Is That My Alter Ego

Chapter 84 – Predator

Right before the stronghold of Sakra, the area was teeming with members on guard.

How many are there? Ten? Twenty? I can’t tell. How can these mere criminals amass such a vast force?

“…Hah. Not my concern.”

Bring as many as you want. A few dozen, a few hundred.

“Hey, wait there. If you come any closer—cough!”

“Intruder!! Intrus—”

Crack, crunch.

“…I’ll kill them all.”

In an instant, two of the gang members had their heads burst open, their bodies folding in half as they died, leaving the others frozen in place.

Tremble, tremble…

Why can’t I move? What is this… feeling?

In the darkness of the undercity, the fierce red trails and the aura exuded by the predator paralyzed the feeble.

They had prided themselves on being cruel, strong, and devoid of fear.

The omnipotence they felt when they harmed the weak without hesitation, when they exerted their dominance, was an emotion they could never forget.

“Stay right there. You b*stards.”

Step by step.

Fear. The only emotion they felt as they stared blankly at the approaching beast-girl was singular.

Death. Death was drawing near.

—

Ignorant and foolish. Even those with short educational backgrounds and narrow-minded thinking were certain of one thing.

Now. If they moved even a single step, they would die.

“…You fucking b*stards.”

But… even if they didn’t move, could they survive? Standing in front of that monster…?

Sssshhh-!

Kali’s hand transformed from a human’s to a beast’s sharp claws. A single line was left on the necks of the gang members who were standing in a straight line for easy killing.

By the time they realized the simple and clear fact, their useless heads had already parted ways with their bodies.

The ignorant worms probably stopped thinking without even realizing they were dead.

*

After disposing of the worms guarding the entrance, the massive main door was opened. The large and grand door began to open slowly with a loud noise.

As the door opened, the interior began to reveal itself.

Glaring chandeliers were attached to the ceiling to the point of being messy, and various expensive decorations, paintings, and furniture filled the enormous lobby.

And in that enormous lobby, there were countless men and women wearing the same suits as the worms that had just been killed.

Worms drinking alcohol. Idiots conversing with other worms. Disgusting b*stards laughing vilely while grabbing the breasts of women who appeared to be prostitutes.

It was a complete mess. Look at this. There are even beast b*stards? They were just worms doing the same actions among the disgusting ones.

Rumble…!

The door opened completely with a grotesque sound. The noisy lobby instantly fell silent, and all eyes in the lobby turned towards me, who had opened the door.

-Who is that woman…?

-What? How did she get in? Where are the guards?

-She looks pretty decent, doesn’t she?

Ha, these idiots. Most of them had dumbfounded, foolish expressions.

“I want to kill them all…”

And then, one of their gazes turned towards the gang members sprawled behind the door I had opened.

Kali begins to run, facing the members of the organization charging toward her.

Well, some might say this.

In such a situation, wouldn’t it be better to sneak in or wait for an opportunity rather than confront them head-on?

Yeah… that’s not a bad thought. But you see.

“Fuck. This is the way.”

Why bother with tedious plans and execution? Just smash through with brute force.

Thinking while acting isn’t my style. And isn’t there a saying?

If something can’t be done with strength, maybe it’s because you lack strength.

And right now, I feel like I absolutely cannot contain this emotion.

My… rage toward the b*stards who kidnapped my master. The anxiety that makes my heart race, fearing something might happen to him.

As those thoughts crossed her mind, Kali’s gaze and claws sharpened even further.

“Ughhh—! Die!”

“Where do you think you’re going?”

I smashed the face of the idiot leading the charge, sending him sprawling, then finished him off with a stomp.

His body slumped, and judging by the way my foot crushed his head against the ground, he seemed to be dead on the spot.

Whether they were fearless or simply too scared to think, the members of the organization began to swarm endlessly.

The women, appearing to be whores, either fled from my sight or screamed as they ran deeper into the building.

Screeeech—!

“C-cough…”

I kicked the arm of the b*stard charging at me, breaking it, then used my claws to slice through his throat.

He clutched at his neck, trying to stem the flow of blood, but at this rate, he’d probably be dead in a few seconds.

-You fucking idiot! Why are you stabbing me!

-Shut up and watch where you’re going! You piece of shit!

-What the hell are these morons doing?!

Having burst out through the narrow entrance, I found myself amidst a throng of bodies, a chaotic mass of people.

Those idiots tripped over each other, and whether by clumsiness or panic, they stabbed and smashed into one another, creating utter chaos.

“………”

I looked at those disgustingly pathetic, foolish b*stards. Not even a laugh escaped me.

Instead, my anger surged even more. Just… these worthless insects dared to kidnap my master?

Crackling…!

Kali’s gaze sharpened, transforming into something akin to that of a beast. The claws that had sprouted from the hands of the monster surpassed even the finest edge of a sword.

Her form was becoming that of a creature, yet Kali remained oblivious to it.

Instead, she merely sought to quell this surging rage by crushing insects beneath her feet. And to save her master.

Kali’s rippling muscles began to compress further. Lowering her stance, she vanished in an instant.

“Wh-… where did she go! You fucking—”

“Right behind you, you b*tch!”

After yanking the head off a bewildered gang member, she sliced through the bodies of the others who were still floundering in confusion.

“Ugh… aaah—!”

“A monster… it’s a monster!!”

“Run…! I don’t want to die!!”

Now, even the fleeing insects began to emerge. It is said that the greatest hindrance in battle is not a capable enemy, but rather an incompetent ally.

As the number of those fleeing increased, chaos began to swell. Fear and hesitation began to etch themselves into the faces of the gang members.

And the predator did not miss the opportunity. In the heart of the battlefield, the monster’s red eyes began to gleam.

In later days, the tale of the “Red Predator,” born from the eyes of a courtesan who had watched this scene from the shadows, spread across the continent, soaking the blankets of countless cowardly children.

Even the fearful adults.

*

“Hoo… Hoo…”

Covered in blood, Kali stood as the sole human amidst the carnage.

No, one could hardly call this a war. It was merely a one-sided slaughter, or perhaps the spectacle of a predator hunting.

The gang members, their eyes wide with terror, could not even comprehend the horror as they stained the once bright and elegant lobby of the Sakra stronghold with crimson.

Just moments ago, she had reduced the last fleeing member to thirty-six pieces. At last, not a single living gang member remained in the lobby.

“Hii… Hiiik.”

“Mommy… Mommy….”

The lobby echoed only with the tearful voices of the courtesans witnessing the brutal carnage, or the sounds of retching.

Kali’s red eyes still glimmered ominously. Though she stood in the light, her gaze seemed to shine even brighter.

Strength surged through her body. It was not even difficult. In this state, she felt she could accomplish anything.

“Pl… please… save me… please…”

Unbeknownst to herself, Kali found herself kneeling, tears streaming down her face as she stood before the pleading courtesan.

…When did I walk this far? And… why do I feel this way?

I want to kill the human before me. I want to wash away my rage with their blood.

Kali’s eyes began to split vertically. No longer a metaphorical monster, but transforming into a true beast.

What… was I trying to do? Why had I come to this place?

Surrender to your rage…

Who are you? Who dares to speak to me?

I looked around, yet no one was in sight. Except for the whore, slumped on the floor, reeking of fear, gazing up at me with wide, terrified eyes.

Surrender to me…

“Ugh… fuck… who are you…?!”

My head throbbed with a maddening intensity. The voice echoed, calm yet resonant, as if it were reverberating within my skull.

Whose voice is this… familiar… mine?

My voice began to seduce me. To surrender to the rage. To cast off the shackles that bound me.

I could guess. If I followed that voice and surrendered, I would gain powers far beyond what I possessed now.

Then… I could kill every creature in sight, and drink their blood…

“…That black-haired b*stard we caught earlier, is he really a man? Can’t recognize him with his hair down.”

“Really? As long as he tastes good, that’s all that matters… huh?”

At that moment, I locked eyes with the members of the organization climbing the stairs. The fog that had clouded my mind began to clear.

The black-haired man. My master.

I… came here to save my master.

What the hell was I thinking just moments ago? Was I considering anything other than my master? You crazy b*tch?!

Crack-!

“…What the hell is wrong with that crazy woman!”

“What the fuck is this bullshit!!”

“Phew… finally, my mind is clearing up.”

I struck my own face. Pain surged, blood trickled from my nose.

But now, my mind was completely clear. My will began to burn even stronger.

You. I don’t know who you are, but I will not dance to your tune. You fucking b*tch.

…What a pity. Such a pity… I could have awakened…

The voice slowly faded away, quietly, as if it had never existed at all.

Kali’s vertically split gaze began to turn toward the members of the organization, who looked at her as if she were mad.

“…What did you just say? As long as it tastes good, that’s all that matters?”

“Y-yes…?”

—

It was clear she did not bear the guise of an ordinary beast. Her hands were those of a monster, as if she had passed through the very essence of beastliness, and her eyes were slashed vertically.

Yet her expression was nothing short of defiant, ablaze with sheer will.

The members of the organization, merely ascending the stairs to meet the harlot, could only stare blankly at the death that approached them, slow and inevitable.