37◇ Black Hero, Predation (Revised)

Kuro remembered what Lucius told him.

–

“As you may have already noticed, I and Towa do not possess the color attributes.”

Kousuke was momentarily startled by this, but immediately remembered a certain memory and was soon convinced.

It was from the first time he had met Quin.

She had said.

“Magic attribute, [Black]. It’s the first time, I’ve seen, a color attribute, other than myself” she said.

That means that, before he arrived, there were no color attribute users aside from her.

“…As expected, you know about that. I’ve been appointed as [Blue] and Towa as [Crimson], but this is a far cry from the heroes who became the motifs, and is just the nation’s front”

Daltra is currently at war.

Even if it isn’t, it still calls itself a nation that holds God’s children.

It certainly seemed important to appeal to other nations that they had a lineup of heroes who were once led by a God.

Both Lucius and Towa were visitors, and although they had the natural attributes of [Water] and [Fire] respectively, they were feted as heroes because of their outstanding handling of them.

“That’s why there are those within the military and some noble families who call someone like me a false hero. That’s correct in a way. I don’t have the [Blue] attribute after all…….But what is required of a hero is symbolic value. Even if it is a false hero, if it can lead the nation to victory and save the people’s livelihood, there is no difference between it and the real thing. That’s what I think. And both I, and Towa, have the power to do so.”

That’s what he concluded, with an impassioned speech and a deep exhalation to quell his exuberant thoughts.

“I don’t know this woman called Shiro. However, in this short time, I have come to understand that she is loved by many. For me, even the visitors are someone who should be helped out and saved. Although I am in a position that knows about this crisis and is able to rush to the scene, in this situation where I cannot put that into practice, I cannot help but feel ashamed. That’s why I at least want to help you.

I am willing to share my ‘Power’ with you.”

–

Back to the present.

“…What the hell is this?”

Ryke looked around, as if in doubt.

It was a [Black] box.

The box-shaped field that envelops Kousuke and Ryke.

The ground, the walls, and even the ceiling were made up of writhing black. It was an [Execution Ground].

[Black] gushed out of the ground.

Only on Ryke’s side.

Kousuke, standing on the sandy beach while watching Ryke sink into the shallow water, was composed.           [ED: All this talk about the beach and water is figurative]

Ryke frowned slightly.

A moment later, he covers all his body with [Dawn].

“I see! [Black]’s ability is to swallow! So you’re going to swallow my magic from a long distance and reduce my power! Indeed, if you think about it, it was odd that you only ate my arm at that time. The correct answer is to make it larger and swallow my whole body. Why didn’t you do it? No, that’s not it, right? You couldn’t do it! So inexperienced! Even [Dawn’s Light] can’t be prevented without deploying more than one, so there’s no way they can eat me at once! Hence, you’ve taken measures to narrow the scope of your activity to keep me in contact with [Black] for longer! But, but! You’re so stupid! You should have stayed outside! That way, you could have still eaten some of my power! However, this is the end of the line. Begone, scoundrel!

[Dawn’s Light].

Rain of murderous rays of light.

Their number must have easily exceeded a hundred.

It has the power to fill up the inside of the box.

Kousuke looked at it and smiled.

“…[Black Eater [Predation]], [White Creation [White Groundwork]]”

A jet-black slash greeted the torrential rain of light rays.

“Foolish! Your [Black] can’t be compared to my [Dawn] at ……Impo…….ssible……”

Contact was momentary.

There was no competition.

The winner is the black.

To be precise, the winner is [Black] with a [White] included inside.

“No way, no way, no way! What have you done? Just now, that was Sir Claire Bedivia’s [White]! You’ve got them waiting outside this box! Shame on you, you coward! Don’t you have any sense of pride?”

……Well, I’m impressed by how he keeps fabricating so much just to justify himself.

…Well, it’s not unreasonable to be suspicious.

Kousuke is indeed inferior to Ryke in terms of level.

Although [Black Night] allows predation without regard to level, it’s not necessarily infinite, and even if it is, it’s clear that the mental pollution value would be disastrous if he relied on it.

So Kousuke borrowed power.

No, as Lucius said, a share.

In other words, he was given a share.

Ryke’s shock did not stop there.

He tried to challenge Kousuke to a close-quarters fight and failed.

[Black] that had already risen to just below his waist coagulated like ice.

There’s a mixture of [Blue] – or [Ice] to be exact, but its power is comparable to [Blue] – added in there.

“………… Lord Gramlunate’s power.”

And Ryke noticed that there was more to this.

The size of the box was shrinking, bit by bit.

“What ……you! What did you do?!”

Finally, fear appeared in his expression.

“Which is more painful to you… me explaining it or not? Tell me which one will make you suffer more; I will do just that.”

“…..Don’t get full of yourself, and get on with it!”

I wonder what happened to playing it ‘fair’. Just as he thought that, murderous rays of light homed in from behind him.

However, they all burned up before they could even touch Kousuke.

After that, they were swallowed up by [Black].

“[Fire]……No, unless you’re at Lord Syncentence Arthur’s level, something like burning my magic ……-! You bastard, if… no way! Something like that can’t be possible!!!”

“What? I’m starting to enjoy listening to your voice a bit, so tell me. What’s impossible?”

Ryke’s expression twitched as beads of sweat appeared on his face.

“–You ate it, the power of heroes!”

“Correct.”

Kousuke smiles dismissively.

Kousuke’s predation is not consistent in frequency, but he is able to take possession of the predator’s characteristics.

For example, the ‘Black Hero’ ate part of the Evil God and became the ‘Dark Hero’.

In other words, even though the Evil God is not dead, he is able to use the power of the Evil God.

In other words, even if the target does not die, the acquisition of abilities through predation can occur.

So, where does a part of the body/magic get its acquisition potential from?

In conclusion, it really doesn’t matter even if it’s something trivial.

So Kousuke ate the magic of the heroes many times, and furthermore, he swallowed their hair.

And then he got it.

“I am who I am. I’m but a [Black], [White], [Blue], [Crimson] and [Divine Healing] hero, thanks to everyone else.”

Ryke was shocked.

For him, this was unthinkable.

To Ryke, who was proud of his power, the event of other heroes giving their power to Kousuke was nothing short of an absurd event for him.

For Lucius, it was out of goodwill.

For Elfi, it was out of curiosity.

For Towa, it was out of a whim.

For Quin, it was out of friendship.

The reasons were different, but none of them objected.

Kousuke has embraced their powers and became powerful.

“…………Impossible. The power given by God? Using that power which was made to make yourself happy, for someone else’s sake? Just thinking about it creeps me out!”

With a *swoosh*, a ray of light pierces the same part that Shiro was hit at.

But it wasn’t Kousuke’s abdomen, but Ryke’s.

“That’s what I wanted to hear. “Creeps me out!” huh? Sorry, I forgot to tell you, but I already got [Dawn] too. Go ahead and feel disgusted please.”

Ryke still tried to kill Kosuke.

He tried to activate his magic.

However, it was unsuccessful.

The box has already been turned into a passage that is wide enough for only one person.

The [Black] which had been holding his feet to the ground dissipated.

“[Black] can choose what to eat. Smart, right? I’ve already devoured your magic. But it’s okay. Your physical functions are intact. Come on, let’s continue this Murderous Parade!”

“This is my loss.”

Ryke went on his knees with his head touching the floor. (TL: Dogeza’ed)

“I apologize for my rudeness! I’m so sorry! I swear I will never do anything like this again! Please, please, please forgive me!”

“I can’t.”

Kousuke kicked Ryke in the head.

His body was blown off and slammed into the [Black] wall.

At the same time, tentacles reached out from the wall and became the fetters that restrained his body.

“I know your character. Just as you gave in to Quin’s threats, you only flattered me because you recognized me as stronger than you. I don’t feel sorry. You will only behave like this in front of me and Quin. I think there’s a difference between a problem that can be undone and a problem that can’t be undone. I won’t say that murderers can’t be rehabilitated or anything like that. It’s not about hurting or killing someone, it’s about the way you think, and what you can and can’t do about it.”

“W- Wait, wait! I mean it! Serious apology! Whatever I can do to help! I will apologize! Even to Shiro!”

“Then bring Shiro’s mother back to life. Right At This Moment.”

“……..”

“You can’t? What the hell. You’re just so crappy.”

“Yeah, but I’ll show my sincerity in any other way! I can give you all my private property! Or, if you think about it, killing me here won’t get you anywhere! I’m a hero! I’ve demonstrated a tremendous contribution to the development of the nation! And you, by the way, how about you? You have a bright future ahead of you, but you’ve only conquered one labyrinth! If you kill me here, I’m sure the royal family will not look at you favorably.”

“Oh, so you want me to forgive you for my own sake?”

“Yes. In addition, I swear to you that I will help you in the future! Y- Yes, yes, there was a slave in the [Shizukutei of Life] bar. Since I don’t think those scums can afford something like that, that thing must be yours, right? I was instrumental in the invasion of Giborne, but I have made friends with the slavers. If you wish, I will find the beauty you desire and will deliver her to you. That thing was a poor brat, but a mature Giborne woman is nice, you know? Maybe it’s because they grew up in the snow country, but their skin is clear and white, a dazzling beauty! Of course, I don’t care how you use it. I’ve broken a few bodies myself, but I haven’t had any problems because the contractor cleans them up nicely! Hey, there’s more! You have a magic tool! I have sixteen tools that I keep in reserve for the country, so if you don’t mind, they can be all yo-…”

“That’s enough.”

Ryke seemed to have taken that as forgiveness.

He let out a breath of relief along with a flirtatious smile.

“There’s one thing I’m going to correct you on, Ryke.”

“Oh, my mistake? If you say so, I will fix what is lacking. I swear.”

“Lucius has informed the Crown of your actions. Then he called the top brass and all the heroes except you, and they voted for “Whether or not we should get rid of the problem child”.”

“…….”

Blood drained from Ryke’s face.

“I participated too. And when I told them that I would inherit [Dawn], so there would be no problem such as a loss of strength, they all agreed. Because isn’t that right? [Black] has more mythology in it than [Dawn], and it has tremendous appeal.”

“………… ah, …… ah……. ah……”

“So, I’ve got a green light for executing you. So you see… killing you won’t hurt anyone’s feelings. So, for example, if I do this…”

He cuts off his right leg with a blade made out of light.

“And if I do this.”

He chops off his left leg.

“No one will get angry, and no one will come to help you.”

Ryke did not even scream.

That’s how desperate he was.

With tears streaming down his eyes, sweating profusely, and even drooling, Ryke pleaded for his life.

“…… Please, Kuro. Please forgive me.”

“At times like this, I try to imagine what it would be like to be in the other’s shoes and give my answer. You said you’d cut off my extremities and shove Shiro’s womb in my mouth. That wasn’t a joke, was it? You were really going to do that, weren’t you? If we were going to do a simple fight, it wouldn’t have gone that far. In a duel… yeah, something like that can’t be forgiven. But this isn’t the same, right? We’re killing each other, aren’t we? The only way to end this is for one of us to die, right?”

Kousuke remembered Shiro and called off any further questions and answers.

A section of the wall opens up.

“I’m leaving now.”

“……W- Will you forgive me?”

“No, I’ll eat you slowly. The space will get smaller and smaller, and [Black] will prey on your flesh bit by bit. By the way, I’ve partially dulled your brain functions with [Divine Healing]. That’s why you won’t be able to pass out from the pain, and the substances in your brain that relieve the pain stopped being released. Enjoy your suffering until your life extinguishes. That’s how I plan on sending you off. This is your punishment.”

“What?! Wait for me, Kuro! I can be useful! I won’t let it cost you a dime! From now on, I pledge my allegiance to you personally, not Daltra! So!”

“Hey, Ryke.”

“What? Say whatever you want.”

“Do you think we’ll ever be given a third life?”

“…………”

“If you reincarnate again, come and take your revenge on me. I feel happy just by having the thought of killing you for a second time. So, you know, come on. I’ve heard enough. You’re going to die here this time.”

Kousuke closes [Black] with a big smile on his face.

The last thing he saw from Ryke was his despairing face. He felt better, and a little refreshed.

It’s not much different from when he killed his sister’s killer.

Killing a scum doesn’t make him feel great.

But the minute the scum is gone, the damage that they can deal gets suppressed.

Well, that’s fine I guess.

Kousuke pushed Ryke out of his thoughts and rushed to Shiro.

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