Chapter 63: Rage Mode

I have an easy way to tell how many months it's been since Otherworlders appeared here.

That's because I get my physical and mental period every month.

And today happened to be my 14th Rage Mode since the Otherworlders were born, a day to commemorate their arrival.

I held a small ceremony deep in my cave to celebrate them.

Tap tap tap, tap...

...I won't go into detail about what kind of ceremony I performed.

It would be embarrassing for me to describe it specifically, and it would sound too gay anyway.

Let's just say briefly... I got off a few times. Actually, quite a few times.

Rage Mode B has been manifesting rather strangely lately.

Maybe it's because I've seen so many stimulating scenes recently, but lust builds up more than anger or depression.

While it always was a Rage Mode that sent blood rushing downstairs, the symptoms have been particularly severe lately.

I'm not sure if this should be considered good or bad.

"Phew..."

At least the excitement faded as time passed.

The long night had passed and morning had arrived.

All that remained was a faintly fishy smell and the self-loathing that came over me.

'How many times did I do it without any material...'

The world didn't look beautiful, I just felt a bit of self-disgust. Well, still better than feeling depressed I suppose.

"......"

After briefly getting lost in idle thoughts, I stepped out of the cave.

Once Rage Mode calmed down, I always made a point to look at the sunlight first.

That way I could be sure night had passed, and it helped improve my mood a bit too.

Above all, after doing it routinely for several decades, I felt uneasy if I didn't see the sunlight.

As I stepped outside, the fresh scent of grass tickled my nose.

"...! ...!!"

And along with it, voices could be heard from somewhere.

At least it wasn't Chae-rin or Ha-neul's voice. Those two had each already visited once recently.

But that didn't mean it was a voice I could ignore.

"...look! Is Yor... here...!"

I could hear my name being called out between their shouts.

Hearing that, I frowned deeply and let out a heavy sigh.

"Haah."

I was exhausted, and who the hell was calling for me?

I wanted to just ignore it and go to sleep, but I couldn't. There was no guarantee they'd leave just because I ignored them.

So I pushed aside my fatigue and started walking toward the voice. Thinking I should at least meet them.

"...Oh, what's this. You came quickly even though I just called. Were you nearby?"

When I met them, I couldn't help but frown.

It wasn't exactly a welcome face. What was her name again... Nicky Tanesia?

A fellow Manifestor, and also a member of Lemegeton.

Also the one who nearly ruined my relationship with Yoo Chae-rin by suddenly revealing my identity.

Well, it ended well ultimately... but I only had bad memories of her.

So I immediately growled upon seeing her.

"Didn't I tell you to get lost last time? Do you really want to die coming back here?"

"Whoa whoa, calm down. I'm not here to recruit you today."

"......"

I lowered my guard slightly at those words. Honestly, I didn't sense much hostility from her.

And she looked quite tired.

While glaring at her, a curious point suddenly occurred to me.

Come to think of it, she's a Manifestor too, so how could she arrive in this forest so early in the morning?

I immediately asked her about my curiosity.

"What about Rage Mode? Wasn't yesterday the new moon? How are you already here in the forest?"

"Rage Mode? Well it's a bit annoying, but you can still move around somewhat, right? So I struggled to move early this morning."

I tilted my head.

...... That's it? Rage Mode is just a bit annoying?

Whether A or B, when it hits you're supposed to lose an entire day.

While I do roam the forest when B hits... I couldn't move with that level of rationality.

'Maybe Rage Mode affects each Manifestor differently.'

The thought briefly crossed my mind.

I'm not sure. Not like I've seen how others experience Rage Mode.

While I was thinking about this, Nicky spoke up again.

"Sniff, sniff. By the way, don't you smell something weird? There's this fishy smell..."

Hearing that made me feel slightly embarrassed.

Shit, come to think of it, I got off a few times but hadn't washed up.

Couldn't be helped. I was planning to just look at the sunlight and go back in, but unexpectedly ran into someone.

"...Shut up. Just tell me why you came today."

I gruffly changed the subject. Fortunately, she went along with my intention without thinking much of it.

"Simple. I came to pass on some information."

"Information? Suddenly?"

A new information courier, this is interesting.

"...Just listen first."

And so she began explaining what happened last night.

It was about the Altar Occupation Battle that I hadn't paid any attention to.

*

Many people gathered for the Kimaris Altar Occupation Battle.

Anything related to demons was always important to Lemegeton.

Nicky was among those participating. She was a team leader-level talent, and quite skilled.

But shortly after joining, she had to hear these words.

"We've already lost this battle."

"...What?"

"Too many gathered on the other side. Even if we fight with uneven numbers, we'd just lose it right after capturing it. Tsk."

These words came from none other than the Fourth Branch Leader.

The commander in charge of this battle had already declared defeat.

That's how overwhelming the enemy's numbers were. While they hadn't tested individual combat abilities yet, they'd already lost in terms of manpower.

But a commander couldn't just tuck tail and run without fighting.

They had to at least put on a show of fighting. That way, they could somewhat protect their reputation and avoid being labeled cowards.

So, the Branch Leader made a different decision.

"We'll raid their tents when the new moon rises. With less light, it'll be easier to retreat even if we lose the fight."

It was essentially a show battle.

They could still inflict some damage on the enemy while minimizing their own losses. None of the executives following the Branch Leader opposed.

The only downside was that Nicky couldn't participate in the battle on the day of the new moon.

After all, she was a Manifestor too.

While her Rage Mode was relatively mild, it wasn't mild enough to participate in battle. So she decided to wander around the nearby village while the battle took place.

Though her body was tingling, walking around was better than just sitting still and enduring.

While walking under the dim night sky, that's when it happened.

"─How dare you...! Ignoring the kingdom's sacred laws to hide a criminal!!"

"I'm sorry! Please just spare our lives..."

"Nonsense! Those who threaten humanity must pay in blood!"

"Kyaaaah! F-Father! No!"

Chaotic shouts could be heard from somewhere. Even the sound of blades being swung echoed faintly.

"...What's this?"

Unable to contain her curiosity, Nicky headed toward the sound.

And she could see it. Several cold corpses, and one injured knight breathing heavily.

Though she hadn't participated in the battle, having been here for a few days, Nicky could tell who the corpses were.

It was the village chief's family. For some reason, the knight had killed them.

Her gaze moved further inside. And she could see a new figure.

A young girl clutching her head in pain, with some reddish tattoo on her thigh.

"Ah, ugh. My head..."

A Manifestor. Who would have thought she'd discover a new Manifestor here? Nicky's eyes widened at this unexpected discovery.

Then she quickly pieced together what happened.

The injured knight had wandered into the village chief's house by chance, discovered the hidden Manifestor, and killed the chief.

After all, hiding someone with demon's blood was just as serious a crime as possessing it.

"Huh, who's there!"

Either way, she couldn't just stand by and watch.

Both as a member of Lemegeton and as a fellow kind. She couldn't let a Manifestor die.

So Nicky quickly dealt with the knight and rescued the young girl.

Even in Rage Mode, she had enough strength to handle an injured knight.

Since the village chief's family had all been killed... she could only save the child.

By then, the child was half out of their mind.

"Sob, hic... Village chief. Mom, Dad..."

Already suffering from Rage Mode, and then those who cared for her were killed on top of that.

Nicky felt sympathy for the young child.

Her destination was the Fourth Branch Leader's tent. The commander was still reading the battle situation without participating.

The Branch Leader asks Nicky as she enters the tent.

"Hmm, what's the matter? And who's this kid?"

"A Manifestor. I saved her when they were about to be killed by a knight."

Nicky briefly explained what had happened.

"Hmm, hooh..."

After hearing the story, the Branch Leader nodded with interest.

"To think a Manifestor was hiding in such a small village. Interesting."

"Right? Anyway, got any spare tents? Looks like we'll need to protect her for a while."

"Just a moment... wait."

The Branch Leader alternated looking between the child and the map on the table.

As if deeply contemplating something.

After a moment, they gave the child a crooked smile and said.

"Hey, child. Don't you hate those guys?"

"...?"

The child was still lost in grief at that point.

Tear-filled eyes look at the Branch Leader.

"The knights who killed your family, don't you want revenge? As it happens, I have a way."

"What? Wait a minute."

That's when Nicky stepped in. It was obvious what they were trying to do.

She asked the Branch Leader.

"What the hell are you doing? Instead of comforting and calming the child, you're encouraging them to go berserk?"

"Think about it coldly, Nicky. So many people gathered in one place. What would happen if we dropped a Demonkin here?"

Undoubtedly many sacrifices would be offered at once. The Branch Leader continued with a chuckle.

Nicky tried to stop them with curses.

"You fucking bastard..."

Honestly, she didn't care much about demons.

After all, she joined Lemegeton because it was convenient to live there.

Since she was born a criminal anyway, she had one foot in crime.

But this wasn't right.

Encouraging a child to sell their own soul.

But it was already too late. The child was already somewhat drawn to the Branch Leader's words.

"What's... this method...?"

The child looked at the Branch Leader with teary eyes. Still crying, but hatred was gradually filling those eyes.

The Branch Leader urged the child in a kind voice.

"The method is simple. It's one you already know."

"......"

What followed was predictable. Not much persuasion was needed.

The child became a Demonkin and killed 120 people.

And so the 13-year-old child met a heroic end.

*

"...Much as I hate to admit it. You were right. This place worships demons."

The rest is simple.

Disgusted at seeing a fellow kind run wild, and feeling revulsion toward the Branch Leader, she immediately headed to me.

Though we're not on good terms, I was still a fellow kind after all.

"It's a comfortable place to live, but they see us as tools."

While the knights caused it, in the end it was Lemegeton that made the child a Demonkin.

She seemed to have a lot of thoughts about that.

Of course I was shocked too.

Another Demonkin appeared. And a whole 120 people were sacrificed. Doesn't this mean another demon might appear?

I felt sympathy for that child, and at the same time my opinion of that Fourth Branch Leader naturally worsened.

But I was also curious about something else.

I asked her.

"You came all this way just to tell me that one piece of information? Even while in Rage Mode?"

"...Yeah. Honestly I don't like you but. We're still the same kind after all. And you haven't joined our side yet."

Nicky took a breath, then continued.

"And I didn't come with just this one piece of information. I have another that would be especially helpful for people like us."

"What is it?"

"I'll tell you. Information that those Lemegeton bastards would never share even if they died."

I paid more attention to her words.

Whew, she took another breath before telling me.

"There's a way to permanently get rid of Rage Mode."