The Devourer’s Awakening

“Jing! Cease your resistance… embrace me… wield me!” A familiar voice resonated from deep within Jing’s heart, accompanying a sudden surge of malevolent intent.

“No… I mustn’t… Umi told me… I cannot be swayed by malevolent thoughts…” Jing, her heart heavy with despair, watched as the familiar villagers fell, one after another, by Bo Aibiyi’s hand. Though the voice echoed within her and the malevolence surged, she still shook her head, her reply laced with anguish.

“Heed your true desires,” the voice in Jing’s heart purred, its tone laced with temptation. “Do you not crave vengeance? Do you not yearn to punish this fiend who so wantonly takes lives? Jing… accept me… I vow never to harm you… wield me… for we are the most intimate of companions…”

‘The closest… companion?’ A profound confusion settled in Jing’s mind. Why did this malevolent thought claim to be her most intimate partner? And why had her father, mother, and Umi all warned her against being controlled by malevolent thoughts, yet this one promised no harm?

“I was never meant to exist in your former world—a world that rejected me. So, I honored your father and mother’s plea, slumbering deep within your heart, Jing… But now, things are different. This world is utterly unlike our former one, brimming with lies, deceit, sin, and hatred. You need me… and I need you… Resist no longer. Wield me… After all… I am the blade forged from your very soul…” The malevolent voice was like a tempting, crimson apple, radiating an alluring scent that made Jing yearn to seize it and take a deep, decisive bite.

‘Why… Father and Mother never told me I possessed my own blade… They always said my power wasn’t enough to wield a Blade Soul… Should I trust you…?’ Hearing the malevolent thought’s words, a great stir arose in Jing’s heart. Her own blade…

Unlike others, Jing had never possessed her own blade. Though every person was said to be born with a blade belonging solely to them, exceptions existed; some truly could not manifest a Blade Soul. However, in Jing’s formerly peaceful world, this was not an unbearable truth. Yet, for the daughter of the two strongest individuals in that world, to never possess her own blade had even led Jing to wonder if she had been adopted. Now, hearing this malevolent voice, a sliver of hope sparked within Jing’s profound sorrow.

“Of course… Father and Mother spoke those benevolent lies to protect you. And as your blade, I too knew my abilities were ill-suited for survival in our world back then. So, understanding their feelings, I chose to slumber. After all, we are inherently one… Moreover, had I not sensed this immense surge in your emotions, I would not have awakened. Jing, you need me now.” The malevolent thought spoke to Jing with a gentle, amiable tone.

“But what should I do… I cannot let Mr. Bo Aibiyi kill any more innocent people… How can I use you…?” Listening to the malevolent thought’s explanation, Jing chose to trust it, desperate to stop the frenzied Bo Aibiyi.

“That’s it, that’s it! Jing, accept me… wield me… call my name…” As if finally receiving Jing’s acknowledgment, the malevolent thought spoke within Jing’s heart with an excited tone.

“I accept you, I accept you! But your name… your name is…” Jing’s eyes were tightly shut as she pondered. Blurred memories gradually surfaced in her mind, stirred by the malevolent thought’s constant churning.

“Devourer!” As if finally recalling the name, Jing shouted it aloud in her mind.

As Jing uttered the name, the malevolent thought, previously residing within her, seemed to expand, instantly enveloping her entire body. Jing’s mind remained clear; she distinctly felt her limbs regain their strength, capable of movement. Just as she intended to stand and stop Bo Aibiyi, Jing suddenly realized… she could not control her own body. It was as if her consciousness had become a mere spectator.

“Devourer… why? Why can’t I control my body anymore… How can this be… I still need to stop Mr. Bo Aibiyi!” Realizing her abnormality, Jing could only helplessly try to communicate with Devourer in her mind.

“Hehehe… Don’t worry, Jing~ I’ll help you stop that man. Though, I’m rather grateful to him. If not for his actions, it wouldn’t have been so easy to trick you and escape from your heart!” Devourer’s voice echoed in Jing’s mind.

“Trick… tricked me? I don’t understand…” Hearing Devourer’s words, Jing spoke with astonishment.

“Although it’s a bit embarrassing, that’s exactly what happened, Jing~! You probably don’t remember the immense transgression we committed together, do you? It seems Mother truly excised your memories thoroughly, Jing. What a pity, though… Those were my happiest days, sigh… But now, there’s no one to share those joyful memories with. After all… everyone died, hahahaha!” Devourer, using Jing’s body, slowly rose from the ground. They then raised a hand, examining Jing’s form, and tapped their lips with a sharp finger, a nostalgic expression on their face as they regretfully spoke to the Jing within.

“Ah! That’s right! Are these the [Severance] and [Penetration] that Father and Mother transformed into after their deaths? Wowowowow! I want to taste them, I want to taste them, Jing! How about I let you savor that blissful feeling from before once more! Except… this time, the main course~ is Father and Mother! Hmm… hmm… hmm… Which one should I start with? Or perhaps you should decide, Jing!”

Devourer suddenly noticed [Severance] slung behind them and [Penetration] now before them. Excitedly, they took both long blades into their hands, looking from left to right with surprised eyes, seemingly indecisive.

“Let’s start with Mother! The power to penetrate all things!!! I’m so excited, so excited! The feeling of becoming one with Mother!” Without waiting for Jing’s response, Devourer, controlling Jing’s body, raised [Penetration] high and then brought it to their mouth.

“Crunch… crunch…”

“What are you doing? Stop it… Those are Father and Mother… No… Stop… Please… Stop now…” Jing, fully conscious, watched in horror as Devourer placed [Penetration], her mother’s legacy, into their mouth. The blade, which should have been indestructible, was devoured like a sausage in Devourer’s mouth, bite by agonizing bite. Jing watched helplessly as [Penetration], symbolizing her mother’s continued presence, gradually vanished, screaming in despair within her mind.

“Crunch… crunch…”

“No… no… Father… Mother… no…” Jing, her mind on the brink of collapse from despair, though unable to control her body, wept blood-red tears due to her intense sorrow. The bloody trails streaked down Jing’s delicate face.

“Father… Mother… Thank you for the meal. It was truly… truly… truly delicious!!! Heh… hahahaha! In this world, I can finally be unrestrained, can’t I, Jing!” Devourer paid no heed to the despairing Jing. Although they noticed the tears flowing down her face, they didn’t care. Instead, after devouring both long blades that represented Jing’s Father and Mother, they spoke with extreme excitement.

“No… Father… Mother… Grandpa Joseph… Grandma Ila… Mr. Hake… No… no…” At this moment, the Jing within Devourer’s mind was like a puppet that had lost its ability to think, merely repeating the same phrase.

“Puhahaha! It seems Jing is so happy she’s lost consciousness! Ah~ ah~ so satisfied, so happy! But I did promise Jing to stop the mage earlier, and it seems someone else has already stopped him… What to do… what to do… How about I just eat everyone? Not just the mage… but everyone here—those who are already dead… and those who aren’t yet… I’ll eat them all! That would surely make Jing even happier!” Listening to Jing’s response within, Devourer covered their mouth, secretly chuckling. Then, they glanced around at the blue-haired girl and the mage-like man who were now looking their way, and tilted their head, muttering to themselves.

Bo Aibiyi watched in despair as his future vanished into Jing’s mouth. Not just his future, but likely his very life would be forfeit… How could this be… how could this be… Why was this woman eating her own blade! She was insane… she was insane… These two lunatics… What should he do… what should he do…? Bo Aibiyi, looking at Jing staring back at him and the girl in front of him, pondered, drenched in sweat.

“Oh my, oh my… What a pity, Mr. Mage… The divine artifact you spoke of was eaten by Little Jing, you know… Hehehe… But Little Jing just said she wants to eat both you and me too… Ah… ah… What does it feel like to be eaten, Mr. Mage~~~” The blue-haired girl squatted down, poking Bo Aibiyi’s stiff, sweating face—he was clearly contemplating an escape route—and asked with a look of longing.

“My Lady… My Lady… This demon is probably insane… She will surely go on a rampage… My Lady, flee… please flee!”

‘This pervert… this lunatic… But… but if these two lunatics fight, then I can sneak away… Yes… yes, that’s what I’ll do!’

Bo Aibiyi suppressed the fear in his heart and forced what he believed to be a harmless expression onto his face, his stiff lips twisting as he spoke to the girl poking his face.

“Pfft… Hey there~~~ Mr. Mage~~~ Has anyone ever told you… hehehe… that your attempts at sowing discord are absolutely terrible? Pfft!” Hearing Bo Aibiyi’s words, the girl’s eyes widened in an expression of disbelief. Then, raising a hand to cover her mouth, she looked as if she was struggling to suppress her laughter.

“Hahaha~ You two don’t need to think about escaping. You’ll both be eaten by me anyway. Hmm… I wonder what the people of this world taste like? I’m so excited, so excited! Hehe!” Devourer’s soft voice suddenly interjected, drawing the gaze of both the girl and Bo Aibiyi towards Jing, who had just finished devouring the long blades.

Jing, smiling towards the girl and Bo Aibiyi, extended her right hand and forcefully plunged it into her own chest, right where her heart lay. Then, as if tearing something out with great effort, a torrent of blood stained Jing’s body, yet her expression remained a sweet smile, revealing two adorable dimples.

Amidst the churning sound of flesh and blood, Bo Aibiyi and the blue-haired girl displayed starkly different reactions. The blue-haired girl watched Jing, who was still tearing at her heart, with an expression of envy, practically drooling. Bo Aibiyi, however, was consumed by despair and terror.

“What is this… What in the world is this…” What Bo Aibiyi saw through Jing’s right hand was a massive, absolute blackness, like a black hole, devouring all matter around it.