Chapter 158
Chapter 158
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 158
Chapter Title: The Ruthless and Terrifying Boss
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This is a story from when I lived as the Absolute Cool Guy Super Young-jin.
Honestly, Yi Young-jin—who had lived diligently and kindly studying hard at the facility—must have gone off the rails around the time he realized that no matter how hard he studied, getting into college was a pipe dream.
Of course, you can complain about your circumstances, but that doesn't mean you can slack off in life. So even if I started viewing the world a bit nihilistically, I never abandoned the mindset that I had to live diligently.
The world was already giving me side-eye for being an orphan from the facility—if I lived subserviently because of that, I'd just end up more pathetic. So I gritted my teeth and lived fiercely. If I gave up on myself, no one else would look out for me.
That's how I went to the military, worked hard on-site to become a dorm worker, got paid a bit more day by day, then herniated a disc and ended up stuck at the convenience store. Still, I tried to live as a healthy, upright young man.
And what I realized living like that was, amusingly enough, If you don't live a bit like a dog, you'll get taken advantage of as a sucker. Slack off on your job, get seen as a joke, and then reveal you're an orphan? No easier mark than that.
It's like getting hit with a debuff that makes you look "low-class as a human" to everyone else.
So, anyone who messes with me needs to get hit back precisely. After learning that life philosophy, I transformed from Hope House's Superstar Yi Young-jin—kind and gentle to everyone—into the symbol of cold ruthlessness and icy coolness: Absolute Zero Cool Guy Super Yi Young-jin.
And right now, in front of my eyes, is the villain who picked a fight with me once.
The villain who really pissed me off, that is.
If there had been anyone else awake around, he wouldn't have been so brazen, but thanks, Black Forest. Thanks, Hark von Loengrin.
The hour when everyone is asleep. Only the two of us awake.
"Sit down. Let's have a talk."
"...Who the hell are you to—urgghk."
"Don't make me say it twice. I said let's talk."
"O-okay... ughk, grrrk. I said I would...!!"
"You're slow. Don't keep the Imperial Heir waiting."
"......"
Now then.
It's time for some enjoyable Talking About.
Wolfram doesn't forgive those who pick fights.
He staggered over and plopped down beside me.
Through the gaps in his robe, bright red hair peeked out. His face was bowed low, so I couldn't see it well, but no doubt about it—it was him.
Act 4's boss. Erhel.
"How... are you...?"
"You don't recognize me? That's odd. Didn't you even curse me?"
"...Wolfram... von Loengrin."
"Add 'Your Highness' for the Imperial Prince, you fool."
Normally.
Normally, I almost never flaunt my rank when talking.
Not to lower nobility like Milmieu, nor even to commoners like Nefti... I've never once demanded they address me as "Your Highness."
Have I ever lorded my authority over them even once? Of course not—they wouldn't disrespect me even if I weren't a prince. But this guy is different.
It's not about not believing in people's potential or having prejudices... his very nature is different.
"Wolfram von Loengrin... Your Highness."
[Add 'Your Highness.']
"...Ugh. Wolfram von Loengrin... Your Imperial Highness...!"
"Now then, show me your face. Don't you know hiding it from the Imperial Heir is sin enough?"
"Th-that's... I, I can't. Ughhhk..."
The moment I activated Imperial Bloodline, his face twisted in pain. Even if I stuffed a few fortune cookies into that curse doll, he wouldn't take off the hood willingly.
Well, of course.
Considering his true identity, it's only natural.
"Do you think hiding your face with that pathetic perception block hides the filthy, humid stench too?"
"Wh-what do you mean...?"
"It reeks. The stench of a filthy otherworlder. Have you forgotten who I am? Shall I judge you myself?"
"I-I understand. Please, spare me...!"
He pulled back the hood. Long, flowing red hair. Eyes gleaming brilliantly gold. And... two horns protruding impressively from his forehead.
What more is there to say? Just looking at that tells you exactly what he is.
Act 4 boss.
Black Flag executive, Erhel.
Race: [Demon]
"Indeed. First time seeing the real thing. So why is a demon hanging around Jefrin?"
"...I can't... tell you. No, I don't... have anything."
"Even if I judge you?"
"...Hii, hiiik..."
At those words, his body trembled violently.
Even by original game standards, this boss—who's on par with Tier 2 characters in short burst wars—is utterly terrified of me.
Well, yeah.
As I keep saying, Hark von Loengrin invaded the heavens and demon realms to protect the human world's sovereignty.
So how do you protect sovereignty?
The simplest way: summary execution rights within our territory.
By now you get it—why Loengrin is called the guardian of the middle realm stems from holding summary execution rights over [Angels] and [Demons] in the human world.
If I activated Imperial Bloodline toward this guy right now and commanded [Die], he'd drop dead.
That's why in the Eve route, angels or demons as enemies get one-shot by holy spears.
That's the reason [the Eve route is a total cakewalk].
In other routes, Eve goes off the rails and doesn't join the party, making them relatively harder.
"Um, excuse me..."
He looked up at me with teary eyes.
All an act, of course. Demons by nature cling to the strong, bully the weak, bluff constantly, and are always ready to backstab.
That's just how they are. Racial trait. So never pity a demon begging for sympathy.
See? Those golden eyes flashing.
Hey now. Still not learned your lesson, huh?
"Try any more nonsense, and I'll kill you."
"...I'm sorry. I'm so sorry..."
Erhel waddled over and sat beside me, hugging his knees tightly and shivering.
The reason? Because Imperial Bloodline is spamming me with that.
"Your name?"
"Erhel. Erhel Mistilteinn."
"Speak properly."
"Erhel Mistilteinn, Your Imperial Highness Wolfram von Loengrin... sniff."
I need to instill some discipline in this one.
Otherwise, he'll get cocky.
Even our first meeting, he smirked and called me an idiot—a third-rate villain line.
Honestly, he's a boss with barely any official lore revealed.
"Red long hair, an alluring beauty. Her true identity is shrouded in mystery." And that's it.
All I know is he's a half-demon and a loudmouth.
In the Eve route, he gets exorcised in Act 4. No appearances in other routes.
Overall, the Eve story focuses on imperial court intrigue and Kelters and Eve's growth, so external enemies are half-assed. Eve route's bosses are all like that except the final one.
With magic power of 22, who could be scary?
So this is my first time actually talking to him.
"Hic... Hng... Waaah... Why... why does this always happen to me...? Failed... again..."
I tried to start a conversation.
But he started crying.
...I'm gonna lose it.
"Why are you crying? I said let's talk."
"Hic... S-sorry... sob. Kk... Sorry."
"......"
You know how it is.
Scold a kid not to cry, and instead of stopping, they keep sobbing with hiccups, barely breathing.
Tears streaming, can't breathe through nose or mouth, eyes swollen, desperately trying not to cry on adult's order but breaths bursting out anyway.
"Stop crying."
"I-I'm not crying. Not at all... sob, hic... Sorry..."
Saying that, but with tears pouring down, I handed Erhel some cocoa made by dissolving cocoa bean powder in bubbling water over the campfire.
This was a rare random crop yield—I was saving it for myself...
No helping it.
"Want some?"
"...Will this kill me if I eat it? Please spare me."
I took a sip first without answering. Only then did Erhel realize it wasn't poisoned, took a sip, and his eyes lit up.
"Wow... It's sweet... I've never had anything like this."
"Feeling calmer now? Then let's have a real talk."
No one counsels at swordpoint. I placed the curse doll and fortune cookies on my left, tossed words at her on my right.
"A... talk?"
"I'm curious about you. Got a lot of honest questions. As long as you don't act uppity, no harm will come."
"I-I won't. I'll tell you anything. Everything, so please don't kill me."
"Looks like you're ready to talk. Fine. No plans to kill you if you don't pull stupid stunts, as you said. Another cup?"
"Y-yes... Thank you."
Erhel glanced at me, then focused back on the cocoa.
One sip, then fidgeting.
"What's wrong?"
"D-don't know where to start... What do people usually talk about in situations like this...?"
She glances at me, at the cocoa, sips, fidgets; I pour another, she beams and sips, then fidgets again.
Ah. Total loner vibes.
Guess I have to start?
"Start with why you're at Jefrin. The demon realm gates are long sealed, so you're a descendant of a [Residual] who's been in the human world since three hundred years ago, right?"
"Y-yes! Exactly. I'm a [Half-Demon] born from a Residual who mated with a human. That's what they call half-demons... that kind of existence."
"Even more surprising a half-demon's at Jefrin?"
"W-well, my mom's side was human. My late mom wanted me to live like one, said with high magic power I could enroll at Jefrin and hide my identity... So I came here..."
Sad story.
"Just graduate and be done. You could've hidden your identity and lived on."
"...At first, yeah. But I grew up in the forest, lacked common sense... Magic Division, got bullied, no friends... Always scared of exposure... Couldn't keep up with classes... expulsion... ugh. Sob..."
"......"
The sad tale devolved into peak loner sob story.
"So you couldn't adapt and joined Black Flag."
"Y-yeah..."
Couldn't make friends, adapt, constant anxiety—expelled in the end.
Loner power surpassing even Eve's. Fitting villain who screwed over her route.
"Why throw in with Black Flag? Just leave Jefrin."
"Th-that's... Black Flag gives lodging and food for making a few cursed items... Doesn't pry into my identity, treats me like an exec... Doesn't bully me for being alone..."
"I see."
"The curse too... E-everyone else succeeds. I was jealous. So I... Sorry. So sorry... Don't kill me."
"......"
"I-I wanted to do well too. It's unfair... But Magic Division kids knew each other from outside, can't ask for friends now... They formed cliques... Just me... Eating lunch alone in the bathroom..."
Erhel hugged his knees again and sobbed.
Indeed.
I see. Got it.
I was furious thinking he ruined the Eve route, but conversely, with the skill popup, I can off him anytime.
But ordering the death of Loner A—who entered the academy on his dying mom's wish, flunked out, and went dark—feels offhand...
Hmm. But that's that, and my anger's this.
Me being pissed and him being pitiful are separate, right?
Verdict reached.
"I understand your story fully, but your sins are grave. Stirring chaos in the human world from petty jealousy wasn't enough—you cursed the Imperial Heir. Normally, death."
"...P-please spare me. Sorry. Anything. I'll do anything. Spare me..."
"However, your bat-like shallow scheme's curse ultimately couldn't touch the Emperor's blood, so no real harm done."
"......Huh?"
"Now. Spill everything you know about Black Flag, swear fealty to me until death—and I won't kill you."
Erhel blinked in confusion.
Don't get it? Need more explanation?
"Demons inherently swear loyalty to the Demon King and borrow his power, right? Similar."
"Th-then, Your Imperial Highness Wolfram von Loengrin...!"
Erhel swallowed hard, trembling but continued.
"Will you... become my master?"
"You could see it that way. Long as you stay loyal, I won't pursue your crimes."
"I-I'll do it! Yes! Spare me and I'll do anything! I'll give all Black Flag intel. Be my master! Spare me!"
"Good. Spill the info quick, then leave. I'll summon you next time—don't show yourself otherwise."
"Y-you're letting me go? Taking me in?"
"Hmph. How could Imperial blood keep a demon close? But. Any funny ideas, and summary execution."
"Y-yes! Thank you! I'm off!"
"What're you doing?"
"...Huh?"
"Didn't I say spill Black Flag info?"
"Ah, r-right. Yes. Our secret base is north from here. Scouts..."
Wow. Spills like a motor mouth.
After spilling everything on the northern secret base, Erhel bowed deeply.
"Hey, I told you everything as promised. N-now you'll keep yours, right?"
"Of course. I won't kill you. Go."
"Ah, th-that's not... Isn't there more?"
"Hm? ...Ah, right. Yes. I'll take you in. But our relation stays strictly secret."
"Th-then I'm off, Master! Rest well!"
With that, Erhel retreated, glancing back every two steps.
Good grief, I won't kill you. Waved him off; he flinched and bolted.
Soon, dawn began breaking.
Time for the sleeping gas to wear off. As I rose to clean up sentry traces, a message rang in my head.
"......"
What's your deal?