Ch.130Demon Hunt (4)

Can humans fly with their bare bodies?

Without relying on any magical means, can humans truly become free from the shackles of gravity?

To that question, here stands a black mage who says:

With the power of a Sword Master, it’s possible.

KWAAAANG!

Zarkan completed his brief flight with a thunderous landing. Having achieved a stable “THUD!” landing through the back of his head and crown, Zarkan convulsed with half his head buried in the ground, making “THUD, BANG, DRRRRR!” sounds.

As the building caught in his noisy landing collapsed with a KUNG, KUUNG sound, Najin blinked, forgetting even to swing his sword. What did I just see?

“Urgh… huh?”

It wasn’t just Najin.

A black mage who had been screaming while Najin held him by the collar also paused his screaming and looked at Zarkan buried in the ground with an expression that said, ‘What did I just see?’

“Huh, Lord Zarkan?”

When he realized that the person buried in the ground was their boss, his eyes widened. Najin was moved by his loyalty, worrying about his boss first even while being held by the collar.

‘Still, I have to do what needs to be done.’

Crack. Najin broke the black mage’s neck. After pushing aside the limp black mage, Najin glanced at Zarkan, who was wriggling while buried in the ground. Is that thing even alive?

‘With his neck bent at a right angle, is that really alive?’

-Well… it’s doubtful, but seeing him move, I guess he is?

‘If something can live with its neck bent like that, isn’t it not human?’

Half-serious, half-joking words.

Though unintended, Najin’s words were correct.

Gulp.

Black liquid flowed from Zarkan’s convulsing body. The liquid seeped into Zarkan’s neck, which was bent at a right angle. Then, with a “crack, craaack!” sound, Zarkan’s neck found its original position.

‘So he really isn’t human.’

Najin clicked his tongue.

Black filthy water flowing from the body. The so-called demonic energy, exclusive to demons. It seemed the man before him was that black mage who had summoned a demon.

But why is the leader of the black mages in front of me?

Najin suddenly raised his head. Following the direction from which Zarkan had flown, he saw the top floor of Baldernost Castle. Though the distance made it hard to see clearly, a woman at the top of the castle was waving at Najin. A woman with snow-white hair. It was Juel Lazian.

-She’s truly insane…

Merlin muttered in disbelief, and Najin couldn’t help but laugh. Did she throw a person from there to here? What insane physical ability.

“Cough, hack. Ptui.”

Zarkan rose, clearing away the dust.

He wiped his mouth after spitting out bloody water from his neck. Despite being driven into the ground from such a height at such speed, Zarkan’s body had no wounds. More precisely, there had been wounds, but they were gone now.

Looking at that unsightly appearance, it’s hard to believe, but surprisingly, Zarkan is a powerful black mage.

In the society of magicians where those from the 8th circle are classified as archmages, Zarkan had reached the 6th circle. His strength was not to be underestimated. If one were to hunt him down in his home territory as they were doing now, at least a squad of Experts and two Sword Seeker-level powerhouses would be needed.

And if a demon was added to the mix? Without the help of demon hunters or inquisitors who specialized in hunting demons, eliminating Zarkan would be very difficult. Dealing with a demon contractor, a bundle of variables, was not an easy task.

So Zarkan is definitely a powerful figure.

‘He certainly should be.’

Najin opened his eyes lazily.

Even for Najin, who was always serious, it was difficult to be wary of an opponent after witnessing such an unsightly landing.

“Damn it all.”

Zarkan cursed, frowning.

With a wave of his hand, the dust cleared. He looked around with a deeply furrowed expression. His subordinates’ corpses were scattered everywhere, and at the center stood a boy.

“Is this your doing? And who are you?”

Zarkan growled, glaring at Najin.

The demonic energy spreading around his body and the fierce pressure pressing down on the area. It was intended to intimidate Najin, but it had no effect.

Shing.

Najin answered Zarkan’s question by raising his sword. Yes, I did it. And to the question of who he was, Najin kindly answered.

“Najin.”

A constellation rose above the raised sword.

“Morning Star.”

Morning Star, the star that announces the end of night.

Two stars shone in the night sky.

2.

Demon contractor. A being who can contract with a demon to borrow its power or authority. Najin had faced such a being once before.

The Fallen Knight Bernhagen.

The opponent Najin had eliminated with Excalibur.

At that time, Bernhagen, who had been a Sword Expert, became a Sword Seeker-level powerhouse by contracting with a demon. When he deployed a barrier and began using the demon’s powers, he possessed strength that placed him in the upper ranks of Sword Seekers.

-They don’t usually get that dramatically stronger. It’s just that the demon he contracted with at that time was of a higher rank.

The ancient demon Arcand.

Merlin had explained that such growth was possible because the demon Bernhagen had contracted with was an exceptionally powerful being. When he heard that story, Najin had thought:

His victory over Bernhagen wasn’t due to his own strength. It was only possible because he had employed a means close to cheating: “Excalibur.”

Then, how strong would he need to become to defeat that man without Excalibur? Even after rising to Sword Seeker, Najin occasionally had such thoughts. After all, Bernhagen inside that barrier had been overwhelming.

And now, an opportunity to resolve that question had arrived.

‘Merlin.’

-Yes.

‘How strong is this black mage, Zarkan? Compared to Bernhagen back then.’

-Similar, I’d say? He might be a bit stronger than him back then. I can’t tell for sure since the demon he contracted with hasn’t shown itself yet, but judging by the demonic energy, it shouldn’t exceed mid-rank.

Stronger than Bernhagen who had deployed a barrier.

Najin smiled with satisfaction at that answer. It was an opportunity to prove his growth. About half a year since the elimination of the Fallen Knight. Najin wanted to test how much stronger he had become in that half year.

The smile disappeared from Najin’s face.

It was at that moment, when the black mage, Zarkan, who hadn’t noticed the change, was still growling at Najin. Najin dragged his sword low. He lowered his stance. With his arm pulled back behind him, he took a short breath.

One breath.

The moment the inhaled breath was exhaled.

Zarkan’s eyes lost track of Najin’s movement. But Najin hadn’t disappeared from his sight. On the contrary, only Najin filled Zarkan’s vision. Najin, who had closed the distance in an instant, swung his sword.

KWAAAANG!

A thunderous sound erupted the moment Zarkan’s demonic energy collided with Najin’s sword energy. A sound too loud to have been created by just swinging a sword. With the noise, Zarkan’s two feet lifted off the ground. The demonic energy had withstood the repulsive force of the sword energy, but Zarkan’s physical body couldn’t.

It’s like when you strike someone’s helmet with a hammer; the helmet might only be slightly dented, but the head inside gets crushed or concussed. The same principle.

“Kuh!”

Zarkan exhaled a blocked breath at the sudden strike. But that was it. He had no intention of letting Najin continue his attack. Zarkan swung his arm. He was a magician of the School of Force, which dealt with invisible shockwaves, and even though he had entered black magic, the spells he mainly used remained unchanged.

With force field wrapped around his arm, he struck Najin’s sword. With a JJENG sound, Zarkan was pushed back.

“……”

Zarkan glanced at his arm.

Despite being wrapped in force field and demonic energy, his arm’s bone was broken. The black filth quickly rose and fixed the broken bone, but Zarkan couldn’t hide his bewilderment.

He felt chunks of demonic energy and mana being shaved off.

A demon’s power is not infinite. Even if the power of demons living in the Outer Continent is infinite, the power Zarkan can borrow from them is not. The moment this demonic energy runs out, he will revert to being an ordinary human.

That can’t happen.

Zarkan looked at Najin.

Najin merely aimed at him with his sword energy trailing, not rushing in. Zarkan felt irritated by that leisurely appearance.

What’s the use of fighting this brat?

Even if he kills him, there’s no way to survive. If that brat had been weaker, he might have tried to quickly dispose of him and attempt an escape, but… he wasn’t such an easy opponent.

This is bullshit.

Zarkan’s expression crumpled.

Just as his eyes were about to look around, intending to ignore Najin and flee.

-Ah, I forgot to tell you one thing.

A voice echoed in Zarkan’s ears.

Zarkan’s eyes wavered.

The voice in his ears was that of Juel Lazian. A voice without inflection said. How could it cross such a distance? It was telepathy, a technique that could be used thanks to a Sword Master’s transcendent mana control.

The voice, carried by mana, said:

-I’ll spare you if you defeat that boy.

-There are noble humans who give their all even in the face of certain death, but you’re not that type, are you? You seem to need appropriate compensation to give your all.

Juel’s voice was trembling slightly.

Not from fear, but from ecstasy.

-I promise on my name.

-Please, give it your all.

She’s truly a mad woman. But Zarkan couldn’t refuse that offer. If he was going to die either way, he might as well believe those words.

‘The Order’s executioner is a madwoman and capricious. But she doesn’t lie. I have no choice but to believe her words.’

Zarkan opened his mouth, glaring at Najin.

The deliberation was brief, and the choice was quick.

“Great Marphos.”

Power. The moment Zarkan muttered that, his spine tore open. Three arms, each with seven fingers, emerged from the torn spine.

Mid-rank demon, Marphos.

A demon with seven arms, each with seven fingers.

The concept it governs is refraction.

Zarkan’s lips twitched as he contracted with Marphos and received three of its arms. The feeling of omnipotence from being connected to a higher being brought him ecstasy. He was confident he could handle magic up to the 7th circle, not just the 6th.

Two human arms. Three demon arms.

Ten fingers and twenty-one fingers.

For magicians of the School of Force, who handle force fields through their ten fingers, having an additional finger or arm has an enormous significance. Moreover, if it’s a demon’s arm, it’s even more significant.

It’s not for nothing that the School of Force, along with the School of Blood, produces the most demon contractors. The School of Force and demons have good compatibility.

“—HA!”

Zarkan swung his arms, laughing. The demon’s arms, which had emerged by tearing his skin, moved according to Zarkan’s will as if they had been his from the beginning.

One force field per finger. Twenty-one force fields were added to the ten he originally handled.

KAGAGAGAGAGAK!

Force fields crashed down on Najin, randomly crushing the ground. Najin, who had been “waiting” for all these changes, narrowed his eyes. Then he asked his guide:

‘Is this his full power?’

-Yes. He’s summoned the contracted demon. Mid-rank demon Marphos. The concept it governs is refraction. Just looking at it, it seems like the School of Force…

‘You can stop telling me now.’

-What?

Najin twirled his sword once.

‘Otherwise, I won’t get any training, will I? If it looks truly dangerous, tell me then. Until then, I want to test something.’

-What?

‘How far I can go.’

How far this body can move.

After obtaining a star and killing a dragon to take its blood, Najin had not yet given his all. He hadn’t pushed this body to its limits.

So he needed to know.

Before departing for the Outer Continent, he needed to understand how far this body could move. At that answer, Merlin blinked and then burst into laughter.

-Go ahead then.

Invisible shockwaves rushed in. The transparent shockwaves are not visible to the naked eye. But Najin gauged the position of the shockwaves by the slight ripples and the flow of air.

Then, tap.

The method Najin chose to deal with the incoming shockwaves was a frontal assault. Najin’s sword energy tore apart one force field. With a burst of light, Najin advanced.

3.

Juel, sitting at the top of the fortress, looked down. Her red eyes reflected the image of Najin clashing with Zarkan.

Fragments flying as sword and shockwave collided.

The pleasantly resonating “KANG!” sound and the splashing blood. Dust rises, force fields push away the risen dust, sword energy cuts through, and the battle continues. Juel captured all those movements in her eyes.

“Hmm…”

Laughter escaped through her tightly closed lips.

Her eyes, soaked in ecstasy, gleamed red. Juel loves blood and killing, but she loves battle just as much.

What she loves most is when, after a fierce exchange where both sides bleed, one side wins by a hair’s breadth. The crossroads of life and death. The moment when she cuts the body of the one pushing her towards death, the moment when her body tilts from death to life.

Only then does Juel feel that she is alive.

The more intense the fight, the closer to death, the more intense the life obtained at the end. That intensity was Juel’s only joy and her reason for living.

And such a person.

Now feels interest in the boy emitting an intense light below. When killing many people, many and numerous living beings, there are times when a unique vitality is felt. How earnest they are about life. How attached they are to life. And how much they value their own life.

What some call the soul.

Juel called it vitality.

It was the same in that it leaves the body at the moment of death.

In the face of death, most people willingly bend themselves. They even abandon their original form to survive. For them, there is no value more important than life.

However, a very small number of knights.

The vitality of a noble knight facing death, though dim, does not bend. It burns red until the end. For them, life does not hold value beyond belief.

For constellations, their achievements.

For demons, their concepts.

For witches and dragons, their mysteries.

Occasionally, there are those who hold values more important than their own lives. The vitality of such people shines. More beautifully than anything. Recalling the numerous souls, the vitality she had seen, Juel looked at Najin again.

It’s the first time.

It’s the first kind of light she’s seen.

It’s intriguing because it’s unknown. She wants to know because it’s intriguing. She wants to kill that boy right now and extinguish that light, and she also wants to wait until that light grows enough. Juel’s lips twitched at the murderous intent that surged dozens of times in a second. Laughter escaped through her lips.

Hoping he would soon reach the realm of Sword Master.

Hoping he would soon challenge her to a duel.

Hoping he would rise to an equal position and engage in a fierce battle with her.

Hoping he would meet his death at her hands at the end.

Or, hoping he would kill her.

Contradictory emotions collide within her. Even the agony and stimulation brought by that collision, Juel felt as pleasure. Life needs stimulation. A life without stimulation is worse than death.

Juel focused all her nerves on Najin.

In case, by any chance, the black mage might kill Najin, she was ready to intervene. She had no intention of letting her cherished prey be taken away.

“……”

As she was fiddling with her sword hilt, Juel narrowed her eyes. It seemed like a situation might arise where she would have to intervene. He had only faced a demon once, hadn’t he? He was clearly struggling against the powers wielded by the demon.

That’s a shame. I wanted to watch more.

Just as she was thinking that and deciding to intervene, at the moment she was about to raise her sword.

“…Ah?”

Juel’s eyes widened.

She tilted her head.

In an instant, Najin showed a movement. That movement turned the tide of the battle. Najin, who had been pushed back, suddenly slid past, cutting off one of the black mage’s arms.

-That’s one for now.

A smile spread across Najin’s lips as he muttered.

After replaying all those movements in her mind once more, Juel couldn’t help but burst into laughter.

She couldn’t help it.

It was a movement that even a Sword Master couldn’t predict.