The Obsessive Male Leads Want to Eat Me Alive - Chapter 143

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com

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Chapter 143
The diamond-shaped black object was so colossal that it resembled an entire fortress.
Whiiiiiiiing—!
The overwhelming force that the fortress exerted pulled dark clouds overhead, and the sky gradually darkened as a biting wind swept across the land.
Withered leaves scattered mercilessly through the air.
Truly, it was an overwhelming sight.
—An object I had never witnessed in my entire life, not even in my wildest dreams.
But why?
…Somehow, it felt familiar.
‘What was that?’
I was certain I had seen it somewhere before.
‘Think, please. Where did I see it? Anette?’
Just as I was wracking my brain, a sharp “thud!” sound pierced through my thoughts.
A servant beside me dropped to his knees, raising both hands toward the sky. With a face twisted in terror, as if a phantom had opened its eyes before him, he cried out.
“Ah, the Evil God has descended! To punish us sinners!”
His cry sent the entire corridor into turmoil.
Everyone except me.
Everyone fell to their knees as if possessed, crying out toward the heavens.
“Ahhh, the world will meet its end!”
“Everyone pray! We must beg for our lives…!”
“The Evil God must have sent his messenger to punish us! Sob, Mother… please save us.”
My jaw dropped.
‘Insane, they’re all being swept up in this!’
It didn’t seem like they were under any curse or magic. They were simply consumed by fear.
What about the situation outside?
I hurriedly peered out the window.
Half were staring blankly at the sky, half were weeping, and some were offering prayers to their gods.
—It was absolute chaos.
“Ah.”
That was when it struck me like lightning—where I had seen that black object in the sky.
Ten years ago, in Gerard’s cigarette case.
It was identical to the pitch-black jewel that had been attached there, gleaming with a faint light.
“Gerard….”
I needed Sordi and Um right now.
“Sordi, Um! Please respond.”
These days, I could summon Sordi and Um whenever I wished. My ‘resonance power’ was rapidly approaching its maximum.
I could even predict that 【Awakening】 was imminent.
Sure enough, the sensations in my left and right hands sharpened immediately, and I felt their respective powers.
A cool light and a scorching flame each asserted their presence as a buzzing resonance echoed in my ears.
[ Chapssalsal, you called…!!! No, Gerard has finally lost his mind. ]
Though they didn’t manifest their physical forms in response to my call, when they answered my summons like this, they shared my field of vision.
I was staring at an unidentified black jewel.
“So it was Gerard’s doing after all? I’ve seen that object before among Gerard’s possessions. …Though it was never that large.”
Behind Um’s fiery voice, Sordi’s calm transmission echoed through my mind once more.
[ That’s an Acra—a condensed manifestation of Venenum’s power, the “Curse Sorcerer’s Core.” ]
“The Curse Sorcerer’s Core?”
[ That’s right. It’s similar to the process of you building up “resonance” with us. Long ago, Gerard must have received the core from Venenum, embedded it in one of his possessions, kept it close at all times, and cultivated the Acra. ]
So that’s why…!
―Why he acted as though he could never lose it.
That’s why he had no choice but to accept the deal with that cigarette case.
[ Once the Acra’s resonance with its contractor grows strong enough, it transfers from an object into the contractor’s body and continues to develop there. And now, he’s released its power. ]
‘For it to grow that massive.’
The voice’s owner changed. Now fiery and passionate.
[ Chapssalsal! Venenum is spreading terror through “mental manipulation.” Any warrior without exceptional mental fortitude will be consumed by it. We have to stop it! ]
“…I’ll handle this. You two shouldn’t manifest, and pour all that power into me instead.”
We can’t afford to waste even the smallest amount of strength.
[ Understood. Chapssalsal! ]
[ Got it, little one! ]
Can I do this?
The sky had turned completely black, and not a single ray of light remained in the world.
The people were gradually drowning in terror.
I understood instinctively.
‘This is no time for doubt.’
In the time it took to question, I had to take at least one step forward to accomplish anything at all.
I rushed toward the Acra with all speed.
* * *
“Damn it! These things won’t let go!”
Bulk kicked the demonic beast clinging to his waist clean off with a sharp blow, then fired his magic gun with perfect accuracy.
Kieeeek―!
The corpse of the headless demonic beast crashed to the ground with a thud.
Yet the area still swarmed with demonic beasts.
“What in the blazes is happening? Demonic beasts appearing in the heart of Eldorado…?!”
It was as bizarre a sight as finding baguettes and hot dog buns sprouting from the middle of a desert in place of cacti.
Number 19 scratched the back of his head with his gun barrel.
“I’ve seen some strange sights in my time, but this takes the cake.”
Winston’s Shield had mobilized in full force at the sudden appearance of the demonic beasts.
These veteran warriors, hardened by countless battlefields, were smoothly evacuating the terrified villagers to safety while dispatching the demonic beasts.
Though this was always the work they did on the frontier.
“Requiterases have appeared as well, Master. As you know… those are demonic beasts that only manifest in desert regions.”
One-Eye’s brow furrowed.
“Something’s wrong.”
Kyle struck the head of the serpent-like beast lunging at me, then smoothly aimed his revolver at the next target as he spoke.
“It has to be that strange jewel in the sky.”
“I share your assessment.”
Though Kyle and One-Eye didn’t know the true nature of Acra, the cause seemed unmistakable to anyone watching.
Ever since that massive black diamond-shaped object appeared in the sky, people had been seized by sudden terror, and beasts were pouring into Eldorado in droves.
Those gripped by overwhelming fear couldn’t even evacuate—they simply stood frozen in place, offering prayers.
Without Winston’s Shield, most would have already become food for the beasts.
“Damn it! Master! If we keep fighting only the beasts here, we’ll collapse from exhaustion first!”
“We need to deal with that black thing! Stop charging in—you monsters, I’m scared to death!”
“Agreed. First, we should identify what that black object is.”
As Bulk, Number 19, and the vicious Montague spoke, One-Eye added his voice.
“And we need to locate Anette’s position.”
“….”
Anette.
Kyle bit his lip firmly. He drove a bullet precisely into the head of the Requiterasu lunging at me, then spoke.
“You all stay here and protect the Empire’s people! I’m going.”
“I’ll accompany you, Master.”
The situation was far too dangerous to navigate alone, so One-Eye stepped forward.
But Kyle gripped his shoulder and said:
“You protect our comrades.”
“…!”
His eyes held both desperation and trust. At the Master’s words, One-Eye’s expression grew conflicted for a moment, then he clenched his fists and nodded.
“Be careful, Master.”
Leave it to me.
In that instant, Kyle turned and began to run, cutting through the swarm of beasts like clouds.
How much time had passed?
From somewhere, the sound of a child crying reached his ears.
“Waaahhh! Sob, hiccup….”
The crying grew quieter. The child seemed too terrified to even cry properly.
‘A child who couldn’t evacuate in time?’
As he rounded the corner following the sound, a horrifying scene unfolded before him.
In front of a small girl who couldn’t have been more than ten years old, a slimy green beast dripped with saliva, its mouth gaping wide as it prepared to swallow the child whole.
Without a moment to think, Kyle threw himself forward and wrapped his body around the girl.
Then—bang!
He fired a bullet at the beast’s head.
Boom!!!
The bullets of Kine, the leader of Larva, had never missed a single shot.
The beast’s head exploded.
The next instant, a “second” head suddenly sprouted from the green body, its jaws opening wide to swallow Kyle whole.
A gulp.
“…!!!”
Then, moving sluggishly, he crawled away down the alley with unhurried ease.
* * *
I was running.
Large buildings always seemed farther away than they appeared, and Akra was no exception.
It stood quite far beyond the Imperial Palace of Eldorado.
‘What in the world is this place….’
―Hell itself couldn’t compare.
A living hell.
While Gerard’s Private Army and the Imperial Army clashed in chaotic frenzy, I wove through them with practiced evasion (though I had to use my abilities countless times along the way).
‘Could Sisrain be somewhere nearby?’
The closer I drew to Akra, the more I sensed the concentration of Gerard’s forces.
Since Sisrain commanded the Imperial Palace’s core forces, he was likely somewhere on this battlefield.
But I wasn’t worried for Sisrain’s life.
He was the strongest warrior of all.
Sisrain, Heinrich, Kyle.
‘All of you, hold your ground where you stand.’
A sorcerer’s power must be met with a sorcerer’s power.
This bitter knot with Gerard—tangled hopelessly since my mother’s time—only I could untie it.
Running frantically, I finally reached the base of Akra.
“…!!!”
Beneath Akra stood Gerard. His eyes closed, he drew the power of Venenum through his entire body and concentrated it into Akra.
Fierce winds whipped around that place.
‘This is my chance.’
He was concentrating, unaware of my approach.
‘End this in one strike.’
I rushed toward Gerard at high speed, drawing forth the power of Exordium.
Whoooosh—!
At that very moment, Sisrain spotted her. He cut down Gerard’s soldiers swarming like a pack of dogs with a single sweep of his greatsword, then charged toward Anette like a madman. But another wave of enemies blocked his path like a swarm of clouds.
“Anette! It’s dangerous, don’t get any closer!”
Just as Anette’s flames were about to seize Gerard.
“…!”
Gerard’s eyes snapped wide open.
Bloodlust-filled, crimson eyes glared at her from point-blank range as if to tear her apart.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com

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