Ch.123Past Connections Are Dangerous (10)

What are known in the world as Death Eyes or Demon Eyes.

I began to take a serious interest in such abilities after I had spent more than 70 years in Thebes.

The reason was simple. I was just bored at that time.

‘I felt like I would die of boredom if I didn’t do something.’

No one dared to oppose me anymore, and I had grown tired of everything.

So whenever I found something even slightly interesting, I would spend time researching or observing it.

Anyway, after several years of this process, I succeeded in incorporating the abilities of Demon Eyes into my necromancy.

Sometimes I would directly extract them from ancient creatures, and whenever I heard rumors about someone somewhere using similar abilities, I would immediately track them down and extract information.

The result was something a bit more dangerous than I had initially thought.

Well, that wasn’t strange either.

By then, I had already reached an extremely high level.

“As it happens, I have an ability that’s perfect for someone like you.”

“……”

The eyeball in my palm changed color and emitted an intense energy, and Ryan didn’t hesitate to charge at me.

“…I told you it would be useless now.”

Whoosh.

Crackle!

The massive amount of electricity that began radiating from him seemed impossible to avoid.

However.

Crackle.

Whoosh.

“What!”

Ryan’s electricity, as if it were alive, avoided the space where I was and struck only the empty air.

To someone who didn’t know what was happening, it would almost seem like he deliberately missed me.

I mockingly said to Ryan:

“See? I told you that you just needed to change your approach.”

“…What kind of trick did you pull?”

“Well. It’s because your way of using power is too predictable.”

To be honest, Ryan, befitting his title as one of the Seven Stars, has perfect control over his power.

However, he too couldn’t escape the limitations of an awakened one. Not only was his power not built up by himself, but the image of his power was too clearly defined.

‘His way of using power is too one-dimensional and straightforward.’

That makes it all the easier for someone trying to counter it.

With a nonchalant expression, I summoned a Lizard Wolf and casually sat on its back.

“I’ll wrap this up soon. Nothing seems likely to change anyway.”

“…Kugh!”

I had roughly anticipated it from seeing my increased level, but clearly the upper limit of power I could exert without using necromancy had risen considerably.

I had been thinking about using necromancy again in a pinch, but perhaps I could get through this situation without using it.

I began to draw up my spirit and magical power, intending to strike in one go.

However, as expected, interference came.

Swoosh!

Kwagagak─!

Dozens of steel pillars suddenly struck down as if to check me.

Their owner was, of course, Julian, the German Seven Star who had been watching Ryan.

‘…Honestly, that one is quite troublesome.’

A different type from Ryan.

I’m not sure about the magnitude of his power, but Julian is certainly the one who handles it better.

Even in terms of attributes, he doesn’t have as good a compatibility as Ryan. It was clear that all the tricks I had used earlier wouldn’t work on him.

However, Julian didn’t seem inclined to continue the fight any further.

After ensuring Ryan’s safety, he calmly spoke:

“Let’s hear what you have to say.”

“What? Julian. Are you in your right mind?”

“Ryan, calmly assess the situation. Fighting to the death here won’t help either side.”

Julian must have seen how easily I had subdued Ryan and judged that they couldn’t win if I joined forces with Henesia’s side.

“I want you to clarify the facts. There are clearly countries that have been harmed by the two people behind you, but they also said they couldn’t find a clear purpose from the two. What happened with that attack?”

“……”

He’s more rational than I expected.

Although the situation was somewhat unexpected, if we didn’t have to fight, I had no reason to refuse either.

After all, I was also concerned about Hades’ side if I were to use necromancy again recklessly here.

“Yes, we do know each other. I just didn’t know that the same person attacked both the US and Russia.”

“What! Such sophistry…”

“Calm down, Folson of America. Her words are probably true.”

Folson, who had been dispatched from the authorities, was enraged by my words, but Julian stopped him again.

Even Folson couldn’t step forward anymore and kept his mouth shut at the words of the hunter called Seven Star.

“Then my next question. What exactly is their identity? We requested cooperation from all countries affiliated with international organizations, but couldn’t find matching information.”

That was probably the most puzzling part for Julian.

There was no need to elaborate—the two weren’t from Earth.

But I wasn’t sure how to explain this.

That’s when Astride, who had been watching the situation from behind, stepped forward.

“…I met the teacher over there. We only came to this planet a few days ago, so it’s natural you don’t know about us.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“…We’re like the people you call returnees.”

Although there wasn’t much explanation, Julian seemed to understand what Astride was trying to say.

So, showing a surprised expression for the first time, he said:

“Is that really possible?”

“…There might be complicated variables depending on the case, but at least it was possible for us.”

Artificial inter-dimensional travel is possible. That information alone was enough to cause a commotion.

Julian fell into deep thought for a moment, then spoke again:

“It doesn’t seem like a lie. If I believe that, then the previous incident also makes sense. The attack happened because of ignorance about this world.”

“Well, you seem to understand. We weren’t trying to commit any wrongdoing. The situation just turned out that way.”

Henesia brazenly spoke, and Astride also nodded reluctantly.

The two had achieved their goal of finding me, so they clearly judged that causing further friction with this society wouldn’t be beneficial.

“Then, can you promise not to cause any more unnecessary conflict?”

“If you don’t bother us, that’s fine.”

“Good. I’ll persuade the higher-ups. However, I ask that you maintain minimal communication through any country afterward.”

“I’ll do that.”

The conversation progressed surprisingly quickly. It was hard to believe these were the same people who were ready for a life-or-death battle just moments ago.

I wasn’t the only one who thought so; all the other hunters except Julian and Ryan expressed their opposition.

“This is not even funny. Since when did you have that kind of authority?”

“This is an insult to the other hunters here and their countries. Can you say the same thing in front of Russia?”

“There are two powerful individuals with no affiliation whose identities are unknown. It was your side that said they might be dangerous figures threatening world politics.”

None of these statements were particularly wrong, so there was no counterargument.

Curious about his reaction, I looked toward Julian, who suddenly began to emit a killing intent.

“…How ignorant. If you have a brain, think about what’s best for your country.”

“W-what?”

“I will not accept any further objections here. If you have complaints, please convey them through official procedures.”

It was truly an absolute action, but there seemed to be some inexplicable urgency mixed in one corner of it.

However, knowing his strength well, the other hunters only looked at each other without anyone stepping forward.

The finishing blow was delivered by Astride:

“…Let me tell you one thing: we’re not really afraid of you.”

At the same time, she drew one of the swords at her waist, swung it arbitrarily, and then put it back.

Slash!

Slash!

Click.

Then, something surprising happened.

“W-what is this?”

The hunters, who had been communicating with their respective factions in different ways, all suddenly reported communication problems.

“…How is this possible.”

“I didn’t sense any skill being used!”

“There was no magical reaction either. She just swung her sword.”

To be precise, that statement was incorrect.

They simply couldn’t detect the extremely refined and controlled magical power with their level of perception.

But rather than just a powerful attack, that strike seemed to have instilled a great sense of caution in the hunters.

In the end, they had no choice but to watch the situation conclude without offering any substantial objections.

‘……’

Mixed in during this time, I gazed at Julian with a meaningful look.

I wasn’t certain, but he seemed to be hiding something.

Also, when I focused, I could vaguely sense something circling around him.

His suddenly changed attitude and inexplicable urgency earlier must be related to that.

‘Well, it doesn’t matter.’

I was just curious, but it wasn’t something I needed to worry about right now.

“…Teacher.”

Above all, there were too many things that needed to be sorted out first.