Chapter 284. The Fate to be King

Lakshasha remembered that day as clearly as yesterday. How could he forget—the feeling of being reduced to a mere prey waiting to be eaten? He had felt such overwhelming fear then that he couldn’t even think of resisting. Completely helpless, all he could do was stare at his predator and shake on the ground. And when his predator leisurely walked toward him to check his captured prey, he said:

[As I thought, it doesn’t fill me with the same feeling as that time.]

He said in a regretful and longing voice.

[Killing you is easy and eating you is even easier. But…]

[I don’t even see the value in doing that.]

He let out a small chuckle after saying those words.

[This is worrisome. Truly worrisome. I didn’t expect to have such thoughts at all. Perhaps something had changed inside me after that time…]

He lamented and went silent for a period, yet the silence didn’t last long. After thinking of something that Lakshasha couldn’t guess, the predator suddenly asked.

[Do you want to live?]

It was an unexpected offer. Perhaps the predator might let him live, and he could survive this. Lakshasha nodded instinctively.

[Then, you must show me that you are worth keeping alive.]

At the predator’s soft voice, Lakshasha nodded crazily.

[Stricken by fear, you seem ready to agree with everything I say.]

[Though I don’t really blame you, I can’t place my trust in you.]

The faint ray of hope Lakshasha felt was quickly overshadowed by despair, and a sense of indescribable humiliation and shame crept inside him as his heartbeat fluctuated wildly at every couple of words coming from the predator’s mouth.

[Let me see…ah, yes.]

Another person popped out in front of Lakshasha. It was his sister, who had the same fear-stricken face devoid of any self-will and mind like him.

[Do you want to save her?]

The predator said.

[You want to return home safely with her, right?]

Lakshasha nodded—slowly this time, unlike before. And the predator flashed him a toothy grin.

***

A good while after standing alone on the spot, Lakshasha moved his arms around quickly. It was his final desperate effort to do something after all his plans turned awry. The expedition team remained calm. They were already mentally prepared and quickly readied their stance, but they soon stopped moving. It was because Lakshasha had stopped first. With his arms clutching his bow, he didn’t move in the slightest. He seemed to be warring with himself inwardly, and eventually, his grip loosened.

His arrow fell to the ground, and he hung his head. “…I’m sorry.” After a long period of silence, he muttered again, “I’m really sorry.”

With both his eyes tightly clenched shut, Lakshasha looked too ashamed to even lift his head. He was basically admitting the truth with these actions. Emmanuel frowned and dropped the hand that was about to draw his fleuret.

“Which parts are the truth, and which parts are the lies?” His tone changed. It sounded piercing enough to slash through Lakshasha’s heart.

“Rather than that…” Yeriel let out a small sigh and looked away. “We should see it as one big lie.” There was truth mixed in with lies. The goal of this expedition was to save Lakshasha’s captured companion, but how they would save his companion was where the truth ended and the lie began. They weren’t going to fight the king candidate Lakshasha and his team had encountered. The truth was…

“It’s an exchange,” Yeriel clarified. “It seems he was guaranteed to get his sibling back for the price of bringing us to that guy.” In other words, Lakshasha had promised the king candidate to do his bidding.

“…” Lakshasha remained quiet. His silence was enough of a confirmation.

“Captain, give us your order,” Emmanuel said hastily after getting into his stance. Lakshasha appeared to have no will to resist. As if he had already accepted his fate, both his arms were hanging limply by his sides. But then everyone’s eyes widened seeing Chi-Woo quietly raise his hands. There was a good case to instantly kill Lakshasha, but they had to wait? Why?

“There’s one thing I’m curious about.” Chi-Woo’s voice sounded an octave lower as he spoke, “Before I get to that, let me make one thing clear. We have no intention of overlooking this matter. I plan to hold you properly responsible for your actions in the future.”

Other people in the group nodded in agreement as they thought it was only natural.

“So please reply to this question bearing that in mind.” While staring intently at Lakshasha, Chi-Woo cleared his throat and asked, “Why did you tell Mr. Ru Amuh that he should leave if his injury was too serious?”

The rest of the expedition team blinked hard at this question. Now that they thought about it, that was strange.

“You said we shouldn’t mind it…if we are hesitating because of you.” Lakshasha had told them that he wouldn’t insist on the matter if something happened to the team members that prevented them from continuing, and he kept that promise. Of course, he might’ve been faking it to keep up the charade, but he had given suggestions that he didn’t need to give. Thus, Chi-Woo was curious about Lakshasha’s intention.

“What were you planning to do if I decided to return for Mr. Ru Amuh ?” Chi-Woo asked.

Lakshasha opened his eyes again. “I know it sounds unbelievable, but…” He raised his head slowly and opened his mouth after some difficulty. “I was planning to return without resisting…really…”

Chi-Woo had already revealed his intention to punish Lakshasha later and thought Lakshasha would tell the whole truth now, believing everything to be over. Considering that, this answer was a bit unexpected.

“Why? Why do you say that?”

Lakshasha’s response was a long sigh. He was a guide spearheading quite a reputable team among the Cassiubia League. The fact that his name was well-known in a huge organization like the Cassiubia League indicated that he had made considerable achievements until now. However, his recent encounter with one of the king candidates had paralyzed his ability to think. As Yeriel said, he was overcome by his sense of fear and committed something he shouldn’t have; yet that didn’t mean the pride and loyalty he had toward the Cassiubia League had all disappeared.

“…I don’t know.” Lakshasha appeared befuddled as he responded. “When we first arrived at the beginning of the entrance, the only thing I could think of was saving Lakshia, and I thought I could risk everything to bring her back safely…” He had heard the rumors about Chi-Woo, but he didn’t believe them. He thought they were exaggerations, and when he heard about how much the humans had risen in ranks, he simply let the information flow from one ear to the other.

“But I think my mind changed…after seeing you all fight.” The battle at the starting area of the forest gave Lakshasha quite a shock. As an archer who was acknowledged for his skills in a large league and had a superior intellect than most, he also had a keen eye for reading people. And in that battle, he got glimpses of how the whole team fought and how much stronger they would be, as well as how much more they would do for humanity and beyond that, for Liber. And thus, Lakshasha became more conflicted. He wondered whether it was even right for him to let them die here—no, guide them to their deaths.

‘Even if I save her like this…will Lakshia be happy…?’

No, there was no way. Considering her personality, his sister would reprimand him, demanding to know why he hadn’t just let her die. Though he wanted to save his sister, he didn’t want to go this far, and Lakshasha felt tormented in this dilemma. A part of him hoped that the team would suddenly have a reason to turn back. Yes, that was what he wanted…

Seeing Lakshasha close his eyes again, Chi-Woo asked calmly, “But wasn’t there the option of abandoning your previous plan and fighting alongside us to save your companion?”

“No.” It was an instant reply. Though he had spoken wearily and warily until now, Lakshasha spoke firmly this time while shaking his head. “Although I tried to trick you guys with lies…everything I said is true except for my plan on defeating him. I swear that everything I said about the king candidate is especially true.”

Chi-Woo wondered how traumatized Lakshasha must be.

“You guys might now know because you haven’t met that guy yet…but no. It’s not possible. Fighting him is…” As if just recalling that memory revived the fear inside him, Lakshasha shuddered. It was then a different voice suddenly interjected.

“You are well aware.”

Everyone turned to the source of the voice in surprise.

“Because you brought several people as promised and were working hard to drag them here, I waited for you.” The intruder’s torso was completely bare. He was tall, and he had short, light-blonde hair. While his body was covered in parts in well-shaped muscles, he wasn’t overly brawny.

“I was wondering what was happening, but in the end, you…” the intruder said. If one must make a comparison, he was closest to a human. It was a face they never saw before, yet they somehow felt a sense of familiarity with him. Yes, it was as if they were seeing Ismile in his youth, or his younger brother. And the most alarming fact was that no one realized when he had arrived—neither Ru Amuh’s synesthesia nor even Chi-Woo’s intuition managed to detect his presence.

𝕗𝚛𝚎𝚎𝐰𝗲𝗯𝗻𝚘𝚟𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝕞

“…Well.” And the intruder began to stomp towards them. “But it isn’t all bad. I can’t think too negatively of you. In fact, I quite like that stupid honesty of yours.”

Lakshasha seemed to have forgotten to breathe altogether. The way his beaks pressed together seemed to indicate that his trauma was rekindled again.

But indifferent to his reaction, the intruder turned to the expedition team and glanced at them. “Let me see…”

Chi-Woo felt his nervousness rise. Though this intruder looked like a human, there was no way he was. Only his appearance was that of a human, and he was something else pretending to be one. Seeing Lakshasha’s response, it was clear he was one of the king candidates he had been talking about. And the fact that Chi-Woo was suddenly reminded of Ismile made it clear he was that guy.

[Don’t think of fighting him.]

[You must run away regardless of who dies.]

Chi-Woo was sure of it. He was the one who ate Ismile’s arm. He must have received quite the inspiration from Ismile and evolved into his current form. Thus, it became clear to Chi-Woo that he was coming face-to-face with an enemy likely to be the strongest in the Hala Forest.

‘I can’t let down my guard,’ Chi-Woo thought and calmed his breathing to focus on the king candidate’s every move.

“?”

But suddenly, even without taking his eyes off the king candidate for one second, the king candidate disappeared. Chi-Woo flinched and quickly turned around. His opponent suddenly appeared mid-air and swung his arms.

“Left!” Yeriel shouted instinctively after finally recollecting herself. She was able to sense the opponent before she saw him because she felt a clear sensation of a hand touching her neck. She felt her neck getting sliced open before it even happened.

Klang!

“Hm?” Their king candidate’s eyes turned slightly wider. His attack strayed a little when Ru Amuh simultaneously turned around with Chi-Woo and barely managed to graze his hand. Emmanuel heaved in anger seeing blood scatter out of Yeriel’s neck, and his fleuret shot forward like a ray of light.

“Hm…”

Emmanuel couldn’t believe his eyes. He was sure that the tip of his fleuret had penetrated his opponent, but it didn’t actually hit.

‘What—?’ All he could do was exclaim in shock. He couldn’t understand his opponent’s movements and didn’t know what happened. If one must describe it—it was as if he saw the ball roll inside the net and was assured of his goal, but a moment later, he realized that the ball simply hit the side of the net and bounced off. Yet there was no time for him to even think in bewilderment. He saw the claws that had parried his fleuret aim for him now. The moment he gasped, he felt his throat exposed. Though his opponent had evaded his attack, he had a strong feeling that he wouldn't be able to do the same.

Death came in an instant. Thud! It sounded as if something struck a leather bag filled with water hard.

“!”

The king candidate’s eyes filled with surprise, and his mouth gaped open. Someone had managed to clutch his wrist. He turned to see Chi-Woo clenching his teeth and tightening his grip with all his might, refusing to let go. Strangely enough, the king candidate smirked and twisted his arm into an S-shape like the yin-yang symbol. Chi-Woo let go of the wrist he worked so hard to clutch. He didn’t know why, but instinctively felt that he must let go at that moment.

“Ho!” A cry came from a distance. Before they realized it, the king candidate was already standing in the place where he first appeared. Yeriel was holding her neck, while Evelyn was healing the team. Both of them, along with Chi-Woo, of course, stood frozen like stone statues. How much time had it been?

One or two seconds? No, it was about 2.5 seconds. Yet in that very short time frame, this monster had managed to fight three opponents and return to his original position. It was simply unbelievable.

“How surprising. It’s unbelievable.” It appeared that his opponent felt the same. “To think there would be another creature able to touch my body.” The king candidate sounded astounded as he rotated his wrist. “Furthermore, you managed to act half a step ahead of me for a moment there… I almost became serious. You guys are quite good. I was planning to have a little taste of what you could do and thought it would be all right even if I accidentally killed you all.” The king candidate relayed his compliments while looking at Chi-Woo and Ru Amuh.

The expedition team was hit with a strange feeling. The king candidate talked as if he was talking to beings beneath him.

“You guys are alright,” he said with a satisfied smile and looked back at Lakshasha. “I don’t get the same feeling as I did that time…but it’s fresh and surprising. Honestly, I wasn’t expecting much, but you kept your promise well.” Then he pointed in one direction with his index finger.

“Go west.”

“…Sorry?”

“If you keep going in that direction, you’ll see a cave. Your companion is there. I just knocked her out, so it’s up to you to bring her back here or return to your place.”

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Lakshasha appeared stunned.

“I-Is that really true?” he asked again, and the king candidate furrowed his eyebrows slightly.

“I am different from you all.” He sounded slightly offended as he continued, “Since my birth, I carried a different burden on my shoulders from everyone else. I’m sure you guys can’t help but be ignorant of it, but every word that comes out of my mouth carries a weight that the likes of you can’t imagine.”

The one carrying the crown had to bear the weight of it, and the responsibility and burden of a king was by no means light.

“And since you’ve fulfilled all your duties as a servant, I must also fulfill my obligations.”

Lakshasha’s throat trembled. He looked back and forth between the king candidate and the expedition team. It looked like he didn’t know what to do, but in the end, he turned to the direction the king had pointed. The king smirked and looked back at the expedition team. Chi-Woo chewed on his lower lip. His hands stung. His fingers shook slightly, and the palms of his hands felt raw. Though he was the one who had clutched the king’s wrist, what would’ve happened had he been a second too late?

“Okay, then—” The king arched his neck sideways, and Chi-Woo readied himself. He knew a day like this would come sooner or later—though this was earlier than he’d expected. Perhaps he would have to break the promise he made to his master today.

“Everyone—” Still, Chi-Woo thought he should give it his best, and he was ready to give his companions an order.

“Sit. It’s fine if you make yourself comfortable.” The king suddenly sat down. He put one folded leg above the other and rested his elbow on his knee. Then he propped his head up with the hand on his jaw and smiled softly.

“Let’s talk for a bit.”