Gloriously (1)
The Magical Family Simuard
They seek to uncover the source of the terminal curse placed upon them.
📍 Visit the Simuard mansion.(Success)
📍 Meet Countess Simuard.(Success)
📍 Exorcise the demon possessing Yulla Simuard and break the curse contract.(In Progress)
Updated quest objective. This moment was what I'd prepared for with every ounce of readiness.
My fluttering [White Outer Wings] went without saying, but even the [Lightning-Struck Twig Wand].
◈ Restriction: Lv. 380
◈ Effect: When manifesting attribute magic, mana consumption increases by 30%, but destructive power rises by 30%.
A double-edged effect. Attribute magic already consumed an enormous amount of mana. If I unleashed the hundred attribute spells stored in the outer wings, mana exhaustion was a given—but I didn't care.
The Arcana continent overrun by demons. Amid this living hell, Grandfell's pride soared ever higher.
『Perhaps the thing demons should fear most isn't Grandfell's demon hunter class, but Grandfell the man himself.』
Indeed. To me, the Arcana continent was practically home ground.
High demons or demon kings—it didn't matter. Taking down one foe with my life on the line was no great feat.
But then.
The First World Tree has detected your presence.
The First World Tree blesses you.
Vitality and mana regeneration greatly increase.
……This was beyond my expectations?
The moment I emanated mana, the World Tree's blessing activated. Naturally, this wasn't part of my preparations. Just an unexpected stroke of luck.
[Luck: 7]—worth every precious point invested……!
And the World Tree lived up to its name; the effect was no joke. Even now, with significant mana drain, 'I don't feel it slipping away.'
Nothing like potion buffs could compare. Few magical tools or items could match this.
That blessing bolstered my confidence.
One step—onto the lake. I manifested magic to walk on water, something unimaginable under mana strain.
But with [Predator-Prey Relationship] alone insufficient, now amplified by the World Tree buff—this level of spellcasting barely touched my mana pool.
So, with this rare chance, why not try walking on water?
Yeah, so this is what it feels like.
But the distance to the demon didn't close.
“……!”
Every step I took forward, it retreated one back.
The Exorcism Ritual was already active. Within the ritual, our mental battle had begun long ago.
But no need for worry. Grandfell's towering pride bending before a demon? Don't mock my dark history.
I knew better than anyone it was impossible.
“……Will you merely watch? Demon Realm!!”
Suddenly, it screamed skyward.
“Demon King, Archfiend! He—he has come for us!”
Spreading the word like neighborhood gossip. Its panic was obvious.
No wonder. 'It naturally knows something of my existence.'
Demons slain by demon hunters ceased to exist entirely, unable to revive. Demons must have caught on that the Archfiends and demon kings had vanished.
But. 'It never imagined I'd set foot on the demon-infested Arcana continent.'
I didn't know demon common sense, but logically, who would expect it? The last demon hunter charging solo into a demon-choked Arcana?
Even I hadn't imagined it days ago.
Whoooosh—
Whether anticipated or not, this involved Marcelo's life. Grandfell's pride aside, to avoid overwork death buried in chief mage duties, I had to enter Arcana.
“Speak not twice.”
A cold declaration. And with it—
Crack-crack-crack—!
The lake froze in an instant. I addressed the prey.
“The only words I permit you are an apology to the Simuard family.”
『Strange』 - Absolute Zero manifested.
“……!!”
Its face froze solid.
From toes to crown. An uncontrollable chill surged.
This won't do……!
“Kuh!”
Yulla judged swiftly. To halt the chill's spread—
Splurt—!
It sliced its own ankle with hidden claws beneath the skin. Flesh regenerated, but self-mutilation? Yulla gasped ragged breaths.
……Is this the Exorcism Ritual?
Yulla hadn't joined the Holy War directly. It refused association with foolish demon kings and demons.
Merely watched Akkshan's end from afar. What better spectacle?
Human demon hunters who scorned demons, betrayed by allies, hunted by demons in turn—ecstasy just to witness.
Yet the Holy War unfolded unlike Yulla's expectations.
-“Damn bastards……!!”
Betrayed, surrounded by demons, kings, Archfiends in crisis—they hunted demons to the end.
Despite overwhelming numbers, no chance of victory, they never broke until the last.
Result: Akkshan slew a dozen demon kings. And more—
-“Can't die like this. If so, then……!!”
Forced Archfiend, Sin of Gluttony, to suicide. Death by demon hunter erased existence.
Yes, demon hunters. Foes that terrified even Archfiends to self-destruction.
-“But now, nothing can stop us.”
Akkshan's annihilation. Like other demons, Yulla breathed relief. Admired its own choice to stay out.
But that choice boomeranged.
Why? Why can't I see anything else?
Claiming a demon king seat, gaining throne-war-defying power—but Yulla lacked experience. Zero encounters with predator demon hunters.
Its vision in darkness? Only Hoyeol. Or rather, Hoyeols.
The lake's unique space. Upright Hoyeol. Inverted Hoyeol. Shaking Yulla's mind fiercely.
Yulla steadied itself. Recalled past suffering.
'Endured, endured, endured again.'
Couldn't end meaningless now. Yulla screamed again.
“Behold, demons! A demon hunter is here. Ignore him, and he'll drag us to ruin!!”
All hallucination. Unseen by demon eyes doesn't mean nonexistent. Not alone in darkness.
Just illusion. Yulla schemed.
……Yes, buy time.
Predator or not, still human. Toying with human hearts? Effortless.
Yulla spoke.
“Pathetic, demon hunter. Seeking Holy War revenge now? When Akkshan, your comrades, died horribly—where were you, what doing?”
Last demon hunter. No idea or care of its Akkshan ties. But weak humans would waver.
Yulla added.
“A demon hunter like you might've changed the Holy War. But you weren't there. Result? Slayed dozens of kings, forced Archfiend suicide—yet Akkshan lost. Annihilated!”
Weak human. Guilt inevitable. Mental shake certain.
Strike then.
But against hope—
“No progress despite my kind warnings.”
“……What?”
“Truly, an insult even to beasts.”
……How?
No tremor from it.
“Yet you've spared me effort, so I'll indulge.”
That arrogant gaze? Looking down on it?
And spared effort? So it'd play along?
No time to ask—the man continued.
“Pitying Akkshan mocks their pride.”
“Pity mocks? Don't make me laugh!”
“And belittles their sacrifice.”
“……!”
Unyielding eyes. Sincere. It truly believed that.
Predator. Understood why demon hunters were demons' nemeses. Their mindset wasn't weak human.
Thoroughly broken, clearly.
The predator finished.
“Time to drown in ugliness.”
……So I get why it brought up the Holy War. But effective on me?
Me, with a 10+ year Arcana gap from real life?
Still, grateful for Holy War info. Cleared a lingering doubt.
That incongruity from Archfiend Sin of Gluttony. Archfiend ignorant of Exorcism Ritual? Now made sense if Gluttony suicided.
Inexplicably naive demon scent. Level akin to demon king Decarabia.
Demons grow like monsters. Archfiends too. Revived post-suicide fit.
Thus, relief and shock coexisted.
Lv. 650 fresh rebirth? Original Gluttony—what level?
And how did Akkshan force such an Archfiend to suicide?
……Not pity—praise falls short.
Including Mage Tower, Goddess Church—unrevealed traitors betrayed Akkshan. Yet they cornered Gluttony to suicide amid injustice.
So I spoke sincerely.
“Pitying Akkshan mocks their pride.”
Exchange done, I aimed my wand at the shocked demon.
No way it withstands a hundred spells amid ritual flailing. I was certain—unlike it, I had experience.
“It's over, worthless demon.”
To avoid sinking in heavy pride. Thrashing with all might. I'd fought Archfiends, kings multiples my level.
[Aesthetics] nearing mid-tier. Scattered 『Light』 as attribute catalyst began shining brilliantly.
As if supplanting Arcana's hidden stars. Gloriously.
Each star resonated with spells bursting from outer wings. Pure mana orbs ignited catalysts, maxing stored spell destruction.
Literally a hundred hues. Countless attributes unfolded over the lake.
Somewhat like fireworks. Lake reflection doubled the spectacle.
“At last, like Arcana's night sky.”
Even Grandfell's aesthetic eye satisfied. But certain: no greater terror for the ritual-trapped demon.
Proved by its scream.
“Aaaah!! I can't—I can't die like this!!”
Last gasp? Evil aura erupted from its body. Flickering malice formed instrument patterns.
“Marcelo…… If I seize his lifespan, I……!!”
Regrettably, no.
I declared coldly.
“Beyond expectation. You overstep.”
“……!”
“I hear no more. Silence.”
Black Magic, 『Black Gaze』.
Mind-broken, it couldn't resist mid-tier black magic. Proved by the message.
'Silence' inflicted on Demon King Yulla.
Stars poured on it.
Dizzying messages aside briefly. I sensed gazes.
Post-ritual, finally noticing the demon king's death?
Arcana's night sky eyes glared at me. [Predator-Prey Relationship] reacted.
Hundreds. No, thousands. Tens of thousands. All nearby demons charged me.
Yes, panic inevitable.
If not for [Last Adventurer] effect.
But I'd planned for this.
Told you—your shouting saved me effort.
I shifted gaze. From sky's demon eyes to my back-up.
⊳ Command: Standby
⊳ Attack: Ready
Time for the real fireworks.