NABC Chapter 14
Chapter 14
Silence fell. Though there were dozens of people in one space, no one spoke. No, more accurately, they couldn’t speak.
What had happened? The men couldn’t comprehend. Something resembling a slime had entered a colleague’s nose, and suddenly, the colleague had died. Soon after, the slime-like creature came out of the nose, now coated in white substances. They had a guess as to what it was, but they desperately denied that reality.
“Tch. Wasn’t supposed to kill him, but ended up doing so.”
Breaking the silence, Karos muttered. He seemed annoyed as he flicked away the clinging slime.
“Don’t stick. I’ll allow it after you wash.”
“We’re not supposed to kill? Why?”
“That would be bothersome. If dozens die, the lord of this land will eventually intervene. Then, we might get caught.”
“Can’t I just cover it up with my power?”
“Too bothersome, right?”
Indeed. Bathesia nodded as if she understood. A scrawny man backed away, trembling.@@@@
“You...”
“Ah, you’ve seen it already. Hmm, what to do.”
To kill or not to kill. Karos murmured, stroking his chin. Fear started to spread across the man’s face.
Something was off. Though they too had killed people and covered it up, they were never this indifferent.
But the red-haired girl and the black-haired man before them were different. It was as if they were squashing ants, only annoyed by the aftermath. The act of killing itself brought no emotion to them.
This is strange. This is wrong. Instinct screamed an alarm, but their feet wouldn’t move. Suddenly, Karos clapped his hands.
“Ah. I just thought of something. You guys, you’re from the underworld, right?”
“...”
“Well. Living dumped in a place like this, and that kid doesn’t look too well either.”
No answer came, but Karos murmured to himself, edging closer to the truth. The men’s hearts raced as Karos smiled, as if looking at mice caught in a trap.
“Alright. Then, if I kill you, no one will come looking. Bathesia, do it.”
“...Bullshit!”
As soon as he finished speaking, a fierce-looking man charged at them. Though it wasn’t clear what was happening, the black-haired man seemed powerless. Just capture this one and use him as a hostage. Having come to a conclusion, he moved, but couldn’t even take three steps.
“Huh?”
Why is my vision spinning? Why do I feel weightless? And then it was over. The body, now without its owner, collapsed to the ground. The head rolled away to a corner.
“Wow. Blood spurting out like a fountain.”
“Now that I think about it, Karos, wasn’t this your first time killing?”
“What’s the point of bringing that up now?”
Karos chuckled. He was a demon who killed humans, a Demon King invading the surface world. Killing humans was as natural as breathing to him. He didn’t feel shock or anything from it being his “first time.”
“Besides, it wasn’t my first.”
“It was, right? You’ve been in the demon world all this time, so this should be your first sortie.”
“What is this?”
Inside, a girl lay sprawled out like a corpse. Her chest was barely moving, and she seemed like she could die at any moment.
“Humans.”
Bathesia clicked her tongue. She was a Demon King, but she revered honor and loved duels. She had never made a mess like this when killing.
“Hmm.”
Karos stroked his chin. What to do. The boy’s body was shaking like a leaf.
“I have a question for you. Do you know anyone here?”
“A, a, a, no.”
“An orphan, then.”
Good. Karos gestured to Bathesia.
“Heal the kid.”
“Eh, why? You’re not showing sympathy, are you?”
“Hardly. Just do it quickly.”
“Tsck.”
Magic enveloped the girl. Her swollen body returned to normal, and vitality returned to her. Karos turned around with a smile.
“Do you want to die? Or do you want to live?”
“...”
Tears welled up in the boy’s eyes. He wanted to live. Even if it meant being covered in filth and unfairly beaten, he wanted to live. Karos smiled. He didn’t need to hear the answer.
“Then, let’s make a contract.”
“A contract?”
Like the demons of old who seduced humans into corruption, Karos whispered.
“Yes, a contract.”
“A contract, then.”
“I’ll save you. Not only that, but I’ll provide you with plentiful food and a warm place to sleep. No one will harm you, and under my protection, you will enjoy a small peace.”
The boy’s eyes glazed over with a dream-like tale. Light had entered his miserable life. Although it was a light painted black and unseen, he didn’t want to lose it.
The boy, enchanted by the Demon King, asked.
“What should I offer in return?”
The Demon King, who seduced humans, smiled.
Hyung_Otaku
I'm currently Translating the following novels: Pick Me Up! | A Frontline Soldier Awakened as a Gamer In The War! | The 100th Regression of the Max-Level Player. If you want to support me and read more chapters please subscribe to my Patreon!