Chapter 17: Another One Bends the Knee (1/2)
Following a round of intimidation, the captured small imp happily agreed to bring us to his boss. After around ten minutes of walking, we met the group who tried to attack us two days ago. The group which had four large imps leading them.
Their boss was shocked by our sudden arrival and immediately bellowed to the others to prepare the defences.
“Don’t worry, we aren’t here to fight.” I said as I stepped out of the shadow of Big 1 and onto the center stage. While they were recovering from the shock, I pointed at the cliffs and continued:
“I’m sure you’ve already seen the despicable scum blocking us from our common destination over there. They are definitely out to kill us and consume our flesh and souls. I had originally planned to charge into the blockade, but changed my mind in the end because of their immense numbers. If it was just us alone, attacking them would be suicidal. However, I’m sure we aren’t the only ones having trouble entering that tunnel. I plan on gathering everyone, and with our combined might, break through that blockade! Are you guys willing to join me?”
“…” The boss scratched his head. He looked at us before turning towards the stairs and said in a deep, low voice: “Why aren’t we the ones leading you?”
Me: “…”
Idiot, does it look like you have the brains for it!?
I wanted to burst out and say that however, I restrained myself for the greater good.
“Why?”
With a wave of my hand, I turned their attention to the devil army standing behind me. “Because our fist is bigger than yours!”
“We won’t know until we fight it out!”
“Oh, so you’re saying you want to fight?”
“…”
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Silence. The large imp looked at me once more before turning back to the stairs; a conflicted look on his face.
To be honest, I didn’t want to fight either. If we really came to blows it would’ve been a pyrrhic victory for us. Without our numbers, how are we going to break through to the upper floor entrance? Don’t forget, there was only three days left before the blood sea engulfs this level.
However, in order to subjugate these devils without fighting, I had to show them my tough side. If I falter here and let them take the reins, what awaited us was…..I really can’t imagine a scenario where we wouldn’t get into an argument with these muscle headed imps right as we combined forces.
This was why I must be the one to lead this combined army.
On the other side, the large imp was stuck in a dilemma. He wanted to defeat me, but he knew that even if he won, what awaited him was merely death at the stairway.
Just as we entered this awkward stalemate, a domineering voice echoed from above us, “Since you guys have no way to decide, let me decide for you!”
Everyone present immediately turned their heads towards the source of this voice. It was a one-eyed large imp standing atop a mound of rocks. As the winds blew around him, his scarred visage painted a truly imposing picture.
The one-eyed large imp was clearly enjoying the attention of our parties as he excitedly displayed a posture which screamed: ‘Look at me, I’m so powerful!’ In accordance with his previous grandstanding, he leaped off the mound and tripped as he landed…
*bang*
After his magnificent fall, the large imp awkwardly stood up and coughed, “Ahem, excuse me, my left eye is blind so I didn’t see that rock. I thought it was flat ground.”
Everyone: “…”
Such a unique character.
“Who are you?”
Such an unusual entrance…why is Purgatory so full of potatoes like him…
“Me? Haha, just call me One-eye.” The one-eyed large imp pointed his thumb at himself as he said so. In a boisterous voice he said, “I’m looking for people to ally with. Let’s join hands everyone and head towards a brighter future together! Under my leadership, we’ll head towards victory…Hahahaha…”
What’s with this chuuni like behaviour…did he grow up reading japanese shonen manga? No wait, Purgatory has no internet, god damnit! (TL:Middle School Year Two syndrome: That feeling you had in middle school where you suddenly feel your mangekyo sharingan awakening but those adult plebs don’t understand how much of a genius you are for doing so.)
The other party’s large imp reacted disdainfully as well to his proclamations. “Huh? Alliance? Just you alone?”
“Of course not, there are people behind me!”
“Where are they?”
“Be…hind me…” The one-eyed large imp turned and looked. There was no one. He stood there stunned for a moment before bellowing, “Get out here now! All of you. You dense bunch of idiots.”
“Boss, you are the one who told us not to come out without any orders given.” The source of this voice was a slightly skinny large imp. He led a large group of devils out of the shadow of the rock mound. Hmm? He’s missing a finger on his left hand. Is he going to introduce himself as Nine-finger? Just like his boss.
His fingers aside, Nine-finger led a large army of devils which amounted to over a hundred. Their large imps alone, numbered eight. With One-eye and Nine-finger counted inside, it would be ten.
“Boss, I’ve always been an obedient guy.”
“Obedient? If this devil asks you to eat s**t, will you do it?”
“…Boss. You are too cruel…” The impudent imp balked at this suggestion. “Again?…But I just had s**t yesterday…”
Me: “…”
Screw you guys, are you all performing a crosstalk or something!? (TL: A Chinese comedic act where two comedians engage in a rapid-fire dialogue.)
The appearance of these two stunned the crowd. I was so stunned that I forgot to get angry. Don’t tell me these two idiots are here to perform a comedy skit? But that army behind them…
“Ahem, since my people are here, we can continue our previous conversation.”