Chapter 167
Chapter 167
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 167
Chapter Title: Death Knight
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“⋯⋯Death Knight? You know it?”
Erbehim, who had sidled up beside me before I knew it, asked.
‘Know the Death Knight?’
Of course I did.
And not just know it—I knew it inside and out.
I’d taken down countless Death Knights while playing [Devil Fantasy].
There probably wasn’t a single player in all of [Devil Fantasy] who’d killed more Death Knights than me.
Well⋯⋯ that might be true no matter who you compared me to.
Anyway.
“It’s a human who obtained a demon’s body.”
“A human? You’re saying that thing is human?”
“More precisely, it used to be human. It sold its flesh to a demon and got a new body in exchange.”
Just as I explained to Erbehim, that was a quick summary of the [Death Knight].
A human who craved power made a pact with a demon and gained a new body.
Of course, that alone made it sound no different from a demon kin⋯⋯.
‘But in reality, it’s something completely different.’
They were nothing alike.
Kin lived as the demons’ limbs, empowered by them, while a [Death Knight] became a demon itself and lived independently.
In simple terms, kin were half-human, but a [Death Knight] was a full demon.
Proof of that: a pitch-black aura rippled inside its dark armor.
Whatever it was exactly, it sure wasn’t human.
As I explained these points, I added a little extra.
“⋯⋯Which means it possesses power incomparable to any kin.”
“Hmm, I think I could’ve guessed that much without you saying it.”
Erbehim said while eyeing the [Death Knight].
Sure enough, its strength was obvious without needing to spell it out.
The aura radiating from it right now was anything but ordinary.
Even surrounded by so many demons, its overwhelming presence crushed the demonic energy of the rest.
Though this was a special case, of course.
‘It definitely feels stronger than other [Death Knights].’
I was currently a 7th circle mage.
A [Death Knight] was something I could handle without issue.
But based on the aura I sensed now⋯⋯.
‘At least my equal.’
Or maybe even stronger.
Meaning this thing had power surpassing a 7th circle mage.
Once I fully grasped the situation, tension rippled through me, sharpening my mind.
“⋯⋯Contractor, you sure you don’t need my help?”
“You offering?”
“Of, of course not! A contractor who can’t handle something this minor is better off gone!”
Erebos snorted in outrage.
⋯⋯Then why bother asking in the first place.
‘Focus. I don’t need help.’
I shoved aside stray thoughts and locked my eyes forward again.
Clop, clop.
The thing was still approaching leisurely atop its horse, a relaxed look on its face.
From its expression, it clearly trusted its own strength.
And.
“The end for scum like you is always the same.”
Dealing with types like that was my specialty.
[Oh? Human mage, what was that mutter just now?]
“Who knows.”
Flash!
Instead of answering, I cast [Teleport].
[⋯⋯!]
Right in front of its face.
My right hand already gripped a massive [Sword of Light].
Without a moment’s hesitation, I swung it at the thing.
Clang!
The [Death Knight] instantly drew its black sword and blocked the attack.
[⋯⋯A sword? Never pegged you for a knight.]
“You saw well. I’m not a knight—I’m a mage.”
Leap!
I retracted my sword and leaped back, lightly tapping the ground.
Ssssh!
A single strand of [Flowing Light] spread from my fingertips, snaking rapidly forward.
Resembling a massive serpent, it slithered straight up the [Death Knight]’s body.
The thing tilted its head, looking intrigued.
[What’s this⋯⋯.]
And then.
Boom!
The [Flowing Light] erupted in a brilliant flash.
I’d concentrated all my mana into that single strand, making the explosion far more powerful than before.
On top of that, support fire from Erbehim and the elite elves who’d been waiting for the perfect moment.
Pew-pew-pew!
Dozens of arrows infused with elven energy slammed precisely into its chest.
Whoosh!
The aftermath filled the area around it with thick smoke.
Thump! Thump! Thump!
As everyone watched the smoke tensely.
Ping—!
Two red lights flashed through the haze.
None other than the [Death Knight]’s glowing eyes.
Eyes that sent chills down the spine with their eerie gleam.
But that wasn’t what mattered right now.
Slash!
Pitch-black sword energy shot from between those red eyes.
‘Fast!’
Much faster than the first strike I’d seen.
No time to admire it—I immediately spread my hand and cast [Barrier].
The sword energy was already almost upon me.
[Teleport] took longer to cast than the relatively quick [Barrier], so that was the better choice.
But.
“Contractor⋯⋯! Don’t block—dodge it!”
‘⋯⋯What?’
Kablooey!
The sword energy I’d assumed would stop tore straight through the [Barrier].
The [Death Knight]’s sword energy slammed into my torso.
“Con, Contractor!”
“Guh!”
Immense pain hit me as I flew backward, tumbling across the ground several times.
Thud! Thump! Crash!
Head, back, shoulder, waist⋯⋯ shocks like my whole body was shattering.
My chest was already staining red, and a metallic taste filled my mouth.
‘Shit⋯⋯ one more hit like that and I’m done for.’
Had I ever felt pain this bad in real combat?
It hit me how lucky I’d been until now.
If I’d endured agony like this since the first day in this world⋯⋯.
‘I might’ve given up on catching Baal long ago.’
Of course, even now, with some time passed, it wasn’t exactly fine.
For someone like me, who’d just repeated office work and games in an ordinary life, situations like this were always terrifying.
But.
‘No backing down after coming this far.’
I couldn’t let all my efforts go to waste over mere fear.
Even if a being that transcended humanity by taking on a demon’s body blocked my path.
Stagger—!
“C-Can you stand?”
“⋯⋯Yeah, I’m good.”
It hurt like hell, though.
Whoooosh!
I waved off Erebos as it tried to support me and immediately drew up my mana.
The [Death Knight] emerged through the drifting smoke, sneering down at me.
[What an amusing human. You’ve got the strength to stand after taking that?]
“⋯⋯That’s why I stood up.”
[Puhaha⋯⋯ Ah, sorry. I said something obvious.]
“No need to apologize. I’ll claim the price with your life.”
[Oh ho? Guess I’ll have to check if those fancy words have any substance.]
With that, the Death Knight held its black sword horizontally and twisted its wrist upward.
Spin—.
The black sword rotated 180 degrees.
And at the same moment.
Whoooosh!
Various shapes, letters, and symbols appeared before its blade, merging into one and emitting red light.
My face naturally twisted at the sight.
‘⋯⋯Magic?’
Different from what I wielded, but that was unmistakably a magic circle.
One that gave off a deeply unpleasant vibe.
It didn’t take long to realize what it was.
The structure screamed “do not use.”
“⋯⋯Black magic, huh.”
[Ho, you figured it out before it was even complete⋯⋯ Guess you’re not all talk after all?]
“⋯⋯Were you a black mage in a past life?”
[Indeed. A rather capable one at that. Though now I’m closer to the sword than the staff.]
“Then why become something like this?”
Whirr—!
The thing spun its completed magic circle as it continued.
[There are many reasons⋯⋯ but if I had to pick one, it’d be to wield more perfect black magic.]
“Becoming a demon doesn’t make you better at magic.”
[Ah, but those damn pursuers were on my tail. Couldn’t focus on my research with those pests around.]
Pursuers.
Hunters who captured those who broke taboos.
They were all elite from the royal family, incredibly skilled.
Once they had your info, no matter how great you were, you couldn’t live in peace.
Seems this Death Knight had been in that boat.
[Yes, it’s all their fault⋯⋯ Those accursed pests⋯⋯!]
Ping!
As if reliving the memory, its red eyes flashed.
[What’s a mere taboo anyway!]
Roooar!
It didn’t even bother controlling its power anymore—eerie energy spread around it.
Like it was about to go berserk any second.
But the more it raged, the more I poked at it.
“So, you spent your life on the run from those damn pursuers and ended up a demon? That what you’re saying?”
[⋯⋯Yes! It’s all because of them that I became a demon! I sacrificed my body for perfect black magic!]
“Heh, you talked about fancy words lacking substance⋯⋯ but you’re the one with nothing but shiny talk?”
[⋯⋯What’s that supposed to mean?]
It cocked its head, clearly annoyed.
I shrugged and continued.
“To me, it sounds like black magic was just an excuse—you became a demon because you were scared of the pursuers. Am I wrong?”
[⋯⋯What?]
Stunned for a moment, it then covered its face with a hand.
At the same time, its body began to tremble.
[Puh, puhhahaha⋯⋯!]
The Death Knight soon started laughing maniacally, then snapped back to a hardened expression.
[Filthy human dares to insult me⋯⋯.]
Whirr!
Its red magic circle, which had paused, spun violently again.
Unpleasant mana began to stir alongside it.
It looked ready to unleash that unknown black magic any second.
I glanced back once, then disrupted its focus again.
“Hold on, got a question.”
[You think you’re in a position to ask questions?]
“Skip it if you don’t want to answer. Think of it as me granting a dying man’s wish.”
[⋯⋯What is it?]
“Nothing big.”
Tap tap.
I pointed at its magic circle with a finger.
“So, that ‘perfect black magic’ of yours—did you ever complete it?”
[Why do you care?]
“Just curious. You went so far as becoming a demon for it—what was the result?”
[Heh⋯⋯ Exactly the kind of question a worm like you would ask. I’ll gladly answer.]
Roooar!
It gathered the mana swirling around it boastfully.
[Countless black mages have researched it⋯⋯ but none reached the heights I have. Not a single one.]
“Yeah?”
[Don’t bother asking for details. You’ll witness my magic soon enough anyway.]
Snap!
A sudden finger snap came from behind.
Realizing it was the signal, I immediately said to the Death Knight.
“Honored to see such magic, but first, let me show you something.”
[What are you suddenly⋯⋯.]
The moment it opened its mouth, not grasping my words.
Flash!
I cast [Teleport] to a rooftop I’d eyed earlier.
And.
An arrow brimming with immense power streaked past where I’d stood.
[⋯⋯!!]
Kablooey!
It struck the Death Knight square in the body.
The instant I confirmed it piercing through, I gave Erbehim a thumbs-up.
“Good shot.”