Chapter 121

Chapter 121

The Path of the Overlord sealed all skills upon initial entry.

That meant there was no significant threat except for the initial cursed zone.

But after conquering the coliseum and returning, the one-way restrictions of the path were lifted, and the skill seals and other restrictions were also removed.

In other words... battles could occur within the passage.

No, they certainly could occur.

Looking around at my party members who had lost consciousness and collapsed, I broke into a cold sweat.

Its too much to have a lord-class monster hiding and suddenly appearing, damn it!

Standing before me was the culprit of this situation.

The vampire lord and the boss monster of the next stage, No Life King Celendion.

He may look like a young boy in his early to mid-teens at a glance, but one should not be deceived by appearances. Hes actually a monster with hundreds of years of experience.

"..."

Celendion was observing me quietly with his bright, blood-red eyes.

His gaze was unsettling, reminiscent of a child observing a captured insect.

"Do you feel like talking to me, player?"

Upon hearing the boys voice, I replied brusquely.

My name is Ash.

"Hmm?"

I said Ash, my name. Ash. Ash Born Hater Everblack.

These creatures kept lumping me in as just another player instead of using my name.

Do they think I wont tell them my name if they ask? My name, Ash, is dirt cheap. Ill hand it out left and right!

Upon hearing my name, Celendion blinked for a moment, then clapped his hands together.

"Ah, yes. Of course. You guys have names too."

What did you say?

"When you look at ants, you call them ants, you dont ask their names, do you?"

Celendion slightly bowed his head.

"Anyway, I apologize. I was thoughtless."

...

"I repeat, I had no intention to upset you. I also didnt intend to harm you."

Didnt you? Then whats this?

Pointing to the collapsed party members around us, Celendion cast a glance at them.

"Understand, human. For me, its quite a hassle to subdue you without killing you."

...

"I just wanted to have a conversation."

As I watched him apologize and ask for understanding, I became certain.

This guy, he didnt come here to kill us.

If he had intended to, we would all be dead by now.

But he only subdued us, and even wanted to start a conversation.

Celendions purpose was not to kill us. Of that I was certain.

However,

Why?

Why go to the trouble of keeping us alive, we who are as insignificant as ants and could be crushed with a flick of his finger?

...

Well, fine by me.

If hes willing to lower himself to this extent(?), I see no reason why I cant indulge him in a conversation.

Plop!

I just sat down right there on the corridor floor. Celendions gaze turned puzzled as he looked at me.

"What are you doing?"

Im sitting. You sit too.

"Hmm?"

Sit here. Im not sure what you want to talk about, but its awkward standing like this, isnt it?

"..."

Celendion seemed a bit confused, apparently he wasnt familiar with the sitting culture, but cautiously sat down in front of me without a word.

For a moment, we sat facing each other, silently observing one another.

I was glaring blatantly, while Celendion had a calm expression.

I really wanted to punch him right in the face, but doing so would likely cost me my life...

Anyway, I took a deep breath and asked.

So, what is it that you wanted to talk about with me so badly? Whats bothering you? Studies? Career? Adolescence? Which one?

"...? I dont understand what youre saying, but..."

Celendion carefully opened his mouth.

"Theres just one thing that I wanted to ask you, that Ive been curious about."

Go ahead and ask. If I can, Ill answer.

Not answering might result in losing my head.

I had been wondering what kind of question made him come all the way here himself. The question he asked was completely unexpected.

"How did you kill Orlop?"

"What?"

"From the start, I came here to kill you all."

I slowly got up from my seat.

"To rip out your monster neck, hack your flesh, burn it to ashes. Thats why Im here."

I remember.

Those who bled and fell to the monsters claws and teeth.

"Of course, I will kill you! Not just you, but your subordinates, your family, and whatever the hell that creature you call king is!"

I remember.

The Margrave who, after a lifetime of holding back monsters, eventually fell apart and died in my arms.

"Everyone! Every single one! I will annihilate them all without leaving a single one alive!"

I remember.

The sight of more than three thousand corpses lying on the battlefield.

The azure sacred flame burning amidst them.

"That is my mission on this front line, the single goal I must achieve even if it costs me my life!"

The clamor of the funeral, the wailing of the choir, the silence that followed the prayers.

Ken, Tein, Ron, Jiya, Peke... and the countless warriors whose names were not even left behind.

I remember.

I remember it all.

Thats why it is my duty as the commander of this front line to despise you creatures so intensely.

"You need not worry, Vampire King! Whether you ask for it or not, I will gladly kill you. It would be wise for you to prepare for the scream youll let out when you meet your end on my sword!"

Celendion, who had been quietly listening to my roaring voice, smirked.

"...Really? Is that so?"

His smile was faint.

It was different from the mockery earlier. Quiet, even shy, a small smile.

"Even if your attitude is just a bluff, I am glad. Because at least your hostility seems genuine."

Celendion slowly rose from his seat.

"But, I really cant understand. How could you, mere prey, kill me? Is there even a method that exists?"

"Of course, it exists."

What do you think, vampire spawn? How many times do you think Ive chopped off your head in the game?

I declared confidently.

"Just crawl up to my castle walls with your neck clean. Then, Ill be the one to end your pitiful life!"

"..."

Smirk.

The smile deepened on Celendions lips.

For a moment, he looked like an old man in his eighties or nineties rather than a teenager.

But in the next moment, his expression returned to its usual stoic state, and he transformed back into a teenager.

"I will see you soon. I sincerely hope your words were not empty."

Slowly. Slowly.

The ends of Celendions body started to transform into mist.

"And, your subordinates... they have been trying to ambush me since they regained consciousness."

"Eh?"

"It might be a good idea to stop them. Because I wish for you to be in your best condition on the day of our final battle."

Surprised, I looked at the party members who were lying on the ground.

They had woken up without me noticing, and were all preparing to ambush Celendion, their secondary weapons at the ready.

I hurriedly signaled them to stop. Stop, stop! You cant even deal proper damage right now!

"Then, Player... no, Ash."

As he completely turned into a black mist and disappeared, Celendion whispered faintly.

"I am looking forward to it. I hope that you can truly kill me that day."

Swish.

The mist, resembling a flock of bats, engulfed him, and he was gone completely.

Staring at the spot where the Vampire King had disappeared, I muttered under my breath.

"If you want to die that badly, why dont you just kill yourself, damn..."

Why all the trouble of coming and going and asking someone else to kill you?

Just kill yourself! Write my name in your suicide note! Then wed both be happy!

But I guess he cant do that, hence hes asking someone else to kill him.

Theres no need to empathize with a monsters situation.

As I grumbled, I looked down at the party members. They were all grimacing in pain, slowly picking themselves up.

"You dont need to despair over the difference in strength. Our fangs will definitely reach that guys neck."

I lifted up each of the moaning party members one by one.

"I will make it happen, and you will make it happen."

With so many things to say, the party members looked at me. I just nodded at them.

"Lets go back."

Theres so much to do.