Chương 239: Chapter 22: “The Man, Vitterweitz”

The next day, after parting with Karla, I headed to the Parliament House. I told her I would contact her with the communication device if I needed anything else. Arriving in front of the gate, I was guided to the reception room by Cochran, same as last time.

"You handed over that memo properly, right?" There had been no news at all after that. Possibility is high that it was ignored, but just in case, I asked.

"Memo... Ah, I handed it over." From him showing a thin smile, I couldn't feel anything like emotion at all. What is this guy? He should have been more human before. Creepy. The Prime Minister was standing in front of the reception room. He bows deeply to me. I also return a light bow. Unlike Cochran who has completely changed, the Prime Minister seems like an ordinary human. However, his previously plump face has lost flesh and looks haggard.

"You look quite emaciated."

"Duties have been busy lately." It was obvious that was a lie. The Prime Minister is terribly frightened inside. Also, a sense of crisis that he must protect this country is visible. Is the cause inside?

"There is someone who wishes to meet you once." Finally. Now, what will come out? Cochran knocked on the door, and it was opened by his hand. The Prime Minister and Cochran withdrew silently. Meaning we should talk alone? Fine.

"I'm entering." In the back of the reception room, against the background of a window with a good view, a tough-looking blond man was standing. The moment I caught him in my vision, I felt my whole body stiffen. My intuition tells me he is an opponent I must not let my guard down against.

"So you are Yu Hoshimi."

"That's right." He walked up to me and looked down, observing my face closely. Coming close, he has a huge body. Two sizes taller than me.

"I see. You have quite good eyes. Eyes that don't hesitate to kill people."

"You can't say much about others either." I understood at a glance. This man also has the eyes of a killer. He won't hesitate to use any means for his purpose. That kind of human. The blond man laughed amusedly.

"Cheeky brat. I like you. My name is Vitterweitz. A FabL." A FabL, he says. Then this man is the same as me—a monster? There was no reason to doubt his words. Because the pressure I feel keenly on my body right now proved that his ability is extraordinary without him saying it. This guy is trouble. I know the crazy power of a FabL best myself. Since the possibility of him becoming an enemy is high, I shouldn't reveal my hand lightly. Thinking so, I dared to feign ignorance.

"What is a FabL?" Vitterweitz's eyebrow twitched.

"Hoh. I assumed you were one too. Do you have a Unique Ability? Say it."

"Unique Ability? I have no clue what you're talking about." When I kept playing dumb to the end, the opponent seemed to believe it easily. I only lose my rhythm in front of Alice and others; I'm good at acting at times like this. Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

"Kukkukku. I see. Maybe I guessed wrong. No wonder I thought you were weak for a FabL." Weak? I can't let that slide. Even so, I have acquired enough ability to defeat other guys in this world with one hand. Yet he says I'm weak? This man. Then, Vitterweitz smirked. He held his hand toward me. A chill runs through my whole body. Unpleasant emotions flow into my head and fill it. Obey. Strength drains away. There was a chilling sensation as if my body was becoming less and less free.

Listening to this temptation is bad. Endure. Desperately resisting, suddenly my head became easy. Looking forward, he was no longer holding his hand out. He is staring at me with interest.

"Hoh. My [Domination] doesn't work? It seems you are not just a human either." Domination. Could that be this guy's ability as a FabL? He continues as if muttering to himself.

"However, it is clear that you are not a Star-Class Lifeform. Then, a mutation—an Abnormal Lifeform?" Star-Class Lifeform, Abnormal Lifeform. Unknown words came out. He nodded, convinced on his own.

"Well, either way, it doesn't matter. If you don't die even if killed, you're a FabL. If you die, you are one of the other two." I shuddered at him showing a fearless smile. This guy is dangerous. It's not on the level of not hesitating to kill. Rather, he is enjoying it.

"Brat. I'll ask briefly. Do you want to become my pawn?"

"Pawn?"

"Yeah. I am bored." Changing completely from his happy tension until then, he became serious, looking bored from the bottom of his heart.

"Wandering different worlds freely. Eating what I like. Holding women I like. Killing guys I like. Breaking what I like. Dominating what I like."

"......"

"I have no other pleasure than that. How about it? I can teach you how to enjoy it too." Reading his mind, it seemed to be an invitation from his true feelings. However, it would be only to kill time. Most likely, he dominates the center of this capital for his own pleasure too. Tor, who craved to stand above and dominate the world. Unlike him, this guy genuinely doesn't care about the world or the people living there. This man's domination is even worse because he has no purpose or attachment.

It makes me vomit to serve under such a destructive hedonist. I wouldn't do it even if I died. In other words, my answer was decided from the beginning.

"I refuse. I have no hobby of serving under someone."

"I thought you'd say that. Fuhaha. You are quite young after all." Vitterweitz laughs loudly and pleasantly.

"But." His laughter stopped abruptly. Suddenly, intense pain that stopped my breath attacked my abdomen. It was a few moments later that I could recognize his fist was buried in my stomach.

"O, o..."

"You should be careful with your mouth. Brat." What... is this unreasonably heavy fist...! I can't stand. I fell to my knees on the spot and vomited what was welling up.

"Ugh! Gobo! Oeee!" Mixed with vomit, a large amount of blood is scattered. It seems my internal organs were damaged.

"Someone like you, I can kill in an instant if I feel like it. You and I are not equals. Remember that well." While suffering, I am grabbed by the collar and lifted up. In front of me, his face glaring at me coldly was reflected.

"Kuh...!" I couldn't suppress my whole body starting to tremble. Impossible. This me, trembling...?

"While I'm at it. Let me ask one more thing. Do you know the ultimate Space-Time Magic 《Chroluender》?"

"Like hell I know such a thing...!"

"Intending to play dumb to the end, huh. Magic that transcends time. I came all the way here knowing it is in this world. In my prediction, I suspect it might be in Edel, which is said to have perished long ago. How about it." Ice eyes peer in as if gouging out my heart. This is bad. The enemy was far above expectations. If such magic really exists. If magic that transcends time is handed to such a guy—. It's absurd. No one will be able to stop him...!

"Intending to feign ignorance to the end, huh." Vitterweitz frowned in displeasure.

"Bu...!" Before I knew it, his fist was buried in my stomach again. I can't breathe. He punches my stomach persistently again and again. My whole body screamed in pain, and my mouth was filled with the smell of raw blood. I remembered when I was tortured in the past. At times like this, endure so as not to let out a pathetic scream. Because if you do that, the enemy will only find it amusing and become even more sadistic. This bastard... knows how to hurt without killing or knocking me out. I understood well.

This guy is someone who must absolutely not be kept alive. An enemy who brings calamity to this world. Kill. I must kill him. I create a Qi Sword in my left hand. In an instant, it changed from white to vivid pale blue.

"《Senkraze》!" But, the full-power blow I hammered into his neck, which should have been full of openings due to carelessness. Did not scratch even a single layer of skin on his neck. I was stunned by him showing a composed smile.

"So that is your answer?" I am slammed headfirst into the wall roughly. With a violent sound, the wall crumbled, and I was rolling on the floor of the next room. Holding my dizzy head. I jump up immediately and shift to a combat stance. Blood wet my vision bright red. I have taken considerable damage. Holding the Qi Sword with both hands, trying to capture the figure of the enemy who should be in front— He is—not there—!?

"Really a cheeky guy. I like you more and more." Behind—"I'll ask for your answer again. You should rethink carefully—if you are alive, that is." Immediately after catching his mocking ridicule in the corner of my vision. I received a tremendous impact in the center of my stomach as if a hole was opened. My vision spins dizzily. Intense pain struck my whole body many times. What... happened— I was kicked—blown away— I didn't understand.

A voice in my head, somewhat detached, whispers that I should just let myself go like this. A terrifying floating sensation directly connected to death. Emerald sky—why, is the sky— Capital—the cityscape is moving away— Eventually, the sound of violently scraping the ground. Impacts and sounds of my body breaking through something many times. My whole body was being battered. —Ugh—where... is this...? Trees... Forest... Right. Orir Great Forest. How can that be possible.

My reason tried to deny it, but with the faintly felt smell of the forest, my heart understood that this was indeed the place.

"Fu, kukku..." A bitter laugh leaks in a desperate tone. What... the hell. From the capital to this forest. How many kilometers do you think it is... Is this the strength of a FabL... of them... My body won't move. I didn't even feel pain. Rather, a comfort that makes me want to sleep like this. Lukewarm. Blood. Sensation of blood flowing down. Right. How is my body... Branches are piercing. There is a hole. I was staring at my shoulder with a large open hole as if it were someone else's affair. Bad.

My eyes are blurring.

"Damn it. You got me... good..." Cold. Blood is draining... Damn. Like hell I'll die. Like hell I'll die like this...! With a trembling hand, I reach for my waist. Turning on only the switch of the communication device that was miraculously unbroken. I threw my consciousness into the darkness.