Chapter 115
Chapter 115
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter Title: Stop or Die
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"Han U-sol, what are you doing? Get this out of my sight right now. Otherwise, I'm going to die."
"Ha. You think that'll work? Do we look like idiots to you?"
"...A little?"
"Whoa. It's infuriating, but I can't argue. I'll start counting from ten. Sit down."
10.
Ronel, facing off against Camilla, began counting out loud. Han U-sol alternated glances between the two in silence.
A restraint suit. It rendered her completely immobile, incapable of even the slightest resistance.
A revolver. A convenient tool that could shred and destroy whatever it was aimed at with just the slightest pressure on the trigger.
And right now, that revolver's barrel was pointed squarely at the center of the restraint suit.
9, 8, 7... The numbers dwindled mercilessly, steadily decreasing.
"Senior, you're not actually hesitating, are you? Tell me you aren't."
"You're right. I can't hesitate. Not when Anis—the one you're so desperate to save—is on the line."
6.
A traitor, and a core member of the demon side at that. Humanity, fractured and wavering, had finally gambled and disrupted her plans, gaining the upper hand against the demons for the first time.
Releasing her here would be creating a variable that could overturn that advantage. Unless he wanted to become a notorious criminal, letting her escape as she demanded was out of the question.
"If I die, it's over? Hurry up and subdue this bitch, then get this off me."
5.
But Anis, whom he'd thought was dead—whom he'd believed he'd never see again—was alive.
Camilla had said she knew how to erase Anis's demonic energy.
Han U-sol had vowed that if given another chance, he'd act for Anis's sake and save her.
Maybe he could save her. Maybe he could reverse it. Maybe he could make up for the regrets that had haunted his nightmares every single day for three years. No—since Anis was alive, he had to.
But if Camilla died here, Anis would be lost forever.
"4."
Ronel continued, her voice short and steady at fixed intervals.
"3."
She kept counting down.
"I'm starting to get anxious myself~ Remember, opportunities don't come twice."
A game of chicken: die or back down. In the midst of it, Camilla taunted him with a relaxed smile. Han U-sol exchanged a silent glance with her.
And finally, the countdown reached its end. There, Han U-sol spoke.
2.
"I..."
1.
"I'm not going to do what you say."
"......Huh?"
A curt reply. It even sounded resolute. Camilla let out a short, puzzled sound, as if she couldn't comprehend it.
This wasn't right. There was no way he'd give up on Anis so easily. Camilla tilted her head and asked again.
"...Did I hear that wrong?"
"No, you heard right. I'm not letting you escape from here."
"Heh heh. Really? Is that truly your choice?"
Camilla probed him with feigned laughter. What was he thinking? He'd seemed hesitant at first, but now that trace was gone, replaced by a blank expression.
"...No. The one choosing is you."
"......What?"
"Exactly what I said."
A game of chicken. Two drivers charging straight at each other in a deadly race.
Han U-sol wouldn't stop. He'd agonized countless times over swerving, but in the end, he chose to barrel straight ahead.
That left the choice back in Camilla's hands.
Keep charging, or turn the wheel.
"Die, or talk. Your call."
Han U-sol jerked his chin toward Camilla.
Sit and spill the information.
Or stand there and get shot.
Choose.
"...Hmph."
This was unexpected. Camilla muttered with a small nasal sound.
Their distance was already—
0.
Thud. Something metallic lightly prodded Camilla's chest. The revolver. Ronel had closed in right up to Camilla's face, jamming the barrel against her chest.
The restraint suit was made of thick, tough material, but the cold sensation of the muzzle pressed right against it came through crystal clear.
"Heh. So it seems."
Ronel said with a small sneer.
"What'll it be? Stop or die?"
-Press...
Ronel pushed the revolver's barrel even closer and harder against Camilla's chest. Her finger tensed on the trigger, pulling it halfway back.
Camilla stared blankly at the revolver and let out a deep sigh.
"......Guess you're not a total idiot after all."
In the end, the one who swerved was Camilla.
"...Stop."
Camilla obediently sat down.
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"...Phew."
Han U-sol let out a sigh of relief. He'd anticipated Camilla backing down, but he couldn't help the tension gnawing at him.
Of course, he hadn't actually given up on Anis at all. It might have looked like a precarious tightrope walk on the surface, but it was a calculated choice based on solid reasoning.
"What, acting all nonchalant? You were pretty scared, huh? But pulling that off—takes guts."
"...I knew you'd fold if it came down to it."
"Oh? How'd you know?"
"People like you have no qualms about hurting others, but you treasure your own skin."
No one could smile so leisurely in the face of death.
Camilla's relaxed attitude came from knowing Han U-sol would either accept her demand or she'd just surrender and spill the info anyway. He'd seen through it and called her bluff.
"Ah. But still, what if I was a real psycho and just died right there?"
That wouldn't have been an issue either. Ronel probably wouldn't have fired.
She was restrained and helpless anyway. A quick threat with the gun, and if it didn't work, they could just come back later. Torture in between might even loosen her tongue faster than expected.
Of course, torture was legally banned, but the Association had done it covertly before. Against a demon-side traitor, it wouldn't be hard.
He'd been a bit slow to realize it thanks to Camilla masterfully seizing control the moment they entered, but ultimately, Han U-sol and Ronel held all the power. Ronel surely knew that too.
Han U-sol finished explaining and looked at Ronel with proud eyes.
'...I was really going to shoot.'
Ronel averted her gaze slightly, bowing her head.
They already knew the demon side was short on time. The interrogation was for more precise verification, but killing her without much info wouldn't change much.
Plus, info on Anis might cloud Han U-sol's judgment. So if Camilla held out, Ronel had planned to just end her.
".........Yeah. You're right, senior."
Deciding it was best not to voice that, Ronel just nodded along vaguely.
"...Thought I caught a sucker, but you've got some spine."
Camilla, who'd been listening quietly, spoke up.
"Fine. I'll tell you everything. I don't want to get tortured. Hmm... But I have a condition."
"A condition? Your words and actions don't match. You want torture for real?"
"No, this is a legitimate one~ If we don't sort this out, I can't tell you even if I want to~"
Ronel subtly drew her revolver again from her waist, and Camilla whined innocently. Han U-sol felt a twinge of irritation but patiently heard her out.
"What's the condition?"
"We need to remove the contract first."
"Contract?"
"Yeah. The contract with the demon still in my heart. If I spill everything without erasing it, it'll count as betrayal, and my heart will just explode."
Han U-sol frowned. Come to think of it, he'd heard about a traitor captured from that cult church before—they died mid-interrogation.
He recalled it being ruled a suicide by biting their tongue to withhold info, but maybe the Association had covered up a heart explosion.
Forcing info out and having Camilla follow suit would be a problem.
"...How do we undo it?"
"Normally, it's next to impossible, but..."
Camilla nodded toward Han U-sol.
"You've got the power of angels, our very own Han U-sol. You erase it."
".........Me?"
"Yeah. Then I can tell you everything I know. And that's not all? With the contract gone, I can use my abilities to the fullest and help you guys wholeheartedly. No more demon side."
"So... you're saying you'll betray the demon side?"
"Pretty much? Once a traitor, can't do it twice."
Camilla smirked. Her smile was so clean it almost seemed like this had been her goal from the start. Not the face of someone casually invoking betrayal.
"What do you say? Way easier choice than before, right? Just use your power to wipe the contract..."
"No, that's not happening."
Before he could respond, Ronel cut in with opposition.
"That contract—it's a demon's power, right?"
"Correct."
"I've heard intervening in one power with another requires a hefty price. What if erasing it dumbly makes senior's arm fly off or something?"
Ronel's point was valid. Just look at Yeriel—no one knew what the cost might be.
But Camilla countered that it was an extreme example.
"No, that's only for heavily manifested powers. Common sense says no way something like that's carved into a weak human like me. At worst, you'll feel a bit tired."
Han U-sol pondered. Camilla's logic made sense, but she could still be scheming.
Her silver tongue for manipulation, casually tossing around betrayal—she wasn't the trustworthy type.
But Han U-sol soon shook his head. Worst case, he'd take the hit himself. Compared to choices that could harm humanity, this was simple.
Anis and his own safety. No contest—the former won.
Without hesitation, Han U-sol nodded and asked Camilla.
"...Fine. I'll erase it. How?"
"...Huh? No idea."
"......What?"
"You're the one who handles powers. You should know. Don't ask me—what do I know? Just feel it out or something."
"......Hmm?"
"......Huh?"
...He didn't know.
And in the dim interrogation room, a brief silence flowed.
Interrogation room. Three people.
Only wordless silence hung in the air.