Ch.45Chapter 45

High school education is mandatory, and those who want to further their studies consider the Academy. As an institution for specialized education, it attracts only those who dream of higher-paying jobs, government positions, or research careers.

That’s why more than half of the Academy students consider graduate school.

What kind of effort does it take to become a professor at the Academy, which is essentially a talent incubator?

First, one must achieve good grades and enter graduate school. After three years at the Academy and two years in graduate school, one receives a degree, but an additional two-year program is required to reach the position of professor.

Yuria embraced those seven years and secured a position as a professor.

Not only did she obtain a professorship, but she also earned the title of Demon God Slayer as a side occupation.

Yuria grew strong enough to create an original technique through her research.

She became an object of admiration for creating her own unique magic through special formulas and combinations, and for using it to ensure people’s safety.

“…Sigh.”

Yuria, who had rushed out Monday morning after receiving a sudden notification about a Demon God’s appearance, clutched her head. She slightly pulled out a ring from her pocket and furrowed her brow.

It was puzzling why so many were appearing lately. She worried whether the world was ending or if there was a place somewhere with severe Mana concentration.

Brushing back her hair, she scanned the message she had received earlier.

The approximate location of the Demon God’s appearance had been transmitted. This was normal, but the incomplete count of victims made Yuria’s stomach churn.

Usually, the count would be quickly tallied, but the fact that it wasn’t suggested either a massive scale incident or that only the Demon God’s descent had been observed, making counting difficult. This information made her hurry even more.

She had left Ourr at the Academy, so she was probably meeting friends or something. Still, she’s a good kid, so she wouldn’t leave the Academy without permission. Even while thinking this, she couldn’t help but worry.

The basic concern was the Demon God, but she also worried that someone who disliked Ourr might harm her because of the rumors. Of course, since Ourr had friends who were close to her, it would be difficult for someone to approach and harm her directly.

She shook her head, trying to clear the atmosphere.

She moved forward with the sole thought of focusing on her duty first.

Upon arrival, Yuria observed the surroundings. She noted that the incident was definitely occurring in the outskirts of the city.

Unlike previous Demon Gods she had encountered, there were no ruins or craters formed.

While she didn’t wish for everything to collapse and everyone involved to die, she furrowed her brow, anticipating that finding the Demon God in this residential area would take considerable time.

“What a troublesome one.”

Clicking her tongue, Yuria began tapping on her phone.

Yuria has the power to kill Demon Gods. That doesn’t mean she can easily find them.

No matter how powerful a Demon God might be, they generally have a humanoid form. She could detect their aura if she got close enough, but whether she could make contact with the aura in this vast residential area was uncertain, so she requested assistance.

[This is the Demon God Disaster Confirmation Headquarters. Please state your request.]

This line, open only to Demon God Slayers, immediately asked for requirements to handle the situation quickly.

“The Demon God seems to be hiding between buildings without destroying them. I have no way of knowing where and how much damage is occurring, so please assign me a searcher.”

[Understood. We will send support personnel to your location immediately.]

People who arrived instantly through a warp point bowed at the sight of Yuria.

Yuria noticed that the neatly dressed individuals each carried their preferred weapons at their waists.

“Hello. I’m Daito, team leader of the search team dispatched from the Demon God Disaster Confirmation Headquarters.”

The man standing in front introduced himself as he stepped forward.

“…Yes, please find it quickly. I don’t know where the Demon God is killing people.”

“Yes!”

Knowing that formalities weren’t important, Yuria turned away. The atmosphere almost turned cold, but the realization that human lives were more important than formal greetings came belatedly, pushing the staff forward.

The staff moved quickly with their weapons drawn.

Yuria quietly watched their retreating figures. She tilted her head, wondering if the search team typically recruited people specialized in movement magic.

As she followed behind Daito to see if they were searching well, a female staff member suddenly jumped up.

“It’s here! The Demon God’s aura is…”

The Demon God itself wasn’t found. Nevertheless, Bati, the female employee who sensed the aura in the vicinity, climbed onto the roof of a nearby building and shouted.

Everyone tried to climb onto the roof to confirm the location at Bati’s voice. And it wasn’t just the staff and Yuria who heard Bati’s voice—a black shadow approached from behind.

“Bati!!”

Daito’s shout was heard. They were scattered while searching, so even with high-speed movement, it was impossible to close this distance instantly.

“Tch…!”

Yuria stopped after running quickly across the roof. Drawing her sword from its scabbard, she twirled it and gripped it in reverse.

Her eyes rolled rapidly. Quickly identifying her target, Yuria immediately took a stance and swung her arm. Planting her foot for support to throw, she twisted her waist as she swung her arm.

Swish!

The sword at Yuria’s waist flew toward Bati’s back in a matter of seconds. With a thud, the Demon God that was rapidly approaching behind Bati was pushed back.

“Kuhk!”

“Eek…!”

Bati turned her head in surprise. Her body trembled with fear at the gaze of the Demon God that was now moving away from her.

Long hair fluttered. Confirming it was a female Demon God, Bati lowered her body and jumped off the building.

“Stand back!”

The search team wasn’t there to help Yuria fight. They would only interfere with Yuria’s power release anyway.

Although Bati’s legs gave way, she had done her job by finding the Demon God, so Yuria shouted loudly before rushing forward.

The other staff members hesitated and stepped back. Being fast enough, they were able to create sufficient distance.

Realizing their safety was secured, Yuria infused Mana into the ring she had been wearing.

An aura similar to the Demon God’s enveloped Yuria’s body. The ability specialized for Demon God Slayers, which enhanced Yuria’s physical abilities while offsetting the influence of the Demon God’s aura, was revealed to the world.

When Yuria uses this power, all Demon Gods sense the threat and change their stance. This Demon God was no different.

“Graaaah!”

The Demon God firmly grasped the sword embedded in its body. The sword’s luster disappeared and soon lost its form as if breaking.

In that brief moment, she deduced information about this Demon God.

The ability of corrosion—it would have been scary if corrosion started immediately upon contact with the body, but since it only began after being grasped with both hands, she considered that she just needed to avoid those hands.

Although Yuria had lost her sword, she hadn’t lost her means of attack, so she stood confidently before the Demon God.

She scanned the Demon God’s body from top to bottom as it staggered to its feet. Snow-white hair, as if bleached, and blue eyes visible between the strands stared at Yuria.

The murderous gaze, as if ready to kill her immediately, made Yuria shudder.

“…Not a young one, are you?”

“Don’t… interfere…!!”

The voice of the Demon God expressing anger through gritted teeth. The distance between the Demon God and Yuria closed as it kicked off the ground.

Yuria, who was emitting her aura, had physical abilities comparable to the Demon God. Even if it was a powerful Demon God.

She took a step. She could feel her stiffened body resetting and becoming lighter. The Demon God’s body missed as Yuria quickly turned with a tap.

The Demon God’s body passed in front of Yuria. Not missing the opportunity, Yuria raised her knee from the side.

“Kugh!”

Yuria’s rapidly rising knee struck the Demon God’s abdomen. A shock that might have twisted the internal organs if it were a human. The Demon God’s expression severely distorted.

Not missing the opportunity, Yuria kicked the Demon God, slamming it into an alley wall.

“How many did you kill?”

Yuria asked with cold eyes.

She always asks. How many did you kill? But there was never an answer. Most Demon Gods don’t know how many they’ve killed, and they have no reason to count, so they don’t answer.

They only try to eliminate the enemy blocking their path.

The Demon God, pulling its face out of the broken wall, twisted its body. It lowered its posture, aiming to strike at the ankle.

It didn’t reach Yuria’s feet as she took a step and jumped. The foot that sliced through the air rotated and kicked upward. A high kick aimed at the airborne Yuria. Yuria deflected such a kick and disrupted the Demon God’s balance.

Yuria’s fists moved rapidly like machine gun fire. The Demon God counterattacked with consecutive blows, but it started taking hits as some weren’t blocked.

Realizing that corrosion only occurs when both hands touch, Yuria thought she could be more aggressive and increased her output.

“How old are you?”

The torrent of Mana flowing through Yuria’s body intensified.

She asked how many lives it had stolen and how many years it had lived. But since the Demon God had no reason to count such time, it only raised its fist toward Yuria.

“Leave me alone!”

A panting voice. The Demon God’s desperate struggle, knowing it would be disadvantageous if caught from behind while fleeing.

Yuria found this absurd and became so angry that her expression turned indignant.

How many had it killed? Now, in the past, how had it grown by devouring people? So curious about this, she clenched her fist.

Thud!

Yuria’s foot, which had instantly closed the distance, crushed the Demon God’s foot.

“Keu…”

Eyes bulging as if about to protrude became bloodshot. The fact that it still reached out its hand despite the pain showed remarkable determination.

Tap, she deflected the Demon God’s arm outward. The spread arm left the body defenseless, and Yuria seized the opportunity to deliver a powerful punch forward.

Thud. A resonance that one would hope not to hear from a human body tickled the ears. After quietly watching the Demon God collapse and spit blood, she took out her phone.

“…It’s over. Please retrieve it. Yes, put it under my name. Yes.”

Dusting off her hands, Yuria withdrew her aura and put the ring back in her pocket.

Even if she killed a Demon God, even if she contributed to world peace, the fact that the dead people wouldn’t return made her heart uncomfortable.