Akkshan Hungers (1)
It was beyond resplendent—blindingly brilliant. There was good reason I'd worn the jacket despite squinting from the glare. The first set effect alone was outrageously overpowered.
Dawn-Awaiter 5/5
Set item effects applied.
Currently active set effects: 5/5
1. When acting as commander, allied morale reaches maximum.
……It was akin to the 'authority' function unlocking when affinity and relations hit their peak. The moment morale maxed out, it produced effects bordering on the miraculous.
The problem lay with the Shadow Mercenaries. Did they truly see me as their commander?
I knew what kind of beings they were—from AAU reports. And from observing them up close while raiding the Demon King's Castle together... after sticking a straw in... no, sharing the fight.
'Their individual prowess rivals the seniors.'
Even during the Demon King's Castle raid, the Shadow Mercenaries hadn't gone all out—they'd fought half-heartedly. For a group as prideful as them, matching their exceptional skills...
And then there was AAU's not-quite-advice.
—"If it's just paranoia, that'd be ideal. But the Shadow Mercenaries... they're tagged as shadowy antagonists, no matter how you slice it..."
Even if they'd joined the Holy War Alliance, could I truly doubt whether they followed me wholeheartedly?
But even if I harbored such doubts, I had to shift my mindset now.
'Gotta believe it to trigger the Dawn Set effect!'
Gigantic Evil, incarnation of the Seven Deadly Sins' Envy, loomed visible. Its form remained as ferocious as ever. Well, even when it had only thrust a hand through the dimensional rift, it hadn't seemed ordinary. Seeing its complete body now truly hammered home the "gigantic evil" vibe.
Why, hadn't even the Akkshan seniors said it?
—"Akkshan's nemesis is Gigantic Evil."
If Akkshan, no less prideful than Grandfell, deemed it a nemesis worthy of disdain for demons...
Then Gigantic Evil must differ from run-of-the-mill demons.
'Though to Grandfell, it's just another demon.'
Not for me. I, Lee Hoyeol, needed to endure without sinking into pride—to grasp at any means.
In that sense, the Shadow Mercenaries' presence? Nothing could be more welcome.
So I opened my mouth.
I'd hear the full story later. For now, we had to confront it together via the Dawn-Awaiter set effect. For that, they needed to follow me.
I conveyed those tangled thoughts in Grandfell-speak.
"The Shadow Mercenaries in my employ are not so frail as to fall to a paltry demon."
"……!!"
Wolf and Alkari's faces twitched. Their pupils quivered—trouble was, I couldn't calibrate this mouth's intensity.
But shock therapy's effects were reliably potent.
Wolf spoke.
"We never wished to meet like this, Grand Commander."
I understood. They'd rejected my aid to pursue their own path.
There must be reason for refusing my goodwill outright.
"Did I not say?"
Yet.
Whether tied to Heaven's Unification or Gigantic Evil's commission.
This wasn't the time for leisurely chat, Wolf.
"Your circumstances shall be heard after the hunt concludes."
And rightly so—the foe was Gigantic Evil.
A voice echoed in my mind. Kei-cheol's voice, honed razor-sharp.
—Master, shall I fell that one?
"Indeed."
—Worthy of the name Gigantic Evil, truly.
Kei-cheol, legendary-grade item. Even against Gigantic Evil, it didn't underestimate.
From experience, I knew reality favored demons.
Why, look at those demons hiding in society.
'Nam Cheolmin, Baek Isul, Baker Branch Chief...'
The demons possessing them had grown explosively. Absorbing negativity, even spreading it. Lowly imps and succubi ran rampant in reality.
If even they thrived here, Gigantic Evil manifesting fully?
"Excellent. With your acknowledgment, my mind eases."
Facing a natural predator like me without [Fear] was no anomaly.
Tempest, who'd hounded Envy relentlessly, approached my side.
"Awoo."
Its bravery undimmed, but I could tell. It was weary. Rightly so.
Envy's transformation meant...
'Next pattern incoming.'
I couldn't gauge the Shadow Mercenaries' damage to Envy, but Tempest had soloed the first pattern.
No matter how stringent Grandfell's standards...
"Splendidly done, Tempest."
It was performance beyond satisfying.
Then, a hesitant sound. Likely Wolf and Alkari.
Alkari asked politely.
"Might Tempest be the wolf's name, perchance?"
……So they found the name chuuni after all?!
Why did the proverb "thief's foot throbs" spring to mind?
Why? Hesitating at mere Tempest... how would they react to Kei-cheol's other name? Or Grandfell's full name...?
Worry over shock turning to horror aside.
Fortunately...
"Haha..."
Alkari nodded deeply, continuing.
"Forgive this shortsighted fool. I failed to grasp the true weight of deeming demon kings and Gigantic Evil mere prey...!"
There, I realized.
'Oh, they just now got it.'
That I was a demon hunter, Akkshan's last survivor.
I hadn't hidden it like Grandfell's full name.
Had they asked politely, I'd have boasted proudly.
That I was Akkshan's final survivor.
Yet community bait aside, no reporter or player had asked seriously.
'Power of etiquette education, I suppose.'
But Akkshan's poster child. The wolf that captivated even players.
Arcana natives versed in continent lore via commissions—natural they'd recognize Tempest.
But as said, no time for apologies.
"Mock me not, Akkshan whelp."
Whoosh—
Envy unfurled massive wings. Gusts warped the landscape anew.
Next pattern, changing the field?
The earth quaked, surging upward.
"Tempest, tend the fallen."
"Awoo!"
Tempest moved swiftly, gathering unconscious Shadow Mercenaries.
Looked like no need for healing magic. Alkari's potions outdid my hack healing.
Plus, max morale's effects were kicking in.
Entering Piece, 'Envy's Threshold'.
So you'd draw Piece after all? No agitation—perhaps from clashing with Frost Dragon Proznax. My heart aside, Grandfell maintained his eternal poise.
Head held high, neck and spine rigid. Never looking up at Envy's bulk.
I spoke.
"Thy posture ill befits one inviting guests."
Then channeled mana.
Limitless [First World Tree's Blessing] buff. Plus Natural Enemy Relationship.
Natural Enemy Relationship
Combat power surges dramatically against demons.
Simple implication.
I didn't grasp demon hierarchies, but back when weaker, I'd pinned upper demon king Gamigin with [Uncanny].
'Merely ankle-grabbing, at best.'
Still, forced one knee down.
Envy of the Seven Deadly Sins. Stronger or weaker than Gamigin? Unknown.
"Yet thus befits base rabble."
I'd grown vastly stronger since.
Hummm—
Mana scattered across the field. Piece, Envy's Threshold—unknown homeground rules, but our expedition's morale wouldn't falter.
Not while I wore the Dawn Jacket.
"I shall discipline thee personally."
So I brazenly continued.
"To honored guests, bow with decorum."
Crunch!
Mana crushed Envy's head.
"Insolent...!"
Its desperate resistance brushed me, ignored. With Natural Enemy Relationship, mana boundless.
Messages rose naturally.
Bind inflicted.
"Thy grotesque, cumbersome wings too—fold them."
"……!!!"
"Lest dust fly."
Restrain inflicted.
Not stopping at bowing. I folded its straining wings like fingers.
To gnashing Envy, I said.
"Thou art the first demon I deign instruct in decorum."
"……Shut thy mouth."
"Esteem it an honor."
Simultaneously, messages.
Bind released.
Restrain released.
Yes. No intent to bind long with raw mana alone—no magic, no Uncanny.
This was mere etiquette lesson.
Sudden etiquette for prey-demon? Someone might ask.
Didn't we shun even words with prey?
Correct. Grandfell's pride unwavering.
Even reuniting with nemesis Gigantic Evil—he'd scorn converse.
Exception this time.
"At last, thou hast it."
Yes. Not etiquette for Envy.
For me.
Simple reason to force decorum on Envy.
Else it'd rampage blindly, begging proper crushing.
"Qualification to face Akkshan."
Irking our seniors...!
'Unlike me, they're merciless.'
Heaven's Unification players strewn across mountains testified.
Deal between Ryu Ojuncheon and Envy.
Dealing with demons? Demon worshipper.
'Grandfell's enough...'
If seniors hunted Envy and Ryu amid Gigantic Evil? Chaos.
Thus, etiquette to spare their ire—for my ease.
Fwoosh!
Akkshan's Legacy
Summons Akkshan demon hunters from hellfire.
Hellfire cloaked Tempest, burning silently.
Vision flickered. Predictable system message.
Affinity and influence with Akkshan applied to effects.
Akkshan demon hunters respond to your call.
But I knew from experience. Our Akkshan seniors ignored such nonsense.
Full muster for Gamigin. Nemesis Gigantic Evil before them now?
No need to say.
Thud, thud.
Footsteps from flames. Clashing steel.
Clank—!
"Then gladly, we respond."
I addressed Envy.
"To Akkshan's eternal hunt."