Demon (4)
Demon (4)
Yoon Chae-rin gathered her hands near her dantian. A pure aura of darkness swirled within her grasp, forming into the shape of a sphere.
Immediately after, the darkness exploded outward as if to overturn the world. Yoon Seung-ha watched Yoon Chae-rin from afar.
Heavenly Demon Divine Art, Wheel of Annihilation.
It takes a long time to cast and requires extreme concentration, making it difficult to defend if the opponent attacks, but once activated, it possesses the most intense destructive power among all the martial arts she possesses, if nothing else.
A pitch-black aura swirled. A pure aura could be felt. One might mistake it for the same power as the Ma (Demon) used by ordinary Demon-humans, but it was a power different from the very root.
I watched the scene where the pure darkness was swirling. It was swirling on the rooftop like a black hole.
The swirling darkness cleared.
The dying form of Dust came into view. His whole body was shredded to pieces, and he was vomiting blood. As expected of a Shadow Half-blood. To think he managed to keep his life inside that with his unique, tenacious vitality. Muttering a low exclamation of admiration, Yoon Seung-ha moved, riding a wind spirit. He had summoned the spirit to draw attention, but from the beginning, Yoon Seung-ha had been a step away from the battle.
It was because he had seen the note left by the person who orchestrated this situation.
-Dust must survive no matter what. Requesting movement to the location. Can move unconditionally once to the place marked by his trait.
Even though it was clearly written in a hurry, the handwriting was neat. Yoon Seung-ha admired the handwriting for a moment and began to move.
Yoon Seung-ha thought of Lee Si-woo. Dust. He was a villain she had also heard of. Generally, all students who enter the Hero Academy aspire to be heroes.
A hero refers to those who punish those who disturb the social order and protect the social order. Therefore, it was basic to be knowledgeable about Demon-humans and villains.
However, usually, one doesn't know in such detail.
Because everyone hides one or two secret techniques. They hide their power to some extent, and if they reveal their power, they eliminate all witnesses. That was the way of the fallen.
Unlike heroes who are exposed on broadcasts and even reveal their secret techniques, the information that can be obtained is limited.
'But he knew everything.'
-When hiding in a shadow, there is a delay of about 7 seconds.
-And when hiding in a shadow, he always comes out from behind the shadow of the person who attacked him.
He knew what Dust used, and he even saw through his psychology. Judging by the expressions, he and Dust must have been people meeting for the first time.
How did he know? Yoon Seung-ha felt curious, but she shook off the thought. It was something to think about later.
She shifted her gaze to the front. She summoned spirits around her.
Because there was an enemy at the location he taught her, vomiting blood and making a look of despair.
"Cough."
I looked at Dust, who was coughing and vomiting blood. He was almost a wreck. Dust would unconditionally move according to the mark once. It was because of his trait.
Seureureuk.
While vomiting blood, he entered the shadow. Everyone around was watching the shadow with tension, but Dust must have already left.
"Let's go down. We have to take care of Ash."
I said, looking at them. Han Jong-woo, who had only removed the face part of his armor, raised his eyebrows slightly, but he soon followed my words. Because it wasn't a normal situation. Im Na-yeon had an anxious expression, and Yoon Chae-rin was hardening her expression. Eun Sua was twitching her mouth and her eyes were shining.
"Don't worry, Na-yeon. I will protect you."
I ignored Han Jong-woo, who was saying greasy words to Im Na-yeon, and went down. As I ran, everyone started to come down.
Even though I said we took care of it as quickly as possible, a mana wave of this magnitude swirled in an instant. Everyone remaining in the school must have known there was a battle.
I could feel people's presence here and there. Students shouting. Students going up to the rooftop were noticeable. Looking at their badges, there were also 2nd and 3rd years.
'But it seems like too much force.'
Ash is not weak. However, Ash was someone who would find it hard to endure against this force. I was worried if Yoon Chae-rin could awaken a new skill. If we drag it out, she might go berserk, but if we drag it out for a long time, the professors will arrive and clean up the situation.
I led the group and headed to the club room. Because if it were Ash, he would try to take the orb first. When I saw the club room door, I kicked it. The door couldn't withstand the impact and flew away, and the scene of the club room came into view at a glance.
Ash with a flustered expression was visible. Coming to the club room was the right answer. The probability was fifty-fifty. Someone was visible next to him. There was a man wearing a black mask.
I hesitated for a moment. Why is that guy here?
'Mad Dog.'
I was flustered, but knowledge came to mind. Alias, Mad Dog. Dog Beastman race. Martial arts faction. Demon-human of heavy impact. He was famous as a counter to Eun Sua, who had high output but was fast, because he was fast. He is fast and has strong muscular strength, but is weak in technique.
I checked our side's force. Yoon Chae-rin, Eun Sua, Im Na-yeon, Han Jong-woo. It was reassuring.
'It's possible.'
The odds of winning were sufficient.
"Are you students? Looking at the badges, you're 1st years."
"...Don't let your guard down. Those things are monsters wearing the masks of freshmen."
"Bullshit. You guys are the monsters. You bastards who sold your souls to the devil and commit human sacrifices."
Yoon Chae-rin said at Mad Dog and Ash's words.
"Are you ready, Eun Sua?"
"Of course."
Eun Sua answered my words. Pitch-black flames bloomed in her hand and soon changed into a spear. Black Flame Spear. It was one of her specialties. The flame spear made of pitch-black color rushed toward Mad Dog.
"Hmph!"
He swung with his hand surrounded by pitch-black energy. The Black Flame spear scattered at the swung hand. No, it seemed to scatter. The Black Flame stuck to Mad Dog's hand and burned tenaciously.
"Tsk, troublesome flames."
In an instant, Mad Dog's mana swelled up greatly.
"Hey, hey! If you make such a commotion, the professor-level ones will come running immediately!"
"Don't worry. I've set up a barrier around us with an artifact."
He said, proudly showing the Black Pearl Necklace hanging around his neck.
'Did he have something like that too?'
While flustered by the artifact I was seeing for the first time, I moved forward.
Kkureureung.
As I circulated the mana in my body, I heard the sound of lightning striking. The Lightning Spirit spat out lightning and raced through my body. Purple lightning sparked. Time stretched out long.
"Tsuuuut! Suuuuch a thing......."
Purple lightning glowed on the blade of the sword. Ash, who had a very flustered expression at my speed. Mad Dog reached out his hand, but soon withdrew it. It was because Yoon Chae-rin was wielding pure demonic energy beside him.
The sword became a single flash. Lightning Flying Sword Technique, First Form. Flash. As I swung the sword, Ash reached out his hand.
Chaaeng!
As the sword and hand collided, the sound of iron clashing rang out. Ash's hand turned into an ink-like color. Beside me, Han Jong-woo and Im Na-yeon tried to come to my side.
"Don't help me, help Yoon Chae-rin."
"......Will you be okay?"
"It's better to take care of it quickly and then deal with it."
Saying that, I rushed at Ash.
"Do I look like a pushover to you?"
"Yeah. You look like a huge pushover. You little shit."
"You brat!"
I answered Ash's words appropriately and provoked him while swinging my sword. Perhaps my provocation worked, as Ash went into a frenzy, swinging his blackened hand and blowing out breath. Green liquid was shot at me from his mouth.
I was startled and swung my sword. The purple lightning burned the green liquid. A foul smell arose. It was because Ash had sprayed poison around without me knowing. It was useless, though, thanks to the Poison Resistance Set I was wearing and the newly awakened Yin-Yang Body and The Only One.
'Did I rush too much?'
When I played in the game, he was a pushover, but fighting him directly, he wasn't. I glanced to the side and it didn't look like the group would easily take care of Mad Dog.
In an instant, fierce mana poured out from Mad Dog.
As if responding to that, Yoon Chae-rin also raised her mana. Mana and mana clashed, and the club room swirled. All sorts of exercise equipment in the club room were thrown in all directions. The swirling mana clashed, and the winner and loser were decided. She was slammed into the wall of the club room, her golden hair fluttering.
"......."
I lost my words for a moment.
It's strange.
Mad Dog wasn't that strong. He could easily overwhelm even Yoon Chae-rin when she first entered the academy......
'Come to think of it, did he get severely injured while being chased by the Sword Mistress in the middle?'
I clicked my tongue. It seems it's not the time to hide. I kicked Ash and stepped back significantly.
I glanced and saw Eun Sua wielding the Seven Colors while Im Na-yeon and Han Jong-woo were assisting Eun Sua. However, the Seven Colors is as mana-intensive as it is strong. Yoon Chae-rin didn't look like she was in good condition. Is it because she used the Wheel of Annihilation? I'll have to take care of Ash quickly and join them.
"Han Jong-woo!"
"Why! Call me!"
Han Jong-woo shouted as if screaming.
"Buy me some time for a moment!"
"What?!"
I left the shocked Han Jong-woo alone and increased the distance. Han Jong-woo put on his armor and rushed at Ash. Yoon Chae-rin faced Mad Dog with a pale complexion.
"What, are you preparing to run away? But what to do. You can't even run away because of the barrier."
"What are you saying."
I mocked Ash's words appropriately and activated my unique trait. The mana that had dropped to the bottom rose rapidly. It was the power of the unique trait, The Only One. During battle, it has the effect of recovering all kinds of status ailments and replenishing stamina and mana.
'Although I can only use it once.'
And.
I put on the mask.
Spearman's Mask. Swordsman's Mask. Martial Artist's Mask. Mask of Senses. I layered all sorts of masks that increase stats, which I had made in advance for this moment, over the mask. I also wear the masks I obtained while increasing the relationship level with Lee Ji-ah and Im Na-yeon.
"Hoo."
My head throbbed. It felt like noise was ringing in my ears. However, it was weak for the penalty of wearing dozens of masks. As expected, the ability of The Only One covered the penalty of the masks.
'Status Window.'
▼
Name: Lee Si-woo
Strength: 18(15+3)
Agility: 20(15+5)
Stamina: 15
Mana: 20(15+5)
Unique Ability: The Only One
Trait: Mask of a Thousand Faces(S), Knowledge Access(S), Thousand Hands(S), Yin-Yang Body(S-)
My senses were extremely heightened. Strength overflowed. Mana rose nearly twice as much as just before. This is because stats undergo rapid changes in units of 10.
"What!"
Seeing Ash, who was astonished at the mana that had swelled up nearly twice in an instant, I utilized Thousand Hands. My physical abilities rose too rapidly, so I needed a moment to adjust. About 0.5 seconds. Immediately after, I rushed at Ash.
The surrounding scenery stretched like taffy for a moment, and Ash's face came into view. I swung the sword. The rapidly increased mana assisted. The sword was swung so fast that it looked blurry even to my own eyes, and a sickening sound of flesh tearing was heard.
I saw Ash's distorted expression. One of his arms flew off. At the same time, Han Jong-woo swung his greatsword, aiming for his neck. I glanced and saw his skin had turned blue. He was poisoned. Perhaps because of that, the greatsword that was aiming for his neck stabbed his shoulder.
"Move!"
At my words, Han Jong-woo rolled to the side. I poured all the mana I had into it and swung the sword. The purple lightning, which had grown at least twice as large, flashed. The lightning exploded as if bursting, accompanied by heat commensurate with its size.
Ash's head floated into the air. An expression as if he had seen something unbelievable. I sighed. Because I made the lightning too big, the sword was half-burnt. I turned my head.
The fight between Mad Dog and Yoon Chae-rin was almost ending. In a bad way. Except for his head, Mad Dog had wounds shredded by a thin sword. It was the trace of being hit by Yoon Chae-rin's newly awakened Heavenly Demon Death Beam... no, Heavenly Demon Light Kill.
Yoon Chae-rin was squinting her eyes, and Eun Sua and Im Na-yeon were gasping for breath. The same momentum as before could not be felt. I glanced at the ceiling. One spot on the ceiling was distorted.
'Did they come?'
It was an insurance policy I had taken out just in case. The mask had been off for a long time. The stats had returned to normal. In other words, I could properly use Thousand Hands. Instead of the half-broken sword, I picked up Han Jong-woo's greatsword.
"Ha! A fruit fly is looking for a place to die and attacking me!"
I poured half of my remaining mana into the sword. The rest into my legs. I rushed at Mad Dog.
He made a fishy expression at the significantly slower speed than before. A hand dyed in ominous black energy reached out to me. However, the presence was faint. Because Mad Dog was also exhausted.
As I swung the sword, his sneering expression deepened.
"Huh?"
The moment the hand and the greatsword collided.
As the greatsword slid and deflected Mad Dog's arm outward.
Kkwadeuk!
I cut off his neck just like that.