AN: Disgusting chapter. Please proceed with caution.
That sent shivers down their spines. The thing had not only ordered them to kill each other but also to feast on their own brother.
"I-"
Geld looked like he was about to say something. But when he saw the sickening grin of that thing, terror gripped him to the core. Just looking at that grotesque man-thing made him nauseous.
Its mouth was drenched in the blood of victims. Bits of brain matter clung to its teeth. Now that the brothers were close enough to see it clearly, the stench of blood and gore was overwhelming. Kelt vomited on the spot.
Both brothers knew they had no choice but to fight each other. But Geld wasn't like that. He genuinely cared for his brother. He was already planning a way to trick the thing so they could both escape.
But not for Kelt.
"Brother... I'm truly grateful for everything you did for me. You've protected me ever since our parents passed away."
"Kelt, what are you saying? This is not the time-"
"But... I want to live."
"Huh?"
"Please, die for me."
Without warning, Kelt swung his sword at Geld who barely dodged in time.
"What the fuck are you doing?!"
Fury surged through Geld as he stared at Kelt, whose face was smeared with tears and vomit. His hands trembled. The thought of killing one's own brother would make anyone tremble. But the thing had driven him to desperation.
"Please… die for me."
Kelt said it then launched another flurry of attacks. Geld, now forced to defend himself, drew his own axe. Their weapons clashed, sending out a massive shockwave that echoed through the forest.
The thing clapped gleefully, as if watching a twisted performance.
"To think the day would come when you draw your sword against your own big brother."
Kelt didn't respond. He just kept attacking. One blow caught Geld off guard and a deep cut appeared on his left arm. The wound began rotting instantly, as if poisoned. Seeing that, rage boiled within him.
"Forget it, you fuck. I'm going to kill you."
Geld went berserk. With every ounce of strength, he delivered a vertical slash so powerful that the shockwave shook the entire forest.
BOOM!!!
...
...
When the dust settled, the thing clapped again, delighted.
"We have a winner."
Geld had cleaved his little brother in half with his axe. But victory brought no satisfaction. Just deep, wrenching regret. He was consumed by rage and helplessness and did what he never thought of doing in his entire life.
And now, he knew what had to be done.
He looked at the thing, which still wore that grotesque grin already anticipating what came next. Geld understood what was required.
"Just so you know, you mustn't vomit."
That was a death sentence. There was no way he wouldn't vomit. Just watching the thing devour others had made him puke earlier. Now… it was his turn to do the same thing. And even worse to his own brother.
"…"
He couldn't argue. As long as his survival chance wasn't zero, he had to try. No matter how much it tormented him, he wanted to survive. He had to get out of this hell.
With immense resolve, he summoned the willpower to go through with the revolting act. He tore a small bite from his brother's small intestine.
The stench, the texture, he nearly vomited on the spot.
"Hehehe… You. Mustn't. Throw up."
The thing laughed at the grotesque sight. Ran, still frozen, looked like he was about to vomit too. If he weren't paralyzed, he might have thrown out everything he'd eaten.
Geld took another bite. Unfortunately, it was the big intestine and big intestines contain feces. His mouth was filled with filth of his own brother.
This time… he couldn't hold back.
"Ughhhhhhh!!!!"
The thing's laughter grew louder. It stepped forward with violent intent.
"You failed the task."
Geld fell on his knees as terror began to rise in his brain. He desperately tried to crawl away from the thing that was approaching him.
"Wait-"
Before he could say anything more, his head was already rolling on the ground. The thing then devoured every piece of the two brothers body, gnawing and chewing with sick pleasure before letting out a satisfied burp.
"That's how you do it. Now… hehehe…"
The creature's gaze shifted to Ran who had been frozen in place this whole time. That sickening, maniacal stare would haunt him for the rest of his life if he survived.
Terror engulfed his mind. His heart pounded, pumping blood in a desperate attempt to flood his body with adrenaline but it was no use as his body wouldn't move.
"Let's play a game."