Chapter 24. Dawn Society
Dawn Society.
If one has ever played 〈Let's Kill the Demon King Now〉, it's a name impossible to forget.
Simultaneously, it's a term that incites the fury of players.
For over the past 100 years, it's the organization that plotted the resurrection of the demon god Barbatos, which had sickened the continent.
Indeed, it's an organization that could be called humanity's nemesis.
"Yes, because that's not a difficult task, is it? It's merely delaying the joining."
The fact that Yulian was set to join such humanity's nemesis was surprising.
At first, it was shocking, but then it made sense.
In various routes of 〈Let's Kill the Demon King Now〉, 'Yulian' had consistently been affiliated with the Dawn Society.
It's certainly closely related to the death of Hayden Reich seen in the DLC trailer.
Yet... was the joining of that 'Dawn Society' happening now?
"Yes, you're right, it's not difficult. But... you should know it can be understood differently from our side, right?"
At my words, Eleanor smiled subtly and replied.
A bishop of the Dawn Society, a 5th-rank mage of the Barco class, wielding the Shade element, Eleanor D'Micelle.
In her purple eyes, Yulian was smiling subtly with his typical slit-eyed smile.
"Showing up unannounced like this—without setting an appointment—is because of the discrepancy in understanding I just mentioned. There's always the chance you might be using the offer to join as bait to trap us."
After all, you are from the Imperial exclusive organization, 'Blind Eyes'.
Eleanor added.
"In other words, the longer I delay my answer, the more you suspect the Dawn Society might be scheming something behind the scenes. That's what you're trying to say, isn't it?"
"I like how quick you understand."
Eleanor smiled alluringly.
It was a captivating smile that drew men's hearts, but it was as dangerous as a poisoned chalice.
"Now that you know our secret, should you refuse... you know what that means, don't you? But that won't happen, right? You approached us first after all."
"Indeed."
Yulian, invincible to a hundred, and imperious.
Yulian, who believed that "strength is everything in this world", began to covet the 'demon's power' after being defeated by Hayden.
The reason he stepped into the Dawn Society was also for that, to surpass his master, the 'Sword Saint' Hayden Reich.
"Then there's no need to hesitate? What you seek will be with us."
"Exactly. That's why I'm cautious."
Eleanor frowned.
I could see the color of doubt looming above her head.
"... Why?"
Why? Because you're the axis of evil!
To say one's joining the 'Dawn Society' means they'll turn their back on the imperial family.
Of course, if undiscovered, there wouldn't be any problems, but this much was clear.
'I would definitely become hostile with Hayden Reich.'
The protagonist of 〈Let's Kill the Demon King Now〉, Hayden Reich's goals were the peace of the empire and revenge.
Hayden detested the 'Dawn Society', his revenge target, to a hideous extent.
Despite sparing Yulian after a deadly duel, he would, without hesitation, brandish his sword once he learned that Yulian was with the Dawn Society.
That was something I wanted to avoid.
Even if I hadn't fully acquired Yulian's prowess, I didn't want to choose a path opposing this game's protagonist.
"It's ridiculous from our standpoint. And didn't I say? You know too much. If you step back here, you'll be antagonizing us."
However, there was another problem here.
If I didn't join the 'Dawn Society' to avoid a conflict with 'Hayden Reich', the Dawn Society would move to prevent the leakage of information.
They were a dangerous organization, one that even 'Sword Saint' Hayden Reich wouldn't dare to underestimate easily.
Their combat group, 'Monsignor', possessed combat prowess far exceeding knights.
"They aren't ones to listen well or reason with."
The giant who had come with Eleanor D'michel happened to be the 'Monsignor' mentioned.
The man clicked his tongue and stepped forward.
His massive frame emitted sheer pressure just by standing.
A dark-skinned face was revealed when he lifted his hood, a face covered in tattoos enough to cover one eye.
The Strong Arm, Felkhor.
Even I knew his name well as a named character of the Dawn Society.
"Remember this scar?"
He pointed to his tattooed left eye with a finger.
So that was a scar.
All along, I thought it was just a tattoo.
"This scar you left hurts every night!"
Today was a day of revelations.
I now knew that wasn't a tattoo but a scar, and I was the one who caused it.
'... I have never done that.'
Of course, it was unfair.
Naturally, being Yulian now makes explaining impossible. Damn it.
"Apologies. I tend not to remember small fry."
He'd probably say it like that.
"Kuh, kuhahahahahaha!"
Having tasted 'Yulian's spiciness', Felkhor began to laugh loudly.
The laughter, resembling thunder, filled the alley.
Shortly, the laughter subsided.
Suddenly, he charged at me, having thrust himself off the ground.
〈Remarkable Intuition〉
For someone of his massive frame, his speed was ridiculous.
Though Felkhor's reflexes were impressive enough to cover one side of my vision instantly, 'Yulian's' body didn't panic.
'Huh...?'
Yet the problem was 'Yulian's' ingrained habits.
〈Innate Swordsman〉
In countering surprise attacks, drawing the sword to defend or counterattack was instinct.
In the instant Felkhor lunged from the left, my body instinctively reacted, drawing the sword by my right hip.
Not the meticulously crafted 'Moonstone Sword', but a mere steel sword.
'Tsk...!'
A situation where every second counted.
Due to 'Yulian's' ingrained habits, in order to counter the threat, my hand instinctively went for the 'familiar sword' I usually used instead of the 'Moonstone Sword'.
Clicking my tongue at the drawn steel sword, I infused it with aura and swung it at Felkhor's fist.
I clicked my tongue inwardly as I infused aura into the sword.
I swung at Felkhor's monstrous fist.
The junction where sword met fist.
Red sparks burst everywhere brightening the alley momentarily.
Crack──!
A strong crack formed in my sword imbued with aura. Continuing this stalemate would inevitably break the sword.
This was dangerous.
Just as I was about to step back to reassess, Felkhor's sinister grin came into view.
He had realized it.
That the sword was breaking.
"Graaaah!"
As if proving my thought, he let out a monstrous cry and channeled all his strength into the punch.
Crack──!
In an instant, the sword shattered.
His massive fist struck my solar plexus perfectly.
I was sent flying to a hidden wall in the alley, and intense pain surged through my body, making it hard to breathe.
Despite that, my body naturally tried to land smoothly.
"Cough, cough..."
Dry coughing erupted from my mouth.
With each cough, it felt like the ribs that took Felkhor's punch were creaking.
"Beaten to a pulp by a small fry's punch, Yulian! Finally, I can avenge this eye!"
Felkhor's mocking voice.
His contemptuous eyes.
Overlooking everything, I looked at the broken sword.
What I felt was not fear of Felkhor's overwhelming power contained in that punch.
Annoyance.
Already, I had become a character in this tumultuous world and, unfortunately, the detestable Yulian Cryphart Frason.
Confronting the menace of demons wasn't enough; I had to strive for 'perfection' to keep the nobility desiring Yulian's downfall from voicing their complaints outright.
A life far removed from ordinary.
A completely different life from what I had lived till now.
'Why am I enduring this?'
I tossed the broken sword onto the ground.
"Huh? What is this, Yulian? Are you giving up?"
Ignoring Felkhor's words, I drew out another sword.
The Moonstone Sword.
Firmly gripping the handle, I channeled 'aura' into it.
==
⇒ Emotional intensity has reached its peak.
==
Moonlight began to seep into the dark alley.
==
⇒ Unique trait, 「Open Eyes」 has manifested.
==
As I glanced at the familiar UI from 〈Let's Kill the Demon King Now〉, I lifted the Moonstone Sword and moved forward.
"What is that sword?"
Felkhor pondered over the form of the Moonstone Sword.
Normally, as Yulian, I would respond with a mocking tone.
However, right now, none of that came to mind.
I only wanted to vent the bottled-up annoyance.
"I'll break that sword too...!"
Mockery mingled with palpable hostility.
But there was no need to listen until the end. I pushed off the ground, closing the distance to him.
Although the distance closed rapidly, Felkhor stayed composed, preparing to respond.
This was proof of his genuinely honed skills.
"Guh...!"
However, his face bore amazement as my Moonstone Sword cut into his right arm.
"You cut through my aura...!?"
Felkhor staggered back, glancing at the wound on his right arm.
Not stopping there, I continued my assault.
Though Felkhor's counterattacks came in an attempt to stop the accumulating wounds.
"You... bastard...!"
With nearly premonitory predictions, they all became ineffective.
I dodged his counters and continuously swung my sword.
Every time I reached the trajectory, a bright red trail of blood arced through the air.
Seeing blood cling stubbornly to the ground and walls, my heartbeat quickened.
It truly felt like painting.
Every time I swung the sword-brush, the blank canvas of the alley was filled with strokes.
"Stop... urgh, stop..."
It was the voice of Felkhor, groaning in agony, that poured rain on my rising excitement.
Kneeling with the color of fear above him, Felkhor's arms were mercilessly shredded to ribbons.
Normally, I would have been shocked at such a sight, but now I was strangely calm.
No, I found myself smiling.
"Now, it's no longer Strong Arm, but Crippled Arm Felkhor."
I sneered and laughed at the kneeling Felkhor.
There wasn't an ounce of empathy; it was purely amusing to see the massive creature brought low.
"P-please... spare... me..."
Felkhor begged for his life.
I knew, logically, that there was no need to kill a completely subdued opponent.
But this time, I decided to adhere to the desire for self-realization over rational judgment.
I raised my sword.
The radiant glow of the 〈Moonstone Sword〉 began to fill the alley.
I caught sight of Felkhor's eyes, staring up from his kneeling position.
No longer wearing a masked slit-eye smile but a crazed red-eyed lunatic.
'He' was in Felkhor's eyes.
==
▶ Trait, 「 Open Eyes 」
Rank: Unique
⇒ Activated only when emotions are in an agitated state.
⇒ Usable only by characters possessing the 'Slit-Eyed' trait.
▷ Induces overwhelming aggressiveness.
▷ Enhances physical abilities, allowing the eyes to see more than usual.
==
This wasn't me acting as Yulian.
This was nothing more than 'Yulian Cryphart Frason', the Smiling Executioner.
Realizing this, I lowered my sword.
'This trait is...'
Dangerous. My instincts told me so.
Clacky's Corner:
Ngehe. Slit Eyes, open Eyes. Hmmmm.