Chapter 34

  And just like that, the grand battle ended in mass suicide. Only Ksiron was left standing. I didn’t expect to hijack his nervous system too, so I didn’t even make him get a piercing. He froze, realizing the chain in his hands wasn’t budging. No shit… Five hundred corpses on the other end. Aiden and his crew, meanwhile, stopped dead, hit with a mild “what the fuck” effect. As for me, I collapsed, completely drained. I’d hit my limit. Hit it? I blasted through it and shot into fucking space. Half-conscious, I saw a notification pop up:

  / Congratulations, you’ve earned an achievement! /

  // Breath of Death //

  / Condition: Kill over 100 creatures of level 100 or higher in a single attack /

  / Achievement Bonus: (None) /

  -

  Wait… That’s it? No bonuses? Just an achievement? A fucking achievement? Are you shitting me? For what I pulled off, they should be renaming cities after me! I’m itching to kill someone right now! Bring it! I can’t move, but who cares? Drag all your fucking demons here! I’ll slaughter them all, then go for whoever’s running this shitshow! You’re fucked! Open status! Status, damn it! Fuck, Ctrl+Shift+Escape!

  / Race --- Half-Demon /

  / Level 70 (42 unallocated stat points) /

  / Class --- Slave (1% experience) /

  / Strength --- 41 (+6) Endurance --- 50 (+6) Agility --- 36 (+5) Magic Power --- 90 (+1) Mana --- 162 (+10) /

  / Skills: /

  // Concentration -- 151 Sensitivity -- 149 Mana Control -- 139 Thought -- 128 Resilience -- 107 //

  / Element – Lightning /

  / Titles: Martyr /

  -

  Alright, calm down. Gotta stay positive. I’m the most optimistic optimist. I’m alive; no job to slog through; no bills to pay; no worrying about parking; not living in russia. All things considered, not so bad. I’m asking too much from this system. Good thing it even gave me experience for those suicides. So… 42 new levels! I jumped from the sixth division straight to the championship. Premier League’s still far, but I’ve got a shot. Ugh… If it weren’t for this damn penalty. No clue how many levels I’d have gained without it. Each level needs more experience than the last. Like most games. But how much more? I can’t figure out the progression pattern. Oh well… At least this system allows alternate growth. Managed to boost my skills with some push-ups, like a real human. That’s nice. Otherwise, this world would’ve lost its mind long ago. If my old life gave strength bonuses for kills instead of jail time, it’d be scary to be born.

  While I was sprawled out with the other demons, Ksiron suddenly realized my promised ritual was done. He stood alone against a thousand demons who had no clue what to do next. They’d never seen a flash mob this epic.

  - Weird… – Ksiron muttered. – I don’t feel anything. Guess that’s how it’s supposed to be.

  He raised his head proudly and marched toward the enemy. A wide, trap-like grin lit up his face. For today’s big event, he’d unpacked new armor. Polished to a mirror shine, it reflected magma’s red glow. He stood alone against an army, and it thrilled him. He genuinely believed in his uniqueness. No wonder he’d always felt destined for greatness.

  - So… Just a breath, huh? – The general filled his lungs with hot, sulfur-soaked air and blew hard at the enemy. From the other side of the barricades, it looked way less epic.

  - What’s up with him? – The demons whispered.

  - Guy’s lost his damn mind…

  - What’s he doing?

  - No idea.

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  - Wait, did they all just stab their own heads?

  - Yup… That happened.

  - Why?

  - Trying to scare us?

  - Always thought our general was a bit nuts.

  - A bit?

  - Why’s he blowing at us?

  - Better back off. What if that shit’s contagious?

  Ksiron was a tad confused.

  - Damn, shouldn’t have taken that prophet literally. He talked weird. Fine… Old-school it is.

  He raised his hands and quietly chanted.

  - Blah blah blah… Silent Fury of the Iron Kraken!

  Dozens of long chains shot into the air. Wriggling like a sea monster’s tentacles, they slammed the ground, tearing enemies to shreds. Body parts flew. The noise—screams, clanging metal, and heavy impacts—rang in everyone’s ears. Ksiron kept up the slaughter. From a safe distance, he dealt death in a wide arc until he felt his mana nearly dry. One last strike shook the earth, and the chains vanished as quickly as they appeared. When the dust settled, he saw dozens of mangled bodies. Also: dozens of boulders, ice chunks, iron spears, arrows, harpoons, globs of lava, acid, liquid nitrogen, random left boots, doggo heads, and obscene insults flying right at him. That’s when he realized one simple truth: he’d been royally fucked.

  …

  I came to in the city. Aiden sat beside me. Must’ve put in some effort to get me back on my feet. Wasted effort. Just mana exhaustion. Nothing to heal. The demons were celebrating their victory. Their way. No booze or drugs. Just cannibalism. Demons for a healthy lifestyle! Kserox was with them. No trace of his long torture remained. Aiden’s work. He looked happier than ever. Enemy blood flowed like a river under his feet. Their bodies were snacks. Ksiron was now chained to the torture post. Still alive. His gleaming armor lay in the mud, no longer hiding his battered body. The demons had swapped places. Doesn’t matter who’s right. Truth belongs to the survivor. So, if all goes well, I’ll soon beg for my ticket to freedom.

  - Yo, you’re finally awake. – Aiden said. – I was a bit worried.

  - I’m fine. Just out of mana.

  - Figured. So… How’d you pull it off? – The question was eating him alive.

  - Heh… Trade secret.

  - Why’d they kill themselves? I don’t get it… What were those chains? What even happened?

  - Let’s just say it took a shit-ton of effort. All planned from the start. (Can’t resist a little bullshit.)

  - Incredible… You really are the Lord’s son.

  - Shh. Nobody can know.

  - Oh, sorry.

  - There he is! – Kserox charged at me, grinning like a kid. – Our hero! Aiden told me everything!

  - Everything?

  - Hell yeah! Brave demon! Snuck into the city alone to save me! Tricked that idiot into charging. What a dumbass, honestly…

  - You’re overselling it.

  - Not at all! His stupidity could make a sledgehammer jealous.

  - I didn’t mean…

  - Let’s cheer for our champion!

  The demons roared, tossing up severed heads, arms, and other body parts. Guts draped buildings and necks like Christmas garlands. An eye landed on my head. Nothing new. I’m used to it.

  - So how’d you make them off themselves? Some kind of magic?

  - Yeah… A secret spell you can only use once in a lifetime.

  - Once, huh? Shame…

  - No biggie… For you, I’d do it again. (Now Kserox won’t worry I’ll pull that trick on him. Built trust and kissed ass. Two birds!)

  - I owe you my life, Elon. Ask for anything. I never forget those loyal to me.

  - You’re too generous, my lord. There is something I’d like to ask.

  - Anything in my power! But first, I wanna thank you my way.

  (His way? Sounds sketchy. Especially with demons.)

  - Your freedom is all thanks to you. As a sign of respect, I’m giving you my right to revenge. – He took my hand and placed a sword in it. – I’d love to finish that idiot myself, but I’m giving you the honor.

  (Suspicious. Is he dodging responsibility? Does he know something I don’t?)

  - Sorry, I can’t take that from you.

  - I insist.

  - Still… You suffered so much because of him. You deserve it more than anyone.

  - True. I’ve dreamed of this for years. But I didn’t achieve it alone. Fine. Let’s do it together. Refuse, and I’ll take it as an insult.

  Refuse? How could I? I’ve wanted this just as bad! That bastard’s why I’m here. Killing him once is too kind. I want to kill him every day. Every morning, before brewing coffee. Before brushing my teeth. Before leaving the house. Remotely during a walk. Twice before lunch. During breaks in my favorite show. During sex. During dinner with parents. Three times before bed and once at night when I hit the bathroom. There aren’t enough kills in the world to satisfy me!

  Ksiron hung silently on the chains. Ironic. No more pride. Reality hit him like an avalanche: no future. No present. Just endless darkness, pulling him into its tight embrace, dissolving him like a pinch of salt in hot water. Some might pity him. Not me. I had so much to say, but I can’t. Fine… I’ll match his silence with mine. Kserox and I stepped forward to the roaring cheers of triumphant demons. I gripped my sword tight, nearly snapping the hilt. The moment had come. Sweet. The blade was ready to kill. We raised our hands in unison. I glanced at Kserox; he gave a slight nod.

  - Die, scum. – He said.

  Two hands drove their swords at once. Kserox pierced his heart, and I, out of habit, went for the eye. Applause! Joy! Triumph! My body shook… Emotions I couldn’t untangle flooded me. It happened. I killed him… One step of my revenge done. I studied the hands that did it. They sang with joy, like two junkies on a high. The sounds around me faded. Everything froze. Like someone hit pause. This feeling… I’m drunk on it. I… Wait. No, the demons actually went quiet. Something’s off. Something in their eyes changed…

  / Congratulations, you’ve earned a title! /

  // Demon Slayer //

  / Condition: Kill 1,000 demons /

  / Title Bonus: +5 to all stats /

  / Title Penalty: Hostility from the demon race /

  -…

  -…

  -…

  This pause is way too fucking awkward…

  - KILL HIM!!!