Chapter 254
Chapter 254
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 255
Chapter Title: A Chaotic Situation
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It was a chaotic situation.
Not only had an S-Rank Demon appeared inside the stage, but then a magic that gave off no mana attacked the Demon.
This time, an unidentified binding magic had immobilized the S-Rank Demon's body.
As everyone reacted with shock, Elin alone felt a shiver.
The magic binding the Demon's body right now was one she knew all too well.
She even knew the identity of the caster.
Only "that person" could use the Rune Clan's secret technique, 'Rune's Binding'.
......Why is the patriarch here?
The patriarch she knew was someone pursuing Jaun for the sake of the clan's revival.
But as far as she knew, this place had no connection whatsoever to Jaun.
Why was that person here?
......There's no way they came here to watch the presentation.
At that moment, the man next to her, Lee Seojun, asked.
"Do you know the caster of that magic?"
Elin ignored the question. She didn't want to share information about the patriarch with others.
However, she couldn't help reacting with a flinch to Lee Seojun's follow-up words.
"I've seen magic just like that before."
......Wait, you've seen that magic before?
"Yeah, twice even."
The fact that he'd seen it twice came as a huge shock to Elin.
"Where did you see it?!"
When Elin asked excitedly, Lee Seojun calmly replied.
"Before that, tell me who the caster of that magic is first."
Elin hesitated for a moment.
Was it okay to tell this guy, whose identity she didn't even know well, about the patriarch?
After some thought, she decided to share only to the extent it wouldn't harm the patriarch.
"That magic can only be used by our clan's patriarch."
......Your clan? You mean a rare clan?
"Yeah, that's right."
That answer resolved one question Lee Seojun had in his mind.
He had thought it was a bit different from ordinary magic, and now he knew why.
It was magic from a rare clan.
"So, where did you see that magic?"
"That is......
Lee Seojun explained to Elin what he had experienced.
Since the situation was what it was, he couldn't go into detail and summarized it briefly.
Meanwhile, Yoon Hayoung, who had been locked in battle with the Demon for a while, happened to overhear the two's conversation by pure chance.
She felt a question arise at the same time.
......What are they talking about? That's clearly Sunwoo's magic, isn't it?
The light-attribute magic that gave off no mana and the unidentified binding magic.
They were the magics Kim Sunwoo had used when an S-Rank Demon had invaded last year's Wizard Academy exam.
They were so unique, and she had seen him cast them with her own eyes, so she still remembered them clearly.
But judging by the reactions of Lee Seojun standing next to her and the red-haired woman, they were convinced the caster was someone else.
At the very least, it seemed certain that the magic belonged exclusively to the Rune Clan.
......Does that mean Sunwoo is from the Rune Clan?
She had suspected Sunwoo was hiding some secret......
But she never imagined that secret was being from a rare clan.
'I should stay quiet for now.'
Kim Sunwoo didn't want his abilities exposed to the outside.
Moreover, during the Demon subjugation, he had even asked her to keep the magic he'd shown a secret from others.
More importantly, there was another problem right now.
The S-Rank Demon that had appeared on the first floor.
To take it down, she would need her 'Demon-Exterminating Power'.
But this was a public place.
If she recklessly used the Demon-Exterminating Power, she could end up in even greater danger later.
And Kim Sunwoo had earnestly warned her not to use the Demon-Exterminating Power carelessly unless she herself was in danger.
......While she was agonizing over this, a few things happened.
The Sword Demon had retreated behind the stage to protect Han Seyoung from the ongoing Demon assaults, and a magic far more intense than any felt so far began to spread from somewhere.
......W-What's that?
Swooooosh......
The magic was so powerful that the surrounding area trembled greatly.
The building shook, and lights from the ceiling started falling to the floor.
Lee Seojun's group, left on the stage, felt a small sense of fear in their chests.
At the same time, the same thought flashed through everyone's minds.
This power is dangerous.
......This power isn't that of a mere S-Rank Demon.
From the fifth-floor balcony, where I had been binding Jin Geon with Rune's Binding, I was momentarily flustered by the suddenly spreading intense magic.
I instinctively realized it.
The Demon King, who had been hiding, had finally begun to move.
Right then.
I sensed killing intent directed at me.
At the same time, a powerful mana surged from somewhere and shot toward me.
"Tch!"
I hurriedly released Rune's Binding and leaped forward.
Since I moved with all my strength, I barely managed to dodge it.
KABOOOM—!
The fifth-floor balcony collapsed. My body naturally landed on the fourth-floor balcony.
With Rune's Binding released, Jin Geon rolled his shoulders and glared at me murderously. A chill ran down my spine for no reason.
At that moment.
Black smoke rose beside Jin Geon, and a shadowy black figure appeared.
Its identity was obscured by darkness, but I knew who it was.
It was the 'King'.
—I didn't expect a situation like this. Interesting magic.
The King muttered as he looked at me. I calmed my pounding heart and met his gaze.
The King was one of the handful of strongest beings, including disaster-grade magical beasts and otherworldly races.
If I had to fight such a guy head-on, there would be no mountain left standing.
If it came to battling the King, I'd have only one chance.
I'd have to land a perfect counter with a reversal strike, but even that was questionable whether it was possible.
—Come, my King.
—Jin Geon, Association wizards are swarming outside right now. I'll find the sacrifice needed for the prophecy myself, so you leave this place.
—......Understood.
With those words, the King moved toward the back of the stage where the Sword Demon and Han Seyoung had disappeared.
From what I overheard, the King was targeting the Sword Demon's soul as a sacrifice for the 'Mystery of Prophecy'.
But I wasn't too worried.
The Sword Demon was one of the top five strongest in the wizard world.
He always used only the power necessary in battles, so his true abilities were still unknown to the world.
Of course, if he properly clashed with the King, the Sword Demon would lose, but he had more than enough ability to hold out until the Association arrived.
Jin Geon glared at me with blazing eyes and said.
......Normally, I would flee as the 'King' commands, but I'll kill you before I go!
Jin Geon unleashed his magic. Black energy condensed small and rapidly charged toward me.
It was magic cast by an S-Rank Demon, so even this short-range spell carried tremendous destructive power.
I used instant acceleration to evade his attack and landed on the first floor. At the same time, the fourth-floor balcony exploded.
KABOOOM—!
"Patriarch!"
As I jumped down to the first floor, a familiar voice called from behind.
It was Elin, whom I hadn't heard call me that in a long time. Elin, who had been on the third-floor balcony, jumped down to the first floor where I was.
"Patriarch, are you okay?"
......Ahem, I'm fine.
Given the situation, I put on the patriarch act after a long time.
Elin let out a sigh of relief at my words.
Then, a sudden question arose.
......Isn't this girl on Han Sejin escort duty right now?
Is it okay for her to be here?
Flash!
At that moment, another group jumped down to the first floor where I stood.
It was Lee Seojun's group.
They looked at me with strange eyes, making me anxious that they might figure out my identity.
Especially Yoon Hayoung's gaze was unusual.
It seemed she had realized my identity after seeing Rune's Binding......
Please don't say anything.
......By the way, Patriarch, what brings you here?
Elin asked me again.
I recited the script I'd prepared in my head.
......To uproot the root of evil hidden in human society.
"The root of evil......
Elin responded in an impassioned voice. She was so immersed that her fists trembled clenched.
"As expected of the Patriarch. You knew something would happen here in advance."
"Something like that."
Elin's expression grew deadly serious at my answer. She rolled up her sleeve, revealing the magic circle tattoo on her arm.
She turned her gaze to Jin Geon as if ready to fight right then.
Jin Geon saw the tattoo and tensed up.
She wasn't particularly skilled in combat, but she was still an S-Rank Wizard.
No matter how much of an S-Rank Demon he was, she wasn't an opponent he could easily subdue.
"We'll help too."
This time, Lee Seojun stepped forward.
Choi Seo-yoon, Yoon Hayoung, and Shin Young-jun also walked forward with tense faces.
The situation turned into 5 against 1 in an instant.
Woooong!
At that moment, one of the magic circles on the back of Elin's hand glowed.
Her signature magic circle magic was beginning.
Whoooosh!
At the same time, a magic circle rose from the floor, and spikes of light shot from the ceiling toward Jin Geon.
"How dare you!"
Jin Geon manifested a black barrier and barely blocked the attack. But then Lee Seojun's light-like attack followed.
It was so fast that even my eyes had trouble tracking it.
Stab!
"Grraaah!"
A long sword wound appeared on Jin Geon's chest.
Black blood sprayed toward the ceiling, and Jin Geon's eyes turned pitch black.
"You arrogant fools! I'll kill you all!"
Black light magic spread widely.
Jin Geon's berserk transformation had begun.
Meanwhile, the King was searching the surroundings for the Sword Demon.
The situation was unfolding in the complete opposite of his expectations.
According to plan, the Demons should have already completed everything and escaped by now.
But the intervention of an unknown figure had ruined everything.
He had nearly lost another important asset, the S-Rank Demon, if he hadn't intervened himself.
It had been a close call.
......Coming here myself because I was uneasy was the right call.
This mission's goals included not just Han Seyoung's death and ruining the Hanseong event, but also gathering sacrifices for the Mystery of Prophecy.
But even that had gone awry.
However, it wasn't a total failure. The soul of an S-Rank Wizard like the 'Sword Demon' would suffice as a sacrifice for the Mystery of Prophecy without needing ordinary human souls.
In the end, it was a situation where he, as the King, stepping in would resolve everything.
Following the presence as he moved, the King located the Sword Demon.
The Sword Demon, who had been with Han Seyoung, sensed the King and stopped in his tracks, feeling deep tension.
......How do you have such ominous magic power?
Muttering that, the Sword Demon turned to Han Seyoung and said.
"Miss, run away first."
At the Sword Demon's words, Han Seyoung felt uneasy.
No matter what powerhouse he faced, he always showed confidence.
But the expression he wore now was one even she, who had spent a long time with the Sword Demon, was seeing for the first time.
......What about you, Uncle Sugi?
"I'll deal with him and come back."
Han Seyoung wanted to refuse, but she nodded helplessly at the Sword Demon's serious face.
......Okay. You have to come back quick.
"Yes, I will."
Han Seyoung turned and ran away quickly.
Only the King and the Sword Demon remained in that place. The Sword Demon looked at the King with conflicted eyes and opened his mouth.
"Are you the Demon King?"
The King didn't answer. Instead, he spread black magic around, constricting the Sword Demon's body.
The Sword Demon swung his sword to dispel the surrounding black magic.
The King let out a small exclamation.
"You're much stronger than I thought."
At those words, the Sword Demon grinned.
"This tension...... It's the first since Chairman Kim Jin-cheol......
The moment their mana clashed in the air.
From somewhere far away, an alien mana was felt.
The King's body stiffened instantly.
A form of mana he'd never felt before.
He instinctively felt fear.
The King turned around with a hardened face and muttered.
......Demon-Exterminating Power?