On The Other Side: I Quit Being Human

As I am pondering about how I should explain I didn’t mean what I just did to Jovenus, Jovenus, who is still flying away, suddenly flips in the air then stops his flight at once. He stands on the ground in dignity then looks at me with… Glee?

‘Why is he looking excited? Have I accidentally awakened his “other” side?!’

This world is weird, period, and I still haven’t explored the weirdness yet. There might be something that I think is normal but in truth, isn’t at all—such as the way Jovenus is currently looking at me.

What kind of a guy who smiles after receiving a solid blow? I can only think of two types of guys who would, and none of them is a good news.

Being someone who is sensible enough—who knows when it’s wrong, it’s wrong—I take a step back like a gentleman as I take Rexorem back to the Bond Seal. I then immediately turn around to seek asylum from Ilschevar.

“I am pleasantly surprised by your prowess, Layland.” Alas, before I manage to receive asylum from Ilschevar, Jovenus already has his hands on me. “You have exceeded my expectation, and are also more than qualified to be under my guidance.”

“… Thank you for viewing me that highly.” I turn around to give a light nod to Jovenus. “Now, if you may excuse me, I will—”

“Welcome to my Legion, Layland.”

“…”

Jovenus, who should be on the other side of the temporary arena, is now already in front of me with his hand extended. He has a small but pleasant smile, and he is looking at me with expectation.

‘This is highly suspicious…’

As I have said, I can only think of two types of guys that would look that delighted after receiving a solid blow: a masochist, and a vengeful sociopath. Since apparently Jovenus is not the former, I am afraid he is the latter.

‘What if he plans to torture me everyday after I join his Legion? That… That is highly possible!’

I mean, he is a Demon—being a sociopath is normal for Demons. I am a Demon myself, and I am both chaotic (sometimes) and vengeful—Jovenus may be too.𝒪𝗏𝗅𝐞xt.𝗇𝓔t

I don’t mind smiling after one of the bastards I am targeting hits me in the face, just to do much worse things to them. Just imagining their horrified look when I get back at them after what they did to me tingles my spine in a good way…

‘What the fuck, Layland?! What have yourself turned into? You are a sociopath now! Calm down, me. Whatever you are, just be yourself! Sociopath is good too, you know?’

The way people see other people reflects what they are: a thief will think everyone else is a thief, and a monk will think everyone can do good.

The way I view what Jovenus may be also reflects what I truly am. Just the fact that I have considered Jovenus might be a sociopath means that I am one already without knowing it.

‘Regardless what I have become, I am still the better Layland. No, I will be the best Layland in the entire multiverse who will reach the top of the world!’

By the time I reached that thought, I have decided that Jovenus is just being genuine. I have concluded he doesn’t have anything against me, and really wants to guide me.

So, I grasp his extended hand.

“I thought you would leave me hanging, Layland.”

“I just needed to think for a second.”

“You actually took up 3 seconds, but I guess it doesn’t matter.” Jovenus slightly chuckles, then turns serious. “Layland, welcome to the Second—”

“Ah, about that, I will have to pass up on the offer.”

“Huh?” Jovenus blinks his eyes in confusion. “What do you mean by that?”

“I have seen how great of a mentor you will be, however, as expected, you and I will never get along,” I say politely as I let go of Jovenus’ hand. “You are too uptight for my own taste, and I think General Velucan will suit me best.”

“Kuhahaha! My Liege, did you hear that?!” Velucan puffs his chest up as he turns to Ilschevar. “The pup has chosen me—let me guide him!”

“I… I guess. I will leave him to you.” Ilschevar turns to me with disappointment and pity (?) in his eyes, before sighing helplessly.

I start to think that I have just fucked myself at this moment, but my conviction assures me that I didn’t make a wrong choice. I remain confident with my choice, and regret nothing.

“Why did you take my hand then…” Just from the way Jovenus muttered these words, I know he is devastated. This must be his first time being turned down, and I feel a little bit guilty.

“Refusing a handshake from a great man is a form of humiliation,” I say righteously. “I respect you, General Jovenus, so I couldn’t leave you hanging even though I ended up refusing you.”

“Such an answer… You really are beyond my expectations.”

Just when I am about to thank my smooth mouth, Jovenus makes an expression that changes my views on him. He shows me the look of someone who is genuinely moved, and it makes me think that he is just stupid by nature.

I mean, who would normally fall for my crappily constructed sweet words?

“Pup! You are Layland, aren’t you?” Velucan comes to my side and embraces me like he did the first time he met me. “Let’s integrate yourself into the pack, and make as many friends as you can!”

“Can you please stop crushing me, General Velucan. I don’t want to die young.”

“Kuhahaha! This pup is funny. I like you even more now!”

“Wait!” Just as Velucan wants to drag me away, Jovenus holds my hand then looks at me seriously. “Remember that you are a Demon. Don’t forget who you are, and train like a Demon!”

I am a little bit surprised by his warning, but nod my head nonetheless. “I will keep that in mind, General.”

“Now now, don’t worry. You will like your new friends, pup!”

“First of all, my name is Layland, so stop calling me pup. Second of all, I have feet, so stop dragging me, please.”

Obviously, Velucan doesn’t listen to me and keeps dragging me to where his Legion, or rather, Legions are positioned. I start regretting my choice now, but an encouraging smile from Valeria cheers me up once again.

‘That bastard Ilschevar. Why did he have to make me think that I made a wrong choice? Just look at Valeria—she approves my decision!’

By the time I finish my monologue, I have already arrived in front of the Legions that is commanded by Velucan. He lets go of my collar that he has been grasping to drag me with him, allowing me to stand straight as I face the Legions.

Valeria says each Verniculos Kingdom has an army that is consisted of 66 Legions. Each Legion is consisted of 6666 personnels that are led by one Upper Middle Class Demon—a Legion Commander.

As for the Generals, they are tasked to lead Legion Commanders, which makes them also responsible for the Legions the Legion Commanders lead. Each of them is also given a different amount of Legions they should be responsible for.

For the Demon Generals, they are tasked to be responsible for 10 Legions, meanwhile the Monster Generals are tasked to be responsible for 9 Legions each. That means, Velucan has 9 Legions under him.

“There are so many of them.” As I look at the 9 Legions standing in front of me, I immediately notice the lack of Demons among the crowds. “I mean no offense, but why do Monsters dominate your Legions, General Velucan?”

“Oh, that? Obviously, because I am a Monster?” Velucan, the Garou General, looks at me weirdly. “I mean, it is rare to find Demons that are willing to join our Legions. Of course, you and the other ones are exception.”

“I didn’t expect that Monsters are discriminated here…”

“Oh, no. That isn’t the case.” Velucan shakes his head faintly. “We are good buddies with Demons, but you know, only Demons who have done misconducts are sent to our Legions.”

“… Doesn’t separating the Legions between Monsters and Demons reflect discrimination against Monsters?”

Velucan laughs funnily. “Of course, not. The way we fight is just different—that’s why we are separated in the very first place. We fight better when we are with our kin, so we do our best to not stand in each other’s way.”

“Why are only Demons who have done misconducts sent here?”

“I know what you are thinking, but no, it is not to ‘humiliate’ them. Mingling with a Monster is not a humiliation for a Demon.”

“Then—”

“The misconducts those Demons have done are either fighting with their fellow Demons or showing a deep dislike toward Monsters. They are sent here to be taught what having a Monster friend feels like, and how hard fighting by themselves is.”

I didn’t expect the reason behind the punishment would be that deep, but I am grateful. I have almost believed that I really made a wrong choice due to how chaotic these Legions apparently were, and I am glad I am wrong.

“Still… All of us are troublemakers here, so don’t expect much formality here. Hahaha!”

“…”

As Velucan pats my back, the Monsters and Demons in his Legions smile mischievously … That doesn’t look good to me.