Chapter 18: Dinner Preparations

I wasn't that talented of an individual.

I'll be honest here. Yes. As usual, I'll be truthful. I was just an average, unassuming fruit fly who buzzed around every so often. I simply existed. An organism of flesh, blood, and organs. A speck of dust within the vast universe.

See? That wasn't so difficult, was it?

Most people have a hard time being honest.

Why is that the case?

There's no use in spilling lies. I knew that from the start. No matter how many lies escape from one's lips, reality will never accept them. Reevaluate. Self-reflect. Make progress.

What are you?

Tell me. 

Tell me exactly what you are.

With no lies or deception.

Is it really so difficult?

I wish to tear off that mask of yours and see your true face.

What filth do you have lying dormant? 

So many fantasies. Enough fantasies to bar one from seeing with clarity.

Stop lying.

Don't make excuses.

Stop deceiving yourself.

You know what you are.

That ugliness that creeps within the depths of your soul is no one else.

It's you.

Accept it. 

Acknowledge it. 

Just be careful not to reveal it.

Although you have glimpsed at your truest self, do not forget where you are.

Never forget that at your core, you are a wicked creature who has been domesticated.

But even among a flock of beasts, there are bound to be exceptions.

You come to realize after a while that despite being wicked, there are still monsters far more feral than yourselves standing right above you.

A warm current breathing down your neck.

You are cattle.

Thick saliva sliding down your cheek.

You are livestock.

Yet, even then. Even if you are uncomfortable. Even if you detest it.

—Don't forget what you are.

Never forget where you are.

Although you are mere numbers on an endless spreadsheet.

Please.

You have to remember.

I beg of you.

Be honest.

You mustn't.

Be truthful.

You mustn't reveal it.

—And accept that you are a depraved creature who's soul is irredeemable.

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▯Ezra | Ra | Day 9 | Former Orcs Mine, Unnamed Settlement

Hm.

—Tatatatatata

Listening to the rain is calming. Hearing each individual droplet pelt the ground. The sight of lightning flashing through dark clouds. The sound of harsh thunder pounding above.

Just what could that thunder be pounding, I wonder.

If it's that loud, Mister Thunder must be a ruthless individual.

I scrolled through the system interface. The <<Shop >> tab was open. Items and abilities of all kinds were listed out before my eyes. 

Yea. I was searching for something new to buy. So what?

With so much money stocked up, it was destined to be spent. That was the fate of money sitting comfortably in one's account.

If you don't have a girlfriend, then what's the use of saving up?

Learn to be lavish. Pay for what is necessary, then spend the rest on what isn't.

Who knows. You might die tomorrow.

Ah, is that...

I stopped my finger from scrolling. 

I found one. An ability that was necessary. It was most definitely necessary.

[Accelerate (2000 DP)]

[The Ability "Accelerate" Has Been Purchased]

Good. Very good.

I'm not an extravagant spender or anything, I just like spending money. 

Know what I mean?

You have to burn through it like calories. Don't think too much. You're only losing weight. After all, your wallet will be a lot lighter than before.

I went through and bought a few more necessities with this piled up money of mine.

[The Ability "Self-Regeneration" Has Been Purchased]

[The Ability "Production" Has Been Purchased]

[The Ability "Mutilation" Has Been Purchased]

That's enough for now, I guess.

It's always a battle to suppress one's instincts. No matter how much I think about it, my heart still wants more. It pounds for the sake of spending money. That is its greatest desire.

In a way—If I'm not spending money, I might actually die.

No matter how much I think about it, this king doesn't want to die just yet.

I can't be helped. 

If I've got no choice, I've got no choice, right?

Don't blame me for this. It was your fault for calling out to me in the first place.

"...Nii-sama, we're back."

A familiar voice also called out to me.

Oh. Fuuka, you've come at just the right time. My mind was nearly corroded by my heart. Damn. What a tragedy.

"Gosh...! I really hate being wet. Now I have to dry my hair...."

"I-I-I-It was really cold...ah, the rain was freezing cold….."

"I don't think it was that bad. I-I mean, once we started running, it wasn't....."

"Mhm. You get it, Mei-chan! A little rain won't be enough to stop me anymore."

"Don't think too much. Sir is training us for our own sake. You never know what might happen in the future."

"Haha, Rin-chan is surprisingly reasonable at times like this..."

"You call that reasonable? Anyone with eyes can tell that Rin-chan has an obsession."

"W-w-w-w-what kind of obsession, Rai-san?"

"Yes, Rai. What kind of obsession might I possess? Please do tell me. I'd like to hear what kind of twisted wisdom will spew from your loose lips. If a logical response does not reach my ears, I may consider the amount of time we spend training to be lacking."

"W-wait a minute, Rin-chan. T-there's no need to fall so low. We're all friends—we're family, Rin-chan...…..!"

"Your words sound sweet, but I have yet to hear a proper response. As a member of your family, I suggest that we try a little harder from now on."

"Awwwwwwwwww!!!" x7

Rin, the de facto leader of the girls, watched on sadistically as her comrades wept in despair.

Is that a smile I see?

Are the corners of your lips really inching upwards...…!? 

Since when has Rin become a dangerous person...

My cute little Rin. What happened to you...

I don't know who made you like this, but I'll punish them severely.

—She turned to look at me.

"Sir, we have returned."

She lowered her back with her usual sharp gaze; her usual cold expression.

I waved her over.

"Mm. Welcome back. I was starting to miss you."

"Is that so?"

"That is the case, Rin-tan."

She knelt to the ground beside me so as not to look down from a higher position.

How lovely.

I reached a hand out and cupped the side of her pale cheek. She stared at me with her half-opened blue eyes, seemingly pleased.

I whispered.

"You've done well."

"Truly?"

"Yup. I'm proud of you, Rin. You've come a long way.

".....I'm just getting started, Sir. Please watch me."

"Very well—You have my attention."

She leaned in closer.

Cautiously, her face overlapped with mine. 

My lips brushed against hers.

Delicately, we caught each other.

—She then whispered.

"Please guide me."

"...Always."

Even in art, I was naturally a romanticist.

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▯Ezra | Ra | Day 10 | Kuuderun Great Forest, Southern Area

Wet grass crinkled beneath the soles of my feet. The wetness was then transferred to such feet and then absorbed back into moist grass. Despite that, the soles of my feet remained wet.

It was a cycle that continued as I walked through the forest. The forest itself was filled with a fresh scent. The damnable scent of spring in which one could either hate or love.

Trees surrounded me on all sides. A group of Hobgoblin girls followed not too far behind. While we all looked to be standing out amidst this shit-like-forest, we were also strangely compatible with the atmosphere.

This forest had no right to be producing someone as outstanding as me. Someone as beautiful and amazing as me. Someone so dashingly handsome as can be.

Aha. I think I just created a poem. If I had to give it a name, and I mean, if I were really forced to give it name, it would have to be: 'This King Is Too Stunning' –—Or something like that.

A presence.....

I stopped. Holding up a hand, I gestured for the others to stop as well. 

My skill had picked up on multiple presences within the area. To be precise, it was exactly seven. Based on the sound of their footsteps, breathing, and voice pattern, I concluded that they were another species we had yet to see personally.

I say 'Personally', because some time ago, my shadows had already scouted out most of the creatures in the forest and their habitats. I was later informed of such creatures by them, and could make a good guess as to who they were.

Kobolds...

Indeed. Correct. Spot on. It was the Kobold-bastards. The dog-faced Kobold-bastards. No, seriously, they looked like bipedal dogs.

I've always wanted to try dog meat.

I'd never had the pleasure of gorging myself on a dog, so this would be a good experience. I'm a cultural relativist. I'm always open to trying new things. That's a part of life.

You have to try new things, even if it happens to be a guy—

Anyways.

I'm going to expand my horizons today.

—A metallic dark gray material slowly covered my hands like armor.

Oh no, it actually is armor. Keke. This is also one of my abilities. It strengthens and hardens my own body with a toughness proportional to my strength stat.

The tips of my fingers were joined into one sharp end, replacing my nails.

Indeed, this means I can now tear people apart with my bare hands. Ah, well, it's not exactly bare, but you get what I mean.

After spotting the Kobolds up close, we all took cover behind trees and hid our presence. 

Hm. What to do. They definitely aren't as strong as me. I could eliminate them with a direct confrontation. Perhaps I should let the girls—

No. I haven't stretched my legs in a while. I suppose I could give it a go. I bought this 'Armor' skill a while ago and I haven't even tried it yet.

That won't do. Nee-sama would be disappointed in me.

As the saying goes—'where there's bugs, there's a need to crush them thoroughly.'

Oh, and by the way, I was the one who came up with it.