All Chapters of The Squalor Bastard Becomes The Gravemarch: Chapter 1
- Chapter 10
19 chapters
A countdown to death
“Any last words?”The one-armed swordsman asked, raising his blade above the head of a weak and frail-looking boy—now blindfolded.The boy felt the urge to laugh. He didn’t know why he was being executed, but he had never wanted more than this. Still, he had to ask.“Why exactly am I being beheaded? Because I survived—alone?”The one-armed man frowned at the question, though he had no answer for it either.“Because the strongest weapon of this society lies in slumber while I remain awake? And you all consider it an embarrassment—that I might tell people I was the only one to survive the Veyne?” the boy added, scoffing.“No one even knows my name. No one cares. Killing me for this so-called embarrassment won’t wake your General from his slumber.”Two other men nearby—one with a mustache and the other wearing an eye patch—exchanged glances, silently acknowledging the truth.The eye-patch man barked, “Prepare to die now, boy!”Did I say I wasn’t prepared? the boy thought.The mustached m
The Snack
“Sit,” the General motioned for Won to take the seat in front of him.You look awfully well for someone who just woke from a long slumber, Won thought.“Your name?” the General asked, leaning back.“Won.”“Won? Did your parents win something when they named you?” the General asked with a smile.I can't tell if he's mocking me or being genuinely curious, Won thought, shrugging internally.“I don’t remember my parents, so I have no idea why they named me that.”The General’s expression softened.I suppose that’s what they call pity. Back in the squalor, no one ever looked at me like that. Maybe because everyone was too busy surviving their own hell. Won chuckled inwardly.“You don’t have a last name?”“No. I heard my mother was a mentally unstable woman abandoned on the streets. Someone took advantage of her. That’s how I came into the world,” Won replied with an unreadable yet oddly relaxed expression.The General cleared his throat, clearly unwilling to press further. “Alright, Won. D
Killing a Drull
Won couldn't help but doubt the people he was walking with. The handsome man seemed to be the only gentle one among them, while the others made him carry their burdens. They were heading toward an endless hilly expanse. All Won could smell was blood. Scattered animal and human bones littered the path. The air was foul—he had wrapped a cloth around his mouth and nose, but it was still hard to breathe.Can I really waste my time here? With them? They're all illusions, right? Won thought, shaking his head.The stench of blood clung to them. He hadn’t yet grown used to the scent of monster blood, but he could no longer tell the difference. The handsome man asked, “Are you okay?”Won shrugged, choosing not to answer. Why am I even stuck here? I'm not even sure this has anything to do with cleaning the Veyne. Does cleaning the veyne include them too?As if to interrupt his thoughts, the sky suddenly roared, making everyone shiver—everyone except Won. He still didn’t know much about the wor
Shapeshifter
Gritting his teeth, Won lunged at the shapeshifter, slashing at its arm.To his horror, the wound closed instantly. The shapeshifter grinned with a devilish smirk."How many did you actually kill?" Won snarled, leaping forward and striking again and again."How many do you think?" the shapeshifter replied, effortlessly dodging each blow."The stench of blood coming off you says countless," Won growled. "You slaughtered them... devoured them. But you—you're unable to stomach your own brother’s flesh!" he panted, bringing his sword down on the shapeshifter’s head. "What is it? Self-pity?""Shut up!" the shapeshifter roared, slashing Won’s leg with his blade.Won was flung back, crashing against the stone wall."If you're that capable, why did you play along when we first met?" the shapeshifter asked, raising his sword to Won’s face.But Won wasn’t listening anymore. He was laughing now—mad, manic laughter. The shapeshifter paused. "What’s so funny? Already met your grim reaper, have yo
The Superior
Won slammed against a stone outcrop, his back and head smacking hard as he crumpled to the ground. Blood instantly ran down to his temple. The air reeked of rot, the stench clinging to his skin like oil. Even his sensari senses burned from the rancid stink of the thrips. It was becoming impossible to breathe as seconds passed by.Screams tore through the air. Three men. Won turned his head, spotting them thrashing as the thrips devoured them alive, their flesh torn apart by relentless, gnashing mandibles. The men’s cries turned to wet gurgles as one thrip’s jaws sheared clean through a throat.You wanted to make me your snack, Won thought grimly, pushing himself to his feet, but fate had other plans.I shouldn't bother myself thinking about you now. This is my test. I have to survive.He caught the faint echo of footsteps retreating into a cave, the last three men including the master, scrambling to hide themselves. His sensari sharpened, catching the ragged breaths of the men cower
The Master
Later that day, they were already running low on bread and drinking water. It was nearing evening when they came upon another river."We'll camp here," the master said.Won scanned the area as the other two began unpacking their ragged bags."I'll hunt for prey," Won announced, drawing his sword. He looked at the third man and added, "You—handle the water.""Why me?" the third man grumbled.Before Won could reply, the master cut in, his gaze sharp and cold."You expect everyone to protect you, feed you, and do your share of the work. And yet you can't even fetch some water? You're well aware you're the weakest one here, aren't you? Then make yourself useful while you still can."The third man stiffened, clearly humiliated.Won added with a smirk, "You're not afraid of the river, are you? Should I hold your hand?""Fuck off, bastard! Just do your job. I'll do mine," the third man barked before storming off with two empty gallon jugs.When Won returned, a freshly killed rabbit dangling
God of Emptiness
The night felt endless to Won as he dragged his wounded body higher up the slope. The path stretched on with no end in sight. He was alone in this world, utterly so—but perhaps that was for the best.Better than staying with those cannibals. He had kept his promise. He'd killed them—well, not all of them. That was good enough. He decided to take the credit anyway.He found himself grateful for his perpetual solitude. If he'd grown up in a mansion, surrounded by wealth and family and friends, he doubted he'd have survived this place alone. In a twisted way, he was glad that the harsh lessons of the real world had served him well in this hell.His body begged for rest, but he couldn't stop now. He needed to find shelter. There was no telling where a higher-ranked monster might be lurking, just beyond his line of sight.From the corner of his vision, he suddenly spotted a faint light in the distance. Squinting, he tried to sharpen his gaze. It resembled a palace, perched on a distant hil
The Gravemarch
Won was drowning. His eyes were closed. His thoughts drifted. He let himself sink into the sensation of it all. It was peaceful. He couldn't remember the last time he had felt this calm. Every time after he had a meal? No, those feelings were not like this. Usually, the moment he finished a meal, his mind would already spiral into anxiety over when he might get his next.Finding even the smallest job in the squalor was near impossible—everyone was desperate, and the competition was brutal. Life there was the antithesis of the city. No one cared for anyone else. Children his age either chased after shady jobs or spent their time tormenting quieter ones like him.He had grown numb to it, worn thin by it. He had stopped wanting to survive long ago. As far as he was concerned, he
ID NO: 1
When Won woke, he found himself in a bedroom—lavish, almost royal in design. He squinted.Am I still in the Veyne? he thought, sitting up."Finally, someone's decided to wake up," came a voice.The General…He was lounging across the room on a couch, reading a magazine."Where am I?" Won asked."My house. You've been out for a week."<
List of Incomings
“You sure you want to wear an eye patch?” the General asked as Won adjusted his uniform in front of the mirror one final time. The uniform, the shoes, even the books he’d need—all of it had been provided by the General, including a phone and some surprisingly expensive clothes. His uniform consisted of a navy coat, a white shirt underneath, and matching blue trousers.The General had already begun treating Won with a kind of respect and admiration the boy had never known.When Won didn’t respond, the General circled around and settled onto the couch, arms crossed, silently watching him.“Either way, you look sharp,” he remarked with a small nod.Won finally turned, shaking his head. “General, you don’t need to feel sorry for me. I can manage just fine. Still… thank you—for everything you’ve done so far. And I’m sorry for how I spoke that day… about your son and everything.”“It was my fault anyway. My greed, my fear… I sent my son into that place chasing both. I couldn't save any of t