Chapter 14 Gaslighting

Chapter 14 Gaslighting

Thousand-Faced Demon.

The owner with a name that signifies a spirit with a thousand faces has one particularly peculiar curse.Discover new chapters at novelhall.com

The curse is simple to explain.

The moment one of its eight hands touches you, your face vanishes.

But despite its simplicity, the effects of the curse are notoriously terrible.

Since losing your nose and mouth leaves you unable to breathe.

Ugh, mmm!

One of the knights, only a trainee, was caught by the Thousand-Faced Demons hand and lost his face.

Unable to speak without a mouth, letting out only a few vibrations from his vocal cords, he clawed at his empty face and succumbed.

Without an immediate healer, there was no way to survive.

Charge!

However, unlike the trainee knight, Belorkin and the other knights were on the verge of victory.

For a three-star world erosion owner, the Thousand-Faced Demon was strong, but not enough to be a match for Belorkin and his knights.

KEEEEEEK!

One arm of the Thousand-Faced Demon was completely engulfed in flames by Belorkins Ignis.

In an inextinguishable blaze, the Thousand-Faced Demon spitefully whipped its arms about more fiercely.

The arms of the Thousand-Faced Demon were powerful enough to crush the human body with ease, strong enough that even mid-level Expert knights had to hastily roll on the ground to dodge.

Boom!

But Belorkin was different. He countered the Thousand-Faced Demons hands head-on and managed to strike back.

Thanks to him, the floundering demon was caught in a gap by Belorkins sword, which unleashed another fierce assault.

Woosh!

Dont retreat! Ill create an opening!

The knights spirits soared once again in front of his overwhelming valor.

And again, the name of Balheim was etched into their hearts.

The thought that even world erosion, a primal fear of humanity, could be overcome if Balheim was present filled their minds.

Follow Belorkin!

The knights, sensing impending victory, shouted and lunged at the Thousand-Faced Demon.

Observing this, Belorkin felt pride welling up within him.

Yes, this was he.

This was Belorkin Balheim!

Just as a triumphant smile was spreading across his face, Belorkin suddenly thought of Kraush.

Kraush was nowhere to be seen amongst the knights.

Could he have been caught by the Thousand-Faced Demons hand and died?

If that were the case, this mission would be most gratifying. Upon catching sight of Kraush in the distance, though, Belorkin felt a tinge of disappointment.

Nevertheless, it was still fine.

If Kraush felt the difference in their power and shivered in fear of world erosion, it would be a successful outing.

But the Kraush that reflected in Belorkins eyes was not trembling in fear.

He was merely quietly observing something.

And that gaze was not directed at him.

What?

What could he be looking at?

It was at this moment that Belorkins suspicions were caught off guard.

Drip!

Suddenly, there came the sound of something dripping from the Thousand-Faced Demons face.

When Belorkin swiftly turned his head, his eyes saw something that petrified him.

Black blood was pouring from all the faces orifices of the demon simultaneously.

As Belorkin realized the abnormality and attempted to put distance between himself and it

Crackle!

A black spark surged and flowed all over the Thousand-Faced Demons body.

Belorkins eyes shook profoundly at this unprecedented occurrence, yet he instantly raised his sword.

He thought he must kill the Thousand-Faced Demon right then and there.

Kill the Thousand-Faced Demon now!

Belorkin ordered as he slashed his sword towards it.

Crack!

However, his sword failed to cleave through the demons black body.

Despite being infused with aura, he couldnt cut through.

Belorkins eyes widened as the Thousand-Faced Demons body began to swell with grotesque colors.

As the demons body inexplicably began expanding, Belorkin realized in panic there was no follow-up attack from the knights he expected to be right behind him.

What are you all doing!

As he turned to berate them, thinking perhaps the Balheim knights were cowed by the demon, he was confronted with all the knights standing still, their faces utterly void.

Looking blankly at them as they just stood there, Belorkins pupils slowly dilated.

Ugh?!

Thats when he belatedly noticed one side of his vision was missing.

He frantically felt around his eyes, only to touch bare skin where his eye should be.

As realization dawned that hed been afflicted by the curse, a shadow dark as pitch crept over Belorkins head.

When Belorkin looked up, there loomed the Thousand-Faced Demon, now grotesquely grown to unimaginable proportions, its arms daintily gathered as it stared down at him intently.

Boom!

A peal of thunder resounded.

And amidst it all, one of the stark white faces protruding forward split open right down the middle.

Brother, have you awakened?

How are you, no, how are you still alive?

Yes, I was always watching from a distance because it was dangerous.

Had that been the case?

It seemed that unlike the knights, he had not been exposed to the curse, thanks to being away from the fray.

But somewhere inside, Belorkin felt dissatisfied with the situation.

The fact Kraush was supporting him and walking was gnawing at him internally.

Belorkins self-esteem had already been crushed during his earlier flight.

Now, the thought of receiving help from Kraush, who he had always considered beneath him, seemed to trample on the last shred of his pride.

Thats enough. I will walk on my own.

Peeling his arm from Kraushs shoulder, Belorkin struggled to catch his breath.

His breathing was unsteady, possibly having been injured internally during the impact, and his aura wasnt responding appropriately either.

However, he wasnt so incapacitated that he couldnt walk at all.

Even if he had been, he had no intention of depending on Kraush for help.

Brother, you are not in normal condition. Please do not do this.

I said, enough!

Belorkin snapped, shouting back at Kraush, who moved to support him again.

Lashing out in anger, asserting that even someone like Kraush had no right to assist him, he pushed the boy away.

Kraush, appearing resigned, withdrew his hand.

Belorkin watched him and panted to regain his breath.

Yes, that is just your place.

In this situation, there was nothing you could do, so just feel your powerlessness.

Belorkin thought as much as he attempted to move forward again.

Thump!

A sound reverberated through the entire swamp.

Upon hearing the noise, Belorkin instinctively hunched over.

Because the owner of that sound was none other than the Thousand-Faced Demon.

Kr, Kraush, how far have we made it out from there?

Belorkin asked, attempting to understand their current situation.

But Kraush, with a serious expression, surveyed the surroundings and responded.

Im not sure. Weve walked quite a bit, but since the outside isnt visible yet, maybe the world erosion is enclosed.

Belorkins face turned pale upon hearing Kraushs words.

If that was true, then they couldnt leave until the Thousand-Faced Demon was killed.

Thump!

Once more, the sound of the Thousand-Faced Demons step echoed from afar.

Damn, damn.

Brother.

It was then Kraush called out to the panicking Belorkin.

I have one idea.

An idea?

Belorkins head lifted at the notion that someone like Kraush could have a plan. He didnt like the idea, but suppressed his disapproval for the sake of survival.

Yes, I suppose youve heard about my fight with Anicks.

Of course, he remembered.

Belorkin was still skeptical, but the rumor that Kraush had fought Anicks to a draw certainly existed.

The reason I could do it was that I learned a secret technique from my sister.

Belorkins body jolted at that revelation.

He immediately realized sister referred to Charlotte.

From Charlotte?

Kraush nodded once again.

Was Charlotte someone who would teach another?

That thought crossed his mind, but Charlotte and Kraush were siblings of the same blood.

Perhaps unbeknownst to him, she had held Kraush in special regard.

And if his draw with Anicks was due to Charlottes secret technique, it began to make sense.

Belorkin had experienced Charlottes genius far too well.

So, youre saying with this secret technique, we can defeat that thing?

I cant be certain, but its worth trying compared to dying here from exhaustion.

Belorkin bit his lip momentarily.

Whatever the technique, Kraush had seen the Thousand-Faced Demon firsthand.

Yet he dared suggest it was worth trying, which must mean it was a technique of significant potency.

Youre telling me this because you need something from me, right?

Brothers Ignis skill can ignite flames out of anything, can it not?

Yes, but what about it?

I would like you to ignite my aura with those flames.

Belorkin belatedly realized what Kraush had in mind.

He intended to combine his skill of flames with the secret technique to attempt defeating the Thousand-Faced Demon.

I know you dont trust me.

Seeing Belorkin hesitate, Kraush spoke once more.

But brother, you do trust our sisters abilities, dont you?

And the words that followed were enough to put an end to Belorkins hesitation.