Chapter 41

Each member of the Family possess different quirk (or those they call seven deadly sins) to activate [ Madness ] but one thing was similar, when it was activated, logical thinking, judgment, power, speed, and reflexes all rise exponentially.

[ Madness ] can also alter the attitude and personality of the host, overriding emotions such as fear, or worst, loses his/her sense of identity and become someone else—though someone wouldn’t be able to remember when they returned back to normal, there are also those who can—for example, Cian himself.

All that was common to all of them, was that they would thirst for blood and flesh… massacre and slaughter.

It’s not something as incredible and miraculous as [ Blood Release ] but more instead of a psychological phenomenon in which they turned crazy when an emotion overwhelmed them—however, they would be able to acquire strength, speed, agility, reflexes, and intelligence that was above ordinary humanity and was just a few steps inferior to that of [ Blood Release ]—it’s as if, the limits within human body were completely released.

—it might be unbelievable but it wasn’t something strange.

After all, the first generation and founder of the family was the infamous Dr. Henry Jekyll in the famous mystery and horror gothic novella; Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, which was actually not just a mere fiction but was based on a real story--the story of Dr. Jekyll's life and his second personality.

In fact, this ‘Blood of Demon’ was something that Dr. Jekyll made from a mysterious drink created in his laboratory in an accident—[ Demon’s Blood ] or so it was called.

The [ Madness ] within the blood of every member of the family is the embodiment of unfulfilled desires and experiences that the members of the Cahlo Family must forgo in order to atone the sins that their ancestors had committed or so it was said.

They became… Living Demons so to speak!

True to their hearts and would never be able to betray their wildest desires…!

… And Cian wasn’t an exception!

He had never liked it, that something within him was like that—thus, no matter what happened, he was always calm and collected. Never to feel rage nor allow himself to feel it—but sometimes, it just accumulates and explodes…!

According to his sister—when it did, Cian was the perfect man!

Because the more Cian denied and reject his ‘Evil Side’ the worst he would become when he did…!

*** ***

“It’s getting late, Uncle, we should get some rest now,” after saying that, Korie stood up.

However, before Duke Rabilla could respond, the door was kicked open. At the same time, a cold voice rang out, “There’s no need to rest, from today onward, there will be plenty of time for you to rest.” With an undisguised laughter and delight, a figure appeared within the room, with one hand covering the mask, he stood there with his hand a bit trembling. As for why it was trembling, only himself knows...

“Oh? It’s you... Prince Aanuel?!” The man called Duke Rabilla immediately recognized Cian even if he was wearing a mask since he had seen him countless times and know his aura. He didn’t even bother to think before turning around and throwing a punch. The wind force of the punch was mainly focused in the direction of Cian.

Cian knew that this Duke Rabilla was just as he had thought, a Master—but so what?

“Crack,” the sound of bones breaking resounded in the room—it was like a nut being cracked, followed by a terrifying scream of pain.

Contrary to what other people had expected, Cian just stood as if nothing, caught Duke Rabilla’s fist with his bare hand like it was nothing, and then, blood burst out from the latter’s hand.

“Ahahahahahaha, that was nice! A nice sound! Let me hear it again!!” Cracked!

“Aaaahhh!!” Duke Rabilla kneeled as he grasped his hand that was being held by Cian. His expression distorted between shock and pain.

“Wh, what… the hell…is this?!!!” Duke Rabilla exclaimed in horror. He just couldn’t believe what was happening right now!

He was still a Duke… one of the four Duke of the Demon Empire—his power was among those considered above average. And yet, he was easily defeated just like this…?

How is this possible…?!

“Are, are you really the Second Prince Aanuel?!” Duke Rabilla asked as he swung his hand and decisively cut his wrist off before jumping backward.

“… …” Cian didn’t reply and instead stared at Duke Rabilla’s cut off hand. Bang!! the hand exploded into pieces as if blood burst out from the inside.

“You!!!” Seeing his hand exploding, Duke Rabilla’s expression was magnificent.

“Since you had done something like that, it means you already realized why I visit this late…” Cian smiled faintly. “Obviously not for visiting hours nor have I come here to wish you well, old timer,”

“… …”

“It seems like you are planning quite a surprise party for myself… I’m really honored,” Cian stepped forward. Duke Rabilla stepped back. “But don’t you think, it would be bad if the protagonist was absent…?”

He flashed a teasing smile.

“Y, your Highness, do you know what you are doing right now?!” Duke Rabilla cried out in anger.

“Ha ha ha, so you are still calling me your highness, what a touching story… please don’t do that, I might cry~”

Bang!! Suddenly, a black spear-like thing rushed towards Cian. However, Cian didn’t even look at it and the black spear seems to have struck an invisible wall and Bang!! the black spear, like a ball crashing into a wall, it bounced back, shooting towards the opposite direction—in which, the son-of-a-bitch Korie was looking wide-eyed in shock from the incoming black spear he had just fired off. How is this possible...?! Disbelief colored his face as he was then swallowed by his own power.

BOOOOOOM!!!

"...truly rude..." Cian murmured with a disgusted tone. "Seeing that we are still talking still, to attack so suddenly without warning, is he not taught with proper manners?" he complained with an icy cold voice.

“Korie!!” Duke Rabilla cried out in panic. He was about to rush out but when he did, boooom! Cian's foot tapped on the floor and the ground cave in, as if it was pushed downward, cracking noise echoed in the entire room and Cian could feel the entire house shaking.

“Damn you!!! Aanuel!!! DO YOU KNOW WHAT YOU ARE DOING RIGHT NOW!!!” He cried out in hysteria. However, Cian just smiled.

Do I not know...? "...foolish...!"

Outside was already taken care of…!

This place had become an isolated place right now—as expected, the Vampire Lord followed him.

Cian grinned as he turned towards the window—there darkness dyed like ink could be seen but with his eyes, Cian could see several figures surrounding the entire mansion.

Although it doesn’t need though—after all, I plan to make this quiet as possible—he disappeared. His footsteps barely audible.

Duke Rabilla was a physical build character—he was a bit dumb compared to other experts in the kingdom in regards to using magic and so Cian chose him to be the first target. However, as expected of someone holding the title of a Duke, in swordsmanship and melee warfare, he was among the top. But so what—?

Keeping his body low, Cian made his approach. His black gauntlet wriggled and instantly formed a small knife in just a few seconds— doing this too, nearly noiselessly. The knife was also designed for nighttime use, its blade having been dyed black.

In Cian’s previous body, as a normal human when [Madness] activated, all of the natural limitations of the human body would be released. Thus, capable of doing inhuman activities.

Normally, every person’s brain limits one’s strength. The human brain limits your ability to use your muscles in such a way that will prove harmful to the body.

There are organs in your muscle-tendon unit, one called muscle spindles, and the other called the Golgi tendon organ. They both send signals back to the brain relative to what's going on in the muscle and will cause relaxation of the muscle in an attempt to prevent damage to the muscle itself or the bone it is connected to.

--But when in [ Madness ] form, the brain was forced to stop this kind of subconscious restrictions. It’s as if the brain only allowed ordinary humans to use at least 10% of their true strength, but when in [ Madness ] they would be able to access the remaining 90% percent, allowing them to achieve superhuman realm.

That was how [ Madness ] theoretically works.

Of course, this would only be possible if the physical body of the host is trained to perfection if not, there's a high chance that the body would get destroyed upon using it for a long time due to recoil. However, although Cian had changed bodies, he was still able to use it with ease due to the Demon's natural physical strength and regeneration that was above that of humans!

In addition, as a bonus effect, if Cian was capable of moving double than a normal human could in a human's body—in a Demon’s body in which was far more adept and powerful than humans, he was almost able to move as fast as a bullet in his maximum speed.

Cian’s speed, without magic at work was shocking to Duke Rabilla that he blanked out for a moment. But this one second of shock was a grave mistake!

Right in front of Duke Rabilla, Cian suddenly changed his course in the manner of a '>' character, swinging his blade like he was flicking it past him.

Wiiiz.

Duke Rabilla saw Cian moving towards him and immediately snorted in contempt. He stepped forward to draw near, and just when he was within arm’s reach and was about to attack,

— a line of heat ran horizontally along his throat.

“——?”

A numbing heat.

He immediately touched his windpipe with his hand and felt something warm.

His voice won’t come out.

He looked down and saw his palm stained red.

A great amount of blood that would have been frightening to merely see was coming out of his neck.

“Wha ——?!!”

Duke Rabilla felt a sting on his neck and hastily grabbed his neck with both hands. A streak of blood flowed horizontally at the center of his neck, scaring him. He immediately jumped back in fright.

Fortunately, his body was stronger than any demon. Thus, this little wound on his neck was nothing to him and would easily heal given enough time. Still, what had just happened…?

There was a lagged moment in his vision just now—like Cian was still far away and yet in an instant, he was already attacked without him noticing. He couldn't react immediately...!

How is this possible...?!