Chapter 8
Chapter 8
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 8
Chapter Title: Villain and Monster
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All of Grumpy Toad's eyes glared at me simultaneously. The monster's upper body swelled up like a balloon, and...
The next instant, it spewed green slime straight at me!
"Eek! Gross!"
I instinctively flung my body to the side. Swiftly and nimbly! No way a slow attack like that could hit this body, infused with the King's DNA!
Sizzle—
The slime grazed past and slammed into the tree behind me. The struck tree began melting with a sizzling sound.
'Acidic slime! I don't even want to imagine if it'd gotten on my clothes! Everlin would chew me out!'
I barely dodged it, but the stench pierced my nose. A horrific stink like rotten eggs mixed with sewer sludge.
"How dare you rampage in Lady Grimoire's territory? I'll teach you the depth of your folly, down to your bones!"
I planted my foot firmly on the ground, and in that moment, my body felt light as if gravity had vanished. I charged at the monster, slicing through the air.
Grumpy Toad's tentacles undulated toward me like waves. One, two, three... all eight tentacles attacked at once.
"Did you think such paltry attacks could touch this body? What utter foolishness!"
My genius brain calculated every assault. The tentacles' movements looked like a slow-motion film.
The one swinging from the left—I tilted my head slightly to dodge.
The one lunging from the right—I ducked low to evade.
Even the acidic slime pouring from the front—I stepped back just one pace to avoid it.
Graze! I dodged every one of the toad's attacks by a hair's breadth, with the minimal movement possible!
Could there be a more perfect evasion?
"How's that? Feeling the burn yet!"
Kuruk?
Seizing its moment of confusion, I leaped high into the air.
I spun once in midair, then drove my heel straight down onto the monster's head!
Bam!
KuEEEK—!
Grumpy Toad's head screeched as it caved in. Its blood was a sickly bluish hue. Disgusting!
Splat—
Perfect! A flawless landing, complete with an intimidating pose!
"As expected, this body is the strongest!"
Waaaaah—!
The people gathered around the ice cream truck erupted in cheers. The sound rang sweetly in my ears.
"How is such a tiny girl overwhelming that monster?!"
Yes, the greatest use for ordinary humans is to praise this body's greatness!
Their cheers felt like they were refilling my villain energy. Not a bad feeling at all!
"Take it down! Take it down!"
"Is she a new hero?"
"Are those horns her trademark? They're so cute!"
Eee...! They called me a hero again! And cute horns? These horns are meant to inspire terror in humanity!
No, first things first—I'll correct the misunderstanding later. Right now, priority is repelling the invader.
"In the name of the king, I command you: your mischief ends here! Kneel before Lady Grimoire!"
They say wounded beasts are fiercer—sure enough, the toad monster bellowed in even greater rage.
"Kieeeek!"
Truly a grumpy one.
"To withstand this body's kick? You should've just lain down obediently! As expected of a dumb toad! Know your place, you worthless thing!"
Grumpy Toad's massive body suddenly kicked off the ground and barreled toward me. Its huge bulk shook the earth as it approached, yet for some reason, I felt no fear. Excitement bubbled up in my chest instead.
Am I born for battle? The thrill of combat boiled within me!
A single phrase floated into my mind, like a whisper from someone.
'Show them the king's power.'
Light exploded from my horns. I felt power surging into my fist.
In other words, the moment the King's DNA awakened! Today, too, this body evolved further into the ultimate supreme being!
"Kakak! This is the ultimate HIGH!"
I threw a punch at Grumpy Toad. My full-powered, sincere Grimoire Punch!
KABOOM—!
One punch shattered the monster into pieces. Green slime splattered everywhere, but strangely, not a drop touched me.
And so, I effortlessly defeated a C-Rank Monster. This is the true power of Grimoire!
I've proven that this body is the true ruler of Eastern Park!
Now, this place is officially Grimoire Park!
Silence enveloped the park. Everyone seemed speechless.
They must be awestruck by my overwhelming victory! Probably bowing their heads, ready to kneel? Come on, pledge your loyalty to this body—
"Waaaaah!"
Thunderous applause and cheers exploded from all directions. Kids swarmed around me, screaming in delight.
"Sis! How are you so strong?"
"Wow, you're so cool! The most awesome thing I've ever seen!"
"Your hands are so small—how'd you knock out a monster in one hit? Teach me!"
"Please protect us from now on, little hero!"
A barrage of praise made my shoulders puff up. At least they have eyes to recognize this body's greatness!
But a hero? This misunderstanding again... Hmm, maybe I'll bask in a bit more praise first...
"I thought she was a mental-type ability user from talking to the animals, but she has enhancement powers too!"
"Are those horns on her head an ability? Or special gear? Either way, it's the best!"
"Small and cute, yet that strong? Gotta post this on Insta!!"
"Wait, this body is a villain! I just beat the toad because it was ugly!"
Not cute! Not small! How dare they insult this body!?
I should've fed them all to the toad!
Finally, the ice cream truck owner came running over, eyes teary.
"Thank you so much! If not for you, my livelihood would've been ruined! This truck is my family's only source of income..."
"That's not it... This body merely avenged the ice cream..."
"All ice cream today is free! For our small, cute hero! Everyone, come get some!"
The cheers grew louder, and the kids jumped for joy.
People flocked to the ice cream truck, and the owner began handing out treats to the surrounding children.
"These delicious ice creams are all thanks to our small, cute hero! Everyone, give her your thanks!"
"Not a hero, a villain... This body is the great villain Grimoire..."
"Thank you!!"
"Can I get an autograph?"
"Photo okay?"
My mutterings were drowned out by the kids' cheers. No one acknowledged my villainy. This nightmare repeating itself!
"This is our special hero size! Overflowing with gratitude!"
"Huh? Ice cream? A four-layer one!"
The truck owner handed me a massive ice cream cone, specially made.
Dark chocolate, vanilla, strawberry, and blueberry on top... four perfect layers. Topped with chocolate sauce and strawberry syrup!
Infinitely bigger and flashier than the one that fell earlier.
"Hmph! A fitting reward for this body's deeds. I'll graciously accept it!"
Surrounded by laughter and chatter, I took a big bite of the giant ice cream.
"Mmm~!"
The dark chocolate's bitterness blended perfectly with the vanilla's sweetness in my mouth. A complex, profound taste, just like this body's greatness!
"Everlin's desserts are more perfect... but this isn't bad. Feels even tastier since it's free..."
And above all... it was earned through this body's exploits. Like plundered spoils of war? Utterly villainous!
"Your horns are so pretty! Do they hurt? Can I touch?"
"Is that silver hair natural? So beautiful!"
"Our hero! Long live Grimoire!"
Ugh, so embarrassing. I can't take anymore!
These fools don't grasp this body's true value!
Amid the cheers and laughter, I slowly slipped out of the park.
Step, step.
Was the walk from the park to the villa always this long? Or are my legs getting shorter? Of course not. This body's greatness only increases like entropy with each passing day—never diminishes!
Licking my ice cream on the way home, my mind swirled with complicated thoughts.
"Sigh... Another failure today... The great Grimoire couldn't become a villain again!"
Of course, strategically speaking, today's conquest was a resounding success.
'Sure, that arrogant toad monster showed up... but I repelled it with the king's power! In one hit! Plus, I claimed all the benches and formed the Pigeon Air Force! They actually obeyed my commands well!'
This body being the ultimate villain is undeniable...!
"Why do they keep calling this body a hero? I said I'm a villain so many times! Emphasized it! Shouted it! Declared it!"
My head was a mess.
Defeating the monster... yeah, it invaded my territory, so it was natural, right? I couldn't tolerate an outsider wrecking Grimoire Park!
For example, mafias fiercely protect their turf. This body just defended its own domain! Why is that hero behavior?
'They must be overwhelmed by this body's charisma and confused... Yeah, that has to be it...'
Obviously, my villainous wickedness was too intense for ordinary humans' puny brains to process as villainy.
This isn't my fault. They just can't comprehend this body's true greatness! My evil transcends human cognition!
The ice cream in my hand had already melted halfway. Sadly, happiness fades this quickly.
"Next time, I'll commit even greater evil! I'll show them unmistakable villainy! Then no one will dare call this body a hero!"
With a small sigh, I shoveled in the last bite. As the cool sweetness melted in my mouth, all my worries melted away too.
I licked around my lips, savoring the lingering sweet taste, but the devoured ice cream wasn't coming back.
"No more ice cream, no villain fame..."
Two rats passing by stopped and looked up at me. Their eyes seemed to pity this body.
"What are you staring at? Kneel and swear loyalty right now, or face a fate more miserable than the toad monster!"
Squeak squeak—
"Huh? You're just leaving? Ignoring this body's command! The pigeons were obedient!"
Now even rats ignore me! Is this the treatment for the supreme villain?
Rush hour traffic clogged the roads. Cars crawled along, horns blaring everywhere. Gazing at the chaos sparked an idea.
'That's right—today isn't over yet!'
I snapped my head up. This body still had a chance!
"I'll commit one final act of villainy today. This time, unmistakably, blatantly, beyond doubt—I'll prove I'm a villain!"
I couldn't hold back anymore. I had to spread my infamy right now!
Taking a deep breath, I dashed into the middle of the busiest crosswalk. Arms spread wide, I shouted.
"Stop! This is now Lady Grimoire's turf! Pay the toll if you want to pass!"
Screeech—!
Brakes squealed as cars slammed to a halt, chaos erupting. Perfect! True villainy!
Some drivers rolled down their windows and yelled furiously.
"In the middle of the road! What the hell?!"
"Dangerous! Move it! Is the kid crazy?!"
"Why play pranks on the street? Someone get this brat out of here!"
"Hmph, no toll, no passage!"
Yes! Exactly the reaction this body wanted!
This is real villainy! Blocking rush hour, annoying people, disrupting the city's flow!
"What? Quit messing around! Move or I'll call the cops!"
Protests poured in, but I wouldn't budge. This body is a villain!
"Fear me, all of you! This body commands human emotions!"
At that moment, a sharp sound cut through.
Quack! Quack quack!
Who's quacking at this crucial moment!
I turned to see a duck family waddling across the crosswalk on one side.
Mom duck led, followed by eight ducklings in a neat line, paddling along.
Huh? What's this?
Why... why ducks at this timing...?
The drivers' expressions suddenly softened.
"Ah, so that's why. Makes sense now."
"Good kid. Holding traffic for the ducks to cross safely."
"Horns on her head—she must love animals."
Horns stopped blaring; drivers smiled and waited patiently. Some even thumbs-upped me from their windows.
My jaw dropped. My villainy misinterpreted as a good deed again!
"No! That's not it... This body was trying to seize the road!"
No matter how I shouted, it was futile. Drivers patiently waited for the duck family to cross safely, and some pedestrians even clapped for me.
"Kid, you did great! Kids these days lack that purity!"
"Aww, cute duck family. Look at those babies! Gotta snap a pic!"
"Yeah, even ducks should use the crosswalk for safety!"
Irritation boiled over. I wanted to cause chaos by blocking the road, and this is what happens?!
Only after the last duckling crossed safely did traffic resume. Some drivers gave thumbs-ups as they passed.
Another good deed...?
"Aaaargh!"
Pent-up rage exploded. Gray light flared intensely from my horns, but the cars were already gone.
"Unbelievable! Failed again! When will this body finally be recognized as a true villain? Ughhh!"
Now I really have to go home. Everlin will worry if I'm too late.
Next time, something on a massive scale. Something to paralyze the entire city...!