262 - Demon King's Horn [▶NoName vs Katsuhata Emika] [▶Map: Random – Dakant Desert] [▶Play Round: ∞] [▶Time: 02:48:23]
“Kyaaaaah! Help! Somebody save me!”
Ziiiiiing— The mana that had exceeded its critical point between the two horns condensed into a single point, then shot out in a straight line.
Kwa-gwagwagwagwang—!
“Kyaaaaah!”
The clear sky split open like the Red Sea. On the parched ground swept by the beam of light, crimson embers crackled and popped.
Scroll Item
5th Circle Chant: Akashic Record
Unique Magic – Demon King's Horn
The unique magic Demon King's Horn, based on the 5th Circle. It was a unique magic that Nami had developed in her previous life, basing it on the Akashic Record, to fend off those who tried to cut off her horns. The horns of Nami, despised as symbols of demons and sin, now unleashed their majesty amid fervent cheers.
Chijijijik—!
“Huaaaaaang! Please let me out! Stop! Stoooop!”
“Magic is cheating! Using magic is against the rules!”
“You broke the rules first by using magic, sis.”
“I surrender! I surrender! Where the hell is the exit button?!”
“Then let's run just one more minute for the finale.”
Viewers who had initially worried if the collab would go smoothly due to Emika's serious demeanor were now fully enjoying themselves. But Katsuhata Emika was the idol of Japan's aspiring mages. There were those who couldn't bear to watch their idol get utterly wrecked.
With the donation, Nami's MP was fully depleted. Just as she was about to hit the reset button to start over from the beginning,
At the earnest pleas from Japanese viewers, Nami hit the 1v1 end button and exited the open-world arena.
“Haa... It's over...”
“I was just getting warmed up—ending it already feels kinda disappointing, doesn't it? Or maybe after the stream—”
“No no no! Nami, I've got a packed schedule today, can't spare more time!”
Emika quickly tied up her disheveled hair as she reflected on the three-hour ordeal. Unlike Emika, who complained of extreme mental fatigue like her brain had been boiled, Nami licked her lips in lingering regret, rewinding the battle highlights.
As the surroundings shifted back to the waiting room, Nami's avatar returned to normal. Like a seasoned one-year streamer, Nami smoothly created a farewell atmosphere for Emika while grabbing the stream angle perfectly. Viewers clung to Nami's pant legs, expressing their regrets.
“I was curious too. What kind of magic is that? The mana was moving like particles.”
Emika was now more fixated on something than improving Adella's magic. The magic circle pre-engraved on the game scroll had an obviously complex structure at a glance. Magic that transformed the body itself was extremely rare worldwide.
I've heard of secret magics or aura techniques passed down among South American indigenous descendants or African minorities... but even those are just growing hands or feet bigger or making nails long and sharp.
Emika glared sharply at Nami.
Pretty sharp eyes, huh?
Nami pressed her index finger to her lips.
“Shh. Company secret for now. I'll tell you later, Emika.”
* * *
What’s the fastest way to make the most money?
Rob a small country’s treasury. Hiasen up there would rage at that. Rephrasing: What’s the fastest legal way to make the most money?
Business, obviously.
In a world where knowledge is money, it’s also easy to steal that knowledge. Even Adella already had copycats ripping it off in Japan. That’s why I hadn’t released the molecular formulas from the Akashic Record to the public. Honor without power is worthless.
So, first build capital, gather capable people, and carve out power. Snagging 40% of Baek Ho-chan’s startup was an unexpected windfall. I don’t know yet if he’s business-savvy, but he seems smart enough with solid management knowledge. With Baek Min-woo and Baek Arin to support, he won’t betray me.
What elevated him in my eyes was his total disregard for sunk costs. Even when billions in virtual currency turned out fake, he stayed cool and talked it out—like he was born for business. Minus his flighty personality, no real flaws.
“So this magic is unreleased tech from the company you own, Nami? How’s an 8-year-old CEO?”
Emika bit her lower lip.
“I’m not managing directly—just the majority shareholder... Anyway, it’s BioAkashic. If you’re interested, the Katsuhata family could invest.”
“Invest? I don’t know much about that...!”
“You’re the heir? No training?”
“The elders decide big family matters. Patriarch gives final approval.”
“Complicated hierarchy even within the school.”
I’d need to pivot to convincing them. For now, Baek Ho-chan’s startup BioAkashic was steadily progressing on MS treatments without fanfare. But we agreed not to make drugs our main revenue. Personal reasons—it stung a bit. Maybe from seeing too many dying of it in my past life.
So, cheap drug supply for image, while aiming bigger than pharma.
To expand, we need reinvestment. Skimp on first-profit and where’s the capital?
Baek Ho-chan’s point was valid. So we released the unique magic Demon King's Horn.
“Emika sis.”
“Yeah.”
“There’s a way to use Adella solo. With these horns.”
“Horns? Eee...?”
A very Japanese exclamation squeaked out high-pitched. Emika eyed me suspiciously. Zero trust.
“Wait a sec, give me time to sort it.”
Emika was now our company’s customer. No sales experience, but in capitalism, mutual satisfaction seals the deal.
“To understand why Adella can only be joint-cast, grasp its magic circle structure first.”
“Runes, right?”
Smart Emika guessed before I said it—even as I was about to mention it.
“Right. Arhen controls time in inertial coordinates, Hyphrit in accelerated. Get it?”
“Hmm... no?”
“Spells with both runes can’t cast simultaneously. Why?”
“Time overlaps.”
“Exactly. One mana attribute can’t activate the circle.”
“Aha.”
One of runes’ quirky rules. Unlike varied auras per person, mana is just mana—one attribute. Contradiction arises. Mages use different casters to force attribute split, but one body hits the limit.
“Joint casting solves it, but Japan has plenty useful joint magics. No need for Adella then?”
Emika massaged her temples as it deepened. Can’t grasp it all at once. I pressed on.
“But one horn function? Purifies mana.”
“Why purify mana?”
“High-density mana is toxic. Akashic Record sets it 5th Circle, but dimensional descent and simplified chant drops to 3rd.”
“Toxicity... dimensional descent...?”
Not an issue in mana-poor world—like warning 17th-century ice age folks of global warming.
“Key: Purified mana counts as different attribute. Hand-injected vs horn-injected = two. Voilà, Adella complete.”
“Kinda get it but...”
“I was vague. But there’s a way.”
Clap! I clapped to refocus her. No need to understand fully. Tapped her crown with wand tip for massage. Bamboo shampoo scent tickled my nose.
Wung— Record circle, force thin mana to fill.
Simplified Chant: Akashic Record
“Seeing is believing. Just go back to Japan, find that wooden sword, smash it. You gained insights training hard today—you’ll do great. Cheering across the sea.”
Unique Magic – Demon King's Horn Sequel - Purification Horn
* * *
“Please remove your hat briefly for ID check. Thank you.”
“Huh? Um... w-wait a sec!”
Suddenly, Katsuhata Emika gathered her hair into a bizarre topknot like a scholar. The immigration officer tilted his head like he’d seen it all, then checked her face.
“Haha, no need to try that hard. One more fingerprint scan. Yes, Katsuhata Emika, cleared.”
“Phew... thank you.”
Passing the auto doors, Emika donned her black beret again.
“Wow! Miss Katsuhata looks so cute! Where’d you get the hat?”
A fellow Katsuhata school attendant and her escort praised the hat.
“Thanks. Picked it up browsing the market last night.”
“As expected of you, miss. Suits you perfectly!”
Emika lightly held the hat to keep it secure and bowed. A hard, sharp, rock-like texture pressed through from her palm. Her full reflection shone in the duty-free glass wall. She sneaked closer, peeked under the beret.
On both sides of Emika’s head sprouted adorable navy-blue horns, about a finger or two knuckles tall.