hotmtlnovel Chapter 316
Chapter 316
The plain, stained with a black light due to magic, lay silent, as no living beings existed within it. Suddenly, a small ripple occurred amidst the tranquility.
The magic that flowed around unexpectedly gathered in one place.
The mass of magic that had coalesced in the air eventually took shape as a living being and landed on the ground.
...■■■?
What had just emerged was a being also known as a ‘Lesser Demonic Beast.’
It wasn’t born from the strong influence of a witch’s magic but rather came from diluted magic dispersed in the atmosphere, lacking any particular abilities.
From the moment they were born, these Lesser Demonic Beasts acted instinctively.
Of course, they possessed the basic instinct for survival that any living creature would have, but among them, the most notable desire of these Lesser Demonic Beasts was their appetite.
Instinctively, they sought out living beings around them to hunt and consume.
Why this is the case is still a matter of debate among scholars who study demonic beasts.
The most convincing theory is that the majority of the magic spread across the world was released during the reign of the Gluttonous Witch, thereby influencing the Lesser Demonic Beasts, even if only slightly.
Of course, this is merely speculation, and the exact reason remains unknown.
In any case, regardless of the reason, this newly born Lesser Demonic Beast also moved according to its instinct for appetite.
■■■!
While wandering around in search of something to eat, the demonic beast discovered a location that appeared to be overflowing with food.
Although the beast was unaware, it was a barrier protecting a human city.
The Lesser Demonic Beast, upon seeing this, quickly ran towards the location.@@@@
It was filled with excitement at the thought of a hearty meal.
But in that moment, something unexpected happened.
The front paw that the beast had extended to run forward suddenly vanished.
Not only its front paw, but also the front leg that followed afterward.
Though nothing was visible, the demonic beast watched as if its body were disappearing like an eraser crossing an invisible line.
■■───?!
Only after its front leg had completely disappeared did the beast realize.
Ah, something’s here.
It was somewhere it shouldn’t have approached.
However, by the time the beast became aware, it was already too late.
Even though it had lost its front leg, the momentum propelling it forward carried the rest of its body along, and the newly born Lesser Demonic Beast vanished without leaving a trace.
Immediately afterward, the empty air where the Lesser Demonic Beast had disappeared rippled, and something briefly revealed itself.
At first glance, it looked like a colossal pillar.
However, if one were to look up at the towering structure, they would realize that it wasn’t a pillar but rather the leg of an enormous creature.
So massive that it evoked thoughts of mountains.
Had the Lesser Demonic Beast that had just dashed into that leg seen this, it might have felt it was unjust.
Knowing such a large and terrifying existence was nearby, it would have never dared to approach.
But it was unavoidable.
The Lesser Demonic Beast, devoid of any specific abilities.
Unlike Intermediate Demonic Beasts, which handle a witch’s power to a certain extent, the massive beast was a Superior Demonic Beast, possessing abilities quite similar to those of a witch.
Moreover, this colossal Superior Demonic Beast was likely strong enough to be classified as an ultimate Superior Demonic Beast, potentially even beyond that.
With such a beast hiding its presence and abilities, how could a mere Lesser Demonic Beast possibly detect it?
It was simply an unfortunate victim of natural calamity.
No one could have predicted that such a powerful entity was hiding here, masking its form and presence.
Indeed, truly no one knew.
The reason this powerful being concealed itself and stood here was to play the role of an observer for someone.
*
“...Bey, could it be that John is now?”
-...■■■?
“...No way, now that abilities have been released.”
-■■■...
Beatrice furrowed her brow and clenched her fist, punching the Behemoth lightly as she spoke.
“...Bey, you got us discovered because of you.”
The one before her was an annoying presence who would find her even if buried beneath the ground without hiding her aura.
Beatrice had been perfectly concealing her presence to avoid interruption in her observance, but because the Behemoth had yawned moments earlier, it lost its power and was exposed.
In any case, as the guest had already arrived, it couldn’t be helped, so Beatrice muttered to the hooded woman smiling widely in front of her.
“So, what is it...?”
“Oh, going straight to the main point without even a greeting? How cold! But I’ll let it slide! The thing is, I wanted to ask for one last favor in advance.”
Upon hearing the woman’s words, Beatrice frowned.
There was an agreement between Beatrice and the woman before her, made the previous day.
In exchange for extricating her from underground, the woman would ask her to fulfill three requests later.
During that moment, Beatrice had accepted the contract without much thought, intrigued by the sudden visit from her kin after being buried for hundreds of years.
Had she known this would lead to such annoyance, she would have refused the contract back then. Beatrice berated her past self for not carefully considering the terms and asked the woman.
“I get it, but this is the last time... What is it?”
“Do you know about the Gluttonous Witch awakening and being sealed, and that the seal will soon come undone?”
“I know...”
“If you understand, then this should be quick! When the Gluttonous Witch awakens, she’ll basically swallow everything and bring an end to the world!”
The woman said with a thick smile.
“If the world indeed ends, I want you to fight the Gluttonous Witch! Until one of you dies! If both die in the fight, even better!”
“...What?”
Beatrice could hardly grasp the reasoning behind the woman’s request.
“You’re not asking me to protect you from her, just to fight her and die, aren’t you? I don’t understand your reasoning...”
“Want to know the reason? Since this is the last request anyway, should I tell you a little?”
At Beatrice’s question, the woman smiled as she said that.
Then, moments later, the woman’s previously cheerful expression shifted to one of complete neutrality.
Seeing this drastic change in atmosphere, Beatrice recognized it as the woman’s true face.
Had her crazed demeanor been an act to hide this true personality all along?
As Beatrice was pondering this, the woman whispered softly.
“After putting on such a show, it feels odd for two uncontrollable actors to behave as they please after the curtain has fallen, doesn’t it? Therefore, I thought I might give those troublemakers a little punishment. What, is that not to your liking?”
I see, so she was not just slightly insane but completely unhinged.
The woman’s words conveyed a sense of madness appropriate for a witch, and Beatrice shook her head in reply.
“No, it doesn’t matter. It’s just me against that witch, right? Fine, just get lost already...”
“Really? Haha, then I’m off! I guess we won’t meet again! See you in the afterlife~”
The woman donned a comical mask again as if her earlier expression was a lie and spoke as she prepared to leave.
However, just before she disappeared, Beatrice, glancing at her, casually asked.
“By the way, you were the one who released the Gluttonous Witch, weren’t you?”
“Hmm? What about it?”
“If I recall, I made a contract forbidding you from touching Eva until I dealt with it... you did that again...?”
“Wha... What!!! Wait!! I didn’t touch her according to the contract, I swear!”
“...Wordplay.”
“I-I’m leaving now!!!”
As Beatrice raised her hand as a threat, the woman flinched and fled in a panic.
Beatrice then lowered the hand she had raised.
While she was indeed a bit displeased with the woman’s wordplay regarding the contract, she had no intention of genuinely killing her.
After all, the woman hadn’t lied in essence.
Regardless, if such a type of wordplay was permitted...
The content of the agreement she had just had with the woman was that in the event of the world’s end, she and the Gluttonous Witch would engage in battle.
Beatrice glanced down at the location of the city where humans resided, where Eva was, and smirked slightly.
“Well then, does that mean it’s fine if I finish this before that witch does?”
After all, if fate was determined to end, it wouldn’t matter if it were she who brought it to a conclusion.