Chapter 568: Demon Hunt
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 568: Demon Hunt
A pure white ice field stretched beyond the horizon.
On that frigid land, not just breath, but even the dust motes scattering in the air froze in the blink of an eye.
Dmitri knew the identity of this magic.
Sanctuary of the Ice Fairy.
It was an esoteric magic developed solely by Valentina.
‘...The highest-level freezing magic that halts all molecular activity within a set range, configured to absolute zero temperatures.’
It was a crystallization of mystery, on a different level from Dmitri's magic, which was merely an improvement on the esoteric magic passed down through his family.
“How in the world can you use a pinnacle magic that even most 7th Circle mages can't handle...?!!”
Dmitri, who had once peeked at Valentina's research notes, hadn't been able to comprehend even half of its formula's structure.
And that was despite it being a 7th Circle magic with its own annotations.
The shock of that day had crushed his pride and, furthermore, became the catalyst that strengthened his twisted obsession with Valentina.
“We're not exactly on friendly enough terms to be having a pleasant chat, are we?”
“Answer me!!”
“...Tsk, just like a mage.”
Kang Hyun-woo stared at Dmitri with cold eyes.
“It was homework. She ordered me to come up with a way to improve the formula's structure to reduce the magic power consumption, the resources needed for calculation, and the strain on the body. My head was about to split for a while because of it... If she'd been a professor instead of a Tower Lord, she would've definitely made several students drop out.”
“...What?”
The moment he heard Kang Hyun-woo's words, Dmitri's pupils trembled minutely.
‘...What did he just spout?’
Improving an existing magic to lower its Circle.
This is called magic optimization.
Just as salt and pepper were once the exclusive domain of the nobility, but are now enjoyed by commoners without a second thought.
Similarly, a magic once classified as 3rd Circle could be downgraded to a 2nd Circle magic by someone.
Of course, the optimization of lower-level magic happened from time to time, but even so, no more than five cases were presented at the annual Magic Academic Conference.
In fact, the last officially recorded case of a high-level magic of the 5th Circle or above being optimized was 30 years ago.
And the optimization of a 7th Circle magic had not been known to happen since it was last achieved by Duke Winchester 120 years ago.
Of course, the power of the magic Kang Hyun-woo cast was barely on the cusp of the 6th Circle.
It meant it was an incomplete optimization.
But Dmitri’s thoughts were a little different.
Kang Hyun-woo's optimization was clearly based on meticulous calculations.
‘...Instead of drastically reducing the magic's range and power, he used a vast amount of magic power to increase its stability. Thanks to that, he succeeded in partially replicating a 7th Circle magic, and at the same time, reduced the strain on his body. Is that also how he survived a direct collision with Radiant Sphere...?’
Light has a very close relationship with molecules.
If the vibration of molecules is forcibly fixed at zero by the magic's influence, the density and refractive index of that space change drastically, and light (energy) loses its power because it cannot be absorbed by the molecules.
Of course, that alone wouldn't be enough to completely offset Radiant Sphere, but Kang Hyun-woo had a barrier that boasted immense defensive power.
‘...Damn it.’
Dmitri’s face crumpled.
Because he was wary of reverse calculation and paid too much attention to security, the magic's power had decreased.
And for Kang Hyun-woo, that acted as a sort of breakthrough.
But this was by no means a misjudgment on Dmitri's part.
In fact, it was close to an optimal decision.
So now, he had no choice but to admit it.
The fact that the combat sense of the brat before him far surpassed his own expectations.
Grind—
From a corner of Dmitri's heart, something dark and viscous slowly began to rear its head.
It was a familiar feeling, one he'd also felt when he first faced the White Tower Lord.
The moment he witnessed her overwhelming talent and magical achievements, which made him doubt if she was even the same species as him, Dmitri had become her captive.
And it was also the moment a vile desire took root—a desire to one day trample, violate, and defile that lofty genius as he pleased.
That's right.
“...I'll admit it. You are a genius.”
This was an inferiority complex.
“Even without selling your soul to a demon like I did, you'll soon step into the realm of an archmage on your own.”
Grrrrr—
At that moment, Dmitri's shadow began to squirm and move as if it were a living creature.
It was a darkness made of demonic energy.
Soon, his right eye, which looked as if it were made of molten gold, was dyed black.
“But I will thoroughly deny your existence. Because that is the only way for me not to deny my own past.”
Dmitri was certain.
That the worst enemy to stand in the way of Belmoras's grand plan was not the Magic Towers, nor the Holy See, nor the Hunter Association, but the mage standing before him.
Fwoosh—
Dmitri's magic power surged, and orbs of light rose around him, threatening to engulf his surroundings.
Light and darkness.
Elements and demonic energy.
Dmitri's aura, wielding two opposing energies at once, was clearly different from before.
And the same was true for Flema.
Rumble—!!
Red demonic energy flared violently.
The heat generated by it began to rapidly melt the ice formed from Kang Hyun-woo's magic power.
Flema's red eyes, reminiscent of flames, flickered as if they were burning.
“Don't you worry. I'll burn you to ashes before you even have time to feel the pain.”
Ding—
[Devil Slayer has detected a demon's Authority.]
[Accessing information about the demon.]
[Searching...]
[Search complete.]
[Encyclopedia of Hell's Demons
True Name: Glasya-Labolas
Title: President
Authority: Shadow of Hell]
[Encyclopedia of Hell's Demons
True Name: Flauros
Title: Duke
Authority: Cursed Red Eyes]
“So, two demons...”
The probing was over.
The two began to reveal their full power for the sole purpose of annihilating the enemy before them.
At this sight, Kang Hyun-woo placed a hand on his sword hilt and smiled faintly.
“Does that mean the reward is doubled, then?”
*
From the moment Flema and Dmitri used their demonic Authorities, the tide of the battle completely changed.
[Pyrostegia Venusta]
Craaaack—!!!
Whips of flame, reminiscent of profusely blooming flame vines, surged toward Kang Hyun-woo.
There looked to be at least a hundred strands, but it wasn't enough to catch up to the movements of the 10-star Formless Step.
But Flema didn't care.
“Huhu, how long can you keep running?”
It wasn't just Flema's magic that was chasing Kang Hyun-woo.
Hundreds of light spears and bundles of shadows extending like tentacles were fiercely pursuing him.
On top of that, the moment Flema's red eyes emitted an ominous light and she gave a bewitching smile—
BOOM!!!
“?!”
A powerful explosion occurred right where Kang Hyun-woo's head had been.
Thanks to his phenomenal reflexes, he tilted his head back and the damage was minimal, but the aftershock momentarily disrupted his movements.
And Dmitri did not miss that opening.
Claaaang—!!!
Kang Hyun-woo quickly swung his sword, parrying the magic pouring toward him, while simultaneously increasing the firepower of his Fallen Flame to burn away the shadows.
At the sight, Dmitri frowned briefly.
Having blocked all the attacks, Kang Hyun-woo immediately kicked off the ground and charged toward the two of them.
Perhaps because of the wings sprouting from his shoulder blades, his speed was extraordinary.
“...Tsk.”
Dmitri clicked his tongue and raised his staff.
[Solar Pierce]
Fsh, fsh, fsh-!!!
Thorns of light poured out from the magic circle covering the sky, firing at Kang Hyun-woo like a machine gun.
At a glance, there was no room to dodge.
Of course, it was a suppressive magic meant to slow Kang Hyun-woo down in the first place, so Dmitri didn't have high expectations.
But Kang Hyun-woo's judgment was a little different.
“Kyahahahat!!”
BOOM, BANG, CRASH-!!!
Instead of turning to dodge Flema's magic attacking from the side, he just started to recklessly increase his speed.
‘...Don't tell me he's going to foolishly block it with his barrier? There's no way he doesn't know it's a piercing-type magic.’
Even if he managed to block the attack, the resulting magic power consumption would be substantial.
For Dmitri, Kang Hyun-woo's decision was no different from a self-destructive move, and he couldn't understand it at all.
But that was normal.
‘...A triple optical phase-locking structure, the outer layer is a sensory layer for refraction and diffusion, the middle is a resonance ring that shares the computational load... and the core isn't a single nucleus, but a multi-trigger system that circulates magic power...’
Because Kang Hyun-woo was, in fact, pouring all his resources into grasping the structure of the magic formula Dmitri had deployed.
Interpreting a 7th Circle mage's magic with visual information alone was theoretically impossible.
But—
[Parallel Thinking
Grade: Epic+
Enables the replication and division of thought.
Each thought performs judgment and calculation completely independently.]
The new skill obtained as a job advancement reward made the impossible possible.
‘...A stabilization lattice to prevent overpower, and inside that, a phase-shielding layer to prevent reverse calculation. He definitely didn't win the Vice Tower Lord position with just poker.’
Having grasped Dmitri's magic formula in the blink of an eye, Kang Hyun-woo raised his magic power with a smile full of ecstasy.
Wooooong-!!
“?!!!”
As the light element resonated with Kang Hyun-woo, Dmitri's eyes shot wide open.
[Solar Pierce]
At that moment, bundles of thorns were fired from the golden magic circle that formed, threatening to cover the ground.
CR-CR-CR-CRASH-!!!!
The two mages' spells collided in mid-air, as if shooting down enemy missiles.
Kang Hyun-woo's magic, its output boosted by a vast amount of magic power, showed no signs of being pushed back by Dmitri's.
At the shocking sight, Flema also couldn't hide her bewilderment.
As if freely wielding five elements wasn't enough, he also had the swordsmanship of a Sword Master, an unknown divine power, and an absurd level of reverse calculation ability.
She thought he had already shown all his cards, but now he had perfectly imitated a magic that Dmitri developed himself just by glancing at it.
““Such a monster...!!!””
[Judgment Ray]
[Cursed Lycoris]
In their displeasure, as if everything they had built up as mages was being denied, the two unleashed their magic in a frenzy.
The only thing that entered his vision was magic.
This time, too, dodging was not an option.
Of course, it was an attack he could block with his barrier, but Kang Hyun-woo didn't want to.
Thrilled by having imitated another's magic, his brain was more active than ever.
Grasping the formula's structure, interpreting it, deploying it.
The series of processes flowed as smoothly as water.
Wooooooong-!!!!!!
Kang Hyun-woo's mana circle let out a resonant hum as it brazenly imitated the esoteric magic of Marquis Dmitri's family and the unique magic of the Ignir clan.
KWAAAAAAAANG-!!!!!!!
The collision of the vast and incomparably violent tactical-grade spells created a massive explosion.
The resulting magic power storm affected even the flora and fauna tens of kilometers away.
Fwoosh-!!
As soon as the storm began to subside, Kang Hyun-woo charged through the dust cloud that had billowed up like a cumulus cloud.
And Flema and Dmitri met him, revealing their ferocious demonic energy without reservation.
“You're a monster that shouldn't exist!!!”
“Dieeee!!!!!”
[Lux Saber]
[The Last Gaillardia]
The murderous waves of magic power generated by the strategic-grade spells, capable of blowing away an entire city, made Kang Hyun-woo's survival instincts scream louder than ever before.
Naturally, there was no way to block it.
Nor was it possible to reverse-calculate it or imitate it like before.
But despite that, Kang Hyun-woo was clearly smiling.
[Absolute Domain]
At that moment, the flow of all time surrounding Kang Hyun-woo began to slow down drastically.
A world of black and white.
Kang Hyun-woo, the only one whose thoughts continued to flow normally, gripped his sword hilt.
[Absolute Domain
Grade: Epic+
Thought accelerates within a flow of time compressed to its limit. The body can be moved in a limited capacity.]
It was a new ability acquired as the 'Thought Transcendence' skill evolved from a job advancement reward.
The skill description itself wasn't much different from before, but its actual performance had improved so much it was beyond comparison.
As proof, in the frozen world, Kang Hyun-woo could move at a speed close to a tenth of his usual pace.
Of course, due to the great strain on his brain, using it consecutively or maintaining it for long was difficult.
But in a battle where victory and defeat were decided in seconds, that alone was enough to gain an overwhelming advantage.
-Martial arts that have reached a certain realm are no longer bound by form and style.
Kiiiiiiing-!!!
The moment the Heaven-Shattering Demonic Sword unleashed its ink-black Aura, dawn broke through the early morning that had been submerged in dark clouds.
Formless Sword Art, Genesis
-!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!