Ch.123123. Seal (3)

# “…A black demon?”

Tatiana narrowed her eyes as she uttered those words.

It was nonsensical. Were demons so easily created?

Anyone with some knowledge of the material world and second dimensions would easily understand how absurd that notion was.

Even ancient gods who possessed enough power to obliterate this entire crucible of struggle were, in truth, like mice before cats compared to the beasts of the Otherworld or Pandemonium.

And those beings were reduced to mere dust by demons and…

Angels of the Otherworld.

Demons of Pandemonium.

The most powerful beings across all multidimensional universes. Divine entities whose mere manifestation could overturn the entire material world.

And such a being was “artificially” created?

“Strictly speaking, it’s not a demon.”

Talker said this while sweeping off all the accessories hanging on one arm.

Rosary, crucifix, talisman, saint’s relic, bracelet engraved with ouroboros…

His hands were suddenly filled with accessories bearing all kinds of magical and religious symbols.

Each one would be considered a national treasure in any country.

For Talker, they seemed like disposable items he could casually use and discard.

“A real demon wouldn’t end with just this. If the main body emerged like that, you and I and everyone else would be heading straight to the afterlife. That thing clearly isn’t at that level, right?”

It was a bit embarrassing to say this, considering he had just subdued Tristan, the Grand Duchess who contained the strongest of the true demons, using only a single accessory.

However, that was thanks to her extremely low proficiency in handling “power.”

“But this one…”

The being before them was somewhat different.

It would be difficult to say it possessed the inherent pressure of a true demon.

But.

At least the “pressure” that made his spine tingle and spread throughout his body…

Was enough to sound an alarm beyond that of an inexperienced Demonic Vessel.

If there was anything he instinctively understood…

It was that if they didn’t capture it now, there would truly be trouble later.

‘…It’s already too late to purify it.’

Talker’s brain worked furiously as he observed the black energy enveloping Darwood’s body.

It was different from the Grand Duchess of Tristan’s immature demonic energy.

That had been possible because she was completely unaware of the nature of his abilities and was one-sidedly struck.

But this one had already cut off such attempts with authority wind as soon as there was any sign of it. The probability of succeeding with a similar attempt again didn’t seem very high.

To begin with.

No matter how powerful an incantation might be, demons themselves exist on a hierarchical level unmatched in the multidimensional universe. The methods of the material world ultimately cannot serve as means of control.

So if demonic energy has “bloomed” and “materialized” to that extent, even Talker would have no way to suppress it.

‘In that case, I’ll beat it down with combat!’

The fact that it doesn’t exude pressure at the level of a “true demon” means its combat power is likely lower than that as well.

With that thought…

The first exchange began with Talker.

Several of the accessories he had drawn out shone simultaneously. They served to facilitate the “communication” of the language master who could converse with the laws of the world.

The language master could now convey a much stronger “wish” to the other side.

And as a result…

-Aga barayo.

-Aga barayo.

-O flame that ignites a life without love.

【Illuminate the world.】

He could perform such feats.

As soon as those flowing sentences ended and flames appeared in the empty air, a shallow moan escaped Tatiana’s lips.

The primordial flame.

A being said to instantly melt even the scales of a sub-entity dragon according to legend.

A technique known to be used by angels of the Otherworld. In the material world, it was truly a technique that existed only in legends.

And this guy…

Just reproduced it in a matter of seconds while standing in place.

‘…Understanding of sorcery, knowledge of the multidimensional universe, combat experience, everything…’

It was overwhelming.

Honestly, Tatiana had never enjoyed being involved with this man, but she couldn’t help but acknowledge his skill.

Indeed, he was a monster even among the “Enlightened Ones,” the executives of the Cultists of the Demon. To the extent that the rumor of him being able to subdue even the Boy King in a one-on-one fight didn’t seem like an empty claim.

“Let’s see how you handle the supreme attribute!”

With that spirited cry, the fireballs flew straight toward Darwood.

The abilities wielded by the angels of the Otherworld naturally form supreme attributes against the creatures of Pandemonium.

As far as Talker knew, a vessel with just one fragment would be unable to respond to this ability and would burn up from its power.

Though that guy might have to prepare for some bleeding if he tried to suppress this with demonic energy…

Something flashed beneath the dark energy enveloping Darwood’s body.

It was an amulet that was still shining on his wrist even in that state.

Simultaneously, several “jin” appeared above that arm.

With only 5 strokes, the jin was insufficient to block the primordial flame, but it was more than enough to slightly alter its trajectory.

Originally, this top-tier miracle would strike its target immediately upon firing, but through the “gap” created by that small interference, Darwood moved.

He avoided all the attacks with acrobatic movements as if he were subject to his own gravity, regardless of ceiling or walls.

“…Alchemy? Are you kidding me?!”

Talker’s voice burst out in disbelief as he recognized the ability used to evade the celestial flames.

Demons who unleash enough energy to cover their entire body are usually in a berserk state, and even if not, the probability of maintaining sanity while wrapping a human body in such energy is extremely low.

Nevertheless, this guy wasn’t simply rampaging based on faith in his own power; he chose the most efficient method within his available options. As if the ability to find such choices was ingrained in his instincts!

“Apostle! I need some support!”

After just one exchange, he understood. Killing that guy alone right now had a significant chance of “failure.”

To ensure success, he needed one more card!

“In that state, he’ll only focus on me anyway! Get closer and pour out whatever curses or weakening spells you can!”

“…Don’t order me around.”

Tatiana growled but followed Talker’s command and darted forward.

She knew well that landing a direct hit with her curses on an opponent with such mobility was a distant prospect.

To increase the hit rate even slightly, she needed to get close and strike while his attention was completely focused on Talker.

And at that moment…

Darwood moved.

He closed the distance instantly, reaching right in front of Tatiana’s face.

Before her consciousness could properly register it…

As if he had “anticipated” she would act this way…

“…!”

She raised her wand in alarm.

It was undoubtedly a movement she couldn’t have imagined, but…

“Don’t underestimate me…!”

Though not as much as Talker, Tatiana was also among the continent’s foremost experts in curse-related knowledge. She had countless means to block a simple charge.

Dark matter creation that reduces damage from any magic attribute attack.

A curse that reflects all physical damage.

Phase shifting that absorbs all impacts to the current body and creates a “new body” at a designated coordinate.

But all these numerous abilities…

[Alchemy: Seal]

[Target’s skill is sealed for 0.03 seconds.]

Were sealed by the jin that once again appeared on Darwood’s arm.

Forcibly, she was unable to use any ability. For just a brief moment, she completely forgot how to “use” them.

With that alone, all her countermeasures were blocked.

Undoubtedly, until now…

It was an ability she had never seen before.

Despite this man being involved in so many crises in the crucible of struggle. Despite fighting three ancient gods. Even when he was nearly bisected by a demon just moments ago.

Not once had he used this ability.

As if…

If he had shown it to her even once, countermeasures might have leaked.

Until now, until this very moment…

He had kept it hidden all along.

As if he had anticipated from the beginning that such a situation would arise!

“…!”

And in that brief time, he completely allowed the approach. Beyond that, he attempted an attack that could kill her in one blow.

Seeing the fist flying toward her face like an arrow, her face filled with shock as she hastily grabbed her wand.

A spiritual object passed down to her over several generations as a follower of the Apostle of the Inverted Tide.

Though she herself couldn’t use any abilities, the functions built into this wand remained intact even if she couldn’t use her power.

For a judgment made in less than a millisecond, it was the perfect answer.

If only…

Darwood hadn’t emanated a “gray energy” right before her eyes.

“…Huh?”

Tatiana’s eyes widened as she felt her body slowing down.

“Time” was slowing. Before she could even attempt anything with her wand, her consciousness stretched out.

Like…

The “erosion” power of the Grey Demon.

Such an ability.

The power of another demon.

How on earth could he handle it?

“…What the-!”

While such shocked final words burst from Tatiana’s mouth…

A “blue energy” wrapped around Darwood’s arm.

Like…

When the Blue Demon uses the power of “crushing.”

–!!

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

And Tatiana’s head, struck by it…

Shattered into pieces immediately, like a bursting balloon.

●

Silence flowed around them.

As Tatiana’s headless body collapsed…

Darwood caught the corpse with one arm.

His other arm extended toward where the head had been.

Immediately…

Something was “extracted” from inside. It was the spiritual energy that constituted a human soul.

As if even the soul after death couldn’t be free from that man.

As if he were filled with “malice” that compelled him to do such things.

“…This feels really shitty.”

Talker said in a low voice as he watched.

It wasn’t exactly sadness over a comrade’s death.

“Were you playing with me just now?”

Looking at what this guy was doing, it was impossible not to understand.

From the beginning, his goal was clearly not to fight with Talker but to kill Tatiana.

The fact that he acted like that as soon as the opportunity arose proved it.

Despite being able to do such things, he didn’t rush in immediately, making Talker “misunderstand” by appearing to have lost his reason.

This guy had Talker on the palm of his hand, manipulating him from beginning to end.

What actions he would take, how Talker would react, how this situation would ultimately flow—even in that state and condition, he kept thinking and thinking…

And ended up making Talker send Tatiana to her death.

“I was going to take it easy, honestly.”

And that wasn’t all.

Right now, that guy…

Used the powers of two different demons “simultaneously.”

‘…That’s impossible.’

Setting aside how such a phenomenon was possible…

If…

Just if…

If it was possible to handle the abilities of two different demons simultaneously…

Did that mean even more was possible?

And where would that end?

Perhaps, just perhaps…

Could he handle the abilities of all demons?

“…”

Then, such a being…

What kind of monster would that make him?

“I really need to kill you here-“

“…Enough, Talker.”

At the voice restraining him, Talker turned to the side with an exasperated voice.

There stood the Luminary, staring at Darwood with a blank expression, having just restrained him.

“…What?”

“I said enough.”

Words followed with a sigh.

“We can’t kill that. At least not in that state. If he can use multiple powers, it means his very attribute has already changed from human.”

“…How do you know that? What does that even mean?”

The Luminary pressed her lips tightly.

It was a gesture filled with emotion, as if a wound was being gouged.

As if…

She had some terrible memory of Darwood in “that form.”

“…We’ll retreat for now. We can seize another opportunity later.”

The following sentence was spoken without any of those emotions, but…

“But next time.”

Her gaze lingered on Elnore, who was embedded in the wall.

“You’ll pay the price.”

It was undoubtedly a voice filled with firm hatred.

“…”

Talker looked back and forth between Darwood and the Luminary with an incredulous expression.

His face clearly showed disbelief that she would say such things in her right mind.

But the Luminary’s demeanor was undoubtedly unyielding, without a hint of compromise.

“…Fine. Have it your way.”

As Talker finally raised both hands with a resigned expression…

The Luminary’s gaze lingered on Darwood, who was watching them with his arms crossed.

He seemed to be indicating that he had already achieved his immediate goal by killing Tatiana and had no intention of fighting them.

As if they couldn’t kill him…

And as if he couldn’t kill them either.

It was an attitude suggesting both parties knew each other very well.

“…See you next time, Mr. Darwood.”

The Luminary continued with a sigh after seeing this.

“I didn’t expect you would make such a ‘contract’ with yourself as collateral.”

A portal tearing through space opened.

It was the effect of one of the artifacts possessed by the Luminary. A hyperspace transporter that could move anywhere regardless of distance.

“…I hope you achieve the future you desire.”

The final sentence left by the Luminary standing before it was…

Uncharacteristically…

“This time.”

A voice tinged with something resembling melancholy.

●