Chapter 203

R‍e‍a​d‌ ‍on​ ‍Ka‌t‌Re‌a‍d‌i‌n‌​g‌C‌a‌f​e‍

The forest expanded.

A wave of life poured forth like a torrent.

It overturned the ground, recklessly widening its domain.

Trees that looked centuries old.

Thick, majestic vines.

Sharp, jagged roots.

A tangled green thicket.

The earth trembled as all manner of plants bloomed.

The abnormally large and menacing forest seemed to have a will of its own, swallowing everything in its path.

It wasn’t something that could be countered with brute force. Trying to smash through it would only result in being flung back. 

Eugene, who had tried to withstand it with his body, was left bloodied and rolling on the ground. 

It was the tyranny of nature. The wrath of life. The urban atmosphere vanished, replaced by the fresh scent of the forest.

The forest absorbed the surrounding life force, growing wider and wider.

In the face of nature’s tyranny, humans were utterly powerless.

Nature itself had become a clear enemy.

As a mere human, there was no way to oppose it.

It was common sense, a natural truth.

Just as one couldn’t stand against a surging tidal wave.

The trembling of the earth.

The erupting storm.

The fierce lightning strikes.

Such natural disasters were beyond human comprehension.

The expanding forest’s upheaval was also a phenomenon that defied human understanding.

“Ugh!”

Yet, something happened that defied this common sense.

Crunch. 

A sturdy military boot dug into the ground.

Supporting her upper body with her legs.

She pulled back her tightly clenched fist, then thrust it forward with immense force.

Boom! 

A massive hole was torn through the torrent of life.

Tree branches shattered, and roots were ripped from the ground.

Scattered leaves turned to dust and crumbled.

Vines were severed, and the thicket vanished without a trace.

The forest shook from the wind pressure caused by a single punch—something that seemed impossible for a human to achieve.

The result was devastating, especially for just one strike.

But that strike wasn’t the end.

Kaen moved forward. She swung her fist with all her might. 

Bang!
Crash!
Thud!
Boom! 

With each step she took, a series of deafening explosions followed. If the forest was a torrent of life, she was a torrent of destruction. The collision of these two forces created the illusion of the heavens and earth being overturned.

‘Incredible…!’

Eugene’s mouth hung slightly open in awe.

He could create a similar phenomenon with his Sun Sword.

But unleashing such power continuously was beyond him.

He needed time to accumulate and refine his energy to create a technique.

A finishing move was, by definition, a technique meant to kill. It was a move designed to deliver a decisive blow. 

While its power was undeniable, it required preparation. Like Eugene’s Sun Sword, such techniques weren’t meant to be done continuously.

Kaen was different.

Common sense didn’t apply to her.

She was always “prepared”.

【Revolver】

A supernatural ability that allowed her to store energy in advance.

She drew energy from a condensed core, ready to use at any moment.

This gave her an edge over her opponents at all times.

There was no need for a buildup process; she could deliver results immediately.

“Rapid fire, reload!”

Her turquoise eyes glimmered with a golden light.

Her sharp fangs peeked out as she took deep breaths.

Her steps quickened.

From walking to running.

Soon, she was sprinting at full speed.

Her white gloves turned golden, blazing like flames.

“Raaaaah!!!”

With a thunderous shout, golden light swept through the air. Even without direct contact, the forest was pushed back. A human was driving back the forest. 

With just her fists, she was smashing through the rapidly expanding forest. Shattered tree fragments flew everywhere, mixed with chunks of monster flesh. Blood sprayed. Screams of agony echoed.

Belial had created monsters, but the forest didn’t discriminate between friend and foe.

The monsters were crushed by the forest, becoming nutrients for its expansion.

Those that barely survived were pulverized by Kaen’s strikes, ending their lives.

Nature and humanity clashed.

The forest of life created by the devil.

A human was tearing it apart with nothing but her fists.

“I’ll clear a path no matter what!”

Kaen shouted without pausing her punches.

“Targeting the heart is your job! Can you do it?”

“Yes, leave it to me!”

Eugene’s confident reply made Kaen grin.

She took a deep breath, filling her lungs with air, and pressed forward.

She smashed through everything in her way. Drawing energy from her core, she unleashed it with full force. 

Among the captains, Kaen was known as the strongest in terms of “firepower”. Once she focused solely on destruction, the heavens shook, and the earth split. 

Thud! Thud! Thud! 

The ground quaked as if a giant were stomping.

They were getting closer.

To the source of life’s creation.

To Belial, who lay beyond.

◈

“Ha, ah, hua, aah…”

Belial hunched over, clutching her abdomen with her arms.

Her mind was a chaotic mess, like dozens of fireworks exploding at once.

Her thighs trembled. Drool dripped from her lips.

Drip, drip. 

Sweat soaked her clothes.

‘C-calm down, calm down…!’

She tried to steady her muddled mind, but it wasn’t working. Her abilities were running wild. Life force overflowed, triggering uncontrolled creation. 

The more she exerted her demonic powers, the more Lucia’s body broke down. With each breakdown, excruciating pain shot up her spine, jolting her brain. 

This loss of control led to more creation, creating a vicious cycle.

‘I, I am, Be, Belial… ranked 68th of the devil gods…’

To be swayed by mere human sensations was absurd.

Calm down. Stay cool. Control your abilities. Stop the creation of life. Reel in the life force. 

Indiscriminate creation won’t achieve anything. Take a moment to catch your breath, then think again. I need to defeat Eugene and the successor of Jin…

“Hiiik, hick?!”

Belial let out a thin, hoarse sound as her throat tightened.

Electric currents ran down her spine, sparking like embers.

Her head tilted uncontrollably, and tears welled up in her cherry-blossom-colored eyes.

“Stop, s-stop it…”

Her once-sharp mind was in shambles. Thoughts wouldn’t connect. 

Overwhelmed by the pain (pleasure) surging through her, she couldn’t process anything else. 

Her chest ached. Her shoulders shook intermittently as she clenched her teeth. 

She was being toyed with. Lucia’s body was tormenting her mind at will. Even as she realized this, Belial had to swallow her helpless rage.

“T-the trigger is… pain…”

She desperately analyzed the cause. Pain. Thinking back, the corruption of her mind had started the moment the body began to collapse. 

It was ridiculous. A devil god’s mind being corrupted by a human? Was that even possible? But the reality was undeniable.

Lucia’s body, when subjected to pain, buried reason and let instinct run wild. Primal instinct devoured rationality. 

Her entire body became a sensory organ for extreme pleasure. 

Belial watched as drool and sweat pooled on the floor, forming a small puddle.

Once the cause was identified, the next step was to solve the problem. Knowing the reason made it easier to address. 

If she could avoid pain, she could escape the corruption that was slowly eating away at her mind.

Yes, it was simple. Just endure, withstand, and overcome the pain…

But was that really necessary?

It wasn’t like she hated it entirely… At first, it was shocking, but as she got used to it, she started to find it somewhat enjoyable… No, no. I, that’s not… Ugh…

‘St-stop it…’

Belial shook her head. Her thoughts were spiraling again. 

The empty desires tickled her chest, making it hard to think straight. 

‘Why did pain feel so good? This wasn’t a thought a sane person would have.’ Belial shuddered. 

Watching herself change in real-time was a unique kind of terror. She had wanted fear, but not this kind.

If she stayed like this, she would end up like before—gasping in excitement, cutting off her own limbs, and offering her heart. She would succumb to the supreme happiness and pleasure of defeat.

Just imagining it was sweet.

More intoxicating than any fine wine.

For that one moment, she wanted to throw away all dignity and pride.

But no.

That much, she couldn’t do.

I am.

Belial, the Devil God.

One of the 72 Devil Gods.

A transcendent being carrying the lineage of the ‘Great Ancient Ones’.

How could I, of all beings, fall to something as trivial as… physical chemical reactions?!

To the mental attacks of a mere human?!

“I absolutely, ugh, won’t, hic, give in… to your, ah, whims…”

Belial forced herself to straighten up.

Her back trembled with spasms, but she endured.

She stopped the creation for just a moment.

Reorganized her body and mind.

Then, she would deal with Eugene and Jin’s successor.

With her resolve firm, she looked forward.

And flinched.

Had she been too long swayed by physical and mental pleasure?

The flash of destruction was already right in front of her. 

Golden light blazed. The 7th Division Captain, Kaen. Jin’s successor was drawing a golden flash. 

Crash! 

Wood fragments scattered like dust, and the blood of monsters spread like a fog.

“Ah.”

Reflexively, she attempted creation.

She entangled Kaen’s feet with tree roots.

The cost was her legs giving out, making her stagger.

But she managed to stop Kaen, if only for a moment.

However,

“I’ll take it back, Lucia’s body!”

From behind Kaen.

Accelerating further.

Eugene leaped high and charged.

Belial’s pupils shook violently. She recognized the attack but was too slow to react. 

No, if it were her usual self, she would have sneered and counterattacked. There was enough time. 

But now, she was too overwhelmed. Resisting the pleasure threatening to consume her mind was already a desperate struggle. She had no strength left to respond to Eugene’s attack.

The Sun Sword pierced through.

Aiming straight for Belial’s chest.

For the heart within.

‘Ah…’

Time seemed to stretch in extreme focus. Everything slowed down. She slowed down too. 

In this slowed world, she watched the trajectory of the Sun Sword. 

It approached. It was going to pierce her heart. 

The heart contained Belial’s core. If it shattered, things would go badly. She might even be expelled from this body. 

If her mind were intact, she could recreate the core, but in her current state, struggling against pleasure…!

She had to block it, somehow…

But, that.

Would feel really good, wouldn’t it?

Time returned to its normal speed.

Belial, knowing it was futile, raised her arm to shield her chest.

Fully aware that the blade would pierce through her forearm.

And so, Eugene unleashed the flash of the Sun Sword.

The red light became a sharp blade, piercing through.

It cut through the air without resistance.

“…What?!”

It truly cut through empty air.

Eugene, bewildered, looked around.

Following his danger sense, he searched for the vanished Belial.

Not far away, the girl in the green wolf mask was gasping for breath.

In front of her, the child in the white cloud mask clicked her tongue.

“My, my, struggling this much? That’s not like you.”

“….”

Belial didn’t answer Murmur’s question. 

Not because she didn’t want to, but because she couldn’t. If she opened her tightly sealed lips, a lewd moan might escape. 

A fragment of Belial’s crumbling rationality struggled to prevent such disgrace. Though puzzled by Belial’s lack of response, Murmur didn’t dwell on it.

“The game’s over, right? Let’s go back.”

“…”

Belial nodded.

The fight was already too much.

She needed to stabilize and regain her composure as soon as possible.

She had to fully absorb Lucia, who was still shaking her mind from within.

“Stop!”

Eugene tore through the air with his acceleration, charging forward. 

Even though Belial had suddenly disappeared before his eyes, he still couldn’t fully process it. 

Despite pushing his perception to the limit with acceleration, failing to notice her disappearance suggested it wasn’t just a matter of speed. 

Had she teleported? Whatever the case, one thing was clear: he couldn’t let her escape now.

“I’ll deal with you next time.”

Fighting the “Chosen One” was still too early.

Space bent, forming a wall that blocked Eugene. 

Eugene’s eyes widened. 

‘This was Teacher Si-ul’s supernatural ability! So, she really was a spatial controller! That made it even more crucial not to let her escape!’ 

Eugene’s Sun Sword struck the warped space. 

However, the space only shook violently and didn’t break easily. 

Gritting his teeth, he prepared for another strike, but just then, a fist brushed past him from behind.

Boom!

Kaen’s fist shattered the warped space.

As she retracted her right hand, her left fist shot forward in a straight punch.

“Too late.”

Murmur chuckled as she activated her authority.

Space distorted and expanded.

Even though Kaen had swung her fist right in front of her.

In an instant, Kaen was thrown dozens of steps away.

“Huh?!”

Kaen looked up in confusion.

In the distance, she could see Murmur waving her hand.

“Damn it…!”

Eugene, who had been similarly pushed far away by the spatial expansion, rushed forward in desperation.

But it was too late.

As Murmur had said, it was far too late.

Once they fell victim to spatial manipulation, there was no chance of winning.

Having shaken off the interference, Murmur flicked her finger lightly.

With a tap, spatial teleportation activated.

The coordinates were set to a place as far away as possible.

A place so distant that even the captains couldn’t track them.

Outside the realm of humans.

“Damn it, wait!”

No. He couldn’t reach her. It was too far. He had barely managed to stand before her, and now she was slipping away again. 

Would he have to let Lucia go like this once more? Today might have been his last chance to save her. And yet, he could only watch helplessly?

He accelerated.

Accelerated, accelerated, and accelerated even more.

Until even sound couldn’t keep up.

Until his reinforced body creaked under the strain.

“…!”

Still, he couldn’t reach her.

Murmur’s spatial teleportation had activated.

Eugene stared blankly at the scene.

“…Huh?”

Who was it that let out that bewildered voice?

Murmur’s pupils trembled slightly. They should have already crossed space, yet they were still in the same place. 

The spatial teleportation had been canceled. No, not canceled. The teleportation itself hadn’t been nullified. 

They should have crossed space, but someone had grabbed hold of it, distorting it and neutralizing Murmur’s ability.

“What the…?!”

Murmur activated her ability again.

She calculated the coordinates and twisted space.

It failed. A firm hand was gripping the space.

“Don’t tell me this is your doing?”

Murmur glared at the “Chosen One”.

But Eugene was just as clueless.

Stopping in his tracks, Eugene swallowed dryly.

He could feel it.

Something enormous.

An existence whose limits he couldn’t even begin to fathom was approaching.

“I’m so dumbfounded I can’t even laugh.”

Tap, tap. The sound of light footsteps echoed.

A calm, quiet voice rang out softly.

Despite the considerable distance, the voice was crystal clear.

As if speaking right beside them.

The sharp, clear voice brushed against everyone’s ears.

“While I was away for a moment, it seems all sorts of things have been happening.”

He was getting closer.

Even though he was clearly walking.

Even though he had been far away just moments ago.

By the time they realized it, he was already passing by their side.

“…Huh?”

Kaen’s lips parted slightly.

Her turquoise eyes, wide open, were filled with surprise.

As he passed by her, the boy walked forward.

“Honestly, let me say this.”

His jet-black hair swayed with each step.

Flecks of golden light shimmered faintly within the black strands.

It was like watching stars twinkling in the night sky.

“I’m in a very bad mood right now.”

A cold anger rippled in his azure eyes.

The boy glared at the child in the white cloud mask.

Then he turned his gaze to the girl in the green wolf mask standing beside her.

“So, I’d appreciate it if someone could give me a logical explanation.”

The boy stopped walking just one step ahead of Eugene.

Eugene stared at him with trembling eyes. He recognized the face. 

It was his first time seeing him in person, but he had seen photos occasionally. He had read about him in books. He was even in textbooks. 

You could say he was the most famous person in the world without exaggeration. That’s why Eugene’s mouth went dry. He couldn’t utter a single word.

“What on earth is going on here?”

The boy’s cold question was met with a response.

Though not the one he was hoping for.

“Master!”

Kaen shouted.

Her voice was filled with joy and trust.

The boy glanced at Kaen and slightly furrowed his brows.

Eugene’s mind went blank as he recalled information about the boy.

The founder of the Celestial Corps.

A peerless hero who had protected humanity for 150 years.

The captain of the 1st Division and the commander of the Celestial Corps.

People revered his achievements and power, praising him with this title:

The God of War.

The god of war and soldiers.

Humanity’s strongest protector.

The unshakable pillar.

“Ah…”

Belial’s lips twitched.

The moment she saw the boy, her chest began to stir.

Her heart ached with an emotion she couldn’t understand.

A faint voice escaped her lips.

It wasn’t a moan.

Neither pain nor pleasure mattered at this moment.

Without even realizing what she was saying, she uttered someone’s name.

“Yoo-seong?”

It wasn’t Belial who spoke, but the “body”.

For some reason, the name felt nostalgic and bittersweet.

 

Author Note

A/N (Author’s note):
They waited for the other captains to come, and the commander came instead.

For some reason, he was so angry that everyone felt unnerved.

Translator Note

T/N (Translator’s note):
NTR route starts?!