Chapter 102
Chapter 102
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 102
Chapter Title: Incarnation
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First things first—let's sort out what needs to be done.
About twenty hours left. In that time, I need ways to endure a boss fight on par with Elnor's rampage.
“...”
Just looking at the proposition alone, it's insanely daunting.
How the hell am I supposed to do that?
‘...Start with what I can do.’
Tackle the immediate issues, one by one, step by step.
I felt it before when facing Valkasus.
Panicking or freezing in fear doesn't help at all.
Based on countless experiences I've had so far, that's for sure.
[...Hmph.]
As those thoughts crossed my mind, Kaliban chuckled from within the Soul Linker and tossed out a comment.
[This doesn't seem like something you can just explain away like that.]
“What?”
[I’ve always known you’ve got nerves of steel, but even accounting for that, your current state is definitely off.]
He continued.
[Even a tough bastard has some basic survival instincts when their life’s on the line.]
Especially if they’ve been blindsided without half the preparations they planned for—there should be *some* kind of ‘reaction.’
Kaliban fell silent for a moment after saying that.
[Just look at how you were facing the Boy King in the next room over. Totally different from now.]
“...What are you trying to say?”
Kaliban’s basically a bystander who only chimes in when needed and otherwise just mocks or watches. But sometimes, he gets genuinely serious with me.
Mostly when my life seems truly at risk.
Or when I get caught up in something ‘demonic.’
[Something’s changed with you, hasn’t it?]
A voice laced with chill emanated.
[Because of that thing etched on your chest.]
At Kaliban’s words, I glanced down at the Mark of the Otherworld stamped on my chest.
If I pulled up the system window, it definitely said something like this.
[System Log]
[ Stage 1 restriction of the ‘Mark of the Otherworld’ has been lifted. ]
[ Your attribute will gradually change from ‘human’ to ‘demon.’ ]
[ The closer your ties to ‘demons,’ the faster the attribute change. ]
Sure enough.
I’ve gotten awfully close to demons lately.
Just like Kaliban said, it’s right about time for changes to start.
“...”
I fell silent at the voice tinged with half disgust.
He’s a human who was thrown in to deal with a rampaging Red Demon vessel and ended up dying with his comrades. No way he’d have good feelings about it.
[Everything tangled with demons ends badly. I’d hate for you to go that way.]
Kaliban continued in a stiff, rigid voice.
[If you get dragged in, there’s a high chance Eliya will get pulled along too.]
“Eliya and I aren’t *that* close, Kaliban.”
[Not yet.]
“...”
[From a big brother’s perspective, I can tell just by watching. She’s already snared by your devilish charm—no escaping on her own now. Unless you outright shove her away, she won’t snap out of it...]
Kaliban paused, then let out a smirk.
[You have no intention of letting her go, do you?]
“...Not in the way you’re thinking.”
[Whether it’s romantic feelings or not. You plan to keep Eliya by your side to the end. I may not access your deepest buried memories, but I share your surface thoughts and emotions.]
“...”
[Honestly, I don’t care how many cling to you. You’re worth it. But someday, no matter what, make Eliya your proper wife—]
“I’m busy. Save the nonsense for later.”
What the hell is he saying about his own sister?
“...Anyway, I’m about to meet someone you *really* hate.”
There are plenty of reasons I avoid Peynol.
Like being the Chapter 4 final boss, or one of the Demon Vessels.
But the biggest one by far.
Is that he holds every element that’ll blow up in Kaliban’s and my faces later.
Especially in this guy’s case.
“Kaliban. Promise me one thing.”
[What?]
“Absolutely, *absolutely* no funny business. Got it?”
[...No idea what you mean, but fine. Never thought you’d ask *me* to hold back.]
As Kaliban said that, I arrived at Peynol’s lodging and stopped in front.
[System Log]
[! Warning !]
[ Important target. Premature contact may alter the scenario. ]
[ Contacting the target will immediately unlock the ‘Heretic Inquisition - Special Interaction’ clear privilege from ‘Boss: Boy King’! ]
[ ‘Skill: Fatal Charm’ cannot be applied to the target! ]
“...”
I’d seen this message before, but facing this guy directly still brought some pressure.
Especially recalling what happened last time a ‘scenario alteration’ warning popped up.
That’s when the world’s ‘flow’ shifted from Eliya to me, and Elnor fell head over heels, chasing me around.
And if my hunch is right.
Just facing this guy will trigger results on that same level.
‘...And Yuria’s tangled up in it too.’
Inside this room, Yuria and this guy are ‘doing something.’
No idea what, but in the original story, Peynol was... a freak with a massively twisted personality.
A true psychopath who didn’t treat anyone not acknowledged by him as human.
Depending on how he’s ‘treating’ Yuria.
It might even escalate to combat.
As I raised my hand to knock, Yuria’s voice came from inside.
“N-No, even so, this, this—!”
“Oh? Didn’t you ask *me* for help?”
Followed by Peynol’s low, mocking voice.
“If you can’t even handle this, that man will dump you, you know?”
Hearing that, I instantly realized.
This bastard’s using *me* as an excuse to force Yuria into something!
I flung the door open aggressively.
Inside was.
“...Th-This kind of outfit, it’s my first time wearing...”
“Then you *must* try it! To capture Dawood Campbell’s heart, you have to polish yourself first!”
“...”
“Clothes are a woman’s wings! No wonder he doesn’t feel the charm when you wear rags every day!”
Yuria stood there in just a single set of underwear top and bottom, clutching frilly women’s clothes in each hand, trembling with teary eyes.
Both outfits were outrageously revealing—exposing more than they covered.
Next to the sparkling-eyed Peynol was a mountain of similar clothes.
“...”
What the hell is this?
As I scanned the two, Yuria and Peynol finally noticed I’d entered, their heads snapping toward me in unison.
“...”
“...”
Awkward silence flowed.
In that moment, Yuria blankly glanced down at herself.
A thin bra. White panties with polka dots.
Nothing else.
A nearly nude body, thin and flowing fabric accentuating its graceful curves.
And that unfocused gaze slowly rose to me.
Then.
She realized I was staring at her in stunned silence.
“...”
“...”
Yuria’s face flushed red first, then her entire body.
It spread at such a ferocious speed it was almost fascinating to watch.
Tears welled in Yuria’s eyes. Her mouth opened. She sucked in a huge breath.
[Classic Dawood.]
“...”
[Just open a door and bam—this crap happens. Are you some third-rate story protagonist?]
Along with Kaliban’s scoffing voice, a window popped up.
[ ‘Title: Playboy’ effect activates! ]
Ah, right.
That’s why they told me to equip it in advance.
For excuses like this.
“...Wait. There are circumstances here—”
Before I could finish my excuse, Yuria’s shrill scream pierced the air.
●
One piece of info.
Yuria’s specs have definitely shot up. I knew it when she shredded the Water Dragon with a few slashes before, but even with a sword sheath on, swinging the Severer nearly turned me into paste.
[System Log]
[ Successfully continued combat despite severe injuries! ]
[ ‘Trait: Iron Man’ proficiency increases. ]
How mangled was I for this trait to level up?
“...”
Still, I survived.
Boss fight tomorrow—I avoided the pathetic death of losing my head to an ally before prepping properly.
“...Hmph.”
Peynol stroked his chin, peering down at my half-minced state.
“You alive, you?”
“...Somehow.”
The room was utterly trashed from Yuria’s tearful rampage—that hit me first.
Then she’d bolted out screaming “Dawood, you idiot—!”
As I pulled myself together and slumped at the table, Peynol smoothly poured me a cup of tea.
“Nice to meet you, Dawood Campbell.”
Peynol beamed and offered a handshake.
“...”
I stared blankly, then clasped his hand.
And at that instant.
[...]
From the Soul Linker, Kaliban’s shock hit me crystal clear.
No way to miss it at this physical proximity.
[...No, wait. Don’t screw with me.]
Yeah.
I told you.
[This guy—I *definitely*...!]
Killed him.
Peynol had died once, just as Kaliban said.
Kaliban and the Guardians poured their lives into it.
And though his appearance might differ from what he remembers, this is the same existence.
The mastermind behind the ‘Night Massacre’ that swept away Eliya’s family.
“So.”
Peynol ‘Deathwish’ Lifek.
Chapter 4’s final boss.
The scenario’s first ‘complete’ vessel, holding *every* fragment of the ‘Red Demon.’
In other words.
“What brings you here?”
Beyond a mere vessel holding demon fragments.
The sole being ascended to ‘Incarnation,’ bearing a ‘complete demon.’
He smiled faintly at me.
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