How to Be a Dark Hero’s Daughter

Collen kills people. He only targets the bad guys who harm others, and he sustains his demons with the energy they release upon death.

‘Collen has already made contracts with more demons than his energy limit allows.’

It wasn’t long ago that I realized Collen hasn’t been feeding.

For several years, Collen’s tired face and his decreasing nocturnal outings became noticeable.

‘Zion is a very patient person.’

But why would Zion be concerned about Collen? There’s only one reason.

Collen tries to harm himself.

“Since when did you stop eating at all, huh?”

“It’s none of your concern.”

“Dad… how would you feel if I was dying and I told you not to interfere?”

“That…”

Collen tries to control his anger. Just thinking about it must infuriate him.

“Why are you doing this?”

“…I am your father.”

“And why is that?”

“I just wanted to be the father of a child like you.”

For a moment, I was paralyzed.

Because it is a word with so many meanings.

Was it because I was praised as the noble lady of justice? Or did he simply enjoy being the father of a girl like me? Or perhaps… did Collen grow tired of killing? Did he… change?

I never truly knew Collen.

In my previous life, I read about Collen.

What should I say? I was speechless.

“Leticia, I’ve killed countless people.”

“…”

“All of them deserved it. Had they lived, they would have committed more crimes.”

“I know… I understand.”

And in this world, Collen is the only one who has the ‘right’ to execute someone.

That’s the rule, the beginning, the norm.

“But why? I thought you…”

“Walter, by my standards, deserved it too.”

I froze.

Yes, whether controlled by Siebel or not, Walter committed countless sins.

“But you see, you mourned for that insignificant man for a year. Even had nightmares and showed symptoms of sleepwalking.”

But Walter was my childhood friend.

“I don’t sympathize with Walter or whoever. My feelings about him living or dying remain the same. However…”

“…?”

“I became afraid of losing you. And gradually, even those beasts began to look human. Of course, I still don’t treat them as such.”

“Dad…”

“I once executed a serial killer who had targeted and killed seven women on the streets. Before I did, I made him confess, and I found evidence.”

Collen continued.

But than a child came out of the room.

“…He had a daughter?”

“She looked just like you when you were young.”

“…”

“I don’t know if she was his real daughter. But that was the first time I thought about the families of those I killed. That night, I had my first nightmare. I feared that those I killed might come back and harm you.”

I swallowed hard.

I couldn’t say, ‘It’s okay, Dad.’ Because I understood Collen’s feelings, and he was right.

“Leticia, nothing scares me. But the thought of you getting hurt does.”

“I…”

“Can’t help how my feelings developed. I grew to love you. Then doubts followed.”

Collen gave a bitter smile.

“I started questioning this path my father taught me.”

“You didn’t do anything wrong.”

“But it’s not entirely right either, especially for being the father of a wonderful and lovable child like you.”

Collen spoke casually.

“So, what about those nightly outings?”

“I only killed half. Then I handed the rest over to the state.”

“…”

“I’ve told you, I wouldn’t mind dying right now.”

“Collen…”

“I’ve lived like that up until now. But if I were to die, I’d want to die as your wonderful Dad. That’s all.”

Tears streamed down my face as I buried my face in Collen’s chest, holding onto his shirt. His love was so immense.

I felt so guilty for not being born as his real daughter in this world.

So overwhelmingly so.

Tears poured out.

Collen is the kind of person who never second-guesses his decisions. That’s why when he decided to kill the villains of this world, he executed them without hesitation.

And now, he has chosen to take his own life.

Because he believes it’s right. Because he believes it’s the path that aligns with his heart.

“How much time do you have left?”

“At most, a year.”

My lips quivered.

“If I don’t consume energy for over a year, the demons will devour my body to suck out the energy.”

“There must be a way. I’ll look into it. I’m already researching the materials I got from Mage Tower.”

“It won’t help.”

“Can’t you just break the contracts with the demons? Then, you won’t have to feed them energy…”

Or isn’t there a way to consume energy without killing?

“Just find people who are dying naturally.”

Collen chuckled.

“That won’t work. People who die naturally from old age or sickness have already depleted their energy. I can’t get enough energy from them.”

So, in the end…

“Moreover, I’ve tried everything.”

“Yes?”

“I released all the demons and did nothing for about a year or two. In the end, I nearly died, and none of the demons left me. Unable to bear it, I killed again.”

I swallowed hard.

“I still want to look for a possibility. Isn’t it just a matter of breaking contracts with a few demons? Why, Jade has three demons, but his innate magic power is enough, isn’t it?”

Collen slowly looked at me.

“Just one needs to leave me.”

“Just one?”

“Yes. Baal.”

“…”

“Baal is the highest-ranked among all the demons. He’s close to being a real ‘god’. Throughout the long history of the ducal family, I am the only one who has contracted with Baal.”

Hisss.

The black snake, Baal, appeared in thin air.