Chapter 65
Translator: crow
Chapter Title: Succubus
Have you ever heard of dimensional theory? It posits that countless dimensions exist within a single universe.
For example, let's call the realm containing the continent where humans, elves, dwarves, beastkin, and others currently live—our world—the Middle Realm.
Dimensional theory seeks to explain other realms like the Demon Realm, Spirit Realm, and Heavenly Realm. In short, these are concepts that are incredibly difficult to reach by physical distance alone.
The continent in the Middle Realm exists on a certain planet. That planet is within a certain galaxy, and that galaxy is within a certain universe.
But the Demon Realm doesn't exist within this universe. The same goes for the Heavenly Realm and Spirit Realm. No amount of traveling far will get you there. That's what defines other realms.
So where exactly do these other realms exist? The answer lies in dimensions.
The Middle Realm, Demon Realm, Heavenly Realm, and Spirit Realm all overlap spatially. Shift dimensions from where you stand right now, and you'll arrive in another realm instantly.
A simple example: taking a step forward moves you through space, while shifting to another realm from the same spot moves you through dimensions.
Of course, there is a slight positional variance during dimensional shifts. Incidentally, some academics argue this could be used for spatial teleportation, but since dimensional shifting is far harder than spatial movement, it's not very practical.
Anyway, to think of it more simply, consider 2D and 3D spaces. Other realms aren't defined by higher or lower dimensions, just by being *different*.
Mages have tried systematizing this dimensional concept through quantum magic, but they've made no real progress. Recently, the Tower Lord of All Towers, Rondalf Majishion, attempted to explain dimensions using quantum entanglement...
—Jackson B.R. (Imperial Year 2524, March 5). On the Relationship Between Dimensional Theory and Quantum Entanglement. Imperial Newspaper, p. 2.
*
“…Wait, hold on. Eri, where did you even learn all that?”
It was from a newspaper article, but the way she explained it showed she fully understood it. How could a spirit who was just born learn something like this?
Enoch asked, and Eri sneered.
[Didn't Iris teach me?]
“Was it...?”
[This part I learned separately. I was curious, so I asked.]
Pfft, Eri snorted. Enoch's body stiffened.
'Huh...?'
Puberty already? This reaction was tricky to handle.
“Yeah... I see. You're smart.”
[.......]
What was that about, really? Feeling her gaze, he glanced sideways to see Undine covering her mouth with both hands.
If you're hiding a laugh, do it properly. She glared murderously until Undine dropped her hands and laughed openly. Naughty spirit.
Anyway, the reason this topic came up out of nowhere was because hellhounds were creatures from the Demon Realm.
Why were Demon Realm beasts showing up in the Middle Realm? Lione seemed puzzled, but honestly, Enoch wasn't that curious.
“Ah, no! Those things are seriously dangerous! My clanmates were no pushovers, but they all...!”
The human man chattered on nervously, unable to trust their relaxed attitude. Whatever. There was no reason to tense up.
Step—
Enoch stepped forward. Lione and Undine fell back a step. Enoch was more than enough, and they knew he saw this as training.
—Grrr...!
As one human broke from the line and poked out, the standoff hellhounds charged.
Kiiing—!
Enoch's mind's eye began to activate. Four charging hellhounds. The lines extending from them appeared clearly.
Step, Enoch took one step forward.
Shiiik—!
In perfect unison, the hellhounds' spear thrusts all missed.
Before the mind's eye, attacks that didn't hide their intent held no meaning. It was like glimpsing the future—Enoch's casual hand wave turned the four hellhounds into bloody chunks splattered on the ground.
“Huh...!”
Ignoring the noisy man, he advanced deeper with a heavy step. One hellhound froze at the impossible sight. Kiiing—! The mind's eye pierced through everything about it.
'The lines above the hellhound are probably...'
As a test, he traced along the line with his finger, using minimal force.
Sraaak—
The hellhound split open without resistance. A glint lit Enoch's eyes.
*
“Wow...!”
Lione clapped at the sight of the hellhound cleaving like tofu.
“Looks like Enoch's finally seeing the grain!”
[He can be downright scary sometimes.]
Undine gazed at the rampaging Enoch with a weary expression.
The "grain" was exactly like the grain in wood or meat. Lione's "grain" was just a bit more fundamental, but honestly inferior to the mind's eye.
Still, given how uniquely Enoch had acquired his mind's eye, it wasn't that strange. To see it at his age, when even grandmasters only start noticing it later. Either way, it was absurd.
“Th-that's ridiculous....”
Lione and Undine were somewhat used to it, but what must the human man next to them think?
“At that age.... What have I even been doing all this time...?”
His jaw dropped, face paling. He could guess. The man probably didn't even understand what Enoch had done. Just the overwhelming display against hellhounds was enough to elicit that reaction.
If he knew the truth, he'd faint. The sheer gap in talent was overwhelming. No wonder it crushed the spirit.
Enoch had butchered all the hellhounds and let out a light breath. What a monstrous kid. Undine floated over and smacked the back of his head.
[Hey, you!]
“...? Why'd you hit me.”
[Always so dense.]
Staring at Enoch's aggrieved face, Undine steadied her trembling heart.
'He hasn't noticed Eri's signal yet.'
But that was only a matter of time. Once he did, how much further would this kid go?
'Come on, kid. Show me. Can you soar higher than the emperor?'
She could almost see it: him battling adversity, flying toward the stars, all the way to the ends of the sky.
*
'Still feels a bit awkward.'
This was called the "grain," but he could only see it when using the mind's eye. It even required more focus than usual.
So against weaker foes, the grain didn't mean much yet. The mind's eye drain outweighed it.
But against a tough opponent, it'd be plenty useful. Encouraging.
Enoch and his group advanced through the dungeon, slaughtering monsters they encountered like a leisurely stroll. The peculiar part? Every monster was from the Demon Realm.
—Woooaaaaah────────!!
A three-headed Cerberus roared, spewing fire from its maws.
“Repel, protect.”
Enoch wrapped a barrier of electromagnetic force around himself. He charged straight into the flames. They parted harmlessly, clearing a path to the Cerberus.
Pajijik—!
Enoch coated his hand in lightning qi. He aimed to burst one head, but
Swaeek—!
Boom! A whipping tail knocked his hand aside. Airborne, Enoch. The Cerberus swung a massive forepaw without missing a beat.
Kiiing—!
'I see it.'
The claw's trajectory, and its grain. He countered attack with attack. Twisting midair, Enoch drew his sword from his waist.
Chaaaaak────────!!
Yelp...! Claw and paw severed together, the Cerberus flinched.
Three heads exposed with no defense. Enoch snapped his fingers—snap!
Using the Celestial Retribution Thunder Divine Art, he manifested a railgun. Not fully replacing it yet, needing the finger-snap trigger, but this was enough.
Puhwaaaak──────────!!
Three railguns blew off the three heads. The headless body convulsed rigidly and crashed to the ground.
Thud—!
Ignoring the screaming human man amid the shaking cave, Enoch toddled over to Lione.
“I won, Lione.”
“Yeah. Our Enoch's so cool!”
“Reward.”
He proudly thrust his head forward.
“Hehe, good boy.”
Mwah, a soft touch on his forehead. Satisfaction bubbled into a smile. Lione's bright grin made it even better.
A flapping presence approached from afar. Catch that too, and he'd get another reward? Plus training. What could be more profitable?
If he'd done business like this, he'd be the continent's richest man by now.
“Oh my? Came to see who was bullying my puppy, and it's a human and an elf.... Quite the odd pair.”
He turned at the woman's voice. Or tried to.
“No, don't look, Enoch!”
Lione gripped his head tightly, her eyes quivering. But her big eyes reflected everything. Enoch tilted his head, peering at the woman in her eyes.
“Oh, I know her.”
Horns on the sides of her head, bat wings flapping on her back. He'd heard of her somewhere. Especially that rag barely covering her—definitely rang a bell.
“Y-you lewd succubus! Put some proper clothes on!? Don't show our Enoch that disgusting flesh!”
A demon that sucked men's vital essence: a succubus.