Ch.106106. Maximum Speed (3)

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The Flame Demon had long ruled this scorching zone as its sovereign, an ancient magical beast.

Its massive form boasted a dignity that could rightfully be called a giant of fire.

–…

And that giant rose, awakening from its long slumber.

Normally, it should have been deep in its dormant period, but it had opened its eyes due to the overwhelming “presence” that somehow emanated a peculiar scent.

-…

The Flame Demon immediately fell into thought.

What being would dare make it feel this way?

At the very least, it needed to confirm with its own eyes.

With that resolve, the Flame Demon fully rose from its place.

The flames of magical power enveloping its entire body possessed the majesty of a disaster, and the endless magical energy flowing from it mixed with its breath, creating aftereffects of ultra-high-temperature flames.

As it majestically revealed itself and stepped outside its lair, other high-ranking magical beasts nearby scattered in panic.

The ruler of this vast scorching zone had revealed its overwhelming majesty to the world.

-…

Its eyes soon turned toward where the most intense energy was felt.

The sea in the distance.

The Flame Demon knew what lay beneath it.

The Water Dragon. The ruler of the sea with power equal to its own.

-…?

But something was strange.

The Water Dragon’s energy that was always felt there was no longer present.

Instead of the energy it expected to be there, something much more sinister was felt.

Below the depths where the Water Dragon usually resided.

From a much deeper place.

-…!

And the Flame Demon, instinctively detecting that energy, flinched.

Although the Flame Demon itself was quite an ancient being, what was down there was…

Not just old, but something close to the indescribable.

Something that made unpleasant sensations crawl up from beneath consciousness just by looking at it.

As soon as it felt that sensation, it unconsciously took several steps back, then froze in place, surprised by this fact.

It was afraid.

Itself.

The being that had ruled this area as sovereign for ages was afraid of the entity deep in that sea.

Without even directly confronting it, just from the energy transmitted from there.

-…

It was a while later, while still frozen from the shock, that it detected the “changes” happening nearby.

-…?

Something strange was felt.

Something approaching much closer than that bizarre entity in the distance.

And when the Flame Demon slightly turned its head in that direction, an equally incomprehensible sight was unfolding there as well.

-…

The Flame Demon looked alternately at the ground and sky with a puzzled gaze.

What could it be? Had the laws of the world changed while it slept?

Why?

Why were creatures that should be walking on the ground floating in the air?

-!!!!!!!

-!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Strange cries and screams filled the surroundings. They were coming from magical beasts that had been struck and half-destroyed, now floating in the air.

Among those creating such scenes were even high-level entity magical beasts so powerful that the Flame Demon itself would have to be tense if several of them attacked together.

A fire golem made of flame magic stones, larger than itself.

Hellhounds that could tear through most armor with just their teeth and claws.

Fire elementals capable of unleashing magical formulas that could reduce an area to ashes using fire magic.

Each one possessed power that would be disastrous if they ventured outside this scorching zone.

Yet, such creatures…

Were being flung into the air by the dozens, screaming.

-…?

And if one looked more closely at why such scenes were occurring, the question of what on earth was happening in the world would deepen.

Because there was a human “punching and sending them flying like feathers” – those formidable magical beasts.

The human merely swung his hands casually while running, as if dusting something off.

As if simply clearing away cumbersome obstacles in front of him.

Yet, despite such seemingly ineffectual movements…

-!

A fire golem struck by the edge of his hand shattered into pieces.

-!!

A hellhound kicked with a half-hearted foot was split in half.

-!!!

The flames created with all the might of a fire elemental were simply “deflected” as he advanced with his bare body.

Each magical beast, close to being a disaster, was handled as easily as toys.

What…

Where on earth did this monster come from?

-…

The Flame Demon stared blankly in that direction with a dazed expression, then focused its gaze more carefully on those humans.

They were a strange pair, fitting for such a bizarre scene.

At least most “humans” the Flame Demon had encountered during its long years rooted in this zone had approached it with extreme tension.

The tension and reverence felt when facing a magical beast from hunters’ legends was clearly perceptible despite the difference in species.

But…

These ones…

“Hey. Stand still. Who said I’m going to kill you? Just explain what you meant earlier.”

“…His eyes are unfocused, Riru.”

A woman with blue energy surrounding her body, chasing after a man who was moving with a ghostly momentum.

And a man fleeing while sweating profusely, dragging along this terrifying woman.

From their exchange as they ran toward the Flame Demon…

Not even a speck of “tension” could be felt.

“Oh, found it.”

The man who had been fleeing at the front even brightened up with a smile when he spotted the Flame Demon.

As if this extreme scorching zone surrounding them, the powerful magical beasts filling it, and even the Flame Demon ruling over them…

Were not worth paying attention to compared to the woman chasing him.

-…

And such an attitude…

Was enough to irritate the Flame Demon’s temperament, already wounded in pride from the recent events.

—!!!!!

A roar echoed. As the Flame Demon pounded its chest, several pillars of flame imbued with its magical power rose simultaneously.

They were massive magical flames that could be said to extend from the ground almost to the limits of the sky.

Normally, this was a trump card it would only bring out when cornered, but it intended to confront these creatures before it with full power from the start.

No legendary human hunter who had survived the scorching zone and reached it could dare to contend with the fire pillars raised by the Flame Demon. How many living beings had been reduced to ashes by this single attack over the years?

“Hmph.”

And when the man reached the fire pillars, the Flame Demon snorted at seeing him simply “punching” toward them.

No one had ever withstood this attack before, so what kind of resistance was this? He clearly wanted to be melted by the fire and returned to ashes.

The Flame Demon opened its mouth wide. It was about to let out a triumphant roar at the sacrifice that would soon turn to ashes.

And then…

-…?

Truly.

Without any difficulty.

Seeing the fist that “scattered” the earth-splitting pillars of fire and came through…

Was its last memory.

●

“…Hmm.”

I watch the head of the Flame Demon, torn off with its mouth still wide open, flying through the air.

That’s what happened from just one punch of mine.

Looking at my watch, it took exactly 5 minutes.

< System Message >

[ Target ‘Flame Demon’ is temporarily eliminated! ]

[ ‘Fear Imprint’ is engraved on the target! ]

[ From now on, the target will recall this experience whenever it sees ‘Darwood’! ]

Given the Flame Demon’s boss characteristics, it will periodically revive as long as it’s in the scorching zone even after dying once.

But thanks to taking it down in one hit, the fear imprint has been successfully applied.

‘…This really doesn’t make sense.’

I think as I look down at the gauntlet on my arm.

< Item Info >

[ Infinity Gauntlet ]

[ ▶ Ectoplasm: Shows extremely high compatibility with various abilities. When enhancement and buff skills are cast on the equipment, effects are applied at double strength.]

→

[ Characteristic: Martial Arts – Standing Style effects are applied at double strength! ]

[ ▶ Adaptive Leather: Automatically copies the target’s attribute upon striking. Automatically weakens the target’s attribute on the second strike. ]

→

[ Fire attribute being copied. Will weaken Fire attribute on next strike! ]

The Flame Demon’s fire pillars were quite a headache-inducing pattern in the game. It was an annoying pattern that inflicted fixed damage equal to a certain percentage of health regardless of the player’s equipment or stats.

But did I just “break through” that and kill this thing with one hit?

‘…Even with Dire Straits…’

Of course, this level of “attack power” comes from Dire Straits, but…

All the utilities that maximize that attack power are provided by this thing.

Just now, though it’s not written here, I didn’t take any damage when I put my arm through the pillars of fire thanks to “Dragon Scales.”

Truly the unity of offense and defense.

With just this much, I shouldn’t worry about lacking performance when fighting Tatiana.

I haven’t even used the celestial iron’s ability to react sensitively to divine power and resist curses yet.

The problem is…

The “someone” clinging to my back right now.

[ Activating ‘Skill: Proof of Faith’. ]

[ All additional stats are temporarily changed to ‘Durability’ and ‘Divine’ stats! ]

[ Activating ‘Skill: Asceticism’. ]

[ Due to ‘Characteristic: Divine Power Operation’, 2 are created simultaneously! ]

This skill combination once blocked even Kasa’s fist.

Considering the inflating nature of Dire Straits, it should boast even stronger defense than back then, but…

-!

-!!!!

“…”

Yeah. That’s right.

Watching the hand that breaks through the two divine shields that shatter like paper, such thoughts naturally come to mind.

“Why do you keep running away? Huh? I told you to explain!”

The arm wrapped in blue energy immediately grabs my collar. The owner is, of course, Riru.

Her eyes are lifeless. No focus at all.

She’s clearly gone mad.

“…”

Well, but…

Even if I want to answer, I can’t breathe.

Being suspended in the air by my collar makes breathing impossible. A choking sound escapes. My vision flashes.

“You, you, clearly told me before that you liked me-“

As Riru tries to say something with veins bulging across her forehead…

“Yes. That’s enough.”

A “red energy” interrupts.

It interferes with the blue energy rising from Riru’s body, striking her arm to make her let go.

[…]

I can feel Calivan in the Soul Linker becoming rapidly displeased.

Well, that’s because this…

Is the Red Demon’s energy.

“…”

Turning my head, I see Faynol sitting on a rock, holding a staff.

Thanks to me summoning him here in advance. Clearly, I knew he’d be needed around now.

He’s emanating red energy with a sly smile.

Unlike Riru who lets her energy flow wildly around her, his aura is clearly controlled and orderly.

‘…The only vessel capable of controlling a demon.’

I sigh inwardly as I recall this characteristic.

I don’t intend to use that in actual “combat,” but I needed it to deal with Riru right now.

Only another demon can respond to a demon.

I survived thanks to him knocking Riru’s arm away just now.

“…Who’s that guy?”

“Faynol Leiphec. He’s applied for the position of Darwood’s lover this time. Nice to meet you, senior in the waiting line.”

“…”

While Riru stares at Faynol, who’s waving with a grinning face and an incredulous expression…

During this distraction, I attach a magic stone I received from Faynol to Riru’s body.

It’s a “spatial movement” magic stone that any reasonably skilled magician could create.

The set coordinates are the outermost edge of the Crucible of Struggle.

The effect is immediate. Riru’s body with the attached stone disappears with a whoosh.

“…Ah, I almost died.”

I get up, coughing.

There’s a blue bruise on my neck from where Riru grabbed me.

To think this happened despite all my cheat skills – these Demonic Vessels are truly unpredictable.

“…Isn’t this just hiding your head in the sand?”

Faynol says with a bitter smile as he looks at me.

“I did everything you asked, but what’s the point of this?”

“It buys time.”

“…”

Faynol frowns.

“…The Blue Demon is enormously influenced by its vessel. Haven’t you been very careful about that until now?”

“I have.”

“Yes. But if you just send her away to another place without proper explanation, won’t she just get angrier?”

“She will.”

I say while rubbing my neck and rummaging through the Flame Demon’s shattered body.

There was something I needed to find in there.

“…Then how do you plan to appease someone so angry? If the vessel goes berserk, like the Gray Demon case before, this whole area-“

“I’m not going to appease her.”

I sigh in response to Faynol’s words.

His expression immediately goes blank.

“…What?”

“I said I’m not going to appease her.”

That’s why I provoked her from the beginning and sent her away without explanation.

So she’d be furious to the point of boiling over. So the demon’s energy would flow more abundantly.

“…”

Throughout the chapter, I’ve really been careful to keep her from getting angry, but…

Seeing Allan’s current state made me change my mind.

As I said before, to face a boss that’s absolutely unbeatable, I need to do something crazy too. Something beyond what Tatiana would expect.

Meeting Faynol was part of that, but I needed something more… “effective.”

So I thought about it.

What’s the craziest thing I could do within manageable limits?

Something drastic enough to help me break through the boss battle smoothly.

And this is the conclusion I came to.

“I’m going to make the Blue Demon go berserk once.”

Well.

Let’s see the naked Riru once.

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