3

Chrysus’s limp body slid off the spear and fell to the ground.

The spear paused for a moment, then started probing inside, as if checking.

I pressed my back tightly against the dirt wall and wrapped my arms around the child to protect him.

His small heartbeat pounded loudly against my chest.

Maybe they realized this wouldn’t work—

The spear pulled back.

Then the pursuers began breaking the entrance around the hole.

The wall started crumbling like an eggshell.

I aimed my machine gun straight at it.

“There! I see—”

Ratatatat!

[You have killed a demon.]

[Your murderer level has increased.]

[You have reached a certain level. Title ‘Slasher’ acquired.]

I didn’t even hear the notifications anymore.

I rushed out through the shattered entrance.

The waiting enemies charged at once, sparks flying.

I threw the Ultimax forward.

The first one was hit directly and fell back.

I moved my empty hand.

If I could only use one hand—

There was only one gun I would choose.

I grabbed the grip of a newly appeared pistol.

A special pistol shaped like a snake’s head.

Gurza.

“Switch title. ‘Mimosa.’”

[Title changed. Sensitivity +60. Warning: Shock risk level reached.]

My vision sharpened.

I could feel everything—

Even a small stone under leaves, even a pinecone falling.

Bang! Bang!

Two enemies dropped instantly.

I jumped off one and soared high into the air.

Higher… higher…

As if I could reach the full moon.

From above, the battlefield looked like a picture.

A smile formed on my lips.

My heart raced. Adrenaline surged.

I felt a gaze close to me.

The child in my arms.

For some reason—

That made it even more exciting.

I leaned back and fired.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Fifteen shots.

Fifteen kills.

I landed on a tree branch.

Reloaded.

The enemies finally got serious.

But their numbers were already cut in half.

I stood tall and looked down at them.

They froze under my pressure.

Then the child spoke.

“You’re pretty strong.”

Nice to hear—for once.

“I thought you were just a weak lower demon.”

My good mood disappeared instantly.

“Who are you calling weak, chickpea?”

Arguing with a kid really does make you childish.

“Chickpea? You mean me?”

“Of course. You, chickpea.”

“How rude, low creature.”

The ground lit up.

Sparks attacked from all sides.

Some jumped up for close combat.

“Shut up and stay still.”

Bang! Bang!

Enemies fell from the air.

But some reached my branch.

They attacked with sharp claws.

I blocked with my gun.

Clang!

Their “blades” were actually claws.

Hard and sharp enough to cut metal.

“Isn’t that cheating?”

They were strong too.

My arm shook.

Then—

Crack!

The branch broke.

The enemy attacked again.

Bang!

I missed slightly.

The bullet grazed his head.

“Ugh!”

His claws pierced my shoulder.

Muscle tore.

Bone cracked.

It made me sick.

“Got him!”

“His arm’s gone! He can’t use that weapon now!”

The situation flipped instantly.

I was in trouble.

What should I do?

Pain spread clearly through my body.

I couldn’t even use a potion.

If I moved carelessly, I’d be attacked instantly.

What should I do?

Nothing came to mind.

Then—

“Why don’t you throw me away?”

The child spoke.

Everyone looked at him.

“Drop me. Then you can use both hands.”

“They only want me. If you run, they won’t chase you.”

He looked straight at me.

“Why don’t you abandon me?”

His gaze felt heavy.

“I’m not weak enough to abandon a kid.”

“And honestly… I’m soft when it comes to kids.”

“What a stupid reason.”

I smiled.

If he wasn’t a kid, I would’ve thrown him away already.

“Do you think you can save me with one arm?”

“My arm isn’t gone yet. Still attached.”

He looked at me like I was pathetic.

“They’re coming.”

My body moved instantly.

I jumped aside.

Blue sparks burned the branch.

I clicked my tongue.

He was right.

At this rate, I’d be hunted.

Then—

Something soft touched my cheek.

I looked down—

“What?!”

A glowing green fern was growing from my chest.

The child held his hands together.

The plant wrapped around my injured arm.

My breath caught.

My arm—

Was healing.

“Fight.”

His voice was right next to my ear.

“Fight and protect me.”

His soft voice felt heavy.

I almost said, “Yes, of course.”

“I was going to anyway.”

I said it coldly.

He smiled for the first time.

His face softened.

I froze for a moment.

“If you keep spacing out, you’ll die.”

I snapped back.

Pulled out the Ultimax.

Reloaded mid-air.

Enemies rushed in.

I stepped back.

Once was enough.

Thud!

I swung the gun like a sword.

One enemy flew back.

Others hesitated.

I aimed.

Ratatatat!

They fell, full of bullet holes.

The rest backed away.

Sparks lit the dark forest again.

I grinned.

Pulled out Gurza.

And fired.

I leaned against a tree and slid down.

“Switch title. ‘Sniper Specialist.’”

[Title changed. Vision 3.0. Presence reduced.]

I closed my eyes.

The pain faded.

But exhaustion hit me hard.

I couldn’t move.

Something moved in my arms.

The child slipped out.

My arm dropped weakly.

“It’s dangerous here. We must move.”

I shook my head.

“Sorry. I can’t move right now.”

He tried to speak—

But I stood up anyway.

Showing was faster than explaining.

I took out an item.

A thin white cylinder.

“What is that?”

“Reject.”

Used for long missions or logging out outside safe zones.

Like a magic barrier.

Expensive—but looked cheap.

I placed them in a circle.

“This hides us.”

“A barrier?”

“Yeah.”

Then I placed claymore mines outside.

“If enemies come, we’ll know.”

I sighed.

“I need to rest.”

“You’re weak.”

“Are all low-class people this weak?”

I smirked.

“And you? How high-class are you?”

“I told you. I am—”

He stopped.

Then said—

“I am the Demon Lord who rules Bellos.”

“…What?”

“The king of the most fertile land in the Demon World.”

“That is me.”

“…Seriously?”

“You didn’t even know that?”

“Low-class knowledge is truly shocking.”