Obsession... What's That? I Just Wish Someone Would Help Me Escape - Chapter 32
He looked at me like a wary cat.
“But, my lady, I’ve never heard of your abilities. I heard that the power of sloth did not manifest in your generation.”
Enrique asked with his characteristic sly smile, seemingly hiding something in his undertone.
The ability is a supremely powerful SSS-class hidden skill, lent through the selection of the demon god.
“I haven’t awakened. I thought you already knew.”
According to the guard Damian, I wasn’t shot because I didn’t receive the ‘power of sloth,’ while Johann and Enrique have the power of wrath.
Why only our family?
I tilted my head, lost in thought, then asked him.
“Is there anyone else here who has received the demon god’s power?”
“Number 3.”
Now that I think of it, I’ve never seen Number 3.
Enrique muttered thoughtfully, slowly continuing.
“Powers can also descend to those who are not direct descendants.”
Could it mean that I might also receive a power?
I shook my head resolutely.
I’m very generous with myself, but a no is a no.
“Normally, one awakens before coming of age, but my ability is too weak…”
But keep encouraging me!
Fill the void of my scripted responses with sentiments like, ‘If you don’t give up, someday…’
“How lazy must one be to not awaken?”
Suddenly appearing, Johann picked up the potato Enrique had given me.
Hey, why are you eating that?
“Is it because I’m a sloth, that the demon in charge is also lazy?”
Johann wiped his hands on my prison uniform after devouring the potato in one go.
“Just forgot it because it was putting it off.”
Johann often spouted bizarre things, but occasionally he made sense.
Indeed, being the demon god of sloth, that might be possible.
But why does it only forget about my awakening?
Suddenly, Johann’s grip on my shoulder began to tighten.
“But you know, if you had awakened a powerful ability, you might have been killed too. Anyone who could be a direct descendant or a potential power holder, they would have killed them all.”
“Why only our family?”
As I made an aggrieved face, Johann smirked and tilted his head.
“The Order fears the powers of the Sloth family.”
“So why is it that only our family gets devastated…”
“I don’t know. Maybe because it becomes a hassle for the Order.”
Unlike other power holders with clear attributes, the heads of the Sloth family used a variety of powers, not limited to water, fire, or any other element.
It felt like they were lazily lending out whatever came to hand because it was bothersome to hold onto.
Maybe that’s why they’re guarded; you never know what power they might obtain.
…With each passing moment, Uncle Claude’s chances of survival seemed to diminish.
I put my hand to my forehead, lost in thought.
“These filthy animals! It’s time for sacred labor! Get out here quickly!”
But this was a cruel place… not even allowing time for contemplation.
I got up weakly from my spot as the guard’s booming voice echoed.
Johann slowly stood up and stretched.
“There’s a saying that the demon god of Sloth was once a divine god, so it’s possible to use divine power as well. That’s said to be the power of Sloth, applicable only to those rare special beings who are born with it.”
Neither my uncle nor any records from previous generations mentioned using divine power alongside their abilities.
Anyway, does that mean only those rare hybrids born into the Sloth family with the potential for dual abilities can become hybrid power holders?
I’m not hoping for divine powers, but I do wish they’d grant me any ability.
“Is there something like a pre-awakening symptom? Like a window with text appearing in front of your eyes…”
I was concerned about the mysterious message window I had seen after getting hit on the head with a plank.
“It varies from person to person. A window with text? Are you talking about summoning spells or incantations in your mind? The way of casting varies too.”
Both seemed unaware of anything like a system window.
Was it just a hallucination from the impact on my head?
I tried to recall the text inside the window, but nothing came to mind.
Maybe I’ll find out if I face another life-threatening situation.
