Ch.44Repulsion

When I opened my eyes, the dark void before me was a sight that had become all too familiar.

A strange space where my very existence seemed to fade away.

After coming and going dozens of times, this place had grown oddly comforting. As always, I needed to observe the “factors” and the remnants that failed to become “factors,” but…

‘What’s this?’

What actually entered my vision were just two factor-fruits, with no remnants whatsoever.

One was none other than an ‘apple.’ A disgusting fruit resembling an ‘apple,’ coated in a sticky purple liquid that glistened across its surface, stained with a slimy, filthy green color.

I presumed this must be the fusion of the mid-level goblin and the demonic factor created from its transformation.

The other one… was shaped like a cluster of grapes, similar to when I killed the goblin wolf riders and obtained their fused factor.

The only difference was that there were hundreds of green fruits hanging from its branches, enough to trigger claustrophobia, which immediately revealed its identity to me.

‘…So they combined all the remnants of the cultist goblins into a single factor.’

The fusion of factors—something that had happened only once before. Seeing this, my expression hardened as I frowned, recalling the ‘being’ behind this phenomenon…

As I glared at these things with fierce eyes, not even attempting to hide my disgust, these ‘fruits’ spontaneously exploded, forcing their factors upon me despite my unwillingness.

[This is the power of corrosion.

The energy and force of decay and rot.

Your magic will corrode and collapse objects it touches, and this will apply equally to aura.]

The first factor thrust upon me as the apple-shaped fruit burst on its own was a recreation of that purple-tinged green aura that had coated the mid-level goblin’s spear tip.

A powerful supplementary effect that instantly rusts and crumbles metal it touches, and accelerates decay in organic matter, causing rapid rot.

Considering it included the rare ability to transform magical energy (aura), it would certainly be a characteristic impossible to ignore. However, knowing this power originated from ‘Gluttony,’ I refused to even give it a glance.

[This is the essence of spear technique.

The mastery of repeated thrusting, perfected as the ultimate spear art.

Through this, you will gain new principles, enabling swift recovery and execution.]

The second option would allow me to directly replicate the spear technique ‘Consecutive Strike’ that the goblin had used.

On the surface, it appeared to be an ability without any risk or demonic manipulation, but having realized its true nature through my ‘Hyper Intuition,’ I could barely suppress a bitter laugh.

Considering that goblin obtained such skill by selling his soul to a demon, if I were to acquire this, I would be directly exposed to the influence of ‘Gluttony’ hidden within it.

To describe it as they often do in temples, it would stain my soul with ‘corruption.’ Not only would I become vulnerable to demonic temptation, but I would be opening a direct channel for ‘Gluttony’ to exert influence over me proportional to this skill.

[This is the seed of black magic.

The talent to perform rituals that grant wicked power in exchange for sacrifice.

You will be able to offer something to beings of the demon realm and receive corresponding power, even authority, in return.]

And the grand finale was, remarkably, a magical aptitude I didn’t possess—nor did I want—specifically, an aptitude for demonic black magic.

In this world, to learn magic, one needs what’s called a ‘magical aptitude’—essentially a passive power that enables one to use magic.

Of course, there are species and mutants born with the ability to use magic without learning it, but for the vast majority of species, acquiring this ‘magical aptitude’ is a fundamental prerequisite for gaining power.

Since magical aptitude is virtually impossible to acquire if not born with it, I had been hoping to someday gain this ability through my skills, but…

‘…Would I accept something like this?’

I wasn’t stupid enough to eagerly accept something so obviously flawed.

I had no desire whatsoever to use powers like black magic with so many clear disqualifications as a form of magic, so I felt not even the slightest attraction to it.

Moreover, the grape factor was even more outrageous.

While the apple ‘fruit’ at least attempted to disguise or pass off what it contained, the grape one didn’t even try to hide its true nature.

‘Gluttonous Regeneration’ enabling rapid wound healing through massive food consumption. ‘Evil Digestion Constitution’ allowing one to digest and derive nutrients from indigestible substances. And ‘Cannibalism’ that redirects the path of ‘corruption (ghoulification)’ from consuming one’s own kind.

Each one so blatantly affirmed its connection to ‘Gluttony’ that I simply stared at these options I had no intention of choosing…

And so, after what felt like an immeasurable amount of time—so long that I completely lost my sense of time…

[…You don’t intend to choose, do you?]

Finally, the owner of that beautiful yet disgusting voice I had been waiting for addressed me.

“Why should I choose? It would only be disadvantageous to me anyway.”

[Disadvantageous? You… my lovely child, you don’t understand. Do you intend to deny this mother’s love?]

“Love? This is love? Hah, don’t make me laugh. Whatever you think your actions are, how can you call it love when the recipient feels no affection?”

‘Gluttony,’ who despicably referred to itself as my mother despite likely having stolen my biological mother’s body to give birth to me.

Hearing its words, I felt heat rising to my head and snapped back angrily, while inwardly remaining vigilant about how it might suddenly change its demeanor.

And then, at that moment:

[Fine, very well. Let’s talk about something else then.]

‘…It changed the subject?’

While I was feeling disgusted by its behavior—acting like a mother upset by her son’s rebellious phase—’Gluttony’ abruptly changed the subject and brought up something I couldn’t ignore.

[My child, my child born from an otherworldly soul.]

“…What? What are you—”

[Listen to the end, child. I brought you here, guiding you after you were ejected from the cycle of reincarnation. Essentially, you are not a being of this world.]

“…Huh.”

Having casually revealed the reason for my reincarnation into this world, ‘Gluttony’ continued, elaborating grandly.

[You are essentially a being with no connection to this world. Furthermore, the humans of this world… are a completely different species from what you think of as ‘human.’]

“…I know.”

[Yes, then this will go faster. The beings there have no connection to your former species. So why do you oppose and hate us so much? Are the humans of this world truly as evil as we are?]

“Of course they’re more evil. How could they be the same? At least they don’t mess with the afterlife—what do demons do to souls?”

While worldly exploitation merely causes momentary suffering to the physical body, demons combine that worldly exploitation with spiritual exploitation, making it eternal.

The suppression of cultists and demon worshippers receives generational support not because of some kind of brainwashing education, but because they actually deserve to be suppressed for their actions.

As I inwardly fumed at this demon lord’s attempt at persuasion—similar to a human trying to understand an ant’s perspective—I grew utterly disgusted with the nonsense it was spouting and responded with something it never expected.

“I just don’t like you.”

[…What?]

“I mean it, seriously! Does there need to be a specific reason for everything? If you’re really my parent, if you’re truly ‘Gluttony,’ shouldn’t you know the reason?”

Beings who pretend to give choices while pushing you from behind into the abyss. Why should I view favorably those who perfectly recreate the type of human I despise most?

Just like now, pretending to give choices while subtly backing me into a corner—that detestable behavior.

As this irritation surfaced in my mind, I finally couldn’t contain my frustration and moved my ‘body’ as my heart dictated.

“Come, sword! If you’re truly a part of me, appear and cut these things down!”

Surrendering to momentum, I grasped a familiar longsword—or rather, ‘something’ in the shape of a longsword—in my hand and—

“—Go back, demon! Back to the sewer where you belong!!”

[Sewer? Me?!! What nonsen—]

Clearly recognizing that this space was formed by my power, within my mind, I resolved to push away the demon’s influence.

Simultaneously, I summoned my sword… ‘Slash’ and bisected the factors.

My determination had been set long ago.

※ ※ ※

【Ah, I’ve been rejected…】

【…What should I do? That space ultimately belongs to that child. Perhaps we won’t be able to meet for a while.】

【My, my lovely… my admirable child, truly.】

【[[[Hey, what do ‘we’ think about this?]]]】