Chapter 177
Chapter 177
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 177
Chapter Title: Slaying Darnin
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Slash—
The head falls.
The sharp edge of 'Karaniel' whipped through the air.
Slash, slash—
Nothing could block the gray aura.
Three or four at a time with a single stroke.
The monsters and demonic beasts collapsed like falling leaves without even a scream.
“…You've gotten really strong, haven't you?”
Briana wore an expression of admiration.
She already knew that Seowoojin had reached the same transcendent realm as her.
But she hadn't expected his skill to be this outstanding.
He far exceeded her expectations.
“A lot has happened in the meantime.”
Seowoojin, having cleared the surroundings in the blink of an eye, sheathed 'Karaniel' and flashed an awkward smile.
“I heard the gist of it…”
From the Earth Dragon, to encountering Ruonbali and Brutal in the Forest of Death.
It hadn't been long since they parted, yet he'd gone through so much.
Having survived that hellish ordeal, it wasn't surprising that he'd grown this much.
“Still, this really is the Demon Realm… They just keep coming endlessly.”
They hadn't rested for more than five minutes while heading toward their destination.
When he'd come before, he'd only been in the outskirts, so he hadn't fully grasped it, but now it was different.
The closer they got to the core, the more their numbers increased exponentially.
It wasn't called the Demon Realm for nothing.
“You don't even look tired, so what's with the complaining?”
Briana smirked at Seowoojin.
For someone whining, he hadn't broken a sweat.
“It's fine for now… But they won't all be like this forever.”
It wasn't just the quantity multiplying.
The quality of the beasts was rising too.
“Don't worry. I'll help when it gets tough.”
“If you're going to help, then from now…”
Seowoojin, grumbling toward Briana, shut his mouth and looked ahead.
“It's coming.”
Briana narrowed her eyes and stared straight ahead as well.
“This one's pretty strong, huh?”
The demonic energy felt was on a whole different level from the ones he'd just butchered.
“Looks like one of the kin.”
Otherwise, it wouldn't possess this much demonic energy.
Rustle—
The forest shook with demonic energy, leaves falling down.
And soon.
Roooaaar—!
A massive muscle-bound brute revealed itself.
“…It's huge.”
About seven meters tall.
Its bulk was like four Goo Dong-hwans combined.
A large-type monster.
“Ever seen it before?”
Seowoojin asked Briana.
“First time for me. But I've heard of it.”
Killing intent filled Briana's eyes.
“Darnin, kin of Kademain, the sixth Demon King.”
A monster that had massacred countless knights and soldiers.
Its skin tougher than steel, strength far surpassing top-grade knights.
With agility belying its size, any subjugation force that encountered Darnin always met total annihilation.
“Don't let your guard down. It's cunning, so it won't be easy.”
“Got it.”
Feeling the demonic energy prickling his skin, Seowoojin drew 'Karaniel'.
‘Around Logi Ruby's level?’
Sizing up Darnin, Seowoojin shook his head.
‘Stronger than that mantis.’
Purely in terms of demonic energy quantity, they were similar.
But Seowoojin's transcendent senses told him Darnin was stronger than Logi Ruby.
“Well, doesn't matter.”
He was confident he could dismember even the fearsome Logi Ruby with a single stroke now.
No matter how strong, unless it was Apostle-class, it couldn't match Seowoojin.
‘Still, it'll give good experience.’
The only reason Seowoojin had come to Demon Realm Heldein with Briana was for leveling up.
Encountering kin that gave hefty experience? He couldn't be happier.
Seowoojin grinned and aimed 'Karaniel' at Darnin.
Groooowl—
Did it sense Seowoojin's presence?
Darnin flinched, eyes rolling.
“Too late, buddy.”
Seowoojin noticed Darnin scheming to flee.
Cunning as advertised—it planned to avoid an unfavorable fight.
But before Darnin could react, Seowoojin kicked off the ground.
Boom—
Dirt exploded as Seowoojin's form turned into a streak of light.
Clang—
“Huh?”
Seowoojin's eyes widened as he passed by Darnin.
Surprisingly, 'Karaniel' hadn't fully sliced through it.
The hide split and bone showed, but it wasn't cleanly severed.
“See? Told you it's tough.”
Briana clicked her tongue.
Even Seowoojin's skill and 'Karaniel's' sharpness couldn't overcome its durability.
No wonder subjugation forces couldn't win.
“Yeah. Didn't expect this much.”
Seowoojin let out a hollow laugh and turned back.
Black blood poured from Darnin's half-severed arm.
Groooaaar—!
Unfamiliar pain made it scream.
Fear flickered in its eyes.
Thud, thud—
Having glimpsed Seowoojin's face, Darnin turned and fled.
Unbelievably fast for its massive bulk, just as Briana had said.
But Seowoojin had no intention of letting it go.
“Try blocking this too.”
Gray aura blazed.
The condensed chaos energy, carrying terrifying destructive power, crashed toward Darnin's back.
Spliiit—
Its back split open.
The tough hide couldn't withstand the aura, tearing apart, spine snapping.
Overwhelmed by agony, Darnin only gaped, unable to scream.
Seowoojin leaped into the air, avoiding the blood, and spoke.
“This works.”
Slash—
As 'Karaniel' swept horizontally, a thin line etched across Darnin's neck.
Spurt—
The huge head tumbled, blood geysering from the stump.
Given its size, the blood volume was immense.
Like black rain falling.
Seowoojin spread chaos energy to block it and landed beside Briana.
“Easier than I thought.”
As Seowoojin quipped, Briana let out a hollow laugh.
“I figured you'd win, but…”
So easily, though…
She'd thought its transcendent toughness would give him some trouble, but Seowoojin shattered expectations again.
“I've fought similar ones before.”
Monsters with absurdly tough skin.
Among those summoned via 'Summon Stone', there'd been plenty.
Having hunted them to gain combat experience, Darnin was no challenge for Seowoojin.
“…Fine. You're amazing, kid.”
Briana shook her head.
Seowoojin was definitely stronger than she'd imagined.
She couldn't fathom what battlefields he'd crossed.
“Still a long way to catch up to Grand Duke.”
Seowoojin scratched his head, prompting Briana to smirk.
Then she said,
“Call me sis, remember?”
The two chatted as they kept walking.
Toward the heart of Heldein.
* * *
“Elder Beirn.”
A still-youthful-looking Dark Elf knelt.
Beirn slowly opened his closed eyes.
Just how long had he lived?
Even for a Dark Elf with lifespan incomparable to humans, his face was etched with wrinkles.
“What's the matter?”
Yet his voice was as vigorous as the young Dark Elf before him.
“Intruders have entered the forest.”
At the brief report, Beirn's wrinkles deepened.
“The Empire again?”
If so, no need to worry.
Without a guardian stepping in, they'd never reach here.
Just as always.
“This time seems different, Elder Beirn.”
The young Dark Elf bowed lower.
“Different?”
“Only two of them… but their skills are no joke.”
Beirn's bored eyes widened slightly.
Interest sparked.
“How far have they reached?”
“They passed Darnin's territory about two hours ago.”
“…Guardians.”
Few could kill Darnin, kin of Kademain.
It could withstand a joint assault from three top-grade knights.
And just two broke through?
Only guardian-class explained it.
“At this rate, they'll enter our territory within hours.”
What to do?
Beirn pondered briefly before speaking.
“Let them come. Even guardians won't change anything.”
They had kin rivaling guardians here.
Plus, if they joined the fight, no guardian could escape alive.
“But…”
The young Dark Elf looked worried.
He hadn't seen the battle, but he'd sensed it from afar.
It lasted barely over a minute.
Was it wise to let such a powerhouse who stole Darnin's life into tribal lands?
“Tairon.”
Sensing his unease, Beirn called the young Dark Elf's name.
“Yes, Elder Beirn.”
As Tairon replied, Beirn pointed to one side.
There stood a barren tree filled only with death and darkness, unlike the world tree radiating life energy.
Demon Tree Tribue.
Symbol protecting the Dark Elves, sacred relic blessed by the Demon King.
And beside it…
“We have ‘that’, don't we?”
The guardian protecting the Demon Tree and this land from outsiders: Behemoth.
Tairon nodded.
That horrific monster could never be opposed by any guardian or whatever.
“I obey Elder Beirn's command.”
As Tairon bowed, Beirn smiled in satisfaction.
“Go open the path so no needless losses mount. Lead them straight here.”
Monsters and demonic beasts served as a barrier protecting the tribe.
Better to lure them in and face them here than waste them pointlessly.
“And gather the children. Time for a festival after so long.”
A smile crept onto Tairon's lips.
A grotesque expression mixing bloodlust and cruelty.
“I'll relay to the entire tribe.”
“Go now. Much to prepare before the festival.”
At Beirn's dismissal, Tairon rose and bowed deeply.
“Take care.”
Once Tairon left, Beirn alone closed his eyes again.
But irrepressible anticipation lit his wrinkled face.
“A festival…”
Truly after so long.
First time since the imperial subjugation force over a decade ago.
“This time, do thrash about long and hard.”
Beirn sank into deep slumber, eagerly awaiting the festival.
A brutal one stained in blood and death.