Demonfire’s Desperate Escape

‘My name is… Boli Afar.’

‘No, I am Demonflame.’

[You’re truly useless.]

‘Big Brother…’

[It’s truly wonderful to be your brother.]

‘Third Brother…’

[Thank you for the gift, Big Brother~ (>▽<)]

‘Little Sister…’

‘Am I… in heaven?’

As I gazed at the jade bangle in my hand, an unstoppable surge of tears welled within me. Had this precious gift finally reached my little sister?

“Little Sister!”

I desperately grasped her hand.

“What are you doing?!” she exclaimed.

“I can finally see you again… huh?”

‘The person before me is… the Hero?’

“Uh… it seems you were having a pleasant dream,” she said, appearing slightly startled.

“Why are you holding my things?! You scoundrel!” With that, I prepared to snatch them back.

“Robber! Still acting arrogant here!” The Village Chief slammed a spear onto my head.

“Argh! You beast! You old geezer!” I roared, clutching the fresh, throbbing lump on my head.

“So you’re Demonflame after all…” The Swordsman looked utterly deceived. “To think I actually believed you could be reformed. How naive of me…”

‘Hmph, only realizing it now?’

“Idiot! Isn’t it a bit late to be saying that now?! You’re the monster who almost killed me!”

Whether intentionally or not, the moment I uttered the word “monster,” the Hero delivered a heavy blow to my head!

“Ow! Don’t hit the lump on my head! You wretched woman! It hurts!”

“Just shut up, stop making a fuss.”

‘Hmph, whether genuinely foolish or feigning it, this great lord has never meekly submitted!’

Today had been truly disastrous. My robbery attempt failed, my revenge plot failed, and I was even knocked unconscious by the Swordsman’s werewolf transformation. If my Big Brother in heaven knew, I couldn’t imagine what he’d say! My fury was truly soaring!

“How long are you going to keep holding my arm?” The Hero stared at me blankly.

‘Wha?! When did her face get so close?! The anger I’d painstakingly accumulated, ready to erupt, was instantly frightened away!’

“You! Give me back my things!” Flames flickered from my head. ‘Damn it, this anger is too weak.’

“The Village Chief handed you over to me to deal with, so naturally, I can search through your belongings as I please.”

‘Don’t you dare act innocent while stealing my things!!! You beast!’

‘I’m angry! So angry! My fury is literally blazing!’

“Ah?!” The Hero shrieked in alarm, and I seized the opportunity to snatch back the jade bangle.

“Demonflame! You’re a lone commander now! Why are you still resisting stubbornly?!” The old geezer and that bald uncle had already assumed their battle stances.

“Surrender now!” Helter drew his greatsword.

“What’s happening?!” A Guard frantically fled.

“We won’t allow you to harm Big Sister!” ‘Who is this little girl? She seems to be a mage.’

The situation was indeed unfavorable. I hadn’t expected to be forced into using this move.

I formed my hand into the shape of a gun and pointed it at the sky.

“What are you doing?” The Hero sat on the ground, utterly bewildered.

“When people are pushed to their limits, they’re bound to fight to the death.”

‘Here we go. Just in case, I still have a trick up my sleeve.’

“Are you about to use your ultimate move?” the Hero asked.

“Of course.” I grinned sinisterly. “If I unleash this move, not only will you all be finished, but I will be too.”

“Don’t you dare try anything reckless!” the old geezer threatened. “I’ve faced greater storms than this; do you truly think I’d be afraid of your petty ultimate attack?!”

“It seems you don’t understand. Do you remember the attack I used before entering the village? I can unleash it right now.”

They all froze for a moment.

“Old hag, the cannon’s been dismantled, right?” The Guard asked the young girl.

“It’s been dismantled!” the young girl replied.

‘Dismantled… What?! Dismantled! The shock almost extinguished my anger once more!’

“The Fire Dragon Cannon has already been dismantled! You’re not just bluffing, are you?!” the Hero shouted.

‘That’s right… bluffing… This pose of mine is just for launching a signal flare, mainly to give instructions to my subordinates by the Fire Dragon Cannon…’

“Hahahaha!” I burst into an impotent, maniacal laugh. “Idiot! Do you think I’m summoning the Fire Dragon Cannon?! That’s not my ultimate move! I’m merely describing the power of my ultimate attack! Understand?!”

This bluff, surprisingly, worked. Everyone seemed to take a few steps back.

“Don’t you dare try anything rash!” the old geezer warned again.

“If you use it, you’ll die too! Value your life, young man!” The bald uncle also advised.

“Now you’re begging me? Too late.”

As I spoke, I slowly retreated.

“Let’s talk this out!” The Hero attempted to rush over and stop me.

“Stop right there! You wretched woman!”

‘How dare she! Don’t come any closer! This is the first time this great lord has ever spoken with such forced bravado!’

“Alright…” She stopped in her tracks.

“Get back!” I roared.

“I can go back, but don’t…”

“Hurry up!”

Seeing them obediently stand a few meters away, I finally relaxed.

I offered a faint smile.

“Sayonara.” My hand, which had been pointing at the sky, now turned to point at them.

Pong!

‘Escape! Waaah! Super acceleration! Turn around and run!’

The flame signal I’d just fired at them instantly transformed into a flashbang, blinding them for a moment. I seized this chance, relying on the speed I’d built up since childhood, to sprint out of the village!

“Remember this! I’ll be back for revenge! You idiots!”

As a bandit leader, I had fled. Now, I had to start my life of recruiting and gathering forces all over again. All thanks to this village! It had set me back to square one!