Chapter 51

“Aaah!”

“Hiiik!”

Siyoo and Adel screamed in unison and took a step back. Kwaang! The massive bulk of Hansel crushed the spot we had just been standing on, leaving a clear imprint of his potbelly in the floor.

“Heheh… Lunch! Tasty lunch!”

Without effort, Hansel lifted his heavy frame, and crumbs rained down from his belly. He stared blankly at the cookies stuck to his gut, then shook his head in agony before brushing them off with his chubby hands.

“No! Can’t eat it! The witch said not to eat!”

Wait, wasn’t he in better shape earlier? What happened in that room to mess him up this bad? And for some reason, he seems significantly bigger—his head’s almost touching the ceiling!

Hansel’s glazed pupils refocused on us.

“Gyah! W-Why are you glaring at us like that with those big eyes?”

From behind me, Adel shouted at Hansel. I shot him an exasperated look.

You should say that confidently while stepping forward—not hiding behind me.

“Alright, it’s your turn to show what you’re made of, Siyoo! Take him out!”

“…Why are you acting so bold now?”

“Hehe, lunch! It smells delicious! I can’t hold on any longer with this hunger!”

Here he comes! Hansel spread his arms wide and charged straightforward. His attack didn’t feel intimidating, but seeing his gaping mouth ready to cram us inside made my skin crawl.

But his clumsy attack was laughably slow. With Hansel all worked up, his defenses were completely open. Seizing the opportunity, I swung my scythe and sidestepped.

Kung! Once again, the spot we stood was flattened.

“Gyah! Why are you abandoning me like this?!”

Adel was still glued to my back. Ugh, this guy is such a bother—he’s hindering my movements by sticking so close!

“Ugh, stop clinging and give me some space.”

“B-but if I let go, he’ll eat me! Look at him—crazy with hunger! If caught, he’ll rip into my stomach with those fangs and slurp up my guts!”

Sigh… He’s even more cowardly than I was when I first arrived here.

“Aaaah! It hurts, it hurts!”

My attack landed. Hansel isn’t armored or armed—just plain old flesh, so my scythe easily sliced through his side. Though I swung hard, it only grazed him because of the wild motion.

Plus, his thick layer of fat absorbed most of the damage.

“It hurts, ow ow! Too much pain!”

Hansel clutched his bleeding side and wailed. I hadn’t expected him to react this way after being cut. Come to think of it, Hansel isn’t a witch—he’s just a regular human with brute strength and no magical abilities.

“Hahaha! That dimwit! Who would’ve thought one hit could make him freak out like this!”

From behind me, Adel pounded my shoulder enthusiastically.

“Great job, Siyoo! Finish him off already!”

“Yeah, easy for you to say from back there.”

Killing someone… cutting their throat… Those words scare me. I’ve killed twice—those wolves who attacked the piglets. Their non-human form made it easier to stomach. Other than that, I haven’t killed anyone. And I don’t want to.

Murder weighs heavily on me right now.

Still, I can’t leave this cannibal unchecked. So…

The cold blade of my scythe grazed Hansel’s leg as I moved past him.

“Aaaah! My leg!!”

I decided to subdue him instead. Hansel dropped to his knees clutching the shallow wound and howled. Even minor injuries seem excruciating to him. A few more strikes to incapacitate him should do it—but time is short; Gretel might return anytime.

“I’m hungry! Why does it hurt?! This much pain?! I’m just hungry, okay?!”

As I lunged toward his other leg, I saw something shift in Hansel’s eyes—not hunger anymore, but anger. His pupils glowed crimson like a berserker’s, vivid and terrifying.

“I’m starving! I’ll eat everything! Chew, tear, rip, suck it all dry—no leftovers!”

His roar nearly burst my eardrums. In my hesitation, Hansel charged forward with blazing red eyes, steam rising from his body.

This is dangerous!

I tried dodging to the side, but Hansel’s speed was faster than expected, and I couldn’t evade in time.

“Graaah!”

The sensation of flying through the air ended with a crash against the wall, sending jolts of pain through my entire body.

“Danger!”

At Adel’s urgent shout, I rolled away despite barely seeing straight. Cookie crumbs showered over my face as I realized Hansel’s fist had slammed where I’d been moments ago. Close call.

“Uuuugh! I’m starving! STARVING! STARVING!!!”

Foaming at the mouth, Hansel charged again. Despite his chaotic attacks, he remained full of openings. Ducking under his flailing arm, I slashed his opposite thigh. Blood spurted out, painting the floor red, yet Hansel kept coming at me without pause.

Hmm, does he not feel pain?

Things are getting complicated. One wrong move, and I’ll be the one taken down. Swallowing hard, I considered the worst-case scenario: killing him.

But can I really do it?

“Aaaaaa!!!! Get in my mouth already!”

Hansel stretched his jaw impossibly wide and snapped his teeth inches from my face. By a hair’s breadth, I avoided losing half my face!

Staying calm, I evaded his flailing mass and swung my scythe. Time passed, and though Hansel accumulated numerous cuts, his aggression showed no signs of diminishing.

I need a plan—a way to stop Hansel. Luckily, the commotion hasn’t brought Gretel back yet. Let’s end this quickly.

Glancing around, I noticed Adel trembling in the corner, random furniture, and the staircase leading downstairs.

Got it!

“Huh?”

An ingenious idea struck me, but my body swayed mid-thought. Losing balance, I stumbled backward. The uneven floor, dented from Hansel’s earlier rampage, betrayed me.

Shoot!

Seeing my vulnerable state, Hansel grinned wickedly and opened his grotesque mouth. Drool dripped from his thick tongue.

“Bon appétit!”

Damn it! Is this really how it ends? No way. I promised Rapunzel I’d create a happy ending!

Clenching my teeth, I prepared to slash his neck as I fell.

“Mmm?”

Suddenly, something entered Hansel’s mouth—not my scythe or my head. It was a familiar square object: Adel’s shoe, sweet with candy residue.

“Yum, tasty.”

Finding the candy, Hansel munched happily on Adel’s shoe. His aggression vanished instantly as he savored the sweetness, forgetting all about me. Regaining my footing, I quickly stood up.

“Hahaha! How’s that for timing, huh? Pure Adel genius!”

Holding his remaining shoe, Adel grinned smugly. Great save! I gave him a thumbs-up.

“Candy… so sweet… Now, will you have some? You look delicious!”

After devouring the candy, Hansel turned his attention from me to Adel. Startled, Adel yelled back.

“What?! You crazy monster! Like I’d let you eat me!”

“I WILL EAT YOU!!!”

Roaring, Hansel charged at Adel. Grabbing Adel’s wrist at the last second, I yanked him out of reach just as Hansel collided with empty space. Enraged, Hansel began emitting stronger steam than before.

“Don’t run! You’re mine to eat!”

“Ahhh! Rather die eating poison apples than be eaten by you!”

“Adel.”

“Huh?”

Smiling faintly, I positioned Adel to one side. Confused, he asked.

“What are you doing?”

“Just stay there for a moment.”

“Wh-what?! Are you blind?! That monstrous cannibal is charging right at me!”

Eyes blazing, Hansel barreled toward Adel, his belly jiggling wildly.

“Please wait just a little longer.”

“N-no way! I refuse! If I stand still, I’ll get eaten!”

I held onto Adel tightly as he struggled to escape. His face turned pale. He shrieked loud enough to rupture my eardrums.

“Let GO!!! Are you insane?! You’re trying to feed me to that beast! You fiend! Ahhh, no! I misspoke! Please, I beg you, let me go!!!”

“Not yet. Just a bit longer.”

I locked eyes with the charging Hansel. Adel looked like he was about to faint. We need certainty.

A little closer. Just a little more…

Hansel’s massive hand was inches from grabbing Adel’s head.