Chapter 444
Chapter 444
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 444
Chapter Title: Demonic Bastards
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Quiet.
Today's forest felt strangely quiet.
Was it because we'd spent days massacring every monster in sight alongside the imps?
We'd killed a shitload, for real. Nobody slaughters monsters like that under normal circumstances. No profit in it, and it just wastes time.
What idle fool would barge into the woods without a reward and spend ten hours a day butchering them for days on end?
Anyone with that kind of skill could make way more money doing literally anything else in that time. Hell, I'm the same. Investigating imps isn't bringing in a dime right now.
I'm just volunteering for the cause.
Of course, all bets are off if we get a price on those bracelets.
Anyway, the forest was dead silent today. No sign of a single imp runt, and even the monsters that used to screech and flee had vanished.
They must've caught our scent and bolted early.
"One thing's for sure: thanks to your holy service and mine, Saint-nim, the imp population has returned to normal after exploding out of control."
"Heh heh heh, yeah, after we smashed damn near a hundred of the little shits."
Less "back to normal" and more "decimated beyond necessity." Branches that used to have one per perch were barren now.
Still, let's keep investigating.
If everything's fine like this, even better. No real gains, but it's helping Elise, so who cares.
"Anyway, let's go, Elise. Scout around like usual and head back."
"Understood. I hope nothing comes up."
"Heh heh heh, yeah. Better be nothing."
And so we pressed deeper into the forest.
"Hmm... but we'll never know what that high imp from before really was."
"With that many imps around, one could've evolved, right?"
"That would be a relief."
We hadn't spotted another high imp since then.
Was it really just the one?
Or had they all fled somewhere else?
No way to tell.
"Do high imps even evolve further?"
"No idea. Demon ecology isn't well-documented."
Well, if the escapees cause trouble elsewhere, word would reach the Adventurer's Guild somehow. The thing had some chops, but a pro like me or Elise could solo it.
Probably rates as a C-rank quest.
"High imps rank among the weakest demons."
"That guy's the bottom of the barrel?"
"Pretty much... not the absolute weakest. There are records of others at a similar level."
If the weakest demons match a veteran swordsman, they're plenty dangerous.
Hell... what a nightmare. Better off wiped out.
"So it crossed over weakened, then?"
"Can't say. We don't know if it came through a gate or if a local imp evolved. More investigation needed."
We scoured the forest while chatting about demonic matters.
Nothing out of the ordinary.
Just the usual woods, only quieter than normal.
Unsettlingly quiet.
"Quiet, huh."
"...Suspiciously so."
"Yeah."
Shing.
We moved in full combat readiness, just in case.
The forest was too damn quiet.
No bird calls, no buzzing insects—nothing.
Whoosh.
Only the wind.
This is bad.
"Elise, that one."
I pointed to a massive tree ahead while on the move.
Those trunk hollows are prime monster nests. High chance of imps holing up.
"I'll check it out."
We hurried over and peered into the hollow at the base.
Zzz... Pffft...
Pffft...
Zzz...
A whole gremlin family snoring away inside. Bedtime for these fuckers? I reached in and yanked one out by the leg.
"Huh? These guys? Hey, wake the hell up!"
But even dragged out, the gremlins showed no sign of stirring. They just kept snoring weirdly.
All five deep in sleep.
"These fuckers sleeping all sprawled—"
Splat!
As I called it out to Elise, a mace came down like lightning. Then splat! Splat! Splat! Splat! In seconds, she'd pulverized every skull and shook off the blood and brains.
"Now they sleep eternally."
"Heh heh heh, you bet."
Nothing worth looting.
But they slept right through their buddies' heads exploding next to them.
What, drugged?
Odd, but not that unusual, so we moved on. People sleep when tired... kinda creepy, though.
Crunch crunch.
Only our footsteps echoed.
"Hmm, no imps in sight."
"We really wipe 'em all?"
"I hope so..."
Halt.
No sooner said than a sound came from ahead.
Hee hee hee... Grrrk! Gruk! Gruk gruk! Crunch, crunch!
It rang out louder in the silence.
I knew that creepy noise.
"Elise."
"Saint-nim."
We locked eyes, nodded, crouched low, and sneaked silently toward the source.
Hee hee hee... Crunch! Crunch!
There it was—a high imp. Not alone after all. Same habits? It tore into some mystery monster meat, chowing down greedily. Gluttony's a high imp trait, huh.
From last time, I knew they had killer noses. Blood scent might mask us for now, but we'd be made soon. Strike first.
Nod nod.
Elise got it, nodded back, chanted her prayer. Crackle! Holy energy enchanted her mace as she charged.
"Kieeeek!!!!"
"No right to food, you evil wretch!!!"
Its arm—bracelet! Jackpot! Two more secured!
"Grk, grrrk? H-human!"
It screeched and lunged a beat late. Whoosh! It tried to take flight fast, but our battle-honed sprint speed doesn't miss!
"Kim Katt Dropkick!!!"
Crack!
"Guwaaack!!!"
Full-power dropkick sent it flying with a wail. Landing, I yelled to Elise.
"Elise! Limbs! Smash the limbs first!"
"Got it!"
She pounced nimbly on the airborne high imp—its last reunion with its precious limbs.
Splat splat!
"Kweeeek!!!!"
Like whack-a-mole, her mace hammered the downed high imp's limbs to mush.
"No right to limbs for scum like you! Standing on earth, grasping objects—grave sins! No—your very existence is sin!"
"You dog-fucking demon shit! Dare walk on limbs, you? Sane?!"
I joined in, jamming my blade into joints for the dismantle. Felt like prepping a raw chicken with Mom.
"Kuhwaaaak!!! S-stop!!!! Enoughhh!!! What do you humans want!!!"
"Your death!"
"Torturing you!"
True to form, the demon begged like a human under pain—but we'd already answered.
"Krrrk!!! Y-you devilish humans!!!"
It wailed an unforgivable death cry.
"What'd you say, you chewed-up bitch!!!"
"Utterly unforgivable!!"
Slash slash crackle!!!
We unleashed our fury on the spot.
No overlooking that insult.
"Grrrk!!"
Soon enough, the high imp was a limbless stump.
Me and Elise teamed up to rip every appendage in seconds.
Tears and snot streaming, it sprayed black ichor everywhere like hoses on its stumps.
First strike always wins.
"Heh heh heh, you evil demon fuck! Spill your kind's purpose!"
"Speak, or pain worse than death awaits!!"
We pinned it down, ready to kill anytime, and started the interrogation.
No letting guard down.
Kept watch for comrades amid the vibes.
"W-what purpose... grrrk!!!! Gruk, grk!"
"Elise! Words won't work! Demon's not getting it!"
"Demons can't be reasoned with...! I'll rip out its heart! Heartless spawn like you has no right!"
"Uwaaaaa su ra pa hyul guh!!!"
Crack!
Splat splat splat!!!
Pumped, we ditched interrogation and pummeled its face barehanded endlessly. Teeth shattered, blood sprayed.
Still kicking.
Tough hide.
"You fucking shit! Why won't you die! Why! Wanna go?!"
"Daring challenge our Divine Friend!! Unacceptable insult!!"
"Grk!!!!! Kuhwaaak!! Wh-what're you even saaaaying...!"
The beatdown never stopped till it dropped!
Chill!
"Fuck!"
Mid-beatdown, a creepy aura crawled up my spine. I instantly unleashed Supremacy of the Heavenly Demon, frog-leaping into defense.
Ssssh.
What appeared behind us.
"Why bully that child?"
Silence.
A beauty radiating icy menace.
"It's in pain."
"..."
"..."
I froze solid.
"Wouldn't it be better to stop?"
Her seductive voice oozed evil, whispering right in my ear. The beauty before us... wasn't human.
Long ears like Claudy's.
Fine so far.
Her pale blue locks cascaded to her ankles, tall frame and lithe curves captivating any man's gaze.
No intent to hide it: bra covering barely 10% of massive tits, thong barely hiding her crotch, plus long gloves and boots—pure lewd exposure.
Could pass for exhibitionist. But horns like hell's demons on her head, black sclera, yellow pupils—ghostly.
Bat wings on back... tail too.
Not human.
Not human means.
Demon.
"Succubus!"
Crackle!
Elise screamed madly, holy-enchanted her mace, and charged the succubus.
"Saint-nim!!! It's a demon!!!"
"Mom-fucking shit!!! You elf-cunt dickhead!!!"
Her identity? Fuck it! If Elise goes, I go! No choice but fight now!
To live, bet everything and clash!
Crash!
"Kuhak!!"
"No need for girls..."
"Eliseeeeek!!!!!"
Succubus spread hand—blue flames flared, barrier formed, bouncing charging Elise back.
"Oh my?"
Magic that blocks Elise's charge!
I pivoted toward Elise, but sensing follow-up, dove at succubus to draw eyes.
"Oh dear, oh my. Goodness."
Elise bounces back quick!
"A man like this in the human realm..."
Charging, I caught her staring, utterly shocked—or seductively so.
Not a fighter's face—
Zzzzt!!
"Kuhak...! Wh-what power is thiiiis!"
Suddenly, body bound like chains, charge halted dead. Arms, legs immobile!!!
Magic restraint!!!
Holy enchant dispelled too!!!!
"Hot bro... wanna have some fun?"
Struggling, she sauntered close, seductive gait, whispering voice—dick stirring naturally.
"Release me, you bitch!!!"
"Hee hee, fierce as your vigor..."
Not prettier than Claudy, though.
"—Don't wanna sink into pleasure's swamp?"
Now nose-to-nose, she stroked my cheek. This cunt touching me! Chilling touch roiled my mana.
"I'm Succubus Hildegart."
Vertical-slit blue pupils fixed on me. Face flushed, she caressed endlessly.
Mom fuck...!
"Soundwitch coveted by all men."
Mana surging...!
"Such... incredible energy... overflowing essence beyond belief... To find top-tier man-meat like you in a day. Perfect. Today... I'll be your bitch, no strings."
She licked my cheek. Long tongue wet it to my ear.
This cunt.
Dares.
"Come, drown in pleasure's swamp with me. Fill my depths with your endless lust..."
Fuck.
"Hm?"
"Fuck off, you Satan-demon chewed-cunt bitch!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
Crash!
Mad rage exploded in a roar. Surging mana and bursting strength shattered the invisible bonds. Instantly, I unleashed Execution Slash, carving the succubus.
"Chastise Slash!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"