Chapter 145

Ṛ​εαԁ ​οո​ ǨɑṫŔｅａđіṅɡＣａ​ғҽ

I need to think of a way.

I can’t just lie here comfortably like this.

Even at this very moment, Murmur might be up to something.

No, I can roughly guess what she’s planning.

She’s probably trying to recreate what happened during the cherry blossom festival.

If that’s the case, I need to figure out a solution even more.

Lying here with just my torso and no limbs.

How is this any different from being served on a platter for monsters to devour?

Lucia sometimes thought about being eaten alive.

But not now, and not like this.

“Ugh…”

I pulled my right arm with all my might. But it was useless. No matter how hard I pulled, there was no sign of escaping the gate. The gate created by Murmur’s spatial connection was firmly fixed to my body. It was something the ruler of space herself had embedded into me. There was no way Lucia’s strength alone could do anything about it.

“It won’t come out…”

I muttered in despair. I could feel my limbs clearly, but I couldn’t use them as I wanted. It felt different from simply having them severed. Not being able to use them because they’re gone versus not being able to use them even though they’re there—the feeling was entirely different.

“If they were just cut off, I could regenerate them…”

Murmur probably knew that and chose this convenient method of restraining my limbs.

It would’ve been much easier to just kill me, but she went out of her way to subdue me instead.

From what she said to me, Murmur was just as spiteful as Astaroth.

“…This is frustrating.”

My chest was pressed against the floor, making it hard to breathe. I didn’t hate it, but it was distracting. I groaned and shook my remaining limbs. I tried my best to flip my body over. But with only a bit of my arm left below the shoulder and a part of my leg below the hip, even flipping over was a struggle.

After a long struggle, I finally managed to flip over.

I lay on my back and looked around.

There was no sign of anyone.

This place, where Typhoon’s model had been, was usually bustling with people.

But now, not even a single ant could be found.

The reason wasn’t hard to guess.

The pressure Murmur had briefly exerted to intimidate me.

Even as a supernatural, it was hard for me to endure. Ordinary people wouldn’t stand a chance.

It was fortunate that I was the target. If she had indiscriminately pressured everyone, some might have fainted or even died.

It’s a good thing the visitors fled. I hope they left the square entirely and headed to the shelters. 

It would be even better if they called the Celestial Corps. But not all visitors would have sensed the danger and fled. 

There must be some who are still oblivious, casually enjoying the exhibits. I need to warn them that it’s dangerous…

Kuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuung────!!!

Then, an intangible energy washed over my entire body.

I instinctively realized.

The situation I had feared had become reality.

Murmur had opened a rift in space.

My gaze reflexively turned toward the restroom.

Anna still hadn’t returned.

It had been quite some time, and she still hadn’t come out.

Could something have really happened to her?

I thought it was fortunate she didn’t come out while Murmur was here, but now I’m just worried.

“There’s no more time… to hesitate.”

Think of a way.

The monsters will be here soon.

Do you plan to die as a monster’s meal?

To be chewed up by sharp teeth, bones shattered, flesh torn apart.

Eventually, crushed into a mangled mess────

“Ah.”

That’s it.

My eyes widened as a thought struck me.

Right, the reason I can’t regenerate my limbs is because they’re still intact.

My arms and legs are transferred to another location through the gate, so I can’t use them.

But since I can’t pull them out of the gate, it’s effectively like they’ve been severed.

Not cut off, but no different from being cut off.

It was the worst possible situation for Lucia.

Her pride, her regenerative ability, was utterly useless in this case.

“If I can’t use super regeneration, then I’ll create a situation where I can.”

I raised my arm. The small bit of arm left dangled limply. My eyes sparkled as I spoke.

“I’ll cut it off.”

Cut off the remaining part and regenerate it with super regeneration.

Then I’ll regain freedom of my limbs.

The problem is, I don’t have a saw or an axe right now, and even if I did, I’m in no condition to use them.

But I still have something left.

I licked my lips with my pink tongue.

I slightly opened my mouth, revealing my white teeth.

I’ll bite it off.

It’s crude, but there’s no other way.

I tilted my head as far as I could and brought my mouth to my arm.

I’ve self-harmed many times before, but this is the first time I’ve done it for such a necessary reason.

Moreover, trying to sever my arm with my teeth? Even I think it’s a bizarre method.

I took a deep breath.

Without hesitation, I sank my teeth into my arm.

Crunch.

My fangs dug into the flesh, bringing a sharp pain and a rush of blood.

My mouth filled with the metallic taste of blood. I shuddered.

I didn’t stop. I continued to bite through my arm without hesitation.

Hot blood flowed down my lips.

I accidentally swallowed a mouthful of blood.

Cough, cough, 

I choked on my breath.

Plop. Plop. 

My tracksuit, soaked in blood, turned a dark crimson.

“Ugh, ugh…”

This is harder than I thought. It’s not coming off easily. I reached the bone, and it’s much harder than I imagined. It would’ve been quick with a saw. But trying to do it with my teeth isn’t working. I kept biting, but all that came was a searing pain that overwhelmed my mind.

My breathing became erratic. I swallowed another mouthful of blood. My stomach churned. I coughed and let out pained groans.

“Ugh, haa, hkk…”

My hips twitched. My heartbeat gradually quickened. I squirmed my nearly gone leg. Tears streamed down my face. My mind was hazy. My head felt numb. I desperately tried to calm myself. Not now. Not yet. This isn’t the dorm, and the situation isn’t relaxed. Focus on severing the arm first. Before the monsters appear.

“Kieeeek, kikek!”

“Ah.”

Speak of the devil.

A few small green dwarves were approaching. They wore rags covering their lower bodies and held rusty, dull daggers. Their height barely reached a meter, and their stature was diminutive. 

Green dwarves. 

Also known as goblins. Low-rank monsters, not particularly strong. Lucia could easily defeat them unarmed. Normally, with a single strike…a single…strike…?

Huh, this is bad.

Normally, I could take them down with one punch.

But in Lucia’s current state, she can’t even handle a non-supernatural.

Well, she doesn’t have limbs.

But if a horde of green dwarves is coming…

The green dwarves sniffed the air. It seems they were drawn by the scent of my blood. What do I do? Goblins sometimes don’t just kill human women but do unspeakable things to them. Like using them as breeding stock. If there’s a pretty, defenseless human girl in front of them, they’ll definitely…

Eww, I don’t want that!

Well, being brutally violated is kind of my thing!

Having my resistance cruelly crushed, hands and feet bound tightly!

Being forcibly taken is also on Lucia’s bucket list!

But not like this!

I can’t let these things take Lucia’s precious virginity!

Even if I’m not the main heroine, Lucia is still a heroine.

The heroine’s purity being taken by a mere monster, not even the protagonist?

I don’t want that. I absolutely don’t want that! And the idea of bearing a monster’s child? Even more unthinkable!

‘Just one arm. I don’t need the legs. With just one arm, I can manage somehow.’

I chewed on my arm even more fervently.

Before the green dwarves could get closer, I had to sever my right arm and regenerate it.

Then, with just my right arm, I’d take down that horde of goblins.

It’s not just about my purity.

If those creatures head to the restroom, Anna will be in danger too.

I tore at the flesh with my teeth, grinding through the bone.

As my mouth became drenched in blood, my right arm began to dangle more loosely.

“Kieeeek!”

“Kie, kiek!”

The goblins who had spotted me charged. They swung their weapons wildly, covering the distance with their short legs. Even though they were low rank, monsters were still monsters, and their speed was no joke. Time is… cutting it close. I opened my mouth wide for one final attempt to sever the dangling arm. Just as I was about to bite down with all my strength.

“Hmm.”

Almost simultaneously, the heads of all the goblins exploded. Their headless bodies continued running for a moment, took a few more steps, and then collapsed like puppets with their strings cut. I stared in stunned silence. Who was that?

“…Are you okay?”

A boy with deep ash-gray hair.

He retracted his extended fist and straightened his posture.

His blue-gray eyes glared at me.

His tone was calm, but there was an unmistakable worry hidden within it.

“Carlos!”

“You…”

Carlos frowned. For someone whose default expression was usually stoic, it was rare to see him so visibly emotional. He must have been shocked.

And who could blame him?

He probably came looking for me because he was worried when the monsters appeared.

But here I am, seemingly limbless, and Anna is nowhere to be seen.

If he wasn’t worried, he’d be a heartless monster.

“Thanks for helping.”

I felt a little relieved at the arrival of reinforcements.

After all, two is better than one, right?

Carlos, along with Leo, is Eugene’s rival.

His skills were impeccable. I could trust and rely on him.

“I have a favor to ask. It’s going to sound really weird. I’m sorry. But I really need you to do it.”

“…Speak.”

Once Carlos gave his permission, I didn’t hesitate.

At least my teeth and jaw won’t have to suffer anymore.

“Can you cut off my limbs?”

“…What?”

Did you not hear me?

Cut off my arms and legs.

For you, that should be a piece of cake, right?

Author Note

A/N (Author’s note):
Lucia is really proactive, asking for her limbs to be cut off.

Isn’t she?

Translator Note

T/N (Translator’s note):
No power-up for today! Smh…