Chapter 5

Chapter Five Kill or Not Kill

“The… monster from the Abyss?”

My brow furrowed even deeper as I tilted my head slightly and countered.

“You came from the Abyss, right? The black swamp.”

“…Yes.” I didn’t consider denying it; there was no need to lie here. It would be too easy to see through.

“Am I… a monster?”

Then I felt this was a very stupid question. My appearance, behavior, and how humans treated me constantly told me that in their minds, I was a detestable and terrifying monster.

Thinking of this, I suddenly felt sad.

The swordsman seemed to notice my low spirits, his surprised expression flashing by.

“Do you think you’re not a monster?”

“I… don’t know… I woke up… like this…”

Actually, what I wanted to express was much more than this, but pronouncing human language was extremely difficult for me. I couldn’t speak smoothly at all.

I had a lot to say, many questions to clarify, but I didn’t know how to express them. I could understand perfectly, but I just couldn’t speak.

“So, what do you think you are? An angel sent by the Fertile Mother Goddess?”

There was a mocking smile on the swordsman’s face.

Although I didn’t know who the Fertile Mother Goddess was, it didn’t stop me from hearing the sarcasm in his words.

I was definitely not an angel, but I also didn’t think I was a demon.

“Why… kill me…”

“Why kill you? That’s a good question.” The swordsman plucked a blade of grass and stuck it in his mouth. “Do you know what would happen if we continued to be alone in this… little black room you made?”

“…What… do you want…”

I felt a bit nervous, wrapping my cloak tighter around myself, and looked at him warily.

How could this person be so boring? I initially thought he was a straightforward person.

Seeing my reaction, the swordsman first showed a puzzled expression, then immediately seemed to understand something and laughed silently.

“What did you think? I mean, from now on, we’ll start dealing with serious matters. Be serious. I’m not here to chat with you. Answer whatever I ask next, understood?”

“Uh…” I felt my face starting to heat up again, feeling embarrassed.

The swordsman ignored my reaction and extended one finger.

“The first question: Where are you from, and what is your purpose in coming to this world?”

???

I was completely bewildered.

Where am I from? From Earth. What is my purpose? Is making money to return home and get married acceptable?

Do you think I enjoy being in this broken world? Do you think I wanted to become a monster? I woke up like this, and I’m also frustrated!

“I…”

“The second question: How many of you are there, and tell me when and where the others will appear.”

“I…”

“The third question: Why can you speak human language? Why can you disguise yourself as a human? Compared to other同类 I’ve encountered, you are undoubtedly the most unique one. What other unknown abilities do you have? Are you a high-level life form from the Abyss? How many exist like you?”

“…”

“Three questions, tell me everything you know. This isn’t negotiation; it’s interrogation. If you don’t cooperate or if I detect any lies, I’ll kill you, understood?”

I understand your XX.

I wanted to spit in his face. How could he be like this? Throwing out a string of questions like jumping beans, did you ever give me a chance to speak properly! And are you sure you only asked three questions?

Although I was indignant inside, given the situation, I had to answer honestly.

“I… don’t know… I was only… born… I don’t… understand…”

“Considering you might still be unfamiliar with human language, I’ll give you another chance. Answer the first question. Where are you from, and what is your purpose? Don’t rush, take your time, explain clearly, I have plenty of time.”

…………

What should I say… I don’t even understand what you’re asking. Us? Does this mean there are many like me? Did they also come through? I don’t know at all!

“I… really… don’t know…!”

“Boom” —!

Lightning surged from the swordsman’s body, and in a flash, he was in front of me, his sword already at my neck.

“Speak. Don’t try to deceive me. Given your current state, killing you would be effortless.”

I looked at his indifferent gaze with some fear, unconsciously swallowing saliva.

I couldn’t provide him with the intelligence he wanted. No, this way, I really will die. I dare not bet again whether I can be revived. I need to find a way to escape.

This man in front of me seemed capable of having a rational conversation, but in reality, his stance was firm and unshakable. Even though I appeared human and was a weak, helpless girl, in his eyes, I was probably still that horrifying monster.

We are not of the same kind. Don’t expect him to show empathy. It’s laughable that I just had the thought of showing weakness to him, hoping he would spare me.

“I…”

I panicked

My heart was pounding uncontrollably. It was embarrassing, but I felt an urge to urinate.

What should I do? The knights must be waiting outside, and that troublesome old man too. The swordsman was right; in my current state, he could easily kill me without needing to cooperate as before. He could do it alone.

“Really… I don’t know… When I woke up… you attacked…”

“You’re saying it’s our fault?”

The swordsman curled his lips, a sinister smile on his face, looking impatient.

“No… I don’t want… to hurt…”

Calm down, calm down. Think carefully about the previous feelings, try to find a way to release the black smoke again…

“Do you think you didn’t want to hurt us? Do you know how many of our church knights you slaughtered today?” His eyes narrowed with a fierce killing intent.

I trembled in fear.

“You… hurt… me…”

My voice was weak and lacked any confidence.

“It seems we have nothing more to say.” The swordsman smirked, making my heart race. “Do you really think you’re innocent? How ridiculous. You’re just a monster that crawled out of the abyss, a being that brings only disaster. Now you want to talk about your grievances here? I’m truly bored talking so much with you.”

“…”

I didn’t know what to say, so I just stubbornly looked at him.

I clenched my fists.

“To be honest, I’m not eager to kill you. Among all the monsters that have crawled out of the abyss, you’re the only one capable of normal communication. If I take you back, the church will surely be delighted. They have many ways to torture you, unimaginably cruel methods, until they get everything they want from you. I’ll give you one last chance. Tell me everything you know truthfully, and die without pain, or I’ll send you to the underground prison of the church, where you can neither live nor die. You’re smart, so I’ll count to three, and you decide.”

His gaze told me he would do exactly as he said.

But what should I say? How?

“Three.”

“Wait… I… came… for… country… companions…”

I hadn’t regained control over the black smoke. I desperately wanted to say something to buy time, but the more anxious I was, the more jumbled my words became. Even I didn’t know what I was saying.

“Two.”

The swordsman declared the countdown to my death with a cold expression.

“Uh…”

Black smoke, please! Hurry!

“One.”

He raised his sword, lightning flashed again, and it seemed ready to strike. Then my head would be forced off.

“No… I just… I just… want… to live!”

I glared at him fiercely, tears welling up in my eyes, blurring his face. I tilted my neck, blinking hard, not wanting them to fall.

God, if you really exist, hear my plea.

Since you’ve given me a second chance at life, please don’t let me die so confused again.

I want to bid farewell to my former cowardly self, no longer run away, and bravely face everything.

Let me live strongly and well with this monstrous body.

…………

Carlos hesitated.

He watched the monster close its eyes, clench its fists, seemingly ready to accept death. Its slightly trembling body, perhaps due to lightning or fear, made him uncertain.

This battle hadn’t lasted long. Since the moment it began, he had been hiding in the shadows, waiting for the perfect moment to strike the fatal blow. Archbishop Ansheel had given him the opportunity, and he succeeded. After thrusting those two swords, the monster, thought to be dead, turned into a human girl as its body disintegrated.

Carlos had been observing its emotional changes throughout, trying to find any non-human traces. But now, he truly felt like he was about to kill a helpless young girl.

As a knight of the Holy Church, a hero who had slain abyssal creatures, he had killed thirteen such monsters, including the one before him. Yet, he had never felt such hesitation before.

This special abyssal monster was different from the others—mindless beasts driven by instinct. This one had high intelligence and emotions, capable of feeling fear, sadness, crying, and even thinking about right and wrong.

Carlos wasn’t sure if killing it would be beneficial in the future.

It might be the key to unlocking all the mysteries.

He observed the abyssal monster, which resembled a human girl around fifteen or sixteen years old.

Young, frail, beautiful, and stubbornly defiant.

Admitting it, if she were truly human, she would undoubtedly be the most beautiful girl Carlos had ever seen.

He felt a headache coming on.

To swing the sword or not, that was the question.