Chapter 170
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 174
Chapter Title: Date with the Demon King (4)
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Rubias chose close-quarters combat, as if she were truly delighted, even though there was no need to.
"Roooaaar!!"
"Hahaha! Excellent! What a splendid reaction! Truly beastly!"
The absurd part was that Rubias wasn't being pushed back at all.
Her nimble and fluid steps resembled those of a professional martial artist, her center bending softly and gracefully without ever shaking, her offense and defense flowing as naturally as breathing, interspersed with occasional psychological feints.
That alone was enough to inspire awe, but when combined with the Demon King's signature massive demonic energy and absolute authority, it created something fiercely overwhelming and chaotic.
"Kyaaaah!"
But if we're talking sheer impressiveness, Kubel's wildly rampaging authority was no slouch either.
Without any fixed forms or techniques, it found optimal responses through instincts that surpassed imagination, seizing fatal openings with mesmerizing, bizarre movements.
It accomplished impossible attacks, defenses, and evasions by transforming the body, and even when the opponent left no gaps, it deformed its own form to tear one open.
The result? It managed to fight the Demon King on even terms.
Slash! Drip drip!
Blood erupted from Rubias's split flesh.
Chunks of meat sloughed off the authority's crushed forepaw.
"Hehehe...! Hahahaha!"
"Grrrrowl!!"
Yet despite the obvious pain, even as their blood and flesh poured down like a torrential rain, neither side showed any intention of retreating. They circled each other like spinning tops, endlessly trading blows.
That gruesome, horrific spectacle had nothing to do with realms like "master"—it was a clash of monsters.
"This is fun! So much fun! I can't stop laughing! I can't contain my laughter!"
"Kekekeke...!"
Trapped within the authority, I stared at the madly laughing Rubias with horrified eyes, but the authority itself seemed to share her ecstasy, rolling around in laughter.
Ah, right. The Beast God Kubel was mainly worshipped by savage warriors.
That explained the battle mania.
"The authority is laughing! What about you, Kang Han-gil!?"
At that moment, Rubias called out to me.
"......"
She seemed able to distinguish between me and the authority.
"It's enjoyable, but still a bit disappointing! If you, Kang Han-gil, were directly controlling and dominating it instead of being dragged around by the authority, it would have been even more fun!"
Crack! Boom!
In the accelerated time, massive chunks were shaved off the authority's flesh.
It regenerated instantly, of course... but instinct told me otherwise.
This momentum couldn't be maintained for long.
"Huff, huff...!"
In truth, my heart was pounding like it was about to burst, my breath rising to my throat in gasps, and cold sweat pouring down my body like a waterfall.
No matter how much I pushed, only a few more minutes.
That was my limit.
"Roooaaar!!"
Sensing it as well, the authority shifted focus from evasion and defense to all-out attack.
"Kuhahaha! Getting desperate, are we? Think you can kill me like this!?"
Crunch! Grind! Crackle-crack!
Sinister sounds of shattering bones and tearing flesh began to echo.
In the process, not only the authority's flesh covering my body but Rubias's own body was shredded like rags, spraying blood everywhere—yet she paid it no mind, simply unleashing her demonic energy like a waterfall.
"Grrrk, grrrk...!"
As destruction and regeneration repeated, and as time passed with my body and mind reaching their limits, I could feel the balloon-like authority rapidly deflating.
"Is that all you've got!? You think this pittance can kill me!? No! More! Entertain me more! Longer! More intensely!"
"Kyak! Grrrk...!"
Then, at some point, the authority and savagery that had suppressed my reason began to fade, creating an opening.
"Puha!?"
My reason, unbidden, surged through that gap as if drawn by natural law.
Even though I'd already regained my senses, it felt strangely like regaining sanity anew. I let out an involuntary groan.
"Kahak!? Kuuk...!?"
And through the authority enveloping my body came unimaginable agony.
I could feel pain even though it wasn't my body...!?
"Hm? The authority's been pushed aside? Finally, I can talk to you directly!"
"You... crazy... bitch...!"
Gnashing my teeth at her beaming smile, I deformed the authority wrapping my body and activated the Silk of Atonement.
Shhhrrrr!
As the pure white cloth surged like a snake, excitement lit up her face.
"Hahaha! Yes! This is what I wanted to see! Fighting the authority wasn't bad, but this is truly facing you!"
"Shut... up...!"
I kicked off the ground with reverse-jointed legs, swinging elongated claws guided by instinct.
"...!!"
The authority moved with eerie naturalness.
As if it had truly become my body.
Ah, I see.
I had to truly become one with the authority.
That's why I felt the pain.
Trembling with that small realization, I immersed myself further without resisting the pain.
The authority clung more familiarly, moving as I thought.
"Roooaaar!!"
Surprisingly, I could replicate the authority's movements with just my will and senses.
Not perfectly, of course... but that was better for now.
Because I could use relics the authority hadn't.
"Yes! Come at me! My worthy adversary!"
Vmmm-!!
Rubias casually blocked the Silk of Atonement inches away with spatial authority, laughing as she charged.
"Kaaaak!!"
I evaded her thrust fist by a paper's width, swinging claws, then formed jagged spines on my upper body and spun rapidly.
"Hup!"
She decelerated time around me while trying to pierce the center with spatial authority, but I elongated both arms like a giraffe's neck—one slammed into the ground and pulled, the other whipped fiercely.
"That's it! With the authority weakened, your instincts sharpened!? Good! React even faster!"
"Kuh...!"
I desperately evaded or blocked the bullet-like space slashes ignoring defenses, gritted my teeth, and kicked off the ground.
"Grraaah!"
Claws and tail swung in different arcs to constrict her from all sides, but she evaded with godlike flexibility, accelerated her own time, folded space, and instantly appeared behind me.
Flash!
Sensing her position with instinct, senses, and smell, I aimed a back kick at her abdomen.
"Huuup!"
Ku-ku-ku-boom!
My hooved back kick clashed with her demonic-energy-infused fist, unleashing a shockwave that blasted the air.
"Grrrk!"
"Huff...!"
Yet neither yielded an inch, glaring with murderous intent.
Thud thud! Crack!
Another fountain of blood sprayed, flesh chunks flying.
"Hahahahaha! Kang Han-gil! Look at me! Forever! Only at me!"
"I said... shut up... how many times!!"
I roared with all my might, swinging claws and tail, but grew increasingly anxious.
The authority's manifestation was nearing its limit.
"Kuh...!"
I glanced at my companions—they still hadn't finished off the high demons.
They'd taken down five without casualties, three left, but couldn't assist in time.
"Hoo...!"
Die here once, then.
Not scary.
I'd died a few times early in possession, and was prepared.
Just pissed that this damn Demon King made even death feel trivial.
So if I'm dying anyway, I want to land a proper hit.
Grab!
"Hm?"
"Huuuuuh...!"
I suddenly embraced her, gathering authority to its max. She looked puzzled.
"Looks like you're already at climax? I'm glad you're showing affection first, Kang Han-gil, but... a bit anticlimactic."
"Shut up... and die...!"
Slash slash slash!
Spikes manifested by authority pierced her wildly.
For some reason, she took it defenselessly.
"Cough...! Ahh... it hurts. Feels so alive."
"Huff, huff...!"
Shhh, shrrrr...
The authority at its limit evaporated entirely.
Not just it—the overflowing vitality in my body too.
Won't use authority or shaman tattoos for a while.
"Da, damn..."
With Kubel's authority gone, I was exposed as a plain human, like the meat in a shell.
"The fight ended a bit boringly... but oh well, not bad."
She extracted the spikes with spatial authority, regenerated cleanly, and stroked my head.
By the way, her clothes were long shredded, leaving her naked. My face was buried in her cleavage.
"......"
As combat heat faded, that soft, plush sensation felt extraordinarily vivid.
Like a soft yet stimulating floral scent...
"Ha..."
Pathetic as it sounds, I'm a man—this is separate.
"No need to despair, Kang Han-gil. Don't worry, I have no intention of killing you."
She smiled creepily, gently stroking my hair.
"With battle heat lingering, merging bodies now wouldn't be bad... hehe... what do you say, Kang Han-gil."
"...Get lost."
I growled at her sensual temptation, and she burst into hearty laughter.
"Hahaha! Clinging to me like this, it's just cute!"
"...Not yet."
"Hm?"
"One shot left."
I grinned and looked up; her massive breasts jiggled, brushing my face.
Crackle-crack!
"...Cough!?"
Dozens of enormous tree roots pierced Rubias.
The final bastion I'd saved, the World Tree Bracelet, was more potent than expected.
"Ha, haha...! As expected... you always... exceed expectations..."
She laughed, spewing blood, hugging me tighter.
Exhausted near collapse, I couldn't escape her embrace.
"And this... isn't ordinary. Faint but undeniable... rank and authority... World Tree...?"
"Correct."
"Regeneration... not working well... and it's... draining my life force..."
Squeeze!
"Haaaah... haaaang...!"
"What the hell is..."
Her ecstatic moan and blissful trembling made me recoil instinctively.
"So thrilling...! This bond forged in death, this communion through dying...! So arousing, even orgasmic...!"
"......"
Speechless and frozen, I felt her rub against me as she unleashed demonic energy and authority.
Crackle! Zzzap!
The writhing roots blackened and withered.
Pressed close, I felt her breath and shudders directly.
"Huff, huff...! Huwaa..."
Finally destroying all roots, she smiled wearily.
"That was close... I really almost died."
"Too bad."
"Now... time for the victor's rights. My adversary."
"Just kill me."
"I told you. No intention to kill. Come, let's talk. And... I can't hold back anymore..."
Chop!
Her hand gripped my butt firmly.
A shiver ran up my spine.
"Uh, wha...?"
Eye contact in slight panic—her beast-slit, dark-red pupils boiled with deep greed.
"Let's love each other."
"...You real crazy bitch."
"Thanks for the praise."
As if unable to wait, she gripped my chin and closed in fast.
"Get away from Lord Han-gil!!"
Rebecca's imperfect sword aura rang out deafeningly, slicing through space toward Rubias.
"Tch, interrupted at the crucial moment."
Clang-!!
Rubias blocked the sword aura with authority, clicking her tongue as she turned.
Thanks to that, I could see my companions too, my face freed from her cleavage.
Beat-up and wounded, but no serious injuries—thankfully.
Though exhausted from overexerting in the short fight.
"Hm..."
Rubias eyed them with a malicious, sadistic smile.
Smack!!
Without warning, she ostentatiously kissed me, pressing our lips together.
"...!?"
"!!"
"...!!"
...Maybe my imagination, but the women's killing intent seemed to explode.