Paradigm Parasite

Chapter 84: "Gaze"

I observe him as he comes out of his room.

He is about 3 meters tall. The shape is completely humanoid, and the surface is pitch black.

In short, it looks like a black silhouette. There are no features other than what seems to be a face.

He is wearing black tights that look like something out of a certain detective comic.

The only thing that bothers me is that there are several stick-like things growing out of his back.

It looks a lot like a demon, but why is it fighting Void?

Did he lose control? Well, whatever it is, I'm happy to let them destroy each other.

You can do it until you're satisfied.

I give Iqbal instructions and quietly move away, but he notices me.

"Mwah! You guys! I am Heretilt, Temple Knight of the Gnosis! I am currently engaged in battle with a ferocious demon. Please help me out!"

What is this guy talking about?

I let out an involuntary laugh. He doesn't even realize it.

Iqbal turns his blank stare to Void.

"Sorry, but you're on your own. Cathedral Knight Void. That monster over there is also your mismanagement, isn't it? Why don't you take care of it yourself?"

Void's expression changed back to normal as if he had recovered from his surprise.

"What are you talking about? I'm..."

"Cathedral Knight Void? Why are you impersonating Heretild the Temple Knight?"

He closes his mouth at Iqbal's statement and touches his own face, a look of astonishment on his face.

He then fiddles with his body and pulls out a pendant from around his neck.

The pendant that came out had a beautifully damaged decoration.

I guess it was a magical tool he used to transform himself into Heretilt.

It seems to have been broken during the battle with the demon.

"I'm indeed Void, but I have my reasons for this. I may have a lot to say about that...gah!"

In the middle of saying this, the demon punched Void on his flank.

Void was blown away while rubbing his face with a cone.

It must have been a pretty dangerous blow, but the fact that he is still alive is a testament to his status as Cathedral Knight, isn't it?

Even so, if he had been wearing his original equipment, he would have been able to proceed with the battle with ease, but he's a fool.

Each Cathedral Knight is supposed to be given custom-made equipment, but wearing white armor to disguise himself seems to have backfired.

The demon, perhaps with a grudge, chased after the blasted Void and kicked him relentlessly where he had fallen, then grabbed his leg and started swinging him around. He didn't even look at us.

Even if he was corrupt, he was a Cathedral knight. Void also seemed to have no intention of getting hit for nothing, and while he was being swung around, he timed his swing to hit him with something that looked like a shock wave. A wind system?

The demon that takes a serious hit bends over and lets go of Void's hand.

Void lands two slashes at the same time. The black liquid splatters, but the wounds slowly heal.

It's a good thing that he doesn't choose to stab easily. The magic is also designed not for power, but to impede action.

It's a move he's clearly familiar with, but it lacks decisiveness.

Occasionally, he would glance at me as if he was asking for my help, but I ignored him and sat down on my safe couch to watch the game.

The movements themselves were impressive, but is this what a Cathedral knight is capable of?

I think they are far better than the members of Darzain, but I feel that even I can win if I'm careful.

From my knowledge, I thought that a cathedral knight was an existence of a much higher order of magnitude, but is it really just an extension of a human being? Or is the evaluation including equipment? If so, it's a pity that he can't show his ability.

I have no intention of helping him.

As I'm saying this, Void is being punched away. I don't know how you fly.

When he tries to get up, he suddenly falls to the ground as if something crushed him from above.

The floor is also radially cracked, so is it gravity or something?

Demons are so versatile. After Void is killed, it looks like I'll be the one fighting it, so let's see what it can do.

In the meantime, beware of the mysterious gravity attack I just saw.

I've been watching Void being hurt by the demon for a while now, and I'm getting a little bored, so let's do what I can.

First of all, I'm going to give some instructions.

--Iqbal. Do you know where Void's room is?

--Yes. It's on the top floor of the academy.

--I see. Then do me a favor.

--Yes, sir?

--Go up there and steal his equipment, if you can find it.

He's going to die anyway, so he won't need it. I'll take it.

--Understood.

Iqbal quietly walked to the exit.

Savage was next.

I checked to see if he had found Heidi, and he said he could follow the smell and would be able to join her soon.

Finally, I asked Mixon if he had found anything and he told me the results of his various activities.

First, the pillar of light rises from the wells in the city.

I know this.

Second, the wall of light around the city is impenetrable.

He tried shooting magic into it, but it had no effect.

It seems that when he hit it with an object, it was obliterated.

I guess it is impossible to get out of the city after all. I don't need to tell Savage. He'll figure it out on his own.

How to get rid of that magic circle?

I look at Void. While I've taken my eyes off him for a little while, he's in pretty bad shape.

The sturdy white armor seems to have reached its limits and is beginning to crumble with dents and cracks here and there.

I wonder if the magic circle will disappear when he dies. Come to think of it, the guy buried in that demon said he was a compatriot of "Me"... is that him?

"G...damn!"

Void pulled something out of his waist pouch and tried to point it at the demon, but he was read and brushed it away with his hand. The something left Void's hand and rolled on the floor.

...What is that thing?

I pick up the thing that rolled away. My first impression is that it is a large marble, black in color.

It feels soft and squishy to the touch. Upon closer inspection, I noticed a circle inside... ah, could this be an eye?

So, is it an eyeball? Ah...so "me"? Is "me(eye)" an eyeball?

"Give it back...gah!"

Void shouts when he sees me pick up the eyeball, but is attacked and blown away in the process.

...Oh, oh.... He looks elsewhere.

It looked raw, so I threw it in my mouth and ate it anyway.

I was able to absorb it without any problem, but ...... I wonder how to use this.

If I had to guess, I'd say it's a processed demon's eye or something, but I don't know how to use it.

When Void saw this, he stopped moving with a look of astonishment on his face and was hit again.

What the hell is he doing? Are you stupid?

If it really was a demon's eyeball, I should be able to use some unusual magic...

I just want to know what it can do. I'll imitate it so you can show me how to use it.

All that's left is to arrange it so that it can be used as magic.

I wish I could use it as it is, but it's hard to release magic power with a gaze.

I am not able to control it, but it is not very fuel-efficient, and it has a halfway wide range, so I can't use it well, although I can use it.

It would be useful in a one-on-many annihilation battle, but I don't plan to use it in that situation.

Well, I think I can manage the former.

"Gaha..."

The fallen Void is being repeatedly stomped on the back by the demon.

He seems to have reached his limit and is not able to fight back enough.

The demon, perhaps tired of hurting him, produced a black sphere from the palm of his hand.

Is he going to finish him off?

What is that ugly looking sphere?

Is it some kind of gravitational mass like in ...... games?

I don't know, but it looks awesome. I'll probably die if I get hit by it. Goodbye, Void.

I don't feel sorry for him, but I will at least pray for his soul.

[Magic eye: Restraining gaze]

The demon's movements stopped as if frozen.

"The ritual is not progressing, so I came to take a look... Comrade Void. What is the meaning of this?"

One of the black robes came in through the door that Void had been blown through.

However, unlike the other black robes, he is not wearing a hood, but instead is covered from the nose up with a reddish-black cloth.

He held out one hand toward the demon and walked straight toward him.

"I'm sorry. Comrade Iger. I succeeded in summoning the heart, but the catalyst's consciousness remained and we had to fight."

"So you were beaten up by the heart? It's pathetic. You are a cathedral knight? From the looks of it, you've used up the false eye I gave you."

The man called Iger continued in a tone of dismay.

"I might have to pass on your 'transplant' for this one."

"No...wait. I've come all this way for a transplant..."

"No need for excuses. Just get the heart out of it."

"I know, I know..."

Before Void could do anything to the demon, I blew him up with [Explosion II].

Thanks to his quick defense, he did not die instantly, but he was scorched here and there.

I stood in front of the demon, blocking it from Iger.

"I don't know what's going on, but this thing seems to be important."

"Well, well, well, isn't it 'Apostle' Apostolos-dono? I had intended to come to you myself, but I was surprised to see you here."

"...That again? What is this Apostolos? I don't remember having a name like that."

Iger turns to me with a smile on his mouth.

"I have special eyes, you know. I can see! The karma of mankind! I recognized it as soon as you entered the city! That overwhelming karma!"

Stop rolling your tongue. It's annoying.

"I had never seen it before, but I recognized it at a glance. He descended, didn't he? He came down, didn't he? From the heavens!"

I don't know if i came from heaven, but at least i came from somewhere other than here.

"Our people have their own apostles! And if we become his dependents, we will have his blessing! I want the blessing of the Lord Apostle!"

...You've started to pant. I feel sick listening to it.

"Come on, Lord Apostle! Come with me to Darzain. There, status and power are at your disposal! It's a no-lose proposition for you! Come on! Take my hand!"

Iger reaches out his hand toward me.

The answer was obvious.

"I refuse. Find someone else."