Chapter 567: Best Condition (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 567: Best Condition (2)
SHATTER—!!
Flema's barrier shattered against Kang Hyun-woo's sword, scattering in all directions like shards of glass.
A look of profound disbelief filled Flema's red eyes at the impossible sight.
In that fleeting moment of weakness.
Kang Hyun-woo immediately swung his sword.
KRRRRRKKK!!!!
But the tip of the sword never reached Flema.
Dmitri had intervened, his barrier blocking every strike.
His barrier, which refracted light, boasted overwhelming defensive power.
“Tsk, foolish woman.”
“...Shut up.”
FWOOSH—!!
[Devil Kniphofia]
At that moment, crimson petals filled the air and surged toward Kang Hyun-woo.
The magic contained in each of the countless petals, enough to dye the dark night sky red, was comparable to a 5th Circle spell.
Kang Hyun-woo immediately used Formless Step to dodge the petals while quickly putting distance between them.
“...He's fast. No, is it more than just speed? What in the world is that strange movement?”
“It doesn't matter.”
Snap!
“Because he can't escape my attack range anyway.”
Flema lightly snapped her fingers.
Sssss—
“?!”
At that moment, sparks flew from the petals surrounding Kang Hyun-woo.
With a sharp, precarious sound, like the just-lit fuse of dynamite—
KABOOOOM!!!!
Soon, hundreds, thousands of petals exploded in a chain reaction, and a massive explosion instantly engulfed the surrounding area.
But Flema's magic didn't end there.
“I'm done holding back.”
VWOOOOM—!!
Toward the storm of crimson flames that soared up from the vast plain, Flema's exclusive armament, Breshka, spewed red light.
Since ancient times, the way for a mage to deal with a fast-moving knight has been simple.
Leave them nowhere to run.
[Sun of Gloriosa]
RUMBLE—
At that moment, a massive storm of magic power condensed, and a single lily made of vicious crimson flames gently bloomed.
It was a sight beautiful enough to captivate any onlooker.
“Incinerate.”
The moment the flower bud that bloomed in the flames fully opened and collided with the ground—
RUUUUMBLE—!!!
A great wave of fire surged out in all directions, as if to swallow the earth.
A wide-range attack that didn't distinguish between friend or foe.
Just as the Ice Fairy tribe is born with an affinity for the ice element, Flema of the Ignir tribe was also born with a natural affinity for the fire element.
And she, who was considered to have the greatest talent in her tribe, brutally massacred her entire clan, including her family, then made a contract with a demon and joined Belmoras.
Flema, designated as a Class 1 wanted criminal, had the epithet 'Witch of Slaughter'.
When it came to large-scale massacres, she was without a doubt a specialist.
“...What in the world is that?”
An unconcealable bewilderment spread across her face.
Tadadak-
Beyond the ultra-high-temperature flames that could melt even steel in an instant, a familiar figure appeared.
Dmitri, who was watching the scene, also frowned.
Although Flema was a classic bully—strong against the weak and weak against the strong—she was still a 7th Circle mage.
Her opponent, on the other hand, was a mere 6th Circle mage.
Of course, it was unexpected that he had the swordsmanship of a Sword Master, but even so, he should have melted in an instant, not even leaving a corpse behind.
“It's definitely hot. Guess you're not all talk, huh?”
But Kang Hyun-woo walked out of the flames with a calm expression, as if he had just gone for a stroll.
At the shocking sight, Flema and Dmitri were at a loss for words.
Not a single scorched mark could be found on him.
No, it was more fundamental than that.
Sssss...!
The moment the large water droplet surrounding Kang Hyun-woo touched the surrounding flames, steam billowed up as if exploding.
He had overlaid his barrier with a coating made of the water element.
That wasn't all.
CRACKLE—
An armor of rock covered him in layers as if protecting his skin, and with every step he took, the ground beneath his feet instantly froze over.
“...A Triple Elemental Magician?”
A hint of bewilderment was evident in Dmitri's voice.
He couldn't even dare to deny it.
Just as the scene before his eyes showed, Kang Hyun-woo was handling the elements of water, earth, and ice simultaneously, completely neutralizing Flema's flames.
And that wasn't all.
“N-No way! The report definitely said he was a mage who uses fire and lightning!!”
Flema shrieked as if denying reality.
Her reaction was perfectly reasonable.
To break through the wall of the 6th Circle, one must specialize as much as possible.
Just as the Archmage Valentina used only the ice element, it was extremely rare for an elementalist of the 6th Circle or higher to handle more than one element.
But Kang Hyun-woo—fire, lightning, water, earth, ice.
Just based on what was officially known, he could handle five elements with ease.
Moreover, the fact that he could block Flema's flames was proof that he had accumulated a proficiency comparable to the 6th Circle in each.
“It's too early to be surprised.”
Click—
Kang Hyun-woo sheathed the Heaven-Shattering Demonic Sword, then beckoned to the two with his finger.
It was a cheap provocation.
But a mage's pride is like a finely crafted glass bead.
It shatters easily with just a tap.
In other words, while they may seem cool-headed, they were surprisingly easy to provoke.
As if to prove this, both of their expressions twisted viciously at Kang Hyun-woo's provocation.
“...This is the first time I've ever wanted to kill someone this badly.”
“...I will burn you to death.”
Toward the two burning with sinister hostility, Kang Hyun-woo merely twisted the corner of his mouth into a smirk.
RUUUUMBLE—!!!!
[Flare of Cistus]
[Dawn Requiem]
Immediately after, without waiting for the other, they simultaneously unleashed a barrage of magic at Kang Hyun-woo.
Against the magic unleashed by two 7th Circle mages at once, there was no room to escape.
Therefore, both of them judged that Kang Hyun-woo would block it with a barrier like before.
DASH—!!
““?!””
But their expectations were completely off.
Kang Hyun-woo neither blocked nor dodged.
Instead, he began to sprint toward them with all his might.
An unexpected development.
Of course, their surprise lasted only for a moment.
'As I thought, he's insane.'
'I liked his handsome face, but he's a complete madman, isn't he?'
Faced with a carpet bombing of 6th Circle attack magic, he chose to approach, abandoning both evasion and defense.
It was a truly knight-like decision, but in reality, it was no different from a suicide attempt.
Because no matter how fast he was, he couldn't be faster than magic.
The moment Dmitri judged that the battle was decided, Kang Hyun-woo's eyes flashed.
SHATTER—!!
Immediately after, the magic pouring toward Kang Hyun-woo vanished without a trace.
Dmitri's eyes trembled violently.
“W-What is this...?!!”
Flema shouted urgently.
“D-Don't tell me, Reverse Calculation?!!”
“Correct.”
Ding—
[Spell Analysis
Grade: Epic+
Acquire comprehensive knowledge of Reverse Calculation.
Greatly increases the success rate of Reverse Calculation.
Greatly reduces the rebound shock from Reverse Calculation.
Automatically detects security flaws engraved in magic formulas.]
As a job advancement reward, the 'Weakness Insight' skill had evolved.
At yet another unexpected development, Flema reflexively bit her tongue to calm her emotions.
At the same time, she activated her next spell.
Memorize. Dozens of pre-stored spells responded instantly to her will without any casting.
But—
SHATTER!!
“Kuhk...?!!”
“Your security is still full of holes. Do you think just pushing with numbers will accomplish anything?”
Once again, it was spectacularly reverse-calculated by Kang Hyun-woo.
And the price for it was devastating.
Vajra Lightning Dragon Kick.
KRRRUMBLE!!! KABOOM!!!
“Kyaaak!!”
Shattered along with her barrier by the kick infused with Aura, Flema was sent flying across the plain.
Kang Hyun-woo furrowed his brow.
He had intended to rupture her internal organs in one blow, but the result was merely inflicting some minor internal injuries.
'Tsk, did she condense her body's magic power in one spot right before impact?'
It was a flexible response, unbecoming of a mage.
'It wouldn't be bad to chase her down and finish it...?!'
At that moment, hundreds of light spears filling the sky rained down on Kang Hyun-woo.
FWIP-FWIP-FWIP-FWIP—!!!
Detecting the attack a step ahead, Kang Hyun-woo used Formless Step to evade it.
It was obvious that blocking it with a barrier like before would consume an unnecessarily large amount of magic power.
“You dodge well, like a little rat.”
While Flema had been hit, Dmitri, who had instantly created distance, continued to fire spells indiscriminately.
KRA-KA-KA-BOOM—!!!!
Thanks to that, the surrounding area was completely devastated, but no one cared.
“But no matter how fast you are, do you think you can be faster than light?”
VWOOOOM—!!
Along with Dmitri's sneer, his exclusive armament, Luminarc, emitted a pure white light.
[Luminous Mirror]
Amidst the ripples of magic power, hundreds of mirrors appeared in mid-air.
Kang Hyun-woo, who was dodging the light spears falling from the sky while carefully observing the situation, tilted his head.
'It's a spell I've never seen before. A spell the Vice Tower Lord developed on his own—'
PEW—!!!
At that moment, a beam of light fired from a mirror grazed the nape of Kang Hyun-woo's neck.
As fresh blood trickled down his skin, Kang Hyun-woo's expression grew more serious.
“Now you finally look somewhat presentable. But this is just the beginning.”
The moment Dmitri gave a sardonic smile—
PEW, PEW, PEW—!!!
Golden rays of light began to reflect off the mirrors, relentlessly pursuing Kang Hyun-woo.
Kang Hyun-woo twisted his body with phenomenal reflexes, but since he couldn't move faster than the speed of light, large and small wounds continued to accumulate.
As for attempting a Reverse Calculation, the security level of the formula had become so elaborate it couldn't even be compared to before.
This was the result of Dmitri focusing on security, having learned from Flema's failure.
Thus, preoccupied with dodging the light spears from the sky and the rays reflecting off the mirrors, Kang Hyun-woo's movements became restricted before he knew it.
And Dmitri would never miss such an opening.
DRRRRR—!!!
“?!”
Sensing the formidable magic power pressing down on his skin, Kang Hyun-woo hastily deployed a barrier.
As if mocking him, Dmitri ostentatiously completed the spell.
“Too late.”
The spear of condemnation that pierces through any defense in an instant.
The highest-level magic of the light element.
[Radiant Spear]
The Holy Spear, recreated in the modern era, tore through the sky and flew straight toward Kang Hyun-woo.
KABOOOOM!!!
*
Even if one is a 7th Circle mage, it doesn't mean they can use 7th Circle magic at will.
Destructive power and influence that surpass tactical-grade magic.
Only because it fulfills all those conditions is it finally called 7th Circle magic, or strategic-grade magic.
Naturally, even for a 7th Circle mage, it inevitably puts a considerable strain on their body, mana circle, and magic circuits.
Instead, 7th Circle mages had the advantage of being able to use 6th Circle magic, classified as tactical-grade, at a relatively low cost.
Of course, since it's possible to store and use up to 6th Circle magic with Memorize, the difference might not seem significant at first glance.
However, the story changes when one remembers that even if dozens of 6th Circle mages gathered, they could not replicate a 7th Circle spell.
A mage who is treated as equivalent to a nuclear weapon just by their existence.
That was a 7th Circle mage.
THUD—
Landing on a small hill created by the devastation of the terrain, Dmitri stared with a strange expression beyond the thick, rising dust.
A crater several kilometers in radius had been formed.
And nowhere within it could Kang Hyun-woo's life signs be felt.
It was an all-too-obvious result, yet Dmitri's expression soured as if he were displeased about something.
'Dammit...!! To think I had to use an esoteric magic against a mere 6th Circle mage...!!'
Radiant Spear.
It is the esoteric magic of the Dmitri marquisate, which recreates the ancient Holy Spear based on immense magic power and a multi-layered optical formula structure.
It originally belonged to the tactical-grade, but Dmitri independently improved it until it reached the level of strategic-grade magic.
“...To go without any pain, he was a lucky bastard until the very end.”
It was then, as Dmitri clicked his tongue and turned away.
BOOM!!
“Where is that bastard?!!”
Flema landed, radiating sinister killing intent and magic power.
Dmitri sighed as he looked at her.
“I've already taken care of him. So there's no need to worry about it anym—”
CRACK—
“?!!”
At that moment, sensing a magic power that should not have been there, Dmitri hurriedly turned his head.
Simultaneously, a meaningful smile appeared on Flema's lips.
CR-CR-CR-CRACK—!!!!!
Immediately after, an immense chill raged like a storm, instantly freezing the entire area.
In the blink of an eye, the dust settled, and a pure white ice field stretched endlessly beyond the horizon.
“Hoo...”
The center of the massive crater.
“...Does it make sense to feel cold from a spell I cast myself? No matter how I look at it, this magic seems flawed.”
A familiar voice echoed softly.
“H-How on earth...!!!”
Amidst the bitter cold that chilled him to the bone, an unconcealable rage rose on Dmitri's face.
“How the hell are you using the Tower Lord's esoteric magic!!!”
Finally revealing himself fully, Kang Hyun-woo brushed the dust off his clothes and glanced at Dmitri.
“Because I learned it from the woman herself.”
“...What?”
FWOOSH—!!!!
At that moment, two pairs of massive wings made of black flames sprouted from Kang Hyun-woo's shoulder blades.
Sensing the rough and violent divine power dwelling within the black flames, an unconcealable bewilderment appeared on Flema's and Dmitri's faces.
Demonic energy and divine power were polar opposites.
“If you're done talking, hurry up and come at me. I can't stand the cold.”