Ch.205205. Red Night (5)

“So, what’s the plan?”

Elia was the first to break the silence.

It’s the inevitable question she must ask Darwood whenever something like this happens. Anyone who’s spent enough time with him would know this man’s tendencies well.

But this time, there isn’t much of a plan to speak of.

It’s more like a principle than anything else.

“Crush everything and move forward.”

“…I like how straightforward that is.”

Elia said this while glaring at what lay before them.

“Professor.”

“Yes?”

“Were demons always this savage?”

“…”

Darwood gave a bitter smile as he followed her gaze.

Despite the scorching heat radiating from the pillar of fire, one thing stood out.

“Black souls” were emerging one by one from the ground, which was burning red from the flames.

They weren’t creatures coming through a dimensional gate. They were merely “byproducts” leaking from the Red Demon’s demonic energy.

However.

Soul entities are powerful beings that can leave traces in the material world even after death. When such entities are influenced by demonic energy and reveal their “true form,” it becomes extremely threatening.

In other words.

The demon’s status is such that just the precursor to its “awakening” causes this phenomenon.

It was dizzying just to look at dozens or hundreds of soul entities popping up—entities that could cause catastrophic disasters if even one were released in a populated area.

“…Phase 1 beginning. This level is still manageable…”

“Pardon?”

“Nothing.”

Seeing Darwood mutter incomprehensible words, Elia inwardly sighed.

This man remains incredibly calm even in situations like this.

Calm might not be the right word. Lately, it feels like his human emotions have been completely stripped away.

“…You said crush everything and move forward, right?”

Elia muttered tensely.

The soul entities surrounding them were staring with hostile gazes. Their eyes were tinged red, clearly affected by the demonic energy and driven to madness.

They would undoubtedly be hostile.

“I don’t think we can do that with a direct approach. As living humans, we don’t have many means to directly damage soul entities—”

“Give it to me.”

Darwood pointed at the holy sword still clutched in her hand.

“I can’t show you this many times. Watch carefully.”

“What? What do you—”

Before she could finish her question.

Darwood snatched the holy sword from her hand.

Elia was immediately horrified.

“P-Professor! Are you cra—!”

Her sentence was cut off with a gasp.

She was shocked by the fact that Darwood’s body didn’t simply “explode.”

‘He’s… fine?’

Does that mean this man is the sword’s rightful owner?

“…”

No.

That’s not it.

Like her, he doesn’t emit the radiance that should appear when grasping the holy sword.

And he’s not fine at all.

The immense power flowing from the holy sword is trying to course through Darwood’s body, but it’s being “blocked” by something.

The sigil engraved on Darwood’s chest was glowing darkly.

It was a strange inscription, but there was no other way to explain it.

Like soot stuck to the bottom of an abyss. Like darkness formed from rotting things melting together.

Such sinister energy was billowing out from his chest.

In his arm holding the sword handle, the holy sword’s energy collided with the energy flowing from the sigil. His entire arm was turning necrotic black, apparently bearing the brunt of this conflict.

“An ordinary human would probably have their body burst apart the moment they grasped this, but if you understand the ‘principle,’ you can manage to some extent.”

With his body rotting away, Darwood explained in an even voice as he gripped the holy sword with his left hand.

“The holy sword’s energy flows from its core. The ‘purification’ function that nullifies all supernatural abilities also comes from there.”

Then.

-!

-!!

With ear-splitting screams, soul entities rushed toward them.

“Even without the chosen one’s radiance, it’s entirely possible to ‘utilize’ that function.”

He swung the holy sword.

Then.

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

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

The entire area was “purified.”

Energy erupted from the core embedded in the center of the holy sword’s blade, emitting a light that illuminated everything nearby.

The radiance that only a recognized hero could emit was temporarily scattered around.

And with just that, all the surrounding soul entities evaporated.

In an instant, without leaving a trace.

‘…Good heavens.’

Elia stared with her mouth agape.

The holy sword of the First Hero. The strongest weapon a single human could wield.

She knew of its reputation, but she hadn’t expected this level of power.

The holy sword’s radiance is, so to speak, a “constantly maintained effect.”

What Darwood did was merely a crude imitation of it.

Yet, it had this much power.

He easily produced an effect that only those with saintly titles among living humans could achieve.

“…”

And what’s even more astonishing is the existence of this man who arbitrarily created such a phenomenon.

Elia swallowed dryly as she looked at Darwood.

If someone unqualified grasps the holy sword, they die—by the transcendent power within it, bestowed by the Lightbearer.

It’s practically a law. To only suffer “partial” damage like this, and even to “utilize” its power, is nothing short of miraculous.

With her Eye of Truth that can see through the principles of all phenomena, she could quickly analyze what had just happened.

‘…Impossible…’

This man is counteracting it with “another power” implanted in his body.

With the “demonic power” accumulated in the sigil engraved on his chest.

Through the power of other demons he has gathered until now.

And to put it differently:

‘…How far have you strayed?’

It means this person has already deviated significantly from being “human.”

Elia swallowed dryly again as she looked at Darwood.

‘And how much further do you intend to stray?’

More extraordinary, further, higher.

This man continues to transform himself in such ways.

A human who has stored multiple demonic powers within his body? This is unprecedented in history.

It instantly explains why the leadership of the Holy Empire, the Tribal Union, and even the Empire show deep interest in this man’s every move.

But.

But still.

“…”

To be honest.

It’s frightening.

Having that much transcendent power gathered inside one’s body must have side effects.

The malevolence of that energy she just witnessed is beyond imagination. If he continues to carry such things inside his body…

I understand he’s developing, but.

From this man, at some point.

The aspects she “liked” are gradually fading.

That straightforward altruism that made him care for others to the point of foolishness.

That occasional silly smile, that peculiar awkward fumbling when he was flustered.

What made her fall for this man.

That warmth, that comfort.

The feeling that made her heart pound as if her throat was blocked whenever she heard his voice.

All those things that were felt from the human called Darwood Campbell are gradually fading. Growing dim.

He seems to be transforming into “something” mechanical that moves only for a purpose.

“…Um, Professor.”

So, even after witnessing that feat before her eyes.

The words that escaped her vocal cords were filled with anxiety.

At this rate.

She felt that at some point, this person would completely drift away.

“Let me ask you something, Elia.”

Cutting off her question, Darwood’s sentence dropped abruptly.

He tossed the holy sword back to her to return it.

“Do you know why you haven’t been ‘recognized’ by the holy sword?”

One clear fact:

Darwood is not the sword’s owner. The sword rejected his existence and tried to burst his body apart, as just observed.

This sword’s owner is Elia. She just hasn’t been recognized by it yet.

To that question, Elia received the sword and answered glumly.

“…Because I’m weak?”

“No.”

To that, Darwood sighed and replied.

“It’s because you’re dependent on me.”

“…”

Elia’s eyes trembled greatly.

“Everything that has happened until now. Every crisis. Everything… has all occurred under my arrangements.”

“…”

“This time, it won’t.”

“…”

“In the end, you have to do it.”

Elia’s breath caught in her throat.

Her trembling eyes fixed on Darwood.

Most of what has happened so far, this man has resolved directly.

But now he’s clearly drawing a line.

As if this time is an exception.

“It’s okay. You can do it.”

“…”

At those words, Elia bit her lip and looked down at the holy sword in her hand.

Undoubtedly, her expression was anxious.

●

[“…She’s clearly feeling burdened.”]

I hear Calivan saying this with a smirk.

He probably made that comment after looking at Elia.

“She can’t help but feel burdened.”

I answer with a sigh.

“If she can’t use that sword, I’m finished too.”

The moment Elia can’t handle the holy sword, not only will we fail to clear this chapter, but even if we miraculously do, further progress becomes virtually impossible.

Whether for her sake or mine, it’s ultimately a necessary measure.

[“Are you alright?”]

“…Do I look alright?”

My entire body feels wrecked.

I’ve experienced pain countless times before, but grasping a holy sword while my body is being corrupted by demonic energy is an especially unique experience.

The excruciating pain slicing through my entire body couldn’t even be blocked by the Iron Man trait.

[“No, not that.”]

“…?”

[“Your mind. I’m asking if you’re sane.”]

“…”

[“You feel different from usual, don’t you?”]

That.

I can’t really argue with that.

I’m the one who knows best that certain “emotions” are gradually fading away.

“…I’m fine for now. For now.”

But at least I can still endure it.

For now.

I feel like I’m barely holding onto the edge of my “humanity.”

“I tend to believe in myself.”

[“I believe in something too.”]

“…What?”

[“Why do you think I gathered all the Demonic Vessels even though I knew you’d hate it?”]

“…”

I don’t understand what he’s saying.

As I tilt my head in confusion, Calivan answers with a smirk.

[“Well, you’ll find out soon. That you don’t need to do everything by yourself.”]

“…I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

I answer with a sigh.

The towering pillar of fire was growing larger by the moment.

“Let’s go, Calivan.”

I wrap torn pieces of clothing around my tattered arm as makeshift bandages.

It’s hardly even first aid, but it’s better than nothing.

Without even this, I wouldn’t be able to endure what’s coming.

“Now the real thing begins.”

Phase 1: Pillar of Fire. Dimensional Gate Summoning. Soul Entity Summoning.

And now comes.

The section that made all users scream that the developers were insane.

The main reason why the Crimson Night Incident was repeatedly declared the Empire’s worst disaster.

‘…Phase 2.’

The “Demon Main Body” summoning phase.

●