Fated to Be Loved by Villains
chapter-124

༺ Promises Should Be Kept (1) ༻

System Message

[ ‘·̶̛͈̪͚̹̺͖͉̪̇̎̃̏̃̎̚͡ͅ ̷̥͉̞͎̯̥̫̳̻͆͊̉̀̾͘͞·̴̵̢̢̥̱̝̘̟͎̯̥̟͖̞͊͐͌̿̎̋̔̈́̃̕̚͘͜͟͝͞͞·̶̛͈̪͚̹̺͖͉̪̇̎̃̏̃̎̚͡ͅ ̷̥͉̞͎̯̥̫̳̻͆͊̉̀̾͘͞·̴̵̢̢̥̱̝̘̟͎̯̥̟͖̞͊͐͌̿̎̋̔̈́̃̕̚͘͜͟͝͞͞’ status deactivated! ]

The black aura dissipated from my body. Gasping for breath, I collapsed on the spot.

In that state, I patted myself, feeling for the body that Yuria had broken.

Every part of it was still attached. Nothing was loss.

As expected, after undoing the ‘mutation’ once, it seemed like my body returned to a state where, using the System’s terms, it was restored to full HP.

‘…Almost no sensation of it remains, though.’

I flexed my fingers, barely recalling the recent memories.

Only a vague outline of them remained, blurry like an afterimage.

It felt like I was acting according to some sort of a plan, but…

At that moment, even as I moved my body, everything felt… ‘Numb’.

I instantly understood why Eleanor, when she was influenced by the Devil’s Fragments in the game and her personality was completely altered, committed such dreadful acts without blinking an eye.

How should I put it? It was like watching myself from a third person’s perspective.

A chilling sensation, as if I was controlling a game character.

If possible, I didn’t want to experience it again.

“…”

I let out a bitter smile.

Well, that wouldn’t happen. I’d definitely end up using it often in the future.

Considering what I had been through so far, I couldn’t even keep track of the near-death experiences I had gone through. And those numbers would only going to increase from now on.

As I stood up, sighing, with that thought…

Tatiana’s corpse caught on my foot.

The corpse created by my very hands.

“…”

Though I wasn’t fully conscious due to the mutation while committing the act, I could still feel the sensation clearly in my hands.

I held my trembling left hand and took deep breaths.

A natural reaction to extreme stress.

In the case of Marquis Riverback, it didn’t feel like killing a person. I just detonated a divine power bomb and watched him turn to ash.

This was the first time I had killed someone in such a way that made me truly feel like a ‘murderer’.

At least that was the case…

As ‘Dowd Campbell’.

‘How fucking ridiculous of me.’

I sighed and calmed my hands.

It was laughable to be mentally shaken by something like this now.

In the first place, this person deserved death anyway.

As I was thinking about this…

System Log

[ Due to the acquistiion of ‘·̶̛͈̪͚̹̺͖͉̪̇̎̃̏̃̎̚͡ͅ ̷̥͉̞͎̯̥̫̳̻͆͊̉̀̾͘͞·̴̵̢̢̥̱̝̘̟͎̯̥̟͖̞͊͐͌̿̎̋̔̈́̃̕̚͘͜͟͝͞͞·̶̛͈̪͚̹̺͖͉̪̇̎̃̏̃̎̚͡ͅ ̷̥͉̞͎̯̥̫̳̻͆͊̉̀̾͘͞·̴̵̢̢̥̱̝̘̟͎̯̥̟͖̞͊͐͌̿̎̋̔̈́̃̕̚͘͜͟͝͞͞’ status, ‘Skill: Soul Devouring’ is acquired! ]

Such a window appeared before my eyes.

I blinked in a daze and looked at it.

The fuck was this?

[ Skill Info ]

Skill: Soul Devouring

Grade: A

Description: Collects the souls of those whose lives you have directly ended. Can be processed in various ways.

System Message

[ ‘Skill: Soul Devouring’ is used! ]

[ The soul of ‘Tatiana Grachel’ has been absorbed! ]

[ ‘Soul Linker allows you to check the status of the target! ]

…What?

I looked at the amulet on my wrist incredulously.

As I did so, a small window popped up above the amulet.

[ Current Collected Souls List ]

[ ▲ Tatiana Grachel ]

[ Specialty: Curse ]

[ Form: Soul ]

[ Processing Options ]

▶ Subordinate as a familiar

▶ Use as an enhancement material for an item

▶ Resummon in full form (Becomes annihilated after one use)

This… Wasn’t too bad.

First, the options were broad. I had to start carefully weighing which options were the most effective, but fortunately, none of them seemed useless.

“…”

And more importantly…

What I needed to check right now was…

‘Caliban.’

This person.

Honestly, I couldn’t predict how he would react after seeing the shit that I just turned into.

I’d rather not have a falling out with someone who could see right into my head.

[…]

Inside Soul Linker, only deep silence returned.

As I swallowed dryly, waiting for a response…

[Wow, you survived this time too.]

A nonchalant voice returned.

[How did you even survive all that? You’re too much. It’s so admirable that it’s annoying.]

“…”

How should I put it…

His response was more tame than I expected.

[Well, I mean. Wasn’t that the only thing you could use in that situation? I have no intention of criticizing your means.]

‘No, but…’

There was no way a Guardian, who died fighting a Devil, would show a good reaction to a human that transformed into something Devil-like, right?

That was what I thought.

[But you’re a bit… Different, aren’t you?]

“Excuse me?”

[I roughly get what you’re trying to justify. Just like you said, I understand immediately since I have actually fought a Devil myself.]

Caliban answered with a slight chuckle.

[That’s not a ‘Devil’, but something else, isn’t it?]

“…”

[It’s just similar in form and ‘optimized’ to accept a Devil’s ‘aura’, right? The feeling is a bit different.]

I could only blink, dumbfounded.

An incredibly accurate observation.

In the first place, A Devil was a being that could not be artificially created, no matter how much one tried.

And if I had really transformed into such a thing…

System Log

[ All the Demonic Aura stored in the ‘Fallen’s Seal’ is consumed. ]

[ You must interact sufficiently with a Devil and accumulate enough Demonic Aura for ‘Mutation’ to be possible! ]

[ The third evolution of the ‘Fallen’s Seal’ occurs once enough Mutations have accumulated! ]

[ Number of Mutations Used: 1/4 ]

There was no way something like this would pop up.

If I was a Vessel harboring a Devil’s Fragment, there would be no need for the aura of a ‘different Devil’ to mutate into such a form.

[That’s right. So, forget about the excuses and justifications. After all, I think I roughly understand what you want to do with it.]

Caliban’s voice continued.

[You. You’re scheming something for those ladies possessed by Devils, aren’t you?]

I just scratched my head without saying a word.

He wasn’t wrong.

After all, Devils were beings assigned as the Final Bosses in the game.

So…

For humans harboring such entities to reach a ‘Happy Ending’…

I, too, needed to prescribe some deadly poison as medicine.

“…”

To be more specific…

Even if it was just because of that ominous bitch wearing a mask, it was even more needed.

Because of her, the entire scenario was heading in an unpredictable direction, like a train derailed from its tracks.

[…That’s what worries me.]

This answer trickled out.

Contrary to before, it was a bit more serious.

[Such a convenient story can’t exist without any sacrifice, right?]

“…”

[What’s the ‘price’ you’re paying? There’s no way there isn’t one.]

Of course, there was.

But, that was a problem for later.

It wasn’t like there were no solutions at all.

And more importantly…

“Eleanor.”

I needed to take care of this person first.

As the Cursed Spear embedded in the wall disappeared, I cautiously approached Eleanor, who was lying on the ground.

It seemed like the effects of the sealed Fragment were gradually reappearing due to the influence of the Cursed Speech, as wounds on her body were rapidly regenerating.

“Eleanor, are you okay?”

As I spoke, Eleanor slowly lifted her head to look at me.

Unlike her usual emotionless demeanor, her current mood seemed to be filled with gloominess.

System Message

[ Target ‘Eleanor’ is feeling an extreme sense of powerlessness. ]

[ Target ‘Eleanor’ makes an important decision. ]

[ A Special Event between target ‘Eleanor’ and target ‘Gideon’ occurs! ]

Eh?

What?

Gideon?

“…?”

No like, the fuck was up with powerlessness? What the hell was the important decision? And what in the ever living fuck was this Special Event?

It was a message I would never have imagined seeing in this situation.

“…I am fine.”

Eleanor answered weakly and struggled to get up.

As I reached out my hand to help her…

Eleanor cautiously pushed my hand away.

“…Eleanor?”

As I spoke in a questioning manner, Eleanor bit her lip briefly.

Then, a low, subdued voice trickled out.

“…I don’t deserve to receive something like this.”

“What? What is that supposed to-”

“Could you let me be alone, just for a moment?”

“…”

“Please, Dowd. Just for a little while.”

“…”

“I just need some time to sort out my thoughts.”

With that, she walked down the hallway with slumped shoulders as I watched her back in bewilderment.

[Leave her be.]

Such a voice came from within Soul Linker.

‘…What?’

[No matter what you say now, it probably won’t change her reaction, so you don’t need to reassure her. I understand how she feels, you see. One thing’s for sure though; It won’t harm you or affect you negatively later on.]

Caliban chuckled and continued.

[Dowd. I mean this with all my heart when I say this, but…]

‘Yes.’

[Go to hell.]

‘…What is with you all of a sudden?’

[Just because. I’m sickened by how you have such a devoted lady clinging onto you.]

‘…’

What is bro yapping about?

You’re spouting shit that only you can understand.

“Hey! Are you alright?!”

As I looked at Soul Linker incredulously, I heard a voice from behind me.

It was Hatan, who detected the shitfest that was happening and came running alone.

“…What…is…all this?”

And then…

As he scanned the scene, he immediately swallowed his words at the disaster.

It was to the point where, upon seeing Tatiana’s body, he lost his ability to speak and just stared at me blankly.

“…There seems to be a lot to hear from you.”

Hatan spoke while looking like a headache was creeping up on him.

Of course, I agreed with him.

Although it seemed a bit off-topic…

Strictly speaking…

I did save the Forge of Struggle at least two or three times.

“Excuse me, War Chief Hatan.”

“What is it?”

“Uh, you see, it’s just a reminder, but…”

As such, it was not simply about ‘hearing my situation’.

“Get ready to be absolutely stripped of all your money.”

“…”

Hand over my reward.

Every single bit of the good stuff.

When Riru Garda regained consciousness, the sun had already almost finished setting.

“…!”

As she abruptly sat up and looked around, she found herself in the infirmary of the Forge of Struggle.

It seemed like someone had brought her here after she lost consciousness on top of the sea.

Her last memory was of being held in the arms of Dowd Campbell, her strength fading until her eyes closed.

He had held her tightly until then.

Almost like a lover.

“…”

Recalling this, Riru’s face turned bright red.

But soon after, she quickly shook her head, realizing now as not the time for such thoughts.

‘…There’s a lot I need to find out.’

First, she needed to check what happened after she fell unconscious.

With that thought, Riru, who tried to get off the bed, suddenly groaned from the pain engulfing her entire body.

Her head hurts.

The pain was sharp and piercing throughout her body, but the headache almost felt as if it was splitting her head apart.

[Are you awake?]

Moreover, bizarrely, she was even hearing a voice in her head.

It was as if it wasn’t coming from someone next to her but echoing from inside her ears.

[That isn’t because of the headache, though.]

“…”

Riru blinked, feeling like the voice was reading her mind.

[We talked once before, Riru. Didn’t I say we’d meet again soon?]

With those words…

A translucent figure, identical to ‘Riru herself’, appeared before her eyes.

There was no other way to describe it.

After all, it was unmistakably Riru’s own figure.

Though for some reason, she was not wearing a single thread of clothing.

[Mmm… Indeed, it really does work. This is quite shocking.]

“…”

[Even considering that I’m the weakest among my sisters, to think that communication is possible even without gathering two Fragments.]

As she stood agape at this sight, the naked, translucent Riru floated in the air, giggling.

[Well, so the reason I’ve revealed myself like this is because there’s something we need to… ’Receive’ from Dowd Campbell, you see]

“…”

And to the speechless Riru, she continued talking.

With a voice dripping with arousal and seductive allure.

[Riru. Shall we go do something nice together?]

Riru had no idea what that ‘nice thing’ could be, but…

Without a doubt…

It was definitely not about doing something healthy and progressive together.

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