Chapter 200 - Black Swordsman Kairos

Chapter 200 – Black Swordsman Kairos

The scorching hellish world was quiet. The dead did not seem to approach us, hiding in the distance.

[Kairos-san.]

[We’re companions, right? No need to use honorifics. By the way…]

Kairos pointed his black sword toward me.

[Didn’t I tell you to never let him go?]

[I…]

He seemed a little angry about Greed. It’s a matter of course. Kairos had personally entrusted Greed to me after all…

And I couldn’t protect Greed.

[Good grief, you are all so troublesome.]

After making a troubled face, Kairos raised his sword once more.

[This is the second time. I can’t give him back to you so easily. If you want him, then take him back from me.]

[You mean fight you?]

His face was smiling, but his eyes that were looking straight at me spoke otherwise.

[That is how things work in this world. You certainly know that already.]

[Pardon me…?]

[We don’t need two people with Gluttony skills in this world, so we have to decide which one is the real one, you or me.]

While talking, Keiros jumped towards me. The black sword he swung down left a blue afterglow.

[This is also Greed’s wish.]

[Greed too?]

[Yes. Just like with the Gluttony skill, there is no need for two black swordsmen to exist in this world.]

[That’s very specific.]

[Nothing good will come from doing things half-assed.]

[Both I and Greed take this seriously. Come on, go beyond your limit!]

[That’s the way. Good, Fate!]

[Good eyes. Bright red eyes that are common to the mortal sins skill holder. Shine redder.]

[Kairos!]

I could swear that the black bayonet in my hand felt a lot lighter when I swung it now. What a strange feeling. It’s as if the terrifying world around me didn’t matter. All I wanted was to fight.

[You actually got used to it. Really, you are different.]

[What do you even mean?]

Colliding against each other, once again we were locked in a power struggle.

[You don’t know too much about your own real self… about who you really are.]

[My real self?]

[Falling here, yet still maintaining your ego.]

[Maybe that’s because it’s you.]

[You don’t seem to get it. The reason why I and Rafal were able to maintain our ego in this place, was none other… thanks to you, Fate.]

[What are you talking about.]

[Greed must’ve told you. I was engulfed by my own Gluttony skill. You should know what that leads to.]

[I…]

[Rafal was similar. He should’ve lost his ego the moment he experienced the collapse phenomenon. However, he actually returned to his original self after being devoured by the gluttony skill. There was no way to do such a thing on his own. Then, who helped him?]

[Is it because of the Gluttony skill that created this world? That’s not it either. Another force is also at work here.]

Kairos continued to make me hold my breath.

[It’s you, Fate. Because you wished so, we were able to maintain our ego as independent beings.]

[But there are limits to what you can do. You and I. I’ll try to get it back in the beginning…]

[What are you gonna do?]

[Use myself to let you learn who you are. The real you.]

Kairos grinned and pushed me back.

[Now then…]

There was something wrong with his appearance. Similar to the collapse phenomenon――when a human being turned into a monster――a pair of sharp horns grew from his head. The two wrapped around like sheep’s horns with the tips threateningly facing forward.

[Fate, this is what you were afraid of. To be engulfed by the Gluttony skill… losing your ego… becoming the existence that will bring ruin to consume… e..very…thing…]

[Kairos!]

Envy stopped me before I tried to come closer.

『Stop. Once that happens, there is no stopping him unless you kill him. Or, do you have the power to return Kairos to his original form, just like he said?』

[That’s…]

I have been swayed by this skill for a long time. Even now.

At least I thought so… Kairos said that I’m different. And he’s using himself to let me learn about my true self. But what does he mean by【True self】?

『Fate, eyes forward. He is coming.』

[Tsk.]

[Thinking back. When I fought Tenryu… I’m glad that I didn’t collapse.]

『Of course』

[Don’t act as if you’re not involved! You were the cause back then.]

『Ahaha』

『I have accustomed myself to this world now. And I borrowed your hand a little just now』

[Envy… you.]

『I am good at taking control of my wielder’s body. You should know that already. Also, I am good at taking over the soul』

[That was useless info, but thanks for helping just now. But please stop taking control of my spirit body while we’re here. If something goes wrong, maybe…]

『You will die』

[You little… now of all time?]

『Just kidding. You are not that easy to take over. I hate it, but I have to fight alongside you now. Be grateful.』

[He can do that too!?]

『That is……not good』

The black bow form. And he’s releasing the secret art as well.

[Let’s do this then.]