Before them was an almost naked girl with something like a black colored carapace covering her two bulging chests. Her biceps and shins are covered in long bristles and striped akin to a hornet's. Behind her was a pair of beautiful butterfly wings and on her head were a pair of antennae.

Aside from the carapaces that look like those of an insect, butterfly wings and the pair of big compounded eyes, her overall appearance was that of a human.

She also has a rather voluptuous figure.

This person, no, a monster is Alkrasha! The monster that would be called… [ The Insect Queen ]!

“But that shouldn’t be the case! The insect queen’s first appearance in this world was around New York! Not here in the Philippines!!”

Allen heard that Alkrasha fought an insect-like person in New York and then suddenly disappeared.

Then what is going on?

“Oh, you know me human?” A surprised voice came from Alkrasha. It was a feminine but held a very cold tone of voice.

Alkrasha was very surprised. She never thought that someone would know her in this world.

But… insect queen?

“…I think you’re misunderstanding something human. I’m not the insect queen… not yet, I guess~” Her voice was cold but for some reason, Alkrasha seemed to have been amused as her voice carried a playful tone.

“But even so, how do you know of me, human?”

“… …” Allen ignored Alkrasha and turned towards Mia and Aileen beside him.

“Mia…get everyone out of here on the double! I’ll buy you time!”

“No! Allen you…”

“Mia, we can’t defeat her!!” Allen exclaimed. He was certain of that fact.

Even if this wasn’t the same as the previous life where Alkrasha’s rank was that of a [ Bishop ], in this time she should be at least Lv5 or above! And that kind of monster isn’t something they can defeat no matter how many current Allen or Mia there were!

Monsters are ranked by using chess pieces. [ Pawn ]s are divided into Level 1 – 9. Above this were the [ Rook ], [ Knight ], [ Bishop ], [ Queen ] and the sole, strongest and unique existence; the [ King ]!

Before Allen and Mia died, the strongest monster existing was only that of the [ Queen ] rank. And even this monster wasn’t Allen and the others combined powers could hope to defeat.

If the current Allen and Mia were ranked, they would be just in the Lv3 [ Pawn ] standard.

A Lv5 is still an opponent they couldn’t defeat and yet…

‘…Damn. Why is it always us that has to have the exciting things happen to them!!’ complained Allen in a whisper.

“I will stall some time.” Allen declared.

“But Allen…”

Aileen still wanted to say something but Mia had already gripped her hand and dragged her away. She didn’t even looked at him and just quickly run towards the stair leading to the lower floors.

Although this seemed like it was cruel and heartless but Allen felt relieved seeing this. He also knows what Mia was feeling right now because, at the moment when she turned around, he clearly saw some glistening thing flow down from her eyes.

I’m sorry…

This was the only thing he could think right now.

--- ---

The air was filled with silence.

The air was filled with stillness.

But after a few minutes, once again, the silence was broken by a voice.

“Hah, humans are really despicable creatures. When their life is being threatened, they would never hesitate to abandon their comrades to save their life…”

“… ...”

Alkrasha’s statement had a mocking tone to it, but Allen didn’t reply. Alkrasha thought that it was because she hit the spot but when she raised her face and looked at the human youth before her, she couldn’t help but become surprised.

His clear brown pupils that contained neither fear, sadness or even despair. It was clear like the stars in a night sky.

Looking at this scene, Alkrasha started feeling annoyed for some reason.

“Human, don’t you hate them? Don’t you feel sad for being sacrificed?”

Allen for the first time in facing her smiled. It was an innocent smile without impurity. “Sad? Sacrificed? I’ve already experienced more than that before.” Allen’s eyes expressed a hint of deep sadness.

Betrayed? Just a few days ago, I experience the greatest betrayal from the one person I trusted the most.

But,

“…This time wasn’t the least bit similar. Even if I died, I would still dance in my grave as long as those two live.” With a content smile, Allen cocked his gun and pointed it towards Alkrasha.

He took her mocking and still gave a payback. Any other person would have felt annoyed and attack in anger…

And yet Alkrasha was the one laughing.

“You’re really an interesting human… you had a nice look in your eyes. The resolve and determination to kill and protect, as unflinching as steel…”

“… …”

“But surely in time, that will change you into something terrifying… I can’t say I dislike that. However,”

“… …”

“…say human, how did you know my name?” Alkrasha slightly narrowed her eyes. It was a minor change, but her expression turned much sharper.

She was serious and was menacing. Her voice held an expression that says she won’t accept any lies or deceptions.

Unfortunately, her appearance was around 17-18 years old lady, and with such a pretty and elegant appearance, coupled with her lovely big compound eyes, it only further emphasized the attractiveness of Alkrasha, and was not intimidating at all.

Those who have not known her when she was revered as the notorious [ Insect Queen ], wouldn’t know how terrifying and cruel she was.

Even Allen who has never taken notice of girls at all after the demon king's army appeared was sent into a daze, and his breathing also slightly hastened.

[ Charm ]! Allen immediately deduced.

This was one of the [ Insect Queen ]s terrifying ability. She would release an invisible pollen-like thing in the air without anyone noticing and this pollen-like thing will enter the enemy’s body, causing to lose one’s senses and become attracted to her. Just like hypnosis, she would be able to control anyone without resistance.

And to release from this state would be to feel another strong stimulus such as;

Pain!

With a lightning speed, Allen took his military knife and slashed his right arm. The pain surges inside him successfully liberating his uncontrollable emotions.

It should be said that Alkrasha was slightly interested by the youth in front of her but now, seeing what he had done, she changed her mind and was fully convinced!

This boy knows her and not only her name, he was obviously knowledgeable about her and her abilities~

Really interesting. Alkrasha decided as she licked her lips with her tongue.

“Human… you know not only my name but also my abilities. Did we meet before, I wonder? No, that shouldn’t be. I don’t like remembering human maggots but I am sure that those who have seen and met me before never saw another day again, so I’m certain that I have never met you before.”

“… …”

“Who are you? No, before that, why don’t you become mine? In this near death world, being with me would save your life. I can also give you anything you wanted.” Alkrasha smiled her sharp expression from before softened up.

She whispered in a very lovely voice, like a whispering of a devil capable of softening the hardest stone.

“...Are you asking me to join you?”

“My, we could be friends, even partners. I don't hate children like you, human. If we team up, we could defeat any enemy.”

Alkrasha was serious. She came here to defeat the current insect queen that had come here before her. But that wasn’t enough, although she has confidence in killing the current queen this was after all a new world. Taking someone from this world along would greatly help her in quickly adapting.

“If you become mine, I will spare you. Not just that, I will spare the others. Even those two females from before. Of course, you would have to persuade them...”

“… …”

“How about it? It shouldn't be such a bad deal for you. You'll be able to protect your friends and loved ones after all...”

Alkrasha whispered to Allen in a flirtatious and sweet voice. It was an alluring voice that would sway any man's heart.

“I refuse.”

However, Allen rejected Alkrasha’s proposal without any hesitation.

Unable to accept that, Alkrasha questioned him.

“Why?! What don't you like about it?!”

“Honestly, it's not a bad deal. And you're beautiful that I could fall for you any moment.”

“Then why—?!”

“But this is my world!!” Allen roared.

If he didn’t know her before, he would have jumped in and took the ride but Allen knows the real Alkrasha. She was merciless and cruel. With her thousands and millions of minions, she raided every human settlement and made them her insect foods.

Partner with someone like that? No way!!

“As long as I’m alive, I would never hand my world to the likes of you!!” Allen clenched his fist.

Hearing Allen’s words, instead of anger, Alkrasha only smiled mischievously. She was expecting this outcome, no, it should be she wanted this outcome. If the youth in front of her just accepted her then she would have been slightly disappointed.

“…But even so, not handing your world to us? Pfft, Ahahahaha it's unfortunate but it’s already too late. The moment we appeared, your world has no choice but bow down to us.”

“We will never bow down!”

“Acting like a hero, shall we? No, did you think you were a hero? Did you think you were a hero who could save every single person and save this dying world? If so, you were dead wrong. The path to a flawless victory has already closed up the moment we came.”

As she spoke, Alkrasha brought her hands behind her and stuck them into her long purple green hair.

Allen was at a loss for words. Because it was true.

What she said was an undeniable fact, especially for him who came from the ‘Past’ and seen the future. He could only grit his teeth in frustration.

As the one who has witnessed the cruel defeat of this world, those words carried an intense pressure as this was something that they never wanted to think about.

And this pressure was enough to violently crush the heart of someone who had struggled up until now.

“Do you get it now? There was never any way of achieving a flawless victory here. This world is already doomed. The one who you call God has already abandoned you.”

“… …”

“This won’t end in one of those idealistic scenarios you love so much. Even if those two birds you save by sacrificing your life is all for naught.”

Saving one or two people now doesn’t make up for it all. This was what she was saying.

“…There’s no point in saving every little person. No matter how much you grit your teeth, it won’t change the ending.”

“…” Allen’s heartbeat became faster.

Those words were meant to knock back Allen and make him think twice about accepting her proposal. Thinking about him rejecting her proposal a while ago, she was now eager to accept Allen as hers.

It was too late. She expressed these unspoken words. There was no going back.

There was no point in trying to deny it.

Alkrasha was asking if he could still hold his view of the situation after accepting that.

But…

“To hell with that. As if I can accept that!”

He said it.

I know that this world is already dying. Thanks to all the pollution humans made, the earth is becoming way hotter…

A day might even come when the ice melts and oceans overflow, drowning every living people…

Or maybe, humans will be the one to do it from their creations like the nuclear weapons…

But,

I just don’t care!

“I don’t care about any fate! I don’t care about any future!! Destiny is never been engraved in a stone and even if it was; I will still continue fighting just to change it!! This is my destiny! This is my world and I would never hand it to anyone!!”

He declared it.

It sounded so arrogant but there’s no way I will choose an ending where the world was swallowed up by unknown invaders!

As long as I’m alive…

Even if there was no way to bring this to the ideal ending and even if he could see no way of defeating the powerful enemy before him…

Allen saw no reason to give up.

F*ck that!! As long as I’m alive, I would crawl even in a latrine pit and survive!

“If you stop trying just because you know that the world is doomed to die! That you are fated to become a livestock for those monsters, then you are nothing but a piece of sh*t!

You will then lose any small possibilities that may remain in changing the outcome!”

“You’re just fighting an unwinnable battle. Did you realize that?”

“Even if I am, that’s something for me to deal with.”

Allen clenched his fist a new.

“Hee hee, I like you more and more. Fine then.” Alkrasha laughed, licked her lips, and took a step forward.

“That was my attempt to ‘save’ you, but if you want to keep going, I don’t mind. I will just crush a few limbs, in that case, you might change your mind~”

It’s do or die!

Allen grits his teeth, and after steeling his resolve, he took on a posture that said ‘En Garde!’ with a gun instead of a sword.

“I will show you that I can change my fate!”

--- ---