Return of the Fallen Volume 7 Chapter 40
Kazuki squinted.
“You want this armor…Why? Your scales have proven to be just as sturdy as this metal and besides that, you can’t fit with your size nor manipulate it with your magic. What’s the point in having it?”
Motozu’s eye widened momentarily before he paused as if he were thinking or listening to some advice.
“You are a true warrior and although you are a tiny thing, you still managed to best me in combat. The armor you wear has some of your blood as well as mine atop it. For me, this suit of armor would be a trophy, a reminder of the brave human who went toe to toe with me and who also humbled me. It would be…an honor if you could bestow that piece of metal to me.”
Kazuki could see Motozu struggling as it said these flattering words. Coming out of its mouth though, Kazuki could still feel only hatred coming from this large creature. A devilish grin in his head, Kazuki obliged.
“For your scales, this isn’t a bad deal at all. Fine, you can have my armor.”
All at once, the suit of armor peeled away from Kazuki with ease. Stepping out of it, with a wave of his hand, the suit stood upright and regained its shape.
“Do with it what you will. Hang it up or whatever I’ll be taking these scales now.”
Kazuki waved his hand once more and thousands of scales lying about on the ground flew over and disappeared into his ring. The Motozu laid there with a stunned expression. It couldn’t believe the small human would actually give away its only defense just like that.
While lost in these thoughts, the voice rang out in its mind once more.
(Why are you hesitating. The bug has removed its shell, it can no longer contend with you. A single swipe and this human will be a smear on the ice. Kill him while he’s defenseless or have you already forgotten your rage, your beastly pride!?)
This voice was suspicious and deceptive. The Motozu should have thought calmly and rationally at this time. To listen to a dubious voice from who knows where was truly something only a fool would do but this creature for some reason couldn’t quite control its emotions right now. Every word the voice spoke, swelled the flame of rage in its heart, and with these final words, the Ancient beast snapped.
Slapping the ground with its large tail, it lunged forward as fast as lightning. With its mouth no longer bound, it opened its jaws as wide as possible and snapped at Kazuki.
“DIEEEE!!!!!”
Kazuki though had predicted this outcome. Just as the Motozu was about to slam its jaws shut and devour Kazuki, its eye suddenly went wide and it collapsed on the ground.
*BOOM!*
The ice split and cracked with the weight of this mountainous body.
The Motozu…was dead.
The moment it died, a small wisp of dark energy flew out of it and drilled into Kazuki’s compass. The very next moment Zetrazz’s voice rang out in his head.
(What did you do!?)
Kazuki shook his head.
(You ask me that but I myself am wondering why you came out from this Ancient Beast’s body.)
Seeing the dark energy remain quiet Kazuki sighed inwardly and just explained it.
(The moment It impaled its feet on my god metal I connected the god metal into a cuff so it couldn’t break free. The creature only noticed that but that was not all I did. Once the spike pierced its flesh, I split off tiny bits of the metal into thousands of thin hair-like pieces and then circulated it around its large body before parking the pieces around its heart and brain. The moment it attacked me, I shot those tiny splinters into its heart and brain, shredding the two, turning them into something resembling Swiss cheese. Its death was already signed. What about you? You sparked the creature’s anger didn’t you?)
The dark energy went quiet for a moment and Kazuki confirmed his suspicions.
(I knew it. You just can’t help yourself, can you? You did something to influence this Motozu, didn’t you?)
(And if I did?)
Kazuki sighed inwardly.
(I guess this just shows me you really are a hyp…You really do want entertainment but must you interfere. The beast had already surrendered itself. I didn’t need to kill it but you incited him.)
Once more the dark energy was quiet for a moment before retorting.
(You say that but I see all. Right now, you don’t feel remorse or guilt but instead pleasure and excitement. I wanted to see more. I wanted the fight to last longer but you…You wanted to kill it. I may have egged this creature on but you…you wanted me to didn’t you.)
Zetrazz began to realize something at this moment. A hint of rage churned within the compass.
(Ant, did you use me?)
Kazuki shook his head.
(How could I ever even dare use a mighty immortal Titan. A being that’s god-like in this lower realm. Compared to me a tiny human, how could I possibly guide your hand? Wasn’t it you that interfered all on your own? Was it not you who wished for this beast to attack me again, just to fill your entertainment quota?)
Kazuki said all of these things in his mind but Zetrazz called out to him.
(Mortal, very interesting. After witnessing this, I see what you have done. Make me out to be the bad guy while you reap all of the rewards with none of the guilt. Now that this beast is dead, you can take not only the scales on its body but the mountain worth inside its lair, not only that I suspect you will be consuming this creature’s body with that eating power of yours. What was it called again…Ourodyess I believe. You intend to grow even stronger by eating this body, am I right?)
Kazuki went silent. It was true. At first, he really did intend to just trade the Motozu for a few of its scales but after it had attacked him and he saw just how powerful it was, a plan formed in his head. To devour such a strong creature with his Ourodyess technique, just how much stronger could he grow he wondered.
Kazuki played dumb.
(I don’t know what you mean. How could I eat this creature, you saw how strong its defense is, there’s no way I can consume its body.)
This act of his was the wrong move. As soon as Zetrazz heard this lie, his energy enshrouded the entire compass, covering the chain as well. With a tug of it. Zetrazz tightened the compass’s chain around Kazuki’s neck so tight that it sunk into his flesh.
If it was just the chain, Kazuki would be perfectly fine but because it was covered in Zetrazz’s powerful dark energy, a degrading effect took place and started to melt away the flesh around Kazuki’s neck.
Zetrazz roared at Kazuki.
(AN ANT DARES LIE! DENY IT SOME MORE AND YOUR HEAD WILL SOON BE SEPERATED FROM YOUR BODY! NOW TELL ME, AM I WRONG!?)
Kazuki felt death rushing at him from the great beyond. If he didn’t answer immediately, he knew for sure Zetrazz would take his neck in one squeeze.
Kazuki roared back in a panic.
(RI…RIGHT! YOUR RIGHT!)
The dark energy vanished back inside the compass and Kazuki collapsed to the ground, hacking, and coughing as he rapidly healed his neck before his head fell away from his shoulders.
Cold sweat covered him which only turned frostier being exposed to all of this frozen air.
Kazuki felt such humiliation and anger. His feelings mimicking the Motozu’s moments before its death.
(Yes, that rage you feel for me, let it consume you or put it to work. Let your hatred for me be your motivation. You used me this time and even dared lie. Never take advantage of my kindness again…Go ahead, use the corpse of this dumb creature to grow stronger and stronger. The day you wish to face me…I simply can’t wait for it.)
Kazuki sat there in silence for a while. His nerves were shot. During the entire battle, he was outclassed in nearly every way but he still wasn’t afraid. He had a plan and knew that even if his plan failed, he could somehow find an escape route. With a monster like an Ancient beast, he could somehow handle himself. He was that confident but the story was completely different when it came to Zetrazz. Without Glacious’s help, there was nowhere Kazuki could run or hide as Zetrazz was seemingly with him always.
Everything relied on Zetrazz, temperamental mood. A few words to him and Kazuki nearly lost his life. Entering his lair, nearly cost him everything. With a single wrong move, Kazuki would forfeit his life. Every day, every waking moment would be spent constantly walking overtop eggshells. The fear was real.
After a moment to catch his breath and relax his shaky nerves, Kazuki waved his hand. With it, a large ball of metal came out of the creature’s mouth and landed in his hand. A thin layer of metal peeled away from the ball revealing the Ancient beast’s core. The moment it was revealed, a powerful aura swept out of it and tried to stab into Kazuki’s body. A small piece of the creature’s soul was still here and even in death tried to destroy Kazuki.
Kazuki in turn summoned his own aura.
(Aura Shot.)
Kazuki’s aura spun like a tornado and mimicked the wind. It tore through the Motozu’s soul fragment, obliterating it in an instant. Had the creature still been living and used all of its aura earlier, the victor may have changed but because the Ancient beast had looked down on Kazuki again and again, it had completely underestimated him and lost. Kazuki as well held his aura abilities back during the fight. Had he unleashed it earlier, the creature may have actually taken him seriously and went full out, right from the beginning.
Not all of this was calculated to such detail but a fair amount clearly was and because of it, the final victor was Kazuki.
Once the remaining soul fragment was destroyed, Kazuki simply stored the Magical Beast core away. It was no longer dangerous and wouldn’t blow up.
After that, he went to work on dismantling the rest of the body.
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