Chapter 122
Chapter 122
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 122
Chapter Title: Archenemy (4)
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“The One Who Burns the Undying” and “Dazzling Pain” had selected nearby buildings.
Fortunately, most of the buildings were intact, so a little tidying up would make them usable again in no time.
“…….”
Demian stood in the hallway, gazing out the window. His face was expressionless, but his inner thoughts were anything but.
‘I got too worked up earlier.’
The moment he was connected to black mages, he couldn’t maintain his composure.
‘It was a good thing “The One Who Burns the Undying” stepped in. Otherwise, it could have escalated into a major conflict.’
‘Even after regressing, I’m still tied to those bastards.’
That was why he was trying to grow stronger as quickly as possible. Only by killing Dorgo could Demian finally regain his peace.
“Sir Demian, so this is where you were.”
A voice came from behind. Agnes was holding a steaming mug.
“I boiled this for you to eat. It’s porridge made from grain flour and water.”
Demian thanked her and took the mug. He took a sip of the porridge. A nutty flavor filled his mouth.
Agnes came and stood beside Demian. Like him, she sipped from her mug.
“Have you calmed down a bit now?”
When the mug was empty, Agnes spoke to Demian.
“I’ve felt it for a while, but it seems you harbor a deep hatred for black mages, Sir Demian.”
“Who in this world wouldn’t hate those filthy scum?”
Demian said it half-jokingly. But Agnes’s expression didn’t brighten.
“That’s true, but… you seem different somehow, Sir Demian.”
“Different how?”
“Well…….”
Agnes trailed off. She seemed to be struggling to find the right words.
At that moment, something caught Demian’s senses. He stared quietly out the window.
“Lady Agnes.”
“Yes?”
“We’re under attack. Go wake the Holy Knights.”
Demian opened the window and leaped outside.
At that instant, black projectiles rained down from the front.
Demian drew Dawn and infused it with mana.
Blue aura instantly enveloped Dawn. Demian couldn’t help but marvel at its speed.
The inferior holy sword he had used before also had excellent mana transmission. But compared to Dawn, that sword was like a tortoise.
Demian swung Dawn. The aura scattered, obliterating all the projectiles.
“Impressive,”
Demian said, looking down at Dawn. The blade trembled.
Ziiing!
As if protesting, *You’re just noticing now?*
He wanted to praise Dawn more, but the situation didn’t allow it.
Demian looked straight ahead. Something cloaked in a robe was staring at him.
He couldn’t make out its identity. But black mana was gathered in the hand protruding from it.
Proof that it was a black mage.
“Attack! Wake up quick!”
“What? An attack?”
“Where’s my weapon, my weapon!”
The inside of the building grew noisy. Soon, two people landed beside Demian.
“What’s going on all of a sudden?”
“Black mage. Looks pretty high-ranking.”
It was Paramon and Serbo.
“The ones who attacked headquarters?”
“There aren’t many black mages who’d ambush Holy Knights. Probably them.”
“I heard it was a duo. But I only see one.”
The beasts that attacked the branch were two in number.
But only the black mage was visible; the dark knight was nowhere to be seen.
“Probably hiding and waiting for an opening.”
“Possible. There’s a tactic where they put the mage up front to lower defenses.”
Normally, mages and black mages were supposed to hold the rear.
But sometimes, they reversed that common sense to exploit gaps.
“Foolish. With two Grade 1 Holy Knights here, they try that strategy?”
Such tactics had to be used depending on the opponent.
“We’ll kill that one first so they can’t pull off any schemes.”
“Agreed.”
Paramon and Serbo raised their holy power. It was even more ferocious than when they faced Nadin.
Against Nadin, they had to control their strength and emotions, but against an enemy, no such need.
The two charged at the black mage. Their speed was so fast they seemed like flashes of light.
Paramon thrust his fist toward the head. Serbo swung his mace at the same spot.
It was in that instant.
Suddenly, another pair of hands burst from the robe. Twin swords were gripped in both.
“What?”
“Huh?”
Caught off guard, the two couldn’t react.
No, even if they tried, it was useless. They were too close.
The hands holding the twin swords moved. Black aura coated the blades’ surfaces.
Black slashes cut through both their bodies.
* * *
Just before, Demian had grabbed their napes and yanked them back.
Their bodies flew backward. By a hair’s breadth, the blades grazed their stomachs.
Cold sweat ran down their backs. Without Demian, they surely would have died.
But in their minds, rather than relief, questions arose.
How the hell did that body have an extra pair of arms?
“Aw, we could’ve taken them out easily.”
“Honey, it’s that guy’s fault. We missed because he called the Holy Knights.”
Two voices came from the black mage. A man’s and a woman’s.
The black mage threw off the robe, revealing a grotesque form.
Two pairs of arms sprouted from the shoulders.
Surgical scars covered the torso. A fist-sized black magic stone was embedded in the center of the chest.
The most bizarre was the head. A man’s and a woman’s faces were attached front and back.
Shocked by the sight, Paramon and Serbo stared at the Hanger couple in horror.
Demian, however, showed no agitation. He already knew.
The Hanger couple weren’t human.
To be precise, they once were, but had been remodeled into experimental subjects by Dorgo.
Originally, the Hanger couple consisted of four people. Twin brothers who were dark knights, and twin sisters who were top-tier black mages. The four stuck together, earning infamy.
The one who took notice was Dorgo. At the time, he was conducting an experiment and used the four as materials.
Thus was born the monstrous aberration before their eyes.
“Ah, I had a bet with ‘bro’ on who’d finish first. We’re gonna lose like this?”
“I boasted to ‘sis,’ but if we finish late… I don’t even want to think how much she’ll tease me!”
From their words, the Hanger couple here seemed to be the ‘younger siblings’ side.
“I hate losing bets, so let’s put some effort in.”
“Let’s kill them quick and go back!”
Paramon and Serbo were dumbfounded by their conversation.
“They’re looking down on us too much.”
“Two heads, but not much brains, it seems.”
Paramon and Serbo burned with hostility.
They had nearly fallen for it due to carelessness moments ago, but not now.
Besides, they weren’t alone here.
The remaining Holy Knights poured out from the building. Holy Knights from both sects surrounded the Hanger couple.
Two Grade 1 Holy Knights and six Grade 2 Holy Knights. Plus mid-class Demian Haksen.
Clearly disadvantageous for the Hanger couple. Yet their attitude remained nonchalant throughout.
“Seems all the bastards are here.”
“Shall we activate it?”
Suddenly, the magic stone in the Hanger couple’s chest began to glow.
Black lines extended from the stone, instantly covering their entire skin.
“……Block it!”
Paramon shouted urgently. His experience as a Holy Knight warned of danger.
But it was too late.
The Hanger couple opened their mouths wide, spewing purple mist.
The mist spread in all directions before the Holy Knights could evade.
* * *
The Holy Knights collapsed the moment they touched the purple mist. Holding their breath did no good; mere contact caused unconsciousness.
Among the fainted was Demian Haksen.
When he came to, Demian had been pulled into a dream.
It was a place filled only with darkness. He couldn’t tell how high the ceiling was or if there were walls. Nothing was discernible.
‘Annoying bastards, as always. To think they can cast this spell instantly.’
The experiment Dorgo had conducted on the Hanger couple was turning a human body into a magic tool.
The Hanger couple’s entire body was essentially a magic tool. One designed to activate the Nightmare Slaughter black magic spell.
That was why the Hanger couple’s Nightmare Slaughter required no casting time.
Of course, with Demian’s knowledge and skill, he could dispel it the moment it activated.
But doing so would reveal to the Holy Knights that he could use black magic.
So Demian had no choice but to fall victim to the Nightmare Slaughter for now.
‘In a way, it’s good. No eyes on me now.’
Nightmare Slaughter was a black magic spell that ensnared even Grade 1 Holy Knights without exception. Because Archlich Dorgo had created it himself.
However, it couldn’t kill a Grade 1 Holy Knight. Nor inflict mental damage. The nightmare’s duration was also relatively short.
The same for Grade 2 Holy Knights. They’d suffer more mental damage than Grade 1s, but not fatally.
While the Holy Knights dreamed their nightmares, Demian planned to subdue the Hanger couple and interrogate them about Dorgo. Then finish his revenge.
It was then.
Suddenly, the sound of wind being cut rang out. Hundreds of arrows flew from afar.
The arrows pierced Demian’s body. His whole form turned into a porcupine.
But Demian felt no pain.
‘This is my space.’
No matter how horrific the scenes Nightmare Slaughter showed, it was ultimately his dream. As long as his mind stayed sharp, it had no effect.
Soon, flames erupted from the ground. Then a chill wind blew.
But nothing inflicted pain on Demian.
‘Nothing more to see.’
As Demian moved to dispel the Nightmare Slaughter.
Suddenly, the scenery changed.
The darkness-filled space vanished. In its place appeared a field.
A field that should have been covered in green grass was now drenched in dark red blood. Corpses lay scattered everywhere.
Demian froze in place.
He recognized it instantly. Where this field was, and what would happen here from now on.
“Demian!”
A familiar voice called. Demian slowly raised his head.
His father stood right in front of him.
Gazing at Demian in a much older form than now.
“Demian! Why are you with the Archlich! What the hell is that appearance!”
At those words, Demian looked down.
Before he knew it, he was clad in black armor. In a bulked-up state, looking down at his father.
His father slowly approached Demian.
Demian screamed for him not to come. But no words came out.
His mouth was firmly shut.
“What happened all this time… Gahk!”
His father’s movement halted. A greatsword pierced his abdomen, protruding from his back.
Demian slowly traced the blade with his gaze. At its end was his own hand.
“De……mian…….”
His father’s head slowly drooped. The light faded from his eyes.
‘Ah…….’
No voice escaped.
‘Ahh…….’
He couldn’t even open his mouth. Couldn’t express his agony.
Because this body wasn’t his. He was trapped here, powerless to do anything but watch.
‘Aaaah……!’
With a silent scream, his mind went white.
* * *
The Holy Knights who inhaled the purple mist all collapsed.
Looking down at them, the Hanger couple chuckled lowly.
“Stupid, foolish, pathetic things.”
The black magic created by Him was this magnificent. No one had ever withstood this spell until now.
The Hanger couple shuddered. Just thinking of Him stirred deep reverence from their hearts.
“Shall we hang them one by one?”
The couple moved their four hands to draw ropes from their waists.
The ropes were long enough to hang all the Holy Knights here.
“Let’s start with that unlucky bastard who ruined our fun.”
“Great idea. He deserves special treatment.”
The Hanger couple approached Demian Haksen. They grabbed his neck, lifted him, and began looping the rope.
It was then.
Demian Haksen’s eyes slowly opened. The Hanger couple couldn’t help but panic.
“Wh-what, how is he awake already…….”
“I had a very unpleasant dream.”
Suddenly, the man spoke. His tone was so languid it was hard to believe his neck was gripped.
“A dream where I killed my father with my own hands. A sight I never want to see again.”
Demian slowly looked at the Hanger couple.
“That’s why I hate you bastards. You’re like rats. Seeing you sours my mood and annoys me. And when out of sight, you spread disease and filth.”
At those words, the Hanger couple scowled.
“What’s this idiot babbling about?”
“Honey, just smash his jaw?”
The Hanger couple immediately grabbed Demian’s jaw. Intending to twist it off.
In that moment, Demian Haksen seized their wrists. He poured mana into them.
The arm muscles twisted. Blood and black mana boiled simultaneously.
Pop.
With a small sound, the arm muscles burst. Blood and flesh sprayed everywhere.
“Kraaak!”
“Aaaahk!”
The couple screamed, releasing Demian’s neck. They clutched their skeletal arms, howling.
Demian drew Dawn. Azure aura blanketed the blade.
“Please endure for a while.”
Demian’s face twisted like a ferocious deity, his dilated pupils overflowing with killing intent.
The intense malice silenced all life in the forest. Not even the chirp of insects could be heard.
“If you die too easily, this foul mood won’t lift.”