I need to push him further!
Especially since he’d already harassed Holloway, I couldn’t let this end easily. I thrust my spear into the Emperor’s remaining eye.
—F-Front… AAAAAH!
Watching him agonize, I took a deep breath.
I thrust my spear into his legs, arms, and torso, one by one, trying to make it as painful as possible for him.
Perhaps it was because he was more like a monster than a human, perhaps because I was already accustomed to such things in this hotel, or perhaps it was the spear, but I was able to thrust without hesitation, and the hallway was already filled with his screams.
It was a movement I could never have made myself.
Cheer up, ancestors.
Although I was in pain, thanks to having a spear, I began to corner the Emperor even though my movements were a bit sluggish.
I turned the spear and drove it straight into his leg.
The system window was abuzz with messages about increased attack power and evasion, but the moment the Emperor fell with a squelch after I took out both his legs, I raised my spear and aimed precisely for his throat.
Squelch!
With a terrifying sound, his neck rolled back and forth.
However, in times like these, it was crucial not to let my guard down. As I hastily tried to split the Emperor’s head, the flesh morphed into spikes and grazed my thigh.
“Eugh.”
“…”
I endured the pain and slammed my spear down. With a crack, his head split open, revealing his heart.
The charred heart was beating. Without a moment to grumble, I quickly pulled it out and stood a good distance away from the Emperor.
“If you leave it long enough, his body will regenerate around it.”
Did I bleed too much, I wonder.
My head was spinning, but I couldn’t fight again.
I had to kill him before he could revive.
Breathing heavily, I hurriedly unzipped my bag, but Holloway pressed his hand firmly against my thigh.
“I’m busy. I’ll play with you later.”
He pressed hard on the wound, and it stung.
I frantically retrieved the vial, and Holloway clutched my thigh tightly.
“Ouch!”
“…”
What the f*ck is this kid doing again?
But I didn’t have time to shoo him away. My heart was already throbbing, and chunks of flesh were spilling out.
Ugh, disgusting.
I unscrewed the vial lid, plunged the Emperor’s heart into it without hesitation, and sealed it tightly again.
Blood began to bubble and overflow.
I cupped Holloway’s cheek as he focused on my thigh and turned him towards the vial.
“Watch carefully. This guy’s fate.”
Stop focusing on my thigh.
Holloway and I locked eyes. His expression remained unchanged, yet his pupils were slightly shaking.
Regardless, it was the Emperor’s true death.
There was no way he wouldn’t be shaken.
He wasn’t only Holloway’s family, but also the one who had brought him to this state.
His complex face left me speechless.
—S-Save me… Save meee… I-I want to live…
At that moment, a man’s voice echoed within the glass bottle. The voice of the First Emperor, seen through the island’s secret, came through clearly.
—I… This father… begs… for forgiveness…
Holloway gripped my hand tightly.
Aaagh, my hand’s going to burst!
Tears welling up in my eyes, I patted the back of his hand.
Relax a little.
Yet he held on tighter.
Hey! Don’t you understand what I mean?
I mean, you don’t understand?
I was so flustered that even my words tumbled out.
—I begged! Why! You dare do this to your father!
He doesn’t reflect.
I held the cap of the vial with one hand and spun it around, trying to better coat his heart with my blood.
—Painful, painful, painful!
Exactly what it’s supposed to be.
—I, I have eternal life…!
“I didn’t understand.”
He leaned his face against mine and watched silently until the wailing Emperor’s heart burned away.
Holloway’s grip on my hand had already weakened.
[Subquest <What’s in the Vault?> success!]
[The ‘Key to the Vault’ is in the front of the bag.]
Holloway let go of my hand and tapped the burnt-out vial.
His hand trembled. I unzipped the front zipper and grabbed the key.
[‘Key to the Basement Vault’ Acquired!]
[Key to the Basement Vault
Characteristics: Key to Dark Mage’s Lab 1 in the basement.]
Dark Mage’s Lab.
I’ve never seen it before…
The spear was gone, so now all I had were a shuriken and a dagger. Putting my bag back on, I snatched the vial from Holloway’s hand.
“How long are you going to keep watching?”
“It’s fascinating.”
“Does it feel refreshing?”
“I don’t know.”
He pursed his lips as he spoke.
“Am I happy…? I know why he did that, but I still feel like I want to ask why.”
Looking at his complicated expression, I spoke calmly.
“So now you completely regret killing him?”
“No.”
The answer came without hesitation, as if it were certain.
Strange, I suppose.
He was finally able to escape the shadow of his father, who had been holding him back for a thousand years.
All this time, he had kept the Emperor, whom he couldn’t kill even if he wanted to, imprisoned underground.
Even if he tried to forget, the Emperor’s existence remained undeniable.
That must have bothered Holloway unconsciously. A lot.
So, I hoped he could feel a little better now. The bastard who had driven him into that nightmare was gone.
Although he still hadn’t escaped this nightmare, at least the source of it had finally been killed…
“I hope you feel some relief.”
Holloway stared at me silently, his lips softening slightly.
“Yes, I will. I don’t feel bad, that’s for sure.”
“Then you finish it.”
“Finish it?”
“Smash this vial. And end this long, bitter relationship.”
I thought he might hesitate, yet he lifted the vial lightly with one hand, then released it mid-air.
The glass shattered, and a black liquid spread across the floor.
Then it coagulated, then slowly dispersed, disappearing without a trace.
He watched the scene silently.
No way, didn’t he feel relieved?
I glanced at him, and Holloway let out a slightly relieved breath, a faint smile slowly spreading across his face.
Even his eyes folded into crescent moons, and his laughter echoed refreshingly through the basement.
A refreshing laugh.
It felt as if the shadows had vanished from his bright, clear face.
[Holloway’s heart felt at ease.]
[Holloway was free from ‘Father.’]
[A warmth settled over Holloway’s heart as his words seemed to hold magic.]
Holloway slowly turned his head to look at me.
“You’re right.”
“…”
“I feel relieved. I guess it’s because I think he finally died.”
His half-lowered eyelashes cast long shadows.
Looking at him, who looked both relieved and bitter, I unconsciously lifted myself up on tiptoe, reached out as far as I could, and stroked his hair.
His eyes, which had been looking down, slowly shifted to mine. His crimson eyes shimmered with heat.
Something deep within that inexplicable darkness seemed to be shackling me, and I involuntarily took a half-step back.
He reached out and carefully snatched my hand away from his head.
“Evelin’s right.”
Excuse me, Sir Ancestor.
Isn’t Holloway acting a little strange?
The hand that touched me felt hot, and the more I tried to pull away, the more he pressed harder.
I took a half-step away, but then took a step forward, closing the distance in an instant.
At the precarious distance of almost touching, Holloway’s hand this time wrapped around my neck and caressed it.
His half-closed eyes, looking down at me, and the corners of his lips rising gracefully were so beautiful that I wondered if I was in a dream.
“I…”
“I can just cover these memories with good ones.”
He tilted his head to the side, his lips slowly parting.
“Right?”
His deep gaze and soft voice made me forget that this was that terrifying underground place.
“Evelin.”
For the first time, my name escaped his lips, revealing an unfamiliar emotion.
My heart pounded involuntarily. My face and ears felt hot.
“When you said you felt pity towards everyone back then, I felt disgusted, but I didn’t know why.”
“Wouldn’t it be better for you and me not to know?”
I don’t think I can handle it.
He chuckled softly at my words and shook his head.
“I know, but I can’t ignore it.”
“…”
“I’m getting weirder and weirder.”
They say love begins with, “You’re so weird”, though.
He just said that out loud?
“Weird, you say…”
His red tongue licked his lips.
“I wish you would only feel pity for me, Sister. I wish you would only feel sympathy for me.”
Those words, filled with obsession, hinted at a strong possessiveness.
When I couldn’t say anything…
[Holloway’s possessiveness grows stronger!]
Possessiveness?
[Holloway’s favorability rating is unknown!]
[Error, error!!?(°Д°=°Д°)?]
[Error, error!!?(°д°=°Д°)?]
No, I mean, why does his possessiveness suddenly rise up.
He couldn’t thank me enough for killing the Emperor, yet he was acting ungratefully.
But one thing was fortunate: Holloway didn’t seem to realize it yet.
That’s what he was saying. He didn’t know why he was going crazy, he just wanted me.
That’s even more dangerous.
If he were to realize it…
I couldn’t even imagine it.
And Holloway in that state…
‘Would I really be able to reject him?’
That’s what worried me the most.
“Holloway, you know. I feel pity for everyone. Even the animals abandoned on the street, and you too.”
First, I had to quell his possessiveness. I had to let him know that my feelings were like a common weed.
That I couldn’t let those feelings be directed only at him. I couldn’t be harsh, but I could say this much.
“Did you think those words would hurt me?”
“Should I make it worse?”
“Go ahead.”
“I’d rather not.”
I’m a perceptive person.
Holloway, who had become more comfortable with laughter, leaned closer to me and pressed against me.
“W-Who’s there?”
I heard Moran’s voice. Holloway narrowed his brows in disapproval.
He seemed displeased to be interrupted.
I’m guessing, but it’s probably right. He’s so into me that I can’t be wrong.
And if I’m wrong, there’s nothing I can do.
Feeling suddenly trapped by Holloway, I asked him a favor.
“Go back to your child form.”
“There’s no reason to go back, is there?”
“Really? Then you’re just staying where you are?”
Do you mind if Moran finds out?
Holloway stroked my hair, lost in thought, then shook his head.
“I’ll go back.”
He probably didn’t want Moran to see this just yet.
As soon as Holloway returned to his child form, Moran appeared from the left corner.
She brightened at the sight of me and waved.
“Oh, Miss Evelin! You’re here?”
“Why are you here, Moran? What about Cleta?”
“I just happened to find the basement Miss Evelin mentioned, so I came in to investigate…”
Moran hesitated, tears welling up in her eyes.
“What could this be? It’s so scary… It’s nothing compared to the monster upstairs.”
Dark red blood splattered across her trembling body.
“S-Sir Cleta lured the monster to save me, but he fell behind after that…”
So Cleta was here too.
[Holloway’s temper rapidly grew fierce.]
I was afraid Cleta and I might meet, but…
Even if we do, I won’t talk to him.
There was no point in provoking Holloway now.
I don’t understand why the difficulty keeps getting harder, not easier, as time goes by.
Not to mention Holloway’s mixed emotions.
“Anyone else besides Cleta?”
“I don’t know.”
Dilaph and Suriel will be here soon.
To get the items I have.
I need to raise my friendship level, but I wonder if Holloway is jealous.
Moran, who was staring at me and Holloway, muttered with a hint of envy.
“I came in with Sir Cleta, yet I was seperated, but Miss Evelin and Holloway are still hanging out…”
“Holloway’s a total stalker.”
It’s not my fault.
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