Chapter 57

He is mad.

This is my honest impression.

When we first became one, I inadvertently touched upon that “abyss.”

We are one. My Second seems not to know how to do it, but in truth, it is no trouble at all to recall each other’s memories.

However, even after becoming one and recalling, I could not understand.

That deep, dark heart, which no one could ever understand, is now driving my Second’s entire being.

Or perhaps, should I call it my Seven.

My Second has a past life—over a long period, during which I reigned as the Great Spirit King and witnessed the lives of countless beings, I have never seen or heard of anyone with a past life. My first servant, the Second, was a very special being who came from a similar yet different world. Therefore, I do not understand. I cannot comprehend. I cannot grasp the darkness in his heart.

...But, I can understand this much. At least this much.

My Second is mad. His way of being is subtly off.

He possesses memories that surpass my understanding, and something is wrong with him.

My Second went forward with joy, facing an opponent whom I, the Great Spirit King, immediately judged as unbeatable.

And now, he is “overwhelming” the Dark Wolf.

He has not been hit even once, and he seems to predict the future, seeing through the wolf’s weaknesses and landing his attacks. It looks as if he is repeatedly performing a god-like feat, threading a needle from several inches away, over and over again.

It’s impossible. What is he thinking? Curious, I once peeked into his heart.

...I regretted it. I became even more distant from understanding.

My Second was not thinking about anything.

No, on the surface, he was considering the best response based on the Dark Wolf’s behavior patterns.

But deep down... he was feeling a strong, mad “joy.”

My Second was rejoicing in the present. It was not a shallow act of thought, but an uncontrollable emotion that gushed forth ceaselessly because he was alive.

Why?

I thought he might be enjoying the thrill, but it was a bit different.

My Second found meaning in life, and even a reason for existence, in the battle with the Dark Wolf. And at the same time, he believed that this battle was a “game.” No, it’s not just that he believed it; he was so convinced that it was etched into his mind and body, making it impossible to go back. Therefore, he “could only think of it as a game.” Therefore, his mind and body “rejoiced on their own.”

-- "World's Best"-- I suddenly recall. My Second’s tragic wish. I know he is not just aiming for it; he will “regain” that position. There is no deceit in this; my Second is truly and sincerely risking his life to return to the top of the world.

...I am startled.

Could it be that my Second is “risking his life in a game”?

Playing the game is living, and reigning as the World's Best is the meaning of existence. And... in this life, he is not the World's Best.

My Second is standing here to reclaim “his very existence.”

Even though he is mad beyond repair.

Even though it is a battle that seems unwinnable to anyone.

Using bizarre and outlandish tactics that the Great Spirit King cannot even imagine, he is fighting alone.

“Second, my Second...!”

I felt a burning sensation deep in my heart.

What a tenacity! What a strength! What a solitude...!

Wishing to be stronger than anyone, and determined to achieve it with all he has, I am deeply impressed by this solitary and noble madman...!

“Second, my Second!!”

“Shut up and possess me already!”

Very well, I will gladly possess you!

Second, I alone understand you. You are no longer alone. Let’s go down this path together, staking our lives in this Angolmois!

“Hahahaha!”

“Shut up!!”

* * *

It took about an hour. Anko’s HP finally dropped below 20%.

It’s easy to see. When the Dark Wolf’s HP drops below 25%, it bursts into black flames and enters “Berserk Mode.” By calculating the damage from the number of attacks before it enters this mode, you can determine how many more attacks it will take to drop it below 20%.

And. The taming method is also simple. Just use “Tame” when it charges. I tamed Anko at this timing in my past life.

“...But, it failed.”

I knew it.

I sighed, took six high-grade potions from my inventory, and threw them all at Anko, who had missed a bite attack.

The potion bottles shattered with the black flames of Berserk Mode, and the liquid splashed all over Anko. Immediately, Anko’s HP was fully restored.

“Is this okay!?”

“I told you. This is more efficient.”

“Is that how it works...”

The black flames that enveloped Anko’s body dissipated with a “pshew” sound, and the Berserk Mode suddenly ended. Anko seemed to have a “huh? What? Why?” look on her face— but, after all, she is a monster. Sadly, she cannot resist the next action in her fixed pattern, which is a dark roar after a bite attack.

“Well, back to square one.”

The process of reducing her HP to 80% starts again.

It took about an hour... more than twice as long as before.

Well, there’s no choice but to be patient.

I slapped my cheeks with both hands and headed back to Anko.

“Phew, I’m tired...”

After that, I failed to tame her nine and a half times, and I finally returned to the tent, exhausted. The Dark Wolf cannot leave the Isolais Underground Great Library, so there’s no need to worry about it chasing me.

“I have been overwhelming that creature for ten hours. It’s impossible not to be tired.”

Angolmois is materialized for the first time in a long time. She pours me a drink, as if to comfort me. I might be the only human in the world who can make the Great Spirit King pour drinks. Thinking about it, it feels really good.

“I have to do this every day.”

“...Hmm. If the battles continue like today, I don’t think there will be any particular problem even if I do it every day.”

“No, today was lucky. I wasn’t hit by a shadow when it transformed into a human form.”

“Hmm?”

“From the human form transformation, it can lead to a dark summon or dark magic. If I prepare the Dragon King Sword technique during the transformation, stun it, and then take it down with two Rook Criticals to the legs, I can fight safely without worrying about dark summon or dark magic.”

“I see. If the wolf is in a shadow state when I hit it with the Dragon King Sword technique, the risk of being hit by a dark summon or dark magic increases.”

“That’s right. Dark magic is almost no problem. For dark summon, if I use the staff summon in Staff Mode, it’s okay, but if it transitions to the strongest mode from the Black Flame Spear Summon...”

“...In that case?”

“I might have to use my trump card...”

* * *

This place is boring.

Why am I locked in here?

I can’t figure it out even after reading all the books that are piled up.

How many hundreds of years have passed since I gained self-awareness?

I thought I would listen to the humans who visit here, but my body doesn’t listen to me.

A strong killing intent overflows from the depths of my heart, and my body immediately takes action.

Ah, I’ve killed again.

What a pitiful life.

No one can satisfy my heart.

Next time. Next time.

But I end up killing.

I can’t help it.

...Gradually. I began to enjoy killing.

Humans are all fragile. The flame of life, which can be extinguished by a mere breath, is very precious, lovely, and most sacred. Therefore, I can’t help but want to take it. I can’t help but want to destroy it with my own hands.

Look, be more resilient. Live strongly and wisely. Be proud of your vitality. I will cut you down when your body jumps around.

There, it’s over! ...It’s meaningless.

When will the next one come? What kind of life will it be? How will it die? I can’t wait, I can’t wait...

My joy. My everything. The only moment I feel alive.

And.

-- It came. Finally. It arrived. My destined one.

As if it were a beloved person from a past life, I felt a strong destiny.

But my body moves. The command to kill is issued. I cannot resist the irresistible power of a god.

Ah, Ah, Ah! I will kill this one too! How... How wonderful! There is no greater pleasure—!

...!?

Suddenly, a sweet numbness pierced through my body.

It was the first stimulation I had experienced in hundreds of years. Why? How? I feel a threat to my life! Me, me!

Gah...!

I can’t move my hands or feet! Me, me! Is this possible!? No! It’s impossible! But it’s happening!

F, u...! The pain is accumulating! This, ah, this is the first time...!

G...h...!

...G...g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g, g