I'm Actually Not Overpowered!

"M-me... surrender." I heard the Mid-Demon say.

'Eh?'

I was conflicted, but there was no way in hell I would show that.

'What's going on?' My eyes slowly opened and I saw the unbelievable.

The Mid-Demon was currently kneeling, while raising her hands in total surrender. Her battered body was trembling as she did this, and while disdain filled her eyes, so did fear.

'Holy... holy shit!' I couldn't believe it, but it was happening right in front of me.

That scene where the enemy Boss surrenders to the MC after an overwhelming show of power—it was unfolding at the moment.

For a moment, I simply stood—dazed by the unexpected turn of events. I could have sworn that I would die a few moments ago.

'The Goddess of Luck has come through for me yet again.' I was practically crying tears of relief—internally of course.

After recovering a portion of my MP and Stamina—thanks to my Hero Title—I was finally able to move properly.

Of course, not to the point of being able to fight. But, who said combat was necessary at this point?

There was only one response to give someone who willingly surrendered. And that is...

"Now you know the difference between us."

... TO BLUFF!

"Keuk!" A frustrated sound escaped the Mid-Demon's lips as she slowly planted her face to the ground and begged for mercy.

I couldn't escape the uneasy feeling I was having at that moment. My life was still uncertain and hinged on the outcome of this confrontation.

'I have to choose my words wisely. Ah, this is hard...'

If I made a slip-up and displayed even the slightest hint of weakness, the demon could take it as an opportunity to strike.

On the other hand, if I came on too strong and bruised her ego too much, she could lash out and kill me.

"P-please spare me." Her voice trembled.

It was clear that she had a strong will to live. There was no other reason for a proud demon to bow before a human.

'Hmm... I really can't call myself human anymore. I mean, I practically obliterated her in that match earlier.' A smug grin formed on my face, and I momentarily forgot how powerless I was.

"And why should I spare your life?" My voice sounded cold and unfeeling.

I cast a condescending gaze upon the Mid-Demon, and as she raised her face, she was met with my icy glare.

"Who said you could look up?" My words instantly caused her to meekly return her head to the ground as she kept pleading for mercy.

'Welp, it's not like I could kill her now, even if I wanted...'

I was officially out of juice.

In fact, if she decided to use one of those especially dangerous Skills on me, I would be dead in a second.

But, who was going to tell her that? Certainly not me!

"You haven't answered my question yet. Why should I spare you?"

To be honest, I was also asking myself that question.

Here was the Demon responsible for everyone's death in the first turn. Jokes aside, she killed Lucy and caused everyone else to die—forcing me to use my Arcana Call prematurely.

I had every right to dispose of her at the moment—again, it wasn't like I could.

'You've really ruined my plans, and you made me see stuff I didn't want to experience. I'm not sure I could forgive you...' My heart ached as I stared at the Mid-Demon.

She was struggling hard to formulate words, most likely due to her limited vocabulary and flustered state.

In a way, looking at her now in this her pathetic state, almost made me want to spare her life—not like I had any other choice at the moment.

'On the bright side however...'

Thanks to her incursion, I was able to realize a lot of my shortcomings. In the future, I was going to be more careful with events.

Besides, even if she didn't do any damage to the settlement, there was no telling when another harm would have done the same damage.

Ultimately, I was the one who was careless in the past. Her actions made me realize that. I would not be caught off-guard like that again.

'Ah, I can't believe I'm the one doing the convincing.' I nearly laughed at myself.

I searched for another reason—particularly something that would placate Sarah and the rest of the humans in the settlement.

As though reading my mind, Sarah, Byron, and Lucy approached me hastily.

"Shall I dispose of her for you, Sam?"

"What an unsightly Demon. Just say the word!"

"You don't need to sully your hands."

I couldn't believe these shameless people. I needed help not too long ago, yet they kept cheering me on.

Now that the situation managed to resolve itself, they wanted to reap the rewards?

'Heck no!' Of course, I couldn't say this to them.

"There's no need for that." My voice cut them short, causing all three to back away from the demon.

'Even if I wanted the demon dead, I had to make the kill myself. Her EXP will be wasted on these guys.' I internally glared at the three of them.

Still, though, I needed a good reason to spare her life. Personally, it left a terrible taste in my mouth to kill someone as sentient as this.

Especially with how she desperately clung to life.

"Very well... I shall spare your life."

Surprised gasps escaped my human subordinates, and even the Mid-Demon looked up in surprise.

I could see teary eyes of gratitude, and her swollen face appeared confused.

"Do not mistake my mercy for weakness." I quickly added, before she mistook me for some chump.

"A-ah. Would never!"

'Yeah. Yeah. I know people like you.' I rolled my eyes at the Demon's show of submission.

I was well aware that the moment I turned my back or showed any sign of weakness she would kill me without hesitating. That was why I had to keep putting on a show of strength.

"It would simply be a waste to kill you. Rather than having you die worthlessly, I will simply make you pay for defying me... with your body." My hand was raised and I gave a striking pose.