105. Inner World 2
"Even giving you that arm was to deal with those bastards."
"……."
Bin's face twisted in confusion at Bellatan's words.
'Those bastards…….'
It was utterly baffling. But one thing was clear: this thing had caused the arm to appear in his past life, an arm that never existed before.
Bin pressed for details on who exactly "those bastards" referred to.
"Who are you talking about?"
Bellatan, cloaked in black flames, sneered coldly.
[Even if I told you, it'd only confuse you more. They'll show up when the time comes.]
"Fine, whatever. First things first—let's hear the details of this contract. What are the terms?"
Bellatan's lips curled into a smile as it began to speak.
[A contract doesn't mean anything special. I'll lend you my power, and all you have to do is follow my orders and take care of those bastards.]
Bin's eyes widened at the demon's words.
"So I just have to kill them?"
[That's right, fledgling.]
Bin smirked, seemingly accepting the scheme.
"In that case…… not bad at all."
Bellatan watched him with a meaningful glint in its eyes. With this, the first step of its plan was in motion.
Bin took a step forward.
Thud.
"Then let's see just how impressive this power of yours is."
Bellatan let out a mocking chuckle at Bin's bold demeanor. The confidence seemed to amuse it.
[You'd better brace yourself. Thinking it's just ordinary magi would be a grave mistake.]
But despite the warning, Bin urged it on.
"Enough talk. Get on with it."
[Hah. You cocky little…….]
Bellatan chuckled dryly at Bin's audacity. It had dealt with countless humans before, most of whom cowered in fear. This one was different—the first to stand so defiantly. It couldn't help but wonder where that confidence came from, and it only piqued its interest further.
Bin and Bellatan faced each other at point-blank range, just two steps apart.
Bellatan separated a portion of its body, just as it had when Bin faced the Erymanthian Boar, and injected it into him.
[This is about thirty percent, merged with what's already inside you. Whether your pathetic flesh can handle it is another question.]
Chunks of black flame detached from its body and began seeping into Bin's, tendrils of dark smoke coiling inward.
Bin focused on the invading black haze, his mind racing.
'Thirty percent…….'
He didn't show it, but inwardly, he was stunned. The black sword wind he'd wielded so far—the force that had cleaved through hordes of monsters and dragged them to death—was apparently just thirty percent of its power. Astonishing.
Thump. Thump.
His heart pounded faster at the thought of growing even stronger.
Soon, black smoke enveloped his body.
Fwooooosh.
The overwhelming magi made his entire frame tremble.
Crunch. Grind.
Bin grimaced in agony, a pained groan escaping his lips.
"Urgh……."
It was the kind of torment that would make anyone scream and thrash about. Yet Bin clenched his teeth and endured.
An unnatural energy surged through his veins. His body burned hot, skin bubbling like boiling water.
For a time, he gritted through the pain, adapting to the alien magi.
"Grrk……."
Moments later.
"Hah…… hah……."
Bin dropped to one knee, gasping raggedly. Sweat poured down his forehead, a testament to the suffering he'd withstood.
But he didn't yield. He endured, pushing through. Each wave of agony brought memories of his mother's death, of Helden Grander's face.
Finally, Bin rose to his feet.
Bellatan regarded him with admiration.
[To endure that level of pain…… You humans never cease to intrigue me.]
Before it could say more.
Thud. Thud.
Bin approached, extending one hand.
Bellatan stared blankly at the inexplicable gesture—
Shaaa.
—when black smoke erupted from Bin's palm, thrusting straight toward its face.
This was no ordinary manifestation. Unlike before, the smoke coalesced into a perfect black sphere—the Dark Sphere.
As it touched Bellatan, the demon was sucked inside.
Shwoooosh.
[……!]
Caught off guard, Bellatan bellowed.
[Fledgling! You……!]
Bin spoke coldly to the raging demon.
"I'm erasing your one-sided contract. Down to the last scrap."
That was it. He'd played along to exploit Bellatan's carelessness.
The Dark Sphere grazed its core, slicing the demon's body in half.
Bin didn't stop there. More black smoke billowed from him, devouring the remnants.
Bellatan's eyes bulged in fury.
[You damned bastard!]
It had never been backstabbed by a human like this.
Bin looked down at it with icy eyes.
"Now we're on equal terms. Let's see what you've got."
Having consumed half of Bellatan, black smoke poured from Bin in massive quantities.
His calm hair spiked wildly. Mysterious black patterns emerged on either side of his neck. His right eye twisted into something monstrous.
Endless black smoke billowed from his body.
Shaaa.
With reptilian eyes, Bin glared at Bellatan.
The demon's face twisted in panic.
['B-black patterns……!']
['A mere human dares claim a Lord's throne……!']
But despite its bluster, Bellatan didn't advance. Half its body was gone; it had to be cautious. Another hit from that Dark Sphere could end it.
It glared at Bin and snarled.
[I'll repay this debt later. You'll regret this choice, fledgling!]
Bin shot back.
"Come at me anytime. Next time, I'll swallow every last piece of you."
[…….]
Bellatan ground its teeth. This wasn't some pushover. In the inner world, where mental fortitude reigned supreme, Bin was a monster.
Regretfully, Bellatan vanished from the spot.
* * *
Meanwhile, near the red spring.
The monster masquerading as Bin grinned at Endaran Teia in his blue uniform.
[What's this? Where'd all that momentum go?]
Its expression screamed: I'm going to rip out your throat.
Endaran glared back with one monster-seeing eye.
Earthy yellow light flared as his golden hair whipped into the air.
"Don't look at a family head like that."
Endaran thrust his yellow-glowing hand toward "Bin." A long, slicing breath tore through the air. Even to the naked eye, its lethality rivaled a dragon's.
Fwooo.
Just as the yellow breath reached "Bin"—
The imposter spoke.
[Yes, make it hurt more.]
Black smoke erupted from its body. It extended its right hand, and something incredible happened.
Shaaa.
Normally, black smoke merely rose from Bin's arm. Now, it gathered into a black sphere—the Dark Sphere, identical to what he'd seen in his inner world.
['Already reached this level. Impressive.']
The monster thought of the real Bin.
The breath hit the Dark Sphere and was sucked inside.
Shwoooosh.
Irin's eyes widened at the bizarre sight.
'What the hell is that black energy……!'
Zeke on her shoulder was equally shocked.
'Th-the breath……!'
It was the breath of the Yellow Dragon, a 1st-grade monster's power. Yet the Dark Sphere devoured it effortlessly.
Endaran mused.
'This thing…… swallowed a mid-1st-grade Yellow Dragon's power…….'
It wasn't your average 1st-grade monster. It surpassed his expectations.
As Endaran assessed it—
Swoosh.
The creature vanished. Suddenly, a black arm gripped his throat, slamming him to the ground.
Thud! Crack.
The earth shattered like glass as the imposter choked him with its black arm.
"Guh……."
Irin and Zeke reeled.
'F-Father……!'
'H-House head……?'
No one had expected Endaran to be overpowered. Still recovering from the rebellion, he'd left an opening. And unable to kill "Bin," he couldn't go all-out.
The monster sneered at the struggling Endaran.
[Struggle harder!]
The black arm tightened around his neck.
"……!"
Endaran's pupils shook in pain. His eyes filled with killing intent.
'Can't let this go on.'
Any longer, and he might die.
Yellow light surged from his hand toward "Bin's" throat.
But then—
[Urgh…… get lost!]
The imposter seemed to address not Endaran, but someone else. Its face twisted, and its left cheek moved independently, whispering lowly.
"Who told you to move on your own?"
It was Bin.
Endaran smiled at his return.
"You're back……."
His expression froze.
Spiked hair. Black patterns on the neck. Massive magi pouring from his body.
'What the hell happened……!'
Even Endaran shivered at the unknown patterns and otherworldly power.