Chapter 129

Chapter 129

129 : Deficiency “I’m pregnant.” “…What?” Quirjev’s face as he retorted was quite comical. It’s an obvious story. When one becomes skilled in the Essence Absorption Great Art, one can absorb essence from anywhere, but the Essence Absorption Great Art is fundamentally based on absorbing vitality from semen ejaculated into the vagina. Naturally, one becomes quite sensitive to one’s own body, especially in certain areas. In other words, it’s not strange that I, who has mastered the Essence Absorption Great Art, would feel a foreign presence within my womb. “Could it be that…” “Yes, that’s right. As you said, it’s Laufer’s child.” “But, I haven’t even shown you Laufer yet…” “There was one here too. I was attacked the night I arrived, and after checking today, I’m definitely pregnant.” “…I see. That guy was here.” Quirjev wore a complicated expression after hearing my words, but I was just as troubled. Even if I had prepared myself, it didn’t mean I could calmly deal with the situation when it actually happened. I was trying to maintain a calm expression as much as possible, but my mind was just as complicated. Even though I hadn’t used the Essence Absorption Great Art, I never even imagined that I would get pregnant from just one encounter. Is this what they mean when they say you never know how things will turn out in life? “…How did you confirm that?” “There are ways. Just like how I could whisper to you without anyone noticing.” Sound Transmission into Secrecy. A type of sonic skill utilizing noise cancellation, it involves splitting the sound waves of one’s voice into two through internal energy, causing them to cancel each other out. By intentionally adjusting it so that one wave disappears when it reaches a specific location, it’s a technique to deliver a small voice that only the target can hear. As you can tell from the explanation, it’s incredibly complex, troublesome to use, and difficult. Even with the memory buff, you can’t use it without internal energy, and even with internal energy, it takes a long time to master the technique. Of course, Sound Transmission has no connection to the Essence Absorption Great Art, but since they both exist within the broad framework of martial arts, it’s fair to consider them the same. “Can I trust your words?” “I don’t want to believe it either, but this is how it turned out. You’ll have no choice but to believe it later anyway.” When I spoke curtly, Quirjev finally realized something and looked apologetic. Had he finally realized my situation? “…I’m sorry.” “It’s okay. I promised anyway.” Even though I said that, I didn’t really feel okay. I never thought I would give birth to a child in my life, but I still had a vague hope that I might someday. But the fact that my first child is a tentacle monster is a hard truth to accept, even for me. I’m not scared, and I don’t feel as disgusted as I thought I would. But I can’t say I’m happy either, and I’m not sad. ‘I don’t feel anything’ might be the most accurate expression. They say your feelings change between going to the bathroom and coming back, and I guess this is exactly that. Despite making a promise with Quirjev, all I can think is, ‘I should have used the Essence Absorption Great Art back then.’ It’s too late now. I can’t turn back, and there’s no need to turn back. “…Alright, I’ll believe you. Since you kept your promise, I must also pay the price. What do you want?” Quirjev looked somewhat relieved as he said that. Not happy, not regretful, just an ambiguous expression. I’m glad that it’s not a purely joyful face. I met Quirjev’s eyes and repeated what I wanted to say in my mind. Then, I slowly spoke it out loud. “I need a demon core.” “…Not a monster, but a demon core?” “Yes.” I had already planned everything out. Although I’ve never done it before, I knew the process of achieving Rebirth through the memories I had received. “…A good one, if possible.” All that’s left is to gather the materials. // The day after my meeting with Quirjev. Josef cut off my arms and legs. “How do you feel?” “…Like I’ve become a caterpillar.” It didn’t hurt. However, my limbs, which were completely empty compared to before when they were like stone blocks, felt quite awkward. My limbs had completely disappeared, ending with the petrified parts above my shoulders and below my thighs. I couldn’t move them, and I couldn’t even feel them. I sometimes had the illusion that something was there, though. To be precise, I felt like I had become an onahole, but they wouldn’t understand if I said that directly. I wonder what would happen if I asked to work at a brothel in this state. I probably wouldn’t get any customers unless they were really perverted. “I have some good news, do you want to hear it?” “No bad news?” “I’ll try to bring some next time.” When I made a silly joke, Josef surprisingly took it as one. His face looked haggard, but his expression was bright. He seemed to be in a good mood, so was that why he could respond with a joke? “It seems like the treatment will be faster than expected. Arsha helped. Instead of the existing cell culture method, we’ve decided to inject Doppelganger cells directly into your body. It’s similar to the principle of making potions, so there shouldn’t be any danger. And Arsha said that you’ll be able to control it to some extent.” Josef said that and handed me a cup. …Then was there no need to draw blood? Well, I understand because it was necessary at the time, but I feel a bit wronged. Is it because I’ve never bled before that I feel that way even more? Still, I looked down at the cup, thinking there was nothing I could do, and noticed that the liquid inside was strange. “…You want me to drink this?” The cup contained a very thick liquid. It would be more accurate to call it water mixed with a lot of solids rather than a liquid. The drug, which was generally close to orange in color, exuded a dangerous atmosphere that made it seem like you shouldn’t drink it just by looking at it. “It’s Doppelganger cell tissue. It’s much less effective, but I don’t think injections will work. There’s no other way…” I wondered if it would be digested instead of flowing through my blood vessels if I drank it. I was curious about that, but I didn’t bother asking. Josef probably knew more about it than I did anyway. // Unlike Josef, Quirjev didn’t ask me how I felt while looking at my severed limbs. He just left a light comment. “…You’re a mess.” “Well, things like this can happen in life.” “‘Things like this can happen in life,’ huh. That’s an interesting thing to say.” Quirjev chuckled and approached the bed I was lying on. “I don’t think it’s a very interesting thing to say.” “No, it’s interesting enough. When I was younger, I saw a few guys in a similar situation to you.” Hearing those words, I remembered the conversation Quirjev had when he first met Caldin. I don’t remember exactly, but didn’t he say that preemptive strikes were the truth back then? Listening to what he’s saying now, I can’t help but wonder if he lived in a very rough place. It can’t be easy to meet someone with severed limbs. “Most of them said, ‘Just kill me quickly.'” “…Is that something you should say to a frail 16-year-old girl?” I retorted in disbelief, but after saying it, I thought what I said was even more absurd. Frail? That’s not a word that suits me very well. But Quirjev didn’t argue with that. “16 is already an adult.” He said that and took a bottle out of his pocket and placed it next to me. “I brought it. As you requested, a demon core.” I thought he would bring it, but I didn’t expect him to bring it in just one day. “…Already?” I asked back, looking at the transparent glass bottle he handed me and the round core inside. If he brought it this quickly, he probably didn’t buy it from somewhere, and he probably already owned it. The Kilkard Kingdom treats the human rights of demons relatively well, so hunting them is legally prohibited. Naturally, it is also illegal to distribute by-products obtained by killing those demons. The only thing that is allowed is the bodily tissues of demons that became extinct in ancient times, but most of these are used for academic purposes or displayed in museums, so it is almost impossible for individuals to possess them. …But this, I feel like I’ve seen it somewhere. “Well, it’s something I personally owned. There was a time when I used to collect things. Of course, it took quite a bit of effort to get it.” He smiled wryly once and looked up to look around the room. Then he continued. “It’s a Doppelganger core. A demon that went extinct a long time ago.” “….” I knew it, it was that. Wasn’t it Josef’s property? Come to think of it, there’s no way Josef, who is still young, would have something as amazing as a demon core. And Laufer was also stored in this warehouse-cum-bedroom. Considering that, this was probably a place where Quirjev’s belongings were stored. “I can use it, right?” “Yes, it’s yours now.” I asked just in case, and I got a definite answer. Josef won’t be looking for this later, right? // Looking at Arum, who was struggling with the pen, I nodded. “Okay, perfect.” I could now move Arum quite skillfully. Making her hold a pen and write was a piece of cake.

-Kyururuk?

The preparations were all finished. I had written a will just in case, and I had prepared my mind. It was more like a letter to Emily, El, and Mien than a will. One regret was that Taliman hadn’t come to visit, but if he didn’t come, there was nothing I could do. He must have a reason. As I was looking at the letter, I suddenly heard a sound from the door.

-Screech.

I was now familiar with that hinge sound. That meant there were a lot of visitors. I had Arum naturally hide the will under the bed and turned to look at the door. “…How are you feeling?” As expected, it was Mien who came into the bedroom. Like Josef, her face was quite haggard. Was she also trying to fix my body? Thinking that, I felt a little sorry. I was ignoring their kindness and trying to walk my own path. But I had no intention of stopping. “Not bad. A little nauseous, though.” I smiled brightly and shook the remaining part of my shoulder. Then Mien’s expression darkened a little more. …Ah, come to think of it, this is counterproductive. But that was only for a moment, and Mien soon opened her mouth with a bright expression. “…Josef’s research is quite interesting. There are parts that coincide with my research… Maybe we can fix Laila’s body sooner than expected.” Her words were quite hopeful, but unfortunately, I had already personally prepared to leave in search of hope. “…..” “Laila?” I couldn’t honestly tell her about it. Rebirth was a method that even I didn’t know if I would succeed in. But I couldn’t completely shut my mouth either. It would take quite a long time to attempt Rebirth. “Mien.” “Yes?” “Can you tell people to tell everyone not to visit for two days?” “…Can you tell me why?” I guess it was a strange question after all. People have to eat to live, and they have to solve various physiological phenomena. Arum can solve most of them, but telling her to leave me alone is something she can’t understand from her point of view. “There’s a way to treat me. But, I need time.” “Could it be… about Laila’s past life?”

Mien knows my secret. She looks at me with a serious expression and asks, “If Layla says so, then I understand. But, can I watch the process?” Huh? She’s taking it surprisingly calmly. …Oh, right. There’s a priest here. Even if I had a way to heal myself, it wouldn’t necessarily seem strange to her. ———= Author’s Note ———= As soon as I take a break, I can’t write at all. I think I’ve hit a slump. I’ll try to overcome it as quickly as possible and post multiple chapters…