The servant accompanying Ferris had perished in the chaos.
His body, brutally slashed to pieces, was hastily buried, and we began our journey back. In the carriage, Ferris, overcome with despair, was being comforted by Lydia and Abigail.
We concluded that he had been attacked by the Titans, a formidable clan.
But I didn't miss the fact that among the servant's savage wounds were marks of deliberate, human-inflicted injury.
There was a slit throat, cut with a sharp blade.
It was the crude handiwork of an assassin. No doubt about it.
I was impressed by Abigail's skill. Had Earthspite taught her such techniques? It was like something a slum street gang would use.
My control terminal had been in the servant's possession during the journey.
Abigail must have taken it when she went to retrieve it, as planned.
Her guide was a silver butterfly—Number Four, fully transformed. With Number Four on her shoulder, Abigail was not a target for the Titans' attack, allowing her to move safely and freely amidst the chaos.
She took the terminal from the servant, returned, and after witnessing my staged fight with Number Five, activated the self-destruct sequence.
Ferris and Lydia, growing fond of me, followed Abigail's advice and removed the control device moments before it exploded.
My act of self-sacrifice to save them, coupled with the fact that we were surrounded by enemies and had no one else to rely on, likely influenced their decision.
It was a risky gamble whether Lydia would truly remove my device, but I was certain she would act if Ferris pleaded with her.
I was fortunate.
Not only did Lydia remove the device, but during the process, there was significant bleeding and an unknown fluid discharge. It must have been deeply embedded in my tissue.
Abigail speculated that without Ferris's healing magic at the same time, I might have died regardless of the self-destruct.
The entire plan was orchestrated by Titania. It was seamless, like perfectly meshing gears, and even accounted for Ferris's presence. What a clever woman—perfect for someone as dim-witted as me.
I can't wait to return and hold her.
For a while, I'll keep her in my secret hideout and thoroughly ravage her. Until her cries are hoarse. I'll fill her womb with my seed, molding her soul into mine. I'll make her body incapable of satisfaction with any man but me, ensuring she can't escape. I'll transform her body and mind into a beast's captive.
I want to stain her exquisite body with pleasure. She'll surely gift me with the ultimate ecstasy. Titania can provide any service imaginable.
Day after day, with breaks in between, again and again. Even if she begs for mercy, the ordeal won't end until every cell of hers is conquered by the beast's filthy essence—
"What's wrong, Gévaudan? Are you unwell?"
Lydia peered into my eyes, concerned.
I must have unconsciously growled like a beast, lost in my lewd fantasies.
"Nothing," I replied.
Lydia said, "Oh…," and started to walk away. Noticing her slightly shadowed expression, I placed a hand on her shoulder.
"Lydia, don't worry. We'll just say my device came off accidentally during the fight. No one will likely question it."
"…Right. Thank you."
Apparently, removing Butcher's control device was a grave mistake—unprecedented, so the consequences are unpredictable.
I owe her for this. There are other debts to Lydia and Ferris as well.
As a professional, debts must be repaid. But I'll think about that later—
After being attacked by monsters multiple times, we finally reached the interdimensional gate.
The scene was utterly desolate.
"What is this…?" Lydia gasped in astonishment. Ferris held her breath.
The gate was wide open, but there were no survivors nearby.
Every structure had been completely destroyed, reduced to ruins.
"The Titans… they passed through the gate," Ferris whispered, her lips trembling.
"Let's hurry back. The walled town will be safe," Abigail said.
Yes, let's return quickly.
We sped back in the carriage, making the return journey shorter than the trip there. By the third night, we were back in Famebaum. We didn't encounter Number Five's army along the way.
"I'll stop by my part-time job first. Lydia, take Abigail back to the facility," I said, stepping out of the carriage alone.
"Gévaudan," Ferris called after me.
"Thank you for saving us."
"…No, thank you both. From the bottom of my heart," I replied sincerely.
Exchanging a glance with Abigail as she left, I entered the butcher shop alone. I knew where the spare key was hidden.
I wasn't planning to steal anything. I wouldn't betray the manager like that. I was here to retrieve something I'd left behind.
In the familiar workspace, a shadow leaped onto my shoulder—
Number Two, Niblo.
Right. Let's go pick up Titania together.
I opened the refrigerator and reached into the back.
I pulled out a face—
the alien man's face, a final offering from Demon Officer Dantalion.
According to Abigail, the aliens, who had been cooperating with Earthspite, were likely rounded up en masse after that incident. The countermeasures Abigail and I faced during our expedition were probably based on leaked information from that source.
Aliens aren't a monolithic group; some factions sympathize with demi-humans. There are even those who mate and have children together.
I donned the skin.
The *Skin Disguise* effect can't be judged by myself, which is frustrating. I kept it properly refrigerated, but it's been days. If it holds for thirty minutes, that's enough.
I extended my tongue, retrieving a medal from my mouth—the key I extracted from Abigail's womb at the hotel recently. Abigail initially hated the idea of storing it there but eventually volunteered to keep it.
This key works on most doors in the facility. Lydia and I confirmed it during our exploration.
It probably won't work on high-security areas like solitary confinement cells, but I can force those open. The key is to infiltrate quietly. Leaving discreetly won't be an option.
I walked through the streets, muffling my footsteps.
The streets were sparsely populated. No one turned to look at me with the mini tarantula clinging to my shoulder.
The moonlight spilling onto the road was brighter than the streetlights that night.
I arrived at the facility's entrance. When I held up the medal, the guard stepped aside.
This medal seems to double as an ID. I've seen important figures pass through secured areas by holding it up multiple times.
I'm grateful to the elf girl Tiriel for delivering this precious medal. Before I leave, I should properly attend to her. If I'm gentle, she'll enjoy it. That girl is definitely a pervert. Next time, I'll teach her the ultimate climax.
Speaking of which… Tiriel's brother, Turjal. I need to kill him. I almost forgot in my excitement.
I learned something recently:
Kill someone close to them in front of the target before taking their life. It seems to leave a profound impact.
I'll incapacitate Turjal and ravage Tiriel in front of him.
Since Ferris is friends with her, I'll spare Tiriel's life. I'll redo her makeup, making her body pristine white again, and when she's screaming in ecstasy, thrusting her hips, I'll kill Turjal. Perfect—two birds with one stone. Brilliant.
I walked through the facility.
Holding up the medal or pressing it against the key when needed, nothing stopped the beast's intrusion. The aliens have no surveillance cameras, and my *Skin Disguise* is hard to detect without special caution.
Opening a door, I found myself in the cell where I was once imprisoned.
I gazed at the cell from outside the bars, walking along its perimeter.
A strange sentimentality washed over me.
I'd impregnated dozens of women, yet only one or two likely carried my child to term. I wonder if their children grew into fine Butchers.
Passing the cell, I opened another door.
I knew the way to Abigail's room because Lydia had once taken me there.
My large frame might draw attention, but the corridors aren't wide. I carefully hugged the wall, yet walked confidently.
Soon, I reached the room where Abigail was held.
I pressed the medal against the door and opened it.
Click.
There she was—Abigail, sitting on the bed in her outdoor clothes.
The self-destruct device around her neck—was gone.
She eyed me warily, her gaze sharp.
…Right. I currently look like a different alien.
But once this skin is removed, the effect disappears. What should I do?
I tapped the wall.
The meaning—*I'm here to take you.*
Abigail's eyes widened, and her expression softened.
I stepped inside, closing the door behind me.
She threw her arms around my body.
"Gévaudan…"
"The collar's off, huh?"
Abigail buried her face in my chest and nodded.
"Let's go."
"Yeah—wait, hold on."
She stopped me, jumped, and hung from my neck, pressing her lips against mine. Her warm, slimy, rough tongue traced my exposed gums. I opened my mouth, thrusting my dark tongue into hers.
"Mmm… mgh… nnh…!"
Blood rushed to my groin.
Then, a tap on my shoulder—Niblo. I know.
I gently released Abigail's body.
"—Once we're out of here," she said, smiling.
I nodded.
Opening the door, I dragged Abigail's hands as we walked down the corridor.
The aliens are careless. If we walk silently like this, they'll assume I'm just moving a Butcher breeding vessel.
I know where the solitary confinement cells are. I've been taken there countless times.
We walked down the corridor, descended the stairs, and continued through the underground passage.
In the dim light ahead, the entrance to the solitary confinement block was visible.
As expected, sturdy guards stood on either side, with several more in the waiting room.
Taking a chance, I stepped in front of the guards and silently held up the medal.
"▼〓■? ☆§◇◇●★…"
They said something, showing no intention of letting us pass. No luck.
I handed the medal to Abigail and stepped forward.
The two guards approached, saying something. I casually grabbed their heads, opened their mouths, and blew air into their lungs.
—From here on, I'll push through with force.
Simultaneously, I crushed their skulls and released a burst of energy from deep within my lungs toward the waiting room.
A marbled purple and yellow air filled the waiting room, and several guards scrambled to their feet.
They opened their mouths, likely to shout.
Instead, they vomited blood.
Without exception, the aliens clutched their throats and chests, collapsing.
One resilient alien raised his head, but his face was horribly rotted, and his breath was voiceless. Before my eyes, his flesh decayed and fell away.
*Putrid Breath*—a toxic breath that kills all living things.
Soon, a gooey soup of mixed flesh and organs spread across the floor, leaving only clothes, bones, and equipment behind.
Everything was done almost silently. With a small sense of accomplishment, I turned to the door.
The thick, heavy, black metallic door.
I don't have the key to open it.
But I don't need one—I'll force it open.
The area where I touched began to discolor, shifting from black to brown, then red. Cracks formed, spreading across the entire door.
*Rusty Contagion*—I have the power to decay non-living things I touch.
Wood, metal, crystal—it doesn't matter. All substances weather and decay, and it spreads widely. I've turned a tank into scrap metal with this power. Ordinary metal can't withstand it.
Soon, the door began to crumble.
Turning around, I saw Abigail frozen behind me.
I extended my bloodied hand.
Her expression flickered with hesitation, but she steeled herself and grabbed my finger.
Leading Abigail, I walked through the solitary confinement block, searching for Titania.
She should be somewhere in here, though I don't know the exact location. I'll have to search every cell.
As I thought this, Niblo, who'd been on my shoulder, suddenly scurried down to the floor.
It scurried ahead, then stopped, turning back to look at me.
—It's guiding me.
Following Niblo, I walked down the dimly lit corridor, Abigail cautiously trailing behind.
Soon, Niblo stopped in front of a room.
It looked into the cell, jumped twice, three times, then backed away.
I stopped in front of the room and peered inside.