I Became the Mastermind Who Betrays the Heroines

[Translator - Peptobismol]

[Proofreader - Demon God]

Chapter 6 - The Fox (2)

“Haha~ Why are you acting like this? I’m just here to help you all leave peacefully!”

=I came to save you. I’ll keep you safe in a secure place.

I spoke kindly.

“Don’t worry. It won’t hurt.”

=There’s really nothing to be afraid of.

I smiled softly, gesturing for them to come closer.

But despite my warm invitation, the foxes showed no sign of approaching.

They seemed too frightened.

Clang...!

Irene finally dropped the rusty sword she had been holding.

Though she looked like she was desperately trying to hold on, her legs eventually gave out, and she collapsed to the ground.

“S-Sis...!”

“Sniff... Irene, big sister...!”

The young foxes, who appeared to be no older than elementary school children, began to tear up in panic.

They trembled in fear, hiding behind Irene’s back, unable to comprehend the terrifying situation.

“Hmm, did I put too much pressure on them?”

I tilted my head as if I couldn’t quite understand their reaction.

'Well... even though I actually do understand.'

As I mentioned before, everything happening in this space is within my control.

The entire situation was designed by me, from beginning to end.

In other words, this is all part of the performance.

I appeared like a hidden mastermind, blocking the foxes’ escape at the last moment and intentionally revealing a hint of killing intent to build tension.

I even threw in a few ominous lines to amplify their unease.

'It’s only natural for them to be trembling in fear.'

Right now, the foxes must see me as a hunter—the most dangerous predator who could slaughter everyone here with a mere gesture.

“Hehe.”

I chuckled in amusement.

It’s been a while since I stirred things up like this, and the thrill felt even more intense than usual.

My smile twisted unnaturally, making the already sinister grin even more wicked—an impeccable portrayal of a cunning, narrow-eyed villain.

“......”

Irene, still on her knees, stared at me.

Her transparent eyes were trembling uncontrollably.

Perhaps my acting was too convincing—she seemed to have completely fallen for it.

'I really do feel like I’ve become an actual villain.'

That thought crossed my mind briefly, but I quickly brushed it aside.

How could I be anything but kind and considerate?

Even in orchestrating this scene, there was a deeper reason behind it.

Ding!

[Current lie output remaining: 21.5%]

I had used up too much of my Lies.

The energy I had left wasn’t enough to guarantee a safe return.

If I were alone, it would’ve been manageable, but with a group of foxes to escort, it wasn’t so simple.

In short, I needed to recharge my lies.

And to do that, I decided to use these foxes.

“Mercy is a luxury for slaves who’ve already caused trouble.”

Judas’s unique ability, Liar.

The more perfect the lie, and the more it stirs the emotions of those who hear it, the more effectively it recharges.

I manipulate the hearts of others.

The fear of death—one of the strongest emotions that bind living beings.

Moments ago, these foxes were joyful with hope for escape.

Now, they stand at the brink of death. The shift in their emotions is...

Ding!

[The target’s emotions have dramatically fluctuated.]

(Hope → Despair)

[Due to the drastic emotional change, a large amount of lies has been restored.]

[Current lie output remaining: 47.4%]

The energy quickly replenished, surging back almost instantly.

Normally, it would take me all day of muttering trivial lies to fill that gap.

'...This method really is effective, though.'

I did feel a bit guilty about making these children cry, but I silently asked for their forgiveness.

After all, this is part of saving you.

I trust they’ll understand.

“How pathetic.”

I murmured coldly, the smile fading from my lips.

Clap!

I clapped my hands.

Immediately, all the torches illuminating the corridor extinguished at once, plunging the world into deep darkness.

Swirling shadows gathered around me as I spoke.

“Trash that doesn’t know its place... will be disposed of right here.”

I released a bit more of my suppressed killing intent.

The sharp tension hung in the air like frost, and the suffocating darkness pressed down on everything around it.

The children couldn’t hold back anymore—they began to sob and wail.

Ding!

[The target’s emotions have dramatically fluctuated.]

(Hope → Despair)

[Due to the drastic emotional change, a large amount of lies has been restored.]

[Current lie output remaining: 54.9%]

The lies were recharging smoothly.

At this rate, it would take about five more minutes.

Just as I was calculating the remaining time, I noticed the girl with auburn hair.

“......”

Irene sat frozen in place, her expression vacant.

Had the overwhelming fear caused her to lose her mind?

Despite the chaos around her, she remained hunched over, not moving an inch.

'Did she give up?'

If so, that was disappointing.

The "Fox" I remember from the original game wouldn’t crumble this easily.

Maybe it’s because she hasn’t awakened yet.

The stubborn Sword Saint I was looking forward to wasn’t here.

It was a bit of a letdown.

I was hoping for more entertainment, but she looked utterly pitiful.

“Hm.”

Well, I might as well move on.

Still, since I’ve come this far, I should at least help out.

As long as the world follows the original storyline, her awakening will happen eventually.

“I guess I’ll settle for this, even if it’s not what I hoped for...”

“Everyone.”

Just as I was about to sigh and move on, a soft voice cut through the air.

“Listen carefully to what I’m about to say.”

Her voice was trembling from exhaustion, yet the words that followed were anything but weak.

“Don’t look back. Just run.”

Clang.

She picked up the rusty sword she had dropped earlier.

Her shoulders quivered as if they might give out at any moment, yet even in the face of despair, she used the sword to push herself back onto her feet.

“I’ll hold them off here.”

Her dark eyes gleamed fiercely as she glared in my direction, her gaze sharp with determination.

“Oh?”

A genuine exclamation escaped me.

I felt my waning interest reignite as I grinned widely.

'Yes, that’s more like it.'

I almost gave up on you.

A thrill of excitement tingled at my fingertips.

I spread my lies throughout the darkness, letting out a cheerful laugh.

“Hahaha! What an arrogant delusion!”

“Run, all of you!”

At her fierce cry, the children bolted.

I briefly glanced at the fleeing cubs but quickly refocused on what was ahead.

The future Sword Saint, Irene.

She charged toward me, her auburn hair streaming behind her.

Dropping my playful demeanor, I snapped my fingers in the murky shadows.

“Well then~ let’s have a little fun.”

Snap!

The world flipped upside down.

***

The long tunnel stretched out like a dark corridor.

Only thick darkness remained.

The torches that once lit the way had all been extinguished, leaving nothing but primordial blackness seeping into every corner.

The atmosphere was eerie and foreboding.

Swish!

A sharp noise sliced through the stillness.

In the pitch-black space, only two figures clashed in violent motion.

“Hah, hah...!”

Irene’s breath came out ragged as she swung her sword with all her might.

Clang!

Her blade was met with a powerful block.

The one stopping it was a golden-haired boy, using nothing but his bare hand.

“Is this the best you can do?”

He wore a delighted smile, his expression full of ease.

In stark contrast to the battered girl, he looked completely relaxed, as if everything was just a game to him.

'Damn it...!'

Is this guy really human?

He’s blocking my full-strength sword strikes with just two fingers.

'Are his fingers made of steel or something...?'

Irene cursed under her breath and readjusted her stance before kicking off the ground again.

Clang! Clang!! Screech...! Boom!!

The clash of metal echoed fiercely.

Each time her blade collided with his fingers, sparks flew, briefly illuminating the darkness with bursts of light.

“Urgh...!”

“You might want to try a bit harder. You’re starting to fall behind.”

“Shut... up...!”

Her enraged shout burst out.

Irene widened her eyes and pushed back against his fingers, following up with a quick strike.

Whoosh!

Her sword slashed horizontally—a surprise attack aimed at a weak spot.

Irene was sure she’d succeeded.

The angle, the distance, the timing—it was flawless. He couldn’t possibly block it.

'Got him...!'

But—

“Oh dear.”

Clang!

He blocked it effortlessly.

Once again, with just his index and middle fingers.

The boy deflected Irene’s blade as if it were nothing.

“...Ha.”

How can someone be this monstrous?

A dry laugh escaped her lips.

But there was no time for idle thoughts.

The boy’s fist was already rushing toward her.

Irene quickly brought her sword up to block.

The next moment—

Boom!

His punch slammed into her blade, sending a heavy shock through her body.

“Guh...!”

Despite her defensive stance, she was sent flying back.

Her fingertips tingled with numbness, her legs threatening to give out.

She barely managed to stay upright as the boy approached her.

Click, clack.

His footsteps echoed ominously.

Facing those terrifying steps, Irene bit her lip.

“Already worn out? I was just starting to get into it.”

Tap.

He took a light step.

It was just one step, but the boy was suddenly right in front of her, as if he had teleported.

“Ta-da.”

“You bastard...!”

She tried to react, but it was too late.

His fist was already buried in her stomach.

Bam!

A solid blow struck her, sending her flying again.

Her body hit the ground hard, rolling across the floor.

Irene lay there, groaning in pain.

“Ugh... Hah, ha...”

Her consciousness began to fade.

She desperately tried to stay awake, while the boy, as if mocking her, murmured in surprise.

“Oh? Did that really hurt that much? I thought I was holding back...”

“...”

Irene lowered her head silently.

Her body wouldn’t move anymore.

Just one hit, and it felt like her insides were torn apart.

'Is this where I die?'

The fox felt death closing in.

If she’d known it would end like this, she would’ve just let herself be sold as a slave.

A bitter regret washed over her.

The boy was toying with her.

If he wanted to, he could kill her with a mere flick of his finger.

'How pointless.'

It felt like her entire life had been denied.

Her honed skills couldn’t reach him.

She couldn’t even keep up with his movements.

The despair left her feeling drained, her shoulders heavy.

It hurt. It was terrifying. It was sad. It was lonely.

But more than any of those emotions, what filled her mind first was...

'I hope they managed to escape.'

A thought for others.

She had bought plenty of time. That was her only comfort.

The fox let out a faint smile.

She didn’t want to die.

Death was terrifying.

But what scared her more was becoming pitiful.

She quietly lifted her head.

“I suppose we should stop here. I wouldn’t want any of the main characters getting hurt.”

“...”

The golden-haired snake—or rather, the monster—stared at her with a shamelessly concerned expression.

She wanted to wipe that smug look off his face.

If the children needed more time to escape this hellish auction house, she had to keep fighting.

It was a path she walked solely out of conviction.

Even if it meant burning through her last breath.

“Hey... snake bastard.”

Irene forced her battered body to stand.

Though she wobbled unsteadily, she pointed her sword at him and muttered.

“Let’s finish this.”

In that instant—

A faint light gleamed from her rusty blade.

A dim glow spread through the darkness.

It was so faint that even Irene herself didn’t notice it, but the snake didn’t miss that glimmer.

He muttered under his breath.

“...Could it be?”

His curiosity turned into excitement.

“This is getting interesting.”

His eyes narrowed gleefully.

The golden snake savored the thrilling anticipation as he grinned brightly.

A glimpse of shining talent.

“I didn’t plan to take it this far... but maybe I’ll enjoy this a bit more.”

The boy suppressed his eagerness as he readied his lies.

[Translator - Peptobismol]

[Proofreader - Demon God]