Chapter 490
Chapter 490
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 490
Chapter Title: Killing the Demon
-----------------------------------------------------------------
But if they kept screaming like that, the demons might hear and come looking.
"Waaaaah!"
Of course, the holy knights knew that much. They were probably celebrating the destruction of the Demon Gate while also drawing in the surrounding demons to wipe them all out in one go.
They'd already tested the demons' combat prowess, so their confidence must have skyrocketed... No real problems there.
Their ferocity far surpassed that of the demons.
The holy knights' swordplay, forged from fanaticism and faith, was undoubtedly righteous—but more ruthless than anything in the world. No demon could withstand such assaults.
If anything, pulling aggro would just give them a chance to slaughter every last one.
"Bwoooooh!"
"Long live Verde! Long live Verde!"
"We uphold the balance of the Heavenly Scales!!"
I stood beside Winia, waiting for their excitement to die down.
This Divine Hero rush wouldn't wear off anytime soon.
"Heh heh, at least we'll get some rewards when we get back."
"We didn't do much. Still, glad we came."
Thinking about the payout cheered me up.
We hadn't even lifted a finger and got to blow our noses without using our hands. With merits like this, we'd score not just church gear but a fat bounty from the lord too.
Lots of goodies incoming.
Hildegart... I'll chat with her later.
"Keh heh heh! Demons can't stand against justice!"
"Of course! To think I destroyed the Demon Gate myself!"
"Ho ho ho! It's all thanks to our brothers who made this opportunity possible! A round of applause!"
Clap clap clap clap!
Clap clap clap clap!
Clap clap clap clap!
These guys' energy wouldn't quit.
Anyway, the crazy zealots spent ages pouring out fervent prayers and joy. I was thrilled too—how could they not be? For demon-slayers like them, smashing a Demon Gate was the ultimate win.
I'd worried demons might show up from the noise, but nothing stirred.
Those bastards seemed to value their hides enough not to tango with these Verde-junkie holy knights voluntarily.
No time for picnics in the human world when facing Divine serial killers was on the line. Demons wouldn't want that either.
Good is good.
If it ends well, keep a good heart.
Swish.
That was the moment.
The black smoke leaking from the vanishing gate didn't dissipate—it lingered in the air.
Residual evil mana or whatever. I'd been watching it closely when suddenly it rushed toward one spot like getting sucked into a vacuum cleaner.
An anomaly!
"Knew it! Those fuckers wouldn't just die! Barkerel, bro!"
"I'm watching! Never thought it'd end easy!"
Crunch!
Crunch!
Sensing the ominous vibe, the holy knights snapped to cold alertness and prepped for battle in seconds. The festive spring vibe cooled faster than slurping ramen after a gaming sesh.
They'd been geared up the whole time, playing while ready.
Prime holy knights.
Shiiiiek!!
But as they repositioned fast, the smoke gathered even quicker, condensing into a mass.
Was the gate reforming?!
"Attack!"
"Grooooh!"
"Ooooooh!!!"
Reform or not, the holy knights had one job.
Crackle!
They roared and chanted Holy Enchant again, slashing at the blackened blob.
Slash!
The smoke clump split under the sacred strike, fragments turning back to wisps and scattering.
"Got it!"
But only for a moment.
Shooooosh!!
The smoke surged fiercer, forming a pitch-black orb. What the fuck? Holy Enchanted paladin strikes weren't working?!
"Fuck their moms! The demon bastards are resisting, everyone!"
I sensed doom, mana surging as I yelled. My ballsack wrinkles clenched hard—major danger. Kim Katt's danger sensor screamed instinct-level alert!
Time to bail... but would the holy knights retreat?
"Brothers! Looks like nothing ends easy in this world! Dodalkan! Priests, watch the perimeter! Sister Rainy! Holy Smite, now!"
"Got it!"
"Understood!"
Barkerel commanded smoothly, teaming with other holy knights to hack the black orb with holy fury. Elite warriors, their coordinated strikes were textbook.
Slash!
Clang!
Boom!
Swords crossed, hammers smashed. Holy-infused blades carved smoke; massive hammers peeled the surface.
Flawless teamwork left no gaps for an outsider like me. Even Claudy stroked her chin, spectating.
"Holy Smite!"
The nun unleashed Holy Smite.
Kaboom!
A brilliant beam pierced the orb. Pure primal life force, like sperm breaching an egg—sacred as hell. Could this destroy it?
Winia and I scanned with the priests, guarding the flanks.
To me, it screamed "pack up and run"... but these guys wouldn't bolt. Please explode already!
"Th-this can't be! Attacks aren't landing! Captain Barkerel! The evil orb keeps regenerating!"
"Save judgments! Annihilate it!"
But defying their killer teamwork, the orb self-healed and grew. Even that strong-looking Holy Smite failed.
Swell, swell.
Bigger than the original gate now, it ballooned uncontrollably! Thump thump! Pulsing like a living heart! Thick black veins seemed to bulge on its surface—an illusion, but creepy!
"B-Barkerel, bro!"
This was—
"It's gonna explode! Obvious explosion! Run! It's gonna bloooow!!!"
My mind flashed to a massive blast.
F is for fire that burns down a town...
U is for you that burns to the ground!
The dying Demon Gate sought revenge, converting dimensional energy to explosive force! Pure demon payback!
No elite warrior survives that blast!
"Explode?!"
Barkerel paused mid-slash, eyes wide.
Pffft!
The now-gym-ball-sized orb shrugged off blades! Poking and smashing just leaked feeble wisps like deflating a limp balloon!
Indestructible!
Explosion incoming!
"Fuuuuck, evil aura's spiking! Claudy! Winia! Run! Knew it! Fucking demon shits wouldn't just croak, you skull-fucking noodle-slurping bastards daring to explooooode!!!!!!!"
"B-blackie!"
I scooped Winia under my arm, ready to bolt. Claudy prepped beside me.
"Captain Barkerel! It's credible! Retreat first! That orb's bad news!"
"Roger! Fall back now! Priests! Anything on perimeter watch?"
"No demon movement detected!"
"To the hill and beyond!"
Whoosh!
Retreat matched their fiery charge. No need to linger—the evil orb throbbed, primed to burst!
I unleashed Heavenly Demon Supremacy and fled to the hill.
Holy knights hoisted priests and nuns, matching my speed. Swift withdrawal. Thank god they judged right!
Thud!
We vaulted the hill in strides.
"Hurry! Down below, now!"
"Hit the dirt!"
Just as we crested—
KABOOOOOM!!!!
"Uwaaaak!!"
"Kyaaaak!!"
A colossal blast rocked from behind, shaking the earth and shedding leaves. Safe over the hill, zero damage.
Whoosh!
Black waves skimmed the hilltop.
Darkness blanked the sun briefly, like a giant bird passing.
I nearly tumbled but steadied, setting Winia down safe. She'd stayed quiet the whole carry.
"It really exploded!"
"Brother! Without your warning, we'd be toast! Thanks!"
Holy knights regrouped fast, thanking me. That blast's scale? One more second of bullshit, and we'd be chunks.
"No biggie! Looked sus as hell! Spot that vibe, you run first!"
"You've got killer instincts! Exactly! Battlefield smarts include knowing when to pull back!"
Post-blast silence returned. We shared relief at escaping doom.
"Hm... but is it just the explosion?"
Claudi gazed hilltop-ward.
Just the explosion...?
"...!"
My ballsack clenched again.
This was.
Danger.
"An intensely evil aura... I feel it too...!"
"...Me too."
"Verde, this presence...!"
Holy knights and priests gripped weapons, peering over.
"B-blackie... Sis... my heart's pounding..."
Winia clutched her staff between her breasts, huddling against me. Hers trembled. Ominous sign?
Maybe the blast signaled demons returning en masse, condensing evil aura.
Hildegart.
Did that bitch trick me?
No, her info checked out.
But omissions possible.
Can't tell now.
Plenty of time later.
"Barkerel, bro. Let's bail. This ain't right...!"
My honed senses screamed crisis. Experience said this feeling always led to fuckery—100% track record. I urged Barkerel.
"Retreat..."
He stared gravely hilltop.
Short deliberation.
He nodded.
"You're right. If beyond our power, retreat and regroup. But first, scout the truth."
"Wise words."
Retreat it was.
Perfect. Head back now, no drama. I'd claim rewards; Brass Celestial Society sends squad two. I'm out.
"Let's peek what happened at ground zero first."
Pre-retreat scout made sense. Barkerel motioned one holy knight to climb with him.
Two for safety.
"Katt. I wanna check too. Can I go up?"
Claudi eyed their backs.
"Claudi wants to see?"
"Yeah."
"..."
If Claudy insists...
"Barkerel, bro. I'll join the scout."
I approached.
"Hm... risky. Stay put. That aura..."
"Fine if it goes south. Just bail."
"...Alright. Follow behind me."
"Thanks. Claudy, tail us."
So I climbed with Barkerel, Dodalkan, and Claudy. Super cautious, silent.
At the crest, we peeked ultra-alert. What waited? Answers soon.
Over the hill—
"...My god."
"...Heavens."
Groans escaped.
Blast carved a small crater.
At epicenter stood a towering nude musclebound freak—huge horns, pitch-black.
A demon.
The fiend's face: no ears, nose, mouth.
Six eyeballs embedded like incense plugs in a monk's brow, crimson glow beaming.
Bzzz!
"That my gate, Andromalius's domain, slipped control and recognition... odd. Lax wards... odd. Its destruction... oddest."
The demon muttered gravely, turning our way. Voice soft, yet crystal clear.
"Your doing?"
Fuck, we're screwed.
"Barkerel, bro, deny it quick!"