353. Resolution (6)
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The emptiness within is like the eye of a storm.
Everything around is unstable, extremely dangerous, on the verge of chaos, yet the very origin causing such phenomena is serene beyond measure.
Certainly, there are few humans in the world who can confirm this fact. Unless they are humans wielding two holy swords or those who have ascended to become the demon itself.
“-You’re quite capable, really.”
Seon-gakja spoke, wiping the blood flowing from the corner of his mouth.
They both look battered, having clashed continuously on their way here.
No matter how familiar one may be, in a prolonged battle, variables tend to emerge. This fellow can’t smoothly deflect all attacks like before.
Of course, if that were the case.
My condition is naturally much more advanced.
“…I don’t want to hear that from you.”
If he is dripping blood from his mouth over there, I am closer to repairing shattered limbs.
With my racial value having changed from human to demon, my body specifications have far exceeded those of ordinary people. Adding the abilities associated with ‘survival’ in the category, my current state could be considered half-immortal.
Yet still.
‘…Wow, damn.’
Feeling the sensation fading from his arms and legs, he inwardly sighed with such disappointment.
Even in a situation where it seems possible to regenerate even if the upper body is blown away, the implication is quite clear in this state.
Beyond such vitality, it seems damage to the body has been accumulated to the point where it can’t even be articulated.
Honestly.
I’ve died quite a lot.
I feel like my heart stopped about 12 times, give or take?
“-Well then, since I’ve appropriately drained some strength on the way here.”
The pioneer who said so looked around.
Various phenomena experienced on the way here are not observable inside.
Instead, what sprawls around are.
‘Fragments.’
Remains taking the form of someone’s body scattered in all directions.
The flow of blood is repulsive. Instinctively, the survival instinct rises.
Those spread out there seem to emit an aura as if their existence is meant to corrupt the surroundings.
They exude a feeling that absolutely should not exist in the world.
“Hmm.”
Exhaling, he approaches and observes them closely.
Though they are called remains, expressing it that way feels a bit awkward.
The things here are too… ‘alive’ to simply call them corpses.
It’s as if they were bodies lying in a life cultivation tank in a sci-fi genre.
They take on the form of humans who look like they could stand up and move at any moment.
“The remains of the demons known to have been killed by the hero… Is this your first time seeing them in person?”
“…Are you saying that as if it’s not your first time?”
Who else would have seen something like this in the world?
Even I, as the possessor, haven’t confirmed these things in the game. They didn’t even show it directly when the world completely exploded into a game over.
“Because I saw them when they died.”
“…”
Ah, that’s right.
In his original world, he had said he killed all the demons.
It’s not for no reason that he’s displaying this monstrous level of combat power.
“…Actually, it seems like it may not be the first time you’ve seen this form.”
As the possessor speaks, he looks around with a wry smile.
I think I know exactly what his intention is in saying that.
The appearances of the remains spread out like this were very familiar to me in some way.
“You’ve had a rough idea about the existence of demons from the beginning, haven’t you?”
Demons exist on the timeline. I’ve known that concept for a long time.
And just as it’s evident from the existence of this possessor, deducing the nature of such things is not that difficult.
Slowly, I raise my hand and caress the bodies in front of me.
Their eyes closed, not breathing, just lying quietly like corpses.
The harmful presence of demons, each spewing a different color of magic, closely resembled the appearance of the ‘vessel’ in which such demons dwelled.
It could be said that the image of the demon within them, entwined with them, was akin to what ‘future’ held for them.
“Whether it’s ‘master,’ ‘husband,’ or ‘companion’… people usually don’t address someone they meet for the first time in such a manner. Usually.”
There are cases of pioneers who have crossed from the future to the present world with something as a ‘price.’ But even those who originally exist beyond the timeline might take on such a form when entwining with their past selves.
“Isn’t it remarkable?”
“What is?”
“Beings that can observe alternate timelines, yet only remember the facts connected to themselves and have been stalking me up to this point.”
“…”
I don’t know where it started to get twisted.
However, what this person is saying right now is the core that penetrates all the phenomena surrounding me.
Existing beyond the timeline and traversing alternate realities, they can remember and observe everything, like beings.
Even if they don’t necessarily possess the gray ability to rewind time entirely, they obsess over me in every timeline they can interfere with, obsess, and obsess.
Such a situation repeats endlessly, continues, and almost becomes a law due to being observed.
The nature of such a form must be engraved in my ‘soul.’
Those who harbor demons are captivated by me at first sight.
“The former chief mentioned that there were others with similar qualities aside from me.”
“Oh, that’s a different story.”
“…What?”
“Those are people born from the teacher’s soul. Your ‘soul’ just happened to enter that body.”
…”
No, this is really creepy, isn’t it?
Even if I go to hell, undergo reincarnation, and all that, wouldn’t it mean I found out who they are and started stalking them?
In that regard.
“…There are two guys I just can’t understand.”
“Yes?”
“Why do the red and brown ones dislike me so much?”
The red devil was somewhat indifferent towards me, but the brown one unmistakably gave off the vibe of hating me. It seemed like they outright wanted to kill me.
“What’s with that? Seriously, you didn’t know?”
“…Why do you talk like not knowing that is as foolish as it gets?”
“Browns just get pissed off seeing their teacher with anyone other than themselves. People who are convinced they can never have a rational relationship with someone except themselves tend to turn hostile towards others, you know?”
“…”
“If it wasn’t like that from the start, there’s no way the teacher could easily make a demon-like existence submit just by being a little assertive. It’s not like they really thought they could be the King of the Night, right?”
“…”
I was halfway convinced of that.
“Believe me. You’re not that good.”
“…”
“Even in all your years, you’ve never beaten me on the bed-“
“-Let’s stop right there.”
When that guy, who isn’t really that good, went as far as to mention my child, it felt like the damage doubled.
As I uttered those words like a groan, the sage chuckled.
“No, let’s forget about brown. What about red?”
“Well, just by looking at their attitude towards the teacher, you can tell, right?”
“What do you mean?”
“Even during the Red Night Incident, they had the power to use their abilities and easily defeat the teacher, but they just stood by and watched.”
“…”
“They pretended to be innocent and kept giving the teacher subtle glances. That cunning brat. So, I gave them a taste of my lips, and they immediately backed off.”
From Noble mtl dot com
“…”
“The teacher has their own talents, but if it wasn’t for the strong hold that the demons have on their hearts, it wouldn’t have been strange for them to die hundreds of times on the way here. Got it?”
“…”
Got it.
It seems like quite an effective means to forcefully remind them of that fact.
“Of course, now that they have become a demon, things might be a bit different.”
The enlightened one chuckled and spoke.
“But still, I can’t trust what you’re saying. The idea that there’s a way to make demons not threatening.”
“I told you. There is.”
Let’s recap.
My goal is for beings related to demons to live together with me without any hindrance.
To be more precise, with the vessel that holds that piece, and even the demon “itself.”
“Hey, Elias.”
“…I’m not used to being called by that name.”
The pioneer replied with a slightly fierce voice.
Without hesitation, they continued speaking.
“You know, you’re the future Elijah.”
“…”
“The hint also comes from there.”
“…What are you trying to say?”
“When the fragment and the vessel are combined, problems arise.”
“…What?”
“If you insert the fragment into this… ‘main body,’ something interesting happens.”
The emblem of Tacheon shines.
At the same time, the various types of magic that I have collected so far emerge from there. Like a whirlwind.
“…What are you trying to do?”
“If we judge by preferences, I like mixed rice.”
“…What?”
“If a woman from the past and a woman from the future exist in the same timeline, isn’t that two different flavors?”
I didn’t understand at all what they were talking about.
But I understood from Elijah’s eyes that it was a crazy idea, and it blossomed in me.
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