Chapter 4
The Love-Starved Monster, The Spring That Knows Love
(Part 1)
Today had started off badly since the early morning.
I could hear the guards shouting from a distance away from my cell.
“HEY!! Get in there faster, you stupid demon!!”
After the shout, I heard a muffled groan and the sound of someone collapsing.
Amidst the sound of a cell door being slammed open roughly, I figured someone else had been brought in.
The guard who had shouted earlier passed by my cell, laughing uproariously as if something was terribly funny.
It was a familiar scene. I no longer felt terror or despair; I felt nothing except a slight heaviness in my mood.
This is a facility built by humans. It’s called the ‘Gran Kokuma Military Base’.
All the inmates here are demons, including me. The guards are all human.
Here, they use demons for various experiments and live combat.
We demons have no human rights. Because we aren’t human… or so the guards say. That’s why they can do anything they want to us.
During roll call, which happens several times a day, we are made to line up near the cell entrances and state our assigned number and name.
“…Number 07, Luki.”
That’s how it goes, with everyone stating their names one after another. Those who resist or stubbornly remain silent because they don’t like it get beaten with batons. It’s a living hell.
Ah, listen, I can hear the dull sound of baton strikes and groans in the distance again. From the sound of the voice, it might be the demon who was just brought in.
After roll call, they explain today’s work details.
My job today is ‘War’.
It seems there’s a terrorist attack by humans happening somewhere else, and we’re supposed to counter it. Probably because demons have higher physical abilities and stamina than humans, we’re often assigned this kind of work.
Frankly, it’s the most dangerous job. At worst, you can lose your life.
But that doesn’t mean the other jobs are safe either. The days when we’re subjected to chemical injections for experiments are also the worst. We usually end up with some kind of physical ailment, and even in that state, the humans tell us to work without any concern.
I’ve been relatively docile, so I haven’t suffered the worst of it,
but I’ve heard that some of the more rebellious demons are used as tools for the humans’ amusement. I don’t know the specifics of what’s done to them, and I don’t want to know…
Led by the guards, I stepped outside for the first time in several days.
It was winter now. Snow had piled up, and when you walked, your ankles sank deep into it.
Given it’s a military base, the surroundings are just steep rocks and cliffs, completely devoid of any other people. Even if we screamed or rioted… even if violence was done to us, no one would come to help. This is, after all, the humans’ country. I doubt anyone would help us.
The outside air, which I hadn’t felt in so long, was clear but still bitterly cold.
We were made to walk without proper equipment. The guards couldn’t care less if our feet got frostbitten.
We had small, bomb-like collars around our necks and handcuffs on our wrists. A chain extending from the cuffs was held firmly by a guard.
If we stay docile, the damage is minimized.
Besides, if we obediently do as we’re told, maybe they’ll take pity on us, right?
Hah… As if that would ever happen.
Several demons, including me, were loaded into a sturdy, armored vehicle and transported somewhere under guard, feeling uneasy.
Some had given up, others were looking for a chance to fight back… their thoughts were varied.
I always just blankly stared out the window, watching the scenery flow by.
I’ve looked out the window many times, but it takes a long while before any buildings other than the detention base come into view. It’s not impossibly far, but escaping while evading the guards’ eyes would require an incredible amount of luck.
“Get out.”
Apparently, we had arrived. I was pulled by the chain and made to get out of the vehicle.
We were made to line up in a set order, roll call was taken again, and detailed instructions were given. It seemed a criminal terrorist group was attacking, and they wanted us demons to intercept them.
We demons are always sent to the front lines.
They say it’s because we have higher physical abilities, but the truth is, they probably just see us as disposable pawns. This time, it seemed some of the opponents had guns. A cold sweat ran down my back as I thought about my terrible luck.
Most skirmishes involve opponents with blades, but you can manage those if you get used to them.
But guns are nothing to trifle with. A demon might not die from a single shot to the shoulder, but depending on where you’re hit, it can be fatal. And we aren’t given any weapons at all.
Our only weapons are the muscles in our arms and our sharply extended claws. That, and maybe finding a sharp rock on-site or something.
When we reached the engagement area, a tense atmosphere hung in the air.
There were no buildings around, just tall trees and rocks lining the area. Between our forces and the terrorists was an open space of about 50 meters with some lower rocks. The trees had probably been deliberately cleared to provide a clear line of sight, making it easy to spot any surprise attacks.
Both sides of our base were surrounded by large walls, so the enemy had to come out into this open space to attack.
Walking boldly into this area was like volunteering to be a perfect target.
It was probably a stalemate where neither side could easily attack.
…I sensed someone hiding behind the rocks on the other side. Staring intently, I thought I caught a glimpse of a gun barrel.
I wondered what they planned to do, when two guards turned to me and said:
“Hey 07, you be the decoy. If you do well, your achievements might be recognized.”
“Yeah, you’re the one. We might just give you what you desire?”
The other guards nearby were also looking at me and grinning.
This is just the worst luck.
It’s not like I have any right to refuse anyway.
If I resist, they’ll either threaten me with their guns or beat me until I can’t move and then throw me in front of the enemy.
“…U-Understood.”
When I said that, the grinning guard removed the handcuffs from my arms.
In the taut, battle-ready air, I concentrated and walked into the open space between our forces and the terrorists.
Around the time I reached the center, I sensed movement from behind a rock.
I instantly leaped sideways, and a man emerged from behind the rock and fired his gun.
A small hole appeared where I had just been standing.
I landed in a roll and managed to hide behind the shadow of a tree at the far end of the open space.
In the meantime, several more shots were fired, grazing my shoulder and arm slightly, but it wasn’t a serious injury. I was saved by the fact that the opponent was an amateur, unfamiliar with handling a gun.
This much is no problem. It hurts, but it doesn’t hinder my movement.
The earlier gunshot seemed to be the signal for battle to commence, as other humans emerged one after another, and a gunfight started.
Naturally, the guards also returned fire with their guns, and the other demons were forcibly pushed forward, just like me.
Peeking from behind the tree, I saw that several demons had already been shot and fallen. Some had probably lost their lives.
The smell of blood filled the area. Humans and demons were so intermingled that it was impossible to tell if the splattering blood and screams belonged to friend or foe. It was painful, but I thought it might be better that I wasn’t over there.
It was agonizing to see my fellow demons collapsing powerless.
Thinking I had to do something quickly, a bullet grazed the hair on my cheek. Looking in the direction the bullet came from, I saw one of the enemies慌乱 (konran -慌乱) disappearing deeper into the woods in a panic.
I won’t let you get away…
I also pursued the opponent while staying hidden.
To avoid being killed, to avenge my comrades.
The fleeing opponent noticed I was chasing him and raised his gun again, but it was too late.
Surrounded by this many obstacles, he couldn’t aim properly. Hiding behind trees, I quickly closed in behind him and slashed his throat with my claws.
Crimson blood gushed out like a fountain, and the opponent died without even having time to scream.
“Waaahhh!! D-damn monster!!”
Perhaps seeing the blood spray and noticing me, another enemy spotted me.
I’m going to get shot.
Just as I thought that, the opponent’s body was sent flying sideways with great force.
Wondering what happened, I looked in the opposite direction from where the human had flown and saw an allied demon who had come this far, beating someone with a club he held.
I recognized him.
He was the demon assigned number 13, the one brought to this military base early this morning. I had unconsciously noted him when we left our cells.
He just kept beating the enemy—the human—with the club.
As if surrendering to rage, he kept hitting them over and over, probably even after the opponent was already dead.
Even as I heard the unpleasant sound of brains and bones breaking, he paid no attention to me calling out to him. It wasn’t because they were terrorists; he was just venting his rage on a human.
Not knowing what to do, I watched his excited, bloodshot demon eyes from a distance. They held a deep hatred for humans.
The smell of blood, the insane scene… this is what my daily life is always like.
Even though it should be a familiar sight, it made my head ache.
After a while, I heard the signal to assemble, as if the suppression was complete.
By then, Number 13 in front of me had stopped beating the opponent. He was breathing heavily, his shoulders heaving, in front of a corpse that was no longer recognizable.
I placed a hand on my fellow demon’s shoulder. Our tired eyes met.
“Let’s go back. They might activate the bomb collar.”
“…Yeah.”
And so, I managed to survive another day.
But there were more casualties than usual.
When we returned to the roll call area, the guards were chatting and laughing, holding beers and salami snacks in their hands.
Even though we had risked our lives on the battlefield, these guys had been here drinking all that time. It’s so disgusting I feel like vomiting.
“Hey 07, that was splendid work earlier. Thanks to you, we ended this with zero casualties. I knew you could do it. My eyes weren’t mistaken.”
The guard who had nominated me as the decoy spoke pompously. Really, he’s so condescending.
His words sounded less like praising me and more like boasting about his own decision to pick me. Not a single millimeter of me felt happy.
At the words “zero casualties,” Number 13, who had returned with me, flared his eyes and tried to step forward, but I held out a hand to stop him.
To these guys, demons dying doesn’t even count as a casualty. My head was boiling with rage. If I could, I’d make them suffer the same fate.
“Here, 07, a victory toast. Drink up.”
Saying that, he offered me a beer mug filled to the brim.
The gazes of the other guards gathered on me.
“…Thank you.”
I had a bad feeling, but I stepped forward and reached out.
Just as my hand was about to touch the mug, the mug was lifted upwards.
And the next moment, all the beer inside was poured over my head from above.
In the silence, the sound of the beer splashing against me echoed loudly.
I had vaguely expected it and closed my eyes, so none got in them, but I was drenched from head to toe. The smell of blood and alcohol mixed together was unbearably unpleasant.
The guards who had poured the beer all looked at me and laughed loudly and vulgarly.
What is so funny about this?
“GAHAHAHA!! Ah, 07, you really have always been a fool with no manners. Normally, one would modestly decline something like this. Really… it’s precisely why you’ll never be loved by anyone.”
Finally, the guard said, ‘Learn something?’ and turned away from me as if to say he’d lost all interest.
If I hadn’t tried to take the mug, he would have gotten angry anyway. You’re the ones with no manners, blaming me for giving you a reason to pour beer on me.
I wiped the beer from my hair with my hand, and not wanting to stay here a moment longer, I quickly returned to the vehicle.
It all started about 15 years ago.
When I was brought here, I was probably only about 3 years old.
It was so long ago I hardly remember those times.
But perhaps it’s seared into my memory as trauma, because I faintly remember being brought here.
I wasn’t originally a strong demon. In fact, I’m probably among the weakest.
The average demon lifespan is 70-80 years, slightly shorter than humans, but mine is considerably shorter than that. That’s how weak I was as a demon.
On top of that, even though demons have higher physical abilities than humans, I was just a young child. There was no way I could match an armed adult human. I was captured easily and thrown in prison. The faces of the guards back then… their condescending, mocking faces, I wish I could forget them.
Pinned to the ground, only able to groan, one of the guards, a particularly pompous one, looked down at me and said:
‘Work here, achieve splendid results. If you do, we will acknowledge you as a friend, as family, and treat you with love.’
Unable to bear the suffering, I decided to believe that.
Yeah, I know, you probably think it’s ridiculous.
I knew the guards’ words were a lie. I knew, but it was the only thing I had to cling to. Back then, I was so young I didn’t even know how to live on my own, and I was starved for affection.
I was desperate.
I wanted to be saved from this painful reality.
For me to survive this reality, where the guards pinned me down and still subject me to cruel experiments and dangerous battles, that was my only option. I had to believe those flimsy words of hope.
If I hadn’t, my heart would have broken. I wouldn’t have found any hope to live on.
So, you know, I think I didn’t spare any effort in my own way.
I did every job they gave me to the best of my ability.
I even learned to read and write. When I asked for study materials, they laughed at me…
I think they did it out of curiosity, like observing a rare animal, or just for fun, but I was lucky they bought them for me. It’s unclear if it’s useful in this life, but the knowledge I gained was substantial, and it was a good diversion. As my knowledge and combat skills improved, I gained just a little bit of confidence, even if it was tiny.
I endured the guards’ unreasonable violence silently. I endured it when they injected me with strange chemicals, causing intense pain and swelling in my arms.
I knew full well that complaining wouldn’t change anything, and that it would just lead to more suffering.
I wanted something warm.
Food, a room, words, affection… anything would do.
In these days of having nothing and receiving nothing, I struggled desperately, clinging to life.
I wanted to be happy.
