Chapter 115: Blue Devil (1)

Chapter 115: Blue Devil (1)

༺ Blue Devil (1) ༻

“So, What’s the plan?!”

Talion skillfully turned the helm and threw out such words.

I knew it, having him practice was a good decision. He was able to keep the balance and steer the ship even in the middle of this mess.

“Plan... Plan, you say...”

Right, I had something you could call a plan, but...

Could I even call it as such, though?

“First, let’s make use of this situation.”

“...Excuse me?”

I looked at Riru, who was rapidly catching up in the distance. Her running speed was even faster than the boat, which was already at full throttle. The distance between us was shrinking at a quite frightening pace.

Considering how pissed off she was, I had to offer something pretty valuable to calm her down.

For example...

Something pretty precious to me.

That was why, as an exchange for that, I should at least make use of this situation to the fullest.

“...You’re still thinking of satisfying your greed in this kind of a situation?”

“...”

Towards Talion’s words, which almost sounded like a scolding, I kept my mouth shut.

So what, you brat? You had a problem with that, huh?!

I did feel my sense of crisis turning into something more like a life-risking game in such situations, but it was much better than trembling and getting squashed under pressure.

In any case...

“With this, one of them will remain subdued for a while...”

As I said this, I looked at the first tentacle wriggling out of the sinkhole in front of me.

After getting thrashed by Riru while trying to make a majestic appearance, it was now stuck motionless with its body twisted.

This wasn’t an unfamiliar scene to me as I’ve seen it a few times before in the game. Whenever it took heavy damage, it would enter this exact groggy state, unable to regain its senses for a period of time.

‘...With this, the intro is skipped.’

After fighting the first tentacle that popped out, the next phase in the boss battle was to dive into the sinkhole below and face the ‘main body’.

But, I could save a lot of time and resources by ‘tossing’ Riru inside.

“...”

“...”

I ignored Talion’s unpleasant and hesitant gaze.

Yeah, yeah, the way I expressed it was a little off, but...

You got my point, right?

It would make things easier if I were to toss her onto all of the three bosses.

‘...The only problem with that is...’

She’d inevitably go berserk during the process.

After all, Tatiana must have embedded ‘that kind of thing’ in Alan for such use.

Considering the mechanism of the Incarnation shown in the game, Alan was definitely stuck into one of those three giant cephalopods.

“...”

I gritted my teeth.

Honestly...

If possible, I didn’t want to let Riru see that,

After all, even I almost threw up when I saw it. It really was such a disgusting sight.

However...

‘...It’s something that’s bound to happen whether I like it or not.’

Even if I tried to prevent it from happening, Tatiana would force it on Riru somehow.

Especially now, while I was drawing Riru into a berserk state, entirely skipping the first phase. Chances were, she’d make Riru go fully berserk and get her to kill me in the process.

That was an effective solution for her to utilize. As seen with Eleanor before, I had to rely on my luck to subdue a Devil who had gone berserk.

“...”

Well, except that bitch overlooked one thing.

The fact that it would be better for the Blue Devil to go all out in her berserk state.

That way, it would give me a much higher chance of survival. I wasn’t kidding.

“For now, just take this.”

With a sigh, I took out Ultima and handed it to Talion.

“What’s this?”

“A holy relic. Even someone who can’t handle Divine Power like you should be able to resist curses somewhat.”

“I appreciate the thought, Senior Brother. But I can handle this much!”

Talion replied with a vigorous voice, his face was filled with sweat but he still looked energetic.

Around us, black fog billowed out from the flesh scattered by Riru’s explosive power.

Those were the residue of malignant curses that would drive any ordinary person mad upon contact.

“Take it. Even if you’re fine, that thing you have with you could still be affected.”

I pointed at the ice cat suffering above Talion’s head. As I did so, Talion’s expression changed to one of realization.

“Wait a moment, then what about Senior Brother...!”

“I’m fine.”

I actually needed to ‘reduce’ such resistance.

And Desperate enhanced ‘all stats’. The Devil Conquest state on my status window was also under that effect.

That couldn’t happen.

“If my resistance is too high... Uh... You see...”

I scratched my head before continuing.

“I can’t get ‘devoured’ by her.”

“...”

Could you please...

Stop looking at me like that...

Her head felt hazy.

Everything in front of her eyes was painted blue.

“...Something’s off.”

Talion squinted his eyes, observing Riru stopping in her tracks.

She had been chasing me at a terrifying speed, but for some reason, she suddenly stopped.

<svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="24" height="24" viewbox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round"><circle cx="12" cy="12" r="10"></circle><line x1="12" y1="8" x2="12" y2="12"></line><line x1="12" y1="16" x2="12.01" y2="16"></line></svg> System Message

[ Target ‘Riru’ is enraged by an unthinkable sight! ]

[ Corruption Value of target ‘Riru’ has exceeded 300%. ]

[ Target is entering a ‘berserk’ state! ]

[ The estimated damage range is a ‘10km radius’! ]

[ The probability of survival is 0.3%! ]

“...”

I tightly closed my eyes and apologized to Riru.

‘Sorry.’

‘I’m truly sorry.’

‘Please, forgive me for making you see such a thing, Riru.’

“...”

‘I swear, I’ll make sure...’

‘That the one who did this will pay the price.’

And I was about to take the first step in that process.

“Stop!”

As soon as I saw Riru’s movements stop, I immediately instructed Talion.

Then, as soon as the boat stopped, I used it as a springboard to ‘fly’ towards her.

“Wait, Senior Brother?!”

Talion’s cry of horror echoed from behind me.

Charging at full speed towards a human who had been effortlessly destroying everything in her path seemed crazy, but...

<svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="24" height="24" viewbox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round"><circle cx="12" cy="12" r="10"></circle><line x1="12" y1="8" x2="12" y2="12"></line><line x1="12" y1="16" x2="12.01" y2="16"></line></svg> System Message

[ ‘Skill: King of Pandemonium’ is activated. ]

[ Gained an absolute advantage against Devil-type enemies for the next 5 minutes! ]

[ Facing a target with parallel abilities. ]

[ Resisting target’s unique ability ‘Authority: Pulverization’! ]

Fortunately, I had the ability to resist such Authorities, even if it could only last for a few minutes.

I flew swiftly and crashed into Riru, who was standing dazed above the sea.

Normally, my body should have been completely destroyed upon contact, but thanks to the skill, I remained relatively intact.

<svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="24" height="24" viewbox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round"><circle cx="12" cy="12" r="10"></circle><line x1="12" y1="8" x2="12" y2="12"></line><line x1="12" y1="16" x2="12.01" y2="16"></line></svg> System Message

[ The Aura of the ‘Blue Devil’ is felt! ]

[ ‘The Fallen’s Seal’ reacts! ]

While noting such messages were popping up, I clung to Riru, supporting my body with hers.

It felt similar to when I clung to Eleanor, who was floating in the air.

Apparently those on the verge of going berserk wouldn’t react much, even when I stuck to them like glue.

“...Hello. Nice to meet you.”

And...

Amidst the surging blue aura that was about to explode...

I whispered carefully to Riru.

“I’m Dowd Campbell.”

As if I was greeting someone for the first time.

“...I have come with an offer you can not refuse.”

I continued while letting out a sigh.

“Shall we talk? Blue Devil.”

-...

Silence.

Followed by another silence.

At that moment, suddenly...

The blue aura emanating from Riru’s body swiftly ‘wrapped’ around me.

<svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="24" height="24" viewbox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round"><circle cx="12" cy="12" r="10"></circle><line x1="12" y1="8" x2="12" y2="12"></line><line x1="12" y1="16" x2="12.01" y2="16"></line></svg> System Message

[ Detecting a ‘Mental Barrier’ activated against you! ]

[ Rolling ‘Devil Conquest’ stat for resistance... ]

[ Rolling ‘Devil Conquest’ stat for resistance... ]

[ Rolling ‘Devil Conquest’ stat for resistance... ]

[ Resistance failed! ]

[ Entering the target’s ‘Image World’! ]

Good. That was how it should be.

Judging by the number of resistance rolls, it was a close call. If I had Ultima with me, I might have actually resisted this attempt.

As my consciousness faded, I chuckled with such thoughts.

[Nice to meet you too, Dowd Campbell.]

And beyond my waning consciousness...

I heard that voice.

It was definitely...

[I have been waiting to meet you like this.]

An extremely calm and composed voice.

[My Husband.]

So much so that it could make one forget for a moment that this was the voice of a ‘Devil’.

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