Is It Bad That the Main Character’s a Roleplayer?
Chapter 226: This World Is (11)

Is It Bad That the Main Character’s a Roleplayer

Chapter 226 This World Is (11)

> [Deceiver, did you really think just staying there would be enough to take me down?]

Mammon gathered Demonic Energy into their palm as they looked at the lava-covered ground.

> [If you don’t dodge, that’s even better for me.]

Then they fired. Pierced by a concentrated beam of light far hotter than magma, the lava burst apart.

> [Found you.]

Just as expected. Seeing Mephisto emerge entirely unharmed, Mammon waved their hand. The lava that had splashed across the ground suddenly surged upward, like water dripping from the ceiling of a cave in reverse.

Boom! Between the gaps of the remaining lava pillars, lightning came crashing down. Only forty pearls remained. They needed to be used more sparingly now.

Shhk!

But Mephistopheles wasn’t about to just sit back either.

> [As I thought, having more at your disposal really does make things easier.]

Demonic Energy wasn’t everything in a fight, but it could play a significant role in determining victory. And in that regard, Mammon had a clear advantage, which was enough to satisfy them as they manipulated the lava.

A solid rock spear shot out from the towering lava pillars along with a storm of volcanic bombs, forcing Mephisto to consume her Demonic Energy again to defend.

Mephistopheles twisted her lips into a grin.

> [Really? From where I’m standing, you look like some idiot with a fat wallet but such poor investment skills that they can’t even cut their losses, let alone make a profit, so they just burn through their starting capital.]

Her blade, which wasn’t even wrapped in Demonic Energy, changed shape, cleaving through everything. The chaotic yet dynamic slashes tore through everything around her.

For someone who was once mortal, she sure was quite skilled at wielding tools like that.

Mammon had been forcing Mephisto to waste her Demonic Energy, but when they saw her turn around and solve the situation without using any, they snapped their fingers.

Dozens of jagged spikes shot out from the surging lava, aiming for Mephistopheles.

Crack, boom.

In response, she swiftly vaulted off a collapsing building, retracted her blade to a fraction of its former size, and hurled it.

> [Bite.]

Ratel, changing form midflight, charged forward like a black hound and lunged at Mammon’s true body. However, they weren’t about to take that hit.

They shrouded a tower of Demonic Energy in lava to obscure it from view, forming a magic circle within it before sinking their body into the lava.

Snap! Ratel’s fangs clamped shut, chewing on empty air.

> [Now that I think about it, you’re the real guinea pig here.]

> [Do I look that cute to you?]

> [Whether you’re cute is beside the point. How could I possibly mean that? What I’m saying is you’re a coward. Always looking for your next hole to hide in just to survive.]

Just then, a hand suddenly plunged into the lava. The bright red eyes glowing in the goat’s skull glowed with amusement as always.

> [Weak, scared, and stupid Mammon.]

Mammon instantly unleashed spikes, heat, and overwhelming force against the one who’d stuck her hand into the lava. The distance was too little, so they could actually end up dying as well, but a crisis could sometimes become an opportunity.

> [If you think you’re any different, I’ve got some bad news for you, Mephistopheles.]

Whoosh! Spikes rose from the lava, impaling Mephistopheles’s entire body before lava rushed in to bury her.

But this wasn’t over yet. There was no way that Mephisto would go down so easily. Mammon’s instincts were screaming.

They immediately retreated.

Boom!

A circular explosion detonated right at that moment. Around where Mephistopheles had used her body as bait, black flames devoured the lava as if they were burning paper, destroying it.

Fsssshhh.

The crimson wildfire that had bloomed like a flower scattered its embers like falling cherry blossoms, the strewn sparks consuming everything they touched.

> [Well, are you so sure about that?]

Thud! A huge shock instantly rocked Mammon’s entire body. Ratel, which they’d thought had returned to its master’s side, had snuck behind them and stabbed them right in the heart.

Cunning bastard. Mammon clicked their tongue. She’d taken advantage of their lack of combat experience. Grab. Mephisto, whose entire body was riddled with holes and even had some chunks torn away, grabbed hold of Ratel.

Ratel was still buried in Mammon’s core.

This was dangerous.

Mammon immediately ran away at that moment. They judged they had no alternative to save their life otherwise.

Shhk!

And for an instant, the world went pure white. All that remained was a fan-shaped crater and a still-standing Mephistopheles, looking half-dead herself.

> [See? It’s always you who runs away, Mammon.]

But even in that state, Mephisto spoke with ease. It was worth any pain.

Her very essence was Wrath, and the power she wielded was flames. And flames… they could always grow again so long as there was even a single spark and some fuel to burn.

Most Demons had regenerative abilities close to immortality, but Mephistopheles’s essence gave her an incomparable speed and scale of recovery.

Sometimes, it felt like what she mocked and deceived wasn’t other Demons but death itself.

> [Coward.]

Craaaack.

With a whisper, Mephisto leisurely reconstructed her missing left cheek and right hand. Meanwhile, Mammon, who’d barely managed to free themselves by abandoning their arm, clenched their remaining fist.

> […Yeah. It can’t be helped. I’m not used to fighting like you are, right?]

But they almost immediately relaxed it.

> [So I just have to fight like this. What else can I do? I can’t just sit there and take it.]

The towers standing in the distance melted away, funneling energy into them. The drained Demonic Energy surged back into their body.

> [Isn’t that right?]

It was the only moment Mammon had any room to breathe.

Mephisto, who felt it as well, narrowed her eyes.

Her reaction was only natural. After all, the opponent she’d been fighting for quite some time had suddenly replenished their Demonic Energy out of nowhere.

> [A sacrifice.]

What was done was done. Instead of getting irritated by the change in momentum, Mephisto began calmly analyzing the situation.

There were a few possible explanations, but one was most likely. “Offering a sacrifice.”

> [What’s wrong? Are you jealous?]

> [Hah.]

When did they offer a sacrifice… Well, considering the battlefield was full of their Demonic Energy, hiding it wouldn’t have been too difficult.

However, the problem lay ahead.

While Mammon had restored their Demonic Energy, Mephistopheles was running regrettably low.

At this rate, even she couldn’t hold out for much longer.

She needed a plan.

* * *

* * *

> [If you want, you can do it too. Not that I’ll just sit back and let you, though.]

Should she also offer a sacrifice? But what was there even to sacrifice?

Most materials that made up the world were so common that they held absolutely no value as offerings. Even if she sacrificed something like that, the Demonic Energy spent in the process would far outweigh the power she’d gain in return.

> [Tsk, I might as well just pass on the title of Master of Deception and Trickery to you.]

> [Oh, are you offering? I’d gladly accept.]

Some materials, like gold or jewels, had a universally recognized value, and offering them would guarantee a worthy return…

But would Mammon have really left any gold in this city? Enough gold to turn the tide of this battle?

Not a chance in hell.

Mephisto quickly gave up on using gold or silver treasures as sacrifices.

> [I wouldn’t mind giving it to you… if you’re willing to pay the right price.]

> [Haha, of course. Shattering your vessel should be a fair enough price, don’t you think?]

However, offering sacrifices was indeed the easiest route…

Mephistopheles’s crimson eyes flashed even brighter.

‘Should I offer up that snake?’

Her gaze shifted to the sea, where the turtle lay motionless. The serpent that had been hiding inside its shell was rampaging across the shoreline, destroying everything in search of what had been stolen.

Beheading it alone would take some time, though.

‘Should I sacrifice the mortals instead?’

Next, her gaze wandered toward the far end of the city, where thousands of mortals had gathered after evacuating. They were as disgusting as cockroaches, yet so appealing.

Offering living beings was far more complex than sacrificing objects… So accomplishing that now without any prior preparations while fighting Mammon would be rather troublesome…

If she succeeded, the power she’d gain would be worth it. It might be even better than that serpent, which would definitely put up a fight.

She didn’t even need that much Demonic Energy to finish off Mammon, after all.

> […Wait, weren’t you supposed to be on the mortals’ side?]

However, when her gaze fell on where the mortals were, Mammon grew quite flustered.

Of course, they knew sacrificing mortals was quite effective, but after witnessing Mephisto save the Hero, they never thought this bastard would consider it.

> [Well, that’s a rather unpleasant misunderstanding. Why would I be on the side of mortals?]

> [Then why are you even fighting me??]

> [Because you pissed me off.]

…This lunatic. This actual lunatic!

Mammon finally understood why Mephistopheles denied having committed any betrayal.

That bastard hadn’t sided with God or grown merciful toward mortals.

She was just living as she pleased, like she did in Hell. Exactly as the rights which Satan had granted her allowed!

So, of course, this couldn’t be deemed a betrayal!

> [You’re seriously…!]

It was utterly ridiculous, but fine. Whether it was betrayal or just her trying to kill them after they’d pissed her off, the result was the same.

Honestly, though, this was actually a relief. Well, it did make a lot more sense for Mephistopheles to try and kill them because they’d pissed her off than fighting for the sake of some mere mortals.

> [Die, die already!]

Anyway, Mammon gathered their strength.

Their target was the mortals they’d neglected, having seen them as nothing but insignificant pests. If there was even the slightest chance Mephistopheles decided to consume them to restore her power, they naturally needed to be wiped out first.

Lava began surging forth, crashing toward the fleeing mortals like a tidal wave.

「Are you going to break your promise?」

Meanwhile, Mephistopheles found herself dealing with an entirely different kind of annoyance. Right after her conversation with Mammon, something that had been quietly waiting finally tightened its grip around her throat, bringing up that promise.

‘Didn’t I keep my end of the deal after saving those four mortals?’

「You tried to sacrifice civilians! And now you’re actively endangering them!」

‘As long as the ones I promised to save don’t die, what’s the problem?’

Red hair, green hair, two-toned hair, platinum hair. All of them were alive.

As for anyone else who’d die, oh well. They should have sufficient strength to escape that oncoming wave of lava, so how would it be her fault if they ended up burning to death anyway?

Just why would it be her fault? Why?! She’d already paid the price. She’d submitted to being a hunting dog, all because her contractor couldn’t bear to see Gretchen suffer.

And yet, why was it still her fault?!

Frustration turned into rage, and that rage became fuel, feeding her flames and making them burn even more fiercely.

Mammon, who’d left themself wide open, was torn through by Mephisto’s flames.

「…You were the one lecturing me about letting innocent people die!」

Even at that moment, her contractor’s furious voice rang inside her head. How utterly ridiculous.

‘You actually believed that, kid?’

There’s nothing more foolish than expecting loyalty from a Demon, even more so when said Demon was once called the Master of Deception.

「…You!」

‘Don’t annoy me. You already knew, didn’t you? There’s no way I’d actually care about mortals.’

If it meant seizing back control from Gretchen, she’d say whatever lie that person wanted to hear.

It wasn’t like they were bound by a proper contract. If she could take everything just by saying some nice words, why wouldn’t she?

Once she won, she could ignore every empty promise and meaningless word she’d said!

So whether it was Gretchen or her contractor, if playing along was the most efficient way to get what she wanted, then so be it.

That’s how it’d always been until now.

「…Of course, I should’ve known.」

As if he was shedding even the last pretense of shame, her contractor’s voice was brimming with disgust. Not that she cared. She’d never respected her contractor either, after all.

「But you’re not going to do as you please.」

But at times like this, they were really infuriating. Mephisto’s brows furrowed in frustration. Every single moment like that further fueled the flames of her growing rage.

Boom! An explosion occurred as she clashed with Mammon once more.

「Keep your promise.」

‘I kept it!’

「Keep it. Unless you want to die.」

Damn it! Why the hell should she protect those pathetic mortals?! They were the most worthless, meaningless, and useless of all existences, so why should she have to save them?!

‘What do you think will change if I protect them?!’

Even if she used them as offerings, what difference would it make? The amount of power she’d have to use to protect those things and the amount she’d gain by offering them as sacrifices—while breaking through Mammon’s interference—amounted to the same thing.

Either way, there was no gain! Nothing for her to take!

So why should she move? If they were too weak to survive, why the hell should she make any sacrifices to protect them?!

「Protect them.」

However, she had no choice. Between forced actions or facing death, it was obvious which Mephistopheles would choose.

‘Fine. For argument’s sake, let’s say I agree.’

Survival. If she had to lower herself to live, so be it.

‘How do you expect me to protect them? You don’t seriously think sheer stubbornness will do the trick, right?’

But she wouldn’t take this lying down.

After all, just killing Mammon already required every sacrifice she could afford, and now that guy was expecting her to keep an entire mass of humans alive on top of that.

‘Let’s compromise, kid. If you force me into a one-sided agreement, I’ll be very upset.’

No matter how crucial survival was, lowering herself too much would only lead to her being taken advantage of. Mephisto knew that well, so she swallowed her anger and mocked the other party instead.

The contractor remained silent for a moment. Boom! Meanwhile, yet another explosion erupted between her and Mammon.

「…If it’s a sacrifice you need, there’s already one prepared.」

‘Hah, and where the hell would I find that sacrifi—’

At first, Mephisto thought the kid was joking with her, but she then froze as her thoughts moved further.

There was a sacrifice. There definitely was.

「Don’t use it all.」

It hadn’t been prepared for a time like this, but for Gretchen… Regardless, there was one thing she could use.

Haha, hahahahaha! Mephisto’s lips rose, spreading into a grin.

> [Mortals are truly foolish.]

> […?]

But she didn’t laugh too much. After all, a foolish contractor only increased her profit.

> [Not a single person will ever recognize your devotion or sacrifice.]

> [What are you going on about…?]

Mephistopheles collided with Mammon once more, using the momentum to retreat further away.

Mammon was quite wary of this change. Until now, she’d always tried to close the distance between them.

> [What? Are you planning on sacrificing the mortals?]

> [No. Ah, actually, maybe that’s not entirely wrong?]

Mammon never once believed Mephistopheles’s denial. If she wasn’t trying to protect the mortals, she wouldn’t have willingly put herself at risk by standing in front of that lava wave.

> [Go on, Mephistopheles.]

However, Mammon didn’t try to stop her. Even if she burned away all the lava, the amount of Demonic Energy consumed would be astronomical, even for her.

She might not even succeed in burning it all and have wasted her entire Demonic Energy reserve for nothing.

> [I’ll enjoy watching your little tantrum.]

And even if she did somehow manage to burn everything, what then? To offer living beings as sacrifices, you needed to bind their souls, preserve their bodies, and ensure their essence remained intact.

It wouldn’t be difficult for her to carve the ritual circle with fire, but… there’s no way Mammon would just let that happen.

In the end, she would burn through all her Demonic Energy and still fail to secure proper sacrifices, which would just benefit them.

So, remaining cautious of her seemingly nebulous intentions, Mammon somewhat leisurely watched her actions. Or rather, they would have, if not for the words Mephisto spoke next.

> [O ancient magic.]

> […?!]

Mammon’s eyes snapped wide open.

> [O absolute law.]

> [You…!]

She was using that magic without a sacrifice? No, she hadn’t even prepared a magic circle before that!

How?

> [O balance of the cosmos.]

Mammon rushed forward instantly, all amusement having vanished from their face. Their instincts, which had kept them alive for so long, screamed for them to move even faster.

> [A fitting price.]

But she had been too quick. It required several steps to offer a sacrifice, but Mephisto had skipped them all.

As if she’d already prepared everything in advance, as if she was simply reusing something she’d used before, as if she was merely fulfilling an old contract!

Wait, reusing? An old contract?

Mammon’s mind raced without them even realizing it, but it was too late; the ancient laws had answered.

Power bloomed in Mephistopheles’s palm, drawn forth in exchange for a portion of the being with a thousand hands.

Ratel. A blade of black and white was swung, bringing calm to this chaotic world.

And amid that calm, a fire that could never be extinguished, fueled by the very fabric of existence, was unleashed upon the world.

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