Chapter 32 - I’m still a human.” (2/2)

This Soul Eater is a devil.

[Uwwahh!?]

I found that my back is already against the wall.

It seems I can’t escape anymore.

I don’t have the energy to escape… anymore.

My legs were frozen in fear.

My whole body has been overtaken by fear, freezing me where I stand.

I’m scared,

I’m scared,

I’m scared.

..of the approaching dead people.

..of the approaching Soul Eater.

[S- Stop there…]

I will absolutely die.

[Stop it already… I’m begging you… D- don’t come near me… Stay away, stay away, stay away, stay away, stay away, stay away, stay away, stay away, stay away!!!]

The Soul Eater opened its mouth wider than before.

The swaying of its tentacles became faster and more violent.

Niikkkkaahhh~!

The tears of blood continued flowing on the Soul Eater’s face, and yet it’s showing the brightest smile it has.

It’s like it’s trying to say— how the Soul Eater is filled with joy right now.

It feels good.

“It’s the best!”

◇

Yes, it’s the best.

Right now… is the best.

As far as the Soul Eater is concerned, right now is the best time.

And right at this moment, is the moment that the Soul Eater have been waiting for.

That’s why this result has appeared.

~

~

An opening.

[—

—]

~

~

Bikkii~

Pisshhii~

Pikkkiii—

[Giii…!?]

Through the gaps between my fingers as I cover my face with my hand, I could see that the Soul Eater have been successfully seized.

When I had been invoking my

towards the first three zombies, I’ve never lowered my left arm ever since I had stretched my arm forward.

Being cognizant of my target right in front of my eyes.

Pointing my arm towards my target.

The requirements for my skills, the two of them have been successfully— met.

[….ggiiiiii!? Ggggii!?]

The expression on the Soul Eater’s face had completely changed.

Its movements have completely stopped.

[That’s it…]

I stared at the Soul Eater through the gaps in between my fingers.

At the moment that you have cornered your prey—

[The fatal weakness that all of the haughty people carries…]

The moment that you had thought that you were better than your opponent.

The moment when you had thought that you had already won.

That’s also the moment where your greatest enemy would appear—

—which is negligence.

Together with that negligence would be a gap where you can’t notice anything.

And that’s gap is where I’d push through.

..with my Abnormal State Skill, Paralyze.

<Your skill level has increased.>

Lv 2 → Lv 3

Finally, the trembling within my body have stopped.

My tears have also disappeared.

It’s all just, fake acting.

[Ggiiii! Nuuggiiiihhh! Ugghhuu, iiiggggggyyyyiiihhhh!?]

The Soul Eater is frantically moving its body.

Clenching it’s teeth, it’s struggling hard to be able to move.

But, it can’t move.

Its golden eyes resembles those who have glared too much that it had became red.

Thick veins that looks like blood vessels started showing in the white of its eyes.

The human-faced stone is glaring at me.

Hatred, shame, killing intent…

Red liquid also began flowing down from the meat in its gums.

I glared back at the Soul Eater.

[I had to trick myself— to deceive myself.]

I was seriously scared a while ago.

I was seriously driven to the corner.

I saw my enemy who have a “human” figure struggling just so that it could live.

It’s like I’m completely empathizing towards the “Gentle Mimori Touka”.

In short, I have became him.

So that I could deceive the Soul Eater that could see everything.

[Say— is that your favorite food?]

The sadism that the Lizardmen and those two-head panther had.

Their preference of tormenting the weak.

Their wicked desires.

Yes, these guys were expecting for something.

The frightened appearance of their prey.

Their unsightly appearance while they struggle.

I realized that the Soul Eater was just the same as them.

The clincher of why I had thought that was when the Soul Eater had shown off its collection.

That’s why I used it against him.

This has assured my victory.

This had fulfilled my wish.

That’s why I showed it to him.

The “unsightly figure of the weak” that the haughty predator had wanted to see.

[Kakaka… how was it? Was my acting that believable? Huh, Soul Eater?]

My Abnormal State Skill also works against the Soul Eater.

Is it because I’m relieved that I’m not killed by the Soul Eater or that I’m happy that my skill works against it?

My mouth had inadvertently formed a smile.

[Kuku, that’s right…]

I had always wanted to become a famous actor.

After my uncle’s family had took custody of me,

[For days, months, years—]

I’ve been trying to be harmless.

I’ve been trying to be ordinary.

I’ve been trying to be kind.

I raised one of my arms, and showed off the bloody fingertip when the Soul Eater had tried to bite off my hand.

[I have always been tricking myself— deceiving myself.]

And then finally, I have forgotten what the “real me” is like.

[I have—]

I opened my eyes wide as I’m laughing at the emotions I’m feeling right now.

[I have always been playing the role of “Mimori Touka”, a kind and ordinary air mob.]