(Please, if you can, could you donate a few cents? It would help me a lot during this stage of my life. Thank you. paypal.com/paypalme/HectorPikas)
(Extra - I want to rest.)
(POV - Kei)
Ugh, my skin's still crawling. It doesn't feel like I'm being watched or in danger. This feeling is more like… Ugh, I don't know how to put it into words. This unease just won't go away.
I look around. Nope, nothing at all. No hostility, no eyes on me. None of that. So why do I feel so uneasy? And the nausea won't stop. Blech.
"If you ignore it, it'll go away," I mutter to myself, rubbing my arms.
"Just post-traumatic paranoia."
Ignoring it is definitely the best move. I'll stay alert, but this feeling is new to me. What's it about…? Whatever. I'd better keep walking.
I see the Capital in the distance. I'm hungry. I'll grab something to eat. Nachos, tacos, or burgers? I'm craving… Yeah, nachos. My mouth's watering just thinking about them. Nachos it is!
… Ugh… Walking without Drin is boring. I got too used to his company, and that's bad. Relying too much on someone is counterproductive; I need to avoid feeling this way because… Because… Ugh… I don't know if he'll be with me in the future.
I shake my head. Are you seriously starting with your negative thoughts?! Calm down! Just think about something else.
La, la, la… Demons… Yeah, yeah, perfect topic after coming out of the hell arc… Mini-arc? Hey, author, don't you think you wasted the hell introduction? You could've made Desmolfer's spouses more intimidating, with better character development and a tragic backstory. Give this novel more depth…! Nooooo! Wait, wait, wait! No, no, no. On second thought, keep the demons flat and easy to manipulate. It'll make my mission easier! Hahahahaha!
Ahem… Setting aside my schizophrenia, let's get back to the demon topic.
Demons have the intelligence to match the technology of my original world: firearms, vehicles, maybe even demonic social media! I can picture Desmolfer tweeting: "Another day ruling Hell. #LoveMyJob #HuntingHeroesIsTiring."
And what does that mean? It means they have guns, and if they're like the weapons in my world, they might even have nuclear weapons.
Well, well. Demons don't just master technology; they also wield magic. Firearms combined with magic… Ugh… I need to get my hands on that tech. Will I have to go back to hell? It'll be harder; next time, security will be tighter since they know the hero Kei can get in.
Ugh, I'd better think about something else. This topic's just depressing me.
Desmolfer seems like an… excellent ruler? More than excellent, actually. No criminals, and the demons live happily.
Drin lived in a completely different place, the total opposite of that city. I guess Desmolfer thinks that if demons live in a harsh, survival-of-the-fittest environment, they'll grow stronger. That theory seemed kind of dumb to me, but considering my mother used the same methods, well… It works. If my mother was able to defeat Near not once but twice, it's possible some demon could pull off the same feat.
Well, well. There's a long line of people waiting to get in. Families with carts, merchants with their pack animals, scarred adventurers. All waiting under the scorching sun.
"Welcome," a guard says, opening the gate for me.
I can skip the line. I hate using my Molfer status, but I'm not dumb enough to waste time either.
"Hey, kid, get in li—! Hmmmph?!"
The shout cuts off abruptly as her three companions tackle her, covering her mouth so hard they nearly choke her.
"Shut up, idiot!"
"You want us to get killed?!"
They're that terrified… Well, well. This feels… Meh, nothing.
Doesn't that woman know who I am? Heh. My plan to make Crisfa more famous than Kei is paying off… Mmm…
Two identities, and both the Royal Family and my family know them. I think I need to create a new one they don't know about. I attacked hell, and soon I'll meet the Queen. It's only a matter of time before they reveal I'm the hero Kei. I need a new secret identity so I can walk around the Capital without fear.
I enter the Capital. Well, well.
I glance around discreetly, pretending to scratch my neck. Nothing. Absolutely nothing. No hidden eyes in the crowd, no suspicious shadows in the alleys. Just the usual Capital bustle: merchants hawking their goods, kids darting between adults' legs, the smell of fresh-baked bread mingling with wet grass. Everything's normal… Am I getting paranoid?
Ugh, yeah, I'd better think about something else.
Alright, I'll design the new character later and keep thinking about Desmolfer.
I didn't meet her. I wanted to see her to know if she was scary or beautiful. Drin described her as very beautiful, but I hope she's more terrifying than pretty. I mean, she's a Demon Queen, the second most powerful boss I have to face. She should have a menacing design, not just another pretty face! Author, stop adding beautiful women to satisfy your self-insert fantasies and the readers'! No more! Arghhhhh!
I wanted scars, twisted horns, maybe eyes that glow in the dark like embers, not another supermodel with infernal powers!
Ugh, I'll never understand that fantasy. Oh well… We'll see what happens.
My stomach growls again. I'm hungry and sleepy. I used up all my magical power. And using my red mode is so painful. I need a long rest and tons of food!
Let's see, a cheap restaurant around here… How much money can I spend today? I can't afford to splurge; I'm saving up because I need a ton of money for "that."
Maybe I should sell my magic dust… No, I can't afford to waste magical energy.
Luna's the only hero from my world. I'll ask her if she's told the other heroes stories from our world. If she hasn't, I'll steal the stories and pretend I wrote them. I'll sell them and make a fortune. I feel bad for the original authors, but it's for a greater good.
Well, well. "Grandpa's Stew" looks like a decent option. Simple and smells good.
And it's got a pretty eye-catching sign of an Orc bathing in a cauldron, looking thrilled to be boiled alive. What a creepy cartoon. Let's see what it says… Ugh. "Today: Orc testicle soup."
"Who eats that?" I ask out loud, full of disgust.
"Women, young man," says an old man sitting on a nearby bench.
I'd heard about it, but I never dared try it, and I probably never will. Not like I need it anyway.
"They say it gives them… vigor."
I grimace. Sure it does.
Well, well. Now that I think about it, I haven't given Eris her gift. This damn stress is getting in the way.
"Kei!!"
That voice… Please don't hug me; my body still hurts.
Diama hugs me tightly, squeezing out what little air my damaged lungs can hold. My red mode lets me push past my limits, yeah, but after using it, my body takes time to fully recover, even with healing magic. My body's 100% healthy, but my organs aren't functioning right. I'm still researching why.
Huh? Whoa! My lungs filled with blood! Damn, this is bad for my health… And she's grown more! She's huge! I feel tiny. Did she grow that much in such a short time? And… Well, well. This feels different. She feels different. What's this feeling?
"H-hi, Diama."
"Your hair smells so good, Kei."
S-she's sniffing me like a dog! Don't sniff me; I haven't bathed! It probably smells like blood, sweat, grease, and smoke!
"S-stop sniffing me! By the way, my body's sore. Could you stop hugging me?"
"You're hurt?! I'm sorry!"
She lets go, and I try to catch my breath. Seriously, I need to be careful with my "red mode." It gives me more power in a fight, but it leaves me too vulnerable. I need to use it more wisely.
"Thanks… So, how are you? Doing okay in school?"
A typical conversation, nothing about fighting. Normalcy, how nice you are.
"W-well…"
She looks away. Well, well. The classic guilty expression. You may get stronger every day, but if you're dumb, you won't use your power strategically, or worse, you'll be easy to manipulate. I can't trust people like that.
"I'm not as smart as you, but I'm doing okay, average at least."
You don't know how to lie; you're clearly lying. How do I know? Maybe because I'm awesome, able to detect lies with my great power… And because you're shaking like a vibrator while cold sweat pours off you. What an exaggerated reaction.
"Diama…"
"W-well… Not that well…"
"Diama…"
"Okay, I admit it, I'm doing terrible! My dad banned me from sweets for a month! Buy me some sweets, Kei! Please! Have mercy on your best small-town friend!"
Best friend…? Best friend… True. My girlfriends are my friends too, but aside from them, do I have a friend, a real friend, 100% friend? Diama's my 100% friend for now, but is she my best friend? Let's see the options. My book club buddies only talk about books; they never want to train or eat with me. Mei's my sister; she doesn't count. Diama… And… And… Mio and Nem! Yeah, they're not in love with me! Between Mio and Nem, I think I'd pick… Mio. Yeah, Mio's my best friend, 100% friend. Nem just wants me for my food. Sniff, sniff. Hahahahaha…! Ha… Ugh, I need more friends.
"Just promise to study harder. I've got chocolate cake and blue strawberries with chocolate. What do you want?"
"Strawberries, please!"
"Let's go to your house."
After a few minutes of walking, we reach her house. Well, well. I always feel dizzy coming in; everything's so huge since it's built for Titans. Ceilings so high you could fly a kite inside, doors that make me stretch to reach the handles, the… Huh?
Well, well… This feels weird. Something's off. It's not a gross or bad feeling like before; it's more… different.
"Kei? You coming in, or are you gonna stand there like a statue?"
"Ugh, whatever," I mutter, shaking off the feeling.
I walk in. Well, well. Are you that hungry? Stop looking at me with those puppy eyes; you're not the only one starving.
I pull out a plate of strawberries from my [Magic Storage] and close it.
Diama transforms before my eyes. Her mouth opens, a trickle of drool escaping, which she quickly wipes with the back of her hand. Her pupils dilate, nearly filling her irises, locked on the dessert like a predator stalking prey.
Eager and drooling, she eyes the strawberries like they're the last dessert on earth and lunges at me.
"Thanks!"
She tries to grab them, but I pull the plate away.
"Huh?"
She keeps trying to snatch them, her big hands swinging in wide arcs that I dodge easily. After all, if I can dodge demon attacks, a hungry teenager is a piece of cake.
"Gimme, gimme!"
Heh. She looks cute when she's desperate. I think I'll mess with her a bit before I leave.
"Wait. Let's play a little game…"
This is…
Suddenly, the air thickens, my skin prickles, and every hair on my body stands on end.
This feeling… This fear… Oh, no. No, no, no. It's her… Damn it, it's her!
"Forget it. Here."
"Thanks!"
She grabs the plate, and I brace myself for the blows.
My body still hurts, but I need to endure a bit more.
I stand in front of the door.
Well, well… Ugh…
"Just do it."
A fist crashes through the door and slams into my face. Hello again, family violence!
•
•
"We're back! I found Kei!"
Incintri i kii.
"Brother!"
Hermi… Ugh, no, I won't mock my sister. Mei, I missed you so much! A little of your love and concern will make me feel better…! And food, tons of food.
Mei comes down immediately and greets us.
"Welcome…! Brother?!"
My grandma's carrying me in her arms. That damn lunatic forced me to train with her again! My body, though technically healed, is covered in dried blood and bruises. Every cell in me screams with exhaustion. I have no energy left, and everything hurts! I can't move at all! Arghhhhh!
Neim and Nina, the nympho bitches, are behind my grandma. They treated me like a punching bag too! Damn lunatics!
It's still a mystery what they're really doing with my grandma. Publicly, they just train because she thinks they're capable, but they're definitely up to something else. Something secret they keep to themselves. My grandma won't tell me anything, and to avoid suspicion, I don't ask. Ugh! I vomited blood! Pure blood because my stomach has no food! Don't digest yourself, stomach!
"Mei, if I die, I want you to know I ate the last piece of cake."
My grandma drops me, and I fall face-first onto the floor.
Ouch, my poor body. Ouch, my poor dignity.
"Don't be dramatic."
If you knew I just defeated Desmolfer's spouses, the Demon Queen, you wouldn't treat me so badly. One day, I'll rub it in your face, you old hag!
"Brother! Hold on, brother!"
Mei picks me up in her arms. Oh, my prince charming. Now give me food! Seriously, I'm starving. I'd eat a live cow…! Ugh, I've done that before… Several times… And not just cows…
What a life.
My mom and dad approach us. I don't want to train anymore; I demand rest! I can't take it anymore!
"Mother, leave Kei alone for a while. He needs to focus on his studies too."
… Huh? Did my mom say that…? She's been replaced by a demon! Red alert, red alert, this is not a drill! My mom's acting like a good mother! It's the end of the world! Whoa!
… Ugh, never mind. She reeks of semen, sex, and… Ugh. Well, you sure know how to convince my mom to treat us like humans, Dad. Even her legs are still trembling… Gross.
"I don't want weaklings in my family. He doesn't need to study; he needs to train."
Train more?! I need to rest more too!
"I just defeated five powerful demons; I'm not weak! Now let me eat and sleep!"
"Huh?"
…
…
…
Wait… Did I say that out loud?!
Slowly, like in a nightmare, I look up. Everyone's staring at me with expressions ranging from shock to overwhelming pride.
"D-did I say that out loud?"
My mom grabs my arm and lifts me, super excited. Hey, why are you smiling so proudly and happily?! At least pretend to be a little worried about your youngest son! Look at my dad; he's crying for me!
And you, idiot, why did you say that out loud?! It slipped out; I didn't mean to say it! Arghhhhh! I need rest; I'm turning into an idiot!
"You defeated demons?! When?!"
T-there's no turning back now. I have to tell the truth (or at least part of it, heh).
"I-I was looking for something, and five demons tried to kill me. I managed to defeat them, don't worry, though I had to use my red mode for over five minutes. I used all my magical power… And that damn lunatic grandma forced me to train after that! Please, can I rest now?"
They'll demand the full story with details! I need to change the subject until I have enough energy to use [Thought Communication] with Drin!
"You used your red mode for that long? I've told you not to use it; the consequences are…"
"I know, Grandma, but it was necessary."
After all, I don't need to live that long.
"Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to sleep."
Zzzzz.
•
•
He fell into a deep sleep, and Mei closely examined his hair. Some strands were white. Just a few, barely noticeable at a glance, but they were there.
A skill that enhances the body is never cheap to use. Its price is steep.
"Kei…"
"What's red mode?" Neim asked.
It's not a legendary or secret skill; anyone can activate it with training, but very few can control it without losing control or exploding in the process. It's common knowledge; even the dumbest person knows. No need to explain, but…
"It's the perfect control of magical power. My mother mastered it at 20. I mastered it at 30," Sei said.
"But Kei and Mei are special cases. Mei's almost mastered it perfectly; she just needs more training. And Kei can already control it perfectly. They've surpassed us," Grandma said.
"And do you just get more power, or what's red mode?" Nina asked.
"When someone perfectly controls their magical power, they activate special magic. In my case, it's resistance magic. Kei has it too. Mei hasn't activated hers yet. And my mother has defensive magic," Sei said.
"But the consequences of using it are severe. If I use my special magic for a few seconds, my arms explode, and I lose about two weeks of life," Grandma said.
"The same happens to me. Kei can use it for several minutes, but when he deactivates it, his whole body is vulnerable for hours. While using red mode, he doesn't feel pain from blows. But when he deactivates it, he feels all the accumulated pain. If he managed to defeat five demons, it means he took a lot of damage… Mother, he's still a child; you shouldn't push him so hard."
"Tch. Says the person who left us on a dangerous island when we were five," Mei said.
Meanwhile, the Supreme God watched the scene with an expression of… unease.
"That explanation was very unnatural, and even the personalities shifted."
He sighed.
"Ugh… This isn't for Kei, or at least not this version. I just hope they don't ruin the main storyline."