The Incubus System Chapter 840. Off

The Incubus System Chapter 840. Off

“Why's it already afternoon?" I grumbled, not really feeling the whine I just let out. The day had zipped past, and I couldn't quite grasp where all the time had gone. My gaze was fixed on the TV, but I might as well have been staring into the void. A lukewarm can of cola sat untouched on the coffee table in front of me, and I absentmindedly held a plate of my favorite—fried rice. However, even that didn't bring me any excitement.

The TV screen displayed a close-up shot of my demon lord form, and I couldn't help but feel a weird mix of emotions. In my opinion, I looked kinda awesome—tough and cool with muscles and armor, at least to me. But, well, the humans had a different take on it. According to them, I was straight-up scary. And to make matters worse, the reporter was giving a bunch of narration, probably asking all sorts of questions: "What's the purpose behind showing my form all of a sudden? Why this and why that?"

The whole thing was a bit irritating, to be honest. I mean, I had my reasons for transforming, but explaining that to the regular folks? That was a whole different story. Sometimes humans just couldn't understand the intricacies of the urgent situation and the complications that came with it.

With each passing second, the TV kept replaying the footage. The scene seemed to magnify the divide between my world and theirs. It was like they were expecting a straightforward answer to something that had more layers than an onion. As I sat there, spoon in hand, barely touching the food in front of me, I couldn’t help but feel the weight of their expectations—expectations that I couldn’t just meet with a simple explanation.

The ambiance in my house felt lively and oddly nostalgic as my pets scampered around, frolicking with Jill. Their playful barks and chirps intertwined with the laughter of a child created a symphony, painting the backdrop of an unusual scene. It felt like I was an older guy facing some kind of middle-age crisis, even though I was barely pushing nineteen. The world I was a part of didn't quite fit the teenage narrative; it was like I was questioning my very existence.

Jill's gleeful laughter filled the room as she played with the pets, completely unaware of the weight of the situation. I had to let her enjoy these moments before Mrs. Clea came to pick her up later in the evening. She would be staying with an acquaintance until a more permanent solution could be arranged. I wanted to ensure her safety and a more stable future. For her, I wanted things to be certain.

Suddenly, Celia appeared by my side. With a can of soda in her hand, she glanced at me with a hint of concern. "Ethan, are you okay?" she asked, her voice laced with care.

“Yeah, I'm fine," I responded, trying to reassure her. I scooped another spoonful of fried rice into my mouth, savoring the familiar taste. The rice was comforting in a way, offering a momentary distraction from the chaos that surrounded me.

Celia shot me a curious look. "Then why do you look so… off?" she inquired, her concern evident.

"I'm just thinking... why does the day feel like it's slipping by so fast today?" I grumbled, feeling a mix of frustration and annoyance. "I've barely done anything," I added, my discontent evident. I knew it sounded odd, complaining about having done nothing when I had just saved the human world. I mean, I'm a hero, right? But what I meant was that I hadn't done anything today that felt fulfilling to me.

I understood my role as a demon lord and prince of darkness, but there was a part of me that craved a slice of normalcy. At nineteen, I felt the pull of a desire for some semblance of a regular life—moments that belonged to a typical 19-year-old. It was a plea for the chance to have a bit of fun amidst the weight of responsibilities and the complexity of my existence.

The dichotomy of my life was overwhelming. I was navigating between two distinct worlds, trying to find a balance between being a powerful creature and a regular guy who just wanted a break from the chaos, if only for a moment.

'Just let it go, Ethan.’ Those words echoed in my mind, a subtle reminder to move on. I attempted to uplift my spirits, nudging myself about the enjoyable time spent with my sisters the day before. But the residual feelings of the recent events kept gnawing at me, making it difficult to shake off the emotions that lingered.

Celia couldn't help but notice my downcast expression. "Why do you look like you're about to cry?" she quizzed, concern etched on her face. "You don't need to get all sentimental, you know," she added, trying to lighten the mood.

"Shut up," I retorted, my annoyance evident, accompanied by a frown as if I'd never shed a tear in my life.

Celia let out a sigh, taking a more serious tone. "But seriously, was it that bad?" she inquired. "I mean, this was the first time I've seen you resort to that form for a fight," she pointed out, curious about my battle. "You’ve got a higher status, right? So, why the transformation?" she probed further.

"Yeah, my status is above him," I confirmed. "But facing a demon lord requires my full power. To access that, I need that form. Besides…," I explained, the seriousness in my tone shifting abruptly.

The weight of my explanation hung in the air. But there was more to it. As my gaze shifted to the TV screen showing a reporter interviewing a witness, I couldn't help but feel a surge of frustration. "Humans..." I muttered, my tone tinged with disappointment. "They’re so fragile. A demon lord is potent enough to control and obliterate this world," I lamented before taking another mouthful of food.