Raising My Trash Ability into a Broken SSS+ Rank Skill Chapter 636 Butcher

In the enveloping shadows, the team of ten pushed forward across five kilometers until they stood before a lengthy suspension bridge.

Beneath it, the river lay encased in ice that appeared fragile, while numerous snow-draped vehicles cluttered the span.

"It stretches more than two kilometers, I reckon. With the ice solidified now, crossing on foot might work, but in this biting cold, it's way too brittle." Vritra grumbled as the group halted at the bridge's edge.

"Right, and there could be perils lurking in the depths below, or perhaps swarms of mutants teeming there." Yasmine chimed in.

"Taking a longer route would burn up far too much time." Fiona pointed out. This path seemed their prime choice, yet an ominous vibe hung over it for some odd reason.

"We should cross it under the cover of night."

Following their brief talk, the decision was made to traverse the bridge.

Snow blanketed the vehicles entirely, making the passage across surprisingly straightforward.

Cloaked by the gloom, they advanced onto the gently rocking bridge.

Plenty of mutants lay frozen amid the drifts, though a few hazardous ones lingered.

'I require superior gear. Doesn't the Sin Wheel hold anything worthwhile?' he pondered. Perhaps spending extra points was necessary.

CRACK

Mere moments after covering about a hundred meters, a subtle snap of fracturing bone echoed, revealing two mutants gnawing at a human skeleton.

With a resigned sigh, Vritra deployed blood manipulation, causing their brains to burst.

{Sin Point Gained: Killed a Mutant +52}

{Sin Point Gained: Killed a Mutant +57}

"Haa, heights terrify me so much…" Monk Shit-Sonia whispered, clutching tightly to Onest.

That fear explained his aversion to flights as well.

"Would you opt for trudging across that ice instead?" Vritra inquired with a grin.

"Ah, n-no, this works okay, I suppose." Shit-Sonia shook his head at once. The river beneath looked utterly menacing.

Fearless in most things, he still had countless wicked deeds ahead.

How could he abandon the world to the careless grasp of others?

They proceeded with utmost care, yet after nearly a kilometer, no incidents arose.

"Perhaps our concerns were unfounded. What could possibly go wro-" Onest remarked, eyeing the serene bridge.

Vritra cut him off abruptly.

"Don't tempt fate. If trouble strikes, you're the first one I toss overboard." He cautioned sharply. Superstition was the very last burden he wanted.

Onest swallowed hard and nodded. He'd nearly overlooked Vritra's infamous fortune. The man drew disasters like a beacon.

'Damn, I nearly doomed us all.' Sweat drenched Onest.

Heightened vigilance gripped Vritra. He dispatched several more mutants en route, ensuring utter quiet prevailed.

'I expected denser mutant packs here, but the bridge feels surprisingly deserted. Has someone swept through ahead?'

…

Most of the bridge lay behind them, with just a quarter remaining.

The distant city loomed into sight. A bit more effort, and they'd cross without turmoil.

Grrrr… Grrrr…

Suddenly, heavy rasping breaths filled the air, and they spotted a massive snow-shrouded mutant sprawled across the bridge.

It slumbered deeply, its frame vastly immense, possibly surpassing the beast they'd encountered earlier.

Buried under thick snow, the creature was tough to discern clearly.

Its neck stretched unusually long atop a slender torso. Fortunately, ample room allowed them to slip past.

Shh…

Vritra signaled the group silently. Engaging this beast was impossible, least of all in this spot.

'It seems like a sound sleeper. We should pass unnoticed.'

Steadying his pounding heart, Vritra clasped Teresa's and Yasmine's hands.

Their steps turned painstakingly slow, pace dragging even more.

"D-Did you feel that, husband?" Teresa breathed, sensing subtle tremors in the bridge.

"Yes, something approaches." Vritra shifted backward, closer to the bridge's rail.

Minutes later, a recognizable carriage emerged into view.

'No, it differs from the last one, but they hail from the same band.' Vritra surmised.

Over five wolves hauled the hefty carriage, laden with abundant provisions.

Despite its swift pace, it emitted no sound whatsoever.

Without those faint quakes, the group wouldn't have detected the carriage at all.

Within, a leather-clad man resembling a butcher, with a burly build, lounged with a woman perched on his knee.

"Boss, Dover's been mostly stripped by us, and the leftover zones are claimed by tougher crews." An underling reported.

Besides the butcher and the woman, three additional men occupied the space.

The woman appeared jittery, uneasy, and terrified.

Barely past her early twenties, she possessed striking beauty—a deadly flaw in these end times.

"Fine, we'll raid the next city then. This thrill never fades, haha." The leader bellowed, his fingers tracing the woman's thighs.

"We're approaching the dormant mutant boss now." The wolf handler announced.

"Keep going. My sound power ensures we're safe." The butcher declared.

His looks had earned him that very moniker.

Shortly after, a man inside scowled and voiced, "Boss, I detect multiple presences nearby. Nine in total."

"Oh? Yet I spot no one." The leader rose from his seat and peered through the sunroof, met only by endless night and flakes.

"They're concealed right here." The other insisted.

His power let him pinpoint them distinctly.

The carriage halted.

Channeling his ability, the butcher locked eyes on the indicated area and called out.

"Hey folks, why lurk in the shadows? Come say hello. Or does fear hold you back?"

Vritra's brow furrowed. This fellow spelled danger. He sensed the leather-clad man scheming.

Emerging from the obscurity, Vritra stated flatly, "What do you want?"

'Wait, him too? I missed sensing him. He's powerful!' The man reeled inwardly. He tracked the other nine, but Vritra evaded detection.

He relayed this urgently to his boss.

"Haha, how about a lift back? You're bound for Linden too, right? Let's travel as one." The butcher offered.

"No thanks. The end's not far. I'll walk." Vritra answered, his face creased in suspicion.

"Still, who hides with you, friend? Hungry for supplies? Or-" The butcher grinned widely.

"No. Just go." Crimson liquid swirled menacingly around Vritra.

"Easy there, friend. No fight intended. We're off now, rest easy." He laughed lightly, then signaled.

The wolves lurched forward, pulling the carriage onward.

As distance grew between them, Vritra exhaled deeply in relief.

Scoundrels infested this realm.

But before resuming their trek, the butcher's voice rang out from afar.

"Friend, shall I gift you this woman?

You see, I hold you in high regard. Take this as our farewell token. Enjoy."

With those words, he slashed the woman's throat using a blade and hurled her onto the bridge, the carriage vanishing swiftly.

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