which.
Hawkwood's voice paused, as if he was a little distracted, and his voice was also a little lost:
"The French Undead Team is an army of undead people. We..."
"They swore on the wolf's blood to monitor the abyss. As long as there was the slightest sign, they would not hesitate to destroy the entire country,"
"That's who they are..."
"And if you want to join the French Immortal Team, you have to pass a special test——"
"Extinguish the three wolf smokes of Fran Fortress, and the door to Wolf Blood will open..."
Say it.
Hawkwood shook his head, seeming to feel both sad and ridiculous:
"... Even a cursed immortal person still believes that he is special. It's really sad..."
While talking.
The two of them also returned to the Fire Sacrifice.
salad.
The frustrated brother once again sat in his old seat, looked at the weakly burning and swaying campfire, and sighed.
Then, he took out a heavy gem from his arms and handed it to Ashes:
"I'll give this to you, I won't need it anyway..."
"You guys who don't know the heights of the world, if you want to understand what it means to never look back without hitting the wall, then go ahead."
"I'm afraid you will be just as discouraged when you come back."
That's it.
The discouraged brother stopped talking and just looked at the throne covered in dark red cloth and guarded by countless French swords.
The low chanting of You Yan sounded in the Chuanhuo Sacrificial Site.
Ethereal and sad, with a distant and ancient smell of dust.
It was as if it had crossed the long river of countless days and nights, and finally exhausted its last strength, stopping at this sacrificial site and slowly circling.
It's also like the embers of a fire that has been burning over the Fortress of France for many years, but was extinguished at this moment.
rumble--
Pushing open the long-dusted stone door, Hui Jin was deeply shocked by what he saw and heard along the way.
This was also the first time he felt the desperate influence of "the fire is about to go out, but the king is nowhere to be seen".
The town of the undead is full of undead people who have turned into zombies.
As the First Fire became weaker and exhausted, humanity and memory continued to drain away, plunging the entire Lothric into a desperate haze of zombie transformation.
In order to deal with the increasing number of undead people, the sacred tree at the bottom of the town, which was originally the most prosperous, dense, kind, and efficacious, became the best place to bury the undead.
Until the sacred tree was also eroded and became a cursed tree.
There is an atmosphere of confusion and despair everywhere.
Just like the kneeling pilgrims on the broken bridge of Lothric, looking at the direction where the flames were rekindled, they were unable to do anything to face the broken bridge like a chasm in front of them.
Of course.
The world is not dead and gray, full of loneliness and complete despair.
On the road, he met a strange person.
The whole person is not tall, and is even a bit funny. The bloated armor on this person makes him look fat, like an onion with legs.
Completely opposite to Brother Cangxin.
Brother Onion is always full of optimism and worry-free mood. Even if he is injured in the encounter with the devil, he will kindly remind him not to be reckless and protect him behind him.
After finally winning the final victory, he would breathe heavily, sit down to celebrate with himself and drink wine, and raise his glass boldly: [Long may the sun shine!]
Along the way, Hui Jin saw the gloom of the world, and at the same time he saw the brilliance of humanity shining in the gloomy world.
Perhaps the world will one day fall into a long period of darkness.
But the brilliance shining in human nature will be like the eternal burning star of enlightenment and will never be extinguished.
Until in that darkness, a weak but hopeful little flame ignited again.
Accompanied by the rumble of the door opening.
In front of him, a huge altar covered with bluestone bricks was revealed.
"call--"
Hui Jin raised his hand to fan the dust falling in front of him, but suddenly he heard the sound of clanking knife tips clashing continuously in the altar——
…
Liuliu's eyes followed the winding blood trail in front of him, looking in the direction of the sound.
Buzz-buzz-!
Boring——!
Boring——!
The light of the sword and the shadow of the sword!
At this moment, two warriors wearing the same uniform were waving the huge swords in their hands, launching swift and even terrifying attacks at each other!
And the next second!
Giant swords intertwined!
The sword warrior on the left side quickly dodged and avoided the opponent's attack. Then he slid sideways and cut the opponent's chest like lightning with the sword in his hand, followed by a backhand stab!
Poof——!!!
The blood-stained sword penetrated a warrior's chest, and then slowly pulled away.
Gudong.
There was only one warrior left in the altar.
He wore a pointed battle helmet on his head and a dark red cloak.
The armor on his body was mottled, and under the shadow of the faint brazier, it emitted a dangerous and sharp light.
In his right hand, he holds the same flange sword as the one on Cinderella's back.
But the left hand is not holding a shield, but a rugged, blood-stained dagger in the forehand position.
[Abyss Monitor-Flan Undead Team]
The night wind is chilling and the smoke is billowing.
The deep altar site was filled with corpses of members of the Frank Undead Team.
Sensing the arrival of Ashes, the remaining member of the team slowly raised the sword in his hand and pointed it straight at Ashes.
At the same time, the other hand was holding a dagger, resting it on his right shoulder.
This is the duel etiquette of the French Undead Team.
At this moment, the players felt goosebumps all over their bodies——
'Holy shit - this is so handsome -'
'So Brother Cangxin was actually a member of the Immortal Team, but later he defected?'
‘It looks like this’
‘My scalp is numb, this scene is so ritualistic’
'This salute is really desperate. The Undead Team is very aware of the mission of Ashes' arrival, but at the same time Ashes also extinguished the brazier and swore an oath to the wolf blood, which means that Ashes is also a member of the Undead Team, so there is
This duel salutes'
‘This is GW’s game’
‘It’s so shocking. To be honest, the grand vista of Lothrik City didn’t shock me when I first saw it, but this duel salute really gave me goosebumps.’
‘The sense of fate is really the core of games like Lao Thief’
‘Who the hell can withstand this life-and-death duel with a tragic sense of fate, the tension of the plot and the shaping of the scene...’
'I can only say that the old thief really understands...'
'So handsome...'
‘…’
And with the players exclaiming!
Next second!
Boo-!!!
Suddenly, the undead team who had saluted suddenly flew forward!
The flange sword in his hand was swung, and with a sharp and swift sweep, Liuliu's neck was slashed!
"Aiyahaha——! Oh my god!"
Boring——!
In a hurry, Liuliu raised his hand and raised his shield.
Although it barely withstood the damage from Fran's sword, it could not offset the powerful and heavy impact!
Just hear a thud!
This extremely critical strike actually knocked Liuliu back five steps!
Damn—! So strong—!
As the first of the four salary kings to appear, the strength of Fran's Undead Team is significantly higher than the bosses she defeated before!
Although he does not have the majestic body of the ice dog, nor the troublesome arcane skills of the crystallized old man.
But his sense of oppression is unprecedentedly strong!
As a humanoid BOSS of the same size, his attack frequency and desire to attack are even more aggressive than the ice dog after becoming mad!
and!
The attack movements of this ghost BOSS are really weird!
The huge blade of the sword moved like an arm in his hand. Whether it was a three-consecutive slash using force, or a delayed and ferocious drag slash, almost every attack and even every movement was unexpected by Liuliu.
.
This guy even has the soaring "Tornado Lightning Slash" and the powerful and heavy "Thunder Half Moon Slash".
The posture is graceful and enchanting, the dynamic power is full, and the movement is sharp and strange, making it completely unpredictable.
During the rumbling chops, Liuliu scurried around in panic, while the audience had a climax——
'OHHHHHHHH... He's so handsome, Brother Frank...'
'This movement, this posture, this combat technique... these guys are all ground movements...'
‘If you want to fight, go to the dance studio to fight, right (dog head)’
'Too rude...'
'My sister has been knocked unconscious. She can't predict the interval between attacks at all. This move is really too cruel.'
‘You should be more careful when you see the size of the hip-hop team’
'Indeed, there are all humanoid enemies in Sekiro, so the giant bosses are particularly strong, such as lions, apes, ghosts and the like. On the other hand, in a game like Dark Souls where giant bosses run around, I see bosses that are about the same size as me.
, it’s time to be mentally prepared...'
"Compared to the Immortal Team, Guda-sensei's attacks are simply amiable"
‘After all, he is an entrance teacher’
'This is pure military training...'
‘…’
So fierce!
Liuliu didn't even have time to take a breath!
In fact, from the beginning of the BOSS battle to now, she has drank four bottles of elemental bottles, but she has not drawn a single sword!
There is no time at all!
The attack of the undead team is so strange and coherent.
She almost couldn't find the rhythm of her attacks. In most cases, just when she was about to take action, Fran's sword came down.
Or maybe they thought the Immortal Team was going to take action, but actually missed the opportunity to attack.
Boring! Boring! Boring!
Another wave of three!
Liuliu was staggering after being slashed, and his energy bar was also rapidly reduced.
She had no choice but to put down her shield temporarily, otherwise the stiffness caused by breaking the defense would be even worse.
However!
Just when she relaxed her left hand to release the shield, she didn't even have time to take a breath!
I saw that the Farlan Undead Team actually jumped back, then raised the sword and launched a Charge Thunder Half-Moon Slash!
call--!!!
bad!
Liuliu's heart skipped a beat!
At this moment, she no longer had the energy to block.
And if this powerful and heavy sword were to hit her, then with only one-third of her health remaining, she would most likely go home and sit on the bonfire.
Seeing that the edge of the French sword is getting closer and closer to me!
At this critical moment!
brake--!
Pfft——!
…
Boom——chi——
With a powerful and heavy thrust!
Hawkwood watched helplessly as the sword that was about to hit his forehead flashed!
And his demented teammate, whose eyes were emitting a frightening red light and wanted to kill him, also flew out in response!
Next!
The comrade who helped him to relieve the siege did not hesitate. He stepped forward quickly, turned his body, and slashed in the air with the big sword in his hand!
puff--!!!
Blood spurts!
The head of the red-eyed comrade rolled down with a sound, and the headless corpse fell to the ground with a thud.
And as the tinkling sound continued, Hawkwood looked around——
One after another, the comrades with flashing red eyes waved the swords in their hands wildly like zombies.
And other comrades like him were constantly killing their red-eyed comrades who had fallen into madness.
【When you stare into the abyss, the abyss also stares into you】
No matter how powerful the French Undead Team is, in the process of monitoring the abyss day after day, it is difficult to avoid being corroded and invaded by the abyss.
The reason why the French Undead Team is so powerful is because they share the same blood and even soul.
As a result, the invasion of the abyss was like a plague, constantly spreading among their ranks.
If one is infected, kill one, and if two are infected, kill a pair, whether there are ten, twenty or a hundred.
As monitors of the abyss, as long as there is a slight invasion from the abyss, they will not hesitate to destroy a country.
But as the first fire was extinguished, the erosion of the abyss intensified.
Therefore, fratricide has become the main theme of the French Undead Team.
Hawkwood slumped to the ground tremblingly, watching his comrades wearing the same uniforms killing each other in this small courtyard.
The companion whose arm was cut off was the same group of friends who swore on wolf blood; the companion whose chest was penetrated was the brother who stayed vigil with him yesterday.
The elder brother cut his younger brother in half, and the nephew's sharp knife penetrated his father's heart.
Cruel fratricide is forever reincarnated at the gate of the abyss.
Is this the king?
The greater the power, the deeper the misery. Is this the curse that the king has to bear?
He couldn't figure it out.
Is this the king?
They who would rather kill each other but still fight to suppress the abyss are the same type of people as Eldridge, the despicable drowned pig who creates chaos?
He couldn't figure it out.
Is this the king?
The world that looks on with cold eyes will never pity their curse, but only throws them into the furnace when the fire is about to go out to continue the life of this rotten world?
He couldn't figure it out.
Salary King.
The king who burns himself to perpetuate the whole world.
Shouldn't he be a hero who has the most noble soul, receives the most high admiration, walks into the initial furnace, burns himself, and re-lights the world amidst the expectation and attention on the verge of destruction?
Looking at the dripping blood in front of me like a cursed river, and the mess of severed limbs that are constantly being hacked.
Hawkwood's pupils were trembling.
[Is this rotten world and such a despicable king worthy of your heroic challenge? 】
And right now!
call--!!!
With a splitting neighing sound!
The comrade who had just saved his life turned back at this moment, swung the French sword in his hand, and struck him hard!
And in his eyes, there was a fierce red light eroded by the abyss!
A sharp sword covered with strong wind came.
Hawkwood, who has mastered the essence of wolf swordsmanship, subconsciously tightened his grip on the sword hilt.
But this moment!
But it was as if his memory had been drained from his mind. He could no longer muster up the courage to stab the chest of his siblings who had fought side by side just now.
Boring——!!!
The heavy blow of Fran's sword struck down like lightning, making a harsh golden sound!
Boom——Gulu——!!!
Hawkwood was violently thrown away, causing dust and smoke to roll far away!
In his hand, he held tightly a shield he had picked up from the ground in a panic.
Wolf swordsmanship never uses a shield.
Hawkwood reluctantly climbed up from the ground, tightened his grip on the flange sword in his hand for the last time, and then inserted it back into the scabbard on his back.
Then, he hugged the shield tightly, lowered his head, and limped out of the door.
Then, it disappeared into the bloody night of the Fortress of France.
It's okay to call me a traitor.
Call me a coward.
I will gladly accept it and carry it forever.
Because I cannot accept swinging the blade at my comrades who swear the same wolf blood, and I am unable to bear this despairing curse called King Xin.
From today on, I will no longer be the monitor of the abyss holding the sword of Farlan.
After picking up the shield, I am no longer qualified to use the wolf sword technique, which is famous for its offense.
I'm Hawkwood.
A person who did not become the salary king because of cowardice and self-doubt——
The escapees...
——
PS: Like "Sekiro", the story of Dark Souls is also extremely confusing and fragmented. So this time I want to change the writing method and use some of my own understanding and additional narrative to tell a story that is parallel to the main line.
Some of the descriptions of Brother Cangxin are derived from the game, and some are supplementary narratives to present the story more completely. After all, the novel is not a game, and the story cannot be fragmented like a game. I hope all shareholders can