Chapter 22: Last Boss
Bryce strained to stand up, and when he did, he glared at the undead.
But he felt like something was off on the scene — he felt alone. Even though he suddenly lost access to his holy bloodline, Gengo and Sharla should've reacted and voiced their worries to him. With the monster going toward him, Bryce couldn't help but look behind, wanting to see through his friends' states, only to see the demon lord instead.
That man showed off his status window by having his title and surname floating above his head; Bryce couldn't miss the man's status and strength.
For a moment, everything seemed so lost and pointless. Was it the end of their journey? Bryce thought. And as he did, a wave of genuine anger and will to live came from the depths of his heart, not pushed out by any of his bloodlines. His body warmed, his heart thumped, and his eyes shone despite their color being of the bottomless darkness.
"You defended yourself well, young man. I would have sacrificed my less dominant arm as well." The demon lord said, his voice not carrying any hint of killing intent or derisiveness.
He seemed like a master complimenting his student.
"You're so young, though. Just eighteen, I bet. It's normal of you to not keep a cool head all the time, especially after seeing your friends on the ground and me at the helm," Devin continued, his tone mild and persuasive. He strutted forward, putting a black glove back onto his hand. "You haven't given up on this divine weapon, either. I'd say you have what it takes to stomp on this world and get whatever you want. Now, I will let your blunder slide. Rest."
The demon lord's voice ordered Bryce, and as much as he wanted to resist that, Bryce's legs gave up, and he fell onto the ground. Excalibur in his hands still hurt him, but the demon lord just told him to deal with it and not care about anything else. True, as Bryce looked around, the undead stopped moving, and his friends weren't hurt, either.
Bryce, still feeling his bloodline sealed, clenched the hilt of his sword and fought against the different holy energy. Even though he was a human now, from the blood and bones, Excalibur simply hurt him. It didn't deem him unworthy and force him to give up on it; it just hurt him.
Using his feelings, and as the situation urged him to work fast, Bryce strained his mind and heart, slowly forcing Excalibur onto himself. At first, he spoke to it, hoping the demon lord didn't hear him, telling the divine sword his goals and mysteries behind his origins, and then, treating the weapon like his companion, Bryce swore to find an answer and cure to Excalibur's existence.
'You and Sword of Dracula can not coexist, right? You have never been a part of another sword! I can tell it.'
The golden-blue light flickered, then.
Some slices of the golden mana peeled themselves off, revealing the plain and silver blade, then as Bryce kept turning his pain and feelings into a persuasive tune, more and more of holy and foreign energy started dissipating.
The leftovers turned into a ribbon, which pierced through Bryce's heart.
[You better prove yourself and separate me from this bitch.]
A threatening voice of an older woman, clearly coming off Excalibur, left Bryce confused, as her sound squeezed his heart, and he felt like someone cold glared at him.
[The Excalibur has chosen you as her master.]
[You have unlocked new holy skills.]
Bryce looked confused. He never thought he had such a relationship with Excalibur and was using the weapon without even being acknowledged. Of course, the sword hadn't shown any dislike, but knowing his bloodline, there was a chance she simply couldn't.
Then, what about Sword of Dracula? Would that side also hurt him?
Bryce had questions but lifted his eyes and stared at the demon lord. The man clearly had his own plans; perhaps he waited for Bryce to tame two sides of his sword, then snatch it all.
"Shouldn't you have a villain doing errands for you? Why would you come here?" Bryce asked in a normal tone, not wanting to sound disrespectful but also not submissive.
He did his best to not push his luck.
Devin harrumphed, "I'm not the demon lord you're thinking about. But you're right. We are in the territory of another demon lord, my presence here could start a war, but he's a pest in my eyes. There's not only a level gap between us but also a colossal experience difference. For instance, you aren't the first hybrid my eyes feasted upon.
"I don't need your regalia of a demon lord, regalia that you blatantly display, for you're an inexperienced little chick who has yet to see this world. I don't need your sword or your bloodlines. You don't have anything to offer to me."
His voice was even more persuasive than before; perhaps it was Bryce imagining or hoping it'd be the case, so he believed him. Even if he didn't, what could Bryce do otherwise?
But Devin conducted himself like a real demon lord. He had a mysterious calming aura, sown peace, and even helped Bryce, and it'd only suit him to shatter that bubble later on; because of that, Bryce kept convincing himself there was more to him.
"A few heroes I was forced to kill called me 'Last Boss'. I took a liking to it, even though I'm more of an adventurer, you know? I go around the world and have a lot of fun with side schemes while working diligently on my main scheme. Ah, now that I think of it, I haven't introduced myself. Devin Scheme Gold."
Hearing him introducing himself in such a way, Last Boss and Scheme, Bryce felt goosebumps on his back, his eyes shivered as he trained them on the man's handsome face, and he couldn't even move an inch as his whole body froze in terror.
That emotion was clearly described on his face.
But as Bryce gave it some thought, he realized he was too weak to even be a part of Devin's side schemes, and his existence left the demon lord curious.
That was all.
He calmed down, his breathing became normal, and he looked around more freely than before.
"Good boy, I like it. Now, I'm here because of the main scheme," As Devin said that, Bryce's heart sank again, the demon lord grinned and continued, "But hybrids often die young; their side effects bring them down. What's yours?"
"My side-effect?" Bryce whispered, not knowing how to answer that question.