27 Like a King (This entire chapter will be going to the trash bin)

Once my mind stabilized, I opened my eyes again.

The now-familiar sight of this dark world only made me sigh.

'Hah ... So why was I summoned here, System?' (Usagi)

Before I could get an answer from her, a being made of yellow light came walking towards me.

His large size and fierce appearance startled me so much that I almost choked when I saw him.

Also, he didn't look very happy ...

Roar! "Hey there, Bug! Have you forgotten me already?" (???)

It was the Paralyzing Bear ...

Gasp. " ... Weren't you ... dead?" (Usagi)

My words stuttered. The pressure emanating from him was not a joke.

He seemed as weak as the time he fought me in close combat, but his astonishing vitality still remained.

'System, why is he here?!' (Usagi)

<'User, remember that I warned you!'>

... What is she talking about?

I quickly analyzed my recent memories and a certain phrase crossed my mind.

' ... Be like a king, huh?' (Usagi)

Now I knew what was going on here.

This situation was caused by ignoring his messages and my quirk of always wanting to rush things.

"Fight me again, Bug! I'm going to smash that head of yours!" (Paralyzing Bear)

I have no choice.

If I reject his battle, it would be the same as me forfeiting the fight.

I would lose by default ...

However, I cannot let that happen!

Because my soul will "disappear" if I do!

" ... Very well. Let's fight again, Furball." (Usagi)

Then I took the stance that I practiced to learn unarmed combat.

My right foot was behind my left and my arms were raised in positions similar to my feet.

I would have liked to summon or recreate a sword, but somehow I knew that my Inner World was still too weak.

My arms and legs are all I have right now.

Roar! "Don't call me furball!" (Paralyzing Bear)

He attacked me with a furious expression on his face.

We were already pretty close to each other, so we clashed in an instant.

'Aura Awakening!' (Usagi)

I tried to dodge his first attack but it ended up brushing my side.

It seems that my body is not as flexible as Daisy's, since it does not move as I want.

'I should add gymnastics to my exercise routine ... ' (Usagi)

Enhanced Sixth Sense and the Danger Sense made me realize that its claws can tear my flesh and its bites can tear my limbs.

That's why I activated my aura beforehand.

Thanks to that, its claws bounced off my dark blue aura and I didn't take any damage.

However ...

'My fists and kicks are quite weak ... ' (Usagi)

I was in a very similar situation to him.

My attacks were almost useless as its bright yellow fur had a fairly high defense.

Snort! "Ha! Bug, you really are a bug! You call this a fight! Once that thing around you is gone, I'll devour your flesh!" (Paralyzing Bear)

Clash! Clash!

Its claws continued to bounce off my aura and I was forced to give it my all.

'Acceleration!' (Usagi)

My punches and kicks became faster and heavier.

However, it was still not enough.

My time is limited, so I need to strengthen myself as much as I can!

What I can do? Is there anything else that can make me stronger?

'System! Can't you force my Inner World to level up?' (Usagi)

If she can, I should be able to recreate a sharp sword and my power would skyrocket.

After all, my swordsmanship is better than my mastery in unarmed combat.

I would also become able to use Continuous Slashes. One of my newest skills.

It can surely lead me to victory!

'Why?! Why aren't you helping me?!' (Usagi)

My thoughts stopped being completely rational.

If I die in this place, I won't get another second chance!

It would be a real death for me.

<'The user cannot afford to be weakened while fighting!'>

Her words made me remember the backlash I received when she forcefully woke up my Inner World.

My soul clung to Ember's body until it made a full recovery.

At that time, it took less than two days to complete that process.

However, the effect would certainly be stronger as my Inner World would become level three.

But what can I do? ... Is this my end?

If this stalemate continues, I will certainly be the loser ...

I hastily remembered the skills that I recently acquired.

There's still one that I haven't used yet ...

' ... I hope I don't regret this.' (Usagi)

I had decided to forget about it because its side effects are hard to bear, but this is the only way I can win this fight.

' ... Frenzy.' (Usagi)

I activated it by thinking about its name.

Madness began to fill my head and my aura turned dark red.

It wasn't a beautiful red like Ember's ...

It was a color that reminded me of blood.

KILL!

EAT!

DESTROY!

"HAAAH! DIE, YOU DAMN FURBALL!" (Usagi)

Bawl! "Kuoh! Kuk! What happened?! How did a bug like you become so strong?!" (Paralyzing Bear)

For the first time, I could hear his bones crack every time I hit him and he flew when I kicked him with all my might.

I underestimated the power of Frenzy ...

Even at level 1, it made my strikes at least fifty percent stronger.

However ... my body also seemed to weaken with each passing second and my mind was continually corroded by the desire to wreak havoc.

"HAHAHA! DIE! DIE!! DIE!!!" (Usagi)

"KUOH!" (Paralyzing Bear)

His body was wearing more and more with each of my attacks.

My movements were no longer like the ones I practiced before, but rather like those of a wild beast.

No order between each of them, just erratic.

Not with style, but with efficiency.

The only thing that mattered was killing him.

To destroy his bones and tear his muscles.

However, there was no blood. After all, this was not the real world.

But we knew our light was growing dimmer and ...

One of us could end up becoming part of the darkness that makes up this place ...

My movements used my four limbs to the limit and his attacks never managed to touch me again.

We both grew weaker and weaker, but it was obvious who was above the other in terms of strength.

Thud!

It was me, of course.

. . .

Fortunately, I was the one who had the last laugh.

Although it's not like I can laugh in this situation ...

He was not the only one near death.

I couldn't stand up either and fell to the ground.

Huff. ' ... Deactivate Frenzy.' (Usagi)

My aura no longer existed because I was too exhausted to use it again and the representation of my soul was blurry.

My thoughts were in disarray and it was difficult to think clearly, but my sanity was mostly intact.

At least that's what I wanted to think ...

I felt like it could disappear at any moment ...

I just wanted to close my eyes and be embraced by this darkness ...

' ... System ... have I won?' (Usagi)

<' ... You prevailed to the end, User.'>

' ... Good ... Then let me get some sleep.' (Usagi)

Messages began to appear in front of me, but I could no longer keep my consciousness active.

<' ... Rest well, User.'>

As for my safety, I trusted that the System would take care of me ...

. . .

When I woke up, I felt that something was strange and raised one of my hands.

I found a flower. A beautiful pale blue flower.

Slightly surprised, I looked down and saw my lying body resting on a flowerbed, much like what happened to Ember.

It wasn't blurry anymore, so I breathed a sigh of relief.

'Hah ... Thank goodness ... I'm not dead yet. (Usagi)

This place is still my Inner World ...

' ... What happened to that bear, System?' (Usagi)

<'Look in front of you, User.'>

I listened to her and slowly raised my upper body. It was aching all over.

Grunt. "Kuk ... It hurts." (Usagi)

That fight took its toll on me. It was much worse than when I saved Ember.

As for the paralyzing bear, it was still lying on the ground.

Its entire body was tightly bound by blue vines similar in color to the flowers on which I rested.

Roar! "Release me! This great me can't die here! GROWL!" (Paralyzing Bear)

No matter how hard he struggled, he couldn't get up.

He looked a little pitiful, but he won't get any pity from me.

Then, a message appeared in front of me.

<King, it is time to make your choice!>

<1. Execute your enemy and steal his power!>

<2. Bend his will and make him your servant!>

' ... Huh. Interesting.' (Usagi)

I like having options. The former seems more or less the same as using Soul Eater. I will consume his soul and become stronger.

As for the second option ... I have no idea.

'System, what does "being a servant" entail?' (Usagi)

<'You will be able to receive his help within here.'>

Help? What does that mean?

<'User, you should try to make him your servant. You will understand faster that way.'>

She is right. I have nothing to lose.

I examined my status window and evaluated the new skills I acquired.

≪Stout Muscles (Lv. 3). The muscles of your body have transcended their limits and your fists can now even break rocks.≫

≪Increased Vitality (Lv. 4). Your stamina has become seemingly inexhaustible, and your wounds heal much faster than before.≫

≪Paralysis Coating (Lv. 1). You can secrete a paralyzing liquid from your fingertips and apply it to any weapon.≫

≪Paralysis Resistance (Lv. 5). You possess resistance to the paralysis effect caused by any source to some extent.≫

I don't think I can get much more out of him. Even if I could, this is enough.

I remembered that I have not checked my complete appearance within this world.

So, to remove my suspicions, I got up and created a water mirror using magic to see my reflection in it.

' ... Man, I look great.' (Usagi)

My previously lean muscles were now more noticeable and my flat stomach was now a six-pack.

Also, since I didn't check it correctly before, I was surprised to see that my face was younger than my previous life.

I looked to be around 18 years old like I just finished high school.

But my height seemed different from what I remembered ...

Now it measures almost one meter eighty centimeters.

I was only 1.75m before ... and I was twenty-two at the time.

However, this did not make me sad. On the other hand, I was quite excited.

I feel like I'm a student who completely focused on sports while I was really just someone who placed more importance on test scores.

My mood couldn't be better, but it suddenly turned gloomy when I looked at my lower body ...

My male member was still missing ...

'Sob ... Sob ... What can I do to become a true man again, System?' (Usagi)

< ... >

Her silence told me everything I needed to know ...

It means that even if there is a way to achieve it, she doesn't know about it ...

'No ... I shouldn't give up so easily ... someday I'll get my manhood back!' (Usagi)

I shook my head before raising my clenched fist to the dark sky.

Roar! "Bug, get me out of here! I haven't lost yet!" (Paralyzing Bear)

I forgot I wasn't the only one here ...

It's time for me to take care of him.

Those vines seemed to sap his power with each passing second and even if he wanted to look imposing, he had already grown much weaker than before.

"Let's make a deal, Bear." (Usagi)

This time I didn't call it a furball.

When doing negotiations, you must not make the other person ... creature angry.

After all, a man of good manners respects others.

"Deal?! This great me doesn't like deals!" (Paralyzing Bear)

He's smarter than he looks. However, he is also very stubborn.

"As for the terms, I will let you live, but I cannot promise that you will return to that world again." (Usagi)

This is my first time using Soul Reaper so I don't know much about it yet.

However, I remember that Goblin Elite wanted to have a conversation partner with whom to spend his time.

So getting this bear as my servant isn't a bad choice.

"I know you don't have a name, so in exchange for sparing your life, I want to give you one." (Usagi)

My instincts told me the method to make him my servant.

First, he needs a name. One that I decide for him.

Growl. " ... Okay, Bug ... If I can get another chance for revenge in the future, I will take it!" (Paralyzing Bear)

So he still wants to fight me ...

I have a feeling that his warmongering personality will benefit me in the future.

"All right, your name is now 'Kuma'. Also ... now you will address me as your King." (Usagi)

This is the last and most difficult step. It is up to him to swear allegiance to me.

To be King, you need the recognition of those below you.

A king needs a kingdom, after all.

" ... I do not like that name! It seems very inappropriate for this great me." (Raging Kuma)

"You'll get used to it ... Trust me." (Usagi)

My eyes were like those of a dead fish when I looked at him.

I know what it's like to have an unusual name ...

Ember and Sylphy never call me by my name ...

So sometimes it's a bit depressing.

"As for calling you 'King', I don't know what that is ... So I don't see any problem." (Ignorant Kuma)

Once his words were finished, messages appeared in front of me, and the blue vines that held him to the dark ground slowly faded away.

"DIE, BUG!" (Not so Friendly Kuma)

He attacked me and tried to bite me again as if our conversation just now was an illusion.

However, his efforts were in vain.

This time strong-looking dark red chains appeared around him and bound him tightly while unleashing fire.

Roar! "Kuah! It hurts! This great me is dying!" (Kuma)

He is correct. His body was getting blurry like mine before.

So it could end up disappearing at any moment ...

' ... That is enough, System.' (Usagi)

I don't want to kill someone I just spared.

"Don't try to hurt me again, Kuma ... Next time it won't end with a mild punishment ... I'll devour every last bit of you." (Usagi)

Now I looked at him with crossed arms and a wicked smile.

Also, I released as much bloodlust as I could.

I learned how to do it after using Fury in our recent battle.

A King has to be merciful but also show dominance ...

My words are vows that I must keep even if my life depends on them.

I spared his life and now I ask him to obey me.

As for the method I'm using ... an idiot like him can only understand things when they are this clear.

Grunt. " ... I understand, King." (Kuma)

The chains that bound him came loose and he walked with weak steps into the darkness that covered the horizon ...

Now was the time for me to return to the outside world.

However, there is still something I must try before I go ...

To be continued

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