Chapter 188: Does Being a Monster Mean We Deserve to Die?
Garou watched the battle in the distance with great interest.
When his gaze landed on Satoru Suzuki, a wicked smile slowly appeared on his face.
"A hero?"
His eyes narrowed.
"It isn't quite time to begin yet, but before I pierce through this world with absolute evil, you can become the first hero I hunt."
However, before he made his move, Garou stopped.
He was curious.
Curious about what this hero and this Monster would say to each other.
Seeing that he could not get an answer from the Mole Monster no matter how he asked, Satoru Suzuki had no choice but to grip his sword with both hands.
"I should let you calm down first."
His breathing changed.
"Breath of Light, Second Form."
He raised the sword above his head.
A soft radiance bloomed along the edge.
"Rising Sun."
In that instant, warm light spread gently across the earth.
It fell upon the Mole Monster's face, causing its violent emotions to calm slightly.
But in the very next moment, a sharp sword had already stopped against the Mole Monster's neck.
The speed was astonishing.
Even Garou almost failed to follow what had happened.
What was that?
And what was with that light?
In all his life, this was the first time Garou had seen anything like it.
His interest grew even stronger.
The Mole Monster had only just regained its senses. When it saw the sharp sword resting against its neck from the corner of its eye, its newly calmed heart became agitated again.
"As expected, you humans are all..."
Before it could finish, Satoru pushed the sword forward slightly.
His voice became cold.
"Now, can you tell me what happened?"
Feeling the sharp edge pressed against its neck, the Mole Monster's agitation instantly froze.
Its voice turned bitter.
"Are you planning to mock me before killing me? Laugh if you want!"
Those words reminded Satoru of his former powerless self.
The Mole Monster continued in a cold voice, hatred pouring from every word.
"Don't you want to know? Then I'll tell you everything!"
Its scarlet eyes trembled.
"You humans invaded our home and killed my mate!"
Its claws dug into the soil.
"And now you want to exterminate all of us. I want to know, what did we do wrong? Why treat us this way?"
The Mole Monster's voice cracked.
"Does being a Monster mean we deserve to die?"
Hearing this, Satoru lowered his head slightly and fell into thought.
Not far away, Garou also seemed to recall something unpleasant from the past.
His gaze gradually sharpened.
But to Asuramaru inside the sword, this was merely the essence of the world.
The law of the jungle.
The weak faced unpredictable fates, while only the strong could truly control their own destiny.
That was also why he had chosen to continue growing stronger.
Outside, Satoru kept his sword against the Mole Monster's neck.
He was lost in thought.
He could not be certain whether this Monster was telling the truth.
Until several small figures suddenly rushed out from the bushes nearby.
They were Mole Monster cubs.
Crying and screaming, they ran toward them.
The Mole Monster ignored its own safety and shouted in panic, "Who told you to come out?! Get out of here!"
As it spoke, it grabbed the sword and swung a claw at the human in front of it.
Facing that claw, Satoru exerted strength with both hands, easily breaking free from the Monster's grip.
Then he swung his sword forward.
The Mole Monster's body fell to the ground.
Garou, hidden in the shadows, froze for a moment and was just about to move.
But the Mole Monster on the ground suddenly stirred again.
Seeing the cubs rush to its side, tears welled up in its eyes.
It knelt on the ground and pleaded humbly.
"I beg you... as long as you spare my cubs, I'll do anything."
Looking at the Monster kneeling before him, Satoru slowly stepped forward.
"I will not harm you here."
His voice was calm, but sincere.
"And I am sorry for what happened to you."
He lowered his gaze.
"I do not ask for your forgiveness, and I cannot represent all of humanity."
After a brief pause, he continued, "Go now. Go as far away from humans as possible. Find a place where humans cannot reach you."
Hearing this, tears fell from the Mole Monster's eyes like rain.
It hurriedly asked in disbelief, "You're not going to kill us?"
Satoru sheathed his sword.
"There is a condition for letting you go."
His tone became serious.
"If I ever learn that you have harmed humans, I will kill you even if I have to chase you to the ends of the earth."
With that, Satoru turned and left.
The Mole Monster quickly gathered its cubs and fled from the area.
Only Garou remained hidden in the shadows, staring at Satoru's back in silence.
"Is this... really a hero?"
Walking out of the deep mountains, Satoru took out his communicator.
He dialed the number again and replied, "By the time I arrived, the Monster had already escaped. I couldn't find it."
After he briefly explained the situation, the operator on the other end seemed to receive new instructions and quickly assigned him another task.
"I understand the situation. Mumen Rider, are you willing to accept an escort mission? It was posted by the Eternal Goddess Natalie."
"I am willing to accept."
Satoru accepted without hesitation.
After all, he still needed to eat.
The operator continued, "Then please head to the Beauty Building in City Z immediately and meet the employer, Miss Natalie."
"Understood."
After ending the communication, Satoru returned to the mine alone.
He got on his bicycle and left by himself.
As he rode along the road, Asuramaru inside the sword could not help asking, "Are you really that certain the Monster will not harm humans?"
Hearing Asuramaru's voice, Satoru's slightly lonely face once again showed a bright smile.
"I trust my judgment."
His hands held the handlebars firmly.
"If my judgment is wrong, then I will deal with them myself. After that, I will do everything in my power to make those harmed by the Monster forgive me."
His voice remained gentle, but there was no hesitation in it.
"Even if it means giving my own life."
Hearing those words, Asuramaru was reminded of someone.
He could not help curling his lips.
"You remind me of a person. He once said something similar."
Satoru's smile became even brighter.
"Really? That is quite an honor."
His voice carried genuine curiosity.
"I would like to meet him if I ever have the chance."
As he rode his bicycle, he laughed from the heart.
"Can I know his name?"
At that question, the corners of Asuramaru's mouth curved slightly.
"You probably won't have a chance to meet him."
After a brief pause, he said the name.
"He was my first Sword Master. His name was Tanjiro Kamado."
Although Satoru felt a little disappointed knowing they could not meet, he still smiled from the bottom of his heart.
"So he is my senior."
His eyes softened.
"Although I cannot meet him, I will remember him forever."
The wind blew past as his bicycle moved forward.
"I can feel it. He must have been a true hero too."
This time, Asuramaru fell silent.
Satoru Suzuki also chose not to say anything more.
He simply pedaled his bicycle quietly toward his destination.
.....
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