The Abyss of Dark Magic

The space between the two men was filled with nothing other than a swarm of thousands of bats. The sound of their flapping wings echoed through the area. Through the tiny, needle-sized gaps created by the swarm, Cheon Yooshin and Bae Seongwoo glared at each other, locked in a standoff. A smile spread across Bae Seongwoo’s lips. At that, the bats surged into the sky all at once. The resulting gust of wind whipped Cheon Yooshin’s hair back.

"How is it? My power. Isn't it amazing?" A satisfied smile lingered on Bae Seongwoo’s lips. On the ground, thousands of vampires followed his commands. In the sky, thousands of bats hovered in the air. In this moment, he was a god. With a single gesture or a glance, anything was possible.

"You use some pretty interesting techniques," Cheon Yooshin said, staring at the swarm of bats circling above before opening his mouth.

"...Did you call it an interesting technique?"

"Yeah. Looking at this, why don't you quit being a vampire and get a job as a bird trainer? I bet you could handle a few servings easily."

At Yooshin’s playful remark, Bae Seongwoo’s forehead twitched. "Are you still unable to grasp the situation? You will never leave this place alive."

Then, Yooshin suddenly started to giggle. He shook his shoulders, acting like a madman. After a moment, he stopped laughing and cast his gaze toward the sky. The swarm of bats was still circling above.

"I've never eaten bat before. I wonder if it tastes good?"

"...What are you talking about?"

"Have you ever heard of Hellfire?"

"Hellfire? What is that?"

Hellfire didn't actually refer to the fire of hell. He didn't even know if hell truly existed. Perhaps the Abyss was hell. Anyway. It was a top-tier magic used by demons skilled in flame. It was a spell for personnel and materiel that didn't extinguish easily and possessed ultra-high-temperature firepower, a favorite of demons who excelled in fire magic.

And then.

Yooshin stretched his arm out straight, his palm facing the sky. A tiny flame began to burn on his palm. It wasn't red, yellow, or white, but a black flame. It was fire made of Magi—it was Maha.

A sneer spread across Bae Seongwoo’s lips as he saw the Maha.

"What is that? Are you trying to light a cigarette? What on earth can you do with that? Don't tell me that's what you call Hellfire."

The Maha began to float from Yooshin’s palm toward the sky.

"Do you know the only thing that can devour Hellfire?"

Before long, the Maha reached the place where the swarm of bats was.

"It's Maha. Why don't you watch the fireworks created by Maha?"

The moment the Maha touched the body of a single bat, the small flame began to grow, spreading like ink on paper. The speed was unbelievable. One, ten, a hundred... In an instant, hundreds of bats were engulfed in black flames. The bats didn't even have time to scream in pain. The moment they were touched, they scattered like paper turned to ash. Instead, a larger flame took their place.

The Maha was extending its reach toward the bats as if it were alive. The sky was once again covered in a black wave. If the swarm of thousands of bats had created a black wave just a moment ago, now the Maha had taken its place.

Cheon Yooshin’s words reached the ears of Bae Seongwoo, who was looking at the sky with a ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠deathly pale face.

"This is the true form of Maha, the absolute power of destruction that devours everything. How is it? Isn't it much better than noisy birds?"

"So, you're saying that such cheap tricks won't work." Bae Seongwoo shook his head and clenched his fists.

"Why, are you planning to engage in hand-to-hand combat? I think you'd better reconsider that."

Hand-to-hand combat was the game I played the most for 400 years.

"Go!"

As soon as Bae Seongwoo’s command fell, thousands of vampires began to move, giggling. Their target was only ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠one: Cheon Yooshin.

"Ha! You must have really thought I was a joke."

Seeing them rushing toward him, he shook his head as if it were absurd. Then, he suddenly surged into the sky. The vampires’ gazes followed him up.

"Is running away all you can do?"

One of the basic abilities of vampires is bat-transformation. That meant aerial combat was also possible. Just as Bae Seongwoo was about to give them an order, he saw Cheon Yooshin suddenly diving toward the ground at tremendous speed.

'What is he doing? He didn't run away?'

BOOM!

As soon as he collided with the ground, a tremendous shockwave spread in all directions, engulfing the vampires. With a single attack, hundreds of vampires vomited red blood and collapsed. The plaza instantly turned into a scene of chaos. The screams of the fallen vampires and the smell of blood filled the night air.

The vampires who had escaped the range of the shockwave looked at Yooshin with terrified faces. Cheon Yooshin sighed at their pathetic appearance.

"This is really a troublesome task."

The vampires lying on the ground were writhing in pain, but none of them had died. He had precisely controlled his Magi to create this situation. The voice of Team Leader Park Haesu echoed in his head.

「You must never kill them, Yooshin. They are also victims. So, until a clear policy is decided..., I beg of you.」

Cheon Yooshin shook his head. Most of his magic was combat magic premised on killing. Because of that, it was difficult to use direct magic.

Cheon Yooshin shifted his gaze to Bae Seongwoo.

"Why don't you pull back the small fries and just fight me one-on-one? You said you wanted revenge. Don't leave it to someone else's hands, come at me yourself."

A cynical smile spread across Bae Seongwoo’s lips.

"As expected of Cheon Yooshin."

Bae Seongwoo began to take slow steps. And behind his back, a change began to occur in the sky. It was the beginning ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠of a total lunar eclipse. As the eclipse reached its peak, the moon emitted a deep red light as if it were soaked in blood. The grass in the stadium glowed red as if stained with blood, and the air became heavy and humid.

"You are very strong. Even as I am now, I can never be sure of victory. Then why did I choose today, and this time of all times?" Bae Seongwoo opened his mouth, giggling.

"Looking at this, it seems to be related to that."

"Correct! It is at this very moment that my power reaches its peak."

As soon as his words ended, a change began to occur in Bae Seongwoo’s body. His fingers lengthened, turning into sharp, hook-shaped claws. His muscles swelled, and his physique grew accordingly. RIIIP! With the sound of clothes tearing, his height also shot up.

'What is this. Is he transforming?'

Before long, his eyes were dyed with madness. ROOOAR! A beast-like cry erupted from his mouth.

"What is this?" Yooshin frowned. "Is becoming a beast all you can do to get stronger?"

Bae Seongwoo could not answer. Then, Bae Seongwoo lunged. His movements were certainly beyond that of a hunter.

"Ha, I'm really speechless." Yooshin sighed and wrapped his fists in Magi. "Usually, a beating is the best medicine for a madman."

Now, the opponent was no different from a beast that had lost its reason. Bae Seongwoo’s fist headed for Yooshin’s head. Yooshin didn't dodge and extended his fist as well. KWA-ANG! The shockwave of power colliding swept through the surroundings. The vampires hurriedly flew backward. The Hunter Management Department’s fight had also stopped. Everyone knew. Everything depended on the outcome of this fight.

And.

Huh? Yooshin’s eyes twitched. That last move. It was a move where his own disadvantage was clear. Seeing the opponent grin instinctively even without reason, a bitter smile lingered on Yooshin’s lips.

"Interesting. I apologize for underestimating you. Since you showed me something interesting, I'll show you something interesting too."

At that moment, Yooshin’s eyes turned black. The air became heavy in an instant. Then, a huge shadow began to rise behind his back. Before long, the massive Magi took on a distinct form, like a replica modeled after Cheon Yooshin.

Bae Seongwoo’s eyes widened. Caution clouded his mad eyes.

"Let me introduce you. My shadow."

As Yooshin moved a step, the giant avatar behind him moved the same way. ROOOAR! Bae Seongwoo, who had no reason, lunged again. The same fist as before headed for Yooshin’s head. But this time, it was different. His fist and the shadow’s fist collided. KWA-ANG! With a tremendous impact sound, Bae Seongwoo’s face twisted violently. Yooshin’s cold voice reached his ears.

"It's going to hurt quite a bit. And you made a mistake. Keep this to yourself. Darkness is the source of my power. And right now, we are in the heart of that darkness."

As soon as those words ended, a series of impact sounds echoed through the night air. BAM BAM BAM BAM! Everyone watched the battle between Yooshin and Bae Seongwoo with bated breath.

"C-Captain! Do you see that?" Yoon Hyewon’s shocked voice cut through the air. Baek Woohyun shook his head.

"No, I can't see it either."

They had focused on clearing gates, cutting down on their rest time and even their sleep. They had thought they had become much stronger. But at this moment, they realized what a huge mistake that was.

"Wow, as expected of our boss. That gave me chills." Joo Jowoon’s voice was filled with awe. In a way, his words were natural. Because to their eyes, nothing could be seen.

KWA-KWA-KWA-BOOM!

Only the impact sounds and the sound of something sharp cutting through the wind told them that the battle was in progress. Cheon Yooshin and Bae Seongwoo’s movements were occurring at a speed far beyond their visual perception.

That was when it happened. An impact sound different from the others rang out. And finally, Cheon Yooshin and Bae Seongwoo were visible to their eyes. Cheon Yooshin’s fist struck Bae Seongwoo’s face. As a result, Bae Seongwoo’s body flew backward, creating a long mark on the grass. Bae Seongwoo lay still without moving. Unlike before, a silent stillness followed.

"D-did he win?" Hope filled Joo Jowoon’s voice. He was truly a terrifying guy. What if he had been where Yooshin was? Joo Jowoon shuddered. He didn't even want to imagine it. He wouldn't have been able to dodge a single attack, and his neck would have flown off.

"No, it doesn't look like he's dead yet." Baek Woohyun’s eyes denied it. Sure enough.

"Stop acting and get up quickly, you bastard. I have to finish this and go play games."

Cheon Yooshin’s voice didn't fit the battlefield. As if responding to his voice, Bae Seongwoo slowly raised his body. Bae Seongwoo, whose cheekbone was sunken and depressed from being hit properly, glared with eyes full of madness. At the same time, Bae Seongwoo’s sunken bones began to find their place again. As if turning back time. Even so, Bae Seongwoo’s ferocious gaze was directed at Yooshin. As if he would lunge as soon as his recovery was finished.

Watching that, Yooshin curled his lips.

"You're not going to go down easily, is that it?" Cheon Yooshin’s eyes shone coldly.

"This is going to hurt a lot."

Dark Corruption. Black Magi rose from his fingertips. The Magi soon turned into microscopic spores and spread into the air. Bae Seongwoo tried to attack again without realizing this. However.

Bae Seongwoo’s face turned black. The wounds that were recovering began to rot at a rapid pace. Bae Seongwoo touched his face as if he had instinctively sensed danger. But it was already too late.

POP! KWA-ANG!

With an ear-splitting explosion, a black blast occurred on Bae Seongwoo’s face. ROOOAR! The beast’s ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠scream echoed in the air. One side of his face was tattered. To the point where the bone was exposed. Black smoke was rising from his wounds. Bae Seongwoo groaned as he stepped back. His regenerative ability tried to repair the wounds quickly, but this time something was different. The wounded area continued to discolor black, hindering regeneration. No, beyond that, the discolored area was gradually spreading. His body began to rot at a rapid pace, traveling down his face, neck, and below his chest like ink spreading on paper.

"How is it? This is the difference in class." Cheon Yooshin smiled coldly.

"It's a magic that can be activated if there is a wound on the opponent, infiltrating the wound with Magi to rot it, and then exploding the rotted wound according to my will... well, you could call it that kind of magic."

Bae Seongwoo’s strong body trembled. Grrr...

"Especially, the stronger the opponent’s power, the greater the power of the magic. In the end, that power of yours ended up rotting and destroying you."

ROOOAR! But Bae Seongwoo began to run toward Yooshin as if he didn't want to admit it. "You stupid bastard. I told you it wouldn't work."

Cracks appeared on Bae Seongwoo’s body. POW POW POW! At the same time, Bae Seongwoo’s strong body exploded like a firecracker. His muscles were torn, his bones were broken, and his internal organs floated into the air. Finally, Bae Seongwoo collapsed to the floor. His hugely swollen muscles and skeleton shrank. The red light completely disappeared from his eyes, and his original pupils were revealed. His eyes were filled with confusion and bewilderment. His expression was also like someone waking up from a long, delusional dream.

Bae Seongwoo looked around with difficulty. The people, no, the vampires, who were staring at him intently.

"W-what... did I... do...?" A small whisper leaked from his lips.

"You did plenty." Cheon Yooshin’s cold voice struck Bae Seongwoo’s ears. Yooshin began to walk slowly toward Bae Seongwoo. Yooshin, who looked down at Bae Seongwoo with a cold expression, said.

"Because of that meager sense of revenge of yours, you turned this place into a mess. And you turned thousands of people into vampires. And now you say you don't know what you did? Or do you not want to remember?"

At those words, Bae Seongwoo’s pupils dilated with shock and fear. As he realized what he had done, his body began to tremble.

"I... I..." Tears of regret and despair flowed from his eyes.

"I just wanted to see my family."

Bae Seongwoo turned his gaze to the sky. There was no longer any anger or madness in his eyes. Only longing and regret for his family remained.

"My family..." His lips moved minutely, whispering his family’s names. His already pale face began to turn deathly blue. His breathing gradually became labored. Bae Seongwoo’s vision blurred. Before his eyes, the images of his dead wife and daughter flickered, not in their tragic death, but as they were in life. His wife’s warm smile, his daughter’s innocent, untainted laughter. They were reaching out to him from above.

Yooshin, who had led countless people to death, knew. He was going to die soon. A glimmer of hesitation flickered in Yooshin’s eyes. Should he do it, or not? If you live for a long time, you realize a few things. When you are agonizing over something, you must do it. That way, you won't have regrets later.

"...What are their names?"

"...What?"

"Hurry up and tell me before I change my mind, man. What are your family’s names?"

"...Chae Yuseon, and my daughter Bae Jina."

Yooshin began to activate his Ghost Eye.