“How interesting. A kobold, who normally only lives to be hunted and killed. And a former farmer, who lived just to be used and crushed. And now we are battling to the death right here.”
He chuckled.
“Hower, acquiring the power to do as you please. It does feel good. I understand why those children become so absorbed.”
Suddenly, he remembered how this man had attacked the other kobolds. And how he had continued to kill numerous monsters on his way here.
A rage filled him as he glared back.
“You, what do you think?”
“…About what?”
“Becoming a Hero. You killed a lot of them, didn’t you? And you acquired power. How does it feel?”
The power of a Hero.
And what he lost in exchange.
“Nothing.”
There was only sadness and coldness in his voice.
“Nothing? Nothing at all?”
“I, didn’t, want power. Not what I want.”
He said the only thing he had wished for.
“Just wanted, to be able to live with, friends, family and loved ones.”
How wonderful things would have been. But his wish would never come true.
“…What!”
Suddenly a rage filled the air that could pierce through skin.
Anger and mockery filled the man’s strange expression.
“Ridiculous! You’re just another pathetic monster!”
Poro spat. His hand was shaking as he gripped his sword.
“Speaking of the dead and what you have lost! And yet, you don’t want power? But you lost them because of your weakness! You bloody idiot!”
He shouted.
Like a mad dog, the man roared and stepped forward.
“If you don’t want power, then I shall take it. By killing you right here!”
It was so intense that Sheto froze for a moment.
But the woman spoke to Poro calmly.
“Don’t get so heated. This is a job. Focus.”
“…I know. Ditore, let’s go!”
“Understood. ‘That which is difficult to separate and difficult to sever, the bond of truth, the shackles of destiny.’”
The magician chanted, and the tip of his staff began to glow.
And then Poro held the flat of his blade against his palm.
“Upon my words, dwell within it.”
The man chanted.
“Like cutting twine, tear apart the covenant between spirit and flesh.”
The blade glowed a cold blue. The enhanced power of the sword made his skin prickle.
All five of his senses could feel the murderous intent of the humans. In an instant, his escape route had been blocked.
‘Sheto! The binding magic!’
Salia warned, and he quickly pulled his whip back.
However, the shining chain did not go to his wrist, but wrapped around Sheto’s neck.
“Tsk!”
The magician pulled the chain, and Sheto crumbled to the ground.
“Die!”
The sword came down. His vision shifted, and suddenly, he had a strangely clear view of Poro’s side.
The side of his stomach was open and unguarded.
“Arrgrrghhh!”
While falling forward, Sheto kicked the ground.
And like that, he slammed down with his right hand.
“Gaaah!?”
The horrible sound echoed in Sheto’s brain, and sparks flew as the weapon carved deep into Poro’s side.
Indeed, Poro and Sheto have both strong similarities and stark differences due to how they responded to similar experiences.
While Poro may feel less sympathetic, it was only after going down a similar path of seeking vengeance that Sheto realized how empty it was, even if (iirc) he didn’t seem to relish the process of taking revenge as much.