Another Whale Joins the Whale Fight (3)

In the Arcana worldview, there are countless gods. And naturally, religions that worship those gods. Where there are gods, there must be demons to oppose them. And in those religions, there were priests who stood against the demons.

Exorcist priests, right?

Of course, I wasn't so obsessed with Arcana's lore that I'd dive into religions or other classes. It was just a forgotten memory resurfacing.

Just like everything else, it was something I'd heard ad nauseam while grinding demon hunter quests.

—Exorcist priests' rituals just drive demons out. They can't solve the root problem. We're different. We rip demons apart and kill them.

……No, back then, it really sounded cool.

—When you gaze into the abyss, the abyss gazes back? Even if we fall to evil and become demons ourselves. We hunt demons. That's the demon hunter's path.

But looking back as an adult, it was the epitome of a dead-end job. No labor laws, not even basic human rights—they just tossed them to the dogs.

To an clueless middle schooler, no less.

Good riddance, Akshan! Serves you right!

I tried blaming others for my dark history, but only for a moment.

—That's where the difference shows most clearly: the exorcism ritual.

[Exorcism Ritual]. Along with Predator-Prey Relationship, one of the only two unique skills for demon hunters.

I opened my skill window to confirm the difference.

───────

Exorcism Ritual: Invites a demon into the consciousness.

───────

Since becoming a player, I'd only used it once. Why? In the fight with the imp possessing Nam Cheolmin.

The effect was half-baked. No, even worse than that.

Only the most basic effect triggered.

It didn't damage the possessed host. It directly harmed the possessing demon.

That was unavoidable. I didn't have the required offering for the ritual.

—Demon hunters' exorcism rituals differ from the start with the offerings. Other religions need pure, untainted offerings to borrow their gods' power…

Demon hunters didn't worship any gods to begin with. If gods truly existed, demons wouldn't infest the world like this.

That was the demon hunters' creed.

—Remember this. Our offerings are anything tainted by evil.

Yes, anything tainted by evil.

During past quests, I'd seen the offering used to activate the ritual. It was a demon item.

The kind players dismissed as mere gacha loot.

I stared at the necklace.

And as I did, human nature kicked in.

……Part of me wants to just roll the gacha on it.

You know that feeling, right? Like, maybe I'll hit the jackpot.

Plus, it was a necklace—an accessory. At least it was confirmed rare-grade. If it had even one mana regeneration option…

I could ease my mana efficiency worries a bit. Greedy thoughts like that.

But win or lose, I knew it was pointless hope.

To Grandfell Claudi Arpeus Romeo, material wealth is but fleeting dust.

I knew I couldn't do something like that.

Perfectly well, from experience.

Plus, I'd learned demon items served as offerings for the exorcism ritual.

No demon temptation, deceit, or trial can scratch Grandfell's lofty pride.

"This, too, is a paltry temptation."

I declared it so, letting go of any lingering attachment.

But I felt no regret.

Setting aside Grandfell's noble disposition, thinking it over… there was no reason to regret.

……Wait. If I use an offering for the exorcism ritual…

Wouldn't the full effect activate properly?

I recalled the ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠ritual's effect from past quests.

……If that effect carried over intact…

……This might actually work.

Not hunting Count Ascura, of course. At level 91, taking down a level 430 monster would be arrogant folly.

What I thought possible was the quest.

Not an ordinary quest, but a class quest.

Instead of hunting, just making it feel the terror of being hunted—surely possible?

Anyway, I'd find out by trying.

Clack—

Whatever the reason—overcoming demonic temptation, perhaps—my steps grew more assured.

But they halted soon after.

……What the hell is with all these?

*

I'd sensed something off since entering the main road. This must've been a bustling ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠street before the ruins. But now, not a single shadow stirred in its vast expanse.

Something's not right.

Nam Taemin's instincts warned him. The current situation felt wrong.

Yes, objectively, it was unnatural.

Too few monsters.

[Count's Domain]. Since entering the rift, we'd cleared fewer than ten monsters.

Stolen by Inazuma? Doubtful—their side was probably the same.

"Scouted ahead. Same here."

Stealth released. A guild member materialized and reported to Nam Taemin.

"Terrain funnels all paths to the central plaza. We'll run into Inazuma there at this rate. So I'll join up."

Indeed, as she said. Entering the central plaza revealed Inazuma's crew.

Hisagi Kazuma spotted them and called out.

"This makes our resolve seem wasted—quite peaceful, no?"

Hisagi Kazuma. If snake-humans existed, he'd be it. His smile evoked a serpent flicking its tongue.

Nam Taemin scowled.

"We're not exactly on greeting terms, are we?"

"Such harsh words again."

"Cut the bullshit. I'm tired of it. You. Inazuma. All of it."

Nam Taemin disliked Hisagi. Whether losing or beating him, Hisagi always smiled—like now, creepily.

But that was the past. Now, neither he nor Gaon had anything to fear from Hisagi or Inazuma.

"Tired of us? Koreans are too blunt. It wounds me—enough to want payback."

Nam Taemin smirked.

"Yeah? If you've got the chops, go ahead."

Inazuma members bristled at the taunt.

"That bastard…!"

Then a voice buzzed in Nam Taemin's ear. Konoyaro, pagayaro. Loud enough for their outrage.

Cranking the earpiece volume brought Nam Cheolmin's voice.

—Ah, can you hear me now?

"Clear. Turned it up."

—Good. But did you have to say that?

"Bro, in rifts, momentum matters. Can't back down."

—Fair enough, if you say so…

Nam Cheolmin added,

—Better play nice for now.

"What're you talking about?"

—Got intel on Shining and Cheonha Tongil.

"……What? They're ahead of us?"

—Unavoidable. Unlike our nitpicking, they're in a chicken game—emotions first. Anyway, cracked their patterns.

Patterns identified. Relief washed over him.

"For real? Worth stationing you as analyst, bro."

—Tricky to explain. Talk while sharing screen. Where are you? Nothing visible. No trees lately?

"Here? Plaza-like. Paths converge."

—……What?

Nam Cheolmin urged frantically,

—Get out of the plaza. Now!

"……!"

No clue why, but following Nam Cheolmin was best.

Yet, locked in banter with Hisagi, they were a beat too slow.

Thud-thud-thud-thud—!

Hoofbeats shaking the plaza. Everyone flinched at the roar.

"……What the—?"

"W-Wait! Ground's shaking!"

"Enemy incoming! Positions!"

Shing—!

Nam Taemin swiftly assumed combat stance. Barbarian class. He hefted a greatsword larger than most men.

—Damn, no choice. Tank the first clash.

"Knights, right?"

—Yeah. Level 350. Count Ascura's knights.

Thud-thud-thud—!

Knights on horseback, as expected. High level aside, cavalry was the real threat.

Nam Cheolmin knew it.

—Even with tanks up front, it'll hurt bad. Cheonha Tongil's tank line couldn't fully block the charge. Fight in narrow spots to counter…

True. Cavalry power doubled in open spaces like this.

Another issue.

"……Master!"

"Speak. Listening."

"Three-way attack! Excluding our south, charging from all sides!!"

Three directions. Hard to sacrifice a frontline.

Inazuma faced the same. Hisagi told Nam Taemin,

"Don't like it, but no choice. I'll cover your back."

……I'll cover your back? The gall.

Nam Taemin wanted to retort, but Nam Cheolmin stopped him.

—I get it, but unavoidable. Only way is watching each other's backs. We take east, Inazuma west—north left? Damn. Avoid melee…

Yes, avoid chaotic melee. Player rank 11, level 368—higher than the knights, but most guildies weren't.

Melee would amplify gaps into heavy losses.

"……My fault."

Something off. Instincts warned—shouldn't have entered the plaza naively. No pointless spat with Hisagi…

Spilled milk now.

"I'll take north."

Nam Taemin's eyes ignited—fiercer, more savage. Barbarian unique skill activated.

—……Crazy? You solo north?

Insane, sure. But mistakes demand accountability.

As Nam Taemin ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠steeled himself, the count's knights appeared.

Thud-thud-thud—!

Cavalry charging from three sides. Their menace was chilling. Blood-red eyes thirsting for blood. Snorting breath ragged.

Without Berserk, he'd shrink. But resolve held. Gripping his greatsword—

"?!"

Rumble—!

A ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠massive boom! Unlike hoofbeats.

Hoofbeats shook the ground—this upended it.

"……What?"

He'd heard this before. Nam Taemin and Hisagi froze simultaneously. Hesitation turned to shock in an instant.

"!!"

The quaking ground erupted—like a colossal wall. Towering impossibly high, it perfectly repelled the knights' charge.

"Wh-What the hell?!"

"……Gaon has a mage who can do that?"

"Inazuma's doing?"

Amid the uproar. Clack—

A clear shoe click echoed. Nam Taemin instinctively turned.

A man in a black longcoat stood there.

Then, Nam Cheolmin's most flustered voice yet.

—……W-Wait! That face…?

Yeah. What? Did he summon that wall?! No way. Possible? Doesn't make sense!

*

I'd raised a wall.

Dismissing it as mere magic would disappoint. Considering mana efficiency, of course.

The so-called law of action-reaction.

Even pulling desperate basics from school physics as foundation. A wall built with all that.

Yes, as you see, I gave my all every moment.

Desperately flailing to stay afloat.

……