Chapter 42: Hold On, Let Me Defeat Kallen First, Then I’ll Explain

Chapter 42: Hold On, Let Me Defeat Kallen First, Then I'll Explain

 "Disappointing?"

 『Hokuto:』 "You don't like the Demon in the Box's design?"

 Hokuto asked out of curiosity.

 Otto Apocalypse wasn't the type to criticize things for no reason.

 His mind was always sharp, always calculating—so if he had something to say, there had to be a deeper reason.

 A moment later, a green message scrolled across the screen.

 『Your Great Inventor:』 "In my imagination, it should have been a more ethereal, more mysterious, almost formless existence. But instead, it's trapped in a tiny box. How laughable. It immediately feels insignificant."

 The chat fell silent.

 『Hokuto:』 "Well… in some ways, you're not wrong."

 At that moment, an image flashed through Hokuto's mind—

 A small floating figure who loved fried tofu, giggling in a distinctive, almost mischievous voice:

 "Hehehe! Big sis, you're back! The weather's so nice today~"

 "It's time for you to witness my true power…!"

 "Teleporting is way too easy~"

 …Yeah, maybe calling it a "Demon in the Box" really was a bit much.

 Sorry, but this just doesn't scream 'terrifying ancient evil.'

 Hokuto chuckled to himself and tapped the screen.

—

 On the screen, Kiana and Yae Sakura appeared in dialogue.

 [Huh? Isn't this Kallen's box?]

 Kiana asked curiously.

 [Why is this box here?]

 Sakura also seemed puzzled.

 [Oh, it's you… Yae Sakura.]

 A mysterious voice cut through the dialogue—

 The Demon in the Box finally spoke.

 [How do you know my name?]

 [Of course, I know your name… Yae Sakura. Because… I am you.]

 [This purple glow…? So the sudden appearance of these monsters in the village over the past few days—it's all because of you?!]

 [Hmph, how could it be because of me? Those monsters appeared because of your will. It is you who wants to destroy this village.]

 The Demon in the Box wasted no time exposing the desire buried deep in Yae Sakura's heart.

—

 By this point, the chat had already figured out the second cycle's purpose.

 It was revealing how the Demon in the Box had lured Sakura into darkness.

 『my favorite sister Bronya:』 "So… all of this… is what Yae Sakura really wanted?"

 Seele's text was filled with sorrow.

 『my favorite sister Bronya:』 "She must've suffered so much… but she had to keep everything bottled up inside."

 『today's performance wasn't perfect:』 "Duty and protection… That is an impossible dilemma. If it were me… I don't think I could make a choice like hers."

 Hua finally spoke, her message brief but meaningful.

 Hokuto wasn't surprised.

 Hua, too, had faced countless moments of hesitation—

 To obey orders and sacrifice herself for humanity, or to abandon her duty and follow her own heart.

 In the end, she had stayed with MOTH, fighting for humanity's survival.

 As for Yae Sakura's answer…

 That was about to be revealed.

—

 After defeating another wave of monsters, the interrupted conversation between the Demon in the Box and Yae Sakura resumed.

 [So? You say you want to protect the village, but do you have enough power?]

 [I… I can only do my best…]

 [And then? You die, the monsters flood the village, and the villagers are slaughtered. That's the ending you want, isn't it?!]

 [What are you trying to say?!]

 [I have what you truly desire. I can grant you the power you need.]

 [Power… strong enough to protect… everyone… If I had that kind of strength… I must… kill all the monsters…]

 [Hahaha… This power is already yours, Yae Sakura. Now, kill to your heart's content.]

 [For protection… to protect… I must kill… I will kill them… Everyone who stands in my way—

 MUST DIE!]

 [That's right, Yae Sakura.]

 As soon as she spoke those words, her heart as a shrine maiden was no more.

—

 『Your Great Inventor:』 "At this point, the only thing left in her heart is an unquenchable fire of vengeance."

 Otto, having just witnessed Yae Sakura's complete fall, left a casual remark.

 But it made everyone else in the chat uncomfortable.

 Hokuto stared at the now silent chat window and felt a headache coming on.

 Damn it, Otto!

 Everyone was enjoying the story, and now you've killed the mood!

 To Otto, this was probably just a theatrical performance.

 While others immersed themselves emotionally, he was likely analyzing every plot point, predicting every development.

 『Your Great Inventor:』 "But even though this cycle reveals how she fell, that does not mean the inevitable can be changed."

 Otto's calm tone carried a sense of absolute confidence.

 Like he simply didn't believe Kallen could die here.

 『Hokuto:』 "Well then, let's just see what happens next~"

—

 The second cycle's final battle began.

 But when Hokuto drove up the mountain and entered the shrine—

 The enemy waiting inside… was not Yae Sakura.

 It was Kallen.

 『Your Great Inventor:』 "???"

 Otto immediately broke down.

 『Your Great Inventor:』 "What's going on? Is this a bug?! Why is Kallen here?!"

 Hokuto nearly burst out laughing.

 HAHAHAHAHA! You didn't see that coming, did you?!

 『Hokuto:』 "Calm down, dear viewer. Let me beat Kallen first, then I'll explain."

 And with that—

 Kiana leaped forward, landing a cat-paw stomp that stunned Kallen, followed by a Bronya QTE heavy punch.

 A single combo wiped out an entire health bar.

 The battle was already nearing its end.

 End of Chapter 42