Playtime Is Over
"Of course, once time passes and you grow accustomed to that power, you might fare better," Big Boss said, taking slow, deliberate steps toward Yohan.
Yohan tried to pull himself together and stand up to face him, but for some reason, his body refused to listen. It didn't take long for him to realize why he couldn't move. It was fear. Any ordinary human facing a being that wielded demonic power was bound to be seized by instinctive terror. Still, it was manageable. He was likely enduring it thanks to the divine protection of the Unnamed Goddess. At the same time, Yohan felt a wave of relief that he had forced Falco to stay behind, despite her protests to come along.
"But what a pity," Big Boss murmured, looking down at Yohan with mock sympathy. "Before you can even learn to properly wield a power far too grand for you, you will become my nourishment right here."
This idiot is practically begging for a beatdown with a death flag like that, Yohan thought, glaring up at Big Boss with a snort. "This is exactly why you can never trust a guy with squinty eyes."
—You have been babbling about squinty eyes for a while now. What on earth does that mean? the Goddess asked, chiming in at Yohan's muttered complaint, but he ignored her. No, to be precise, he couldn't answer.
Thud!
In the blink of an eye, Big Boss's boot slammed directly into Yohan's stomach.
"Ack—!"
Kicked squarely in the abdomen, Yohan couldn't even squeeze out a proper scream. An agonizing pain that felt as if his internal organs were being wrung like a wet rag surged through him, and gastric juices mixed with blood rushed up his esophagus, spilling past his lips.
Crash!
The agony didn't stop there. Blown backward by the sheer force of the kick, Yohan collided violently with a solid stone wall before bouncing off and rolling across the floor, instantly coating himself in a thick layer of dust.
—Yohan!
"Ugh..."
On the surface, it had looked like an ordinary kick. But its destructive power was beyond imagination. It felt less like a human strike and more like being rammed by a massive boulder. Wiping away the blood trickling down his chin, Yohan staggered back to his feet. His vision spun wildly. To make matters worse, his entire body throbbed as if he had been thoroughly thrashed with a club, making it difficult to even keep his balance. Yet, his body was no longer frozen in fear. It was painful, but his limbs were moving.
"Oh? I was certain that was a clean hit. You are far sturdier than you look," Big Boss remarked, his tone laced with genuine surprise as he watched Yohan rise.
"I'm a guy who survived getting stabbed in the back. A little love tap like this won't do shit," Yohan retorted. Even though he felt like he was dying of pain and his vision was blurring, he absolutely refused to lose the war of words. Squeezing out every ounce of his remaining stamina, he feigned utter composure.
—Stop bluffing like some third-rate villain and focus on the battle, the Goddess chided.
"Yeah, yeah," Yohan muttered half-heartedly to her nagging as he stepped toward Big Boss. Perhaps because he had become the Goddess's Apostle, his body was already rapidly recovering from damage that would have instantly killed an ordinary human. It felt similar to the Miracle Arts of a High Priest from the Holy Kingdom. No, technically speaking, this was a literal miracle. After all, his soul was directly linked to a deity itself.
"Hmph!" Pressing one nostril shut with his thumb, Yohan blew out the blood pooling in the other. It seemed the Goddess's Authority didn't extend to clearing out nasal blockages. Alright, let's go again. He habitually reached for his waist.
"Tsk." He clicked his tongue, remembering a moment too late that Big Boss had shattered his sword with his bare hands just moments ago.
—A weapon is not what matters. Do not cling to mere forms, the Goddess advised.
"Very well." Big Boss watched Yohan, his expression turning remarkably serious compared to before. He seemed provoked by the fact that Yohan was moving so freely after taking a direct kick to the stomach. Sensing the slight ripple in Big Boss's composure, Yohan decided to toss a stone into those troubled waters.
"You know, I might have made a living robbing other people's graves, but I've never been the type to back down when someone picks a fight," Yohan shouted, thrusting his right hand forward. Then, curling his fingers, he beckoned Big Boss over. "Come on, bring it."
Crack!
At that moment, the surrounding air froze icy cold, and an immense pressure pressed against his skin as if the atmospheric pressure had suddenly spiked. Along with it, Yohan saw Big Boss's face twist in a highly satisfying grimace. He had suspected as much, but the man truly possessed a petty personality that couldn't stand losing control of the pace. As that realization sank in, the corners of Yohan's mouth curled upward.
"...To think a piece of street trash like you..."
The provocation had worked beautifully. Gone was Big Boss's polite demeanor and refined speech; instead, he radiated a murderous rage that suggested he might flay Yohan alive at any second. The problem was that the target of that wrath was glaringly obvious. But Yohan didn't care. In fact, this was exactly what he wanted. If the bastard lost his mind and rushed in blindly, it would be much easier to seize the upper hand. Yohan knew all too well that in a fight between humans, physical ability and technique weren't everything. Still, he had to give credit where credit was due. The bastard's skills were definitely superior to his own. His mastery over demonic power and his overall combat techniques were far more refined.
—So you intend to disrupt the enemy's composure. A wise decision, the Goddess praised, quickly catching on to Yohan's intentions.
"I had planned to dispose of you quickly and cleanly, but I have just changed my mind," Big Boss said, stepping closer. A bizarre, unnatural static laced his voice—a sound no human throat could produce. It was as if he were awakening the demonic consciousness slumbering deep within his body.
"I will inflict pain upon you as slowly and thoroughly as possible. I will make you beg for the sweet release of death."
"Oh no, I'm absolutely terrified," Yohan drawled.
"You son of a bitch..."
Whoosh!
Spitting out a raw curse, Big Boss's figure suddenly vanished into thin air. In the exact same instant, he materialized right in front of Yohan's nose. Just like his previous strike, it was a speed that no ordinary human eye could track. Yet, Yohan did not lose sight of him. He wasn't relying on his physical sight to track the movement; rather, he was sensing the fierce murderous intent and demonic malice radiating from Big Boss. Dropping low to the ground, Yohan thrust both hands upward. Big Boss's boot, which had been hurtling straight down toward the crown of Yohan's head, was caught firmly in Yohan's grasp and ground to a halt.
Boom!
"Ugh!"
Of course, catching an attack meant absorbing its full impact. Yohan gritted his teeth as a heavy shockwave rippled through his entire body. Crack! The downward force of the kick was so immense that the stone floor beneath Yohan's feet splintered into a web of fractures.
—Do not be so reckless! You could have easily dodged that, so why did you choose to intercept it? the Goddess scolded.
"I have a plan!" Yohan barked back, bracing his entire body with all his might. The impact felt as if it would crush his bones, but the result wasn't half bad. Unlike before, he had completely blocked Big Boss's attack. Grinning triumphantly at his success, Yohan smirked. "Too slow."
"You bastard...!"
This was fun. I can completely control this guy's emotions! Setting aside the physical pain, Yohan was thoroughly enjoying himself.
—Looking closely, it seems you are not trying to exploit the enemy's psychology at all, but are merely provoking him for your own amusement, the Goddess sighed, realizing his true intentions. Yohan casually ignored her remark and focused entirely on the opponent before him.
"Let go! I said, let go—!"
"Like hell I will, you dumbass!"
Whoosh!
Yohan swung his arms with all his might, still gripping Big Boss's ankles. Launched into the air in an instant, Big Boss's body traced a wide arc before slamming face-first into the floor directly behind Yohan. Crash! The crown of Big Boss's head collided with the stone floor, unleashing an ear-splitting roar that threatened to tear their eardrums apart.
"One, two, three, four!"
Yohan didn't stop at just one swing. Summoning every ounce of his strength, he repeatedly slammed Big Boss against the floor. Thud! Crash! Every time Big Boss's head collided with the stone, a thunderous boom echoed, accompanied by the sickening sound of something solid shattering. He swung Big Boss around like a ragdoll, using his ankles as handles, over and over again. Countless stone fragments erupted into the air alongside a massive cloud of dust, completely obscuring his vision.
"Whew."
As the dust cloud slowly settled, Yohan saw Big Boss sprawled out on the floor, his head buried in the shattered stone. No matter how much demonic power he wielded, his vessel was still human; a severe head injury was bound to take him down in one shot. Still, just to be sure, Yohan kept a close eye on the motionless figure.
—He is not moving at all, the Goddess noted.
"Yeah," Yohan replied, leaning in slightly toward Big Boss. It seemed like he had won, but the ease of the victory left a lingering, uneasy taste in his mouth.
—Did you... defeat him?
Just as Yohan was pondering, the Goddess uttered the one phrase that should never, under any circumstances, be spoken in a situation like this.
"Hey, wait. If you say that, it always—"
Twitch!
"Goddammit."
Of course. Before a startled Yohan could even finish his sentence, Big Boss's limp body suddenly convulsed.
Boom!
"Gack!"
Immediately after, a powerful shockwave erupted from Big Boss, blasting Yohan far back. It was the exact same energy that had burst forth when the statue was shattered. The implication of this was crystal clear.
"Kuhuhu..."
Blood poured in torrents from his split skull, but Big Boss paid it no mind as he sprang back to his feet, letting out a sickening laugh. This was no longer Big Boss's voice. It was the bizarre, eerie sound that had been layered beneath his words earlier.
—You have finally revealed your true form, you accursed demon, the Goddess declared coldly.
"Sigh. I knew this would happen," Yohan grumbled, letting out a heavy sigh.
"Is it you? The one who dared awaken me when the time is still far off?" the Demon possessing Big Boss's body spoke, directing its gaze at Yohan. The mere sound of its voice carried an intense, sickening revulsion, causing Yohan to scowl deeply.
Squelch! Crack!
A grotesque sound of twisting flesh and snapping bones echoed from within Big Boss's body. Simultaneously, his physical form—which had remained relatively intact below the neck—began to warp into a hideous monstrosity.
—I see. It pretended to grant its authority to this man named Big Boss, only to gather strength and seize his vessel for itself, the Goddess calmly analyzed. Yohan's thoughts aligned perfectly with her assessment.
—Apostle. Can you feel it?
"Yeah," Yohan replied shortly to her question.
"Heh, still, this isn't too bad. This vessel will suffice," the Demon muttered to itself. Yohan glared at the creature. From the moment his battle with Big Boss had begun, he had sensed a massive presence of evil. Now that the Demon, which had previously only lent its power, had fully manifested, that malevolent energy had grown exponentially stronger. No wonder the bastard had gone down so easily despite his terrifying aura. There was a reason for everything.
The blood pouring from the wound on its head floated in the air like a twisted halo, while bones tangled with blood and muscle tore through its flesh, erupting across its body like jagged horns. It was a sight that triggered an instinctive disgust just by looking at it—a literal incarnation of profanity. This was no longer a human borrowing a demon's power. Yohan was certain of it. The ruler of Balifield's Undercity had died long ago from that last attack. In fact, the Demon might have intended this outcome from the start. The entity that had once formed a contract with him had now descended into the physical world, using the corpse of Big Boss as its vessel.
To be honest, Yohan had been enjoying the situation well enough until just a moment ago. After all, Big Boss had been the leader of the syndicate Yohan belonged to. From the perspective of someone betrayed by his own organization, the man was a legitimate target for revenge. That was why he had taken such pleasure in venting his spite. But from this point on, it was only right to set aside such petty personal feelings. Playtime was officially over. In the name of the Unnamed Goddess, he had to slay this demon.