Chapter 32

“I’m still a human . ”

Nevertheless...

I still have my own suspicions .

Why is that monster not shooting it’s beam from there? n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

Isn’t that beam powerful enough to penetrate the wall I’m hiding on?

It definitely knows that I’m lurking somewhere around here .

However, it hasn’t shot another beam at all .

Something— is it aiming at something?

[Hmm?]

Becha~! Docha~! Becho~!

Something that looks like a sludge fell down from a little distance away from my position .

Has the Soul Eater finally released itself?

What’s happening?

[!]

The sludge combined together and is slowly changing it’s shape .

It’s in the shape of a human .

If I were to compare it to something, it’s like an elaborate art made out of clay .

It was as if I was seeing the creation of a statue made of clay in fast-forward .

Finally, three humanoids that were colored in bluish purple rose from the clay .

I’m used to seeing humanoid monsters in this ruins but...

I can’t feel some strange eerieness when I look at that head part of the humanoid monsters .

The monsters’ head have a strange appearance that looks like a vertical human lips .

What the heck, these monsters were...

creepy .

And with the subtle vibrations I can feel on my feet, I know that the Soul Eater is slowly approaching here .

It’s slow, but it’s moving towards here .

[...tsk! For the time being, I should invoke

Bleeaarrrggghh~!

[—uwahhh!?]

Something came out of the monsters’ mouth-like head .

It was the head of a human which was drained out of its blood .

The facial expression of the human head looks like it had cried out a lot of tears .

No, is this the face of agony?

It’s also possible this is the face of someone who was crushed by despair...

[I see...]

I have finally understood .

This is what was called a “reproduction” .

The true nature of this Soul Eater is the same as what the lizardmen does .

It’s showing me what my unsightly death would be like in this disposal ruins .

The faces of the disposed people that it had killed .

The facial expression on their faces when they’re about to die .

It’s likely that these were the collection of the Soul Eater .

Did it transcribe the expressions of the souls it captured towards this head that it spit out?

I can’t give a definite answer to that .

Anyway, this monster is now showing this to me .

“See this? Can you see the pathetic expression of your companions?”

Give me some responses .

Please .

This is the Soul Eater’s— amusement .

Cold sweat flowed down on my face .

A stiff smile started forming on my mouth .

[So you too, huh...? The monsters in this place really are... . sigh... All of you have this kind of distasteful hobby...]

Drip, drop... drip, drop...

These zombies who have the faces of the disposed people were slowly approaching me .

[... . fu . ]

I could hear it’s every step as the zombie walks near .

The human base of the monster is a grief-stricken face, but this also increases the eeriness of the monsters .

Their faces— they looks like they’re begging for help .

[———]

◇

I took a step back away from the zombie .

[Don’t f**king... mess with me...]

These monsters were different from the ones I’ve faced from the past .

Yes— different .

I’ve certainly fought humanoid monsters before .

But,

[I know that the one I’m facing is not “human”... but these guys... these guys looks almost like a human . . !]

They certainly look like humans .

But the emotions they held in their eyes, clearly tells me they are not .

Gogogogogogogogogogogogogo...

piikkii, biikkkiii, ppiiisshhhhiii—

dogagagagagagagagaaannnnn~!

The wall diagonally to my left collapsed .

In there, a huge human face has appeared along with the vibration on the ground .

The part that looks like its body is quadrangular shaped and looks similar to a gate .

The front section consists of the stone statue that looks like a human’s face .

The back section looks like the body of a catfish where it’s made out of the fusion of flesh, stone and earth .

The middle part, its main body has several of these tentacle-like flesh that extends out of its body .

A fleshy black tentacle .

It kind of resembles sea anemones

Its movement though looks like a seaweed that sways around at the bottom of the sea .

It doesn’t look like the hair of the Soul Eater .

The tip of the tentacles emits a faint yellow light .

Is that—

—perhaps, that beam earlier had came out from the end of those tentacles .

[!]

Red, blood-like liquid came flowing down from its closed eyes .

It’s like the monster is crying tears of blood .

Katchak...

The mouth of the Soul Eater opened wide .

The red liquid also started spouting out from its mouth .

And,

[Hiiieeeeaaaa! aa– ahh– agghhhuuaa! ggiiihhhiieeeaaahhh–!]

It released an ear-piercing scream as it pukes out a disgusting blood-like liquid from its mouth .

It seems that its scream distorted and there are crackles in its voice .

It’s no longer just the voice you can hear in your favorite horror movies .

It had become an ear-piercing shriek .

The shouts suddenly stopped as the Soul Eater closed its mouth .

Suuu...

The Soul Eater has now opened its eyes albeit thinly .

Its mouth started forming a smile .

Its eyes glowed golden .

With its emotionless eyes, it looks like its laughing at me— or so I think it looks like .

[This guy—]

This monster is enjoying this situation...

. . of hunting me down .

[.........]

Even so, there are still no openings at all .

I can’t find any opening .

This is not a time to stare at an opening I can’t find at all .

I need to find an indication where I could release my Abnormal State Skill against it, even if I have to raise that indication myself .

I have to make sure that my second shot certainly hits .

This time, it might be possible that I could hit a part of its body .

I could hear the sound of the approaching viscous footsteps .

I turned towards where I heard the sound of footsteps .

These zombies who have the faces of the disposed people were approaching me .

[Furthermore... d*mn it! Manipulating the souls of the deceased person like this, this is...]

The zombies who have that bluish purple liquid dripping down on its body is nearly approaching .

I stick out my left hand towards the direction of the approaching zombies .

[Guhhh...! Pa—]

I could feel the presence of someone staring closely at me .

My sweat drips down on my face .

I opened my eyes wide .

I’m clenching my teeth .

And as if to make up my mind, I opened my mouth .

[!]

The usage of my skill was not obstructed .

The three zombies have stopped moving .

The paralysis has been successful .

I looked towards the Soul Eater .

It’s like a spectator was just observing me .

My arm was not facing your way .

So, there is no reason for you to intercept, huh...

Ignoring my heavy breaths, I focus my attention towards the three zombies .

My voice quivers .

[N, next is—]

The sorrowful expressions on their faces .

The expression of those who weep .

The expression of those who wants salvation .

[Ppo– ,... uuwwaahhhhf*ckaahhhh!]

I looked toward the heavens .

[I’ve done it... ngh!]

I grit my teeth with all of my strength .

[Although it’s towards a man who is half-dead already... I still targeted someone who has the form of a human! This cruel poison skill of mine— I’ve used it on him! You’ve got to be kidding me!]

Tears flowed down from the corner of my eyes .

They were disposed people who died in this hell-like ruins .

In other words,

[They are not my friends...!]

I glared at the Soul Eater baring all the hatred that I have .

[I — I’m not going to fall in this place! Humans’ souls are not some kind of toy for you to play with! That’s why against this “comrades” of mine, I’m able to use my poison skill! I’ve used it on them! They’re monsters after all... no matter if my target has a “human” form... No matter what hateful things you expect me to do, towards them... I’m able to use my poison ability against them! T, That’s why I—]

Buwwaahh...

My tears came flowing down endlessly .

[I’m still a human...!]

Niiiii~

Baring my fangs out and facing the Soul Eater...

I showed a wide smile that reached towards my eyes .

Becha~

Bicha~

Docha~!

Docche~...

Suddenly, 20 additional sludge appeared around me .

Those additional sludge immediately morphed towards a humanoid form .

Nyururiiinnn~

Another set of human heads came out from their humongous vertical lips .

The despair-filled expressions of the heads appeared in front of me again .

It’s like a parade of the dead have begun .

The pack of newly appeared zombies look like they’re trying to surround me .

Drip, drop... drip, drop...

[D-Don’t come near me...]

I covered my face with my right hand .

I staggered a bit as I was taking a step back .

[S- Stop...]

Even if, this monster had imprinted the memory of the soul of the dead into those zombies .

Even if the one it’s imprinted to was just a replica of the original owner .

It could be said that the zombies were the siblings of the disposed humans .

Or they could just have been resurrected from the dead .

The appearance of the multiple discarded people keeps coming out again and again .

[My comrades, w-we...!?]

Please, bestow upon me...

My feelings .

A miracle for just for me, once again...

My arm has begun to tremble little by little .

[Don’t come near me...]

I’m slowly being cornered...

. . towards the wall .

In front of me were the horde of dead people .

Behind the horde of dead people— is the Soul Eater .

The Soul Eater is slowly approaching too .

Nikkaannn~!

The Soul Eater have a bright smile on its face .

A smile so bright that it looks like the sun is shining right on your face .

His lined-up white teeth makes me feel uncomfortable .

Even his swelling gums were showing up a little with that smile of his .

It’s enjoying the despair that I’m feeling .

It’s thoroughly digesting it .

It had finally met it’s best prey .

Having such an expression...

This guy was having too much fun...

It was at that time .

A large amount of pallid spirits that have the figure and the faces of humans, writhed out from the upper body of the Soul Eater .

It’s a ghost who has black eyes and mouth .

Its large mouth began to open .

[Huuwwwwwwooooooooooohhhhh~! Uwwwwooooohhhhhhhhh—!]

It’s as if the ghost was pleading to be released from its distressful restraint towards its body .

As if getting infected by the ghost, the souls nearby made a requiem filled with their own despair .

Is this monster still tormenting the souls it had already captured, by showing them this scene?

[That’s too cruel—]

Suddenly, a chill ran through my spine .

My teeth had been chattering, right down to its roots .

The most demonic of all demons...

This Soul Eater is a devil .

[Uwwahh!?]

I found that my back is already against the wall .

It seems I can’t escape anymore .

I don’t have the energy to escape... anymore .

My legs were frozen in fear .

My whole body has been overtaken by fear, freezing me where I stand .

I’m scared,

I’m scared,

I’m scared .

. . of the approaching dead people .

. . of the approaching Soul Eater .

[S- Stop there...]

I will absolutely die .

[Stop it already... I’m begging you... D- don’t come near me... Stay away, stay away, stay away, stay away, stay away, stay away, stay away, stay away, stay away!!!]

The Soul Eater opened its mouth wider than before .

The swaying of its tentacles became faster and more violent .

Niikkkkaahhh~!

The tears of blood continued flowing on the Soul Eater’s face, and yet it’s showing the brightest smile it has .

It’s like it’s trying to say— how the Soul Eater is filled with joy right now .

It feels good .

“It’s the best!”

◇

Yes, it’s the best .

Right now... is the best .

As far as the Soul Eater is concerned, right now is the best time .

And right at this moment, is the moment that the Soul Eater have been waiting for .

That’s why this result has appeared .

~

~

An opening .

[——]

~

~

Bikkii~

Pisshhii~

Pikkkiii—

[Giii...!?]

Through the gaps between my fingers as I cover my face with my hand, I could see that the Soul Eater have been successfully seized .

When I had been invoking my towards the first three zombies, I’ve never lowered my left arm ever since I had stretched my arm forward .

Being cognizant of my target right in front of my eyes .

Pointing my arm towards my target .

The requirements for my skills, the two of them have been successfully— met .

[... . ggiiiiii!? Ggggii!?]

The expression on the Soul Eater’s face had completely changed .

Its movements have completely stopped .

[That’s it...]

I stared at the Soul Eater through the gaps in between my fingers .

At the moment that you have cornered your prey—

[The fatal weakness that all of the haughty people carries...]

The moment that you had thought that you were better than your opponent .

The moment when you had thought that you had already won .

That’s also the moment where your greatest enemy would appear—

—which is negligence .

Together with that negligence would be a gap where you can’t notice anything .

And that’s gap is where I’d push through .

. . with my Abnormal State Skill, Paralyze .

Lv 2 → Lv 3

Finally, the trembling within my body have stopped .

My tears have also disappeared .

It’s all just, fake acting .

[Ggiiii! Nuuggiiiihhh! Ugghhuu, iiiggggggyyyyiiihhhh!?]

The Soul Eater is frantically moving its body .

Clenching it’s teeth, it’s struggling hard to be able to move .

But, it can’t move .

Its golden eyes resembles those who have glared too much that it had became red .

Thick veins that looks like blood vessels started showing in the white of its eyes .

The human-faced stone is glaring at me .

Hatred, shame, killing intent...

Red liquid also began flowing down from the meat in its gums .

I glared back at the Soul Eater .

[I had to trick myself— to deceive myself . ]

I was seriously scared a while ago .

I was seriously driven to the corner .

I saw my enemy who have a “human” figure struggling just so that it could live .

It’s like I’m completely empathizing towards the “Gentle Mimori Touka” .

In short, I have became him .

So that I could deceive the Soul Eater that could see everything .

[Say— is that your favorite food?]

The sadism that the Lizardmen and those two-head panther had .

Their preference of tormenting the weak .

Their wicked desires .

Yes, these guys were expecting for something .

The frightened appearance of their prey .

Their unsightly appearance while they struggle .

I realized that the Soul Eater was just the same as them .

The clincher of why I had thought that was when the Soul Eater had shown off its collection .

That’s why I used it against him .

This has assured my victory .

This had fulfilled my wish .

That’s why I showed it to him .

The “unsightly figure of the weak” that the haughty predator had wanted to see .

[Kakaka... how was it? Was my acting that believable? Huh, Soul Eater?]

My Abnormal State Skill also works against the Soul Eater .

Is it because I’m relieved that I’m not killed by the Soul Eater or that I’m happy that my skill works against it?

My mouth had inadvertently formed a smile .

[Kuku, that’s right...]

I had always wanted to become a famous actor .

After my uncle’s family had took custody of me,

[For days, months, years—]

I’ve been trying to be harmless .

I’ve been trying to be ordinary .

I’ve been trying to be kind .

I raised one of my arms, and showed off the bloody fingertip when the Soul Eater had tried to bite off my hand .

[I have always been tricking myself— deceiving myself . ]

And then finally, I have forgotten what the “real me” is like .

[I have—]

I opened my eyes wide as I’m laughing at the emotions I’m feeling right now .

[I have always been playing the role of “Mimori Touka”, a kind and ordinary air mob . ]