Reincarnated as Twins: And Then, I Was the Only One Abandoned - ☆56 The Fate of the Twins ⑤

☆56 The Fate of the Twins ⑤ 

A few years ago, Abyssla and Passieu traveled together. They took on the challenge of subjugating a horde of Chimeras—runaway creations born from a beast research facility. 

Among them were grotesque creatures with the heads of lions, bulls, and goats. Some had wings that tore through the sky, while others shook the earth like massive elephants. There were even monsters that wielded magic and fire. 

The battlefield was a scene straight out of hell. 

Amid the chaos, Abyssla and Passieu joined an elite party handpicked by the guild. It served as an emergency subjugation force. 

With their lives on the line, neither had the luxury of holding back—they revealed all their abilities in battle. The memories of that fight left a unique tension lingering between them. 

“Honestly, I don’t want to fight you. But……. part of me wants to see for myself.” 

Passieu spoke in a low voice as he gradually unleashed his pitch-black mana. 

Dark radiance cloaked his body. It was swallowing the surrounding light into an abyss of shadows. 

“See for yourself? See what?” 

Abyssla muttered indifferently. His hands began to trace a magic circle in the air. 

“Which of us ranks higher—as fellow S-rank adventurers.” 

“Hah, that’s obvious. It’s me, of course.” 

Abyssla responded lightly. But his sharp gaze told a different story. 

Spreading his hands toward the sky, he released a surge of violet mana. 

The mana condensed into a swirling mass above him. Its glow was an eerie mix of black and purple. Gradually, it took shape—transforming into a towering demon with outspread wings. 

—The demon’s eyes gleamed crimson, and its razor-sharp claws sliced through the air. 

The overwhelming pressure in the battlefield grew heavier as Passieu locked eyes with Abyssla. 

“Haa… It’s been a while since you summoned me.” 

A deep, bone-chilling voice resonated. It was as if it was rising from the depths of hell. The high-ranking demon general; an Archdemon—Morglim—let out a stifled yawn before speaking. 

“So, what do you need from me this time?” 

“Eliminate the man before me.” 

Abyssla commanded coolly. Then, with a casual shrug, he added: 

“And of course, make sure I’m not caught in your attacks.” 

“What’s the price?” 

Morglim’s three crimson-black eyes gleamed with interest. 

“Something mildly inconvenient.” 

“Oh? Let’s hear it.” 

“If I get an insect bite, I won’t be able to reach it to scratch.” 

“Hah! That’s not enough.” 

Morglim roared with laughter, his massive belly shaking. He then urged for more. 

“Alright, one more… Every time I stand in line, the person in front of me will always cause a delay.” 

Morglim paused, as if considering the offer. Then, he gave a satisfied nod. 

“Very well. From now on, you’ll endure those minor inconveniences for the rest of your life.” 

The contract was sealed. 

Morglim’s colossal form shifted as he prepared for battle. His aura brimmed with malevolence, distorting the air around him. 

“…Is the farce over?” 

Watching the exchange with dead, emotionless eyes, Passieu let out a deep sigh. 

Then, he unleashed his own black mana. 

It swirled violently, shifting and morphing as if alive. It took the shape of a massive serpent—an enormous black shadow that slithered toward Morglim. 

Its movements blended the fluid grace of a snake with lethal precision. It slithered across the battlefield with unwavering focus. 

Seeing this, Morglim grinned wickedly and braced himself. 

“Well then, let’s begin. I’ll show you the depths of hell…” 

Passieu, known as the “Phantom of the Night”, wielded darkness itself. 

Anyone caught in his black mana vanished, as if swallowed by the night. 

Where they ended up—whether flung to some distant place or erased from existence entirely—remained unknown. 

Now, that same dark force wrapped around Morglim’s massive body. It was constricting him like a giant serpent. 

Gradually, the demon’s body was consumed by darkness. 

“Oh… so with each coil, you’re draining my energy.” 

Morglim observed his own state with a tone as casual as if narrating a story.

“Well, as I get drained, my existence is fading too.” 

Despite those words, Morglim’s voice remained relaxed. He showed no sign of distress. 

“Oh, the absorption rate is accelerating. My left arm’s already gone.” 

“Hey! Are you okay?! Quit acting so casual and get out of there!!” 

Abyssla shouted, a hint of panic in his voice. 

Yet Morglim remained as nonchalant as ever. 

“Easier said than done. I can’t escape, you know? Half my body’s already gone lol.” 

Passieu listened to their exchange without reacting. He maintained his composure. 

—However, internally, he was beginning to feel anxious. The mana consumption required to sustain the serpent was depleting him faster than expected. 

“…A battle of endurance, huh.” 

“Nah, this ain’t happening lol. Summon me again sometime—if I still exist by then.” 

“HEY!!” 

Morglim’s overly casual tone nearly made Passieu drop his guard. But he stayed sharp. He carefully confirmed that every trace of the demon’s energy had completely vanished. 

Retracting the black serpent into himself, he exhaled heavily and locked eyes with Abyssla. 

“…Looks like that’s game.” 

Drained from using all his mana for the summoning, Abyssla had collapsed to the ground. Passieu stepped closer, drawing his sword. 

“Even if you return to the battlefield now, you won’t be able to do a thing. Just to be safe, I’ll finish you off.” 

Still sitting on the ground, Abyssla raised a trembling hand and pointed past Passieu. 

“H-Hey… Behind you! Look behind you!!” 

“What a tired old trick. You really think I’d fall for that?” 

Without even glancing back, Passieu kept his gaze locked on Abyssla and raised his sword. 

He swung down— 

—or at least, he should have. 

But his sword wouldn’t move. 

A sudden, dreadful sensation crawled down his spine. And instinct took over. 

He turned around reflexively— 

And there it was. 

The massive demon, who should have been completely erased, stood there yawning as if nothing had happened. 

Casually, between its thumb and index finger, Morglim held the tip of Passieu’s sword. 

“Well, for a human, you’re not bad.” 

The mix of mockery and approval in his tone sent a chill through Passieu’s body. 

“Of course, that’s *only* for a human… Oh, and no, that wasn’t a pun.” 

Morglim narrowed all three of his eyes and grinned. 

Then, opening his massive mouth wide—so wide it split all the way to his ears— 

—Chomp. 

He swallowed Passieu whole, munching as he chewed. Before he finally gulped him down.