Chapter 169 : Chapter 169
Chapter 169: Phantom Liberty (7)
Even without Rine, I tried to calculate if the current us could somehow manage, but it seemed like what can’t be done really can’t be done.
But this guy can.
Of course, since the 「God Killer」 trait does not exist in ‘Beginning’, he wouldn’t be able to kill Pariah, but I didn’t intend to kill him in the first place.
Just as the option to end all of this by killing Rine didn't exist, likewise, I couldn't kill him who had merely taken the wrong path.
He was different from those damn nobles or Kurt who tried to work Rine like a slave, like a doll for their entire lives purely out of their own greed.
And above all, they feared death, but Pariah does not.
Rather, he longs for it.
He is someone who knows better than anyone that if Rine, the source of his immortality, dies, he will also die together at that very moment.
So unlike those damn bastards who tried to make Rine a doll because they were too afraid to die, death could not be any punishment for him.
Rather, keeping him alive might be the punishment.
So I will keep him alive, and make him atone for his wrongdoings.
Therefore, even if I cannot kill him, if it's just to defeat him so he cannot interfere with us going to meet Rine──
“──Huhu.”
For the ‘Primordial Demon King’, it wasn’t that difficult of a task.
“…!”
The moment ‘Beginning’ dwelled in my body, I saw Pariah flinch instinctively at the atmosphere that completely changed, including my hair turning red in an instant.
Unlike Luce, he might not guess the true identity of the soul that took over my body at all, but as expected of a strong individual counted among the best in history, he must have instinctively sensed it right away.
“You are, just what...”
That not only did my appearance change, but I became a completely different existence.
“Wh, What...?”
And a very dangerous existence at that.
Moreover, since he had served a god (avatar) for a very long time, he would have known even better.
That what dwells in my body now is practically close to ‘divinity’.
“That power, just what...!”
An existence who could have become a god but was called a ‘king’ instead of a ‘god’ because he wanted to make them all kneel beneath his feet instead of becoming a part of them.
“Right, this is it.”
‘Beginning’, instead of answering Pariah’s question, first showed an appearance as if savoring the sensation of a physical body felt after a long time.
“This feeling of being able to control my body as I please...”
In other words, he knew well that Pariah was no match for him.
“Huhu. Good, it is good.”
So his attitude was to think of him only as a seasoning that would help feel this sensation better.
“It has become a somewhat more usable body, Vessel.”
As could be seen from the fact that he spoke to ‘me’ first, not caring at all even with him in front.
“If it’s this much, I should be able to use it a bit longer than last time anyway.”
Don’t use it roughly. Because it breaks easily.
“Is your bastard self made of glass or something?”
I am a bit beautiful, you know.
“...If your body resembled even half of that narcissism, it would have become my body long ago.”
Of course, it’s true that the level is much higher than when he first dwelled, but handling ‘Beginning’ was still a burdensome task.
“Do not worry. I do not have thoughts of ruining this body already.”
So this time too, there was a restriction of ‘as much as the body can endure’, but it didn’t matter.
“I will enjoy it just a little and return it.”
Because for ‘Beginning’, it was more than enough time.
“──Did you ask what I am?”
‘Beginning’, finally sending his gaze to Pariah, suddenly clenched his fist tightly with one hand that was repeatedly opening and closing.
While raising the corners of his mouth into a grin.
Fwoosh!
As soon as black flames burned from the tightly clenched fist.
Pa-at!
He immediately kicked off the ground.
And he quickly dashed towards Pariah, who couldn’t move a single step while being wary of the spirit ‘Beginning’ started to emit.
“──!”
Pariah’s two eyes, unable to react in time, were belatedly covered in agitation.
“I am the rightful owner of this world.”
But even before he could flinch and raise his arms, ‘Beginning’s fist was already lodged in the middle of his chest.
Bam!
With a strong wind rising, Pariah’s body flew far away.
And crashed heavily into the wall behind, no, got stuck in it.
Soon, cracks started to form on the wall with crack, crack sounds, and.
“…Cough!”
Pariah was vomiting blood at the center of it.
Before long, his body went limp and fell powerlessly from the wall that started cracking.
He naturally fell to his knees and lay prostrate on the floor, but he didn’t collapse in the end.
Instead, he slowly got up from his spot and wiped the blood from his mouth.
“Hoh.”
That appearance seemed somewhat interesting to ‘Beginning’.
“I surely crushed the heart. As expected, do you not die?”
As if he discovered a toy that doesn't break no matter how roughly treated.
“──It is fun.”
‘Beginning’ distorted the corners of his mouth once more.
“Who... are you really...”
“Did I not say, that I am the owner of this world.”
‘Beginning’ said while placing one hand on his chest with an arrogant attitude as if telling him to look up at him.
“And also the owner of this body.”
Sorry, but the owner of that body is me.
You are just borrowing it for a moment.
“Eit, really. You are noisy, Vessel bastard. Do not ruin the mood when I am enjoying myself after a long time.”
If you claim ownership right away over something lent for a moment, I also feel a bit absurd.
“Since it will become mine soon anyway, isn't it mine then?”
Aha.
So the great ‘Primordial Demon King’ is the owner of such a weak body.
Hmm.
Interesting.
“No, isn't it your body!”
You said it's your body?
“...Do you really have to tackle every single word like that? Really? In this situation?”
Isn't that what you used to do?
“......Did I act this annoyingly and noisily?”
I know, that feeling.
Should I call it noise pollution without noise.
That feeling where a voice is forcibly injected into your head even if you don't want to hear it.
In short, now me and ‘Beginning’ have switched places.
I became the (noisy) ‘voice’, and ‘Beginning’ was moving the body.
However, there was somewhat of a difference to simply say I was ‘watching’.
How should I put it, I was feeling all the senses exactly the same.
Obviously, my body is my body, but it feels like it's not my body.
I ‘perceive’ that the body is moving by itself, but it feels like the command is not coming from my head, if I had to be precise.
Anyway, even though this is the second time, it was still an unfamiliar and strange sensation difficult to explain.
...I think I understand now why ‘Beginning’ kept trying to talk to me whenever there was a chance.
Basically, there is almost no way to perceive my own existence other than talking in this role.
More than that, do you really have to make a voice like that when talking to me?
Look at that, he's looking at you with strange eyes because you're suddenly muttering to yourself.
“Why do I have to care about the eyes of a bastard weaker than me?”
Is... Is that so?
Is it... persuasive?
Maybe?
From Pariah’s perspective, he appeared suddenly, crushed his heart, and looked like a person with two personalities muttering to himself (actually not a single word was wrong though), and perhaps because of that, he was sending even more wary looks but couldn't move rashly.
On the other hand, the companions who had already seen this appearance of mine once, and also knew the identity, didn't show particularly agitated reactions.
Instead, they recovered from the damage received from Pariah just before and started to prepare for battle again.
“Do not interfere, thief woman.”
‘Beginning’, noticing this, returned to the original solemn(?) tone and said.
“Do not disturb my enjoyment.”
At this one word, Evie and the other companions who stood up were seen flinching all together.
Clearly the voice was ‘my’, Yubin’s voice, but the words were not ‘mine’.
“You guys find that wizard bastard hiding here.”
However, eventually they nodded carefully.
“...Yes. We will definitely find her.”
Still treating ‘me’.
“Please leave Sister Rine to us, Teacher Bin.”
Saying they trust me.
Precisely, they must be trusting my words from before that I can control ‘Beginning’.
As the companions hurriedly left this Divine Palace to find Rine, only the two were left in this ‘memory’.
Pariah didn't stop them.
He couldn't stop them.
His gaze was only directed at me, at ‘Beginning’.
“That power... You bastard, did you make a contract with a devil or something...?”
“Contract?”
As if he heard an absurd joke, ‘Beginning’ let out a scoffing laugh saying it was ridiculous.
“Stupid bastard. ──This body, is the very ‘Devil’.”
And said.
“This body is the origin of all ‘Devils’. The existence who created the word ‘Devil’.”
That the god you served started calling those like me ‘Devils’ because he feared me.
So where is the need to make something like a contract.
“…!”
There was no way Pariah, who had served a god longer than anyone, wouldn't know the meaning of those words.
“Don’t tell me, you are...!”
“Right, fairy bastard.”
‘Beginning’ said proudly.
“This body is the first devil, the master of all demons, and the Primordial Demon King.”
Consider it an honor to be able to become my opponent.
And, he kicked the ground once more.
Fwoosh!
Swinging a fist engulfed in 「Hellfire」 that bloomed in an instant.
“──!”
Kwaang!
A strong shockwave burst out.
“Hoh.”
Seeing Pariah who barely reacted this time and raised his arm to block, ‘Beginning’ was interested.
“You are quite fast even without using tricks with time?”
“Kuh...!”
“Not bad!”
That seemed to have ignited the fire even more.
And actually, the fire did ignite.
The 「Hellfire」 wrapping the fist transferred to Pariah in an instant just like that and started burning his arm, and soon his body.
Even if he doesn't die, it didn't mean the pain disappeared.
However, while burning in fire, even in 「Hellfire」 like that, Pariah counterattacked immediately instead of suffering from that pain.
Whoosh!
Whoosh!
Sparks of black flame burning Pariah’s body scattered along with a fierce wind.
“Kuhahaha!”
Dodging such a flurry of attacks from Pariah with ease, ‘Beginning’ laughed heartily.
“Right! That is how it should be! One must be at least that much to be one who wishes to kill a god!”
Thwack! And, suddenly grabbing the fist he was dodging with one hand.
“──However, it is still lacking.”
As if informing the difference in ‘power’ between the two.
“With this much, you might be able to kill an avatar of a god, but you will not be able to kill a real god.”
Or, as if teaching.
He squeezed the trembling fist tighter, as if to crush it right there.
“Kuh...!”
Bringing Pariah’s hand down like that, he headbutted the face with full force.
Then, he kicked and sent flying Pariah’s body, which naturally fell to one knee due to the shockwave that burst out.
This time too, it was a blow that would have crushed all the organs in the body including the heart.
However, Pariah stood up again before long.
With the body that was completely burned by 「Hellfire」 also returned to its original state before anyone knew.
“Fun, it is fun.”
‘Beginning’ let out a small kuhuhu laugh watching that appearance.
“Let us see just how many times I have to kill you for you to become a bit obedient.”
Beckoning with one hand, telling him to try attacking from his side this time.