Chapter 75
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 75
Chapter Title: The Test
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*Koo-woong!*
The ground rumbled.
With every step, her steel boots left deep imprints in the earth.
The sound tore through the air.
With every punch, her steel gauntlets shot forward faster than an arrow.
The wind whipped and swirled.
With every move of her slender legs, her steel greaves swung heavier than a flail.
*Kwang, kwareureureung!*
She was a tempest.
In that she destroyed everything she touched and could not be stopped, she was more akin to a living cataclysm.
Even the rock-hard demonic soldiers could not avoid being smashed into chunks of flesh the moment they entered the range of her iron fists and flying kicks.
But the demonic army neither feared nor faltered.
At their master's command, they simply charged onward, their eyes burning with madness.
Fists and kicks that raged like a storm.
An army that surged forth like a tidal wave.
The downpour of blood and flesh created as the two clashed.
Amidst that fierce collision, Parsha steadfastly held her ground, but…
*Kwaaaang!*
—only for a moment.
A heavy, aura-infused halberd swung from among the demonic soldiers sent Parsha sliding backward.
Even for her, she was facing another high-level Awakened One.
She couldn’t easily block a strike from a Gnoll Warrior, an aura user of the [Completer] class.
This was especially true while facing hundreds of demonic soldiers summoned by black magic.
Fortunately, she was not alone.
“Parsha!”
*Kwaaaang!*
At Dion’s shout.
Parsha slid back in retreat.
A black crow flew into her now-empty spot, and the moment it spread its wings wide before the Gnoll Warrior.
*Kwagwagwagwang!*
A dozen demonic soldiers were blown to bits, and the Gnoll Warrior was engulfed in a fiery explosion.
But perhaps it was because the demonic soldiers had acted as a shield.
Or perhaps it was due to the durability of a sturdy aura user.
A single figure charged toward the Gnoll Warrior who had withstood the blast.
The Gnoll Warrior reflexively swung its halberd at the slender boy confronting it, his body not even cloaked in aura, but…
*Kkigigik!*
“Kyaeuk!?”
At the moment of impact.
It was the Gnoll Warrior that was pushed back.
An unbelievable monstrous strength, originating from that small body, made even the massive aura user stagger, despite it having lost its balance.
Dion seized the opportunity to slice the Gnoll Warrior's neck.
Or rather, he tried to.
The problem was that the Gnoll Warrior was not their only opponent.
*Chwaak!*
A High Goblin demonic knight parried Dion's sword with its own.
Its sword, brimming with dark magic, was swung with a curse that destroyed everything it touched.
In addition, the Gnoll Warrior quickly regained its balance and swung its aura-infused halberd.
That fierce offensive, capable of dismembering even a giant in one go.
However, it never connected.
*Kaang!*
The halberd slid away.
Due to his right hand tilting the sword at an exquisite angle and his left arm supporting the flat of the blade with his elbow.
The sword was deflected.
The impact of blocking the halberd sent the boy's light body sliding sideways.
Immediately after spinning, turning the force of the push into centrifugal force.
The boy lowered his stance as if prostrating himself, dodging the follow-up attack and slicing the ankles of the demonic soldiers rushing in from the sides.
*Chwaak!*
It was true artistry.
The pinnacle of skill, a technique that even a master would be lucky to succeed at once in three tries.
But that artistry did not end with a single move.
*Kang, kang, kang!*
Vicious sword strikes.
A large, heavy halberd.
Sharp claws and teeth.
He deflected the attacks of two high-level Awakened Ones and countless demonic soldiers with perfect artistry—swinging his sword, taking steps, and twisting his body.
—dozens of times.
It was a marvel.
No, it was awe-inspiring.
It was a miracle, a continuous series of impossible events, like rolling ten dice a hundred times and getting all sixes every single time.
And yet, there were two people.
Who did not consider it a miracle at all.
One was Dion himself.
And the other was…
*Kwang!*
The dark elf maid, who broke through dozens of demonic soldiers to kick away the Kobold Assassin aiming for Dion's back.
Parsha stood shoulder-to-shoulder with Dion, confronting their enemies.
If she was the storm.
Dion was a sharp, poisoned needle.
Her iron fists and flying kicks would receive the attacks of the three high-level Awakened Ones and sweep through the demonic army.
Then, his blade would exquisitely slip through the gaps to threaten the high-level Awakened and slice the necks of the demonic soldiers.
Parsha, a multiple Awakened.
Dion, with all sorts of traits like 【Acceleration】, 【Monstrous Strength】, and 【Immense Strength】.
The perfect combination of the two enabled them to fight on equal footing against the army of demonic soldiers, including the three high-level Awakened.
But the master and servant duo were not the only ones skilled in coordinated attacks.
“kUdra KUdma kUA.”
The moment a wicked incantation echoed and an ominous, murky energy swirled in the air.
A jet-black snake the size of a forearm flew toward Dion.
Parsha jumped in the way, blocking the snake that flew like a beam of light by crossing her steel gauntlets, but…
*『Unlight Family Fairy-Style Martial Arts, First Form: Adamant Iron, Unyielding Steel』*
*Kwaaaaaang!*
Darkness erupted.
A deafening roar shook the surroundings.
The steel gauntlets were deeply dented.
Parsha emerged from the darkness, blood trickling from the corner of her mouth.
She had created a shield of aura to block the dark magic itself.
But the explosion of the dark magic, amplified to its limit, had shaken her internal organs with its shockwave alone, causing internal injuries.
It was the price for leaving a caster unattended, one who could draw out power beyond their class through a long incantation.
Moreover, Sirgal Alcan was not the only caster threatening them.
“OOoOoooUm.”
“diAD deAd dYad.”
When the 【Curse-caster】 holding a staff with various ornaments chanted, a red energy spread out, weighing down their limbs.
When the 【Demonologist】 chanted, the movements of the demonic soldiers controlled by the 【Legion Commander】 grew even faster.
Of course, all were at the level of [Completer] or [Expert].
Their attacks, executed in perfect sync, revealed why knightly orders were objects of fear.
In the first place, it was unreasonable for two people to face seven high-level Awakened Ones.
“Eek, eek! Save this young lady!”
“Hiiik! D-don’t run this way!”
…especially since they had two pieces of baggage who were busy just running away from the demonic soldiers.
That was why.
In the brief moment Parsha had gained after blocking the dark magic.
Dion used that opening to pin down the high-level Awakened with an explosion from his own chanted dark magic and leaped into the demonic army.
The dust and shadows raised by the successive explosions.
The moment Dion used them to swiftly break through the demonic forces and tried to plunge his blade into the Centaur Legion Commander's neck.
【Transmutation: Eye of the Thunder Bird】
【Transmutation: Right Arm of the Steel Bear】
*Kaaang!*
“…Damn.”
As Sirgal's eyes turned yellow.
The boy clicked his tongue as his sword was blocked by a massively swollen right arm.
Before Dion could even pull back, Sirgal swung that arm violently.
Despite nimbly twisting his waist to dodge, a claw-gash was carved into one of his shoulders.
Even as he scattered blood, Dion continued to swing his sword, but…
“OooooUm.”
“diAD deAd.”
*Pang, Kaang! Chwaak!*
“Ugh!”
His cheek was torn.
His fingernails broke.
He coughed up blood.
Despite being superior in swordsmanship and possessing combat senses honed through countless real battles, Dion was constantly on the defensive.
Every time Sirgal's energy writhed and his body mutated.
While he swung his sword against the erratically flying bear claws, snake tail, and horse kicks.
The curses poured out by the Curse-caster and the demonic soldiers commanded by the Legion Commander continuously targeted Dion.
On top of that, the Kobold Assassin had somehow closed in and was swinging its dagger.
Dion was ultimately forced to stop the exchange and hastily retreat.
But unexpectedly, Sirgal did not pursue him.
He simply opened his mouth and spoke softly.
[—Impressive.]
Utterly chilling.
Tinged with deep anger.
But unlike moments ago when he was overflowing with hot madness, he now stared at Dion with eyes containing a sliver of cool reason.
Sirgal continued.
[Whether you've been hiding your abilities until now or not, I see that the Seventh Young Master is an Unlight through and through.]
If he had hidden his awakening for years and secretly nurtured his abilities, then for that cunning.
If it has been only a few months since his awakening, then for the sheer talent of having gained such abilities already.
As a dragon's child is a dragon.
He was indeed worthy of the Unlight direct line.
As a vassal of Unlight, before being an enemy and the foe who took his nephew's life.
Sirgal, who had calmly assessed him, glared at Dion with eyes that had grown even colder.
[But you are foolish and arrogant.]
“…”
[Did you truly believe you could fight and win against us with just that level of ability? Sincerely?]
At that jeer that was not quite a jeer.
Parsha could not refute it.
The course of the battle so far made it obvious how foolish this fight was.
A summoner who enhanced over a hundred demonic soldiers and used them as shields.
A fighter who blocked all attacks head-on while posing a threat.
A ranger who used blind spots to aim for vitals from behind.
And a caster who could blow them away in a single shot.
The Soma Knightly Order, equipped with all four job classes except for Driver, was an impregnable fortress with no openings to exploit.
This was even more so considering they were at half-strength after being trapped in and escaping the [Crucible Fortress].
Indeed, it was to be expected.
This was a knightly order.
They were living human weapons, trained to be able to contend with Transcendent Awakened Ones.
“Quite the show-off, aren't you.”
But even facing them.
Dion showed not the slightest sign of being intimidated.
Instead, he simply met Sirgal's gaze with a cold sneer.
“And this is coming from someone who devoured half his own subordinates just to escape a simple trap.”
[What of it? It is a knight's duty to lay down his life for a mission.]
“!”
[To be concerned about such a trivial matter, it seems the Seventh Young Master still lacks the awareness of a noble.]
Parsha's gaze grew cold.
She now understood how Sirgal and his knights had escaped the Crucible Fortress so quickly and summoned over a hundred demonic soldiers in an instant.
She realized it only after hearing Dion's words.
She also understood who Silan had learned from, sacrificing his soldiers without hesitation.
But Sirgal himself was unconcerned.
That they could offer their lives for their lord was an honor for the knights.
Before being a Knight Commander.
As a high noble.
He asserted it without a hint of hesitation, as if stating the obvious.
Then, he slowly raised a hand.
[Therefore, as a vassal of the House of Unlight, I shall grant you a special lesson.]
The moment he realized where Sirgal's hand was pointing.
—Dion's smile vanished.
***
“This is truly the worst…”
Sirgal and the demonic soldiers.
And Dion and Parsha.
The battlefield where they fought fiercely.
In one corner of it, a girl in a straitjacket with purple twintails ran about frantically.
The Vault Keeper gritted her teeth.
If he was going to hatch such a secret plan, he should have at least made it succeed.
Filled with resentment for her master, who had failed so confidently and created this mess.
‘No, wait. Isn't this actually a good thing?’
But right after that.
The Vault Keeper suddenly realized.
That it wouldn't be bad for her if Dion were dealt with on this occasion.
Of course, that would create the problem of finding a new master, but on the other hand, she might get the chance to meet a better one than Dion.
‘In that case, it would be better if my master passed away here…’
*Kwang!*
While she was lost in thought.
The Vault Keeper, who had looked puzzled by the sudden roar, felt her blood run cold.
As if they were having some idle chat.
Sirgal, who had stopped fighting and was talking to Dion about something.
Had pointed his hand at her and chanted a spell, causing a black snake to shoot out.
…dark magic powerful enough to instantly kill most high-level Awakened Ones.
The moment the Vault Keeper's eyes widened at the sight of the black snake flying faster than an arrow.
*Kwadeudeudeuk!*
“?!?!”
The Vault Keeper was horrified.
It wasn't just because she had dodged the snake she was sure she could never avoid.
The moment the snake was about to bite her.
It was the presence of the boy who had pushed her out of the way by a hair's breadth.
And the sight of Dion's side, torn open as a consequence, made her ask without thinking.
“W-what have you done?!”
“What do you mean? Your shuttle saved you.”
“!”
“—Because you're mine.”
I'm sick and tired of losing what's mine without being able to do anything.
Despite suffering a serious injury that could have torn his organs.
The Vault Keeper was at a loss for words, looking at the boy who grinned as if her dumbfounded expression was amusing.
She already knew Dion wasn't in his right mind.
That was why she was looking for a chance to quickly find a new master.
Which was why she couldn't understand it all the more.
Dion's action of saving her.
And how he could possibly be smiling.
“Are you an idiot? What's the point if you die?!”
“Yeah, I think so too.”
As the girl grew even more frustrated at the boy who readily agreed with her outburst.
Dion muttered softly.
“That's why I wanted to finish this with my own hands if possible… but it seems it's time to use the insurance I've been saving.”
Perhaps because Dion's action was so unexpected.
Or perhaps to mock his foolishness.
Looking at Sirgal, who held a cold sneer and didn't bother to attack, and the dark elf maid with a hardened expression.
Dion reached out his hand.
“Shuttle… no, Vault Keeper.”
The girl beneath him, wearing an indescribable expression.
The moment the boy's small hand grasped the black lock hanging between the swell of her chest.
“I'll take the King of the Dark Grotto's test.”
“!”
*Click.*
—Her lock was undone.
***
‘A dragon's child is indeed a dragon.’
A tattered body.
Clothes torn in places.
Blood gushing out.
Watching the boy who, looking like a half-corpse, was holding the Vault Keeper like a mother bird protecting her egg.
Sirgal was truly impressed.
Foolish commoners often mistakenly believe that one can become strong immediately just by awakening a good class.
Along with innate talent, physical abilities like stamina, strength, and agility, as well as mental abilities like memorization and calculation, or even the five senses.
Are developed in various ways depending on the class, making the misconception even stronger.
But no matter how much talent one gains.
It does not blossom immediately.
Even a high-level Awakened One…
No, especially for high-level Awakened Ones, they must absorb many magic stones and undergo systematic learning and training to fully develop their talents.
That was why nobles with immense wealth maintained their power for generations, and why the more outstanding an Awakened One was, the more they would entrust themselves to a powerful noble house.
Seen in that light.
Dion's growth was phenomenal.
Both in that Dion, who had no backing, couldn't possibly have obtained a large number of magic stones on his own.
And in that even if he had somehow obtained magic stones and developed his class, he was handling his abilities too well for just a few months.
Above all…
The timid boy who had lived his whole life cautiously watching others not only showed no intimidation against them.
But was even grinning as if he enjoyed the life-or-death struggle he was wagering his own life in.
If he hadn't seen it with his own eyes.
And hadn't faced him.
That this boy was Dion.
He would never have believed it.
He would have thought he was replaced by someone else, or a puppet brainwashed by magic or drugs.
Dion's transformation was that great.
It was less a case of seeing someone in a new light and more a complete metamorphosis.
Like a caterpillar becoming a butterfly…
No, it was as if he had become a completely different creature.
It was hard to find any trace of the person he used to be—the epitome of incompetence, ignorance, and powerlessness, who was looked down upon by everyone.
‘—A true pity.’
That was why.
Sirgal's eyes glinted coldly.
If Dion had revealed his talent sooner.
While he might not have supported him over Ren, he could have at least considered a cooperative relationship.
But since it was already too late for cooperation, Sirgal had only one choice.
‘For the sake of that talent, the Seventh Young Master must die.’
To snuff out Dion, who would surely become an obstacle to the Alcan family and Ren if left alive.
Sirgal began to gather his dark magic.
Or rather, he tried to.
*Click.*
[…?]
But right after that.
Sirgal flinched.
The other knights' faces hardened as well.
It wasn't just because the boy, who was clearly on the verge of death, had suddenly ripped off the lock hanging from the girl's neck.
The moment that lock was undone.
A chill ran down his spine.
The instinct he had honed as a high-level Awakened One through countless fierce battles made Sirgal move reflexively.
[Kill the Seventh Young Master now!]
*Kuaaaaaa.*
The ground shook.
And countless demonic soldiers advanced.
Criminals and disgruntled subjects, brainwashed with dark magic in the Purgatorium.
A force that could threaten even high-level Awakened Ones, granted power close to that of an Awakened in exchange for their lifespan through demonic contracts.
Parsha, tied down by the other high-level Awakened, couldn't stop their charge.
And so, the demonic army crushed the prostrate boy and girl at once.
…Or rather, they should have.
*Swish!*
[…]
The darkness writhed.
And in the instant something seemed to flash by.
Had over a hundred demonic soldiers not been sliced in two and collapsed.
“Huhuhuhuhu.”
Low like a cave.
Deep like the darkness.
And serene like the abyss.
Sirgal turned his head toward the laughter flowing through the air and heard.
The soft mutterings of the purple-haired girl.
“Truly, one must live a long time to see everything.”
“…”
“Even though my power was sealed, I never imagined this young lady would end up in such a state.”
[…Who are you.]
As if it were truly amusing.
The girl smiled faintly.
He should have asked sooner.
But he hadn't paid her any mind, considering her merely a slave to be dealt with to provoke Dion.
But now, looking at Sirgal, whose face had hardened at the sight of her imposing presence—a presence that even a Transcendent Awakened One could not ignore—
The Vault Keeper rose to her feet.
And with a rustle.
The moment she pulled her white, smooth arms from the straitjacket that had come undone with the lock, a deep smile on her lips.
“This one is the Vault Keeper.”
*Ssssssssss.*
“And I am the one who will teach you your place.”
…countless tentacles extended from the girl's shadow and swallowed the Soma Knightly Order.