Chapter 17 - Protagonist: He is mine
Chapter 17.1 – Protagonist: He is mine
Moses1 elbowed his companion: “Hey, you said that the City Lord summoned us to do something? What is it?”
“I don’t know,” said his companion.
“I know,” the person in front of him said mysteriously. “There is a businessman who sent news that there is a rare monster around. The City Lord wants us to capture it.”
“The whole squad was assembled to capture it. Is that spirit beast very fierce?” Moses licked his lips. His purple eyes are glittering because he loves to fight.
“We don’t know that. All we know that it is a very precious type.” Alan shrugged. He was equally excited and said: “Hopefully it won’t disappoint us – oh, the captain is here.”
The captain greeted the others then announced the City Lord’s orders.
Moses and Alan looked at each other with confusion in both their eyes.
“Did I hear it wrong? We’re going to capture a gnome?”
*******
“I have not betrayed you – I wanted to sell this thing,” Du Ze stammered, trying to explain and holding out the box for Xiu to look at: “Believe me … okay?”
The sound of his voice echoed among the rocks and cliffs. Du Ze unblinkingly stared at Xiu, desperate entreaty written in his eyes. He knew that what he was saying now sounded phony, like something he made up to save his life. Among all the races, gnomes were the most suspicious; they are very curious and paranoid. Du Ze could only helplessly look at Xiu’s shadow, like a death row prisoner waiting for the final verdict.
Dan laughed in a mocking way and said to Xiu: “Yes, your excellency, you have misunderstood. We were talking about selling the ‘box’.”
Even though his words seemed to lend credence Du Ze’s explanation, his manner was saying: “If you believe such an inferior excuse, then you are just too stupid.”
Xiu shot a look at Dan then opened his mouth to speak to Du Ze. However, the black-haired youth opposite him interrupted: “I cannot hear.”
“My ears are bad,” said Du Ze. His heart was broken at having to admit that he had been trying to conceal his disability. All this time he had been acting silly and cute, using his social barrier to prevent the collapse of the noble, glamorous image he wanted to project. Not knowing if the other can understand, Du Ze ripped off his headphones: “This is a hearing aid, it has no energy, so I can’t hear right now.”
It was a hearing aid that could help him hear all the sounds around him, but he could not hear the answer he wanted to hear the most – even if the answer spelled out his doom.
“Do you believe me?”
For the first time, Xiu’s expression changed. His eyes still had no discernable temperature, like something inorganic. He looked at Du Ze, shook his head slowly and gently spoke a few words: “…”
When Xiu shook his head, Du Ze felt as though he had fallen into a mountain of snow2. His entire body was stiff and hopelessly frozen with despair.
Why isn’t he willing to believe in him?
Du Ze thought foolishly: Am I so untrustworthy? He had tried so hard to get closer to the protagonist and went all out to show goodwill. He thought he had a special place in the protagonist’s heart, but was it unrequited love from beginning to end? Just because of Dan’s machinations, all of his previous efforts were completely disregarded.
Even if he is a pathetic fool who never takes these things to heart, when he is injured, he will still feel pain …
Du Ze didn’t see Dan’s startled look, so when Xiu grabbed his hand, Du Ze could only blankly stare as the gnome’s small hand wrote something on his palm: Follow me.
Is this what they call going from hell to heaven in a flash? Du Ze was so excited he could hardly bear it. Xiu had indicated that he did not believe Du Ze – F**k! Why did the protagonist shake his head? QAQ! Is it fun to bully a person who can’t hear you? Very funny!
Du Ze was elated while Dan masked his surprise and frowned. The businessman looked at Xiu with a puzzled and disappointed expression on his face, saying, “Ah, I didn’t think you would be so …” The green-clothed demon paused, weighing the use of more pleasant words: “… naive, to believe in the words of a betrayer.”
Xiu watched Dan’s performance with indifference: “It doesn’t matter.”
Just as he had said to Du Ze: “It doesn’t matter.”3
It doesn’t matter to him whether or not Du Ze betrayed or deceived him. He has decided to believe in that person so nothing else matters. Even if that person tries to get him killed or tries to escape … even if that person dies, Xiu won’t ever let go.
This is the stubbornness of the gnome and the paranoia of Xiu.
Dan looked at the flaxen-haired gnome whose brightly-coloured eyes were more obstinate and crazier than anything Dan had ever seen before. The amber-eyed gnome softly said, “He is mine.”
The soft, gentle tone is like that of a spoiled brat, but there is an undertone of intense possessiveness4 that made Dan shudder in fear. Dan even gave Du Ze a sympathetic look but the latter didn’t know what was really happening: The person who remains ignorant because he can’t hear anything – perhaps he is the happiest person here.
“Oh, your excellency, I was just joking,” said Dan, patting his head with his book. “I was just kidding. This gentleman really did buy a box from me, with this piece of clothing.”
Dan clapped his hands and a garment fell from the void in his hand. With a flicker of amazement and displeasure in his eyes, Xiu recognized it as one of the clothes that Du Ze had been wearing. Dan noticed the gnome’s reaction and drew a conclusion.
“I’m sorry I offended you before. I think this mysterious bit of clothing was made by your hands. The name of the gnome race is like thunder reverberating in one’s ears. I have a presumptuous request, would your excellency tell me how to manufacture these clothes?” said Dan. His face was all smiles: “Certainly you will be satisfied with what I will pay your excellency.”
If Du Ze could hear what Dan said, he would certainly want to fly around in circles while spurting blood onto the businessman’s face. But since he couldn’t, the silly (cute) person could only watch the silent pantomime performance, not knowing what new menace the “plot god” was going to launch.
Du Ze wants to turn around and walk away with Xiu to avoid more of Dan’s schemes. Right now, all they can do is endure Dan’s malice but just wait until Xiu reaches level 100!5 Then they can discuss life and other important matters with Dan!
Before Du Ze could pull Xiu away, Xiu took the initiative himself. They started to walk away. Dan didn’t seem surprised by their reaction and said: “I have a message for you, I think you will be interested.”
“The City Lord recently advanced a rank, therefore he is looking for an appropriate new weapon,” said Dan, grinning. “When the Lord learned that a gnome appeared near Halphas City, the news made him wild with joy … The Lord is bringing a squad of warriors to greet your excellency. If you would like to trade, I can provide this service for you whenever you need it.”
Du Ze only knew that Xiu’s hand that held his tightened. Looking down at the protagonist, he found that the blood had drained from Xiu’s face. Du Ze was worried, was it his wound? To think that the seriously injured Xiu would follow him all the way here, Du Ze wasn’t sure if he should admire Xui’s determination or not.
A shadow covered them. Du Ze looked up. A figure landed on a high mountain rock, the flapping of the bat wings was like that of … a demon. Du Ze was alarmed to find, not just one, but many demons surrounding them.
The demons circled the two, their deep or shallow purple eyes glittering and staring avidly at Du Ze and Xiu. A thought flashed in all of their minds simultaneously: It really is a gnome.
Why did it turn out like this? Du Ze saw that Dan was paying his respects to a lump of fat. Looking at the lump of fat carefully, it seemed to be a member of the demon race and his status is high, making Dan act respectful… Du Ze had a terrifying thought: F*** it! Could it be the Lord of Halphas City who likes to dine on human flesh?!
System: Your enemy [Meat Mountain, Lord of the Flesh] just went online.
Chapter 17.2 – Protagonist: He is mine
The Halphas City Lord looked covetously at the small Xiu. The pointed ears, half hidden in his flaxen hair, showed that he is a gnome. This is a member of the ancient race, the legendary people who created a mechanical civilization! With the gnome by his side, he won’t have to worry that he won’t become stronger.
When his eyes finally rested on the tattered figure of Du Ze, the Lord’s eyes narrowed and he asked: “Dan, tell me, who is he?”
“That is a subordinate of the gnome, an insignificant human.”
“Human!”
The Lord was irritated. He hates humans but the taste of human flesh is indeed unusually good. At the thought of that delicious taste, the Lord unconsciously licked his lips. His eyes as he looked at Du Ze became hot. The humans live on the other side of the continent, therefore there are not many of them here. He has not eaten a human meal for a long time.
“Take them away.”
After hearing the order of the Lord, the demons looked at each other, then Moses came forward. He cautiously approached Du Ze and Xiu – here is a gnome, a type of enemy that he has never fought before.
Du Ze saw the meat mountain shouting. When a demon jumped down and walked towards them in an obviously threatening, unfriendly manner, Du Ze thought that things were not good, especially since Xiu was in gnome form.
The enemy is a group of powerful demons, and what we have here is a team made up of a feeble human loser and a seriously injured gnome who specializes in life skills … Do you really want to be this cruel?! They were facing demons, the race with the strongest individual powers!
In “Mixed Blood,” combat can be divided into categories depending on the number of foes: individual strength, war band (group) strength, army strength, and siege strength (when attacking a city). The demons are the strongest individually; the beastkin have the strongest war band strength; the undead have the strongest armies; while the dragonkin are the strongest at attacking a city. The other races have different characteristics. Du Ze is fortunate to be able to experience the attack power of a member of the race with the strongest individual combat capabilities …
Du Ze glanced at the gnome beside him. Clenching his teeth, he opened the box – gnomes are not good at magic or melee, they are craftsmen. Therefore, Du Ze has to step up and protect the protagonist. He will try to use the artifact. The sword might take control of him, but with his 0-point restore, he should be able to return to normal.
Moses stopped moving when he saw the box open. Everyone marveled as the box split into pieces and a small black whirlpool materialized. The sword slowly appeared: first the tip, then the blade, and finally, the scarlet handle. The weapon fell from the box and cut into the hard ground. Its slender blade had a silver red glow that was hard to look away from.
The Lord’s eyes lit up. It wasn’t just him – all of the assembled demons’ eyes glittered with greed. This is a good sword, it might even be … a magical artifact.
Du Ze grasped the handle of the sword but this action made Moses rush towards him, ignoring the gnome for now.
So quick! Du Ze realized the difference between him and the fighters of this world. He had not even seen Moses move until the demon arrived in front of him. The next moment, Du Ze’s neck was struck. The pain was intense, as though his vertebra was about to break.
Xiu tried to keep Du Ze from falling but his present form was too weak. They both fell down on the ground. Du Ze was unconscious.
Moses didn’t pay attention to them at all. His eyes were on the sword, as if he was tempted to reach out and take it. The Lord’s expression darkened and he grunted but Moses didn’t respond to him. Moses continued to reach for the magic sword.
The Lord of the City of Halphas was furious. He stomped his foot and thorns rose up from the ground, seeking to pierce through Moses’s body.
Moses seemed to wake up from his daze and avoided the thorns. Cold sweat dripping down from his forehead, Moses apologized: “Lord, I …”
The meat mountain ignored Moses’s plea. He took the sword in his hand. His face shone red, reflecting the glow of the flawless silver blade of the Burning Desire Demonic Sword. He was enchanted. Gently touching the blade, the Lord expressed a bit of disappointment: “Why is it just a sword?”
The Lord is a high level Earth-type Magic Specialist. In the reverse side of the continent where the elements are weak, there are not many magicians. This is why he can become the Lord of Halphas City.
Moses wanted to make some excuses. He didn’t know why he was obsessed, trying to take the weapon in public. Then Moses saw that the Lord was smiling.
“You have done me good service before, I do not care about your disobedience.”
Moses was ecstatic and knelt to the Lord: “By your command, Lord.”
“Come …”
Moses had just walked over to the Lord when he heard the smiling demon Lord say to him: “Test the sword for me.”
“My Lord…?”
Moses fell. Half of his waist had been cut. He looked up at the Lord. From his point of view, the eyes of the demon Lord were covered with a faint red light.
“I forgive you.”
The Lord of Halphas City still has the sword out and is very satisfied with its sharpness. If his strength as a magician is insufficient, he can directly cut people in two the way he did with Moses. Commanding that the dying Moses be left behind by the squad, he turned towards Xiu and Du Ze.
In a good mood because he had punished a disobedient subordinate, the Lord felt abnormal feelings of joy and excitement. Looking down at the dark-haired youth and the gnome, he unconsciously spoke too loudly: “I am the Lord of Halphas City. I would like to invite the Master to visit my house for a while.”
Xiu was silent for a time, trying to think of countermeasures. Unfortunately, the Lord’s attention was attracted to Du Ze. The thought of the familiar yet exotic taste of human flesh made the Lord, who had just “exercised,” feel hungry. Once the thought entered his mind, he started to feel more and more hungry, like a starving person. He wanted to stuff that human inside his stomach to fill that inexhaustible void.
Since he is so hungry and that delicacy is right in front of him, why not start eating immediately?
Raising the exceptionally beautiful sword, before Xiu had time to react, the Lord suddenly cut off Du Ze’s left hand. Even in his coma, Du Ze’s body twitched because of the sudden pain.
The Lord picked up the hand and, under everyone’s eyes, greedily and thirstily bit the fingers, chewing the flesh and drinking the blood. He finished off the entire hand but he only felt a momentary satisfaction. Staring at the unconscious human with red eyes, the Lord became angry.
Not enough – not enough – completely inadequate –
The sword’s red glow became stronger and it seemed to sigh in contentment.
The Lord of Halphas City raised the sword, intending to cut off a piece of his food again. However, the demonic sword was stopped. The Lord looked at the hand that was on the blade and, even possessed, he still had some reason left: It’s a gnome’s hand that can create matchless equipment.
The Lord of Halphas stared at Xiu’s eyes, and said: “Let go.”
Xiu did not speak. His amber eyes were full of cold anger. The sharp blade broke open his palm. His red blood flowed down the silver-red metal, and was sucked in by the voracious demonic sword.
– Give it to me.
The Lord saw that Xiu’s eyes were changing color. The amber eyes darkened because of anger. The color became deeper and more beautiful until they turned purple. The Lord thought it was an illusion and rubbed his eyes. He looked at his eyes again.
The eyes were truly a deep purple, the rich eye color of a demon, the pupils slender and vertical.
Those are the eyes of the demon race.
*****
*****
– Do you want power?
I want it.
– Why?
If I have power, no one can take him from me.
You want to protect him?
No, I want to monopolize him.
He is mine, everything is mine.
So give me strength, I have to take back what belongs to me.
Give it to me.
– [black box]
The author has something to say:
Protagonist: He is mine.
Reader: … Haha.
Author: Haha.
Protagonist: Well, unanimously passed.
Reader: WTF!!!