Chapter 36 – Spotless Integrity (2)

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Translated by Heavenly Cat

Read it only at Novelbyu.com & Utoon.net

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The Exorcism Ritual is activated.

From now on, it’s a battle of mental strength.

I looked at the Great Evil that had risen from the throne.

[Avatar of the Seven Deadly Sins, Greed: Lv.650]

Its appearance was that of a man.

I could feel it as soon as I saw it.

It’s different from Count Ascura.

‘Rather, it’s like Nam Cheol-min’s case.’

If Nam Cheol-min had his body and mind taken away by an imp.

That man must have been possessed by the Seven Deadly Sins, Greed.

An imp and the Seven Deadly Sins, Greed.

A lesser demon and a Great Evil.

It’s natural that there is a difference in their status greater than their levels.

However, it wasn’t a problem for me.

“There is no need for that. I am here.”

Even the cringey lines that I can now endure and overlook moderately.

Even the unbending pride deep inside my chest.

I am saying that I’m just as usual.

However, it seemed it wasn’t the case for the guy.

“W-Who the hell are you? How……?”

I really want to ask him back.

Like, you’re a Great Evil, is this your first time seeing a Demon Hunter?

But as I said.

Swoosh

Because my personality is one that doesn’t even mix words with its prey.

I could guess the reason the Great Evil, the guy, was surprised.

“……Did I break free from the status effect?”

The moment the Exorcism Ritual started.

Nam Tae-min and Leoni immediately regained their senses.

‘Even if I can’t show it, I was seriously terrified thinking you were really going to stab yourselves, man…….’

That was simultaneously proof that the guy was wavering.

So there was no hesitation.

Swoosh

I pulled out a silver dagger.

Search, interference, manifestation.

Through a series of processes, I changed the form of the dagger.

‘The remaining amount of magic power is sufficient.’

Lionheart Knights.

And with the help of the two guilds, Gaon and Berserker, I was able to reach the front of the Great Evil without manifesting a single magic.

That meant.

‘A more creative manifestation is possible.’

The situation itself is different from the time with Count Ascura.

Back then, embedding a silver stake manifested from a silver dagger was all I could do.

But I haven’t stopped struggling since then.

Unable to sink in this noble pride.

I did my best so as not to drown.

The fruits of that struggle were unfolding right before my eyes.

Rumble, rumble, rumble!

The bottom of the palace.

Interfering with stone and marble.

I made a wall shoot up in an instant.

Manifesting the silver dagger into the form of a bullet.

I interdered with the exterior of the bullet to enhance its lethality.

A spiral to maximize the synergy effect of rotational force.

In other words, a drill shape is suitable.

Float

Hundreds of silver bullets floating in the air.

From a crude stake to hundreds of bullets.

It’s touching.

Like writing lines as punishment.

I feel that filling up A4 papers day by day was worthwhile.

However, a personality that does not rejoice or despair easily.

On top of that, Noblesse Oblige.

My shoulders were burdened with the responsibility as an aristocrat.

So it means I have to be a little more certain.

Moreover, I already knew the method.

‘I don’t only have 『Magic』.’

Although obviously different from magic.

There are also [Skills] that have their own pros and cons.

───────

Marksmanship Mastery (26%): The accuracy of shooting increases.

───────

Would the Marksmanship Mastery effect apply to bullets as well.

Since I haven’t checked, I wouldn’t know the fact.

So now is the moment to choose a more certain path.

Rumble, rumble, rumble

Similarly, marble fragments rising in the air.

I manifested magic.

I made arrow shafts out of marble fragments.

I attached the silver bullets and the marble arrow shafts together.

Because arrows were definitely affected by Marksmanship Mastery.

‘The fusion of magic and skill.’

On top of that, if I had to shabbily add one more thing…….

The greater the mass, the greater its power.

It’s the addition of common sense-level science.

Yes, this is the scenery I see.

“……Amazing. Sir Ho-yeol.”

A personality that doesn’t give a damn about others’ evaluations.

Even if admiration burst out from Harkon.

There was no elation in my heart.

I was just curious at this moment.

About the vision of the Great Evil standing blankly still.

*

‘……I wanted to protect.’

That was it.

That was the last king of the Yusra Kingdom.

Hakuna’s lingering attachment.

The Yusra Kingdom lacked nothing.

The food produced from the land and sea did not dry up, sparkling jewels overflowed, and no worries or anxieties could be found among the people.

“How is it? Does it not look beautiful to you as well?”

Hakuna was satisfied seeing his kingdom like that.

So he proudly entertained the foreigners who visited the island.

He boasted about his treasures and his people.

That was a mistake.

“……What have I done?”

Massive ships anchored at the Yusra Kingdom.

The foreigners brought an army and invaded the Yusra Kingdom.

The land, the sea, the mines.

They even captured the people as prisoners.

The Yusra Kingdom, which had no conflicts.

Naturally, fighting back was impossible.

Everything about the Kingdom was trampled on.

“Please escape quickly! My King!”

“Keuhuk! King. Please, you must look forward to the future!”

“King! Hurry……!! Kuaaak!!”

Hakuna looked at his soldiers falling while sitting on the throne.

His kingdom was crumbling.

Hakuna, who was blankly witnessing the tragedy, was grabbed by the collar.

It was a foreigner.

He was laughing.

“Because it is too undeserved an island for a foolish race.”

“……Is it just for that kind of reason?”

“Of course! Foolish king. Do you know how much the value of this jewel is? In our kingdom, one can live comfortably for a lifetime with just this one jewel. Yet such precious jewels are treated as toys for brats here! It’s incredibly barbaric!”

“……If you had told me, I could have shared.”

“Are you telling me to take it and get lost? Bullshit.”

Swoosh

The foreigner snatched the crown Hakuna was wearing and threw him to the ground.

Fallen before the throne, Hakuna gritted his teeth.

It is mine.

The Yusra Kingdom.

Everything on this island is mine.

No one can take it away from me.

It was then.

When a voice was heard.

-You greedy, foolish king.

“……?”

Whose voice is this.

In fact, such a thing wasn’t important.

-Do you desire power?

……I just desire it!

Power to protect everything of mine……!

-Good. The contract has been established.

Soon, a creepy scream that pierced the eardrums.

After that, a long darkness that came…….

And it was now.

A voice was heard in the darkness.

“Yes! I am currently at the legendary treasure island, the Yusra Islands.”

It’s not a legendary treasure island.

The Yusra Kingdom is solely my kingdom.

“For now, securing the island’s treasure is the top priority.”

It’s not the island’s treasure.

It’s solely my treasure.

As if to recall that fact, voices were heard.

-Are you going to stay still?

-Everyone is taking away your treasures?

-Only I, who completely understands your heart, can probably help you?

If so, then help me.

Just like in the distant past.

Help me.

-……In the past? Well, whatever you say. The contract is established.

And he woke up from the darkness.

When he opened his eyes, he saw his throne.

He saw the Golden Palace.

He saw trash barging into the palace like in the past.

However, he couldn’t move a single finger as he wished.

Because since they made a contract.

His body and mind were no longer his.

But it’s fine.

As long as I can protect my kingdom.

A mere body like this, as much as it takes…….

“W-Who the hell are you? How……?”

……Wait, what are you doing?

For some reason, his body was trembling with fear.

Silver hair.

An unfamiliar attire.

But eyes without even the slightest wavering.

The guy who took over his body was being overwhelmed by an unknown man.

In its panic, the guy began to spit out all sorts of words from his mouth.

“Weak human, how dare you try to deceive me. I am a Great Evil, the Seven Deadly Sins, Greed. Even if I am wearing the mask of an avatar, humans like you are……!!”

However, an answer did not return.

Rumble, rumble, rumble

“W-What the hell is this?”

Just as if he wouldn’t even tolerate taking a step back.

An immeasurably massive wall shot up from the ground.

That was just the beginning.

“……N-No!”

Hundreds of lumps of silver floating in the air.

The guy who took over his body reacted fiercely.

Hakuna felt stuffy in his chest.

‘How are you going to protect my treasures like this!’

Isn’t it different from our promise!

No answer returned.

Only the words spouting from the mouth could be heard.

“This is ridiculous. Why should I, to a mere human……?”

Stab!

Soon, a direct, agonizing pain began to be felt.

“Kuaaaaaaak!”

Not only were giant silver arrows flying in.

Unextinguishable flames began to burn his body.

Hakuna gritted his teeth.

At this rate, my treasures will end up being taken away.

It was the moment he thought so.

“……Yes! Fine! Let’s make a contract!”

……What did you say?

“If you make a contract with me, I will give you everything here. Can’t you see? This brilliant Golden Palace will all be yours!”

……What are you saying right now?

The lofty ceiling.

The brilliant decorations.

The vast size.

This Golden Palace belongs to no one else but me alone.

I can’t hand it over to anyone!

Hakuna wanted to shout.

But he couldn’t control his own body.

‘……I’ve been tricked.’

Only then did Hakuna remember.

The true identity of the guy he contracted with.

As it said itself, this guy was a demon, and a Great Evil at that.

‘In the end, even you deceived me?’

He didn’t even feel resentful from the despair.

……It was then.

When an exceedingly cold voice was heard.

“Your appearance is ugly. Foolish demon.”

An unwavering voice.

The silver-haired man continued speaking.

“Your appearance of clinging to something so fleeting is incredibly pathetic.”

……Fleeting?

This brilliant Golden Palace?

Both Hakuna and the demon were equally unable to understand.

“You, what do you mean by that……?!”

The guy was speechless.

At the sight unfolding before his eyes.

Simultaneously with the end of the man’s words.

Woosh!

The Golden Palace began to burn.

Marble, gold, jewels.

It did not spare anything.

Everything turned to ashes and began to scatter in the air.

“……I-Impossible! I said it’s impossible!”

The screaming voice of the demon.

Soon, the man’s face reflected in his vision.

He could see the man’s pupils.

‘!’

A gaze where not even the slightest agitation could be felt.

As if the Golden Palace was completely out of his interest.

Also as if all wealth and glory turning into ashes.

Was something he had experienced plenty of times.

The man’s pupils were exceedingly calm.

And what was reflected in those calm, lake-like pupils.

‘……Is that appearance really me?’

It was his ugly appearance, corrupted by greed.

Tick

The man began to approach.

“Is it not foolish? The moment you close your eyes, the only thing you can take with you is the pride in your chest.”

Pride.

The moment he heard that word, Hakuna realized.

‘……Just what have I done?’

In the end, wanting to protect it was an excuse.

Hakuna, in the final moment.

Recalled the faces of the soldiers who sacrificed their lives to protect him.

Yes, they were smiling.

Saying it was an honor to be able to serve a lacking person like him as their king.

Hakuna despaired.

‘But I, I……!!’

Because of greed that surpassed desire.

He ended up falling for the demon’s temptation.

He caused the soldiers who sacrificed themselves nobly to be plagued by pain once again.

Even though he could have struggled to the end to save the people captured as prisoners, he turned a blind eye to them.

There was no responsibility as a monarch left in such a version of himself.

Only the greed of protecting the island’s treasure remained.

“Although a demon would never be able to understand pride.”

The man’s words were right.

His corrupted appearance was no different from a demon.

There was no pride left in him.

Once he acknowledged that fact, his stuffy chest calmed down.

‘……I am sorry.’

It’s late, but I will follow by your side.

Hakuna closed his eyes.

He obediently accepted his death.

“S-Spare me! I, I don’t wanna die yet……!!”

Slash

Thank you, unknown benefactor.

For not letting me show any more disgraceful behavior.

“……?”

……And Hakuna opened his eyes.

Why are my eyes opening?

I definitely felt the sensation of a blade coming at my neck.

Moreover, isn’t it too bright for having fallen into hell?

“……!”

His vision slowly returned.

There was the silver-haired man.

The man spoke like that.

“Even so, you must hold onto your pride.”

……This is?

The man was holding a crown in his hand.

It had faded, but he could recognize it at once.

That was Hakuna, his own crown.

“……?!”

The man placed the crown on his head and said.

“It is time to correct your mistake. Unknown King.”

“……!!”

.

.

.

[Level Up.]

[Level Up.]

[Level Up.]…….

My goodness, just checking this is going to take a while.

Let’s do the proper settlement later.

I took out the island’s treasure, the crown.

[Island’s Treasure, Broken Crown]

[Grade: Epic]

[Restriction: Lv.500]

[Effect: None]

[Description: An old crown.]

“Even so, you must hold onto your pride.”

It’s an obvious thing but.

I don’t know the story entangled with the man who was manipulated by the Great Evil until just now or this old crown.

But I definitely know how to use this crown.

[Quest: The Yusra Kingdom]

The legendary treasure island has revealed its appearance again.

The awakened king wishes to correct his mistake and regain his pride.

─Bestow the crown to the King of the Yusra Kingdom. (In Progress)

Well, this should be enough for now, shouldn’t it?

“It is time to correct your mistake. Unknown King.”

Then, messages popped up.

‘……Wait a minute.’

Endlessly enough to fill my vision……!