CH 61

Please note that there are some cheat expressions in this chapter, so please be careful if you don’t like them.

(Kurokiri POV for the whole chapter)

As my consciousness begins to submerge, I find myself in an unfamiliar environment. And there Ichiko is, with a bizarre metal gauntlet on her left arm, being clutched on the head by a hooded child, right in front of my eyes.

Within a glance, I recognize the true identity of the child.

But the instant I witness the scene, my mind exceeds the boiling point at once, and I bring forth Kurokirinoko with all my might and swing it down.

“Fuuuu…”

A cloud of smoke billows out as the Kurokirinoko slams into the ground, accompanied by a booming explosion. In the midst of that cloud of dust, I hold Ichiko in my left arm and the Kurokirinoko in my right.

“Oh. I wasn’t expecting you to show up at this time.”

A child is addressing me. No, this is not a child. She is…

“Shut up. You God of Calamity.”

“Oh. So, you’re aware of what kind of entity I am. As expected of specimen number 13.”

The God of Calamity displays a slightly gleeful look.

In contrast, I am retreating, attentive to each and every move of the God of Calamity. I couldn’t let down my guard for even a second or exhibit any vulnerability. Because that one split second would prove to be devastating.

“Hahaha. Even so, ≪The Lord Will Exercise His Power in My Path≫ was exercised? It seems that you and specimen number 667 are quite fond of each other.”

≪The Lord Will Exercise His Power in My Path≫ huh. This is likely the skill that brought me here.

While mulling this subject over, I utilize ≪Bewitching Fog≫ to interfere with Ichiko’s spirit.

Although I am not clear as to what exactly the God of Calamity has wrought upon Ichiko, there should be no problem in interfering with Ichiko’s mind if I make use of the connection that exists between the Demon King and his kin.

“Hahaha, good luck with that. Specimen number 13; I’m sure you have a rough idea of what I have done to specimen number 667. But well, I still admire your efforts.”

The God of Calamity’s mockery resounds throughout the area.

However, I have no intention of giving up. And then,

“Kuro…kiri…?”

Ichiko is awakening.

“You’re awake?”

“Eh, ah, yes.”

While drawing utmost vigilance against the God of Calamity, I ask Ichiko and set her down on the ground.

“Ichiko, whether by skill or by running, just hurry up and get out of here.”

“What about you, Kurokiri…”

“Isn’t it obvious that I will be stopping her?”

With both hands holding the Kurokirinoko in front of me, I face the God of Calamity.

“Hmm. So you want to go toe-to-toe with me? I thought you understood the disparity in our capabilities?”

“Unfortunately, you are my ultimate goal. In fact, this is a golden opportunity for me.”

“Even though the odds are against you?”

“…”

While shifting my stance little by little, I watch the God of Calamity. In the meantime, Ichiko is gradually receding from this location.

“Hmm. Your ambition is applaudable, and your bond, which exceeded my expectations, is commendable. You should be complimented for your early development of outer skills as well. Nonetheless, revolting against the entity that empowered you is undeniably a felony. Therefore, the Demon King Kurokiri, who is the ≪King of the Kirijin≫ and ‘King of the Devouring Black Fog’, and the Half-Demon King Ichiko, who is the ≪Favored Princess of the Fog King≫ and the ‘Blade Princess of the Unsettled Sword’, both of you deserve this as your punishment.”

The God of Calamity puts her hand on her chin and announces as if all the people around her will hear her words.

Then the God of Calamity opens her mouth briefly and mutters, “≪Spatial Transfer Gate・ Open≫, ≪Invisible Thousand Hands≫.”

“Arghhhhhhhhhh…!!”

Ichiko’s scream surges up from behind me as the God of Calamity mutters that.

“Ichiko!”

When I turn around in shock, a gate materializes as if tearing through space, and beyond the gate is distinctly the scenery of another location. Ichiko is then about to be dragged through the gate.

I hurry towards Ichiko in a panic, attempting to yank her out of the gate.

Yet, as I am about to reach her,

“≪Spatial Transfer Gate・ Closed≫.”

Along with the words of the God of Calamity, the gate is closed and disappears into the void.

“Damn youuuuuuuuuu!!”

“Seal.”

In my agitation, I slash at the God of Calamity. Nevertheless, the Kurokirinoko that I supposedly swung down in full force could not inflict any damage on the God of Calamity, who has not even adopted a defensive stance, and the blade is no longer jerking even when I push or pull it.

“Damn it! What the hell is your purpose! Why did you make us Demon Kings! Why did you grant skills to all the humans in the world? Why did you aim for Ichiko!”

I question the God of Calamity, drenched in greasy sweat all the while, letting my emotions get the better of me, and desperately trying to get the Kurokirinoko to budge.

But Kurokirinoko would not move. With a hand made of bone, the God of Calamity grips my head, which is supposed to be fog. It feels as if my head is being constricted by a power shovel rather than a vise.

“Gghh… gah!”

A groan involuntarily escapes my lips.

“Oi oi, you should narrow the questions down to a certain degree, shouldn’t you? Specimen number 13. I’ll give you a huge discount[i]. I shall answer your questions. To put it simply…”

The God of Calamity applies more pressure on the hand that grasps my head. At this point, I can’t even let out a moan anymore.

“It’s a research.”

“What…?”

I frantically reply to her answer.

“I’ve said it in the beginning, right? ‘Let’s save this world. And in order to advance my research, I’m going to do a minor intervention in this world’.”

Yes, that was the exact statement affirmed by the God of Calamity.

“And the first 666 people in the research were found to be well-grounded. Specimen number 667 was targeted this time because subsequent variations indicated that she is well-grounded. And so that’s all to it.”

“This…”

My whole body is trembling with wrath. But in reality, I couldn’t even wiggle a finger.

“Well, you disrupted my research, but I’m about halfway through transforming specimen number 667 into a Demon King. After that, it would be a fine material to let the world flow and watch the transformation. Now, the only thing left to do here is to penalize you. Let’s see…”

The God of Calamity grabs my head in a tight grip as if to imply that the conversation is over with a pretense of being distressed.

I struggle to resist. But there is no means of opposing. After all, I can’t even lift a finger.

“Hmm. Shall we go with this? ≪Tsunagi-dō Fūsa≫ Subject Designation: ‘King of the Devouring Black Fog’ Kurokiri, ‘Blade Princess of the Unsettled Sword’ Ichiko, Time Designation: 10 years.”

“Gaaaah!!”

Something like sparks erupts from the God of Calamity’s hand, sending a rush of electricity and corresponding searing pain coursing through my entire body. Simultaneously, I have the sensation that one of the many gates inside me has closed and been locked.

“Well then, this shall be enough this time.”

“Gah… damn it… I’ll remember… this…”

“Hahaha. If you are frustrated, then you ought to be more diligent and attain a level of proficiency that will at least enable you to land a blow on me next time.”

With that, the God of Calamity fades away from my presence as if melting into the void.

And then I, too, have been sent back to the “White Fog and Black Swamp Forest,” perhaps after the effect time of ≪The Lord Will Exercise His Power in My Path≫ had ended.

A/N:

The following is a brief introduction of the skills used by God of Calamity:

≪Spatial Transfer Gate・ Open (Closed)≫: A skill that allows the appearance (disappearance) of a gate connecting arbitrary locations.

≪Invisible Thousand Hands≫: A skill to manipulate a myriad of invisible hands by causing them to manifest into existence. AKA “Invisible Tentacles”.

≪Tsunagi-dō Fūsa≫: A skill that seals the connection between the Demon Kings and their kin.

T/N:

[i] 出血大サービス /huge discount sentence here means, that with a huge discount the seller would get severe damage, as severe as they are bleeding. This is an exaggerated and figurative expression. But it’s very common, and an idiom.