The Girl Wants to Be Murdered

TL/Editor: Butter Cat

Status: 4/week mon-thurs

Illustrations: none

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〈 Chapter 44 〉 Chapter 44. Khanun. (TL Note: Khanun is a typhoon that hit Korea)

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Shatter.

Sharp shards seemed to be churning within my chest, transforming into fast-flying arrows and thorns that wouldn't dislodge, tearing my heart to shreds.

It hurts.

It hurts so, so much.

The price of betrayal was as heavy as the trust I had given, as agonizing as the amount of blood the child had shed.

I forced myself to swallow the urge to let loose everything right now.

Because I had a debt to collect from them.

I couldn't let them die, easily, not like this.

"St-Stay back! What is this…!! Guaaaaaaaah—!!!!"

"—Did you think you could escape?"

A man, clutching a blood-stained stick, swung it wildly as he ran alone towards the village.

His comical screams and frantic movements, as if terrified of the countless eyes watching him, was like that of a clown.

And on the clown's stick, a dark, sticky bloodstain was clearly visible.

Blood.

The blood, flowing from the child's head.

I see.

So you were the one who struck the child with that stick?

You, bastard.

That thing.

"—Devour him."

Of course, the familiars waiting nearby wouldn't miss that, and the rude human was quickly swallowed by a pack of crows, wolves, and hyenas.

Peck and tear him apart, for as long as possible.

Rip out his filthy heart.

Devour him completely, without leaving a single trace of his body, not even enough to be buried, so that he can't even go to the heaven they speak of.

Ah.

And that mouth, that throat, making those unpleasant noises, destroy that first.

"—You’ll wake the child."

"....Grrrr."

Crack, crunch, rip.

The screams that had echoed through the forest were quickly silenced at my command.

Only the faint sound of bubbling liquid and the quiet munching of animals could be heard if you listened closely.

The humans, terrified by the sight, either collapsed to the ground in despair or frantically tried to escape, their fear overwhelming them.

I gently covered the child's precious ears with both hands, worried that she would wake up at the sound.

Don't listen.

They are the words of trash, of humans, not worth listening to.

Leave this to me, and please, sleep well.

The filthy being, unworthy of even being treated as a living creature, finally ended its life, staining a small part of the soil red with its blood.

It was a repulsive and disgusting creature, whose final moments were just as unpleasant, I never wanted to see it again.

"—Ru-Run!!"

"Witch… The witch, she called for her companions—!!"

Taking advantage of the distraction caused by the man, as the crows' attention was focused on him, a few humans started running in the opposite direction.

Honestly.

If only they had stayed put, they could have prolonged their lives, even if just a little.

Is it because their lifespans are so short, or are they just stupid.

Humans often forget the past.

Unaware that it would lead them to their deaths.

Waving their torches, they desperately hoped that the animals charging towards them were just ordinary beasts afraid of fire.

But their wishes wouldn't come true.

"—N-No way!!"

"Tch… Farewell, Huytein!"

Realizing it was useless, they started tripping their comrades, using them as bait, and running in different directions.

But not to be outdone, the man who had been tripped grabbed the pants of the man who was trying to abandon him and clung on.

A leech, desperately clinging on, and a man, desperately trying to shake him off.

I could feel disgust emanating from the familiars.

Give the order, quickly.

They didn't want to see that repulsive creature alive any longer.

It was a truly pathetic sight, making me wonder if that thing was even the same 'human' as Alice.

Disgusting.

"—Demi, you bastard!? I... I… Iiiiik!!"

"Damn it, stop clinging to me!! Get off!!"

"Hehehe….! You’re not going, alone, you son of a bitch!!!!"

The fight between the two beasts, who had abandoned their humanity, ended when they were devoured by crows that swooped down from the sky.

Watching them, spewing hatred at each other even as they were being torn apart, I couldn't help but question my own decision.

They say that a bird's song is mournful when it dies, and a human's words are beautiful when they die.

But their words, clearly those of humans, were nothing but unpleasant.

"Ha..... Haha…!!"

I just hate them.

To think that I had entrusted the child to these things.

My face, as I held Alice in my arms, contorted uncontrollably.

I saw the humans who had been watching from afar screamed and backed away as our eyes met briefly.

"........."

"........."

Meanwhile.

There was one being who’s bound with ropes, staring at me with a gaze filled not with fear, but with complex emotions. But I ignored it, it was none of my business.

A brief moment of curiosity, but that was all.

".........."

In the past.

It was an embarrassing memory now, but there was a time when I had monopolized the child, keeping her in a life that was no different from confinement.

Back then, I was a fool who thought that the child would be happy with delicious meals, beautiful songs, and a clean living environment.

But no matter how large the cage, if a bird couldn't spread its wings and fly, it would only grow weaker.

No matter how interesting the books I read to her, no matter how beautiful the flowers I offered, no matter how dazzling the gems I showed her, the bird's song grew more mournful with each passing day.

Because Alice was a child who craved affection.

And I was a monster, a creature through and through who couldn't understand the human heart.

So, I thought long and hard.

What should I do?

What could I do, for the child?

A problem I tried to solve, staying up all night.

But shamefully, my abilities were lacking, and I couldn't find the answer.

And so time passed, and the day came when dew formed on the leaves and frost began to fall.

After much deliberation, I allowed Alice to venture outside the mountain.

Because humans should live, interacting with other humans.

I hoped that she would find someone who could soothe her loneliness.

I was skeptical, but I was surprised to see that she met a girl with black hair on the first day and became close friends with her the next.

But knowing that it was a miracle brought about by the child's pure heart and kindness, I had no time to feel jealous, and instead, I praised her courageous act.

Alice, was gradually regaining her energy after making a friend.

I enjoyed watching her chatter excitedly by the fireplace, recounting the day's interesting events.

I went hunting to suppress my urges, firmly believing that the crow I had placed by her side would be able to handle any situation.

I was content.

I was complacent.

And that, was the problem.

"Y…You are...."

"—I have no interest in conversing with a corpse."

An old man with a long beard tried to speak to me, but I wasn't in the mood for conversation.

Isn't conversation an exchange between intelligent beings?

To me, they were nothing more than that.

In the end, they would just use that grandiose word, 'negotiation', or 'apology', and resort to the same old tricks humans were so proud of, their pathetic attempts to preserve their own lives.

I had no reason, not a single one, not even a shred, to spare their lives.

Slowly, little by little.

I licked the child's blood-covered face, careful not to irritate her wounds.

With every lick, thick, dark red blood coated my tongue.

Alice's blood, sadly, was incredibly bitter.

Beneath the blood, the long, gaping wound slowly revealed itself.

Sharp wooden splinters and pieces of rock were embedded deep in the child's skin, which had always been so white and soft, I couldn't even imagine the pain she must have endured.

And beneath the gruesome wound that I wanted to look away from, countless blue bruises covered her body.

"....Ah.... Aaah...."

"—It's me, Alice."

Was it because she had been exposed to the malice of humans?

Or was it, the pain of being deceived and betrayed?

Even though the pain is no longer there, the child was trembling, as if in deep pain from something.

I gently stroked her back, careful not to irritate her wounds, and whispered into Alice's ear. I saw her eyes, still unfocused, flutter open with effort.

Her mouth opened slightly.

"Uh…Uh…Big…Sis…?"

"….Yes, it’s Saelli. I’m sorry I’m late."

"Hee… Heehee… Heehee… Keh…"

".....I’m so sorry."

Alice, realizing I had arrived upon hearing my voice, smiled brightly, as if oblivious to her own critical condition, coughing up blood.

Her smile was so beautiful that I forgot to even wipe away the blood trickling from her lips.

That sight, beautiful enough to be called a work of art, was incredibly painful for me.

Because it was so dazzlingly beautiful.

No anger towards being deceived and dragged here, for trying to kill her mercilessly.

No sense of betrayal towards those who, despite being human, had accused her of being a witch, based on mere assumptions.

Not a single negative emotion, nothing.

But to me, it looked like she was forcibly suppressing her pain and sadness, piling it up inside.

Like she couldn't even express her anger properly, afraid of hurting others.

"—Kill them all."

So, it was inevitable that a cold command escaped my lips.

I had initially planned to punish them for their sins, to instill the fear of death by devouring those who tried to save themselves by abandoning others, but now, none of that mattered.

I raised my hand high towards the sky.

As if in response, countless red eyes appeared in the dark, cloudy sky that had been like pitch-black storm clouds.

Because I just wanted to quickly end this disgusting situation, to get rid of these humans.

But—

"Ah…N…No…"

"........"

"Pl….Please…don't…!"

But, I couldn't bring myself to lower my hand.

A small hand, reached up and softly wrapped around the hand I had raised.

I couldn't resist that hand, a hand that would crumble if I applied even the slightest force.

"I.....Because of me.....I don't want....people to die...!!"

"........."

I—

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