Chapter 25

  Finally, I’m healed. Hallelujah! I was a bit scared I’d croak while those two picked apart every conspiracy theory. But now all my bones are back to normal. Including my spine. I can stand… and walk… Having a healer buddy is insanely handy. Like having a friend who’s a taxi driver. And Aiden’s Halloween-inspired idea was brilliant. Xerox’s dark-red face perfectly hid my human flaws. For good measure, they had to stitch the mask to my skin, but I didn’t complain. Just hope no one mistakes me for its owner—though that’s unlikely. Our body sizes and head shapes are totally different. Slapping on someone else’s face doesn’t make you their doppelg?nger. You’d have to be real observant to see any similarity. For extra cover, Aiden sewed my lips to the mask. Bit awkward, but it solves any lip-sync issues. He also nailed cooler horns to my existing ones. Point is, no demon’s gonna question my vibe now. How didn’t I think of this myself?

  A bit later, we left that weirdly named city and set course for hell’s gates. My story about being weakened by torture was wearing thin, so now I had to bust my ass to avoid situations where I’d need to show off my skills. I warned them I needed time to recover and get back to my usual state—which isn’t exactly badass, but decent enough.

  - You should stretch your legs. – Nimus said out of nowhere, like he was reading my mind. – Nothing gets you back on your feet like a good kill.

  His words threw me, especially since a monster the size of a hot-dog cart appeared on the horizon right then.

  - Nah… I’m not ready…

  - I insist.

  - We don’t have time!

  - Trust me, I know what I’m talking about. I’ve been there. If anything, I’ve got your back.

  - Great… You gonna cover me before or after it bites my head off?

  - C’mon, move! – Damn Nimus shoved me forward and stepped back quick.

  Should’ve kept my mouth shut. The massive beast charged right at me. For some reason, it didn’t run from my terrifying face but sped up, eager for a quick snack. I ran like that too, back when I’d sprint to BigBurger across from campus after class. Their fries were divine… Shit, focus! Wipe the drool and put on a doomed expression! Perfect, let’s go.

  Fuck… Can’t show weakness, or Nimus might suspect something. Am I really about to fight this thing? It’s the size of a Boeing! Furious yellow eyes, like train headlights, closed in fast, and I just stood there, trying not to shake. Reminded me of my idiot classmates who’d stand in front of trains and jump away at the last second. I’d watch, wondering how I’d explain to their parents why their kid turned into a pizza. (Pizza… Damn it, not again…) Wait, who’s talking? I’m the one who ended up as pizza, while those morons are probably still living it up.

  This thing’s way stronger than me. But I’ve got an edge in reaction speed. Problem is, my body’s too slow to use it. Awesome setup. Like being handed a six-barrel gatling gun with no ammo and told to fight hand-to-hand. The twitchy technique helps, but it’s no cure-all. All I can do is perfectly calculate my moves. And the monster’s moves. Gauge its reaction speed and use its momentum against it. I gotta think several steps ahead. Fuck, this isn’t some hardcore survival sim—it’s goddamn chess! (Wait… People keep calling any game with more than one choice “chess.” Ever dive into chess theory? If you don’t know ten thousand outcomes for every opening, you’re just a loser! Scratch that.) Fuck, this isn’t some hardcore survival sim—it’s goddamn checkers!

  I step to the side. The kitty reacts. I dart the other way. It turns after me. Its momentum drags its hind legs forward, sending it skidding. Shit… This is such a bad idea. Where’s Nimus? Does he even see this monster the size of a Chinese freighter barreling at me? A few steps from impact, I dodge again and dive under its paws. I calculated it perfectly, so I came out unscathed, while the demon, off-balance, tumbled across the ground. Main phase done. No matter how fast I think, stopping a beast the size of Easter Island is beyond me. While that fucker the size of Mercury tried to stand, I closed the gap like young Cristiano Ronaldo and stabbed its neck with my dagger. I unleashed a magic surge through the blade, straight into its guts, bypassing its aura. The demon’s bright yellow eyes popped like eggs in a microwave. Its dead body twitched for a few seconds. (I’ve never actually seen eggs explode in a microwave, and I’m not even sure they do.)

  Phew… I did it. Easier than I thought. Now this demon seemed only slightly bigger than a cow. Not so scary, unless it’s… two kitties. Seriously. A few hours later, I had to kill two at once. Nimus’s idea of “gradual progress” is apparently a geometric curve. But I put on a masterclass in not dying. I even got into it. Started enjoying it. Am I turning into an adrenaline junkie? Later, I was the one hunting these freaks. Manipulating their reactions with perfectly timed moves and using their momentum against them was fun as hell. With electric stimulation, I sped up my body a bit. And I finally nudged my agility stat forward.

  This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

  / Race --- Half-Demon /

  / Level --- 24 /

  / Class --- Slave (1%) /

  / Base Stats: /

  / Strength --- 39(+6) Endurance --- 46(+6) Agility --- 29 Magic Power --- 75(+1) Mana --- 112(+11) /

  / Skills: /

  / Concentration --- 135 / Sensitivity --- 127 / Mana Control --- 124 / Thinking --- 112 / Stamina --- 109 /

  / Element --- Lightning /

  / Titles: Martyr /

  Hell yeah, a clutch skill. Made things way easier. I’m practically untouchable to these monsters now. Dodge, strike, shock, retreat, repeat… No stops. No overthinking. Pure, ruthless kills. I’m so fucking awesome… Hold up! Gotta fight the narcissism. But how, when I’m this badass? Look how I shredded those demons. Three at once! A regular human with an AK wouldn’t stand a chance. I’m at least better than your average isekai loser! Narcissism’s progressing fast… Good thing it’s not Nazism. They say everyone’s good at something. But that only applies to people good at something. Sleeping well doesn’t count. Even that wasn’t my forte in my past life. So, all this time, my main talent was enduring torture? Lame skill. But now I’m a goddamn demon hunter. Badass… Not embarrassing to mention at a class reunion. Wait, no, still embarrassing…

  We pressed on confidently. The scrawny chick turned into a fierce falcon. I’d killed dozens of these creatures, plus way more of those dog-like ones. Nimus was a bit worried about my hobby. He thought I was overdoing it, but he can’t grasp the real reason. I was killing demons ‘cause I was high on my own badassery. Slaughtering them became fun. Kept me from boredom. Just gotta control myself, or I might turn into a sociopath. I’m on the right track, though. But if I do, it’s not my fault. I didn’t torture myself for three years. Society’s to blame!

  With my mood slightly lifted, we followed the familiar path, skirting a small mountain range. Then, by some cosmic fuckery (screw the heavens…), we ran into Kalh and Kalid. Out of all the demons in this shitty hell, only two could see through my mask—and we bumped right into them.

  I’m done…

  - Guys? What a surprise. – Nimus greeted them cheerfully.

  - Yo, we were looking for you. – Kalh replied with a creepily wide grin.

  - Listen, Nimus, here’s the thing… Where’s that, succubus? – Kalid asked.

  Nimus glanced at me. I subtly shook my head.

  - Uhh… I dunno. – My accomplice looked nervous as hell. I’m fucked.

  - You were supposed to take him to the gate.

  - Right… I did.

  - Seriously? It’s almost a month’s walk.

  - Really? Didn’t notice. We just… just…

  - Nimus, these your friends? Well, I won’t keep you. Catch ya, buddy. – I lowered my voice as much as possible and turned to leave.

  - Wait! – Kalh called after me. Yeah, fuck you, I’m deaf.

  - Hey, I’m talking to you! – He insisted.

  - Oh, sorry, you mean me? I hear bad after torturing a real loud guy for forty years.

  - Ha, know the feeling…

  - You need something?

  - Nah… Dunno… Your face seems familiar. Where’ve I seen you?

  - Don’t think we’ve met. I’d remember a fine demon like you. (Aiden, you’re the man. Your disguise is top-tier!)

  - Look, we’re hunting a human. Seen anything?

  - Nope, nothing.

  - Alright…

  - Good luck, guys! (Legs, legs, legs, legs!!!)

  - No, Elon, wait! This isn’t right! We gotta tell them! – Nimus’s voice hit like a kick to the balls, graying the hair on my ass.

  No…

  NONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  WE DON’T GOTTA TELL THEM SHIT!!!

  God, why? Why this karmic black mark?

  - You’re right, buddy. – I sighed heavily, pausing for effect. – Alright, actually, we saw him. Some guys in that city are having fun with him. They asked us not to tell, so sorry for not saying right away. Nimus’s friends are my friends. If you head there now, you might catch what’s left of him. I gotta go. Later.

  - Enough lies! We can trust my friends! Listen up. It’s secret and dangerous. Everything Ksiron told you is bullshit. He’s plotting a coup against the lord to seize power. And Elon… – The dumbass pointed right at me. – He’s no human. He’s a half-breed, the lord’s son, and the one who exposed the traitor. That’s why the master wants him found!

  My eye twitched. Don’t know how many facepalms it’d take to express this feeling.

  - Hold up, hold up… Him? – Kalid double-checked.

  - Aiden disguised him with Ksafraks’s face.

  - That’s where I saw you! Been racking my brain… – Kalid lit up.

  - Nimus… What the fuck did you just say? – Kalh asked calmly.

  - We’ve got proof.

  - Oh, really? – I wanted to say, but Kalh beat me to it.

  - Uh, no… But we’re trying to get it.

  - How?

  - We’re heading to the gate to intercept a secret message.

  - The gate… Got it… – Kalh sighed. – Hey, what’s-your-name, Elon? Come here a sec.

  - I’m good right here…

  - Wait, Kalh, you don’t believe me?

  - Listen, you dumb fuck, one more word, and I’ll kill you. This guy already played us like idiots once. Not happening again. Good thing we didn’t tell the master we saw him. We’re lucky today. – Fuck… Why’s everyone lucky but me? Kalh’s sinister grin promised a shit-ton of pain. He approached slowly while his buddy stood by, waiting for the show. Can I outrun them?

  - Dunno how, but this guy killed two demons and escaped the torture chamber. We also found Mary’s mangled body at her place. He might be dangerous.

  - No, stop! – Nimus shouted, lunging to block his friend, but a sharp blow sent him rolling.

  Looks like my tongue won’t save me this time. Gotta use other body parts. Am I really about to fight? Running’s not an option. Only these two know about me, and I have to take them out somehow. This moment was bound to come. Open combat against a demon. Kill or be killed. Or be caught and tortured forever. No, I’m done with that shit! As Cave Johnson said: “When life gives you lemons, don’t make lemonade. Make life take the lemons back!”

  I gripped a dagger in each hand. Thought acceleration! Ready! And the final touch—strike a badass pose. Oh yeah, baby… Come on, bitch. Time to tear your demon ass apart!

  Kalh charged. Aggression poured from his skin. The fight was on!

  Wait, hold up. Was my thought acceleration always this weak? Feels like I slowed time more before. System crash? Did I get nerfed? Ohhh, okay. Just Kalh moving way too fast. Fucking great.