Chapter 29
Chapter 29
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 28
Chapter Title: It's Okay Because I'm a Genius Even If I'm Doomed
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As the destination came into view, our pace quickened. The wraiths lurking at every corner were all Baek Sa-young's to handle.
The closer we got to the enemy's main base, the more numerous they became, but had he gained some true enlightenment or something?
Baek Sa-young dispatched them with smoother combos than before.
They didn't even get to shout once before collapsing to the ground.
[Grade 8 Demonic Beast, 'One-Horned Wraith' defeated.]
[12 hours acquired.]
[12 hours acquired.]
[Seal Release: 6%]
['Greed' says that kid is to its liking.]
Thanks to him, I had it easy.
Not only did I absorb demonic energy, but I also snagged some time here and there, conserved my mana, and approached without a hitch.
Upon reaching the main gate of the shrine pavilion, an intense demonic energy prickled my skin.
Baek Sa-young, who had been glaring like a hawk, began trembling.
"Master... no, Senior Brother."
M-Master... what?
"I can sense people's presences. At least ten or more. They must be tied to the missing persons case."
"Exactly twenty-two."
Of course, I didn't sense them like he did—it was from the original story.
[Remaining Time: 26 days 7 hours 43 minutes]
I checked my remaining time for a moment.
It had been about an hour since we entered, so the special patrol team would arrive soon.
I needed to complete the quest and secure the essence of demonic energy before then.
I asked Baek Sa-young in a meaningfully grave tone.
"Have you ever fought a demon before?"
"Not yet..."
"Have you ever risked your life to draw attention for your teammates?"
"No."
"Then today will be your first time."
"Pardon?"
"Listen up."
I explained the plan I'd prepared in advance to Baek Sa-young... no, I ordered him.
If he bought time against the demon, I'd handle something even more important.
As I mentioned the essence of demonic energy and the serum stained with human blood for the forbidden ritual, Baek Sa-young clenched his fists tight.
"...I'll make it happen, no matter what."
It wasn't just for my benefit.
For Baek Sa-young, today's battle with the demon was the crucial experience needed to awaken a new trait.
"It won't take long."
"I'll do my best."
Baek Sa-young bowed his head and walked toward the main gate.
I thought he'd leap over it gracefully.
But with a massive boom—half the gate shattered, and he charged in like a mad bull.
"Th-That..."
He seemed thoroughly pissed off.
Normally as gentle as a lamb, but when faced with injustice, his temper flared up.
Moments later, the clanging of clashing blades rang out.
Seizing the chaos Baek Sa-young had created, I bypassed the shrine pavilion.
First Star, 32 Strokes Wind Control Technique: Oxen Gale.
[Manifestation Completion: 85%]
With light movements, I vaulted over the wall.
"Over there."
The building where the ritual was underway came into view at a glance.
Wreathed in black haze, it resembled a cursed serpent coiled up.
['Greed' grins widely.]
[Wipes drool from its mouth and urges you to hurry.]
"Wait."
I enhanced my vision and surveyed the situation.
I figured the guy would show up any moment now.
"A rat's slipped in."
The building's door burst open as if about to shatter, and a wave of superior power surged.
It was him.
"Demon, Midas."
Blue grade.
Second lowest among the six demon grades, but strength is always relative.
To me or Baek Sa-young right now, he was a life-or-death foe.
"To dare commit such acts..."
"Dare?"
Midas's massive frame flickered and vanished in an instant.
BOOM.
Reflexively, Baek Sa-young raised his sword, and Midas's fist—big as his head—slammed into it.
Baek Sa-young skidded back, leaving two gouges in the ground.
"...What the hell is this speed?"
Baek Sa-young couldn't hide his shock.
And rightly so.
Normally, greater mass means slower acceleration, but Midas was the opposite.
His huge body moved at ridiculous speeds.
This was due to the unique trait of the demon Midas.
"That worm-like bastard."
Not just an insult to demean him.
His trait stemmed from instantaneous reaction speed 50 times that of a firefly—gone in the blink of an eye.
An alias that didn't match his appearance at all, making its effect all the more dramatic.
Just like Baek Sa-young panicking right now...
"This is something he absolutely has to go through."
Essential crises always turn into opportunities.
Trusting Baek Sa-young, I headed for the building where the ritual was in progress.
* * *
I swiftly wove through the quiet traditional houses.
With Baek Sa-young drawing attention, I approached easily, arrived safely, and opened the door.
The interior was more vast—and more wretched—than it appeared from outside.
A massive transparent triangular flask.
Kieeeek—
The magic circle beneath it pulsed with ominous light, making the trapped demonic beasts writhe and screech.
The demon's ambition and greed to artificially boost demonic energy's grade.
I faced his victims, but felt no pity.
Humanitarianism for extermination pests? Please.
I clicked my tongue and stomped toward the essence of demonic energy atop the flask.
Borrowing the Oxen Gale's power, I leaped up in one bound—something impossible normally.
The liquid essence of demonic energy was contained in a transparent glass vial.
True to its concentrated form, the absolute amount was small, but the black haze emanating from it was thicker and murkier than any I'd seen.
Around fifty demonic beasts' worth? Or a hundred?
Couldn't gauge exactly, but hoping my efforts weren't in vain.
['Greed' chuckles widely.]
I reached out.
['Greed' absorbs the 'Essence of Demonic Energy.']
Suuuuck—
A gentle suction activated, and black smoke surged up.
Then it poured in.
[Absorbing demonic energy from Grade 9 Demonic Beast 'Water Ghost.']
[Absorbing demonic energy from Grade 8 Demonic Beast 'Phosphorescent Ghost.']
.
.
These bastards. How many did they kill?
Maybe a hundred.
No, more!
The barrage of messages finally stopped as my right hand tingled.
[Absorbed demonic energy from a total of 154 beasts.]
[Seal Release Rate: 85.5%]
['Greed' lets out a satisfied belch.]
Whoa...
85% in one go. No, 85.5%.
Heh.
Far beyond my goal—I felt dazed, a grin creeping onto my face.
['Greed,' picking its teeth, asks what happened to that kid.]
But I quickly regained composure.
As Greed said, it wasn't over yet.
I swiftly summoned 'Loyal Guard Warrior's Dagger'—
Stolen from Kang Cheol-min, copied via Appraisal—and infused it with mana.
I smashed the flask hard.
Not a full shatter, but cracks spiderwebbed with a crunch.
A couple more strikes, and it crumbled.
The trapped demonic beasts bolted out as if waiting. I moved to follow.
"What's this?"
In the magic circle's center, embedded fist-sized purple gem caught my eye.
The gem pulsed rhythmically, sending ominous light across the entire circle.
The core of the magic circle?
Looked valuable, so I approached cautiously and reached out.
"Basic info only."
I activated Appraisal with the keyword.
[Mid-Grade Mana Crystal]
[Description: Crystallization of mana accumulated naturally over centuries. Expensive material in demonic engineering, used in various fields.]
Oh.
Didn't expect this.
No reason not to take something pricey.
I gripped the mana crystal firmly with both hands and yanked hard.
Using the recoil, I pulled the half-embedded crystal free with a pop.
The magic circle's glow faded as a result.
Like an ox stumbling back and catching a mouse—bonus of disabling the circle too.
"I'll put it to good use."
I pocketed the mana crystal snugly and exited the building.
BOOM. Crackle.
The battle's shockwaves hit full force.
Now in the late stages, the fight had grown far fiercer than the start.
"This brat..."
But Midas looked anxious.
Baek Sa-young flowed into combat with more relaxed movements.
As expected of Yoo So-young's favored prodigy aggregate.
It was Baek Sa-young's other cheat-level trait alongside 'Attribute Conversion': Martial God Body.
Proof that the strongest human physique, which would later withstand demonic power, was budding.
Midas's wondrous physical abilities, his combat style exploiting them, and the desperate duel acted as catalyst for Baek Sa-young.
Golden radiance flickered in Baek Sa-young's eyes brighter than ever.
Movements scrambling to keep up soon matched, then pulled ahead half a step—and the fight was decided.
Slash—
Baek Sa-young carved a long gash in Midas's side.
Dark red blood sprayed as Midas reflexively dropped his guard.
Fatal mistake.
Baek Sa-young's follow-up sword pierced his exposed chest.
* * *
The fight ended swiftly.
Like a sturdy castle wall crumbling, Midas's giant frame toppled.
A dull thud echoed.
But Baek Sa-young's condition was rough too.
His body looked more like the loser's—covered in wounds, gasping, on the verge of collapse.
As I approached, Baek Sa-young spotted me and grinned.
"...Have I proven myself?"
Proven?
"Worthy to be Senior Brother's junior."
What...
Absurd, I fell silent, then nodded.
"Good."
Baek Sa-young sighed in relief and slumped down.
...He'd been holding on just for that word.
What a steadfast guy. All the more impressive.
Wanted to let him rest more, but no time.
I spoke as gently as possible.
"You did well. That's your role done. The special patrol team's coming soon—guide the missing people and clean up the remaining wraiths."
"Got it."
"And this missing persons case..."
I requested—no, demanded—silence about my involvement.
I was hunting more than one demon; if my movements leaked, it'd hinder future ops, I bullshitted.
Not just an excuse to slip away. Mostly true.
One more left...
I even remembered the name.
Serpent Demon Kiat.
He was supposed to fall to Kim Mi-young leading the special patrol team, but since I hit the empty house, he was still kicking.
So I had to take him down.
To twist the derailed plot back on track...
This was my burden, not to pass off.
Anyway, our partnership ended here, so I hurried the farewell.
"If fate allows, again..."
...But then.
I sensed a strong dissonance.
Ripples in the space behind Baek Sa-young.
Rumble rumble rumble.
Piercing the distorting view, a massive serpent with jaws agape lunged at us.
───────────────
[Sub Quest #4-1]
[Objective: Defeat Demon Kiat]
[Reward: 5 days added to remaining time, 10 SP]
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Already?
My first sub quest, but no time to dwell.
Instantly reacted.
"Danger—"
Pure instinct.
I shoved Baek Sa-young aside and thrust out my right hand.
[[Accessory Authority 1] Absorption activates.]]