“…”

“…”

“How did you find me.”

“I have my ways.”

The headquarters of the “Demon Lineage Sect” was an abandoned school. When I found Maruko, he was standing on the veranda enjoying the rain alone under an umbrella.

“Where is Tess?”

“Not telling.” He showed his trademark smile.

“… Then I’ll beat you until you do.”

“Big words there~” Maruko was completely unfazed and continued to spin the umbrella, “I should have killed you the last time, you are far too irritating.”

“Unfortunately you didn’t, and now it is I who will be doing the killing.”

“You can try~”

The veranda shook and the demonic beast emerged from behind Maruko; likely he had crawled up the surface of the building. The broadsword he brought was smashed down at me with full force. I blocked it head on and was sent crashing through several floors.

What the heck is with that strength!

There was no spare time to think at all as the demonic beast wrenched open the ceiling and jumped down the hole. If I had to withstand that weight, I would become a 2 dimensional person!

I quickly kicked away the stone blocks on my body and rolled to the window which I smashed and jumped down.

“Shuoxue, I’m counting on you!”

Piercing the sword into the building, and gripping tightly to the hilt as I fell, rubble fragments flew into my face as a long line was carved into the building.

The landing could be considered a success. Though I fell on my right leg, and most likely broke it, Shuoxue could heal it up in no time.

“I too can do Hollywood stunts!”

There was no time to think any more idle thoughts as the demonic beast followed me through the broken window and stabbed the broadsword towards me, not paying any heed to landing at all.

His movements were too fast, even faster than the elven king who could insta-kill me. I couldn’t expect to stack up damage through an advantage in speed to wear him down and if I were to avoid his attack now, he will definitely catch up to me before I can launch an attack on him. Then that would either lead to me being defeated by a blow to my back or if I were dodge, then I would be worn down and be defeated anyway. Either way, avoiding his attack is not a good idea.

So I shall turn this threat into an opportunity and attack instead!

Badump. Badump.

I stood where I landed without moving, and readied my stance to take the demonic beast’s blow head ob.

He was falling right above me, but it could be seen as ne rushing towards him as well. As hard and ferocious he may come, my sword will meet him with just as much force!

“Witness my true power?”

I slashed out toward the sky just as the giant demonic beast hit the ground.

As the dust settled.

“– Master!!”

Shuoxue yelled out from the sword.

“Your, your waist!!!”

I touched it, seems like there was a big chunk missing.

“It’s nothing, just a piece of meat…”

I smiled as I was very pleased.

“I did take an arm off him after all.”

The right arm of the demonic beast that was separated from it was lying on the ground. The blood that gushed out from the wound was a cloudy black, like ink.

The black blood made me think of the experiment sample I faced before. Its blood was green, smelly, and sticky and still made my hair stand thinking about it and I almost lost my skin trying to wash it off.

Badump Badump Badump Badump. The heart in the right side of my chest was beating vigorously, like a very efficient tractor.

This power was really great.

“I didn’t lie to you eh Shuoxue? I told you I’m going to beat the s.h.i.t out of him.”

“Wowee~ That really showed me up!”

The one who praised me was not Shuoxue but Maruko who was giving a strange cheer and clapping as he walked out of the stairway exit.

“The scales of the demons can’t even be penetrated by the best mages you know!”

“They are a bit hard when I’m cutting him, and took quite a bit of effort.”

“What sudden growth! What did you eat?”

“I used a cheat,” I answered, “Return Tess to me.”

“No no no, surely you don’t think you’ve won already?”

Maruko laughed, which seemed inexplicable and strange.

The demonic beast that was unmoving until now suddenly stretched its tongue out. That appendage was actually a tongue! I thought it was some giant snake that sprang out of his mouth and jumped away . But he wasn’t after me, his tongue wrapped around the arm and retrieved it back to his mouth like a crocodile.

He bit the arm and swallowed it whole.

“…”

Even if you’re hungry, surely you don’t have to eat your own arm right!? That is probably your girlfriend as well!

The demonic beast licked its lips with satisfaction and I finally understood why it did so. At the place where he was cut, a new arm was slowly growing out!

Maruko walked to the demonic beast’s side, and lovingly caressed the blood covered new arm.

“‘Rapid Recovery’, the demon race’s spell, I learnt it from the Pentacle. Limbs can grow out within seconds, making the best healing spells of humans seem like child’s play.”

He stared at me, with a meaningful look.

“You know it too?”

I touched my waist area, the parts that were torn out were as good as new.

“… Guess.”

“Huhu, interesting~ If both sides know Rapid Recovery, and fight to the death, what would happen huh?” Maruko said with great interest.

As he said those words, the demonic beast slowly got up, his breath loud as thunder.

“What a pain…”

I tensed up my body and paid attention to his every move.

I know, that this fight, had just begun.

We fought for G.o.d knows how long.

The ground was riddled with pits and large pieces of b.l.o.o.d.y flesh were all over, some red some black, the red was mine and the black was the demonic beast’s. There was so much blood that the rain could not wash it away.

Our bodies were repeatedly destroyed and regenerated as we crossed swords and fought tooth and nail.

I leaned against the school building wall and sat down as I gasped painfully, lowering my guard.

My brain was showing signs of severe hypoxia, and I was utterly exhausted. Rapid Recovery had used up a lot of my mental and physical vitality. Its core logic was to use energy within the caster’s body and channel it towards regeneration, and the burden kn the caster’s body would only increase with repeated usage.

The demonic beast need not be concerned with this side effect as he was being controlled. Just like how the people controlled at the Oracle Plenary would awaken shortly after being knocked out, Maruko could forcefully continue the battle as he controlled the demonic beast, until the body was finally destroyed.

I only realised this when I fought, and it looks like I can no longer endure until the moment the demonic beast’s body breaks.

He wielded his broadsword and came before me, looking down arrogantly at the me who was like soft mud.

“To have held on for so long, not bad.” Maruko stood behind the demonic beast, and spoke with a tone that had a tinge of mercy, “I’ll let you rest easy.”

“…”

“I hate you, I really do. Why does Tess like such a useless trash like you?”

“… Keke.”

I think my laugh must have sounded really base.

“You really are pitiful…”

“Who’s the pitiful one here? Tess is in my arms, and you will never see her again, much less take her back.”

Maruko’s face twisted into an unhappy expression.

“No, why must I get angry over someone who is dead?” He seemed to have accepted something, and laughed once more, “You’re just barely holding on, why not I cut it off first? Who knows if you still have the vitality to heal it back~”

“Nah, forget it, too troublesome. I’ll just kill you once and for all.”

Maruko changed his mind and the demonic beast raised the broadsword.

“… Thanks to you.”

“What?”

“Thanks to you, I remembered something.”

I breathed in deeply, and eked out all the power I had left!

The distance was short! He cannot dodge this!

I held the hilt with both hands, and launch a fast and furious attack aimed at the demonic beast’s heart!

“Some organs… Cannot heal back!”

(TL: Recall back in Volume 1 where Shuoxue tells Molan that she can’t heal his “trunk” back)

The blade reached the demonic beast’s chest, it was tough! Very tough, much tougher than any other part! Just this ambush is nit enough to pierce through!

But this isn’t all there is!

My right heart pulsated at breakneck speed, almost like it was going to break out of the ribcage, and an immense power filled every part of my body. At the same time, an unbelieveably intense pain threatened to engulf me as I was exceeding the limits of my body of flesh. Tiny scales started to appear on my skin. I roared out with rage and concentrated the power onto my arms.

“IYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!”

A clear tearing sound could be heard.

A foot long ice pillar extended from the blade and pierced through the demonic beast’s chest.

I could feel its heartbeat from the hilt, it was strong and vigorous but was rapidly weakening.

In the end, it went silent.

“… I won.”

I declared my victory softly.

Not expecting my ambush, Maruko’s eyes grew wide and he looked at me like I was a monster.

“… Your power is…”

“I told you I used a cheat…”

I couldn’t pull the sword out, and I gave up and walked towards Maruko. My muscles were hurting all over, and I could barely control my limbs from trembling and walk in a straight line. My right heart was still beating but it was slowly relaxing.

“Return Tess, to me.”

Maruko stepped back with every step I took.

“No.”

“Must I beat you up once huh!? Let’s see what other strange ancient magic you know.”

Maruko looked into my eyes, and broke into a smile.

How could he be smiling now.

“I’m definitely beating you up!”

“I’m afraid you don’t have a chance~”

Just as I was considering the meaning behind his words, a black shadow flashed between us. My stomach suffered a heavy blow, and I flew backwards as blood spewed out of my mouth. As I shakily crawled up from the ground, I saw the black shadow’s form.

He pulled out the ice blade and threw it to the side.

“– How can that be!?”

Impossible! The demonic beast did not die!? I clearly destroyed his heart! Following what Shuoxue said, important organs cannot be regenerated!!!

“Just look at you~”

Maruko broke out into uncontrollable laughter.

“Hahahaha you idiot! Can you be even stupider than this???”

“Wh, what?”

“Who ever said that, my toy only has 1 heart?” Maruko finally had his fill of laughter and looked at me with utter contempt, ” Let me tell you~ He has 5 hearts okay. If you don’t destroy every one of them, don’t think you can slay him!”

I sat there in a daze.

What the heck!?

What kind of thing has 5 hearts!?!? You can’t do this!! Isn’t this cheating!?!?

“Why didn’t you tell me before!”

“Ha? You didn’t ask. Now it’s my turn.”

As he finished his words, the demonic beast stepped closer, and waves of water rose as he stepped into the puddles with his metal shoes.

As I was unarmed, my abilities were back to that of a normal person. I could only watch as he swung his broadsword and the stench of death emitted from his body came crashing down on me.

“Wait wait!” I called out, “This isn’t fair!”

“What the h.e.l.l.”

“Who knew he had 5 hearts? Information in this game was incomplete and this fight is unfair!”

“So what if it’s not fair, don’t tell me you want me to give you 3 moves? Are you r.e.t.a.r.ded?”

“Since you cheated, so will I.”

I gave a small smile.

“Surely you didn’t think… That I was alone in this fight?”

The demonic beast stopped just 1 meter away from me, and knelt down, his head hung loosely like a sculpture.

Maruko opened his mouth as he looked behind him.

“And how many hearts do you have huh?”

Shuoxue walked out from behind wearing her gothic clothing, and licked her finger on the hand she pulled out from Maruko’s back.

“So sweet!” She seemed to like it, and licked her fingers a few more times.

“… Who?”

“My sword.” I replied Maruko.

“Why didn’t… you say…”

“You didn’t ask~ So I didn’t tell you that Shuoxue can take human form.”

“Alright alright,” I shook my hand, “Enough nonsense, while you still have your breath, quickly tell me where Tess is.”