Chapter 94
Chapter 94
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 94
Chapter Title: Black Hair
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Just to be safe, I blew up the remaining torso too. It felt a bit off doing something like that to a corpse that was already dead, but there was no helping it.
I remembered seeing it in a movie once. Never leave anything behind that could cause trouble later. What if it suddenly sprang back up with a knife while my back was turned?
My body is fragile, after all. A mage like me can't win against anything without magic.
Once the dust from the explosion settled and I confirmed the body was completely gone, I turned back to Shin Chae-yeon.
She was staring at me with her eyes wide in shock. It was a stark contrast to her usual blank expression, which made it kind of fascinating.
Seeing in real life what she'd been imagining and writing about every day felt strangely surreal. I didn't know who'd made her, but she was kinda cute. Yeah.
Someday, I wanted to see her smile too.
"That thing just now..."
Shin Chae-yeon covered her mouth and coughed a few times before composing herself and continuing.
She was back to her usual blank expression. A little disappointing. What was with this girl's detachable face?
"A demon?"
I nodded at her question. To be precise, it was someone controlled by a demon.
Seeing my nod, she muttered something like "As expected..." while stroking her chin with her hand. She was deep in thought, probably cooking up some weird misunderstanding. Thanks for that.
People want to look good to others—it's a basic desire. The more pathetic the person, the more so.
And I was at the pinnacle of such pathetic people. Misunderstand me all you want. Honestly, it feels great when someone thinks I'm competent.
So I didn't add anything to correct Shin Chae-yeon's misunderstanding.
I just silently checked her condition. I could tell without touching her. Her legs and hands were trembling.
After rampaging in such dense mana, it would be weirder if she were fine.
"Hey, Shin Chae-yeon. For now, let's head back—"
Before I could finish, there was movement from her neck. The blue gem glowed as it pointed behind me.
Another ambush? I whipped around in a hurry, and there was blonde hair.
Blonde hair that didn't lose its shine even in the dark moonlight.
And blue eyes staring right at me.
"Hold on."
I called out anxiously, but she didn't stop. She charged straight at me. I could even hear her voice.
"Lee Seong-hoooooooon!!"
Oh. This was a headbutt. Was this foresight? Mana Eye? I'd seen my future. Still, pain was pain—human instinct.
I dove into the bushes in a panic, but damn blonde's athleticism surpassed my imagination.
She instantly changed direction toward me as I rolled.
And the result was...
"Aaaack!! Why?! There has to be a reason?!"
I took a headbutt to the side. I yelled in injustice, but the blonde looked up at me with an annoyed expression.
"Divine punishment!!!"
"I don't get it!!"
Not satisfied with my response, she grabbed my collar and shook me wildly.
"Fireworks!! Who said you could have fun without me?!"
"Wh-wh-what are you even t-t-talking ab-b-b-bout?!"
Stop. My neck bones are gonna snap. I'm dying. I tried grabbing her shaking hands, but strength (top-tier) couldn't be stopped.
Did I just hear a crack? Am I dead? Even a saint couldn't save me if my neck breaks!!
"I've been saying for weeks I wanted to see fireworks!! Why do it alone? And you went eat something delicious by yourself the other day?! This is betrayal. Sin of betraying an angel. Take it sweetly!!"
"W-w-wait a sec."
"Die!!"
Was she doing this because she saw me blow up the head? This was so unfair.
"Hey, that was a demon and—"
"Demon? Fireworks even a demon would love? Are you mocking me!!"
She wasn't listening—!! Was I really gonna die here? Dizziness was setting in.
Danger. As soon as the thought hit, Raphael stopped. She'd finally learned moderation.
No. I soon realized why.
A pillar of darkness rose in the distance.
Raphael and I locked eyes. We stared for about three seconds, then looked at the pillar again.
"What the hell is that?"
—If you're pissed, come in your real body.
Grind.
The man who had lost his connection to the controlled human ground his teeth. His mind returned to the ruins where it had originally resided.
"Damn brat."
Killing without hesitation despite being just a kid. Offerings didn't work. Nothing went right.
Hoo—
The man let out a sigh and looked up. Failure. Total failure.
The plan, assassinating Lee Seong-hoon, even the miracle he discovered midway—all lost.
It was a rare opportunity. One so perfectly set up it might not come again, yet he failed.
Normally, he'd retreat by now to save at least one sacrifice.
Wait for the next chance. But...
—If you're pissed, come in your real body.
"Hah."
The man laughed hollowly. He closed his eyes. Focused. On his last remaining control.
"What the hell are you thinking, coming for real."
His vision flickered. When he opened his eyes again, it was a cave glowing purple. A red hexagram glowing.
The man stepped onto the hexagram. Without hesitation.
Magi was corrupted mana. Mana not converted to magic power, corrupted within the demon's body—that was magi.
Then, what was the best sacrifice for a demon, the crystallization of magi?
Mana. That's why they offered souls brimming with mana.
In that case...
What if they offered an amethyst endlessly saturated with high-density mana?
「What do you desire?」
That contract could pierce even a grand mage's barrier.
A pillar of darkness erupted. A black robe burst from within. The human who stood on the hexagram had vanished without a trace.
In his place, the black robe's hands were intact.
"Lee Seong-hoon."
It was meant to be a sacrifice to manifest a demon in this world. Not some low-grade one—even a high-rank if lucky.
But it was interrupted. Manifesting a demon required a human soul. Yet it failed because of Lee Seong-hoon.
No choice now. Having intervened directly, his only option was to kill every human on this island and manifest the demon.
Rats in a trap. Rozarine's barrier couldn't be passed from inside out or outside in.
The only way was to summon the demon and push through.
So he moved quickly, but something blocked his path.
Black hair. Familiar black hair, but different. Infused with blue light.
Unlike Lee Seong-hoon, a sturdy build and trained body visible through his clothes.
"Black hair."
The demon muttered. The black hair silently assumed a combat stance.
"Chatty for a demon."
I sent Shin Chae-yeon back. Barely managed to convince her not to follow. How was she gonna keep up when she could hardly walk?
"Is it okay to go this slow?"
"I don't feel like running. Be honest. After running all day, you wanna run more?"
"No."
Then why ask? I let Raphael's words go in one ear and out the other as I walked. There was a reason I was so relaxed.
I'll say it again: I don't fight battles I can lose.
My life comes first. I don't do reckless stuff risking it. That pillar probably meant the demon came himself.
Benia didn't say [It's a demon.] Yeah. Probably. Gotta be.
If so, he came pissed at my taunt. That means I'm safe.
No matter how strong the demon is, stronger than a demon? I've got a combat gorilla who can beat demons to death.
She read my mind—a slip of paper fell from the air. It was a letter in runes.
I tossed the letter aside and kept walking. Still two options left.
Yeah. It's fine.
"Seong-hoon."
"Yeah."
"How many'd you catch?"
"Shadows?"
"Yep."
"You first."
"You first, Seong-hoon."
Neither of us spoke first. We knew: whoever speaks first loses. No witnesses or counters.
I moved Lachesis to the shoulder on Raphael's side.
"Tell the damn cat first."
No lying. We each tell the cat, and she picks the winner.
Teasing Raphael as she sulked, we soon reached the cave. Purple light leaked out.
"I sense magi inside."
"I know. Let's finish quick and go back. Gotta find that soybean paste stew recipe."
"Aaaack!! Can't we keep breakfast simple? Yeah?"
No way. I brushed her off and entered. Raphael followed, grumbling. Ignored the blonde babbling about skipping breakfast or how the internet says it's healthier.
First thing we saw—
"Huh?"
"What's wro— Huh?"
Black hair fighting a black robe. I stopped and watched. They seemed evenly matched. The robe sensed us and looked over.
Movement halted. Probably thought we were reinforcements.
—Don't get distracted.
A sharp voice rang out with a sword slash grazing past. The robe leaped back, glaring at us.
The black hair didn't even glance our way, too focused.
I gave an awkward smile and waved at the robe.
Play among yourselves. We won't interfere.
"What're you doing? Gang up and take it down?"
"Let 'em be. I have a plan."
I sat nearby. Raphael glanced at the battlefield and plopped down beside me.
Perfect chance to gauge Kim Tae-hyun's level.
Sword strikes, sharp claws, and magic flew back and forth. I watched impassively, then...
"Yawwwn~"
Yawned. Boring. The blonde next to me poked my shoulder, muttering about some "life game."
Battle raging over there, and life's a game? Crazy?
"Just the two of them."
"Pull out Levatein."
Ridiculous. I turned back to watch Kim Tae-hyun fight. Had to see his level.
Gotta know how much I messed him up before. Right?
And I never interrupt someone else's fight like that.
"Ahh. This is life, Seong-hoon."
"Not yet. One more round."
Crunch—!! Cruuunch—!!
—Persistent.
—I won't lose to a demon.
"Seong-hoon. Listen well. You're really bad at games."
Thud—!!
About to start the next round when I felt eyes on me. Finally looked over—the robe was glaring.
"What? It's over?"
Say something if it's done. Don't just glare.