Chapter 65: A Parasite [2]

The masked man let his arms fall back to his sides, his tone cooling just slightly, like a snake coiling to rest after flicking its tongue.

“My question then… What do you plan to do now?”

The simplicity of it made her pause. Not “What are you,” not “How powerful are you,” not even “Why were you sealed.”

Just that.

What now?

Her lips pressed into a thin line, the flames in her palm dimming to embers. That question clawed at her more than she expected.

What did she plan to do?

Revenge, of course. That much was clear. Dreck had to die. The betrayal was carved into her bones, and it would not be forgotten.

But the world had changed since her sealing. This land no longer bore the scent of the demons she knew. The sky felt heavier. The mana… thinner. Like the world had been drained while she slept.

Still, she couldn’t afford to show uncertainty.

“I’ll survive. I’ll regain what was stolen. Then… I’ll raze the ones who wronged me,” she said.

The masked man gave a short, quiet laugh through his nose.

“Vengeance. Classic. But vague.”

Velra narrowed her eyes.

“You want specifics, parasite?”

“I want direction,” he said, meeting her gaze without flinching. “It’s one thing to claw your way out of a tomb. Another to move through this world unnoticed. The humans are more organized than they used to be. Stronger, too. You’ve seen it, haven’t you? The girl who freed you—she’s not just some helpless lamb.”

Velra looked away for a moment, jaw tight.

The silver-haired girl… there was something wrong about her. Or perhaps, right in the most dangerous way. That kind of purity often hid something explosive beneath it.

“She reeked of talent ,” Velra admitted, almost reluctantly. “But… Still she’s nothing against me. It one punch her to bring her down.”

The masked man’s head tilted again, a motion that was becoming far too familiar.

“Mm. You are right she’s nothing against you—but that’s only for now. In the future? I don’t think that will remain true,” the masked man said, his tone oddly casual, like he was commenting on the weather.

Velra’s eyes flicked toward him, searching for mockery.

“What are you implying?”

“I’m saying talent has a way of blooming,” he replied, raising a hand and miming a flower opening. “She’s the reason that you are awaken from your slumber and… she can also be a reason for you to return your slumber.”

Velra’s jaw clenched. Her pride prickled, her flame flickering hot again. But she didn’t lash out.

Because deep down, a part of her agreed.

She had felt the raw mana that pulsed from the girl in that fleeting moment. It was still juvenile, undisciplined—but it was real. A seed of something dangerous.

“Then I’ll make sure she never has that time,” Velra said coldly.

“Will you kill her?” he asked—too quickly.

Velra’s eyes narrowed.

“I don’t know,” she replied slowly. “If she gets in my way again… maybe.”

The masked man let out a quiet chuckle, the sound dry and rasping through the porcelain grin of his mask.

“Bad choice,” he said, stepping closer. “I already told you—she’s my target. That means you’d have to go through me first.”

Silence followed.

Neither of them moved, the air thick between them. Somewhere in the distance, an owl called into the night, but neither acknowledged it.

Then, after a long pause, Velra scoffed and crossed her arms.

“Forget it, you parasite. Now it’s my turn to ask a question.”

He gave a small, sweeping bow.

“Shoot away.”

“You said she’s your target,” Velra said. “And yet… she’s still breathing. So tell me—what exactly is your relationship with that girl?”

The man tilted his head, thoughtful. Then, with a dramatic wave of his hand, he spoke.

“Ah… interesting question. I’ll answer it.”

He straightened, arms spreading as if presenting a grand stage.

“She is an entity destined to complete the ultimate gourmet experience.”

Velra blinked.

“…What?”

“Imagine it,” he said, voice almost dreamy. “The moment she realizes the loyal servant she trusted—cared for—is actually a demon. Her enemy. Can you feel it? That sharp, exquisite blend of betrayal and horror?”

Velra stared at him.

He’s insane.

But the more he spoke, the more she realized—no, he wasn’t just mad. He was a parasite in the truest sense. She’d known their kind before: creatures that fed on hosts, bled them dry. But this one?

This one was savoring every moment.

Most parasites acted on instinct—feed, survive, repeat. But this one had taste. A sense of performance. Romance, even.

“So that’s what you meant earlier,” Velra muttered, rubbing her temple. “About feeding. About her being a ’target.’”

“Exactly!” he said, delighted. “It’s maddening, isn’t it? That sprout was just beginning to bloom—and you almost cut it down before the harvest.”

Velra exhaled sharply through her nose.

“You’re unhinged.”

He gave a playful shrug. “I’ve been called worse.”

Still… as deranged as he sounded, she couldn’t entirely dismiss him. There was method in the madness. A parasite who played the long game. Who saw humans as more than cattle.

It was dangerous. But familiar.

Unfortunately.

And just as she was about to turn away and end the conversation, he spoke again.

“So, now it’s my turn.” His tone sharpened. “This Dreck you mentioned… tell me. Does he, by any chance, claim to be the Demon King?”

The name slipped from his mouth too easily.

Velra went still.

The heat in her body shifted, rising with a slow, burning fury.

Her jaw tightened. Her nails dug into her palm.

“You know him?” she asked, voice flat.

“I’ve heard the name. Whispered in circles where true demons no longer dare speak. Claims a lot of things, doesn’t he?”

Velra didn’t answer right away. Her breathing had grown shallow, cold rage pulsing beneath her skin.

—-

Author Note;

Thank you for reading the Chapter. I hope you continue to do read more in future.

Till the next Chapter.

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