I Don’t Want to Die as a Mob in My Second Life! ～A Story Where I Kept Training from Inside the Womb and Ended Up Being Mistaken for a Monster～ - Chapter 54: HELL HELL HELL!!!! Rouga!

Chapter 54: HELL HELL HELL!!!! Rouga!

Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo.

The Supreme Commander’s Residence.

This was the traditional home of the Supreme Commanders of the Spirit Conductor Agency—

A grand mansion made of stone and glass, mixing both Japanese and Western styles.

It also served to host esteemed figures from abroad, 

So it even had a spacious party hall facing a beautiful inner garden.

And tonight—

Under the dazzling glow of crystal chandeliers,

Countless round tables covered in pure white cloth were lined up,

Surrounded by elegant dishes and fine cuisine.

Dozens of guests, including Ouma, waited for the party to begin.

But…

“Ahh… we really owe Great Kanata for this…! I never thought I’d get to eat real food above ground again…!”

“And not in a dungeon either! It feels like I’m actually free for once…!”

“Yeah. Compared to Boss Kanata… that Ouma guy is just…!”

The atmosphere in the venue—was absolute hell.

Tonight’s special guests were none other than the 64 members of Yatagarasu—Ouma’s personal death-row squad.

Every single one of them was dangerous enough to qualify as First-Class Reisoushi.

They were judged by Ouma Shiranui to be “too useful to just kill,”

And had bombs implanted in their bodies while being forced into deadly missions day after day.

Their annual death and injury rate? A staggering 80%.

And even if they survived, there was no reward—only a return to their dark, underground cells.

So naturally, their hatred toward Ouma ran bone-deep.

“Ouma… just die already…!”

“Don’t act like some noble hero, you piece of trash…! You’re the one who used us up like disposable tools!”

“I’ll have my revenge… Revenge… Revengeeee…!”

At the far end of the venue—

Ouma sat calmly at the head table, as if waiting for someone.

But all around him, killing intent stabbed at him like invisible knives.

It was pure hatred pouring from the upper-ranked Reisoushi.

If a normal person were hit with that kind of spiritual pressure, their soul would shatter on the spot, and they’d be reduced to a mindless husk.

The air was turning dark, soaked in vengeful spirit particles.

Even the temporary staff standing at the edges of the room had turned pale with fear.

And then—

“S-Stop it! Don’t you dare talk like that about the boss!”

One young man stood up to defend Ouma.

It was the demi-human Rouga.

Now stripped of his rights and name, known only as Criminal No. Ro-58.

Nickname: Goya.

“You guys better stop this petty grudge nonsense! You’re all just damn criminals anyway!”

“Says the other damn criminal—stupid mutt.”

“Haa!? Who the hell said that!?”

A die-hard Ouma worshipper, Rouga saw the revenge-hungry Yatagarasu members as nothing short of enemies hiding in enemy territory.

“You trash don’t get it! The boss is an amazing person! He works himself to the bone every day—training Reisoushi, sitting through tough meetings, handling piles of paperwork…!”

“That’s a bit too idealized, don’t you think? Sounds like you don’t really know Ouma all that well.”

“Haa!? Of course I do, you idiot! I’m family, dammit!”

“You’re not family anymore, though.”

“WHO SAID THAT!? I’LL KILL YOU!!”

Rouga was being mocked and laughed at.

Thanks to his short temper, he’d reacted to every single insult thrown at Ouma—and managed to make enemies of almost everyone in Yatagarasu just two days after joining.

At this point, it was practically a talent.

“Supreme Commander Ouma—Father is really an incredible person…!”

And then it happened.

“Enough.”

The silent Ouma finally spoke—directly to the shouting Rouga.

“…B-Boss!”

Rouga thought he was about to be praised.

But instead—

“Don’t interfere with Yatagarasu’s insults.”

“!?”

In other words—Ouma told him to shut up and mind his own business.

“Eh… eeeehhh…?”

His brain stalled. He couldn’t make sense of it.

Wouldn’t anyone be happy to be defended?

Surely he couldn’t actually want the insults and hatred… right?

“U-Umm, if you just hold it in—”

“That Kanata Soranaki…”

“!?”

Cutting off Rouga’s words,

Ouma muttered the name of that man—Kanata Soranaki.

“It’s about time… and he still hasn’t shown up?”

“A-Aaahhh…!?”

Again.

Once again, his father’s attention had been stolen by Kanata Soranaki.

“F-Fatherrrrrr…!”

The shock made Rouga’s brain throb in pain.

What was this? Was he having a stroke or something?

He was supposed to be a tough [Werewolf].

Especially at night—his recovery abilities should’ve been through the roof.

And yet, the more he saw his father thinking about Kanata, the more unbearable the pain became.

“T-That guy…! He’s the one who threw this nightmare of a party—turning Father into a joke in front of Yatagarasu! Why… why is he still…!”

On top of that, Kanata had brought him—Rouga—face to face with Ouma, after the worst possible farewell they’d had.

He totally planned this, didn’t he!?

He knew I’d be awkward and miserable, and still set it all up! 

That bastard’s a complete monster!

How could anyone be so devilishly cruel?

Ahh, Father… You should be furious.

Father… You’re supposed to hate that guy.

“Why… are you acting like it’s nothing…!”

Rouga asked in disbelief—but Ouma said nothing.

Instead—

“…Hmph.”

“!?”

He gave a faint, quiet smile.

It made no sense…

It made no sense at all.

And yet, Kanata Soranaki had made his ever-stern father smile once again.

“A-Ah… RAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!”

And just like that—Rouga ran away.

“W-What the hell is this!? What is this, Fatherrrrrrrrrrr!?”

Rouga ran, clutching his aching head, heading straight for the exit.

Just as he reached for the door—

“Ugyah!?”

The door opened perfectly in sync,

And he slammed right into it like a comedy act.

Rouga collapsed on the spot.

“Ah! Master Rouga…!?”

The one who opened the door was the elderly butler, Tanaka.

He rushed forward, trying to help Rouga up—

But then paused.

Rouga was now a convicted criminal. A member of Yatagarasu.

With other servants nearby, showing sympathy could be taken as disloyalty to Ouma.

Tanaka realized this and froze.

“…‘Criminal No. Ro-58,’ sir. Please be more careful around the doors.”

“T-Tanakaaa!?”

Ignoring Rouga’s plea, Tanaka turned to deliver a report.

“More importantly—My lord, Kanata Soranaki has arrived.”

Tanaka shifted his gaze away from Rouga.

To Rouga, that cold glance felt like even Tanaka had given up on him.

“…I see. Bring him in at once.”

“Yes. Though… he didn’t come alone.”

With an unreadable expression, the old butler stepped aside.

And then—beyond the open doorway—

Rouga, still sitting on the floor, saw what lay ahead and gasped.

“Ah… Aaaaaaahhhh!?”

There stood Kanata Soranaki—

Surrounded by a group of Reisoushi carrying loads of liquor bottles.

He was clearly leading the pack now.

Their awkward expressions didn’t change the truth—

They had turned their backs on Ouma Shiranui… and sided with Kanata.

The most shocking of them all?

At the front of the group, looking teary-eyed, was none other than the Ouma fangirl herself—Kirara Houjou.

Rouga could only groan, “Why!?”

And then it hit him—

W-Was this… my fault!? Did I disgrace Father’s name so badly that it led to this…!?

What had he done…?

The guilt weighed even heavier on Rouga’s heart.
He was convinced now—
He had caused this wave of betrayal.

And then—

“B-Brother.”

“!?”

From among the group of Reisoushi,

A small, silver-haired, wolf-eared girl poked her head out—expressionless as ever.

Wearing a cute maid outfit, her face was unmistakable.

“R-Riru…!?”

“Yeah. Long time no see, Brother.”

Those emotionless words came from none other than his sister—the one who had supposedly fallen into slavery.

Then, she walked forward with tiny steps—tap, tap, tap.

“Mm… Lord Kanata… nuzzle-nuzzle…♡”

“RIRUUUUUUUUU!?!?!?!?!?”

Right in front of everyone—

She wrapped her arms around Kanata Soranaki and snuggled her face into his chest.

“Y-You… What are you doing, clinging to that scumbag!?”

“Lord Kanata is not a scumbag.”

Her voice came back cold and sharp.

Rouga, still collapsed on the floor, looked up—

Only to meet the icy gaze of his own little sister.

“Lord Kanata saved me…! Maybe he is a bad person. But he never tried to scare me or do anything creepy. He called me his forever, said he’d protect me, and he let me unleash all my anger on the jerks I hate—together with him! It was… exciting. It was really, really fun!”

“Riru…!?”

It was the first time he’d ever heard his usually emotionless sister say so much.

Rouga had done his best as a brother—inviting her to play, trying to look out for her.

But he’d never seen her so full of life… so genuinely happy.

“A-Ah… ahhh… AAAAAHHHHH…!”

His head pounded.

The pain was unbearable now.

And then—to finish him off—

“Rouga.”

“!?”

Kanata Soranaki called out to him.

“Sorry, but can you move now?”

“W-What did you just say, you bastard!?”

“I’ve got something important to talk about. With Riru—and your father, too.”

“WHAAAAAATTTTTTTTT!?!”

He had been robbed—

Everything was stolen by the man standing before him…!

Rouga sat there in a daze, his soul practically leaving his body, face going completely blank.

In contrast, Yatagarasu—the death-row squad—was fired up by the entire scene.

“O-Ohhhhh! That’s Lord Kanata…! That’s what true evil looks like…!”

“He’s far beyond wicked…! No wonder Vice-Captain Shiina lost his mind…!”

“Compared to him, we’re just petty criminals…!”

Kanata began walking forward.

At that moment, the vicious Yatagarasu straightened up their backs, gave respectful nods, and formed a perfect corridor—a King’s Path—for him to walk through.

Even the old butler Tanaka bowed deeply like a loyal servant, saying,

“Thank you… for saving Lady Riru…!”

To Rouga, it felt like everyone he knew now revered Kanata.

“Tanaka… Riru… Father…!?”

Tears began to fall from Rouga’s eyes.

He deeply regretted it—

The foolishness of ever picking a fight with the monster known as Kanata Soranaki.

Then—

“And Rouga.”

“…Huh?”

Kanata turned toward him.

“I noticed you were trying to sneak out of the hall. No can do. Stay—even if it’s in the corner.”

“!?!?!!?!?!?!?!?”

—Too evil.

Far too evil.

The sheer heartlessness of not even allowing him to run away from reality made Rouga go weak in the knees—

And Yatagarasu roared in thunderous praise.

“UWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!”

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[Tips]

Airhead Kanata’s thoughts:

“Punishment game for Kirara and the others? Hmm, nothing too harsh, okay? Oh, I know! I’m heading to Ouma’s place now, so why don’t you all bring some drinks along? The Yatagarasu folks probably aren’t allowed to drink normally, right? They’ll definitely enjoy it—so help carry it over, okay? Hehe, super easy punishment game, right? I’m so nice!”

→ Meanwhile, the onlookers and servants watching them carry crates:

“Whoa… they’ve totally become Kanata’s minions… Quick, take a pic—we’re posting this online.”

Airhead Kanata’s thoughts:

“Oh! Rouga’s trying to sneak away! He must feel awkward facing his dad right now… But nope! No running! This is the perfect chance—they have to talk! Hehe, I’m sooo kind!”

→ Watching from the side, Yatagarasu’s Shiina rolled his eyes and muttered:

“AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! PURE EVILLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL—?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!? (And then promptly passed out, having lost all vocabulary)”

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