Chapter 81
Chapter 81
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 81
Chapter Title: I Won't Give Even a Single Drop (5)
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Mesmerization was actually something quite unfamiliar to Cain from his perspective. Sure, pretty women did catch his eye.
But to say his desires were so intense that he couldn't restrain himself? Absolutely not.
In modern society, failing to control even that much desire would turn you into a criminal headed straight for prison.
As for whether the mesmerization in games felt realistic... well...
It was true that the characters using it were attractive, but it wasn't enough to affect him through the monitor.
So, this was the first time he'd actually experienced the power of mesmerization.
"Ah."
Beautiful. Her intense allure made it impossible to tear his eyes away, thoroughly enslaving his body and mind.
What was even more chilling was the fact that his instincts weren't resisting the enslavement—they were rejoicing in it.
He could do anything for this woman. Give her his liver, his gall bladder, everything. It was in that moment of creeping possession.
"Grk...!!"
Cain's eyes snapped open again. Crimson hair emerged from the shadows. Scarlett Royal Blood.
She reappeared as if nothing had happened. Yet no one gathered there questioned it.
Because, to them, this was the first time she'd shown herself. In other words, Defeat Regression had already activated.
'That was dangerous... I almost became her slave for good.'
This was the first time he'd ever been so grateful for Defeat Regression. Cain gritted his teeth and focused all his mental energy.
But no matter how fortified his mind, he crumbled the instant she used mesmerization.
At least thanks to Defeat Regression, he hadn't made a fool of himself. Without it, his mind wouldn't have held.
"Not doing anything? Then we'll have to make the first move."
'That crazy bitch.'
He couldn't act rashly. But any delay, and she'd use mesmerization again.
Once caught in it, surroundings faded from view, so he had no idea if others were affected.
But if it worked on him, then likely almost everyone... no, most of the race would fall too.
"Why... why show up alone all of a sudden and do this?"
It was around the seventeenth time, maybe. Exhausted from endless regressions, he'd thrown out the question once.
He had a rough guess. Territory invasion, or for her peace... But he wanted confirmation from her.
At least Cain did. Yet her answer far exceeded his wildest imagination.
"Do humans pay attention to passing ants? They're busy tilling fields and honing their martial arts. If they invested time in a mere ant, what would the reason be?"
"What?"
"In short... just to relieve boredom."
Just for boredom's sake? Were they nothing but playthings to her? Fury surged in an instant.
But Scarlett easily snuffed it out. With a mere gesture, a single glance.
He nearly forgot his anger entirely. Midway, he even got lost in the sweetness and resisted regressing.
For her, he could die.
Until that thought hit, pitifully, Cain hadn't even properly resisted.
But the moment "death" crossed his mind, the countless deaths he'd endured grabbed his arms and legs.
'Die? What a joke...!!'
Death. If you'd experienced it even once... no, even just seen it from afar, you couldn't say that.
Cracks began forming in the perfect mesmerization. Cain immediately summoned his full power to resist.
It wasn't easy. Even using his full power meant it had to be strong enough to push out the mesmerization.
And finally... after ninety-five regressions, Cain regained a degree of freedom from her mesmerization.
He strode toward Scarlett without hesitation. She watched with eyes tinged with curiosity.
Considering the toying she'd done for her amusement so far, he wanted to cut her throat right then... but there was one thing to confirm.
"You're Scarlett Royal Blood?"
"That's right. I'm that Scarlett Royal Blood."
"Up for negotiation?"
"Not particularly..."
The moment denial left her lips, Cain drew the obsidian greatsword from his back and swung it with all his might.
"Then die."
With a single contemptuous word.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Cain's action easily surpassed everyone's expectations. Unlike him, who'd repeated ninety-five regressions,
their goal had been negotiation with the Lost Empire, after all. And he'd beheaded their leader?
Negotiation was kaput. Everyone naturally thought so. Who would negotiate with the one who'd lopped off their head?
"Lord! What in the world...!!"
"Grateful as I am for beheading that eyesore... doesn't this deviate quite a bit from the original plan?"
"Do you see some meaning in the Lord's actions?"
"...I want to believe that too."
"The Lord must have his reasons."
Even the non-humans Ryuku and Las fretted over the future. Meanwhile, Scadi and Morgana trusted Cain.
The two harbored some doubt, but Anna continued to place infinite faith in him.
And their trust wasn't misplaced. Laughter began to echo—from the floor, no less.
"Straight for the throat? Is that how humans negotiate?"
"If you're not here to negotiate, the intent's obvious as day. Wrong to slay the enemy?"
"No, not at all. I've never once called it wrong."
The decapitated body dissolved into thick blood and flowed back to her.
In less than a second, in that fleeting moment, Scarlett regenerated her body and revealed her beautiful form once more.
Yet Cain merely clicked his tongue and glared at her impassively.
'Indeed... worthy of calling yourself immortal, huh? Fine, let's take it to the end.'
The instant his sword touched her body, Cain realized it. She was a being that easily surpassed the Shadow King or Water King.
It'd be a lie to say he wasn't afraid. But he had no intention of just taking it lying down.
After ninety-five regressions, all that remained in Cain was pure hatred. He'd stake everything to kill her.
Scarlett met his boiling hatred head-on without flinching. Just as Cain tightened his grip.
"You said negotiation? Fine, let's do it."
"...???"
Cain was dumbfounded by Scarlett's sudden shift. After toying with people at her whim all this time.
Now she wanted to negotiate? From Cain's view, it was inevitable. Ninety-five regressions, after all.
But from Scarlett's perspective, who knew nothing of them, Cain's reaction felt refreshingly novel.
'Well, now. I offer negotiation, and his face doesn't even change.'
Of course, she'd once been an object of hatred and fear. But always from afar, never face-to-face.
Few could sustain burning hatred toward her even after confronting her directly.
Among humans, Cain might be the only one. That made her all the more intrigued.
"Negotiation be damned... let's settle it here. You trash...!!"
"W-Wait a second! You should calm down first!!"
In the end, Ryuku stepped in personally to restrain Cain. Weren't they here for negotiation, after all?
And the Lost Empire's ruler herself was proposing it—could they really kick away such a golden opportunity?
He didn't know the reason, but Cain couldn't make rational judgments right now. They needed to calm him first.
'That black power on the sword just now... it wasn't mana. What the hell was that?'
Cain had genuinely meant to kill Scarlett moments ago. Holding killing intent wasn't a big deal, really.
Over a life others called history, had no one ever tried to kill her?
Yet it hadn't fazed her for a simple reason: she never felt truly at risk.
'But that black power was different. Something on another level from mana... maybe that could actually kill me?'
A chance, however slim, of death. Just that sent needle-like shocks prickling across her skin.
And yet, for some reason.
She couldn't hold back her laughter.
Because her interest in the man before her was steadily growing.