Chapter 142 – Flamboyantly (2)

===================

Translated by Heavenly Cat

Read it only at Novelbyu.com & Utoon.net

===================

Godmother.

Since when had she been impersonating the mother of the Simuard family.

Vitality quickly disappeared from her physical body freed from possession.

The state where the Exorcism Ritual is activated.

The physical body of the possessed human shouldn’t have received damage, though.

She turned into a corpse. Into white bones. Into dust.

Along with the demon, she scattered into the air without leaving a single trace.

‘During the period that a human’s physical body could not withstand.’

The guy had deceived the Simuard family.

I’m slowly starting to understand.

Why those with outstanding mental strength like Marcelo and Velliere were inflicted with a demon’s status abnormality.

‘It was a status abnormality passed down for generations.’

It was literally a ‘curse’.

Soon, the traces of Yulla Simuard completely disappeared.

I held onto the end of the floating message.

─Kill the demon possessing Yulla Simuard and break the contract of the curse. (Success)

[Conditions have been met.]

[Rewards will be distributed.]

……A reward?

It was a welcoming yet unfamiliar message.

Including the Class Quest.

Because while progressing quests related to Demon Hunters, the times I received a reward worthy of being called a reward could be counted on one hand.

Of course, the steadily rising stats alone were an enormous reward but.

‘Even if I hunt a Great Evil, or hunt a Demon King.’

Because it was a message that didn’t have a single word saying I worked hard.

Of course, I didn’t have high expectations.

Isn’t this ultimately a request from the time Akshan existed?

As expected, it was thanks to not expecting anything.

[Relationship level with Akshan has increased.]

[Influence within Akshan has increased.]

What is this.

This thing.

To start with, my disappointment wasn’t big.

……Anyway, what nonsense is this really?

[Extinction of Akshan].

As one can tell from the Class Quest too.

Akshan was an existence whose very being had disappeared.

But relationship level and influence with Akshan increased……?

The contradictory message couldn’t help but look meaningful.

However.

“Even if they do not exist, pride continues on.”

With a single sentence, I neatly sorted out my complicated head.

Yes, it’s probably impossible to deduce information about Akshan at this point in time.

And it’s not the situation for that either.

In any case, the first objective has been achieved.

‘Contract broken. The curse of numbered days should have disappeared too.’

Not a rift, but the Arcana continent.

In reality, I couldn’t grasp the situation of the Mage Tower in real time, but let’s have trust. To rack my brain up to there, the situation I’m facing right now is too urgent.

‘No, beyond urgent, isn’t it desperate?’

The demon’s eyes hung in the sky.

According to the words of the Demon King, Yulla, demons seemed to call that the Demonic Eye. Indeed, just looking at it, one could tell its usage.

From the impossibly high sky, it must be grasping the movements in the Arcana continent.

Just like glaring at me with wide eyes right now.

However, there is a procedure for everything.

I kept the order according to pride.

“Now you may rest in peace.”

I spoke like that toward the empty air where nothing remained.

It was a word directed at Yulla Simuard, no, an unknown distant ancestor of the Simuard family.

It must mean Granfel’s pride couldn’t pass by without consoling her. Even if possessed by a demon, she who had no choice but to watch the sight of her own physical body harming her descendants.

Did my stiff greeting serve as profound consolation?

Sss

Although fleeting, ripples occurred on Nania Lake.

Only then did I lift my head.

I looked at the sky.

“Even making me lift my gaze. I shall reflect it in your punishment.”

Always.

I continued my words arrogantly as usual.

But regardless of the words I chattered, it’s genuinely dismal.

‘It’s amazing that there was an effect of suppressing Demon Kings, honestly.’

Just because three Demon Kings were trampled.

To an unbelievable extent that the momentum had softened.

The night view of the Arcana continent is a Demon’s View, in itself.

Flash

Were they disturbed from their deep sleep perhaps?

The Demonic Eyes that numbered dozens at most began to gradually increase.

From dozens to hundreds.

No, now it’s full to the point of being hard to even count the number.

[Skill, ‘Natural Enemy Relationship’ activates.]

The increased level.

Thanks to that, the sharpened senses of a Demon Hunter.

With a wide detection radius, the presence of swarming demons was felt.

Exactly how loud was your voice.

It’s an amount of mass that is resentful anew.

Not just the night sky, did the voice reach the ends of the earth, seriously.

It wasn’t a metaphor or an exaggeration.

Literally.

It’s a sensation that all the demons of the Arcana continent are watching me.

Beyond that, to kill the Last Demon Hunter.

The last natural enemy, me.

I can feel them swarming.

I briefly spat out my impression.

“Desperate situation.”

First, I checked my current status.

The magic power consumed in the battle against Yulla Simuard, that guy, is roughly 30 percent.

If it had been before defeating the Demon King, Flauros and the Evil Dragon.

Around now, I might have been flailing in the lake from magic power exhaustion.

‘The difference of 1 point grows larger as time passes.’

In addition to that, the World Tree’s blessing buff is activated too.

Still, you really grew a lot, Ho-yeol.

However, I have no leisure to sing my own praises.

The remaining magic power is 70 percent.

‘Even considering the magic power regeneration items I plastered on…….’

It wasn’t magic power at a level to confront the demons swarming toward me. No, Marcelo. Even if a demigod, Senios or Karimzeba came, wouldn’t it be impossible.

“Roughly estimated, several millions.”

This at least isn’t a bluff.

Because I couldn’t even dare to count the demons starting to become visible to the naked eye right now.

But it was something I had braced myself for. Ever since I made the resolution to enter the Arcana continent.

“However, a great crisis is soon a great opportunity.”

The Arcana continent.

All Evil is watching me.

Their natural enemy, the survivor of Akshan, the Last Demon Hunter, me.

However, I did not back down.

Even in front of trivial low-ranking demons, imps.

Even in front of the king of demons, a Demon King.

Under Great Evils, and the Demonic Eyes floating in the sky.

I stood upright as always.

Right, this upright posture has always been.

Because I struggled not to sink.

So I moved according to my struggling, my thorough preparations.

“Come. I shall play along with you today.”

Even if I say thorough preparations, is it anything special.

Just hunting demons until I die.

Yes, that wasn’t just Granfel’s pride.

It was a conclusion that matched the thoughts of I, Lee Ho-yeol too. Because even if experience points and level might be mere numbers to Granfel, to me they were exceptionally important figures……!

‘Let’s not forget, the death penalty.’

Back when it was merely a game, Arcana’s death penalty was famous for its notoriety. As one could tell from the [The Last Adventurer] title effect, not being able to log into Arcana for 24 hours was obvious.

Because the additionally dropping experience points were no joke either.

Therefore.

‘I went through all this hardship, shouldn’t I at least break even.’

So that I can make up for the death penalty.

I shall hunt as many demons as possible and then die.

That was my true intention.

I may not know his inner thoughts, but I’m glad our conclusions matched for once.

Is it thanks to that.

There was no hesitation in my actions.

Clang

I lifted my sword from my waist.

Sword Aura becoming even clearer on the battlefield of life and death.

As I said, it is a battlefield where I must die anyway.

Not just experience points, but I have to pull out everything that can leave a profit, starting from Sword Aura.

“You too have finally met an enemy to bare your fangs against.”

……Goodness.

Really, I’m glad I don’t have eyes watching me.

To the point of talking to an item now instead of talking to myself. But it’s a relief I haven’t forgotten. Using magic power, I floated the fang, [Evil Earth Dragon’s Fang] in the air.

And I stared at the battlefield.

Kung

Kugung

Tremendous vibrations.

It’s on a different dimension from the demons I’ve seen in reality and in rifts so far.

Above all, they are huge.

Beast-type demon monsters that emit demonic energy comparable to a Demon King, even though they aren’t Demon Kings. Facing them directly makes me understand.

Why the Arcana continent collapsed without being able to put up a decent resistance.

“There is not even a speck of refinement in your steps.”

Refinement aside, that thing looks like it wouldn’t even be able to communicate.

However.

I rather advanced towards the large army.

“I shall not permit any further disturbance.”

Near the lake, the Simuard Mansion.

Inside the mansion are the servants of the Simuard family.

It hasn’t been long since they escaped from a lengthy status abnormality.

They must be busy trying to grasp the situation.

I cannot involve them in the battle.

Continuous manifestation of short-range teleportation.

I widened the distance from the lake.

Indeed, does it mean the objective is solely me alone.

Roll roll

The pupils of the Demonic Eyes rolled and quickly captured me.

Let’s see, since it’s not above the lake.

From now on, there won’t be any unnecessarily consumed magic power either…….

The moment to truly wage an all-out war has come.

[Currently stored elemental magics: 31]

White Outer Wings, the number of stored elemental magics is roughly thirty.

Even if I manifested all of them, I wouldn’t be able to drop a few of them.

If so, there’s no choice but to compete with [『Anomaly』].

[Aesthetics: Mid]

Like copy and paste.

An effect that simplifies complex interference processes.

The magic efficiency of Aesthetics makes even the Senior Mages of the Mage Tower unable to help but express astonishment. Right, I manifested [『Anomaly』] added with that Aesthetics onto the strongest weapon I possess.

[Evil Earth Dragon’s Fang]

[Rank: Unique]

[Restriction: Lv.800]

[Effect: None]

[Description: A sword made from the fang of an earth dragon that failed to become a dragon. Due to the earth dragon’s innate limitations, it lacks any special effects, but its destructive power is second to none against any weapon.]

Zzzzzt

Unlike elemental magics that bite at each other.

Pure Magicology that competes purely on destructive power.

I recalled the magic of Pure Magicology Senior, Vangrit, and manifested it.

Pure magic power wrapped around the earth dragon’s fang floating in the air.

At that moment, the effect of [Aesthetics] activated.

What revealed itself amidst the manifestation of [『Anomaly』] was a dragon of magic power wriggling as if alive.

The remaining amount of magic power is merely 70 percent.

Of course, even if I poured all my magic power, it would have been impossible to manifest a massive size like the ‘existence that must not be awakened’ but.

It was about a size comparable to the beast-type demons seen over there.

I let go of the leash of the dragon that bared its fangs.

“Go wild to your heart’s content.”

Pajijijik!

Destructive power plus destructive power.

With [『Anomaly』] added now, that synergy effect was beyond a simple addition.

In the path where the stretching magic power dragon swept past, no demons remained.

For lower-rung demons, they fell to the destructive power of pure magic power, and for those who withstood it, the earth dragon’s fang dug into them.

Messages popped up unceasingly.

[Level has increased.]

[Level has increased.]…….

Of course, I don’t have the leisure to admire it carefree.

With this, the magic power was in a state used right up until exhaustion.

For the time being, further magic manifestation became impossible.

However, it is fine.

Because I am not a mage.

I am the natural enemy you feared more than anyone else.

Because I am a Demon Hunter.

Holding the sword in my right hand, I stretched my left hand towards the inventory.

What I pulled out was none other than a crossbow.

[Legendary Assassin’s Crossbow]

[Rank: Unique]

[Restriction: Lv.300]

[Effect: Upon attacking, high probability of inflicting the status abnormality ‘Bleeding’ on the target.]

[Description: An old crossbow favored by a legendary assassin. The user’s energy has permeated into it, raising its standing.]

It wasn’t an item purchased from the auction house.

If it’s an item of this level, there’s probably no chance of it being registered on the auction house anyway.

The level restriction is like that, and so is the rank.

Because for any long-ranged class player, it would be an item they’d drool over.

It was so.

This was a crossbow received from the 2nd Seat of the Shadow Mercenaries, Wolf Sakarin. To trace back my connection with him, I would have to trace back to our first meeting immediately after defeating the Demon King.

-“It’s an honor to achieve such a great feat together. Sir.”

For some reason, he had a side more like a commander than Kichi.

During the thorough preparations process, I had another conversation with Wolf.

-“……Of course, marksmanship is my specialty, but did you have an interest in such a field? Slowly, I’m beginning to fear you in a different sense, Sir……. No. I will help you with what I know.”

In order to dig another hole to survive, you see.

My innate skill window of a Demon Hunter was simple.

In a state where magic power has bottomed out, even the few skills become precious.

《Skill》

Silver Mastery (91%)

Marksmanship Mastery (78%)

Apart from skill proficiency.

Wolf could not hide his astonishment.

-“To hit everything from such a long distance……!”

-“At this rate, I don’t think there’s really anything for me to teach you.”

-“If you don’t mind, would you take this?”

-“It’s nothing grand, but the crossbow I used back when I was inexperienced. However, it’s awkward to sell it to someone else, and while I was Troubled over what to do with it, it seems to have found a good owner.”

It was less than Harkon or Matisse, but it was still an intense reaction as expected. Because I benefitted once again from the setting of those days where I crammed in everything cool and good.

Click

I loaded a bolt into Wolf’s crossbow.

Naturally, it was a silver bolt with a silver tip.

I am not the me of the past who struggled over a single silver arrow anymore.

Because being clean and honest doesn’t mean I have no money.

Rather, to the extent that I have to be cautious about spending money insignificantly.

Because I had no worries concerning my wallet’s situation.

“Do not fight. There will be no shortage to hand out.”

It means there is no need to worry about bolts running out.

I took a combat stance.

“……!”

The Lionheart Knight’s posture, showing not a single opening.

The rushing demons flinched for a split second.

Taking advantage of that gap, I fired the crossbow in succession.

Thwack

Reloading with one hand is impossible.

Thwack

However, there is a small amount of magic power regenerated in real time.

Thwack

It’s impossible to manifest grand magic, but reloading is possible.

The power of shooting is proportional to the agility stat.

Even if my combat power increased due to [Natural Enemy Relationship].

Naturally, compared to archer class players of the same level, the destructive power would be lower.

However, I have [Silver Mastery].

Along with [Natural Enemy Relationship].

The skill with the best efficiency against Great Demons!

Furthermore, that proficiency is nearing its limit as well.

“Guaaaaargh!!”

“I will kill you, I will definitely kill you!”

“A mere human!”

No matter how much it’s a High Demon, a critical hit, it’s enough to make them stumble. I did not miss the opening. I surged into the middle of the demons and emanated Sword Aura.

Swoosh!

Damn it.

Everywhere, everywhere in my field of vision is a demon.

I’m not a real Sword Master either.

And it goes without saying that I cannot dodge every attack.

My flank.

My cheek.

My back.

My thigh.

Pain is felt everywhere on my body.

So getting hit by a monster felt like this.

Damn it, I’m gaining respect for close-combat class players like Nam Tae-min and Leonie. However, similarly with my inner feelings, I cannot show signs of my pain either.

A posture that does not bend even under severe pain.

Because Granfel’s pride was such a thing.

Of course, me, Lee Ho-yeol, has no intention of enduring everything entirely through pure grit until death. I have items equipped precisely for that!

[Pure Emerald Ring].

Upon being hit, vitality recovery effect.

[Necklace of the Sublime Promise]

Similarly, upon being hit, ‘Intermediate Protection’ effect activates.

Is it pathetic?

It cannot be helped.

For this moment, at the very, very end, I have to be pathetic.

Until the end, I have to hold onto as many demons as possible.

Because only then will I be able to decorate a flamboyant finale.

……What did I say earlier.

Did I say I don’t care about the flow of time or whatever.

I feel like those words became reality.

Kaleidoscope.

Extreme of extremes.

Everything started to look slow.

A battlefield plunged into with the resolve to die.

Is it thanks to that.

“……!”

I felt as if the senses of my physical body had awakened another layer.

It wasn’t an illusion.

Contrary to my depleted vitality.

Since when was it.

Because Sword Aura was becoming clearer.

‘……It’s not Sword Aura, but Sword Force.’

As dense as Harkon’s sword was.