CHAPTER 61: CHAPTER 61: THOSE WHO WAIT SHALL BE REWARDED

*CRACK!*

"AGHHHHHHH!!!!"

Vincent’s arm bone snapped like a twig under Nero’s metallic grip, the businessman’s agonized scream echoing across the chaotic battlefield.

Blood spurted from the compound fracture as jagged bone fragments pierced through skin.

"You... you fucking maniac!" Vincent gasped between waves of excruciating pain, cradling his mangled limb. "How... how did you...?"

But then his analytical mind kicked in despite the agony.

Vincent’s eyes widened with horrified realization. "You got that injured... took that much damage... just to get close?"

His voice carried both rage and the grudging look of a madman.

"... It was all an act?"

*Clap... Clap... Clap...*

Nero applauded slowly, his reptilian grin spreading wider with each deliberate clap.

"Give the man a fucking medal. You actually figured it out that fast and through the pain with that? I gotta give it to you."

The predatory satisfaction in his voice made Vincent’s blood run cold despite the pain.

Meanwhile, Nero could only chuckle at the bastard’s reaction as his mind drifted to the insane plan he proposed to Aurelia.

***

Earlier, through their mental connection during the preparation phase...

The plan had been established through their private mental link, completely hidden from any external observers.

’Lord Nero, are you certain this strategy will succeed?’ Aurelia’s mental voice carried deep concern. ’The risks are... substantial.’

’I know it’s insane, angel,’ Nero had responded while maintaining a casual expression during their supply preparation.

’But think about it. If... it’s really Vincent that likes to watch everything, just like what you have felt that we’re being observed since you leveled up, then he won’t know the items that we possess right now.’

During the seemingly routine process of redistributing their remaining supplies before the assault, Nero had carefully transferred most of the Greater Mana Potion’s contents into a thin glass vial that Gilbert had provided for "emergency medical supplies."

The transfer looked completely natural - just another survivor organizing their supplies.

’The sensation has been persistent,’ Aurelia confirmed through their link while appearing to check her weapon maintenance.

’Exactly. He can see our external actions, our movements, our apparent condition,’ Nero’s mental voice carried calculating intensity.

’But our internal systems? Our connection? That’s invisible to him.’

The plan was absolutely insane, but it was their only shot.

Let Vincent believe he’d achieved total victory by enduring genuine punishment, then spring the trap when his guard was completely down.

’The key is convincing him through authentic suffering,’ Nero had explained while casually placing the vial in his mouth during what appeared to be a routine supply check and refills. ’Vincent’s too smart to fall for obvious acting.’

’So you intend to endure real damage?’

’Strategic suffering. I feel like the maxed out Greater Instinct can read the minute details of his expressions.’

And every hint of suspicion who could detect from that guy’s face means Nero can adjust his responses to maintain the deception.

’And his wives’ coordinated assault?’

’Let them beat the hell out of me. The more genuine damage I take, the more believable the performance becomes.’

Considering that Rebecca said that there are 6 wives excluding her, Nero and Aurelia can somehow grasp on how to control the flow and plan their way during the battle.

Though... through their mental connection, Aurelia’s concern was palpable.

’Lord Nero... the injuries you’ll endure...’

The angel waifu sounded very much worried, and that can be seen on the deep furrow of her eyebrows.

’Pain’s temporary, Aurelia. But if we don’t stop Vincent here, the consequences for our friends and both of us will be permanent.’

Nero silently rubbed her head, finding her thoughts warm and cute.

With the manipulative bastard hot on their tails, especially to Aurelia, it can’t be hard to imagine how much of a pain in the ass to deal with him constantly bothering them.

And Nero was also sure, the fake smile guy won’t just let them escape or leave willingly.

That’s why they have to create and wait for an opportunity to end that guy.

It’s a dangerous one, with no room for mistakes, but it’s the only choice that they have considering their status and the enemy they were likely dealing with.

Sometimes the best strategy wasn’t charging in just firepower and raw overwhelming magic and shit.

Sometimes you had to take the beating, endure the humiliation, and wait for that perfect moment to turn everything around.

It’s dangerous, but it’s worth a try in Nero’s opinion.

It was literally the epitome of that old saying: "Those Who Wait Shall Be Rewarded."

***

Back in the present, Vincent’s expression shifted from pain to horrified understanding as the full scope of Nero’s deception hit him.

"You... you actually let them torture you... just to..."

"Unfortunately, dealing with a smartass like you is more troublesome than dealing with a pack of A-tier monsters." Nero shrugged with a grin.

"So? How would you rate my performance? Pretty believable, right?"

"..."

Vincent’s face contorted with disbelief and rage.

But then, something changed.

His expression cracked.

He held his head low before a murmur happened which soon turned into a full-blown laugh.

"Hahaha! HAHAHA! HAHAHAHA!"

The laughter was disturbing, too manic... like something that belonged in an asylum rather than a battlefield.

Nero’s eyes narrowed dangerously.

It felt too ominous.

That wasn’t the laugh of a defeated man.

That was the laugh of someone who still had cards to play... just as expected of the final boss of an arc.

It’s a three-step laugh too... very villain template like.

"YUI!"

Haori’s desperate scream suddenly ripped across the battlefield, filled with maternal terror that made everyone’s blood freeze.

Nero’s head snapped toward the sound, his enhanced senses immediately picking up the panic and desperation in that cry.

"... Hey, just what the fuck did you do now?"

The words came out as a cold, deadly whisper that carried more menace than any shout.

Vincent’s maniacal laughter stopped abruptly, replaced by a smug expression despite his broken arm.

*SNAP!*

He snapped the fingers of his good hand with theatrical flair.

"Care to take a guess?"

As if summoned by his gesture, all 6 wives immediately surrounded Nero again, their heart-shaped pupils glowing with renewed malice.

But before anyone could react further...

"NERO!" Juno’s voice carried across the battlefield with analytical panic.

"Something is wrong with Yui! She’s... she’s poisoned!"

The words hit Nero like a sledgehammer to the chest.

Poisoned.

Vincent had poisoned Yui.

"..."

Nero, who was hit with the realization, stayed silent.

The rage that built inside him wasn’t the explosive kind that burned hot and fast.

This was something colder. Deeper. More dangerous.

The passive skill Heart of the Beast only flared this primal rage inside him.

And Nero, who’s at this point won’t have anymore of Vincent’s shit.

"HAHAHA!" Vincent’s laughter resumed as he grabbed his mangled arm, seemingly oblivious to the pain.

"Of course I poisoned them! Did you really think I wouldn’t have contingency plans?"

His eyes gleamed with sadistic satisfaction as he watched Nero’s expression darken.

"You see, while I made them unconscious, I made sure to give them a little something, just a little bit of insurance in case something went wrong. It gives us more time to... negotiate."

Vincent’s voice dripped with smug triumph despite his broken limb.

"I have the antidote, naturally. So here’s what’s going to happen. You’re going to surrender yourself and that angel goddess, and then maybe–"

*BOOOOMM!*

The rest of Vincent’s words were cut off.

The poor guy didn’t even know what hit him as his body flew backwards comically as Nero’s metallic fist connected with his nose in a sickening crunch.

"AGHHHH!"

Blood exploded across Vincent’s face as cartilage and bone shattered under the impact.

Vincent rolled and stumbled backwards, both hands now clutching his destroyed face while blood poured between his fingers.

But when he looked up through the crimson mess...

"..."

A chilling shadow looked over him.

And there he saw an expression he never saw on a human before.

Nero wasn’t gloating anymore.

He wasn’t smirking.

He wasn’t even breathing hard or showing any kinds of exploding rage to his taunts and threats.

"..."

Instead, there was something far more terrifying in those reptilian eyes.

Complete. Absolute. Silent rage.

The kind of fury that didn’t need words or theatrics.

It burns so coldly, Vincent could feel it through his thick skin.

*Step.*

Nero took one measured step forward.

*Step.*

Then another.

His metallic scales gleamed with predatory intent as his transformation reached maximum intensity.

"W–Wait... the antidote... you need me alive for–"

Vincent tried to scramble backward, suddenly realizing that breaking the dragon’s restraint might not have been the victory he’d thought.

*Step.*

Another step forward.

There would be no negotiations.

No more mercy.

No clever words or strategic planning or some kind of plot bullshit.

Just pure, concentrated violence delivered with unrestrained fist.

Vincent had made the fatal mistake of threatening someone like Nero.

Now he was about to learn exactly what that meant.

The businessman’s eyes widened in genuine terror as death approached him with cold and merciless intent.

Those who wait shall indeed be rewarded, indeed.

And Nero’s reward was about to be Vincent’s complete and total fuckery at this point.

***

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