Chapter 69

"Hmm... Did he destroy the source of immortality itself?"

-It's a bit different. To me, it feels like he scattered the fundamental system.

"What did Surt put in that sword?"

At this point, it's not unreasonable to say that a human created a weapon capable of killing a god.

Since the power of immortality destruction is not something I possess, I can't understand its mechanism.

I did learn a lot from him, but he also has crucial things that I haven't yet realized.

-Other factors that doubled its power include the long maturation time and the legendary quality of the materials. It's not like simple immortality destruction would apply in all cases.

I knew something formidable would be born.

A strange feeling made my mouth feel dry.

"For now... let's think about the complicated stuff later."

I said calmly, turning my gaze to one spot.

Then I smiled at the empty air.

"Hide well."

BOOM!!

As soon as I finished speaking, the air seemed to ripple momentarily.

But the red sword energy I released cut through the air even faster.

"Show me a hair, brat."

* * *

BOOM!!

An enormous explosion.

The vampire Fedkid fled in a panic without looking back.

If caught, he would die!

Instinctive fear dominated his entire body.

'I'll die! If caught, I'll really die!'

He didn't even think about why he, a proud noble, had to flee so disgracefully.

All he could think about was escaping from that mad human.

'That guy is not normal!'

When the demon he sent to provoke the guy was so easily cut down, and when the guy discovered him without any warning and gave a chilling smile, he had already discarded all his dignity and fled.

BOOM!! BOOM!!

"Show me a hair, I said."

Shuddering, he reflexively threw himself to the ground, rolling as a red trajectory appeared where his neck had been.

"Ugh!!"

"You didn't pay, sir."

The human who approached him, taunting him just as he had provoked him with the beast, showed no signs of fatigue despite running a considerable distance.

"Damn human!!"

Spewing curses, he reflexively threw himself to the ground again.

At first, he hadn't expected this. No, at first, he had underestimated the situation.

The opponent was just a human, after all. When he first received the mission, he couldn't understand why his superior and master, the high vampire Face, had given such an order.

They were proud nobles. There was no reason to put so much effort into catching a mere human.

Moreover, his master Face was a transcendent being beyond the norm of vampires! Fedkid, who had received his favor, was a mid-level vampire but boasted of possessing powers not inferior to a high vampire.

The demon he controlled was so powerful, thanks to the immense favor, that even a human Swordmaster would find it hard to kill easily.

He had planned to play with the human by instilling fear with the demon's power.

But all of that was just his assumption, his delusion.

BOOM!!

"Keh!"

The monstrous human who suddenly appeared and pinned him down triggered a frantic survival instinct.

"Wh-What are you? H-Haa! What are you doing?! Stop it!!"

"What am I doing? It's a love embrace!"

"..."

In the moment of silence, Fedkid instinctively realized the guy was truly insane.

"Come on, life is more fun with a bit of play. Do you really have to make me gay?"

The human, who seemed to be complaining to no one, soon pinned Fedkid down and, using only his index and middle fingers, forcefully stabbed him.

"Ugh!!"

Intense pain made his body stiffen like a rock, and he smiled with satisfaction.

"Now you're being good."

"M-My body! What did you do to me, human! You lowly creature, do you want to die? Release me!"

Ignoring his violent outburst, the human shrugged.

"I'll release you later, but first, I have something I want to confirm."

His calm tone was filled with confidence that he would get the information he wanted.

I'm known for being tight-lipped even among vampires!

I won't tell you what you want, you won't get anything, he thought, but then he froze at the human's words.

"Really? Sorry, but I know a perfect magic that can check what's inside someone's head."

Such a thing can't exist, he thought.

But soon, Fedkid couldn't help but scream at the bizarre purple flame that rose from the human's hand.

* * *

The bizarre flame, which seemed to burn like a living thing, burned his lower body in a terrifying way.

But for some reason, the dark purple flame, which looked scorching hot, didn't burn his body at all, only causing excruciating pain.

"AAAAAAH!!! It's hot! It's hot! Turn it off! Turn it off, please!!"

The vampire, who was thrashing and drooling, made Perseus frown.

-Even if he's an enemy, this is...

"Don't worry, he won't die."

-It's not that I'm worried about him dying!

"Lord Demon King, should I show mercy to someone who's trying to kill me?"

At my calm question, she frowned.

-You're right, but...

Unable to find a proper response, she hesitated, and I immediately extinguished the flame burning the guy's body.

"Well, there's a better way, no need to be barbaric."

-If you're aware, I won't stop you.

This overly kind little girl suddenly made me wonder if she was the spark that ignited a racial war in a world.

I calmly stepped on the trembling vampire.

"Keh!"

Perhaps because of the significant mental shock despite no physical injuries, his pupils rapidly dilated as if his flesh was being torn.

"Let's keep it simple."

"Ugh... Ugh..."

"First, who are you?"

"Ha... Ha... Human! I... Hiiik!"

The guy, who reflexively struggled and looked at the dark purple flame rising from my hand, trembled.

It's understandable to be scared; unlike ordinary flames, this is a curse designed to cause pain.

It gives the target an excruciating burning sensation all over their body without killing or injuring them.

Disgusting? A wicked magic?

What more can you expect from a curse with an impure purpose from the start?

Roi Ias, who taught me this magic, didn't teach it to me to use it.

He taught it to me so I could deal with such curses. However, I have a habit of using everything I have.

"More?"

"F-Fedkid! Count... Count-level noble!"

"Hmm... A mid-level trash with the power of immortality?"

The power of immortality. The source that allows nobles to exist confidently as nobles. But Fedkid must have seen it.

The demon with the power of immortality was silenced in one strike.

"If I cut you with intent, you'll die here. Next question. Your target was me, and the reason is that vampire maid, right?"

"Y-Yes!"

He wouldn't want to talk. It's true that he's tight-lipped. However, the pain I inflicted is too intense, making it hard to maintain his composure, so he's reacting involuntarily.

"Then, here's the question. Including you and the demon earlier, why do you have the power of immortality?"

He looked at me, trembling, as if deep in thought.

He wants to talk but can't, and he doesn't want to but is terrified of the pain. It's an awkward situation.

Should I give him a bit more stimulation?

I had that thought but quickly dismissed it.

"Ugh!! Grr!!"

The guy suddenly started writhing in agony.

"Hmm?"

"I choose death!"

That was the end.

His body began to swell like a bomb and then exploded.

BOOM!!

-Taboo... even a death curse, how malicious...

The final convulsive cry might not have been his intention. Perhaps it was a message from the one who placed the taboo.

Not being allowed to use the power of immortality means he was useless.

The complete silence, untouched by the power, was eerily clean.

"I expected it."

I narrowed my eyes, maintaining a safe distance from the guy who exploded into thousands of pieces.

"Is this all I can find out?"

-Dave...

She muttered, bowing her head as if apologizing.

"What are you sorry for? I asked slowly on purpose because I expected this. I'll beat the next ones who come."

Perseus closed her mouth, feeling a subtle discomfort.

* * *

A curse can be confirmed by the one who placed it whether it has been lifted or not.

What does that mean?

One of the curses I placed on Kalus has been lifted.

More accurately, it's in a dormant state.

I was honestly a bit surprised.

It's not easy to detect, yet he managed to find it.

Watching the dwarves working tirelessly on the restoration, a faint bitterness crept in.

I didn't expect it, but vampires never forgive those who tarnish their dignity.

The vampire maid named Shari, whom I killed, was of a very noble lineage, so in a way, this was an expected outcome.