Bab 140: Chapter 139: Ereshkigal
Zenkichi shook his head, he'll deal with the Ancient Monster later after he finishes healing his patient. So letting out a huff of air, he pressed on, channeling more of his Gluttony power into the girl.
The black aura intensified, devouring the remnants of the Envy-infused injuries. The malicious energy writhed and twisted, but Zenkichi's resolve was unyielding. He could feel the dark essence fighting back with a desperation that almost felt alive, but he remained focused, knowing that her life depended on it.
Slowly but surely, the wounds began to heal. The girl's pale skin regained a healthier hue, and her breathing steadied. The translucent quality in her legs receded, and the deep cuts and bruises closed up, leaving only faint scars. The worst of the damage, the existential corruption, was finally being purged.
[Ding! You Have Gained - 0.00001% of The Envy Authority, Entity Plunder]
Zenkichi ignored the system interface, his attention solely focused on the girl in front of him. The last of the Envy-infused essence was finally consumed by his Gluttony power, leaving her body free of the malevolent influence.
He sighed in relief as her breathing became more regular and her color returned to normal.
"Hang in there," he whispered, brushing a stray lock of her blonde hair away from her face. "You're going to be okay."
The cave provided a brief respite from the chaos outside, but Zenkichi knew they couldn't stay there for long. The dark figure pursuing them would undoubtedly be closing in. He needed to find a safer location, somewhere they could regroup and figure out their next move.
'I don't know how strong this Ancient Monster of Envy might be, if she managed to reduce a Goddess such as her to this state, then I can't risk underestimating her,' Zenkichi thought, his mind racing. He needed a plan, something that would give them a fighting chance.
Just then, the girl stirred, her ruby-red eyes fluttering open once more. She looked up at him with a mixture of confusion and gratitude.
"Thank... you," she murmured weakly.
"Don't mention it," Zenkichi replied softly, giving her a reassuring smile. "But we need to move. It's not safe here."
As he helped her to her feet, she winced, still feeling the remnants of her injuries. Zenkichi steadied her, offering his support with his hand. "Can you walk?"
"I think so," she replied, her voice stronger than before. "I am grateful for your help, but you should leave me. It's too dangerous. That creature... it will stop at nothing to get what it wants."
Zenkichi shook his head, picking her up in a princess carry, causing her to yelp and blush. "I'm not leaving you behind like this. I might be a jerk sometimes, but I'm not one to leave behind someone so helpless."
Her cheeks flushed at the sudden closeness, but she couldn't help but feel a sense of gratitude and safety in Zenkichi's arms. She nodded weakly, her expression grateful yet conflicted.
"Thank you," she murmured softly, leaning slightly against him for support. "Excuse me, but may I know the name of my savior?"
Zenkichi smiled. "Zenkichi Hitoyoshi, that's my name. Just a normal person saving a damsel in distress."
The girl snickered, "There's no normal person in the world that would save me, much less have the gall to touch me like this."
"Do you hate it?"
The girl hummed and smiled, leaning in closer. "No," she replied softly. "Not at all. In fact, it's quite comforting."
Zenkichi's smile widened. "Good to know. May I know the name of this fair maiden in my arms?"
The girl hesitated for a moment before replying, "Ereshkigal. I am Ereshkigal, the Goddess of the Underworld." she closed her eyes, waiting for a...negative reaction from Zenkichi. Just like what others would have done.
But to her surprise, Zenkichi's expression remained calm and kind.
"The Goddess of the Underworld, huh?" Zenkichi mused, more to himself than to her. "Well, it's an honor to meet you, Ereshkigal. And don't worry, I'm not going to leave you behind."
Ereshkigal opened her eyes, looking at him in amazement. "You're not afraid? Most would be terrified or try to run away upon hearing my name."
Zenkichi chuckled softly. "I've faced a lot of things in my life, Ereshkigal. Facing the wrath of a Goddess or two isn't new to me anyway, also, I've already decided to help you, and I'm not going back on that."
Ereshkigal's eyes softened, a sense of relief washing over her. "Thank you, Zenkichi. You are... different."
Zenkichi began to move cautiously through the cave's exit, making sure to keep Ereshkigal secure in his arms. "Different can be good sometimes," he replied with a smirk. "Now, let's get you to a safe place-"
"I~ Found~ You~"
Zenkichi froze at the chilling voice that echoed through the cave. Without any hesitation, he lashed out a leg in a swift kick, aiming to send a shockwave of force towards the empty space to his right side. The air exploded with a violent burst as Zenkichi's kick unleashed a shockwave, reverberating through the cave walls.
Spatial fluctuations rippled outward as the space where his kick hit unfolded, revealing a beautiful woman dressed in all black with long, flowing silver hair that seemed to blend together with the darkness exuding from her body, as if starlight to the night sky, and eyes that glowed with an eerie purple light. Her skin was smooth white, with no blemishes to be seen, giving her an otherworldly beauty.
Narrowing his eyes, Zenkichi struck her as familiar looking before shrugging it off quickly as he darts to the right using Hirenkyaku, dodging several shadowy hands that reached out towards him. "Don't worry, I got this." he whispered to the panicking Ereshkigal in his arms as he swiftly maneuvered through the cave, evading the mysterious woman's attacks.
He blurred through the darkness, his senses heightened as he calculated each movement with precision. Ereshkigal clung to him, although this was the first time they've met, she placed great trust on him as her savior.
She wanted to try and help him, but she was still too weak to offer much assistance in their current situation. Instead, she focused on maintaining her grip on Zenkichi and not get in his way.
As they darted through the cave, Zenkichi's movements were swift and fluid, his movement skill evident as he effortlessly dodged the mysterious woman's attacks.
"Interesting~ You move pretty fast, for a mortal." The beautiful woman in black finally spoke, amusement lacing her voice as she continued to pursue them with an unsettling grace. "Well, this much should be expected from someone who devoured one of my kin."
Zenkichi's brows furrowed as he continued to evade her attacks, his mind racing with strategies to keep Ereshkigal safe. "Who are you?" he demanded, his voice steady despite the adrenaline coursing through his veins.
The woman's lips curled into a sly smile, her eyes glinting with an otherworldly intensity. "My, my, asking for a lady's name without introducing yourself, what kind of a man are you?"
"The alive kind." Zenkichi retorted, his tone firm and resolute. "Now, answer the question. Who are you?"
The woman's smile widened at Zenkichi's response, a glimmer of amusement dancing in her purple eyes. "Very well," she replied, her voice carrying a melodious yet ominous quality. "I am Satella, the Monster of Envy and one who threads upon the category of a Beast. And you are the mortal, no, the creature we were born to hunt!" Her voice resonated with a chilling finality, sending a wave of dread through the cave.
Zenkichi's eyes narrowed as he processed her words, his grip on Ereshkigal tightening.
'So they are the products of the system, and not natives of this universe. Satella? Isn't that the name of the Witch of Envy in Re; Zero? If she's exactly like the one from that world, then it's going to be tricky. I never really read the Light Novel but I heard enough rumors from the internet that she's easily at a God level, which is enforced by how she easily defeated Ereshkigal.'
Zenkichi forcibly smiled. "And why would you think that? I mean, sure I killed one of your siblings, but..."
Satella still smiled, placing a hand over her left cheek. "I could feel it, deep within my monster soul of insatiable Envy, that I need to... no, I HAVE TO... consume you." Her voice took on a fevered pitch, eyes gleaming with an intensity that spoke of an unrelenting hunger, an overwhelming pressure exploded out of her.
The air around them seemed to distort as Satella's presence intensified, the cave they were in started to crack under the immense pressure. Space seemed to fluctuate haphazardly, making it impossible to escape through spatial teleportation and diminished one's movements.
As someone who gained the Authority of Gluttony and using Empathy, Zenkichi could tell that she wasn't fueled by a Gluttonous desire to "consume" him, no, it was... jealousy, Envy!
Satella's purple eyes shone as she pointed at them, "Die."
.....
AN: Surprise, motherfkers. Extra chapter!
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