Chapter 43 – Become a monster

 

…

The last demon, Grandy, was a petite female demon hence people tended to underestimate her. They didn’t know that she was the right hand of Rollin.

And the reason—she could boost her strength in one attack!

It might only be a simple augmentation resembling typical Manecoon Clan’s Muscle Strengthening Evil Art.

However, her Evil Art had a greater increase in comparison.

Elephant Muscle Evil Art—with this, she could excavate a layer of ground.

She could compare its power to current attainments of Marakur’s Monsterization Demon Art.

The latter just had more potential, however.

Her mastery over the Evil Art had reached the Master Level in human standards. This was evident when she dealt the final blow to the previous protector of the village!

A Grandmaster died with a single punch!

In fact, Rollin could lose every pawn he had but her. And he was fortunate this demon knew how to be careful. She liked to act weak first before sneaking a terrible attack to make sure victory.

Right now, this female demon wanted to vent.

In the previous confrontation she had with the trio, she got wounded by the stab.

Though, she attributed everything to Sarah because the latter enabled her teammates to land that strike.

Hence this time around, she wanted to inflict ten folds of what happened!

“Little Bitch! Die!”

“…”

“…” Rollins sprung from his seat. He could see a head dangling in her hand. Its scalp was almost pulled out, which numbed everyone in the room.

Her step stopped a dozen meters away. She put on a cheeky grin before letting the head roll to the ground.

“I read from a novel that it will look badass if you bring a head into the battle. So, I lingered around first to search for a knife.”

“Dang. Too bad the knife is too shabby; hence, I took a long time chopping her head.”

The demons around felt a chill in their spine.

But instead of feeling sad, Rollin laughed till he doubled over. He felt anger from his prized subordinate, but the joy exceeded the former. “The heaven is helping me! The heaven is helping me!”

Sarah frowned. She observed the feature of the demon in front of her. He had grey mane, doggy snout, and hideous jaw. He resembled the demons before him. As if a splitting image.

If not for the slight difference between their manes and height, she wouldn’t be able to tell.

“You are different. Demons can be angry or scared based on their instincts. You… have emotions.”

Rollin didn’t answer her, however. “You defeated all of them? Pendragons, oh Pendragons. Is this because of your bloodline? I can’t see through you. But it’s well.”

The demon put on a blissful expression. He became dazed, looking at something far removed from them. “Mother, I can finally achieve our dreams.”

“Tsk.” The girl stretched her arms. “I don’t want interrupting your monologue, but I have to stop you there. I’m quite busy, so I need you to give back the boy.”

“You must be wondering.” He exited his reverie before looking straight at Sarah. Smiling, he didn’t answer her again. “I made this scheme two years ago. And one year ago, the culmination of this scheme bear fruit. But I still lack sacrifices, so I ordered the villagers to destroy the gold mine.”

A purple vein popped out from Sarah’s face. But the demon continued his speech.

“I thought that if something happened in the gold mine, the Pendragon Clan whose direct interest got involved, will scout what happened. By then, I will have free ingredients for the ritual. I can save a lot of time due to how precious the bloodline of Pendragons.”

“Yet, you lot didn’t bother to know. It makes one’s heart cold. Especially these villagers who already have pent up hatred towards you. And I also couldn’t help but hate you. I became passive and my plan almost halted.”

Sarah put her hand against her forehead.

“I assumed I have to wait for ten years of hard work before I can end the first phase of my plan. By the way, I’m not cold-hearted even though I already have resources in front of me. In fact, I give them something to look forward.” A devilish grin appeared on the demon’s face.

“However, these guys are too disappointing. A little girl defeated them.”

Sarah recalled about Ayill and Karmen. It seemed a very large scheme was at the hands of the entire demons.

Sarah started walking. A bored expression painted her face as she looked down on the demon before her. It could have been maddening if one didn’t have a strong heart to listen to him all day long. And she knew she didn’t have that heart.

“Anyway, the heaven helps me and−.”

Bang!

“!!!”

Ice exploded and fell on the ground. Easy as it appeared, but her hand turned numb. The appeared ice slab had unbelievable thickness. Her countenance became grim as she saw her opponent standing in the far corner.

“−Give you to me! I can dare say that with your potential, the result of the ritual will be many times than normal! I don’t need ten years–I will have it now!”

“What are you planning?” This time Sarah asked.

“To reclaim what should have been ours, to build it once again!”

“My clan… the Lobo Clan!”

Sarah squinted. “I see. That’s why they have the same heads. Although Manecoon Clan is one clan, they have different animal heads.” She thought.

Also thinking about it, the demons had good luck this generation having over ten demons who have emotions. Only a few days and she already seen three of them.

“You are destroying your future just for a simple goal? A demon with emotion, a Heart Demon, you will be only under one man. Or two because of Marakur.”

“Just think about it, you can make your forces in secret while working with them. Then, when you became so strong, it will not be too late to separate from them. You may even exterminate them.”

But Rollin only laughed at her. “That’s right. That idea once fascinated me. It’s comfortable to be under a large tree, the Manecoon Clan. Silently and slowly gathering strength. I’m not foolish to face them head on.”

Sarah rolled her eyes. In her mind, she cursed the blockhead countless times. “No! You are, idiot!”

Rollin didn’t know what she was thinking. Even if he knew, he wouldn’t respond and just continue his speech.

“I lived like that for the most part of my life. But they wouldn’t let me go.”

“I am a threat to Marakur’s position. AHAHAH! They are afraid so they forced me by solidifying Marakur’s potential!”

“He ate my mother.”

Sarah’s eyes constricted. Rollin didn’t stop though. “Thus, I had to do this. Not only for my clan but also for my dead mother.”

“Revenge is only my way. So please, Young Miss of the Pendragon Clan, die for me.”

…

Ben laid down in fours. He looked miserable. Several coughing of blood happened time to time. His eyelids drooped from how heavy they were. But he still tried to outstretch his hand.

“I-I…”

Yet, the sound of jeering drowned his words. The very people he thought he would protect now came to look at his pitiful appearance. These villagers hid behind Ilocos, staring at him with undisguised disgust and repulsion.

Ben recalled his brother’s conversation with him, he was seven years old back then. This also marked the start of his goal to become strong.

“I want to be a hero, Brother!”

Back then, the already crippled Tom had a pale face. He looked more lost when he heard him, though.

“Just like the novels?”

“Yes. Just like in the novels!”

“Why do you want to be like them?”

“To beat bad guys!”

Tom’s eyes lost its light. “Do you know what is a hero?”

“A hero has to be recognized by all. Not made or grow up to be.”

“Only if people say that you are a hero, then you will become one. If not, you are just a dog running around, no matter how you try.”

“And there’s an existing norm you must always follow.”

“Win.”

“A hero must always win. If you don’t win, people won’t believe in you. And if people don’t recognize you, then you can’t be a hero anymore.”

His childish self, back then, didn’t listen. He thought the actions spoke louder than words. The very principle guided the novels and stories he’d seen so far.

Only now he could understand his brother’s expression and words. He was wrong. Terribly wrong.

He looked back at the people he met. He could say everyone was strong in their own right. Yet no one could be called a hero.

Even everyone stated Cloud Rider as ‘sometimes a hero’.

People said The Meteor was a hero, but he hadn’t met him and felt unsure.

There had been no hero. Not before and not in the future. These thoughts drilled through his mind right now.

Von said there was a way to save Ayill. But maybe because of how sensitive the issue, he couldn’t.

Cloud had every opportunity to save Ayill! But he didn’t. So… not a hero.

The arrogant Pendragons seemed reliable, but they were not. They could even give up their descendant. Not a hero.

He idolized his teacher, Von Ruler, because of how the latter carried himself - strong, dependable, and followed morality.

Yet in the end, he just resembled everyone else. On their own, pursuing their desires.

Sarah wanted to survive from all everyone’s intention. Jed had hidden goals he followed to the bone. Ayill delved further into the traitorous path in order to save his mother.

All of them didn’t want to become a hero.

He, on the other hand, was more unlikely to become a hero. He turned his back. Just because he became afraid. He had lost even before everything started.

So, what was his right to garner sympathy from them? From his friends? The villagers?

Thus, he reached for the demon’s ankle. Not to become a hero. Only not to lose.

Only not to lose.

“I don’t want to lose!” He roared, lifting the demon with his entire being before slamming the latter to the ground!

Bang!

“Huff.” That would be his last strength. Ben put on a weak smile as he saw the already incensed Grumpy becoming more enrage.

He crashed again to the ground. This time, his head got buried deeper.

The demons nudged the boy’s body and saw that it didn’t move anymore. Only then Grumpy and his fewer subordinates turned back to the hideout.

…

“Cough. How...?” Glem stared blankly at the hand protruding in his stomach. He craned his neck, seeing the man with a tattoo on his left hand.

“Why…” His voice trembled, but he didn’t seem asking the assailant. He more likely asking himself.

Glem gazed at the sky, his vision passing through time. Multitudes of memories flashed back till it stopped with a particular face.

A boy, a very naughty one. The latter kept making problems, but he didn’t feel tired at all. That face superimposed on the boy in front of him.

“Young Master, if you still follow this path, I will see you in hell.” Peace reigned on his amiable face.

Thud. Jed couldn’t believe he died just like that. And why he had that face? Thinking about it, he felt his Glem’s killing intent. Yet he didn’t feel afraid, even though his opponent was a Grandmaster. Why was that?

The boy clutched his chest. It ached so much, so much so he was reviving the painful past. He chanted in his mind, hypnotizing himself not to feel anything against these traitors! He had to hate them!

Also, he couldn’t get down at this time. He lifted himself and stared at the familiar face.

“It’s you.”

“Been awhile, Boy.”

“You are with him?” “Yes.”

“Then, why did you help me?”

The caravan leader smiled. “We have both the same goal. Kill that bastard with ice heart…”

“You!” Jed’s pupils constricted, but the man waved his hand.

“I know. He will hear this and hunt me to the ends of the lands.” His eyes smiled though; none of the fear a person should have in this situation.

“You are Godly Assassin. If you take your time, it’s possible to slay that person.” The boy had a confused expression.

“Godly Assassin? Do you know what that is?” He chuckled. “Perhaps you are thinking such a person must own an unbelievable speed.”

Jed knitted his brows. This had been what he understood of this legendary state. That was his goal and hence wanted to copy Cloud Rider’s achievements. Also, he categorized the man because of how fast his speed when he attacked Glem.

“You are naïve. Inexperienced. Perhaps, with my help... I shall tell you then.” A terrifying killing intent flooded everything, suffocating the youth into submission. His breath betrayed him and could even sense his mind going haywire. In fact, his knife and dagger inched towards his throat without his permission!

“Feel it? You must have this kind of killing intent. Godly Assassins called this as Death Energy. It’s a transformed World’s Energy, a one of a kind. It has the power to stop the terrifying regeneration of a Venerable!”

“But it has one limitation. You can only use this once in your lifetime. Yet, many Venerables had fallen from this single move.”

“But this is not enough to kill a Venerable.” His chuckle sounded creepy at this moment. “I’ve been spying in you. And I know, you train on that kid’s power. That’s why you have his dagger. You are feeling it, don’t you? His intentions.”

“Heh. I don’t need to explain. You are smart kid.”

“That’s why,” The leader’s killing intent stopped.

Yet, Jed felt even more uncomfortable. The former’s eyes locked in to him, gazing his soul. It was far, far heavier than his killing intent. Like a deeper, more solid intent.

“Kill me. This is not a joke. You can only gain a killing intent like mine by killing many others. Piling each dead person’s intent. Until it transformed a small part of your World’s Energy into a Death Energy.”

“And because you’ll face that man, you need far more killing intent than any Godly Assassins in the history. Thus, you need to kill thousands if not millions.”

“Become a monster, Jed! BECOME A MONSTER!”

“KILL ME AND GET YOUR REVENGE!!!”

…

“Boss. Got another for you.” Grumpy whistled. Happiness came faster than he expected. His rival Grandy had died and now he got the number two position. Walloping in joy, he threw Ben alongside the prisoners.

“You are lucky, Human. Got to live another minute because live sacrifice is better than dead ones.” The demon walked away with a grin.

Ben barely became conscious from the fall. He exhaled first before surveying his surroundings. He saw corpse-like people shivering in their corner. Animals also been there, but most of them had barely any breath. But his gaze got occupied by one person.

“Sister Sarah!” Ben crawled to her position. Observing in closer details, the girl had purple bruises and her hands felt cold. The latter instinctively woke up and hit his chin.

“Already using brute force when she is just waking.” Ben complained in his head.

Sarah massaged her forehead. “Damn. That guy cheated me. He already prepared beforehand those fucking sculptures.”

“What happened?”

“Nah. Just a guy. We need to pack up, time is running out.”

“How do we do that? We got imprisoned.”

“You are really an idiot.” Sarah put on a helpless face. “It is just an ordinary bar. Let’s go.”

“Then, won’t that defeat that purpose of locking us in the first place?”

“They don’t have to put much thought into this. The ritual is near the exit. We will still go towards them if we want to go out. So, let’s go.”

Ben hesitated before hardening his face. “Wait, Sis. I-I am sorry… I mean let’s do it properly this time.” He changed his mind in the last second.

Sarah noticed this and felt grateful they didn’t dwell in awkwardness. “Okay. Let’s do it properly this time.”

Ben relaxed, putting down the weight of his heart. “Why don’t we wait for Brother Jed?”

“We can’t. There is no time left. That guy already started the ritual.”

“What ritual he is doing? To gain strength?” Ben imagined Sarah being defeated by the other guy. Did he win by exhausting her stamina? Or did he use other tricks? Ben couldn’t wrap how to defeat this brutish lass. Yet opponents kept popping out and defeating this proud genius left and right.

“Nope, not for gaining strength. He is a Heart Demon; thus, he doesn’t need it.” Sarah became serious. “And also, a wizard.”

This made the boy breathe cold air.

“A wizard is next to a Grandmaster in terms of destructiveness. Fortunately, that guy is only at Master Level in human standards. If he is in Grandmaster…” Sarah didn’t finish her sentence, but Ben caught her meaning.

Creak. The girl bended the bars and the two immediately went out. The living beings inside the cell had no reaction, though. Ben gave them one last glance before following Sarah.

“How do we stop him?”

“I d-don’t know, actually.” Sarah told the truth. “It’s my first time facing a ritual. There are no records of its weakness. Even our teacher didn’t tell us how to act in this scenario.”

Ben contemplated. “Maybe because there’s no weakness?”

“Or perhaps it has so many weaknesses or one glaring weakness that they don’t bother recording and telling others.” Sarah countered.

“How long did you take before you got defeated?”

Ben’s face reddened. “N-not a minute.”

“Idiot. I’m talking about how long did you last before you fainted.”

“Quite long.” His fingers massaged his chin.

“Long enough to distract them?” Ben caught her ploy. Both of them smiled at each other. Though, they looked nefarious from an outsider’s point of view.

“Dance for them, Doof.” “Alright!”

They quickly saw in their visions the demons crowding a large eerie spell circle. The latter got alerted by their loud footsteps. The demons growled and flashed their hideous fangs.

“My time.” Ben slid and rolled across many demons, also dodging their swipes. His brisk movements happened when they didn’t expect. He stood, put his two arms forward and started skipping in the center.

Hulala~ Strange hymn came out from his mouth while his foot stomping in the ground. He even shouted, “I’m the king of the dance floor!”, further bewildering these demons.

Rollin gave him a one eye, then commanded them to throw away this pest. The ritual was in the middle of a critical moment and thus, he didn’t want to step out.

All their eyes glued to Ben, itching to give him another beating. Last time made them exasperated by how tough his body.

Alas, he continued coming back and created antics which really enraged Grumpy. This time, they became careful not to give this guy a chance. Two of them held the boy from the shoulder which gave access to everyone’s attacks.

Thus, they didn’t see Sarah creeping behind them.

“Faso.” Her hand set ablaze. Without giving them time to respond, she punched, which exited through the demon’s stomach.

Sarah knew it was a single easy kill and there would be no next time. Thus, she expected the others’ attacks and clashed with her fist.

On the other side, Ben sneaked away from his captors and hugged Grumpy. The two wrestled in the ground like kids in a mud fight.

Sarah and the seven demons fought with a bang. But this time, Sarah felt constrained.

They were actually stronger than Marakur’s subordinate!

She thought it through and felt it should be like this. No one would scheme if they didn’t have the foundation to do so. She also understood how Ben got trashed earlier.

The girl flipped, positioning herself in the center. Like waves, their attacks came, but she dealt it with ease. She slipped away from them and strode towards Grumpy and Ben.

The former grew restless. He struggled to get away, but Ben was like a loach.

But Sarah intended to use him as foothold instead. Her feet planted on his face, then she flipped. Wind sided with her while a kick from above came crushing down to one of her pursuers.

Two down. Sarah counted in her head. With no time to dillydally, she bashed the next demon. Crackle rang as claws and flesh collided.

Ben had a face of a tomato. The two of them had been at it for a long time, but they still didn’t settle their fight.

Grumpy felt gloomy. He could understand a Pendragon having tough bodies or large stamina. But this kid seemed equally ridiculous!

Was he a bio-engineered human?

Experimented?

The demon felt his thoughts were true. After all, the Pendragons won’t pick someone as fodder for their descendant if they didn’t have a redeeming quality.

Pendragon’s specialty had been bioengineering, and there were even rumors they created death soldiers capable of handling any missions.

The demon wracked his brain, but thinking wasn’t his forte. He soon forgotten everything and resumed brawling with the boy while dodging the girl’s sneak attacks.

Rollin wore a placid face. Unbothered by what was happening, he continued guarding the ritual. The spell circled already turned blood red color and pulsating like a heart.

Everyone could see the runes wriggling, expanding like a creep under their feet until it connected to the prison cell.

All the fighting stopped. Their body instinctively shuddered and they could feel a demonic aura bypassing their defense. Its movement was slow, but it bore through them.

“Shit.” The humans cursed.

But not only them had grim faces. Grumpy paled in what was transpiring.

“Boss, Boss! What is happening? Why are you including us?” He stuttered while the other demons panicked.

Rollin glanced at them before harrumphing. “It’s your blessing to contribute to our noble cause.”

“You will even sacrifice them?” Seeing no one stopping her, Sarah hurried towards Rollin.

“Yes. It is just a small price. In addition, the elites of my clan are staying in Manecoon Stronghold. They are waiting for the revival of my race.”

Sarah’s punch clanged when an ice sculpture rose from the ground. Ben’s eyes widened when he saw this. “What did you do? What is this ritual for?”

“I don’t mind telling you. After all, you will part of it. Albeit, as a sacrifice.” Rollin smiled while wielding his powers to create more ice sculptures.

“No way! I don’t want to listen anymore, Fucker!” Sarah smashed the sculpture’s face, but she became gloomy when she saw their increasing numbers. Soon, she would be drowned once again, just like the first encounter.

“Damn it!”

“This is not to gain power, what one normally expected. I wanted to create a stronghold, my personal stronghold.”

Sarah and Ben shuddered, but the demon continued his speech.

“If I have a stronghold, I’ll be in virtually invincible position. Manecoon Clan or others won’t be able to do against me unless they pay an enormous price.”

Though Sarah became confused. “How will you do that? Just two-year-amount of resources and blood sacrifice alone won’t be enough to create a stronghold from nothing. It is better if you build it yourself.”

Rollin chuckled. “I don’t have time to build one. Manecoon Clan will condemn and destroy me to the depths of hell. Thus… I will use the most precious thing I have.”

“My emotion.”

…