Chapter 136: Cracked Levee

The ground trembled, and dust billowed.

It wouldn’t even be a mouthful for something bigger, yet these relatively large magical beasts, though not many in number, eagerly charged this way. What was so tempting about me?

Luckily, it seemed they knew they couldn’t share ‘me’. They were practically racing, which caused some distance to form between the one leading the charge and those behind.

Standing still and observing them, ‘I’ smirked.

‘That’s enough.’

The one currently in the lead wouldn’t know. That it might very well be the one getting hunted instead of the hunter.

‘I’ have a knack for these kinds of plays. Especially when the opponents are this simple; leading the drama according to the script is as easy as pie.

Sacrificing one to reveal the twist will startle the dumbasses chasing behind, making them hesitate. That brief opening is more than enough time for ‘me’ to instill terror.

‘Failures who couldn’t become true demons, are simple and foolish… I really like that about them.’

The dagger in my hand twirled. My thumb repeatedly brushed against the hilt, flexing and unflexing. ‘I’ slowly lowered my stance, and then—

—the leading monster was right in front of me. I kicked off the ground and shot forward.

I probably looked like I vanished in an instant to their eyes.

Pushing my body to a speed it couldn’t handle, I heard a snap from my leg. Ignoring it, I swung my arm while airborne, burying the dagger in the creature’s neck. It took some effort to pierce the tough hide, but it was fine.

Ignoring the strain on my entire arm, I used the momentum to drag the blade downwards, using my weight as leverage.

“Kuaaaaah!”

“Must be because it’s so big. Still has plenty of energy even after getting hit in a vital spot.”

Serves it right for looking down on ‘me’.

Before falling, I stabbed the other dagger into the wound to secure myself, clinging to the beast.

Judging by the location and size of the injury, it would die even if left alone, but ‘my’ goal isn’t to ‘kill’ this one. I need to factor in the ones coming from behind.

“Attacking the eyes would be better for the visual effect, right?”

Thunk.

I did it to humans without hesitation, so why would I hesitate with a magical beast? I lifted my arm, which wasn’t getting much power, and shoved the dagger into its eye, twisting it.

“Kuaaaaaaaah!!”

“Hurts?”

I brought my face close to its remaining eye and smiled innocently.

The fist-sized eyeball trembled. The roar that was filled with ‘rage’ at being attacked by its prey began to take on the nature of ‘fear’.

The other magical beasts, who had been rushing over, skidded to a halt at the unexpected scene unfolding before them. ‘I’ glanced at them and then deliberately began to hack at the remaining eye with my dagger.

Then I paused.

“…Oh, there was poison on my nail.”

The struggling creature’s front paw scratched my side.

I looked at the wound, turning purple, then back at the beast. Even though it had lost its eyes, it seemed to understand the situation and wore a smug look, as if saying ‘serves you right’.

…A dying dog still bites.

I glanced back at the magical beasts starting to approach again, then plunged the dagger deeper into the creature’s eye socket and jumped off.

Without wasting any time, ‘I’ immediately pulled out a clean dagger, sliced open my side, and threw the flesh onto the ground, stomping on it.

Thwack.

The mashed flesh beneath my foot made a disgusting sound.

“I thought about throwing it to you guys, but I don’t want to create any unnecessary variables.”

What if they ate it and it tasted good, making them go wild?

Only then did the mangled magical beast, its tenacious life finally extinguished, collapse with a thud. The magical beasts behind had stopped a long time ago.

‘I’ smiled brightly at them and said,

“What’s wrong? Why aren’t you coming closer?”

Tearing apart one of their own, managing to inject poison, and then cutting out a piece of their own flesh before it could spread… and still smiling brightly as if not even noticing the blood gushing from their side.

You can recognize a lunatic no matter the species.

The magical beasts began to back away hesitantly.

***

I had another dream. It feels like I’ve been having strange dreams frequently lately….

I stabbed a dagger into the neck of a small rabbit-like magical beast, grimacing.

‘The content….’

I don’t remember the content.

‘So, in the dream, I….’

I don’t remember.

I definitely don’t remember the content, but judging by the unpleasant feeling after waking up, it couldn’t have been good.

‘Ah, I need a fix….’

Under the light of a beautiful moon, wearing comfortable everyday clothes that made it easy to move around, I sighed deeply while taking care of the teeming small magical beasts.

Considering my poor condition, the Emperor ordered me to hunt small monsters a week later.

Well, it’s a relief they aren’t large, ferocious, scary monsters, but….

‘Small monsters are too numerous and they run away too easily…!’

I angrily threw a dagger at a fleeing creature. It accurately pierced its torso, and it collapsed on the spot.

They aren’t threatening. If I were to compare them to wildlife in the Human Realm, they’d be the equivalent of rabbits or rats. However, the problem is that they try to tear flesh from living beings, so they become troublesome when their numbers increase.

‘Hmm… let’s just say they’re dangerous.’

Their numbers hadn’t reached a threatening level yet, but given the war situation, the Emperor ordered their elimination as a precautionary measure.

Whether it’s the Emperor or the Demon King, they pretend to care about my well-being but ultimately exploit me here and there. Is that what it means to be a ruler?

“Anyway, it seems like I’ve dealt with most of them….”

Rustle.

“…Can’t say a word.”

No sooner had I said that, the stragglers appeared?

I tightly gripped the dagger in my hand and looked at the bushes where the sound came from. As if realizing it had been spotted, the bushes rustled, and then something shot out, charging towards me at full speed.

“Demon-niim!”

“! ”

I barely managed to stop the dagger I was reflexively swinging.

A familiar-looking demon with leaves stuck in his hair ran towards me, calling out a familiar title in a familiar voice. My mind briefly overloaded.

Was I… on duty as ‘Demon’ right now?

“…Ben?”

“Yes, Demon-nim! This Ben barely escaped the Demon King’s castle to find you and provide treatment, Demon-nim!”

What in the…!

I stumbled because I was so flustered. I reflexively reached out to steady myself, but only managed to grab Ben’s shoulder, which didn’t help much.

‘No, usually he supports me, catches me, and lifts me up easily, so what’s with this right now?’

That’s right. I fell on top of Ben.

One hand was pressing down on Ben’s shoulder, and the other hand holding the dagger was bracing against the ground next to Ben’s head… by stabbing the dagger into the ground.

Anyone looking at this would see attempted murder, or at the very least, a death threat…?

Just as I thought Ben might misunderstand and was about to quickly retract the dagger and explain, Ben’s eyes darted to the blade next to his head, and he hurriedly spoke.

“I’m sorry! A signal indicated that Demon-nim was injured, so I rushed over… Did I interrupt you?”

“Huh…?”

“I knew it. I apologize…!”

No, that’s not it… I definitely didn’t raise my voice, did I? Why is he like this….

I opened my mouth to explain, but Ben spoke faster this time too.

“But…!”

“…?”

“I’m so relieved that you’re safe.”

“…Ha.”

What am I supposed to do with this chief physician who has such insane dedication to his job?

He smiled genuinely, looking relieved. I couldn’t bring myself to get angry at that, and slowly retracted the dagger.

‘Not that I was even planning on getting angry in the first place.’

The snake scales partially covering his face reminded me that he was a demon. Being familiar with something was different from being bold enough to get angry at it.

Still, the unexpected concern eased the tension that had been unknowingly building up. Ben, who was watching my expression closely, keenly noticed this and seized the opportunity to ask.

“Are you alright? The signal and my own observation suggest you have quite a few injuries.”

“…I’m fine.”

“That’s a lie, so I won’t believe it.”

Lien was like that too… and now him too? Why even ask if they won’t believe me?

“Judging by your movements, the muscles in your arms and legs seem to be strained… Ah, your side! Is your side alright?! The signal was going crazy!”

“I’m f….”

“I don’t believe you!”

Then don’t ask!

“Excuse me, but may I lift your clothes to take a look?”

“Don’t ‘excuse me,’ just don’t.”

“May I unwrap the bandages?”

“No.”

“Yes, I will unwrap them.”

This bastard…?

A hand slipped inside my clothes, fumbling for the knot of the bandage. Cold! Is it because he’s a demon? His hands are cold. I got goosebumps all over.

It seemed like arguing wouldn’t work, so I quickly pushed his hand away and took a step back.

“I’m really fine. The treatment is done, and my body is somewhat….”

“Marquis?”

!”

An unfamiliar voice.

I hurriedly turned my head to the direction of the voice. A man in Imperial army uniform, holding a weapon, was looking back and forth between Ben and me.

Ah….

‘I screwed up.’

I made a mistake. I should have conducted this mission secretly, just like when carrying out the Demon King’s orders.

Honestly, there was no real need to keep it a secret when carrying out a light order from the Emperor within the Empire’s territory. The Emperor didn’t call it a secret mission, and the task itself was really light and insignificant.

So, I moved openly. As a result, three knights from the military camp, claiming they couldn’t let the Marquis go alone, came along as guides.

‘I barely managed to fend off Dan who wanted to come along….’

More knights originally wanted to come, but since the Emperor’s reason for sending me was to minimize troop deployment, we compromised on three.

‘Your Majesty, I did my best…….’

Actually, I wanted to bring more… but this was the best I could do.

We had to divide the area to deal with the magical beasts due to the small number of us. But it’s better than going alone, heh heh… no, wait!

Who would have thought this kind of problem would arise?

‘What should I do with that guy?’

Kill him? If I explained the situation, the Emperor would understand. But….

I looked at the Imperial knight with troubled eyes and quietly pressed my forehead. My head started to ache, and I could feel my stress levels rising rapidly.

“Cough.”

Oh, nice timing. It’s a bit absurd that I’m coughing up blood when I have a headache, but this isn’t the time for that.

“De…!”

“Go.”

I threw a dagger next to Ben’s face to shut him up before he could call me ‘Demon’.

It was a small voice, almost a murmur, but he’s a demon, so he probably heard it. Even if he didn’t, he’s not completely clueless, so he should roughly understand the meaning from my actions.

Sure enough, Ben slowly got up and quickly turned to leave. Seeing this, the knight tried to chase after him, but….

“Cough, cough! Cough-hack! Kehek, keck!!”

“M-Marquis!”

Have I ever faked a cough before?

I deliberately let the blood in my mouth go down my windpipe and coughed up a spectacular, blood-flecked mess. The knight gave up on Ben and rushed towards me.

That’s right… I’m sick, so forget about that guy and let’s go back quickly. And Ben, don’t come back.

***

‘A demon… with Marquis Hart…….’

The knight, who was anxiously checking on Deon Hart who was coughing up blood as if he were about to die, gritted his teeth, recalling the scene from a moment ago.

A demon barely managing to raise his upper body while lying down, and the Marquis standing confidently in front of him with a dagger.

It wasn’t difficult to understand the situation. While the Marquis was busy hunting magical beasts, the demon had launched a surprise attack.

‘Even so, the Marquis must have won.’

The result was the scene he had witnessed.