Promises Should Be Kept (1)

System Message

[ status deactivated! ]

The black aura dissipated from my body. Gasping for breath, I collapsed on the spot.

In that state, I patted myself, feeling for the body that Yuria had broken.

Every part of it was still attached. Nothing was loss.

As expected, after undoing the mutation once, it seemed like my body returned to a state where, using the Systems terms, it was restored to full HP.

Almost no sensation of it remains, though.

I flexed my fingers, barely recalling the recent memories.

Only a vague outline of them remained, blurry like an afterimage.

It felt like I was acting according to some sort of a plan, but

At that moment, even as I moved my body, everything felt Numb.

I instantly understood why Eleanor, when she was influenced by the Devils Fragments in the game and her personality was completely altered, committed such dreadful acts without blinking an eye.

How should I put it? It was like watching myself from a third persons perspective.

A chilling sensation, as if I was controlling a game character.

If possible, I didnt want to experience it again.

I let out a bitter smile.

Well, that wouldnt happen. Id definitely end up using it often in the future.

Considering what I had been through so far, I couldnt even keep track of the near-death experiences I had gone through. And those numbers would only going to increase from now on.

As I stood up, sighing, with that thought

Tatianas corpse caught on my foot.

The corpse created by my very hands.

Though I wasnt fully conscious due to the mutation while committing the act, I could still feel the sensation clearly in my hands.

I held my trembling left hand and took deep breaths.

A natural reaction to extreme stress.

In the case of Marquis Riverback, it didnt feel like killing a person. I just detonated a divine power bomb and watched him turn to ash.

This was the first time I had killed someone in such a way that made me truly feel like a murderer.

At least that was the case

As Dowd Campbell.

How fucking ridiculous of me.

I sighed and calmed my hands.

It was laughable to be mentally shaken by something like this now.

In the first place, this person deserved death anyway.

As I was thinking about this

System Log

[ Due to the acquistiion of status, Skill: Soul Devouring is acquired! ]

Such a window appeared before my eyes.

I blinked in a daze and looked at it.

The fuck was this?

[ Skill Info ]

Skill: Soul Devouring

Grade: A

Description: Collects the souls of those whose lives you have directly ended. Can be processed in various ways.

System Message

[ Skill: Soul Devouring is used! ]

[ The soul of Tatiana Grachel has been absorbed! ]

[ Soul Linker allows you to check the status of the target! ]

What?

I looked at the amulet on my wrist incredulously.

As I did so, a small window popped up above the amulet.

[ Current Collected Souls List ]

[ Tatiana Grachel ]

[ Specialty: Curse ]

[ Form: Soul ]

[ Processing Options ]

Subordinate as a familiar

Use as an enhancement material for an item

Resummon in full form (Becomes annihilated after one use)

This Wasnt too bad.

First, the options were broad. I had to start carefully weighing which options were the most effective, but fortunately, none of them seemed useless.

And more importantly

What I needed to check right now was

Caliban.

This person.

Honestly, I couldnt predict how he would react after seeing the shit that I just turned into.

Id rather not have a falling out with someone who could see right into my head.

[]

Inside Soul Linker, only deep silence returned.

As I swallowed dryly, waiting for a response

[Wow, you survived this time too.]

A nonchalant voice returned.

[How did you even survive all that? Youre too much. Its so admirable that its annoying.]

How should I put it

His response was more tame than I expected.

[Well, I mean. Wasnt that the only thing you could use in that situation? I have no intention of criticizing your means.]

No, but

There was no way a Guardian, who died fighting a Devil, would show a good reaction to a human that transformed into something Devil-like, right?

That was what I thought.

[But youre a bit Different, arent you?]

Excuse me?

[I roughly get what youre trying to justify. Just like you said, I understand immediately since I have actually fought a Devil myself.]

Caliban answered with a slight chuckle.

[Thats not a Devil, but something else, isnt it?]

[Its just similar in form and optimized to accept a Devils aura, right? The feeling is a bit different.]

I could only blink, dumbfounded.

An incredibly accurate observation.

In the first place, A Devil was a being that could not be artificially created, no matter how much one tried.

And if I had really transformed into such a thing

System Log

[ All the Demonic Aura stored in the Fallens Seal is consumed. ]

[ You must interact sufficiently with a Devil and accumulate enough Demonic Aura for Mutation to be possible! ]

[ The third evolution of the Fallens Seal occurs once enough Mutations have accumulated! ]

[ Number of Mutations Used: 1/4 ]

There was no way something like this would pop up.

If I was a Vessel harboring a Devils Fragment, there would be no need for the aura of a different Devil to mutate into such a form.

[Thats right. So, forget about the excuses and justifications. After all, I think I roughly understand what you want to do with it.]

Calibans voice continued.

[You. Youre scheming something for those ladies possessed by Devils, arent you?]

I just scratched my head without saying a word.

He wasnt wrong.

After all, Devils were beings assigned as the Final Bosses in the game.

So

For humans harboring such entities to reach a Happy Ending

I, too, needed to prescribe some deadly poison as medicine.

To be more specific

Even if it was just because of that ominous bitch wearing a mask, it was even more needed.

Because of her, the entire scenario was heading in an unpredictable direction, like a train derailed from its tracks.

[Thats what worries me.]

This answer trickled out.

Contrary to before, it was a bit more serious.

[Such a convenient story cant exist without any sacrifice, right?]

[Whats the price youre paying? Theres no way there isnt one.]

Of course, there was.

But, that was a problem for later.

It wasnt like there were no solutions at all.

And more importantly

Eleanor.

I needed to take care of this person first.

As the Cursed Spear embedded in the wall disappeared, I cautiously approached Eleanor, who was lying on the ground.

It seemed like the effects of the sealed Fragment were gradually reappearing due to the influence of the Cursed Speech, as wounds on her body were rapidly regenerating.

Eleanor, are you okay?

As I spoke, Eleanor slowly lifted her head to look at me.

Unlike her usual emotionless demeanor, her current mood seemed to be filled with gloominess.

System Message

[ Target Eleanor is feeling an extreme sense of powerlessness. ]

[ Target Eleanor makes an important decision. ]

[ A Special Event between target Eleanor and target Gideon occurs! ]

Eh?

What?

Gideon?

?

No like, the fuck was up with powerlessness? What the hell was the important decision? And what in the ever living fuck was this Special Event?

It was a message I would never have imagined seeing in this situation.

I am fine.

Eleanor answered weakly and struggled to get up.

As I reached out my hand to help her

Eleanor cautiously pushed my hand away.

Eleanor?

As I spoke in a questioning manner, Eleanor bit her lip briefly.

Then, a low, subdued voice trickled out.

I dont deserve to receive something like this.

What? What is that supposed to-

Could you let me be alone, just for a moment?

Please, Dowd. Just for a little while.

I just need some time to sort out my thoughts.

With that, she walked down the hallway with slumped shoulders as I watched her back in bewilderment.

[Leave her be.]

Such a voice came from within Soul Linker.

What?

[No matter what you say now, it probably wont change her reaction, so you dont need to reassure her. I understand how she feels, you see. One things for sure though; It wont harm you or affect you negatively later on.]

Caliban chuckled and continued.

[Dowd. I mean this with all my heart when I say this, but]

Yes.

[Go to hell.]

What is with you all of a sudden?

[Just because. Im sickened by how you have such a devoted lady clinging onto you.]

What is bro yapping about?

Youre spouting shit that only you can understand.

Hey! Are you alright?!

As I looked at Soul Linker incredulously, I heard a voice from behind me.

It was Hatan, who detected the shitfest that was happening and came running alone.

Whatisall this?

And then

As he scanned the scene, he immediately swallowed his words at the disaster.

It was to the point where, upon seeing Tatianas body, he lost his ability to speak and just stared at me blankly.

There seems to be a lot to hear from you.

Hatan spoke while looking like a headache was creeping up on him.

Of course, I agreed with him.

Although it seemed a bit off-topic

Strictly speaking

I did save the Forge of Struggle at least two or three times.

Excuse me, War Chief Hatan.

What is it?

Uh, you see, its just a reminder, but

As such, it was not simply about hearing my situation.

Get ready to be absolutely stripped of all your money.

Hand over my reward.

Every single bit of the good stuff.

When Riru Garda regained consciousness, the sun had already almost finished setting.

!

As she abruptly sat up and looked around, she found herself in the infirmary of the Forge of Struggle.

It seemed like someone had brought her here after she lost consciousness on top of the sea.

Her last memory was of being held in the arms of Dowd Campbell, her strength fading until her eyes closed.

He had held her tightly until then.

Almost like a lover.

Recalling this, Rirus face turned bright red.

But soon after, she quickly shook her head, realizing now as not the time for such thoughts.

Theres a lot I need to find out.

First, she needed to check what happened after she fell unconscious.

With that thought, Riru, who tried to get off the bed, suddenly groaned from the pain engulfing her entire body.

Her head hurts.

The pain was sharp and piercing throughout her body, but the headache almost felt as if it was splitting her head apart.

[Are you awake?]

Moreover, bizarrely, she was even hearing a voice in her head.

It was as if it wasnt coming from someone next to her but echoing from inside her ears.

[That isnt because of the headache, though.]

Riru blinked, feeling like the voice was reading her mind.

[We talked once before, Riru. Didnt I say wed meet again soon?]

With those words

A translucent figure, identical to Riru herself, appeared before her eyes.

There was no other way to describe it.

After all, it was unmistakably Rirus own figure.

Though for some reason, she was not wearing a single thread of clothing.

[Mmm Indeed, it really does work. This is quite shocking.]

[Even considering that Im the weakest among my sisters, to think that communication is possible even without gathering two Fragments.]

As she stood agape at this sight, the naked, translucent Riru floated in the air, giggling.

[Well, so the reason Ive revealed myself like this is because theres something we need to Receive from Dowd Campbell, you see]

And to the speechless Riru, she continued talking.

With a voice dripping with arousal and seductive allure.

[Riru. Shall we go do something nice together?]

Riru had no idea what that nice thing could be, but

Without a doubt

It was definitely not about doing something healthy and progressive together.

You can rate/review this series here.