The Player is a Part-Timer

Chapter 14: A Foolish Little Star

Gillian revealed a few of her cards. Far from enough to reveal who she was, but enough to make Kokabiel and the girl reconsider attacking her unneeded.

"!" Trembling in rage, Kokabiel was unsure what to do. Gillian's plan seemingly worked.

Hearing Azazel's name just made him angrier but also made him reconsider his next step.

Immediately, the pressure lessened, Kokabiel recognizing how close he was to losing control and doing something he might regret.

"Kokabiel?" The girl watched her "leader," confused. "Decide already what to do! Take her out or not? If we do not hurry, those devils might show up!"

"..." The man remained silent. His piercing glare intensified as he eyed Gillian relentlessly.

"Ah! Now it is clear. You don't want that. Else, you have already attacked me and tried to get the sword by force — Which means whatever you are planning is not ready yet. Fufufu..." The player chortled low. "Or because you have no idea where I hid it? Or both? How curious."

"So you admit you have the sword?" Kokabiel's glare was hateful. If he could, he would have turned Gillian to ash with his mere look.

"Probably yes... maybe I have the "toy" the girl carried. But, as the catchphrase goes: Finders keepers. If I have it, it is mine, by the right of conquest! And as I told you, if I have it, I will probably sell it to an auction — my fancy decides."

"You will not get away with this! I will get it back, even if I have to destroy this town to the last brick! You will beg for release when I am finished with you!" Now, Kokabiel completely lost all his cool, his fury blazing like an inferno. Yet, some strange urge held his hand from striking.

"Really? How fun! Please try!" Gillian laughed at the man's weak attempt to threaten her. "You are a funny guy, trying to play the big bad villain." She smiled unimpressed, even going that far to pat his face, playful. "I wish you luck."

"Ghhh!" Kokabiel raised his hand again to strike her down, but before the strike connected, Gillian raised her hands defensively, almost forfeiting and "panicking," waving before herself rapidly — palms out.

"Wait! Wait! Wait! Wait! Wait! Before you do anything hasty... please listen to me."

"!"

The fallen stopped his hand at the last moment, smiling triumphantly after almost beheading her with the edge of his hand. "So, you changed your mind? Finally, at least you have some sense of self-preservation."

"Not exactly... but killing me would be bad for youuuuu. ~'' She chirped playfully.

"I don't think so..." A blade of light elegantly extended in Kokaibel's hand, putting it a millimeter away from the player's throat. "You are but a human. Maybe, slightly special." He glanced at Mertinia, who lowered her head in shame. "But nothing I can't deal with. As such, I will just...!"

"You will "just" what?" Gillian tilted her head, blinking, playful.

"I just take you and torture you for the information I need." The man's smile was sinister, almost like he imagined him personally doing so. His previous friendly persona disappeared completely, replaced by a malicious monster.

"But you really want that?"

"Yes..."

"But reaaaaly? Really? Really? ~"

"Believe me, at this moment. I want nothing else." Their gaze met for long seconds, and the silence was prevalent, making the tension rise to unbearable height.

"Haah... I see." Gillian sighed, then lowered her head, a confident smile sneaking on her face once again. "In that case, I don't really have any other option. Do I?"