NOVEL NEXT Chapter 42: SaryX
Sary:
"It's done. Now to escape from here."
He let out a soft sigh and pulled a small suitcase from under the bed. Inside were a few simple cloaks, some healing potions, and a thin book noting down the route to escape the castle.
But just as he turned to the door...
Click.
The door swung open.
Sary:
"…Demon King!? What… are you doing here?"
The light from the hallway cast onto Demon King Igroth's face. His blood-red eyes stared directly at the suitcase in Sary's hands. A smile like one carved from stone appeared on his face—not angry, not surprised. Just as if he had known all along what Sary was thinking.
Sary (panicked inside):
("Crap. Don't tell me… he knows I'm trying to escape!?")
Demon King:
"I didn't think you were so eager. Already packed and ready. Luckily, I've already prepared the carriage. Have fun on your trip."
Sary:
"But… didn't you say we were leaving tomorrow?"
Demon King (casually):
"Indeed. But I saw your sad face during the meeting, so I thought I'd let you leave early… to 'cheer you up'. I care a lot about the mental state of my Squad 1 captain."
---
A formidable group of 50 demon soldiers stood in perfect formation. Vice-Captain of Squad 1—Farg, a tall beastman with cat eyes—stepped forward:
Farg:
"Greetings, Lord Sary!"
Sary walked up, face cold, saying nothing. Just gave a slight nod.
Farg:
"The carriage is ready. All soldiers are prepared for battle!"
Demon Soldiers (in unison):
"SALUTE TO LORD SARY!"
Sary:
"This mission is to train you all. I will not interfere."
He climbed into the carriage, looking calm. But inside…
Sary (thinking):
("I'm screwed. Completely doomed. My life ends here… But maybe it'll be fine. After all, it's just a bunch of low-level monsters… right?")
---
The surroundings were in ruins. Monsters of all kinds surged out from the forest: black wolves, goblins, orcs, toxic fire boars…
Farg:
"For the honor of Legion 1, no one shall stain Lord Sary's name!"
All:
"ATTACK!"
The battle erupted. Roars, clashing metal, magic explosions. Meanwhile, Sary shrank into a ball in the carriage.
Sary:
("Should I run…? No… If I run, the monsters will eat me alive… Hopefully the soldiers are strong enough… Hopefully!")
An hour passed. Silence. No more sounds of fighting.
Sary (carefully peeking out the curtain):
("Over already?")
Before him lay the corpses of hundreds of monsters.
Demon Soldiers (cheering in unison):
"VICTORY!"
Sary stepped out of the carriage, lightly clapped, keeping his cold demeanor.
Sary:
"…Well done. You have shown your worth."
---
Five figures in white cloaks silently appeared.
Sary (thinking, heart pounding):
("Humans?")
A young demon soldier rushed over:
"Lord Sary! Allow me to offer you their heads!"
But before he could draw his sword… his entire body turned to ash.
Farg (shouting):
"Th—That pressure… it's a Hero!?"
Sary (frozen):
("…What? A HERO?")
Farg:
"Everyone, enter death-mode formation to protect Lord Sary!"
All soldiers charged — only to be incinerated within seconds under the divine pressure of a single figure.
Sary:
("Run. Run. I have to run… or I'll be burned alive right here—!")
Sary ran. His white hair flashed through the dark forest. His heart pounded wildly, breath quick and shallow—not from exhaustion, but from the Hero's pressure searing through his bones.
Behind him, the victorious cheers were replaced with deathly silence. His troops… turned to ash.
---
Shattered.
Sary (sobbing):
"Hic… I don't want to die… they're too scary…"
A low voice echoed:
"Then… do you want me to kill them all for you?" — Saryx.
Sary:
"You… can do that…?"
Saryx:
"On one condition… you let me control this body. For ten days."
Sary (hesitating):
"…As long as you kill them…"
Saryx patted his head.
"Good boy."
---
Mirisu (calmly):
"Looks like the Demon King took the bait."
Berray:
"All's going well… but we shouldn't let our guard down."
Kasa (hesitating):
"…Wait. Something's rushing this way—"
A black streak shot forth like lightning.
Snap!
Kasa's head dropped to the ground. Blood gushed like a fountain.
Hana (screaming):
"KASA!"
Mirisu:
"Take positions!"
The three remaining stood back-to-back. The enemy was unseen. Silent.
Berray:
"Mirisu… what about your hero's pressure?"
Mirisu (grimly):
"Useless. That thing isn't afraid of light."
Berray:
"…I'll draw him in. Finish it off."
A red aura like molten lava erupted from Berray — earthen armor covering him, thicker than a tank.
Berray (roaring):
"Come here, you monster—"
Slash.
His neck was severed. His head fell. The earth armor cracked like an eggshell.
---
The black shadow prepared to retreat, but its leg was caught by a stone trap.
Mirisu (whispers):
"…Thank you, Berray…"
The Holy Sword blazed like a miniature sun. Every ray of light, every divine flame wrapped the blade.
Mirisu (roaring):
"One Strike Ultimate — HOLY HEAVEN!!"
A slash tore through the forest. The blinding light descended like a meteor. Trees turned to ash, the ground exploded.
Hana shielded her eyes. When she opened them… Mirisu was being devoured alive.
---
The white fangs of the shadow crunched into Mirisu's flesh.
Chunks of meat fell. Blood soaked his clothes.
Hana stood still. Her body refused to move. Eyes wide open. A warm stream flowed from between her legs.
---
Moonlight broke through the charred forest. It shone on the one feasting on the Hero's flesh.
Saryx.
His skin pale as death. Eyes blood-red. In his hand was Mirisu's heart, still faintly beating. He licked blood from his lips.
Saryx:
"Delicious. A hero's brain and heart really are delicacies."
He turned, glancing toward Hana.
Saryx (sniffing the blood around Hana, eyes sharpening):
"…Ah… this scent… the scent of a being of light."
"No—more precisely… the lingering trace of a hero…"
(smirks)
"…Inside your womb."
Hana staggered back, face pale like her soul had been stripped bare. The fear after her comrades' deaths burst into full shock. She collapsed, trembling like a leaf in the wind.
Saryx (chuckling):
"Calm down. I'm not that cruel…"
"…at least not yet."
"The thing inside you… I want it to grow. A light nurtured in darkness… must taste quite unique."
(voice deepening)
"So live. Birth it. Raise it… I'll come for it, in time."
Hana couldn't resist. Her vision blurred as her body was consumed by black mist. Before fainting, the last thing she saw was Saryx's blood-red eyes, marking her like prey.
---
A black gate opened in the chaotic void.
The Demon King stepped out, black cloak fluttering, calmly scanning the corpses of the fallen heroes.
Demon King:
"I saw it all."
"I must admit… you are truly a pure-blood demon, Sary."
Saryx (licking blood from his hand, smiling slightly):
"Every time I eat a hero… I remember how weak I used to be."
The Demon King looked toward the unconscious Hana. A flicker of thought passed through his eyes.
Saryx:
"Keep her. Lock her up tight. I'll take her 'light' with my own hands when the time comes."
Demon King:
"…You really know how to savor things."
Saryx (walking into the gate, glancing back):
"Oh, and by the way… send a few Succubi to my room.
Tonight, I want dreams filled with tears and laughter entwined."
Demon King:
"Looks like I've spoiled you a bit too much."