hapter Fifteen
"The meeting is over."
As soon as Muzan uttered those words, I felt a heavy weight crash over my body—
And in the blink of an eye, I found myself somewhere else.
"Damn it..."
I couldn't help but curse.
It had only been a single day, and I had already thrown myself into a mountain of problems.
A scowl formed on my face.
"Why did a Upper Moon request a duel? Wouldn't it have made more sense to face the Fourth Moon instead?"
I couldn't stop thinking—
But what did it matter now? I was already in the mess.
[ALERT]
[New Quest: Devour Upper Moon Five]
Right away, the system screen flickered to life before me:
[Main Quest Activated]
↳ Title: "Devour Upper Moon Five"
Type: Compulsory
Rank: SSS
Status: Active
Time Limit: 5 days
Success Rate: 52%
Survival Rate: Not Determinable
Completion Condition: Kill and fully devour Upper Moon Five
Reward:
• Permanent increase to all stats by one-third
• First-Generation Elixir – "Sunproof Body"
Accept Mission: Yes/No
∆Reward: Increase all stats by one-third + Elixir∆
"Elixir?" I couldn't help but frown.
Why the hell would I need an elixir?
Would drinking it instantly restore all my HP? Or was it something else?
"Can I know what this elixir actually does?"
[A full genetic extraction will occur.]
"What?"
I couldn't even begin to understand what the system meant.
"Can you explain that more simply?"
[You will become immune to sunlight.]
"....."
My mouth hung wide open, frozen in disbelief.
Did the system just say… immune to sunlight?
Wasn't that the very thing Muzan had been chasing his entire life?
"No, I don't want to…"
Some might call me stupid, but no one understands the level of power Muzan has reached.
Why should I sacrifice myself and become prey just for this elixir?
And as for giving it to Muzan—
I'm not that stupid.
[Warning: Refusing the quest will result in two phases of punishment.]
[Are you sure you want to decline?]
"Yes."
The moment the word "yes" left my lips… I regretted it.
Suddenly.
It felt like a thousand lightning spikes pierced me all at once.
"AAAAAAAH!!"
I couldn't stop myself from screaming—
My body curled in on itself, crashing to the ground as if every bone had been shattered.
Pain… pain beyond description.
The electricity wasn't just flashes—
It was a river of fire flooding my veins, tearing through every cell, branding every nerve, and erasing every ounce of thought.
I felt like my skin was being peeled off.
My organs twisted.
And my bones… were slowly crumbling from within.
My tongue froze.
My vision blurred.
My breath came in ragged bursts, as if I were drowning in smoke and ash.
I couldn't feel my limbs anymore.
[...Executing Punishment: Phase One in Progress...]
The seconds dragged like centuries.
Every moment was a slap from hell itself,
And with every heartbeat of pain, I thought— I'm going to die.
But even thinking that was a joke.
The current running through my brain forced my body to remain conscious—to feel every moment.
"AaaaAAAHHH!!"
I screamed until my throat went raw.
My voice cracked and my lungs felt like they'd burst.
Then suddenly—
It stopped.
Just like that.
The pain vanished as quickly as it came.
But I stayed collapsed on the floor, gasping like someone who just escaped death itself.
[Phase One of Punishment Completed.]
[Temporary Neural Damage: 12% – Will Recover in 47 Minutes.]
I flinched—
My heart thudded wildly.
"What the hell… was that?"
My hands trembled.
My back was soaked in sweat, as if I'd been thrown into a pool.
"You mean... that was only 12% of the first punishment!?"
I said it out loud—my voice shaking.
"Can I still accept the mission…?"
[Yes, but you must endure 20% of the first punishment.]
"Why…? I already agreed!"
I protested.
[The system showed mercy this time. Normally, you would be required to endure the entire first punishment before changing your decision.]
"...So you're telling me I was supposed to go through that full pain anyway?"
"Ahh…"
The moment I sighed—
It returned.
Stronger. Crueler. More savage.
"AAAAAHHHHH!!!"
The scream tore from the depths of my soul—
My body shook violently, like every organ had stopped working.
This time wasn't like before—
It was deliberate torture. Slow. Vile.
My skin felt like it was being ripped off.
My bones shattered.
My heart stopped—
Then restarted—only to suffer again.
I coughed up blood.
Even the air in my lungs felt like molten fire.
The air was heavy.
[Punishment: Phase One – 18% Complete…]
"How much… longer…?!!"
I whispered, barely able to lift my hands from the floor.
And finally…
[Phase One of Punishment Completed]
[Body Stabilization in 33 Minutes]
The pain ended. Just like that.
I couldn't believe I was still alive.
And then—
A large screen appeared before my eyes:
[Final Decision Recorded]
[Mission Acceptance Confirmed]
[Main Quest Activated]
↳ Title: "Devour Upper Moon Five"
Type: Compulsory
Rank: SSS
Status: Active
Time Limit: 5 Days
Success Rate: 52%
Survival Rate: Not Determinable
Completion Condition: Kill and fully devour Upper Moon Five
Reward:
• Permanent increase to all stats by one-third
• First-Generation Elixir – "Sunproof Body"
• Cancellation of Phase Two of Punishment
[Warning: Cancelling the mission now will result in instant erasure of physical identity]
[Mission can no longer be declined]
End of chapter