Chapter 61 – Self-Proclaimed Demon King (2)

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Translated by Heavenly Cat

Read it only at Novelbyu.com & Utoon.net

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The demon’s items that will become the sacrifices for the exorcism ritual.

I had bought them in advance.

There was no trouble in getting them.

Because the reconstruction speed of the Yusra Kingdom was beyond imagination.

An auction house had opened its doors along with basic shops.

And an auction house operated by the Arcana system at that.

Moreover, wasn’t this an exorcism ritual prepared for the Demon King.

‘It’s a relief I earned diligently.’

Just a few of the demon’s items.

It can’t even make a scratch on my bank account balance.

I realize it anew.

I don’t know about Granfel but I am definitely a slave to capitalism.

I subsequently took out the demon’s items.

The more sacrifices there are, the stronger the effect of the ritual gets.

[‘The Noble Lady’s Jewelry Box’ has been chosen as a sacrifice.]

[‘The Choking Necktie’ has been chosen as a sacrifice.]

I added those items as sacrifices for the exorcism ritual.

The exorcism ritual started like that.

I manifested magic straight away.

Sss

Exploring the ash powder floating in the air.

Interfering by utilizing the [Aesthetics] stat.

I manifested flames with an added aesthetic sense.

Fwoosh!

“Shut that ugly mouth first. Self-proclaimed Demon King.”

As much as his outstanding aesthetic eye.

Granfel couldn’t help but deeply loathe ugly appearances.

In that sense, Decarabia would probably be hard to even look at.

Because it was an appearance one would only see in a horror movie, a gore movie at that.

However, I did not turn my eyes away.

‘The opponent is a Demon King.’

When considering the levels of Demon Legion Commanders.

The bastard’s level is at least 600.

It might even hold an advantage compared to the Great Evil, the Seven Deadly Sins of Greed.

Why, because the Seven Deadly Sins of Greed wasn’t in a normal state.

It was natural that I couldn’t take my eyes off it.

Moreover.

Fwoosh!

There were residents of Frost swallowed by the bastard.

Flames burning nobly with an added aesthetic sense.

It means they are inside the burning flesh.

Their final moments.

This damn pride of mine absolutely couldn’t ignore it.

Decarabia squirmed within the flames and shouted.

“……Y-You!!”

Me?

Well, what about me.

I did not answer.

Because I am someone who abstains from unnecessary conversations with prey.

At my icy reaction.

Perhaps catching on fire wasn’t enough, did it get heated up from anger too.

The bastard shook off the flames and continued speaking.

“……Right, I understand. I have entered inside a ‘ritual’.”

Indeed, the King of Demons. It was a Demon King.

To think it noticed that it’s an exorcism ritual.

Actually well, it probably isn’t something to be surprised about.

Suddenly, the words of the Akshan Demon Hunters came to mind.

-There are not many Demon Hunters who faced a Demon King and survived.

As much as they were called the nemesis of Demon Hunters.

Starting from Demon Kings, they were not easy existences.

Sizzle

Decarabia’s burning flesh began to regenerate.

The sound of the bastard sniggering continued.

“How arrogant, human. To suddenly invite a Demon King, this body, to a ritual.”

Decarabia trembled as if immersed in deep emotion.

“This sensation is not bad. Alright, I’ll play along.”

Indeed, it’s different from the demons who were completely defenseless against the exorcism ritual.

Like a Demon King, Decarabia was not agitated.

It even looked relaxed.

Just as the Akshan Demon Hunters said.

It must mean that when it comes to Demon Kings, them eating the Demon Hunter who is their natural enemy isn’t just empty words either.

However, I know.

“Know your place.”

『Perhaps what demons should be most wary of isn’t Granfel’s class as a Demon Hunter, but the human named Granfel, himself.』

Even if it’s a Demon King.

It couldn’t even leave a scratch on Granfel’s noble self-consciousness.

The mental battle happening within the exorcism ritual?

The winner of that is set to be Granfel,

to be me, from the very beginning.

So.

“I have no intention of associating with an inferior breed.”

Search, Interference, manifestation.

I pushed Decarabia into a corner.

There was not the slightest hesitation in that.

What does it matter if I can’t manifest stone pillars.

That’s merely magic meant to save magic power rather than for destructive power.

It’s a struggle to eat raw with minimal investment.

I have never manifested magic with power more outstanding than that since entering Frost……!

The meaning behind those words was simple.

‘The remaining amount is sufficient.’

The fact that there’s leeway in magic power.

Naturally, I had no intention of wasting that magic power in vain.

Activation of [Natural Enemy].

My magic power increased but due to my trivial level.

My absolute magic power stat was terrible.

‘What’s important is cost-effectiveness.’

As always.

In my own way.

What I have and what I don’t have.

I have no choice but to bring and use everything.

Fwoosh!

Two completely different concepts.

The convergence of magic and science.

I manifested the inspiration Marcelo gave me into advanced magic.

‘Although I said it grandiosely.’

It’s probably just at the level of elementary school science.

However, its efficiency was something I had verified well.

The fact that I can continuously manifest magic for a long time without additional consumption of magic power.

‘And that too regardless of the manifested magic’s power……!’

The storm of flames showing no signs of dying down.

The storm of flames swallowed the flames of Frost that had turned into hell and burned even fiercer.

Added to that was the aesthetic sense applied during the interference process.

Solely to judge the Demon King.

Like flames descending from heaven.

The storm of flames began to move as if alive.

“Hold on, a path opened up?”

It cleared a path for those preparing for a pincer attack.

“……How dare you!”

And it blocked Decarabia’s movements so it couldn’t budge even a single finger.

“Wow! It’s amazing!”

The mage of mages.

Even Jesse, who is called the disciple of the Archmage, naturally admired it while bouncing her pointed hat.

But it’s too early to be surprised.

Because my struggling has just begun.

Sss

I continuously raised my magic power.

‘Since I’m not Jesse, I can’t fire that kind of magic continuously.’

This time, not ordinary magic power but ‘suitable magic power’.

Not a stat.

Suitable magic power rooted in the manifester’s life and past.

‘……Whatever it is, if it’s good, it’s good.’

Whether the source of that suitable magic power is eighth-grade syndrome, whatever.

I am one who hasn’t let the talent for black magic acknowledged by Mathis, the founder of black magical engineering, rot away.

I manifested Intermediate Black Magic, 『Black Coffin(’)』.

Its effect is to steal the senses from the enemy.

“……!”

The first thing I stole was the bastard’s mouth.

[A ‘Silence’ occurs to the Demon King, Decarabia.]

However, the mouth was just the beginning.

Since black magic is also magic.

It meant the Black Coffin also has a continuous effect.

Right, to be exact, every time the bastard gets agitated by fear.

Its senses, one by one.

Will extinguish beyond the deep, deep darkness.

I looked at the frozen Decarabia and opened my mouth.

“Self-proclaimed Demon King.”

I returned the words the bastard babbled.

“How does it feel to have that arrogance fall to the floor.”

*

……Demon Hunter!

I finally understand now.

The reason he could dare to be arrogant despite being a human.

Decarabia was not agitated.

“……Right, I understand. I have entered inside a ‘ritual’.”

Demon Hunter?

Aren’t they the ones it had killed to tiring extents during the Holy War?

It’s quite a past story but even thinking back on it now, they truly were existences like tiger moths.

‘They were the most foolish ones even among humans.’

To dare summon a Demon King into his ritual.

Decarabia, in a split second.

Made a judgment.

‘Except for the presumptuous ego, it’s an outstanding physical body.’

Inside the exorcism ritual.

After subduing Ho-yeol in the mental battle.

It will seize Ho-yeol’s physical body.

Why, because there seemed to be many things it could do with that physical body.

‘There’s no need to overdo it.’

Above all, even for itself, a battle against the majority was burdensome.

It’s not running away cowardly.

Just like how it made Frost fall.

It’s just aiming for an appropriate time.

“Alright, I’ll play along.”

However, that plan vanished into bubbles.

‘What on earth is this?’

It undeniably entered the bastard’s consciousness.

The King of Demons, Demon King.

Itself, whose very existence invokes fear.

Just by entering their consciousness.

Ordinary Demon Hunters used to go crazy.

But Ho-yeol was perfectly fine.

No, beyond being perfectly fine, he was overwhelming it.

Fwoosh!

“!”

Soaring flames.

A vortex of flames was connected to the sky.

Decarabia urged itself.

‘This is not reality.’

It is merely an exaggeration created by the bastard.

Even realizing that fact, it was natural for doubts to arise.

Despite being a trivial human.

How can he overwhelm me, a Demon King, in mental strength?

‘How dare you tell me to know my place……?’

Decarabia did not submit.

Things like flames, it would be fine if it just blocked them by transforming minerals.

Frost, because there were plenty of minerals including stones in this city.

It was when it thought so.

“……Ubb?!”

Its tongue didn’t move.

Its voice didn’t come out.

It could realize intuitively.

The bastard used a trick……!

‘Magic? No, it’s not simple magic…….’

However, even if it knew that fact.

It didn’t mean it could understand the current situation.

The moment Decarabia hesitated.

Something flew in between the burning flames.

Swoosh!

It was an arrow.

Stab, stab!

Decarabia was enraged at the arrows lodged in its flesh.

‘……How dare mere humans!!’

If only there wasn’t the fire storm obscuring its vision……!

However, the barrage of arrows was just the beginning.

This time, magic and daggers flew in from all directions.

Among them, fatal blows inflicting critical damage were also mixed in.

Decarabia couldn’t hide its bewilderment.

‘Me……?’

It was a perfect descent matching the countless sacrifices.

But why.

Why am I this helpless……?

No.

Not yet.

Decarabia let out a sound with all its might.

“……Uuub!!”

Demon King’s Army, Demon Legion Commanders, what are you doing!

I, your King, am being attacked!

Offer your lives for me!

But soon, it ended up realizing.

“……!”

The Demon Legion Commanders, the Demon King’s Army were no more.

Because it had swallowed even the surviving bastards as sacrifices itself.

Upon realizing that fact, Ho-yeol’s icy voice came to mind.

-Self-proclaimed Demon King.

Right.

There was no one who would call it King anymore.

It was then.

Piiiiii

Its ears became deafened.

……No sound could be heard.

Ubb ubb, not even the sound of itself shouting.

Decarabia glared at Ho-yeol.

‘……It can’t end like this.’

Demon Hunters.

Because it knows of their existence, it also knows of their danger.

The moment it dies by their hands.

The fact that it can never resurrect again.

Flash

Thousands of pupils sprouted from Decarabia’s flesh.

It must find a breakthrough.

The eyeballs that were rolling at a rapid speed stopped simultaneously.

‘……Right.’

More sacrifices.

More blood and flesh were needed.

Decarabia aimed for an easier prey.

‘Did they think I didn’t know they were hiding.’

The residents of Frost hiding in the buildings.

The reason it kept them alive was simple.

Because the fear of the living became its strength.

But it’s fine now.

‘Obediently become blood and flesh.’

Decarabia’s pentagram began to rotate.

The buildings of Frost built with minerals.

To itself who has realized the knowledge of all minerals, collapsing buildings was something beyond simple.

Look.

Like right now.

Due to losing its hearing, it couldn’t hear the sound of collapsing.

However, it definitely saw it.

The buildings collapsing and dust clouds rising.

But…….

‘Why again this time?’

The blood and flesh that should be there couldn’t be seen.

Tap, tap. Something poked at such Decarabia’s flesh.

What flew in were very small pieces of stone.

Forms seen briefly between the burning flames.

Those were the residents of Frost.

“?!!”

Weak humans and the young cubs of humans.

Those who should be hiding tightly in the shadows.

Were throwing stones at it.

Decarabia’s pupils stared at those faces.

‘……How?’

From those weak and fragile humans.

Fear couldn’t be felt anymore.

Those gazes were those of the bastards who didn’t let go of their weapons even while dying.

Right, they were the exact same as the Frost soldiers.

Decarabia’s flesh rippled.

It absolutely couldn’t understand.

Not just Ho-yeol but the breed called humans.

Decarabia screamed.

It killed all of them!

It killed the mother trying to protect her child!

And it killed the child right in front of the mother!

And yet they don’t submit.

And yet they fail to realize fear.

Are humans so foolish that they don’t even know fear.

Decarabia falling into confusion.

The bastard completely stopped moving within the flames.

In the end, now that even its last-ditch effort has turned into bubbles.

There was nothing it could do.

The flames began to burn its flesh.

Within the burning vision.

Decarabia looked at Ho-yeol.

‘Even if others can’t hear it, you probably can hear it.’

Because this was inside his consciousness.

Decarabia asked.

‘Why. Why do humans not submit.’

What is the reason they stand up again even after falling.

Even while knowing they can’t handle it.

What is the reason they plunge themselves into fear.

In that question, there was no longer the dignity as a Demon King.

Decarabia screamed.

‘……Please! I’m begging you! I’ll beg like this! Please tell me!!’

However, no answer returned.

Because Ho-yeol’s mouth was tightly shut.

As if saying he wouldn’t share unnecessary conversations with prey.

‘Please!! Pleeeeeease!!’

.

.

.

“Die while holding your doubts. That is the price of your sins.”

Beginning, development, turn, and pride.

That simple fact.

There’s no way Decarabia would be able to know it.

I looked at the blazing flames.

As if they would never go out.

Intensely burning flames.

Thud

The survivors of Frost sat down on the floor.

“……It’s all over.”

“Uuuhuhuhuk.”

“Father, Mother……. Heuhuk.”

And they began to sob.

As if mourning for those they sent off first.

The flames.

Decarabia.

Those swallowed by the bastard.

Burned them nobly without leaving even a handful behind.

Only after finishing that cremation did they begin to die down.

Soon after, messages popped up before my eyes.

[Your level has risen.]

[Your level has risen.]

[Your level has risen.]…….

Endlessly popping up level-up messages.

[You have fulfilled the conditions.]

[The reward will be provided.]

[You have recaptured Frost.]

[You have entered the northern city, ‘Frost’.]…….

Besides that, even messages that were hard to check at a glance.

Between the vision cluttered with messages.

Something pure white began to scatter down.

Harkon quietly opened his mouth.

“Sir. Are you aware? In Frost, they call snow a present given by the sky. There is a superstition that if you reject that present from the sky, you will receive divine punishment. Since it’s the north where it snows heavily. It must be merely that they made up a plausible story to make people clear the piled-up snow.”

He continued speaking bitterly.

“But just for today. I wish to consider this snow as a present from the sky.”

I also looked up at the sky.

Hokkaido’s snow was pouring down on Frost.

*

[You have fulfilled the conditions.]

Conditions for the [Recapture of Frost] quest achieved.

There was no specifying who was first.

The Players each checked their own Contribution.

─Current Contribution : 3,210p

─Current Contribution : 2,940p

─Current Contribution : 1,570p…….

“……Haah shit, how much is your Contribution?”

“First of all, you reveal yours.”

“You first. Is it over two thousand?”

Above expectation or below expectation.

But at this moment.

The thoughts of the majority of Players would be the same.

Indeed, how much Contribution did Lee Ho-yeol acquire?

Depending on that Contribution, what kind of reward will he receive?

The Players’ gazes heading toward Ho-yeol at the same time.

“Roughly around ten thousand maybe……?”

“What are you saying. He’ll easily surpass ten thousand.”

“But why is his expression like that? Is it lower than he thought? Don’t tell me it’s not even ten thousand?!”

However, even if they peered into that face.

“But, Lee Ho-yeol always has that expression.”

As expected, they couldn’t even guess.

.

.

.

I checked my Contribution.