Ch.132Chapter 132. Breaking the Seals (5)

Chapter 132. Dojo Storming (5)

Screech! Screech!

Horrifically deformed human-faced birds perched near the cliff, screeching terribly. That is, until a four-legged giant raptor appeared.

Kiyoooot~!

What a peculiar sound for a beast. That must be the griffin demon.

Let me take a closer look.

A large, thick, flat beak like a shoebill stork. Thick feathers gleaming like steel.

Extremely fierce, sharp eyes, and talons honed like bird knives.

It’s impressive. Truly impressive.

But perhaps because I’ve seen an undead high-level demon with infinite regeneration supported by Charon, it doesn’t look particularly threatening.

Could Lakye take it down alone? If she uses the Totem of Confusion right from the start when approaching, it would be an easy win.

“It’s nothing special. This extermination will be easy.”

Lakye must have had similar thoughts as she smiled confidently.

Actually, if we’re talking about terrifying and frightening, that flock of human-faced birds is worse. They have the worst visuals among all the mutant worshippers I’ve seen so far.

I wonder if they all received personal blessings from the griffin demon.

High-level demons were once gods, or at least god-like beings. They should be able to bestow blessings on their followers, their worshippers.

Come to think of it, those creatures are blessed ones, just like paladins, berserkers, or spirit masters.

Though inferior compared to blessings from real gods. They can’t even defeat a single low-level demon.

They’re just mass-produced mobs slightly stronger than humans. That’s the limit of mutant worshippers, or rather, blessed worshippers.

“Lord Malak, I’ll show you the new skill I’ve learned.”

Lakye slowly drew upon her divine power. Golden light enveloped her body.

Then she placed both hands on the ground and stretched her body like a carnivore that had spotted its prey.

This is a posture I’ve seen often in animal documentaries. Whenever this posture appeared, poor herbivores would get their necks bitten and die.

“Hmm…!”

With a snorting sound, Lakye leaped into the sky with a thunderous boom.

She didn’t jump using superhuman physical abilities. Ah, how should I explain this?

Golden energy was released and propelled her upward? Yes, that seems right.

Lakye flew precisely toward the griffin demon’s nest and drew her meteor sword.

Kiyo?

The griffin demon seemed surprised, only moving when Lakye was right in front of its face. It flapped its wings, shooting out wind.

This is the “wind control” ability of this demon that the Holy Maiden told me about. Despite being shot like a small storm with a threatening sound, it couldn’t stop Lakye’s movement.

The blade of the meteor sword touched the feathers that looked as hard as metal.

Slash!

It cut through the griffin demon’s left wing. The demon’s scream—kiyot!—came as a bonus.

“Whew.”

Having succeeded in her surprise attack, Lakye prepared for the next attack behind the creature. Seeing her catch her breath, she must have used a lot of divine power in an instant and overloaded herself.

The griffin demon quickly turned around and charged at Lakye. Its speed is comparable to a half-human-half-demon.

Clang! Clang!

Small sparks flew as the demon’s claws clashed with the meteor sword. Both being sturdy, the exchange dragged on.

The distance is just right… good. Now’s my chance.

I used “Totem of Confusion” on the griffin demon as it glared with bulging eyes and raised its front paws.

Green blood gushed from its eyes, nose, and mouth. This is the first time I’ve used this blessing on a high-level demon other than zombies.

As expected, it works well on ordinary high-level demons. The only disappointing thing is that it doesn’t collapse in confusion like mid-level demons.

The griffin demon charged at Lakye while dripping blood. Even though its eyes must be obscured by its own blood, it attacked Lakye with precision.

So high-level demons can fight without seeing, huh?

“You’ve slowed down.”

It was impressive, but the tide had turned. The griffin demon, having lost its earlier speed, couldn’t possibly defeat Lakye.

The Totem of Confusion had done its job.

I watched the battle between the two powerful beings while laying down clouds with “Malak’s Domain” to hinder the human-faced birds. They couldn’t approach, perhaps being lower-ranked than the stingray demon’s worshippers.

Ki…yo…

After several clashes, the meteor sword pierced the griffin demon’s neck. Its eyes rolled back as it collapsed.

I opened my status window and checked my score. Hmm. Not bad.

It didn’t come in all at once like when I first killed the shadow demon, but this is more than enough to be grateful for.

Kanto and Paya, whom I sent on auto-hunting, also earned quite a few points.

These days, Paya has formed a sort of “girl avengers group” with Noah, Luna, and Chosun, and they’re wandering around diligently. It seems they’re hunting demons while looking for ingredients listed in Beatrice’s book.

Using my main character Lakye to clear the main quest “Defeat High-Level Demons and Obtain Divine Manifestation,” while assigning minor quests to sub-characters… this really is like an idle game.

– Two more high-level demon exterminations and I can obtain divine manifestation. Let’s rest at headquarters before setting out for the next hunt.

Even Mt. Geumgang is best viewed after a meal. I should take it easy, if only for Lakye’s sake.

“Just two more. Since we’re already out, let’s finish them all before going back. We can rest in a cave or something.”

Huh?

– Will you be alright?

“I can’t keep Lord Malak waiting any longer.”

Lakye… I’m touched. She’s even willing to sleep rough for me.

As expected of my guardian, she’s the best!

“…And I want to see Lord Malak’s manifested form. I was disappointed to miss it last time.”

Lakye, who was busy cutting down human-faced birds, blushed slightly.

So that’s her true intention.

It doesn’t matter. Lakye has wanted to see my true form for a long time anyway.

– You’ll see it up close, don’t worry.

I should at least give her this lip service. Look at Lakye’s mouth corners turning up. She likes it.

Just in case, I tried using “Zombie Control” on the griffin demon as it was about to scatter into ashes.

It doesn’t work, as expected.

Hah, it’s still amazing when I think about it. How did that bastard Charon turn high-level demons into zombies?

Even if I maxed out the “Zombie Control” blessing to the highest grade, I don’t think I could control high-level demons. Even at my current advanced level, low-level demons are my limit.

Did that bastard Charon have a Zombie Control (God-level) skill, or perhaps another skill that supports such abilities?

Tsk. I probably wouldn’t get an answer even if I asked the Holy Maiden about this.

“It’s over.”

– Good work.

After sweeping away all the human-faced birds, we set out to find a place to sleep.

Lakye found a cave, killed all the infected creatures living there, and then lay down to rest.

“I’m glad we found shelter before sunset.”

– It’s cozy.

Of course, she didn’t forget to throw the corpses outside and gather branches and grass to serve as blankets and a bed.

“Will you stay by my side?”

Lakye, who was blinking sleepily, asked.

I had no intention of moving my consciousness to another totem, so I probably would.

– I’ll stay with you.

Lakye once told me that whenever I move my consciousness elsewhere, she can’t feel my energy from Totem #3.

Is a totem without my consciousness just a sacred piece of wood?

Lakye made a satisfied expression and fell asleep, breathing softly. She must be very tired after using divine power to fly.

I’ve used some mental energy too, but I could still hold on.

…What should I do?

Maybe I’ll go to the community. I wonder if the supporters and haters are still fighting.

After looking once more at Lakye sleeping with the egg-sized Totem #3 in her arms, I connected to the community.

They’re fighting even more fiercely, perhaps because it’s a boring night. It’s closer to a few users stirring up trouble.

Fortunately, Siwoo isn’t around. Good thing he was sentenced to labor.

Click. Click.

I’m getting sleepy. I’ll just read this post and go to sleep.

[SexualPaladin: About the community these days… isn’t it a bit bleak?

Rather, how should I put it?

That warm feeling from before isn’t there anymore…you know?

Ah~really!

I don’t even know what I’m saying.

Look, tribal alliance this, anti-tribal alliance that, everyone’s fighting at every opportunity.

Everyone’s lost their minds these days…?

It’s gloomy and unpleasant…

Stupid, so stupid!

Where did all that kindness from before go…!

You know, when I needed friends, I wandered around all day.

Endlessly, getting pushed around by people’s indifference.

I’ve always lived like that, so I thought this time wouldn’t be any different.

I hated myself for unconsciously getting used to it

When I was crying like a child, what appeared before me

Was this community.

The tone and gentle voice, as if sharing what one truly loves with others,

Was felt even though tears obscured my vision.

‘Warmth’…

Oh sorry, sorry. I said something unnecessary.

So, everyone, get your act together!

Idiots!]

Ah shit. I picked a weird post. The nationalist template I used on Lakye is angelic compared to this.

I went to the comments section and saw a bunch of insults. Oh, MeleeSpy is there too.

The thief who stole the hidden piece and devoured a high-level demon. He’s the perfect target for venting.

– Comments –

[MeleeSpy: Seriously, stop this bullshit;;]

ㄴ [UltraSansMadWithMoonlightMassacreMode: Honestly, this is more entertaining than your EunuchBro]

After delivering that one sharp retort, I went to sleep. Where should we go tomorrow?