Chapter 514
Chapter 514
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 514
Chapter Title: Mad Scientist (3)
Energy boiled over throughout his entire body, a profound sense of fulfillment surging through his soul.
Power far beyond his wildest expectations coursed through the Mecha Demon... or rather, through Doctor, now inhabiting that body optimized for battle. His form shuddered uncontrollably.
⚡ TELEPATHIC SPEECH ⚡ Haah, it's earlier than I planned, but not bad at all. No, if I'd known it'd feel this good, I should've done it sooner! I could've pushed the perfection even further! Like he'd taken some kind of drug, fireworks exploded in his mind, his senses expanding endlessly. But naturally, the effects were incomparable to any narcotic.
He checked his body's status and nodded in satisfaction.
⚡ TELEPATHIC SPEECH ⚡ Of course, the adjustments aren't fully complete yet, so the blood loss is more than expected... but a margin of error like that won't matter. Once the New World plan kicks off, trivialities like this will be meaningless anyway. The mad scientist who treated even himself as mere material—Doctor.
In this dire situation, where his lair had been ransacked by a sudden assault, his chosen path was extreme yet arguably the best option available.
Sacrificing a fragment of his soul to transplant the ritual forming his ego into the Mecha Demon.
The Mecha Demon was a creation inherently flawed, no matter its power. Born from twisting the world's laws and defying natural order, it was an abomination by definition.
But adding Doctor—an equally unstable existence—changed everything.
⚡ TELEPATHIC SPEECH ⚡ Kyahahaha! What's with the sudden reaction? It's like you saw something you shouldn't have. A forcibly assembled body, karma dragged in by force, a soul split and shattered.
Deficient pieces fused into one, birthing something far greater.
And the result was this very moment.
A presence incomparably closer to perfection rippled through the surrounding space.
At the same time, an eerie aura instinctively provoking dread began to creep outward. Harley narrowed his eyes slightly, loosening up as he gruffly spoke.
"...That thing. You made it for this purpose from the start?"
⚡ TELEPATHIC SPEECH ⚡ Of course! Though it's a bit disappointing. I wanted to show you a more perfect version. "Then? Why step out now?"
⚡ TELEPATHIC SPEECH ⚡ What choice did I have? If I left it alone, it might shatter before I could even test it properly. This way, at least I can gather some real combat data! Hyahahat! Doctor burst into laughter ill-suited to his demonic form, a tangle of machinery and flesh. He flashed a toothy grin at Harley, then gazed down at his body with ecstatic eyes.
⚡ TELEPATHIC SPEECH ⚡ Truth be told, I'm pretty satisfied right now. Regretting not trying it sooner! What do you think? "Huh? Me?"
⚡ TELEPATHIC SPEECH ⚡ Yes! Your body is quite the masterpiece too, isn't it? I'd love to hear your thoughts, given our similar situations! "Hmm, my opinion..."
Harley, his battle fervor still burning in his eyes as he stared at Doctor, tilted his head slightly at the abrupt question. Then, with sincerity rising from the depths of his chest, he spoke slowly.
"...You've got pretty good taste. Now I see you're a guy who gets a man's dreams."
⚡ TELEPATHIC SPEECH ⚡ Oh? Doctor's eyes widened at the somewhat out-of-left-field compliment, as if he'd never expected such praise.
But Harley wasn't just saying it to be polite.
'It's possession-style, but it kinda feels like transformation and combination too.'
It wasn't true transformation-combination, but technically, it qualified as both 'transformation' and 'combination' in a way. And honestly... that exterior hit right in his wheelhouse.
⚡ TELEPATHIC SPEECH ⚡ Oh ho~! Uho hot! This is truly surprising! I never thought you'd understand my aesthetic! "Kuh! It's just my personal taste. Of course, it'd be better if it was real transformation-combination. Ideally into a giant robot."
⚡ TELEPATHIC SPEECH ⚡ Kya! We really click! Actually, I was working on a giant robot too. Naturally, with transformation and combination features! Harley's body froze at those words. He blinked at the proudly boasting Doctor and asked back.
"...Huh? I was just throwing that out there. You're not serious, are you?"
⚡ TELEPATHIC SPEECH ⚡ Of course! This is Doctor speaking. Nothing's impossible for me! It's not complete yet since I was juggling other projects, but pulling in Reverse Heaven Society resources wasn't a bad trade-off. "Puhaha! Man, they say otaku among otakus is the true otaku. Aptly named!"
⚡ TELEPATHIC SPEECH ⚡ Uhya hat! No idea what that means, but I'll take it as a compliment. This is nothing special. "Kahaha!"
⚡ TELEPATHIC SPEECH ⚡ Hyahaha hat! The atmosphere suddenly warmed up.
Sharing tastes was always a great way to build rapport and understanding. And since they clicked surprisingly well in conversation, it wasn't odd for the tension to ease.
⚡ TELEPATHIC SPEECH ⚡ Oh right! I almost forgot to mention this first. Of course—
⚡ TELEPATHIC SPEECH ⚡ I've already neutralized all of Howard's little tricks, so stalling for time is pointless. Pyahaha! —Considering their relationship, one couldn't deny this harmony felt unnaturally forced.
"......"
The smile faded from Harley's lips at Doctor's casual remark. Doctor, watching the change head-on, chuckled and continued.
⚡ TELEPATHIC SPEECH ⚡ Honestly, I was pretty shocked. That guy fooled me completely! Nearly fell for it hook, line, and sinker. Tahahat! The aura emanating from the Mecha Demon's body surged endlessly, no longer wildly dispersing but sharpening under precise control.
⚡ TELEPATHIC SPEECH ⚡ But tricks like that are nothing before my 「Eyes of Truth」! Spotting the anomaly meant blocking it was trivial with the Mecha Demon's divine power. But Doctor kept it hidden, biding his time.
He needed time to fully sync with the body, just like the Mecha Demon did, even with the pre-planted soul fragment.
In the end, their chit-chat was a temporary truce born from mutual interests in buying time.
And now.
The calm before the storm had passed.
The moment to truly end this fight had arrived.
⚡ TELEPATHIC SPEECH ⚡ Well then, shall we get serious? A ferocious smile curled on Doctor's lips.
His condition was peak.
All limiters stabilizing his body had been released.
He was determined to take down that lion-masked bastard, even if it meant scrapping the Mecha Demon.
'All the data to rebuild it is in my head anyway! And if I mix in that lion mask's body from the perfect evolution organism project... what kind of monster would be born?'
Enter the 'Mecha Demon Mk.2'!
His eyes blazed red with excitement at the mere thought.
He didn't even need to push for victory.
Just hold out until Reverse Heaven Society reinforcements arrived, and it was over.
He was certain of his win.
...Until the muscular man who'd been silently listening spoke.
"Pfht!"
Until he saw the smirk on the exposed lower face beneath the beast mask.
⚡ TELEPATHIC SPEECH ⚡ ...What? In that instant, a chill raced up Doctor's spine.
An inexplicable foreboding.
It was the instinct of one touching divinity, the intuition of a being that pierced all worldly truths.
"Kukuku. Nah, nothing much."
Harley shrugged nonchalantly, a mocking sneer still vivid on his lips.
"Just... seeing you all raring to go, it feels like the time's finally right."
⚡ TELEPATHIC SPEECH ⚡ What do you— Doctor's twisted face couldn't finish the sentence.
Thoom—
A spiritual resonance shook his core, and the Mecha Demon's body lurched downward.
The aura, sharp enough to split the world, faltered like a candle in the wind.
⚡ TELEPATHIC SPEECH ⚡ Guuh! What the hell—?! Perfectly meshed gears derailed and tangled.
The sturdy body swayed, unable to hold steady.
Doctor's eyes filled with panic at the unforeseen crisis.
'What? Why? I'd fully controlled all the parts that dwarf Howard tampered with. The lab too... the master AI only switched sides, but I didn't lose all authority. He couldn't have set traps without evading my eyes...?'
Even in confusion, he desperately analyzed for a way out.
And eventually pinpointed the cause.
He couldn't comprehend why, but...
'The Executioner's karma bound to the Mecha Demon is shaking? Why?'
Those who honed themselves to the heights carried commensurate status and karma.
It was authority, weapon, and proof of pure power in itself.
Especially for one touching divinity—their traces etched eternally into the world, persisting beyond death. Why gods were called immortals, reviving even after demise.
Normally, it should remain an untouchable record...
"Kahaha! Impressive as expected, huh? How'd you even think to hijack that? And actually pull it off successfully."
Arms crossed as if the fight was already over, Harley nodded at Doctor.
Then strode forward, inspecting him closely with a smirk.
"But you know... you forgot one thing, right?"
⚡ TELEPATHIC SPEECH ⚡ What... do you mean? "Doesn't change the fact that you stole it."
Doctor's pupils trembled faintly.
At this point, even he grasped what the enemy meant.
"What happens if the original owner comes back?"
⚡ TELEPATHIC SPEECH ⚡ ......! The Executioner was undeniably dead.
Confirmed multiple times.
Reviving one who'd touched divinity but wasn't a true god bordered on impossible.
But... was that truly the end?
'Hahoe Mask... if it's him...!'
A necromancer mastering death and souls.
The undisputed pinnacle of his craft.
Unlike Doctor's mere homunculus cultivation, the Masquerade's Hahoe Mask likely had full access to the Executioner's corpse.
Perhaps even orchestrated the death himself.
'Dangerous.'
Alarms blared in Doctor's mind upon realization.
No time for other thoughts.
Abandon the Mecha Demon and escape this body now.
"Whoa, leaving already?"
But maxing sync with the body had been a fatal mistake.
The time waited to unlock its potential now stabbed like a dagger, shackling his ankles and sealing escape.
"Why do you think I waited this long?"
The moment Harley's sinister words ended.
Clank—clunk!
Vrrr—!
Howard's severed preparations activated all at once.
The Mecha Demon's metal parts became self-locking chains, perfectly blocking resistance. Even the final failsafe self-destruct went dead.
And not just that...
⚡ TELEPATHIC SPEECH ⚡ Guuuh! No... impossible! This can't...! Strange waves burrowed inward, Doctor's mind growing hazy.
He instinctively knew: lose consciousness now, and he'd never wake again.
Thud!
The Mecha Demon crumpled to the floor.
He gritted his teeth, clinging desperately.
Just hold out until Reverse Heaven Society reinforcements arrived.
Do that, and a way out might appear.
"What a fine vessel. This one's going to love it." But that faint hope soon withered.
A chilling voice slithered from hell's depths, enough to corrupt the mind just by hearing it.
'Hahoe Mask...! He's here too!'
Since when? Hahoe Mask, silently regarding the Mecha Demon's body, pointed a finger at him.
Turning to the writhing black amorphous mass beside him.
"Yes, that was originally yours. So... "......!" "Devour it to your heart's content." Immediately, 'it' latched onto the Mecha Demon's body.
Melting slowly, burrowing deep within.
As if declaring itself the true master, per its owner's command.
⚡ TELEPATHIC SPEECH ⚡ Kaaaaak! Wait, wait, wait, wait! Let's negotiate! I know a ton, and I'm super capable! So...! Recognizing the entity's nature, Doctor's scream erupted.
He couldn't escape this body.
Couldn't die at will, couldn't flee.
Pushed relentlessly within that prison, Doctor's ego finally hit a dead end.
⚡ TELEPATHIC SPEECH ⚡ No! The world's truth is right there! Just let me see that one thing...! Within the core at the Mecha Demon's center.
In the iron cage crafted by an artisan pouring his all into one soul.
⚡ TELEPATHIC SPEECH ⚡ Aaah... I wanted to usher in the New World with my own hands... With those final words, silence fell abruptly.
The Mecha Demon moved no more.
Only the amorphous mass coating it writhed ceaselessly.
"Ahem! Let's see. Did it work properly?"
At that moment, a throat-clearing cough announced Dwarf Howard's appearance.
Stroking his magnificent beard, he sauntered casually to the Mecha Demon.
Tapped various mechanical parts.
Whirr—
With a small mechanical click, the exposed central core drew a satisfied grin.
"Heave-ho! Heavy bastard."
Howard yanked it free, nodded approvingly, then offered a brief moment of silence.
For the one who would slumber eternally within.
'Don't worry, I'll put everything here to good use.'
Thus, Operation 'Mad Scientist' concluded.
Leaving behind a vast legacy infused with someone's will.
...Naturally, the legacy included the giant transformation-combination robot (incomplete).