Chapter 85: Bug (3)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 85: Bug (3)
‘Who are you? How can a mere creature like you wield such power?’
The being, finally exhausted after its long rampage, spoke to me.
I didn’t have a real answer for it.
If it was asking how I could do something I’d been able to do since the day I was born, what was I supposed to say?
I simply threw a question back.
‘And you? What are you?’
Who was this thing that had hijacked my body?
I retraced my steps, trying to figure out where it had all gone wrong. It started when I touched that frozen gem—the item called the Heart of the Demon King of the Bitter Cold.
In that case, was this entity the Demon King itself?
It was the most logical conclusion.
The being’s voice dripped with irritation.
—Resume the flow of time at once. Only then will I allow you to speak.
As if.
‘I told you. Give me my body back first.’
—I told you, this flesh is already mine.
‘And I’m telling you, we’ll stay like this forever.’
—You insolent whelp!
Was this thing some kind of monster? One with the specific ability to steal bodies? Or was the Tower playing another one of its tricks?
I still didn’t understand why the item description had flickered and changed at the last second. Everything was a complete mystery.
—Very well. We shall see.
The being’s voice turned cold.
—I know not what trick you have used, but no one can maintain a power that defies the laws of nature indefinitely. When time flows again, you will regret this.
‘And what exactly are you going to do?’
—I shall freeze your entire world. The land, the mountains, the seas, the humans, and the beasts—all of it. Everything will perish in an endless, bitter winter.
Wow. Terrifying.
That settled it. I could absolutely never let time resume.
—If you do not wish to suffer, release it now. This is the last mercy I shall bestow upon you.
I scoffed at its shamelessness.
‘You steal a man’s body and then threaten him? They call you the Demon King of the Bitter Cold, and you really do have the personality of a demon.’
—What? How dare you…!
‘Fine, let’s see who breaks first. Sorry to disappoint you, but I can do this forever.’
The Demon King sneered.
—You bluff. You will soon rue your arrogance.
Time passed.
I made no further attempt to converse with the being. It wasn't the type for civil discussion anyway. It didn’t speak to me either, leaving us in a void of absolute silence.
How much time had gone by?
Subjectively, it felt like several days.
—…You wretch.
Finally, the Demon King’s voice broke the silence. It sounded fed up.
—Cease this stubbornness. Surely you have reached your limit?
‘Have you decided to give my body back?’
—Do not speak nonsense.
‘Then don’t talk to me. I told you, we’re staying like this forever.’
—Ha…! Do you think you are a god? Such a feat is impossible.
‘Watch me.’
The Demon King continued to ramble, but I tuned it out, refusing to offer another word.
*
Another long stretch of time passed.
—Let us be reasonable. Just how long do you intend to keep this up?
The Demon King spoke again. I didn’t answer.
—Do you truly intend for us to remain like this for all eternity?
By my count, a month had passed.
I was sick and tired of the void, but the being had to be feeling it just as much. I couldn’t show a single crack until my opponent surrendered.
‘Ugh…’
—What is it?
‘I… I can’t hold it any longer…’
I let time flow.
The world, which had been frozen for so long, lurched into motion. Of course, the Demon King still held the reins of my body.
“...Kwahahahaha!”
In the newly flowing time, the Demon King burst into a manic laugh.
“Yes! I knew it! You’ve finally reached your limit!”
Shwaaaa!
My body streaked across the sky at a tremendous speed. The being grinned widely, shouting so I could hear it clearly.
“I told you that you would regret this! From now on, I will make you feel your powerlessness to your very bo—”
Time stopped.
My body froze mid-flight.
—…What?
It had looked so happy that I actually felt a little embarrassed for it.
‘Getting a little ahead of yourself, weren't you?’
I was bored, so I’d decided to play a little prank.
‘I told you I can do this forever. Why don’t you believe me?’
—You wretched creature…!
Realizing it had been played, the Demon King flew into a murderous rage. I let its threats wash over me like white noise and returned to a state of meditative emptiness.
Time continued to pass.
*
—…I retract my statement about freezing your world. So please, stop this now.
The Demon King was finally starting to understand. It was realizing that my Time Stop might truly be infinite.
But it still hadn't quite come to its senses.
‘That’s a given. Now, give me my body back.’
—Did I not say I cannot?
‘Is it that you can’t, or that you won’t?’
—…It is that I cannot. Your body has already become my vessel. It is impossible to return it to you.
If that was true, I was in deep trouble. But for some reason, it sounded like a blatant lie.
‘Well, can’t be helped then. Let’s just stay like this forever.’
—You madman…! I’m telling you, I really can’t give it back!
Ignoring the Demon King’s protests, I let my consciousness blur, like a bear entering hibernation. It was impossible to actually fall asleep while time was stopped, but I could enter a trance-like state that was close enough.
It was a trick I’d picked up while waiting for the Branch Tower to appear and for the warp device to charge. It made enduring the long stretches of silence a little more bearable.
*
—Fine. I shall make a concession. Let us share the time we possess this body.
Another long period passed. The Demon King came forward with a new proposal.
‘What are you talking about?’
—I will allow you control of the body for half of each day. This is a great concession on my part.
‘I thought you said you couldn’t give it back?’
—Did you believe that? It was a lie.
The Demon King brazenly admitted the deception. Not that I had believed it for a second. It was still spouting nonsense that wasn’t worth a damn.
‘Your Majesty, do you have a death wish?’
—…What did you say?
‘It was my body to begin with, and you’re talking about “concessions”? You’re in no position to set conditions. Just give it back.’
There would be no negotiations with terrorists.
The Demon King hurled insults at me, raging for a while before falling into a sullen silence once more.
*
—I will let you rule the world. All people will revere you. You will enjoy every possible wealth and glory. I will even kill anyone you wish to see dead.
‘…’
—Did I not say I would give you the body for half the day? If you agree, I will make the world yours!
‘Yawn.’
—Listen to me! You wretched creature!
*
—I will kill you. I will make you kill your family, your lover, and your friends with your own hands!
‘How are you going to kill anyone when time isn’t moving?’
—…I will kill you! I will kill you without fail!
*
‘Your Majesty.’
—…
‘I’m bored. Want to play a word chain game?’
—…Shut up.
‘Noodles.’
*
How much time had passed? Had it been a year?
I was reaching a state of near-enlightenment. Honestly, I was surprised by my own mental fortitude. Perhaps the knowledge that a lunatic demon king would destroy the world if I let go was what allowed me to endure.
—You persistent bastard…
The Demon King’s voice was dripping with exhaustion.
—Do you truly believe you can withstand an eternity? Your mind will collapse first.
Maybe it would. But for now, it was still holding. I was determined to see who would break first.
‘Sun.’
The Demon King let out a heavy, defeated sigh.
—…I will give it back. Release the time stop.
My mind snapped to attention. Was this finally it? A total surrender?
‘For real? What kind of trick are you planning?’
—Release it, I said! I will return it!
Even if it tried something, I could just stop time again instantly.
I let time flow.
Whoosh!
The wind hit my face. Feeling the sensation of the cold for the first time in an age, I landed on the ground.
“…Whoa.”
I clenched and unclenched my hand, a soft exclamation of wonder escaping my lips. My body moved exactly as I willed it. The Demon King had actually given it back.
Did it leave?
—Not a chance, you wretched creature.
Nope. The voice echoed in my head.
—I have returned it for now, but do not forget that I can take it back whenever I please.
Ah… so that’s how it is.
I clicked my tongue. I had regained control for the moment, but the fundamental problem remained.
‘Can’t you just get out? If you try to take over again, I’ll just stop time.’
The Demon King scoffed.
—Not only do I have no intention of leaving, I cannot leave even if I wished to.
‘Don’t lie to me again.’
The Demon King didn’t respond. This time, it felt like it might be telling the truth.
Just as my mind grew troubled and I looked up at the sky…
`[Error Detected.]`
“…?”
A message from the Tower appeared before my eyes.
`[Correcting error.]`
—…!
My body began to tremble violently. A disgusting, terrifying sensation washed over me—something I had never felt in my life. I couldn't describe it. I couldn't even move.
It felt as if some colossal, transcendent being was looking down at me, reaching out a hand to crush a bug.
The Tower. I knew it instinctively. The Tower was intervening.
—…Time! Stop time!
The Demon King’s voice, pale with terror, screamed in my head.
I stopped time immediately.
The moment the world froze, the crushing, overwhelming pressure evaporated.
…What was that?
As I struggled to pull myself together, I felt the Demon King doing something. It was as if its soul was burrowing, trying to hide itself somewhere deeper within me.
‘…What are you doing?’
The Demon King didn’t answer.
The Tower’s message about correcting an error—there was no doubt it was targeting the Demon King.
What should I do? I had stopped time in a panic, but I had a feeling the Tower was trying to eliminate the intruder. Should I let time flow? Was that the right move?
But for some reason, I didn't want to give the Tower what it wanted.
While I deliberated, I felt the Demon King’s presence completely conceal itself.
I tried letting time flow again.
The overwhelming pressure returned instantly. I could feel the Tower’s gaze fixed intently on me. It felt like a glare—an unpleasant, skin-crawling sensation.
“…”
Slowly, the pressure faded.
Unaware that I had been holding my breath, I let out a sharp exhale. Phew.
Whoa… what the hell was that?
My head was spinning. I had no idea what was happening.
—Dammit.
The voice echoed in my head again. The Demon King had survived.
‘What did you do?’
The sensation I felt now was bizarre. It was as if the Demon King’s soul had woven itself into mine. I could sense it instinctively—the Demon King had latched onto my very soul.
Just like with Diul, our souls had become partially connected. It had likely done this to escape the Tower’s detection.
I could also feel that control of my body had returned to me completely. In this state, unless I consciously handed over the reins, the Demon King couldn't just hijack me whenever it pleased.
‘Hello? Why aren’t you saying anything?’
I called out, but the Demon King remained silent. I could feel its mood, though—it was absolutely foul. Its pride was likely shattered after being forced to hide and return control to me.
Well, whatever. Is it… resolved?
My body was safe for now, even if I had a permanent, annoying roommate.
“Hoo.”
I walked back to where the pit had been. The item—the Heart of the Demon King—had vanished.
Did the Tower delete it?
I didn't know. I was too mentally exhausted to care.
I should just head back for now.