Acting as a Slit-Eyed Villain Perfectly

Chapter 180

Chapter 180. Breaking Fingers (4)

It felt like my body was sinking.

Cold, heavy, and dark.

A pitch-black space where not even an inch ahead can be seen.

In a situation where I couldn't tell if my eyes were open or closed... I felt something faintly.

Black, sticky...

That alien feeling was so distinct and deeply dark that nothing else could be recalled.

As I felt it more, it seemed like my mind was being worn away.

Pain spreading widely throughout my body.

Simultaneously, a sickening feeling as if something was kneading my brain.

The moment that unpleasantness enveloped my entire body, I instinctively realized what this "darkness" was.

'Demon God Barbatos.'

The root of all evil existing in 〈Kill the Demon King〉.

The Demon God, who left behind only residual thoughts after death, had personally come to see 'Yulian', who possesses the 〈Demon King's Vessel〉 Trait.

Was it to ensure the safety of a vessel that can become a 'Demon King'?

'No.'

The Demon God's 'residual thoughts' before me didn't come just to check my condition.

Chomp──!

What emerged from the black sphere was a pale, grotesque hand.

It was similar to that of a 'demon', and it began to squeeze my neck with intent.

With the intention of killing me.

'Gah, gaahhh...!'

Damn it.

The system interfered so much during the battle with Claude.

Why is it trying to kill a 'Demon King's Vessel' trait possessor, like Yulian, so intensely?

'Am I feared?'

Maybe.

Right now, I am someone borrowing 'Yulian's' body.

Whether or not the Demon God understands who I am, the guy and I can resonate with each other, so.

'He must know.'

The existence known as 'Yi Shihu', unknown to others.

A being possessing an anomaly capable of shattering his own 'Boundless' vessel and other vessels simultaneously.

Sometimes I pondered.

Why did I enter 〈Kill the Demon King〉 and possess Yulian, causing this chaos?

And what is the system that appears whimsically from time to time?

Demon God Barbatos.

'Yes, perhaps... Or perhaps something created by the Demon God's residual thoughts...'

Also, the interference in the battle against Claude, in that desperate moment.

'Because I might break all your vessel.'

... That's the reason, isn't it?

The bastard was afraid.

Afraid of a scenario where all vessels are shattered, and he can no longer be resurrected.

'Don't worry.'

According to your expectations.

'I will break them all.'

The residual thoughts of 'Demon God Barbatos' that were choking my neck.

As if reading my thoughts, the color of 'Fear' began to appear over what seemed to be its head.

Seeing that assured me.

Why this thing was so anxious to kill me.

Claude also possesses the 〈Demon King's Vessel〉 Trait.

If 'vessels' collide, one of them is bound to break first.

'Argh, argggh.......'

Did I make a mistake?

Perhaps I provoked it too much.

Though the purple flickered continually, the grip of the 'Demon' hand grew stronger.

Wait, hold on!

Upon reconsideration, maybe breaking them halfway is the course...!

Crack──!

At that moment, cracks began to appear in the Demon's 'hand'.

Shaaa─!

A small golden light grew larger and approached the residual thought.

The moment it touched the light, the hand that was choking my neck began to shatter.

'What's this?'

A different alien sensation from the 'Demon's hand.'

Yet, somewhat familiar energy was felt.

'... Milena?'

Yulian's mother.

Before, I had sensed her energy through relics and remembrances from her, and I felt it in that 'golden' light.

And then, as though it had done its job, it started to scatter.

Huh? It seems like I'm hearing something.

- 'I'm sorry, Yulian. This is the only way for you to live.'

===

⇒ The Trait, 〈Demon King's Vessel〉 has disappeared.

⇒ A new Trait 〈True Vessel〉 has been acquired.

===

I almost responded to the lingering voice saying 'I am not Yulian.'

As my view blinked out, the dark scenery of the archipelago came into sight.

Shwoooosh──!

Rain was falling.

The cold touch of the rain began to hit my body, and simultaneously, I felt my body temperature plummet rapidly.

"Huh, huh... Ugh."

It wasn't because of the rain.

It felt like all the blood had drained from my body.

Due to excessive bleeding, my body was dying, hence the cold was felt.

Damn it all...!

I cursed silently, starting to chew over my flickering memories one by one.

***

"Say it again. You damned bastard."

In Karina's eyes, fierce anger began to ignite.

Seeing that, Claude inwardly clicked his tongue.

'Still young. Or perhaps, befitting the youngest knight commander?'

The youngest commander in the history of the 'Branded Knights', a group comprised only of troublesome knights.

He'd heard the rumors.

Skill-wise, there were no issues, but they were ones flawed in moral areas.

A knight order composed of such individuals was the 'Branded Knights'.

And the leader of that order was this young girl.

"I said what I said. The guy died by my hand."

"Bullshit!"

Spewing curses, Karina drew the sword from her waist.

The distance between them was... At least 6 meters, but Karina swung her drawn sword.

Tick, tick, tick!

With mechanical sounds, the sword extended.

Her sword, which elongated like a whip, flicked its fangs like a snake, lunging at Claude.

'A Whip Sword!?'

This is troublesome.

Clicking his tongue inwardly, Claude deflected the Whip Sword that lunged at him.

Clang──!

As his 'Dark Star Iron Sword' rebounded the Whip Sword, sparks flew mid-air. He knew that closing the gap with Karina would gain him an advantageous position, but.

'She must be aware of the disadvantage.'

Claude didn't unnecessarily rush at the gap Karina showed.

"Sorry, but I'm busy right now. I shall cut off your breath next time we meet."

Exposing unabashed disdain for the knight, Claude took a step back.

Immediately, Dantes, who was trembling beside him, revealed himself.

"What the hell, are you running away? Fight like a man!"

"Follow me. The secret path is safe."

"Hey! Can't you hear me!?"

Just as Karina was about to swing the Whip Sword once more, a centipede with a metallic, thick shell ambushed her from behind.

"Oh, you're...!"

Karina, who had swung the Whip Sword to attack Claude, retracted it and avoided the centipede's attack.

Watching her, Claude spoke indifferently.

"Locust, clean up and follow."

"... Yes, boss."

Rustle, rustle.

Leaving behind Karina, who was trembling with fury as she glared at him, Claude led Dantes away.

The current priority was to guide Dantes to the Federation.

At the same time, he needed to carve a path for his asylum to the Federation.

There was no reason to get bogged down here unnecessarily.

"W-where is... this?"

"It's a cemetery on the outskirts of the archipelago. Consider yourself lucky; without me, you might have been buried here."

Since life and death were at stake, there were no formalities.

Shwoooosh──!

Drenched and contorted in pouring rain, Dantes's expression crumpled and turned pale.

The thick darkness seemed welcoming neither to them nor to the rain.

Claude, attempting to lighten the mood, tossed an indifferent joke, but Dantes only quivered his lips without much reaction.

Eyes soaked with fear.

The cause of which was unknown, but there was no reason to inquire.

"Shall we? Did you prepare a means to travel to the Federation?"

"Y-yes... South of the archipelago... I've arranged a carriage there."

"Well then, let's head that way. I can collect my reward for this endeavor in that carriage, right?"

"Yes, indeed. As long as we make it safely..."

Dantes, speaking in a weary tone, started making his way through the rain with Claude following close behind.

As they descended from the cemetery and passed through the slums heading south, Dantes suddenly halted.

"What's wrong all of a sudden?"

"... Lazlot."

Lazlot?

As an incomprehensible name came from Dantes's mouth, Claude expressed skepticism.

From the sound of it, it seemed like a person's name.

Looking closely, a boy not yet an adult stood under a streetlight through the rain.

Seeming to lure them.

"We can't let him go!"

"What are you talking about?"

"Lazlot, if that perceptive guy is here, he might know roughly what's happening. If a report reaches the High Pontiff now..."

The High Pontiff? Is this about the Dawn Society?

If that's the case, that boy is likely affiliated with the Dawn Society.

"He's escaping!"

With Dantes's urgent voice, the boy named 'Lazlot' ducked into a nearby alley.

We must catch him!

Shouting that, Dantes swiftly dashed towards where Lazlot fled.

'...... Tsk.'

In the continuously pouring rain and chilling weather, Claude felt an inexplicable sense of unease creep up.

Confronting Yulian had gone well, but something kept being off.

Like the world's flow was misplaced.

As if he shouldn't be here.

Feeling as if he was defying some great fate, Claude's mind grew complicated.

'What did I miss?'

You didn't miss anything.

The duplicitous knights.

The nobles who enforced such customs.

And the royal family.

Somehow, destabilizing them is what needs to be done now.

'...... Even if it means killing a child like during the royal incident?'

Just as a doubt surfaced in his mind, his random thoughts were washed away rapidly as though rinsed by the rain.

'What now?'

Placing his hand on the hilt at his waist, Claude chased after Dantes and Lazlot.

Clacky's Corner:

It seems author-nim got tired of writing the whole title of the game, so he used abbreviation 〈지·마·죽〉 instead of 〈지금부터 마왕을 죽입시다〉.

〈지·마·죽〉 -〉 Kill the Demon King

〈지금부터 마왕을 죽입시다〉 -〉 Let's Kill the Demon King Now

Also, I hope Lazlot doesn't die here. I don't like unnecessary deaths. :(