Chapter 33

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Ugh, I feel sick.

There’s a fishy smell coming from the chunks of meat.

It clung to my face, wriggling and squirming.

If I’m someone with a weak stomach, I’d probably have thrown up by now.

Honestly, the vile sensation was rising from my stomach too. The only reason I couldn’t throw up was because my mouth was shut tight.

The inside of the red fox mask was filled with grotesque flesh.

Astaroth placed the mask on my face, and the bloody flesh began moving in abnormal patterns.

It wriggled like slime and pushed through my lips, invading me from the inside.

If it had ended there, it might have been bearable. But then the tentacles started probing my nostrils and ears. It became impossible to breathe, and the kind of pain I had never experienced before made my vision spin.

“Ah… aaah…”

This tentacle play is a bit too hardcore…

Not that I necessarily hate it~♡

The cries of agony were swallowed by the flesh. My legs gave way, and I found myself rolling on the floor.

I couldn’t stand. Nor did I even consider trying. My limbs convulsed as if electrocuted.

My head hurts. It felt like it was burning up. My vision went from black to white, and soon, everything turned yellow.

My heartbeat quickened. It felt like there was poison mixing into my blood.

Pain surged through my veins like snakes slithering. My legs twisted uncontrollably. I struggled, pounding my fists against the ground.

My back arched like a bow. I didn’t even mind the pain as my nails were ripped off, scraping the floor.

“Ugh, ugh… ha, aaah…”

I gasped for air as if drowning. The flesh clogged both my mouth and nose, making the sound distorted.

It felt like an electric drill was tearing into my skull. It was as if the drill bit was grinding against my forehead, scraping my bones and tearing apart my brain.

No matter how much I struggled, the mask remained stuck, and the pain of having my head cracked and my body broken continued.

This…

Really…

‘This is… amazing…♡’

My brain is being corrupted~♡

The nerve cells inside my skull were slowly cooking, softening like dough.

The forced imprinting began.

The more I resisted, the sharper the pain became. Gradually, I was being colored, and the person known as Lucia was being transformed.

Ah… this is a bit dangerous…

I’m going to get addicted to this~♡

“Hahaha, you’ve already withered on your own, haven’t you? Why are you resisting so much? Just accept it. Then it won’t hurt anymore.”

So, if I resist, it’ll keep hurting, right?

It was a different kind of pain.

In the month I’ve been Lucia, I’ve harmed myself plenty of times. 

I’ve tried to cut off my limbs. I’ve pulled out teeth and nails. I’ve carved my flesh with a dagger, broken my bones, gouged out my eyes, and shattered my skull. I’ve twisted my arms in impossible directions, and I’ve even strangled myself, fighting for air.

But this… this is different.

How should I put it… it feels like I’m being erased.

My consciousness, my will.

The will of Lucia is being eroded—chipped away as time goes on.

It’s like they’re hammering and breaking me down until the desired shape emerges.

It hurts. It’s scary. It’s painful…

I grabbed my face with bloodied, sticky hands, feeling the cold touch of the mask.

My legs, flailing like a shocked frog, gradually lost their strength. It felt as if all the muscles in my body had melted away, leaving me utterly drained.

Having read about this in novels, I had a rough idea of what stage this was. The preparations were complete. Up until now, it had been the phase of breaking down physical and mental barriers. Now, with all obstacles crushed, it was time to erase completely my sense of self.

“Ugh… ew… kaah…”

This is bad…

The pain should be nothing, right? I thought I could endure it… I thought I could laugh and enjoy it, overcoming the mask’s domination with my will…

But I couldn’t do anything with my will. The method to escape was ‘transcendent’ mental strength, something that I didn’t have.

I’m about to become a slave, aren’t I?

I still have to resist it, at least.

But how long can I last… huh, I don’t know…

Still, I won’t become a slave so easily. Lucia has strong convictions.

I’m going to be a great hero in the future!

I’ll endure every second, every minute, and I’ll overcome this horrific pain!

Crack.

“Ugh, keuh, ha, haah, ack… aaahhh––!”

It’s impossible!

I can’t do it! I’m sorry! I won’t act all cocky anymore…!

But this isn’t mental(physical) domination!! It’s my brain! My brain! It’s precious! I’m sorry! Don’t poke it! Eek! It’s breaking! It’s breaking!

This is no metaphor; the tentacles are literally tearing apart my brain! Ugh! Aahhh!

I can’t think. My thoughts are scattered… focus, focus…!

Ugh, concentrate… keep my mind… come on, focus…!

Sheep… count, count sheep… one… two… two sheep… three, three! Lucia counted three! L-Lu-uuu-cia counted four, four, eeeeeeee!!!

“Hahaha! How pathetic. Lucia, this isn’t a bathroom, you know?”

Squelch. Squish. It’s wet––!

A skirt? The skirt is hot! Hot? What’s hot again? What was a skirt?

Ugh, I feel like I’m going to throw up. Throw up? What was that? What was I saying? What? What’s going on?

Me? Me? What… what’s happening?

“You really do have impressive regenerative abilities. I’ll give you that. Normally, whether it’s a human or a monster, they die just the same if you poke a hole through their brain. Hmm, you could be useful. Your physical strength is a bit lacking, but… well, that can be fixed by fusing you with something appropriate…”

“…Stop. Please… stop now.”

“Heh? Is that how someone asking for a favor speaks?”

I… I… what is this sound…

Teacher… Ah, Angelica…

“Please… I beg you… stop now… please, just… give it to me instead…”

Thump, thump, thump…

Rolling… rolling clouds…

Come back… focus! Regenerate!

“Hah!”

I did it!

I’ve regenerated my brain that the tentacles tore apart! Ughhh––!

It’s breaking… breaking… Ugh! My brain… it’s melting…

Ugh…

At this rate, I really… I’m going to become an idiot… an idiot…

No… Lucia isn’t an idiot. Don’t make me one. I’m sorry. I’m sorry.

Ah, I got it. I’ll… I’ll stop…resisting… stop being human…

I’ll become Astaroth’s slave––

Then, a hot heat brushed against my face.

The skin on the surface of my body began to burn. Whoosh. The disgusting smell of something burning took over my sense of smell.

Blood trickled down my nose, wetting my lips.

Through my tear-filled vision, I saw something.

Flesh burning to black.

The broken mask was covered in ash.

I blinked several times as my focus faltered.

A shadow loomed over me. What’s that? A person?

Crimson flames flickered.

“Enough.”

Someone spoke, cutting off the silence.

A boy’s voice, after the change in pitch. I think I’ve heard it before… but I can’t remember.

“What’s so funny? Why are you laughing? Is this situation amusing to you?”

I saw the back of someone.

Hair as dark as Astaroth’s.

Crimson flames burned brightly on the blood-red blade.

“What’s so funny? Why are you laughing? Does this situation amuse you? People aren’t your toys. They aren’t things you can trample on and mock as you please. Just what is so enjoyable to you? Is it the pain? The screams of others… does that entertain you?”

The voice was low. As if suppressing a boiling emotion.

“Hey, big brother. Is your forehead okay? I thought you’d faint, but you’re tougher than I thought.”

Astaroth waved her hand and laughed.

Gradually, my consciousness cleared. I barely managed to recall who the person in front of me was.

Eugene. Why is he here…?

Did he follow me? Was he worried because I rushed off recklessly?

The mask he broke… Why did he break it? No, I’m grateful, but what are you doing here? You don’t have super regeneration like me. What will you do if you get hurt?

Think about your position. You’re the protagonist. If something happens to you, the whole world is finished.

Well, you don’t even know what you are doing, do you? You’re much more important than Angelica and me.

Astaroth probably won’t just kill Eugene, but she’ll definitely play with him like she did with me.

If she goes as far as stabbing his brain… Ugh, no! I can’t let that happen!

“Ru… Run…”

My lips, covered in saliva and blood, wouldn’t move as I wanted.

It felt like I was paralyzed. The fact that it wasn’t healing easily with super regeneration seemed like a mental problem rather than a physical one.

I struggled to stretch out my hand.

I grabbed Eugene’s pant hem and squeezed out my voice.

“Te… Teacher… Take her… away… Please…”

Honestly, I don’t know if Astaroth would let us go… But it was still better to run than to resist.

“I won’t run.”

Eugene replied firmly.

No, don’t be so stubborn! Right now, just carry Angelica and run away!

I’ll buy us time somehow. Since physical strength won’t work… uh, maybe I’ll strip and bow down? At least that could stun Astaroth for a bit, so hurry!

“Running away once was enough.”

What the hell?!

When did you run away?!

Eugene pointed his sword.

An enemy burning like the sun.

He showed no intention of running away, his form glowing redder than ever.

…Well, I guess.

Standing firm, even in front of an overwhelming foe, is definitely what makes a protagonist.

He doesn’t enjoy pain like me, and even if he gets hurt, he won’t heal as quickly… but he’s facing a transcendent being beyond cognition.

That courage, I do admire it.

But this isn’t courage; this is recklessness…

“You ruined the last mask… sigh.”

Astaroth sighed deeply.

Then, with a mocking tone, she spoke.

“Big brother, it looks like one light tap wasn’t enough. I’ll hit you harder this time—”

Her words were cut off before they could finish.

Eugene’s figure vanished like a mirage.

Dust flew through the air, and in an instant, the space between us shifted.

Crack.

A crack appeared in Astaroth’s red fox mask.

Her bloated black dress tore apart. A few drops of blood floated in the air before quickly evaporating and disappearing.

“Huh?”

Astaroth muttered in disbelief.

And I was just as stunned.

Did he… injure Astaroth? Eugene?!

Even Angelica, a being close to a god, couldn’t leave a scratch on her?

Wait, what?

 

Author Note

The main character buff is scary.

He’s really scary!

Translator Note

Enjoying the sensation being erased is definitely some next level insanity, heh.