Chapter 161

Ṛeａ​đ ｏn K​​atR&e;adｉｎ​&g;C​afe

“The Family must be eradicated at its roots. As the captain of the 2nd Division of the Celestial Corps, I agree with the proposal, but there’s an issue we need to address first.”

The proposal made by Elijah, the captain of the 6th Division, was valid.

Over the years, the crimes and atrocities committed by the Family were beyond description.

Extreme terrorism. Businesses that blurred the line between legal and illegal. Collusion with corrupt politicians. Inciting conflict between supernaturals and non-supernaturals. Murders, kidnappings, robberies, and threats that occurred in the process. It would be quicker to list the crimes they didn’t commit. 

Enumerating their misdeeds one by one would take all night. It was to the point where even the Commander, who usually showed no interest beyond exterminating Demonic Beasts, had personally stepped in.

Supernatural abilities are a double-edged sword.

They can be a shield to protect humanity.

But they can also become a blade that harms humanity.

Monsters that transcend human limits.

That term isn’t exclusive to Demonic Beasts.

If supernatural abilities are abused for crime, they’re no different from the monsters from other dimensions.

The Family is a parasite in human society, a monster that must be exterminated swiftly to prevent future harm.

However, even knowing this, the Celestial Corps had been unable to annihilate completely the Family for a reason.

“The reason the Celestial Corps hasn’t been able to root out the Family until now is because of their strict and meticulous security. You know this better than I do.”

Kallad extended two fingers and folded one as he spoke.

“The Family operates in a decentralized structure. The Celestial Corps has continuously raided many of their branches, but none of them were connected to the ‘upper echelons.’ They always severed any compromised links without hesitation, leaving no way to trace them.”

This was one of the driving forces behind the Family’s longevity.

Lower branches have no means of contacting the upper ones.

Only the upper echelons issue unilateral commands to the lower branches.

When a lower branch is compromised and raided, the upper echelons simply cut off the compromised link.

As a result, the Celestial Corps could only collect the “tails”, never reaching the main body.

“And there’s a question about the Family’s movements.”

He folded the second finger.

He voiced a question that had been lingering.

“How do they always arrive at the scene of a dimensional rift before the Celestial Corps?”

“Using precognitive abilities… that doesn’t make sense, does it?”

Isabella frowned.

Kallad’s question was something she had also wondered about.

Oracle, a subordinate organization of the Celestial Corps composed of precognitive supernaturals.

A group of prophets specialized in tracking the occurrence of dimensional rifts.

Does it make sense that they could predict the occurrence of a rift before Oracle?

Precognitive supernaturals are extremely rare.

Even the Celestial Corps has only managed to secure 17 of them.

Even if the Family had recruited precognitive supernaturals, they could have at most one or two.

Is it logically possible for them to predict before the Celestial Corps, arrive before the Celestial Corps, achieve their objective, and escape before the Celestial Corps arrives?

Unless they were already waiting at the location before the rift even opened, it’s impossible.

“Elijah, I agree with exterminating the Family. But we can’t act rashly until this question is resolved.”

Even if their power has waned, the Family is still the Family.

The Supernatural Liberation Front.

Fanatics with twisted ideologies.

While the Celestial Corps has overwhelming combat power, the actions of lunatics are unpredictable.

If we attempt to exterminate them carelessly, there’s no telling what they might do.

Especially with the Commander absent.

For a large-scale operation like exterminating the Family, clear information is essential.

We need to establish a concrete and feasible strategy based on that information.

A glint appeared in Kallad’s diamond-like eyes.

He spoke in his usual firm tone.

“But you must have already found the answer, haven’t you?”

Otherwise, you wouldn’t have brought this up.

Elijah always prepares thoroughly for everything.

If the captain of the 6th Division speaks with certainty, it implies that all preparations are complete.

And this time is no different. Elijah nodded lightly. Smoothing her wavy crimson hair, she parted her lips heavily. The story begins. The information she had uncovered so far, and her deductions.

◆

That day, the sun was setting once again.

A blood-red sunset was sinking below the horizon.

Beyond it, thick darkness was gradually creeping in.

A deserted alleyway. A flickering, broken streetlight.

In areas with few people, even the air feels cold and heavy.

Overgrown weeds and nameless wildflowers.

An abandoned, unmaintained building served as Regina’s hideout.

Crimes using supernatural abilities. Drug trafficking. Her parents were arrested. Regina was also brought to trial.

However, Regina was a supernatural and a minor.

Her parents had exploited her since she was too young to understand.

With that judgment, she was released under protective custody.

Of course, her crimes weren’t erased.

If she were to cause trouble again, she would truly be sent to juvenile detention.

Regina felt utterly empty.

She was frustrated and resentful.

She had never imagined things would turn out this way.

She had only trusted her parents.

Without realizing it, she had committed atrocities.

She carried a deep sense of betrayal and guilt in her heart.

She rarely entered the house that no longer felt warm.

Everything in that house had been bought with money earned from selling her drugs.

She still couldn’t forget the sight of her friends, destroyed by addiction.

Their hollowed eyes, their faces gaunt, drool dripping from their mouths.

She had just wanted to earn some pocket money.

She had sold drugs without a second thought.

How many people had been destroyed because of it?

In truth, as she grew older, she had begun to notice something was wrong.

But she didn’t want to think deeply about it. She just wanted to trust her parents.

She turned a blind eye to the truth, interpreting things as she pleased.

This was the result.

She maintained her usual demeanor in front of others, but her thoughts never ceased when alone. Her chest felt tight, but there was no way to relieve it. 

To soothe her empty heart, Regina sought out deserted places. She wanted to be where there were no people around. It felt as if everyone passing by was condemning her.

It was paranoia.

She was aware of it herself.

But thoughts aren’t something you can control at will.

The more you try not to think about something, the more it gets imprinted in your mind.

That day was no different.

Carrying a bag full of chocolates, she headed to the abandoned building she used as a hideout.

It was damp and smelly, but the coolness helped calm her mind.

Regina, as usual, headed to the rooftop of the abandoned building and pushed open the rusted door.

“Hello.”

A place where no one should be.

Regina’s secret hideout.

But in that place, there was an uninvited guest.

The world dyed red.

A blood-red sunset.

Beneath it stood a girl.

A red fox mask.

A black gothic dress.

A parasol similar to droplets of dried blood.

The girl stood there casually, gazing at Regina.

The moment their eyes met, Regina felt every hair on her body stand on end.

Her mouth went dry.

Her entire body froze cold.

Cold sweat trickled down her spine.

“So, you’re Regina? I hear you have a unique ability?”

One step.

The girl approached.

“I recently swallowed up a pharmaceutical company, you see.”

A warm and soft voice.

But Regina felt her stomach churn.

Acid reflux made her feel like she was about to vomit.

“That company wasn’t as clean as it seemed on the surface. The executives were quite interested in your ability. A supernatural who can create drugs? The possibilities are endless, depending on how you use it. They were excited, calling you a golden goose.”

Step by step. Slowly. She approached.

Even as she drew closer, Regina couldn’t move.

Her pupils shook like a small boat caught in a storm.

“I was bored with nothing to do, so I thought I’d come to meet you myself as a little pastime.”

Her legs stiffened.

She couldn’t even imagine standing up to her.

She couldn’t even run.

Like a frog facing a snake.

Like prey facing a predator.

Her teeth chattered as her body trembled.

“Seeing you in person…”

Before she knew it, the girl with the red fox mask stood before her.

Despite her small stature, she felt like a massive wall blocking her path.

“…I quite like you.”

The fox smiled sweetly.

Regina, her strength gone, collapsed to the ground.

Ridiculously, absurdly.

She felt a sense of relief at the girl’s positive remark.

Deep down, she began to think.

Maybe she could still live.

The girl reached out to Regina, who was sitting on the ground.

She gently lifted Regina’s chin.

Her purple eyes reflected the red fox mask.

“A sweet smell. So this is the drug? I can see how ordinary humans would be instantly captivated.”

The girl leisurely placed her hand on the mask.

Slowly, the mask came off, revealing blue eyes.

Her face drew closer. The girl’s nose touched Regina’s neck.

“Hmm, what should I do?”

The girl inhaled deeply as she spoke.

She tilted her head as if pondering, then chuckled softly.

“Regina.”

“Uh, hik…”

“You don’t have to be so scared.”

Regina’s breathing was ragged, her gasps desperate.

The girl whispered into Regina’s ear as her shoulders trembled.

“Since I like you, I’ll give you a choice.”

The girl extended her index finger.

She playfully waved it.

Pointing at Regina’s arms and legs.

“Should I cut off your useless limbs and leave only your head and torso, turning you into a doll that produces drugs? I’ll take good care of you. I’ll cherish you.”

“Hi, hik, hik…”

“If you don’t like that, I could just leave your head.”

“Uh, uht…”

“Or, do you want to be my friend?”

Though she said she’d give her a choice, the answer was already decided.

Regina nodded her head, trembling.

She barely managed to squeeze out her voice.

“F, fr, friend, I’ll, be, your, friend…”

“Good choice.”

The girl smiled as if she had expected it.

She spun the mask she had removed on her fingertip.

Then, with a snap, she caught it. The mask faced Regina.

“Well then, I’ll be counting on you from now on.”

Regina didn’t know what the girl was about to do.

But she instinctively knew it was something ominous.

Her instincts screamed at her to run.

But she didn’t even dare to try.

She already knew.

Even if she ran, she’d be caught immediately.

“Astaroth. That’s my name. My cute ‘friend.’”

The mask covered Regina’s face.

That day.

Regina’s fate was sealed.

◆

The day her freedom was taken away.

The day her will was bound.

The day she became a slave to the red fox mask.

Regina recalled that moment.

Even now, her legs felt weak, and her chest grew heavy.

Just reminiscing made her fingertips tremble.

Even after becoming Astaroth’s ‘friend’ and spending so much time with her.

Even after countless encounters and growing accustomed to her.

That day remained a terrifying nightmare for Regina.

“Hey, Astaroth.”

That’s why Regina was surprised at herself for saying this.

It was the third day since Lucia had been kidnapped.

Astaroth emerged from the torture chamber, blood dripping from her.

Regina spoke to her in a slightly trembling voice.

“Isn’t this a bit too much?”

“Huh?”

Astaroth tilted her head.

Since she wasn’t wearing her mask, her face was clearly visible.

Her ocean-blue eyes narrowed.

“I get why you’re doing this, but wouldn’t it be okay to ease up on Lucia’s ‘training’ a bit? We have plenty of time anyway…”

Astaroth had been ‘dismantling’ Lucia non-stop, except for brief breaks. She literally crushed her. Her cute face, her attractive body. Everything was shattered, over and over again. Reduced to a mere lump of flesh. Then it regenerated. Once her form was restored, she crushed her again.

This had been going on for three days straight.

Lucia’s screams never stopped.

“This is unusual. Regina, you’re actually opposing me?”

Astaroth spread her arms wide.

Then she hugged Regina tightly.

As a result, Lucia’s hot blood clung to Regina’s body as well.

“Too harsh training might have the opposite effect…”

“Our cute Regina.”

Cutting off Regina’s words, Astaroth rubbed her cheek against Regina’s chest.

“You always grumble, but you’ve always followed my every word…”

She peeked up.

Her blue eyes half-opened.

Her lips formed a faint curve.

“Are you getting tired of being my ‘friend’?”

“No, that’s not it, I mean…”

“I want to keep being ‘friends’ with Regina.”

Regina’s eyelashes fluttered.

Watching her, Astaroth teased.

“You feel the same way, right?”

“…Yes.”

“Yeah, of course. I already don’t want to cut off your limbs, you know? I haven’t even gotten a doghouse yet, and there’s no collar either.”

“…”

She said it like a joke, but was it really a joke?

Regina decided not to think too deeply about it.

“Hmm, what should I do? Regina’s unhappy with what I’m doing, but I want to keep going. Ahaha, is this what a ‘friends’ quarrel’ looks like?”

“…”

Had she said something unnecessary?

Regina had guessed from the start that Astaroth wouldn’t listen to her just because she spoke up.

Still, she couldn’t just stand by and do nothing. The muffled screams wouldn’t stop, so she had acted on impulse.

“Yeah, that’ll do.”

As if struck by a good idea, Astaroth released Regina from her embrace.

She took a few steps back and pointed her finger in one direction.

Toward the torture chamber, reeking of blood.

“From now on, you’ll do it.”

“…What?”

“Lucia’s ‘training,’ of course.”

The corners of Astaroth’s eyes curved beautifully.

It was a lovely smile, but Regina’s pupils shook violently as she saw it.

Author Note

A/N (Author’s note):
I thought the site had crashed because it was laggy.

Turns out that it was my computer that crashed instead.

I hadn’t used it in a few years, but it was already going bad.

It’s like Lucia losing her mind after being tortured so badly.

Translator Note

T/N (Translator’s note):
Author… I don’t think that’s how it works…

Smh!