Chapter 236
Chapter 236
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 236
Chapter Title: Shake Off the Frustration
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There's a saying that when you're feeling frustrated, you should just move your body first.
From my perspective, it's not wrong at all—most worries and thoughts vanish in the face of physical pain.
So whether you run until your heart feels like it's going to burst or swing your sword until your arms won't lift anymore...
Overworking the body dulls the knots inside.
Of course, what was tangled up in me wasn't anything grand enough to call a real knot, but basically, I have no tolerance for this kind of stress.
Especially after my regression, I'd mostly lived doing whatever I felt like, so it was even worse.
Above all, I couldn't find any reason to exercise patience for something like this.
Anyway, for a mix of complicated reasons, I figured I'd let off some steam by throwing punches to my heart's content.
But of all things, the demon that broke free had bizarre features.
A demon shaped like an octopus? And it could even split apart.
But what caught my attention most of all...
'...Why does it smell so damn good?'
I channeled my internal energy, wrapping both hands in crimson flames. The scorching blaze charred one of the octopus legs, and in that instant, an inexplicable nutty aroma pierced my nose.
Honestly, I hated to say it about a demon, but my mouth was watering.
'Can I eat it? Is it okay to eat?'
Seafood is one of those foods that really depends on taste.
People who hate fishy smells can't even touch fish, and the same goes for shellfish.
But the food that picky eaters avoid most? Octopus, hands down.
Just look at its disgusting, repulsive appearance.
Legs as numerous as a spider's, eyes that evoke demons, a grotesquely oversized head, and that slimy texture you wouldn't even want to brush against...
It's no wonder some cultures call it the devil of the sea.
Especially the massive ones—they're said to be big enough to wrap around whales.
Sure, I've heard there are cultures that enjoy eating octopus, but they're definitely rare.
Even my mom, who eats just about anything, wouldn't touch octopus or squid.
So I was shocked.
Right now, the smell wafting from the cooking octopus was insanely appetizing.
'Snap out of it, you idiot.'
This wasn't an octopus—it was a demon that looked like one.
I swallowed hard and broke free from the octopus leg's grip.
The intense suction that had been freakishly strong weakened the moment I ramped up the heat.
And the battlefield came into view once more.
Closest by was the chain-sickle guy, then a bit farther off the nobleman, and at the very rear stood the mage.
The chain-sickle wielder was bare-handed, the nobleman gripped a short spear, and the mage was muttering—probably chanting a spell.
'This is the whole team?'
No idea if the other heroes were dead or just couldn't join due to circumstances.
But for now, these were the only ones who could fight.
Rushing into full cooperation was tricky with so many unknowns. I'd only synced up minimally with the chain-sickle guy so far.
"Your body... you okay?"
"A trained warrior's body is tougher than rock. I'm fine."
"Not that—you took a direct hit from the demon. Aren't you affected by its curse?"
"That's fine too. Blessing holders have resistance to curses."
"...Hmph. So you are from a Great Family after all."
Just as I'd guessed at the chain-sickle guy's background...
He'd apparently been racking his brain about my identity this whole time.
Of course, separate from what I told him, curses weren't a big threat to me anymore.
Aside from the resistance that came with my Blessing.
'I'm half a cultist now, after all.'
I felt like I could tangle with a demon of this level—even in the Seven Stars Realm—without much worry.
Not that I planned to keep exposing myself to curses.
No telling what might happen if external curses clashed with the one inside me.
"The knight?"
"......"
The chain-sickle guy stuck to my side tossed out a tough question to answer, and right on cue, the octopus demon that had retreated came charging back.
This time, it whipped down from above like a lash.
I instantly crossed my arms and took the log-thick octopus leg bare-handed.
Boom!
The ground sank beneath me, sending a sharp jolt through my waist and knees.
But it wasn't anything I couldn't handle.
"You took that with your bare body...?"
The chain-sickle guy, who'd dodged early, let out a stunned voice, and in the meantime, I asked,
"This one's not the leg I burned earlier, right? Fire seems effective."
"Looks like it."
"Good. Then I'll keep roasting this thing and push toward the source of its legs. Cover me, you and the others."
"What are you gonna do at the source?"
That wasn't the chain-sickle guy's voice.
It was a thin, delicate soprano.
And it wasn't spoken from beside me—the voice carried profound internal energy, resonating thickly through the entire cave.
I knew the owner right away. Obviously—there was only one woman here.
The mage farthest back looked at me. Her violet eyes had a chilling hue.
"Slice the main body, duh. Gotta be an octopus head or something."
"Afraid not. This demon's made entirely of legs."
"Is that so? Then how do you kill it?"
"Working on it."
Working on it?
Doesn't seem like we have time for that.
I let the mage's somewhat dim-witted response slide with one ear and thought it over myself.
Conclusion came quick.
If it's all legs, just get rid of all the legs.
Perfect timing for a certain technique.
One from the latter half of White Sun Eclipse—my current internal energy could handle it, and my body would hold up.
Time was the only issue left.
Kwaaang!
Dodged another octopus attack.
Ocean octopuses have eight legs, but this thing had dozens at least.
Couldn't attack all at once due to their log-like thickness, but the relentless barrage made it hard to find an opening to focus.
"Can you buy me about ten seconds?"
"What for?"
"Gonna use my ultimate."
"Hah."
The mage shook her head.
"...Ruan Bednicker. I heard you're a top candidate for the next middle name, but rumors really are unreliable."
"Be-Bednicker...?"
"......"
The chain-sickle guy gaped in shock, and the nobleman flinched. I eyed the mage who'd spoken my name.
"You know me?"
"Who wouldn't? You've heard of Coralis, right?"
"...First time in my life hearing that name?"
"......"
The mage seemed at a loss for words. Just before her mouth opened,
Kwang!
Another explosion rocked the cave.
"Back, back!"
"Tricky bastard... At this rate, we'll get pushed all the way to where Sister Razbet is."
"......"
The nobleman's words chilled my head a bit.
The wide space at the end of this path.
Verita was probably there now, organizing the knight's corpse.
"So, ten seconds. Can you hold or not?"
"How exactly are we holding?"
"Need to gather power in close range. About one step away?"
"...You want us to hold for ten seconds at that ultra-close range? You're from a Great Family, but you sure are clueless about demons."
"You're dragging out the 'impossible' bit. The mages I knew could erect barriers tougher than that."
"Which mage?"
"Alderson Marb."
"...Hah."
The sneering mage said,
"Dragging out that name... So you do know me."
"......?"
"Fine. Not ten seconds—ten minutes. But if that ultimate of yours doesn't even scratch the demon afterward, I'll formally hold your rudeness against the Bednicker Family."
The mage, satisfied on her own, began chanting again.
"You two, protect the mage... Whoa."
They were already moving before I finished.
Smart ones—good.
Now I had to block the octopus legs solo for a bit, but it wasn't hard.
I met the stabbing spear-like strikes, the axe-like drops, and the whip-like lashes purely with my body.
Crimson flames bloomed not just on my hands but my legs, knees, elbows—even my forehead.
Thanks to that, soon every octopus leg attacking me was wreathed in fierce flames.
The legs thrashed wildly to shake off the fire, and each time they slammed into walls or ceiling, the whole cave shook like an earthquake.
'Maybe it really has no body?'
Pain from burning should've been unimaginable, yet no scream.
Wait. Don't octopuses lack vocal cords?
"Ten seconds starting now!"
At that moment, the mage's voice rang out, and a soft liquid-like sensation enveloped my radius of about 30cm.
'Defensive spell—from the Blue Mage?'
The purity and density of the mana coating my skin were no joke.
Amazed at the mage's skill far exceeding expectations, I immediately drew internal energy from my dantian.
Tiny flames raced through my meridians across my whole body.
The technique I was about to use didn't focus on a single point, so I let the energy rampage freely.
Fwoosh!
Moments later, steaming heat rose from my entire body like vapor.
Obvious at a glance—I was emitting aura from head to toe, inner energy consumption already massive.
Dizziness from the rapid drain, but I tamped down impatience and deliberately closed my eyes.
"Haaa—......"
Exhaling long...
I thrust softly, as if pushing past the cuffs of my sleeves.
The internal energy release: Whale Wave.
The form: Spiral.
Power: Maximum.
In this instant, my palm was a volcano's vent.
Flash!
Opening my eyes, my vision was dyed vivid red.
White Sun Eclipse, Eighth Form.
Great Flame Spiral Hand.
Kwaaaaaaaaang—!
The recoil from the energy burst nearly flung me backward.
I slammed my right foot down instantly.
Kwang—the ground cracked, my leg sinking up to the ankle.
A stopgap—it wouldn't hold long.
The power of Great Flame Spiral Hand, first used since regression, rivaled my Spirit Mountain training days.
Odd.
I hadn't fully regained that level yet?
'Ah.'
I realized why soon enough.
The technique's color was a bit darkish-red—likely Silver Scale Armor’s effect.
This divine-weapon-level gear massively boosted power. No wonder experts obsess over artifacts.
It didn't just patch my weaknesses—it amplified my strengths, a world apart from using Seven Sins Sword or Yin-Yang Blade.
Anyway, when my dantian felt half-empty, I cut off the Great Flame Spiral Hand.
Grooooan......
"...Hmph."
Now I saw the cave's wreckage.
My handiwork, but words failed to describe it.
Like a massive earthworm of lava had burrowed through.
"...No way."
"What... the hell."
Choked laughs from the side—chain-sickle guy and nobleman.
They stared like I was a monster.
Ignoring them, I asked the mage.
"This thing's dead, right? Won't come back?"
"...Just who the hell are—"
The mage's stiff face opened to speak.
Crack.
"Huh?"
"Uh......"
An unmistakable sound rang out.
We looked up at the ceiling in unison, like we'd rehearsed, and saw it trembling dangerously.
From the Great Flame Spiral Hand and the demon's death throes?
Spiderweb cracks everywhere—like it'd collapse any second...
Craaaaaack!
"Th-that!"
"You crazy?!"
Then, like a landslide, the ceiling crumbled, and the cave's collapse accelerated.
"Ruuuun—!"
Sprinting like my heels were on fire, a sudden injustice hit me.
Same with Jewel Mountains—this damn cave, what grudge did it have against me? Collapsing every time I entered.
'...If I have to enter a cave again.'
I'll make any excuse—gotta bail.
I vowed silently while fleeing the crumbling tunnel.