I Don't Believe in Coincidences (1)

Guicheol changes its form depending on the opponent.

Impressive, but...

Thanks to the countless wounds I'd carved into it.

A ability similar to mine, one that could claim the advantage in most situations.

At least, that's how I saw it.

Just a perfect duplicate of me, nothing more.

But everything depends on the packaging.

That's how it ended up with a grandiose name like Sword Path of Pride.

The real issue was always the flashy wrapping.

The prototypes guarding Raymon Sean's hideout.

Guicheol's first form, slicing through them like tofu.

'I can't show my real face.'

Why, heard separately, it might even sound plausible.

But this isn't the time for that!

From the Black Dark Dragon to Tempest, Dragon Flame Focus, and now Illusion Breaker...

Put them all together, and anyone would tilt their head in confusion at those names.

In that situation, asking for Guicheol's name?

It was a profoundly awkward moment.

But Guicheol spoke up in my place.

-A name? Do not presume to limit me with a mere single name.

...Truly a fitting answer from you, Guicheol.

But well done.

Better not to reveal that bizarre name at all.

There's a reason they say even half a lie can get you in trouble if you stay silent.

And above all.

Crunch—

The byproduct of primordial evil.

We couldn't let that thing writhe forever.

Just like the message about field transformation.

The byproduct's flesh began gradually overtaking the area.

I opened my mouth.

"How hideous."

An appearance that would shrink most people just by looking at it.

But would I cower?

Not a single eyebrow twitched as I spat my venomous words.

"Outwardly and inwardly, the epitome of demonic vileness."

Indeed, a sight my Aesthetics could never tolerate.

So there was no hesitation.

With Tempest and Agentress's attacks confirmed ineffective.

For now, let's probe.

Just as I'd guessed.

Whether my attacks would land!

Guicheol's blade darkened, silver aura flowing forth.

So lightly it made no sound.

I slashed the air with Guicheol.

Gurgle!

Blood spurted from the byproduct's flesh.

Primordial evil byproduct or scrap, a demon is a demon.

It couldn't escape the Predator-Prey Relationship.

Plus the First World Tree's Blessing.

This time, I raised the sword high and slashed to gauge the reaction.

Splurt!

The same spot's flesh tore even deeper.

From the deeply exposed wound, I could confirm it.

That was undoubtedly a critical hit.

Exactly as expected.

Guicheol spoke coldly.

-Did you think that mere lump of flesh could block its master's sword aura?

...Such overflowing confidence, Guicheol.

I hadn't even activated the Sword Path of Pride.

Just two casual swings of Guicheol.

Objectively comparing destructive power...

Tempest's ferocious charge or Agentress's magic arrows would outstrip it in raw might.

So.

'There's a reason, circumstances here.'

Pure buff stacking.

Guicheol, you're gilding my image by stepping up like this.

Now I can't even show my face comfortably on the continent.

But with this, it's certain.

The primordial evil.

Born from the World Tree, so only I, bearing the First World Tree's Blessing from the World Tree,

can defeat it.

As expected, the message appeared.

Agentress seemed to realize it too.

"Indeed, your words ring true."

"You witnessed it as well."

"Yes."

With the system and even Agentress confirming it.

This was cause for fresh worry.

'Can I really do this, Hoyeol...?'

My past flashed before me like a montage.

Grandfell-sama might not acknowledge it, but I, Lee Hoyeol, who excels at knowing my place, know full well.

I could never have reached this point alone.

Just look at the allies I'd shamelessly recruited with bravado and pride?

All the major powers of the Arcana continent, top guilds excluding Cheonha Tongil.

Every ranker player joined the Holy War Alliance.

'I've received so much help, knowingly or not.'

In that sense...

Facing an enemy only I can defeat.

One I must defeat alone?

How could that feel welcome?

Look at me.

Lv. 700 jacket, never even slipped an arm through it properly.

Still just draped over my shoulders.

Yet.

"To embed such an arrangement in a cumbersome blessing."

Of all things, before a demon.

Would I, Grandfell, ever admit deficiency?

I looked at Agentress.

"It seems conversation is necessary not just for you."

"...!"

Agentress's pupils dilated wide.

My words implied the World Tree's arrangement was flawed.

It might sound irreverent, but it was utterly sincere.

Utterly wrong, World Tree...!

'How could you dump such a heavy duty on me!'

Great power comes with great responsibility.

No moment had ever made that truer.

But the World Tree no longer existed in this world.

"However, circumstances demand we skip the talk."

"...?"

"Watch instead."

My parting shot at the World Tree ended there.

No more loose talk.

Now that it was clear: the primordial evil only I could fell.

I sealed my lips tight.

Silence.

Meaning: no more words with the prey.

Through countless demon hunts, I'd learned.

No combat as efficient against great demons as a demon hunter's.

That's the true meaning of grind quests.

"Tempest."

"Woo woo?"

"Watch."

"Awoo!"

Demon hunter.

Class skills are spartan.

Excluding unique skills acquired after awakening as a player.

My skill list was...

Just five in total.

That's the standard demon hunter skill set.

Until recently, even glancing at it made me chuckle bitterly.

Even on its own, sparse.

Compared to other classes, pitifully so.

Fewer combat skills than some non-combat classes, probably.

But that simplicity is the demon hunter's creed.

"A mere demon."

Yes.

For a demon hunter, demon hunting isn't grandiose.

"No need to waver before mere prey."

Yes.

Demon hunting for a demon hunter is routine, unchanging.

No need for flashy techniques.

Just stamina to keep hunting demons.

And the mental fortitude forged in training that stamina.

Nothing more vital in demon hunting.

Someone might scoff again.

Just fancy words, as always?

Then, as ever, I'll prove it.

Make it real.

I stepped into the byproduct's domain, the flesh-covered field.

The transformation complete?

The messages rose.

One step.

Just entering the domain triggered endless debuffs.

Even top-tier 'Fear' among them.

But no message rejecting fear.

Simple reason.

Click—

No need for First World Tree's Blessing.

I, Grandfell, have no reason to fear before demons.

Swish—

In that sense, this will differ from before.

Probing's done.

I raised the blackened Guicheol.

-Master, what shall I cut today?

Sounds poetic, almost.

With naming sense mirroring Grandfell, what name will you shout?

I'm more afraid of you than the demon, Guicheol...

But not yet time.

"Byproduct."

-Byproduct...?

"Scrap unworthy even of meaning."

Complex, lofty pride.

Translating Grandfell-speak:

Not worth a grand name for mere byproduct, not true primordial evil.

Ever noble reasoning.

But this time, not baseless confidence.

Grip—

Whether noble pride or Akkshan basics.

Whatever.

I'd never skipped training, no matter the situation.

Daily, pushing to limits.

My 'Tenacity'.

The system doesn't ignore it.

Tenacity's effect scales with my mental strength.

Unbreakable will through any trial.

Even the system must rate it highly.

In that sense.

The flesh-covered field was my halo.

Enough to fool even the system.

Five points each to Strength and Agility.

Muscles twitched throughout my body.

Mere numbers to some, but I need to see ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠to feel it.

Glanced at my status window.

Temporary, but roughly 500 total stat points boosted.

Comparable to any combat ranker player.

And not the end.

Predator-Prey Relationship multiplies combat power against demons.

Swish—

My swing was simple.

No flair, unlike usual.

No worth in it.

But enough.

Squelch—

Flesh severed.

For the first time, the flesh's expansion halted.

I intoned coldly.

"Primordial evil."

Not for the byproduct.

The true primordial evil must be watching somehow.

Through flesh or sky's demonic eyes.

So this is for you, the main body, primordial evil.

"A needlessly grandiose modifier."

No provocation, no deception—pure truth.

"Deny it all you want."

Yes.

Like light devours darkness.

Good triumphs evil.

"The predator-prey bond etched from birth."

Primordial evil or whatever.

Born a demon, inescapable.

Demon hunter's predator-prey.

Flutter—

This swing rustled my jacket.

Not dramatic battle.

No chain of coincidences or luck.

This is it.

Mechanical, simple, efficient demon hunter's demon hunt.

I murmured to the bisected byproduct.

"Akkshan."

Twitch!

...

Up to there, pure demon hunter.

A truly convincing scene.

...Until Diend burst from the void.

"Diend Crexshade Eternal Darkness."

How with one name.

"Diend, infinitely deep darkness. A single ray of light. Simultaneously..."

A few words, and the mood flips so dramatically?

The hard-earned Akkshan gravitas scatters?

'If only not for that damn darkness...'

Damn my fate.

...So, what's the point, Diend?

Say it quick before Agentress hears.

"Dreadsden. Empire's savior. Simultaneously ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Black Dark Dragon. Simultaneously..."

Please, tone ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠down those epithets!