Chapter 344

R​ead​ on KatReadingCa​fe

The invasion from the other world happens from the sky.

Beyond the shattered window.

Monsters poured down like rain.

This was because most of the spatial rifts opened in the sky. Occasionally, they would open on the ground, or even in the underground in severe cases, but such instances were extremely rare.

Since the passages opened in the sky, the monsters fell to the ground as soon as they crossed over. 

Although monsters were stronger than humans, they were still living beings. Falling from a great height caused them considerable damage. 

Ironically, some of the low-rank monsters were often severely injured or killed by the impact of the fall.

With a deafening roar, the ground quaked.

The shockwave spread like ripples, causing the earth to heave.

A giant fell. No, landed. No, even this expression felt strange. Since it didn’t fall in the first place, neither fall nor landing was the right term. 

The fire giant crushed the concrete floor and stood on the ground. Buildings collapsed like dominoes, and clouds of dust exploded. Although the spatial rift opened in the sky, it wasn’t a particularly high position for the giant.

The descent of a demonic beast.

The 7th… no, the 8th demonic beast.

The giant of fire and end.

Surtr.

“Hot…”

It felt like my skin was burning. Not enough to get burned, but the temperature was unusual. The scenery wavered like a mirage. It was truly like a volcanic eruption.

A chill ran down my spine. Burning pain. Yeah, I like it. I really do. It’s in the top three of my favorite pains. The feeling of skin, nerves, flesh, and muscles sizzling. It hurts. It hurts so much, but no matter how much I struggle, I can’t escape. It’s by far the best physical pain. 

The only thing comparable is amputation. No, burning pain hurts more, but amputation has… well, how should I put it, the mental catharsis of falling into a state where you can’t do anything… In that sense, I even like being treated like livestock, less than human.

But this isn’t the time to be thinking about this stuff.

Personal desires must be the lowest priority.

Because I have to stop that flame before it gets any fiercer.

It’s a monster that turns the earth into a battlefield just by walking.

An overwhelming giant that I have to look up at.

Its body is constantly burning and scattering destruction.

Even Supernaturals found it difficult to approach due to the absurd heat.

If you weren’t resistant to heat, combat itself was impossible, and even Captain were in danger of losing their lives if exposed for a long time.

“Hoo…”

I glared at Surtr. It had just descended into the world and hadn’t yet adapted to the environment. A gap of at most a few dozen seconds. I couldn’t waste that precious time. I gathered my hands and placed them on my chest. Taking a deep breath felt like my lungs would burn. Slowly exhaling, I half-opened my eyes.

【Stop】

I uttered the ‘command’ with dry lips.

Demonic beasts are the higher species of monsters.

Therefore, they have the power to command monsters.

And Devil Gods are the higher species of demonic beasts.

Naturally, Devil Gods had the right to command demonic beasts.

Currently, I am a devil.

A human with a Devil God dwelling within.

I also have the right to command demonic beasts.

【Don’t move】

Even the slightest action of that giant was a disaster.

Just taking one step made the ground heave.

If it were to rampage, it would cause an earthquake.

Even more serious was the flame that burned its entire body.

Only black ashes fluttered in the place where Surtr passed.

【Stay still】

I issued a ‘command’ to Surtr.

In the name of Belial.

Using the authority of the Devil God.

I gave an order to the demonic beast.

The command of a higher species is absolute.

Just as monsters obey the commands of demonic beasts.

Demonic beasts must also absolutely obey the commands of Devil Gods.

No matter how unfair the command, they cannot refuse or reject it.

However, the problem is…

[■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■───────!!!]

… … I guess it’s because I’m not a proper devil.

Surtr’s mouth tore open.

Showing off its razor-like teeth.

It started screaming at the top of its lungs.

I reflexively covered my ears. I could have endured it even without doing so, but it was closer to an unconscious action. It was just screaming, but it was like a sonic weapon. 

The sound of something shattering, breaking, and falling echoed one after another. 

I guess it’s fortunate that there were no screams. The citizens had already evacuated due to the previous battles, and those who hadn’t evacuated were probably not alive.

I became a devil by swallowing Belial, but the essence of my soul is still human. It is the human soul that moves this body. There was bound to be a difference compared to the real Belial.

‘I guess it doesn’t work…’

I was hoping a little.

It might work on monsters, but it doesn’t work on demonic beasts.

I guessed as much, but my stomach ached with disappointment.

“…!”

Kugung.

In an instant, my vision was filled with flames.

Not a metaphor, but eyes that were truly fiercely burning stared at me.

Honestly, isn’t this a bit of a cheat?

How can it be so fast with that size?

[■■]

A massive shockwave grazed my cheek.

It was the aftermath of Surtr’s one knee crushing the earth.

Bending over and lowering its head, Surtr looked down at me.

It slammed the burning twilight greatsword a dozen meters away from me.

From my perspective, it was quite a distance away, but for the fire giant, it was as if it had slammed it right next to me.

[■■■■■■■da]

Hair like sunlight fluttered messily.

Surtr’s hot breath pounded my entire body.

The giant looked at me. Opened its mouth. Made a sound. It was a language.

[I■hal■■■■da]

It was hard to hear as if there was noise. But that phenomenon was only temporary. Pronunciation that humans cannot do due to the structure of the vocal cords. Normally, I shouldn’t have been able to understand, but… I could understand. The meaning contained in it.

[I■hal■■■eopda]

[Ihaehal■■■eopda]

[Ihaehal su eopda.]

[I cannot understand.]

[I cannot accept it.]

[What are you?]

The intelligence of monsters varies greatly from individual to individual. Low rank monsters are at the level of beasts, with some exceptions. However, high rank monsters are comparable to humans, and some even have genius that surpasses humans. Demonic beasts, which are the higher species of monsters, naturally have intelligence. It was not at all strange for it to speak.

[Human]

[I feel it from you]

[Devil God]

[The presence of God]

[The afterglow of God]

[The authority of God]

The fire eyes burned as if piercing through me.

Surtr’s huge hands, like an active volcano, approached as if to crush me.

[I ask you]

[Are you a Devil God?]

Strictly speaking, no.

I am a devil.

A human sharing a body with a Devil God.

If you consider the essence, I was still human.

“What if I am?”

But while Belial resided in this body, it was not much different from a Devil God. So even if I said this, it wouldn’t be a lie. I tilted the corners of my lips thinly and said.

“Then will you obey me now?”

Could it be that Surtr ignored my command because it wasn’t sure whether I was a Devil God or not? As I looked up at Surtr with a small hope, Surtr answered as if asking the obvious.

[I will destroy you]

“Huh?”

[A weakened Devil God. A wounded beast is not a predator but a mere prey]

“Eung…?”

The answer was so unexpected that my tongue stiffened.

As I stared blankly with only my eyes, Surtr’s eyes burned fiercely.

[Have you forgotten]

[What I am]

…How would I know what you are?

No, I know.

I do know…

I only know your fighting style, characteristics, weaknesses, and stuff like that.

If I looked at Lucille’s memories, I might find out other things, but…

At least for now, that’s all I know.

[I am death]

[The twilight of the gods]

Isn’t that too arrogant of a statement for a demonic beast to make? More than that, what is that? Going to kill a Devil God? A demonic beast?

Suddenly, a thought flashed through my mind.

The words Murmur left before leaving.

‘Even for us, subduing that guy is a bit of a hassle.’

Does ‘a hassle’ mean that you’ve actually fought it before?

[My fire will never go out]

[The more I burn, the more I blaze]

[Eventually, I will burn even God]

…Ah, I see.

Why Murmur laughed so cheerfully.

Why the child in the white cloud mask, who always only showed cynicism, laughed sincerely.

I understand now.

Knowing Surtr’s tendencies, that’s why she shrugged and laughed.

[You are]

[Firewood]

The characteristic of Surtr, the giant of the end, is an inextinguishable fire.

Once that flame starts burning, it doesn’t go out.

Unless forcibly extinguished, it burns until there is nothing left to burn.

The ashes that are completely burned become Surtr’s power. He is the incarnation of fire. The more it burns, the stronger it becomes. It was Surtr’s unique and most troublesome ability. The more it scattered flames. The more it burned the ground. The more it extinguished life. The giant grows stronger.

So that statement was meant literally.

Surtr declared it. ‘Firewood is fuel. I will burn you. I will make you a burnt offering to expand the flame called Surtr.’

“Ehehe, I don’t think that’s going to happen?”

I scratched my cheek and said.

Firewood.

Honestly, I want to be.

I really want to be.

I want to pour oil on my head right now.

Just imagining myself burning brightly made my loins tingle.

But I won’t allow it.

“There’s only one person who’s allowed to burn me.”

Alice’s heat rays are closer to melting than burning.

So the only one who’s allowed to burn me.

Our protagonist.

It’s only Eugene.

Author Note

A/N (Author’s note):
(??)

(Escapes)

Translator Note

T/N (Translator’s note):
Don’t run off to nowhere!!