The Academy's Deceased Ate It All

[It is what I have repeatedly thought as I look at you.]

Like me, Minerva wore armor in the form of her scales.

It was still pleasant to hear, unlike my voice, which made a horrible noise like scraping steel.

She continued in an almost dreamy voice.

[I wanted to be human and wear hard armor like you. Only when I’m like you does it have any meaning.]

She tapped her foot on the ground.

[Yes, I wanted to be like you, envied you. I was jealous of you. I tried to keep up with you, the only human to ever subdue me. I chased after you, gnashing my teeth to kill you… and before I knew it, I just wanted you.]

Minerva looked somewhat wistful.

[I wanted to stand by your side, so I took on a human body. You clothed yourself in armor, and I wanted to do the same, so here I am.]

Minerva paused for a moment, then turned to me.

[Tell me, how much do I resemble you?]

I thought for a moment before answering.

(If you want to resemble me, copy my character, for I’m a non-violent pacifist. I think we can work something out then.)

She was silent momentarily in response to my plaintive answer, and then she muttered in a crawling voice.

[…Is it really possible for such a person to be so abusive and sarcastic as soon as he sees me? Put it bluntly, you suddenly provoked my anger, not me, who was trying to talk to you.]

Before I could say anything, Minerva nodded wistfully.

[…Well, I do understand.]

She muttered.

[I know, I know. I know that in your eyes, I am nothing more than a monster because to you, I am nothing more than Minerva, the enemy of mankind that must be sealed away, the worst of the Seven Evils, the one who suddenly pretends to know you in front of everyone else, the one who acts all friendly.]

She had a regretful tone, as if she were blaming herself.

(…….)

[I-I understand everything, so please don’t take it to heart…I know what I’m saying is pointless anyways.]

I don’t know why.

The enemy I’m supposed to defeat is showing such weakness…

Ordinarily, I would have used it as a cunning ploy to create a bigger opening.

But her eyes, which looked like they had lost everything, wouldn’t let me do it.

(I’m sorry.)

[Huh?]

Minerva swallowed hard and looked at me through her nose.

(I’m sorry, I’m really sorry, for all the things I said that insulted you, for all the things I said that seemed like I was making fun of you, mocking you, I’m really sorry.)

[…….]

(I know this won’t make you feel any better, and I don’t really mean this as an excuse….)

Even as I spoke, I couldn’t figure out why I was saying this to her.

Why?

(It wasn’t my intention to say that to you…You said it yourself: the energy of the Seven Evils affects the body and mind. Especially Margo’s power. So I’m sorry…)

[I see.]

Minerva nodded and bobbed her head up and down.

[I don’t even care anymore.]

Minerva looked troubled for a moment, then nodded more confidently.

She has made up her mind.

[Since you’ve been so honest with me, I’ll also tell you one thing I’ve been hiding from you.]

(Huh?)

[Actually, I don’t have to cover my face. It’s tougher than the armor.

Minerva muttered, bringing her fingers to her helmet.

[When I’m in this form, I go from being a half-man-half-dragon to…almost a dragon. I just didn’t want to show it outwardly.]

She added quietly.

[E-especially to you…]

She stiffened and shook her head.

Then she began to straighten up, looking straight at me.

Her crimson eyes stared into mine.

[We’ve talked long enough. Let’s get down to business.]

With those words, her mood changed, and she got on all fours.

It was like watching a crocodile stalk its prey.

[I’m coming.]

Instead of answering her, I quickly jumped away.

I felt a chill run down my spine.

A long, slashing pain in my side confirmed my premonition.

[Amazing! You could even dodge that.]

She charged at me like an animal, literally.

She was moving at a speed that I couldn’t keep up with, in all directions, calmly chipping away at the thorns.

I tilted my spear to parry her attack, but it suddenly shot forward.

[Hmm?!]

Minerva’s ankles got caught by a shadow.

Swamp of Shadows.

A skill to grab an opponent by the ankles.

The moment I saw her step into it, I did not hesitate to go for an attack.

[Did you think you could capture me like this!]

But she fled before my spear could reach her, scattering Henir’s shadow.

As if that weren’t enough, she still dodged my spear and slammed into me.

The thorns around my body tried to block or damage her, but she deftly maneuvered her wings and tail to deflect them without leaving a wound.

Here, I was reminded of a fact I had overlooked.

She was a dragon, not a human.

It was her more comfortable stance and the one she’s learned the best.

[What’s wrong? You can’t fight back at all.]

Looking down at me, she perched on a pipe sticking out of the smashed exterior wall.

Looking up at her, I reached for the object hidden in Henir’s Shadow.

It was the root that the solemn-looking Laune had given before we came here.

With it in my mouth, I began to use everything I could.

Orc Chieftain’s Bracelet.

Banshee’s Necklace…

I used everything I could.

Minerva looked at me expectantly.

I didn’t use Thorn Crown.

Using it would halve the already short duration of King of Thorns.

Of course, I could if I focused all my energy on taking her down. However, there was no guarantee that she would meet me head-on, as she would have already realized what it was capable of.

If I use it pointlessly, I won’t have a way out.

[Looks like you’re finally going to be serious.]

With a snort of laughter, she got up.

I sighed and held the spear out in front of me.

I can’t possibly keep up with her speed.

And even if I could, there was no way I could pierce her armor and mortally wound her.

Then….

[Are you done preparing? I was getting bored of waiting.]

With that, she poised herself to charge at me.

So… it was a foregone conclusion.

With a roaring cry, she lunged at me.

I threw my spear with all my might, and the spikes spread like a net.

But Minerva cried out in disbelief.

[If you think such a simple attack will work against me, Minerva, do you mean to disappoint me!]

She deflected the flying spear with her horns and charged at me.

Then, I heard a gruesome sound.

More so when I felt the pain overcome my body.

Her horns pierced my body.

(ugh…)

In my fading consciousness, I smiled.

* * *

[…It’s over.]

Minerva muttered as she looked at Yoo Ji-hyuk, impaled on her horn.

Covered by the King of Thorns, his expression was unknown, but drops of blood were flowing nonstop through the tiny gaps.

His blood was running down her horns.

When Minerva saw it, she suddenly felt like dropping everything and crying like a child.

Halfway to her knees, Minerva slowly began to rise.

His body, pierced by her horns, swayed in the air.

[I never thought it would end like this.]

She let out a loud sigh.

Her horns were her greatest pride, her honor, her self-respect.

In the past, if anyone had insulted or touched them, she would have chased them to the ends of the earth and taken their lives in exchange.

It was Yoo Ji-Hyuk who had taught her how to use them in combat.

And now, with those horns, she has taken his life.

[…….]

Somehow, the urge to cry grew stronger and stronger.

One.

There were four more humans to kill, but Minerva suddenly realized she was tired.

Maybe she should just go back and lie down and fall into a deep, unforgiving sleep.

With that thought, Minerva gently moved her horns and dropped him to the ground.

His body rolled helplessly across the floor.

[Thank goodness his heart was spared.]

Minerva looked down at him and muttered quietly.

She considered taking his body as it was, then changed her mind and slowly raised her hand.

[And now, as promised, I will take out your heart and eat it…!]

As she spoke, she covered her abdomen and chest with her hands.

She began to feel a burning sensation and pain.

A harsh coughing fit erupted, and she doubled over, feeling as if her body had been pierced.

[Blood…?! What the hell….]

Blood spurted from the corner of her mouth, and soon after, the gaping wounds on her abdomen and chest began to open up.

‘When did I get stabbed…?’

She questioned as she coughed up blood.

(Ugh… I thought I was going to die….)

The supposedly dead man slowly sat up.

[How…?]

Minerva muttered, feeling a mixture of surprise, horror, and the relief that lay low beneath it all.

[How are you still alive when your guts have been disemboweled…?]

[You see….]

He smirked as he coughed up blood.

(That’s because you took half of my pain.)

Sharing the pain.

A demon-like skill that transfers half of the impact received over some time to the opponent while the user still bears the other half.

There was no way that Minerva could figure out how he did it.

Even as he coughed up blood, Yoo Ji-Hyuk slowly pushed himself to his feet.

Minerva still cowered on the ground.

(Hey, we still have a long way to go. Didn’t you say you wanted to fight with me forever?)

(So get up.)

(Let’s continue.)

With those words, he produced the spear once more.

As he coughed up blood, Minerva let out an exhilarated gasp.

[Aaah….]

Feeling uncontrollably ecstatic, Minerva nodded dazedly.