Only I Am A Reader

Within the large plot of green lands that the Empire reigned over, only one place was regarded as an absolute death zone.

Sky-Piercing Empire's Evil Sword Jungle.

As the greenest spot in the map, the jungle used to be one the greatest source of all kinds of fruits despite the relative danger. However, just like everything else, the jungle's identity changed with the fall of one sword.

The jungle was undeniably the place that had the highest concentration and variety of animal life in the whole continent, and Sword Breath came to prove this point too soon. What was considered the Empire's gift soon turned to be their nightmare.

Before the Swordsmen grew strong enough to deal with them, all kinds of Sword Beasts emerged from the bountiful greenery and terrorized the rocky cities. Only after countless sacrifices was humanity able to push the threat back, restoring peace in the Empire.

Neighhh!

The Jungle's status as a forbidden zone that took the lives of many left a scar on the whole Empire's heart. Yet, for some reason, a carriage was rustling through the rough green ground.

"Look out!"

Gawooo!

A giant ape suddenly jumped out from between the trees, running towards the carriage from the side, but the carriage's driver didn't seem to care as he drove straight ahead, only letting out a suppressed shout.

Swish!

"Don't worry, I got this."

Thud!

Before the ape and the carriage met, the ape simply froze in place before collapsing to the ground. It was only then that it realized that its head had already flown off on its own…

Swish.

"Just go without worrying about stuff like this."

Slashing his sword in the air to throw off the ape's blood, a man clad in green that matched the jungle's color got on a horse matching his outfit before disappearing along with the scenery.

"Sheesh, it's always stressful to deliver the goods in a place like this."

The driver let out a sigh as he continued doing his job. Although he seemed to be nothing but a reckless driver, every step was calculated, he was working for 'them' after all.

"Here we are."

As someone who had already done this job more than a dozen times, the carriage driver quickly slowed down the horses as he knew that he reached his destination despite the lack of signs.

Knock. Knock.

"Alright, get out and prepare for the handout."

After the horses finally stopped running, the carriage driver knocked on the carriage behind him, calling out for his colleague in a hurry. Even with protection, this place was more than just scary, the sooner they finished, the sooner they would be able to leave.

"Paul?"

For some reason, however, his colleague that was riding along the 'goods' didn't seem to hear at all. Could he possibly be sleeping on such a horrifying trip?

"Oi, Paul! We have no time for this! You are doing the simplest job out of us all and you are still slacking?"

Getting down from his seat, the carriage driver walked to the back to open the carriage's door himself, but he almost tripped as he reached out to the handle.

"Ouch, that is why I hate this jungle, there are nothing but obstacles! What is it this time…"

Looking down on where he stepped over, the carriage driver's eyes blinked before widening to a terrifying degree, reflecting the face of the corpse lying on the ground.

"Paul!"

The fat carriage driver dropped back on the ground again. What in the world was happening? Why would Paul's body be lying on the ground just as they reached their stop?

'Did they decide to get rid of us?'

A terrifying idea sprouted in the carriage driver's head. Considering their line of work, it wasn't anything strange to be disposed of like this, but to do so before they even finished this job?

'Should I run away…?'

The carriage driver's mind was overloaded from all kinds of thoughts emerging in his head. The only idea that came out was to run, but was running in the Jungle any better than death?

"Ack!"

After doing his best to stand up with his shaky legs, the man put his hand over his mouth before his scream got out as he noticed another corpse not too far away, it was none other than the Swordsman who had just killed that Sword Beast!

'Sh*t!'

At this point, the man's tears were already streaming down from his eyes as he could do nothing but curse in his mind. It made sense to dispose of someone like him, but this man was 'their' Swordsman!

Thud! Another corpse was thrown out of nowhere, it was another green-clad guard!

"Shhh."

The carriage driver was simply about to lose it all and scream his lungs out, but nothing came out of his mouth! A black 'claw' had completely grasped his neck before he knew it!

"Don't make any fuss, just point over to the 'door' and I will make this quick."

"Humm, humm, hummm!"

Struggling to speak out and turn around to see the source of his voice, the carriage driver was in intolerable pain. He was still able to breeze despite being choked, but that only made his pain worse. In his current unsound state of mind, the offer of quick death was extremely tempting.

His eyes quickly fell at one point as he tried to nod before they rolled up, his mouth reflexively opened up. He was finally dead.

"Good."

The man standing behind him let go of the carriage driver's crushed neck, gesturing with his hand according to his victim's last dying 'words'.

A few shadows quickly appeared to inspect per the man's orders, they touched up the rocks covered in greenery before discovering they were all attached together like a 'curtain' used to cover something up!

Pulling at it, the large rock was revealed to the be the opening of a pit that seemed to extend to an underground cave. Moreover, a collection of differently sized rocks were arranged in a way to block the entry of anything larger than a human...

Upon confirming his discovery, one of the 'Shadows' quickly rushed out, bowing a little to the side of his leader where a dark-haired youth stood.

"Master, we found it!"

Listening to the Shadow's report, Ray's eyes shone in coldness as he stared at his path to vengeance.