Chapter 125
Chapter 125
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 125
Chapter Title: Act 22. For the Sake of Survival (4)
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I had a long staring contest with the succubus.
What mattered was how much she knew about me.
Psychological warfare is, after all, a battle where victory and defeat are decided by information.
However, there are also cases where possessing information can lead one into a swamp.
“You, of all people, should know who I have subjugated. And that the subjugated must do whatever they are told.”
The ‘One Who Covets Treasure’, who was being stepped on by the succubus, flinched and glanced around nervously.
I had never discussed this matter with the ‘One Who Covets Treasure’.
However, it was also true that he was a reliable source of information.
And he’d had plenty of time to dig up intel.
Hoist by his own petard.
The mere possibility was strong enough that the succubus couldn't easily dismiss my words as a lie.
[That's right. Even I can't forcibly nullify that.]
The succubus readily admitted it.
It would be impossible even if the highest authority from the demonic side came, not just a simple succubus.
That’s the nature of a contract.
“Then what is your business here?”
[Normally, demons don't care about or interfere in the affairs of other demons... but this is a bit different.]
“Different?”
[To be subjugated by a mere human, it’s a blow to demonic prestige.]
The succubus’s eyes glinted coldly.
She was saying that what's done is done, but she had to at least get some revenge.
Even while being crushed underfoot, the ‘One Who Covets Treasure’ looked at me and grinned.
Well, look at him.
[So I think you need to be punished.]
“Punished?”
I deliberately plastered a sneer across my face.
“With those oh-so-great hallucinations of yours?”
[I wonder where you get that confidence, even knowing my power.]
The succubus’s face contorted into a frown.
Seduction. Bewitchment. Temptation.
While those were her specialties, to be precise, the succubus’s power lay in her mastery over illusions.
No matter how high one’s stats were, they didn't increase resistance to mental attacks.
The only way was through abilities like traits or skills.
And I already possessed something that could counter the succubus’s power.
“Your power won’t work.”
[Hmph. What incredible confidence. Shall we make a bet, then?]
The succubus smiled coldly.
She took the bait.
‘The succubus had great pride in her illusionary powers.’
So, if I scratched at that pride and provoked her, she would easily fall for it.
Plus, since she naturally thought she had the upper hand, she even suggested the bet herself.
I smiled inwardly and continued the conversation.
“What are the terms of the bet?”
[Just as I said. If you withstand my fascination, you win. If not, I win. As for the wager… we’ll each state something within our power to grant. That should be fair enough, right?]
Since she was certain she wouldn't lose, she was setting the rewards high.
The phrase "within our power" might seem like a way for the losing party to hedge their bets, but its true meaning was completely different.
It meant ‘anything one can do with their own power.’
Even if that meant taking one's own life.
['Bet with the Devil' has been activated.]
[I was just going to have you break the contract, but now I can take one more thing.]
“You might not get to take anything at all.”
[Your bravado is commendable. Well then, shall we begin?]
The Seductive Succubus's eyes glowed red.
It was one of her main specialties.
The moment one looked directly into those red eyes, they would be instantly mesmerized, their consciousness stolen.
[Look at me.]
[You are affected by the skill, 'Eyes of Fascination'.]
However, I did not avoid her crimson gaze.
As if to say, ‘go on, try me,’ I met her stare head-on.
[You must have gone mad with fear, Kim Se-hyeon! To meet the succubus-nim's eyes directly!]
The demon jeered excitedly.
While the succubus couldn't break the contract herself, she could dominate my mind and make me say that I wanted to break it.
If that happened, the demon would be free.
‘That’s not going to happen.’
There were several reasons for keeping the demon in check, but a major one was the need for a Uriel-like position on the demonic side.
A link to the upper echelons.
I had no intention of breaking the contract.
[Unique Effect, 'Watcher Beyond the Screen,' is responding.]
[All mental interference powers are blocked.]
[You have successfully resisted the skill, 'Eyes of Fascination'.]
It felt as if I was being sucked into her eyes.
An uncanny sensation took hold, and I couldn't look away from the succubus.
Just as I felt that, my dizzying mind suddenly cleared, as if waking from a dream.
[Ugh…!?]
Conversely, it was the succubus who had used the skill who winced as if in shock.
Then she glared at me in disbelief.
[What was that? What did you just do?]
“Who knows.”
[Are you telling me I can't mesmerize a single human male?]
Once again, her eyes glowed red.
The surroundings distorted, and the scenery changed.
This time, the atmosphere was different.
A prison filled with remains and rusted torture instruments.
My hands and feet were immovable, as if tied to a chair.
In that state, a figure who appeared to be a torturer revealed yellowed teeth and slowly brought a knife and tongs toward my mouth.
The moment the extended tongs grasped my tongue and the knife was laid upon it…
*CRASH!*
Like shattering glass, the scenery returned to normal.
“It’s useless. Mental interference powers don’t work on me.”
[How on earth…]
The succubus must have never experienced anything like this.
That’s why she tried again and again, but…
All her attempts were in vain.
Her power depleted, the succubus began to bite her nails anxiously.
“I told you. Your power won’t work.”
[I can’t believe it. This is impossible. Don't tell me… are you a eunuch?]
This damn succubus.
“Then the bet is my victory.”
[This is humiliating. So humiliating.]
“You can salvage your pride somewhere else. My demand is…”
I pointed a finger at the succubus.
After blinking a few times, the succubus covered her body with both arms and glared at me.
[So that's how you're trying to prove you're not a eunuch.]
“Keep talking nonsense and I might just ask you to kill yourself. Listen carefully. What I need is your power of bewitchment. For today.”
[My power of bewitchment?]
The succubus tilted her head.
Given the nature of bewitchment, there were many ways to use it.
She seemed curious as to what I would use it for.
It wasn't a power that was difficult to lend, and it was only for a day.
The succubus pondered for a moment, then gave a seductive smile.
[This could be fun. If it’s just for a little while.]
[You have acquired the skill, 'Eyes of Bewitchment (S)'.]
I opened my status window to confirm that the skill had appeared, then nodded.
I could manage without it, but it would be convenient to have.
The 'Eyes of Bewitchment' skill played such a role in this chapter.
“And the second thing.”
[What? Why are you deciding on a second thing?]
“I never said there was only one, did I?”
[…You. If you keep getting on my nerves, you could end up dead like those insects from before, you know?]
“You? Kill me?”
I burst out laughing.
To make such a threat when she, of all people, knew it was impossible.
I understood. A typical player wouldn't know such a fact, so a threat like this would probably work.
But not me.
“It doesn’t matter how many E or D-rank players like those from before die; it won't cause a major shift in the flow of the world. That’s why you can interfere so easily. Conversely, the higher a player’s rank or stats, the greater their influence on the flow, making it harder for you to interfere.”
<…>
“If you try to arbitrarily kill me, one of the top players in existence, your own existence will be erased for violating causality before you can succeed. It's something that not even the 72 demons far above you could do easily.”
The succubus’s mouth snapped shut.
It seemed she had tried to threaten me out of anxiety over what else I might demand, but there are people such threats work on and people they don’t.
Now that I had started to gain influence, the demons could torment me in other ways, but they couldn't kill me.
The archdemons could probably kill me.
Though they would have to bear a tremendous penalty themselves.
But a succubus? Absolutely not.
[You, just you wait.]
After glaring at me for a long time, the succubus opened a portal and disappeared.
If you perceive someone as beneath you, you will continue to see them that way.
Changing that perception is the first step.
I let out a short sigh and shook my head.
After the succubus vanished, my eyes fell on the demon, who was busy trying to read my mood.
This was the only demon I could use as my subordinate right now.
“Hey.”
[Now you can’t even be bothered to call me properly?]
“Says the guy who immediately betrayed me to side with the succubus.”
[Hey, no. That wasn't a betrayal. Think about it. I just sided with the one who had a higher chance of winning!]
“That’s what you call a betrayal, you bat-like bastard.”
[Gah!]
I picked up the demon with my left hand and flicked him on the forehead.
The impact felt as crisp as cracking a walnut.
“Then tell me your true name. Your title is too long.”
[…Th-that, I can't do.]
Trying to wriggle his way out.
Whether angel or demon.
A ‘true name’ was like revealing the entirety of one’s power, so they didn't disclose it easily.
Especially not a demon.
I tossed out a comment as if it were nothing.
“You don’t have to. I already know it.”
[…You know? My true name?]
“Besial.”
[Wh-what!]
Besial nearly fainted on the spot.
Belial, one of the well-known 72 demons, was said to have been tricked by King Solomon and had his treasures taken.
The child born from that resentment, possessing the ‘power to gather wealth,’ was Besial.
That was this creature’s identity.
‘To think the child of one of the 72 demons is a low-rank, with no power other than gathering wealth.’
[H-how on earth do you know my true name… I’m not even that famous, am I?]
“I just know a lot of things.”
[…I don’t think that explains it.]
Besial grumbled.
That wasn't the important part, so I got straight to the point.
“I know you guys seek entertainment, but if you interfere too much, it’ll be impossible to defeat the ‘Annihilator.’ If that happens, not just the angels and gods, but you all will die too. You’re aware of its existence, aren’t you?”
[Huh? What? What did you just say? Why is there so much static?]
“…Static?”
[Every time you tried to mention something, it was all static, and I couldn't hear you. What did you say? It sounded like you were saying something, but it was like watching a video with no audio.]
Besial didn't seem to be lying or acting.
He was saying that even though we were face to face, he genuinely couldn't hear me.
‘Is it because of causality?’
At this point in time, a ‘player’ was not supposed to know about the Annihilator’s existence.
Therefore, hearing that information from a player would violate causality, which is why this happened.
There was nothing I could do.
“Never mind.”
[What, what is it? Why get me all curious and then stop talking?]
“You wouldn't hear me if I said it again, so just go back and earn some money. You know the tribute day is coming up, right?”
[Damn it. If the contract had ended before tribute day, it would have all been mine…]
Besial disappeared, muttering to himself.
As if waiting for that moment, Alpha’s form suddenly materialized beside me.
I simply turned my head to look at him.
“How did it go?”
[He was confirmed entering and exiting a specific building. His detection range seems to be quite wide, so it was difficult to close the distance. I could not find out more than that.]
“…Were Hwang Chan-jin’s stats that high?”
Even if Alpha’s abilities weren't at their peak, all his current stats were at 85.
Even without a trait for stealthy movement, he shouldn't be easy to detect.
There were several possibilities.
He could have acquired a new trait or secured a significant amount of bonus stats.
[Lord.]
“What is it?”
[Someone is watching us.]