Incorruptible Purity (2)

Exorcism ritual activated. From here on out, it's a battle of wills.

I gazed at the great evil rising from the throne. [Incarnation of the Seven Deadly Sins, Greed: Lv.650] Its appearance was that of a man. I could tell at a glance. It's different from Count Ascura.

'It's more like when Nam Cheolmin was possessed.'

If Nam Cheolmin had his body and mind taken by an imp, then this man must have been possessed by the incarnation of Greed from the Seven Deadly Sins.

An imp versus the incarnation of Greed. A low-level demon against a great evil. The gap between them was naturally far greater than levels alone could measure.

But that posed no problem for me.

"There is no need for that. For I am here."

Even lines that were now barely tolerable in their cringeworthiness. Even the unyielding pride burning in my chest. I was my usual self.

But apparently, it wasn't for him.

"You... who the hell are you? How...?"

I was tempted to throw the question right back at him. What, had he never seen a demon hunter even after becoming a great evil?

But as I said. Schk— I don't mix words with prey.

I could guess why the great evil was so shocked.

"...You've escaped the abnormal status?"

The moment the exorcism ritual began, Nam Taemin and Leoni snapped out of it right away.

'I was sweating bullets inside, even if I didn't show it...'

That was proof the bastard was shaken. So there was no hesitation.

Schk— I drew my silver dagger.

Exploration, interference, manifestation. I went through the process and changed the dagger's form.

'Mana reserves are sufficient.'

Thanks to the Lion Heart Knights, and the aid of Gaon and Berserker guilds, I'd reached the great evil without casting a single spell.

Which meant.

'More creative manifestations are possible.'

The situation was entirely different from the time with Count Ascura. Back then, all I could do was manifest a silver stake from the dagger and drive it in.

But after that, I hadn't stopped struggling. Sinking into this lofty pride. I'd done my utmost not to drown.

And the fruits of that struggle were unfolding before my eyes.

Silver dagger manifested as projectiles. Interfering with the projectiles' exterior to boost lethality. For maximum rotational effect, a spiral. A drill shape is ideal.

Drift— Hundreds of silver projectiles floating in the air.

From crude stakes to hundreds of projectiles. It's moving.

I could feel the reward of filling ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠A4 pages day after day like practice sheets.

But I'm not one to rejoice or despair. Not to mention noblesse oblige. As a noble, responsibility weighed on my shoulders.

So I needed to make it even more certain. And I already knew the method.

'I don't just have magic.'

Different from magic, but with their own pros and cons, there were also [skills].

‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠

Does Archery Mastery apply to projectiles too? I haven't tested it, so I can't know for sure.

Which is why now's the time to choose the sure path.

Arrows are definitely affected by Archery Mastery.

'Fusion of magic and skill.'

And to add something mundane... the greater the mass, the greater the power. Basic science added.

Yes, this was the view before my eyes.

"...Impressive, Sir Hoyeol."

I don't care about others' evaluations. Even if admiration burst from Harcon, my heart didn't stir.

I was merely curious in this moment. About the line of sight of the great evil standing frozen.

*

'...I wanted to protect it.'

That was all. That was the lingering regret of Hakuna, the last king of the Yusra Kingdom.

The Yusra Kingdom lacked for nothing. Food from land and sea never dried up, sparkling jewels overflowed, and no worries or cares plagued the people.

"What think you? Is it not beautiful, even in your eyes?"

Hakuna was satisfied with his kingdom's sight. So he proudly entertained foreign visitors to the island. Boasting of his treasures and people.

That was his mistake.

"...What have I done?"

A massive fleet anchored at the Yusra Kingdom. The foreigners led an army and invaded.

Land, sea, mines. Even the people were taken captive. The Yusra Kingdom, unused to conflict, couldn't fight back.

Everything in the kingdom was trampled.

"Flee quickly, my king!"

"Urgh! My king, you must live for the future!"

"My king! Hurry...!! Graaah!!"

Hakuna sat on his throne, watching his soldiers fall. His kingdom was crumbling.

Dazed by the carnage, Hakuna was grabbed by the collar. It was a foreigner. He was laughing.

"This island's too good for such foolish folk."

"...Just for that?"

"Of course! Foolish king. Do you know the value of these jewels? In our kingdom, one could live a lifetime off a single one. Yet here, they're ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠kids' toys! So barbaric!"

"...I would have shared if you'd asked."

"Share and get lost? Bullshit."

Splat— The foreigner snatched Hakuna's crown and threw him down.

Fallen before the throne, Hakuna ground his teeth. It's mine. The Yusra Kingdom. Everything on this island is mine. No one can take it from me.

Then. A voice echoed.

—Greedy foolish king.

"...?"

Whose voice? It didn't matter.

—Do you desire power?

...I want it! The power to protect everything that's mine...!

—Very well. The contract is made.

Soon, a chilling scream pierced his eardrums. Then endless darkness...

And now.

A voice came from the darkness.

"Yes! I'm here at the legendary treasure island, Yusra Archipelago."

Not a legendary treasure island. The Yusra Kingdom is solely my kingdom.

"Securing the island's treasures is top priority."

Not the island's treasures. Solely my treasures.

As if reminding him, the voice continued.

—You'll just sit still?

—They're taking your treasures.

—Only I, who fully understands your heart, can help you.

Help me then. Like in the distant past. Help me, it said.

—...The past? Whatever. Contract made.

And he awoke from the darkness.

Opening his eyes, he saw his throne. The golden palace. Trash invading the palace, just like before.

But he couldn't move a finger. With the contract made, body and mind were no longer his.

But it was fine. If he could protect his kingdom. This flesh was expendable...

"You... who the hell are you? How...?"

...But what are you doing?

For some reason, his body trembled in fear.

Silver hair. Alien attire. Eyes without a hint of wavering.

The one possessing his body was being overwhelmed by the mysterious man.

Panicking, it spoke through his mouth.

"Weak human, dare not deceive me. I am the great evil, incarnation of Greed from the Seven Deadly Sins. Even in this incarnate shell, a human like you is...!!"

No reply came.

That was just the beginning.

"...N-No!"

Hundreds of silver clumps floating in the air. The possessor reacted violently. Hakuna's chest tightened.

'How will you protect my treasures like this!'

This wasn't the promise! No answer came. Only words from its mouth.

"It makes no sense. Why would I lose to a human...?"

Thud—! Soon, direct agony hit.

"Gaaahhh!"

Not content with massive silver arrows flying in, unquenchable flames began burning his body. Hakuna ground his teeth.

At this rate, my treasures will be taken.

The moment that thought crossed his mind.

"...Yes! Fine! Contract with me!"

...What?

"Contract with me, and I'll give you all this. Don't you see? This splendid golden palace will all be yours!"

...What nonsense is this?

The lofty ceiling. Splendid decorations. Vast size. This golden palace is mine alone. I won't yield it to anyone!

Hakuna wanted to scream. But he couldn't control his body.

'...Deceived.'

Only then did Hakuna recall the entity's identity. As it said itself, it was a demon—a great evil.

'Even you deceived me?'

Even resentment faded in despair.

...Then.

A voice utterly cold rang out.

"How ugly that form is, foolish demon."

An unwavering voice. The silver-haired man continued.

"Clinging to the ephemeral is most pitiable."

...Ephemeral? This splendid golden palace?

Hakuna and the demon alike couldn't comprehend.

"You, what do you...?!"

Words failed at the sight before his eyes.

As the man's words ended.

"...I-Impossible! Impossible!"

The demon's scream. Then, the man's face filled his vision. His pupils.

'!'

Eyes without a trace of agitation. As if the golden palace meant nothing. As if all glory ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠turning to ash was familiar.

The man's pupils were utterly serene.

Reflected in those lake-like pupils was.

'...Is that really me?'

His own ugly, greed-corrupted form.

Clack— The man approached.

"Is it not foolish? When all you can take upon closing your eyes is the pride in your heart."

Pride. Hearing that word, Hakuna realized.

'...What have I done?'

In the end, "wanting to protect" was an excuse.

In his final moments, Hakuna recalled his soldiers who sacrificed for him. Yes, they smiled. Honored to serve their unworthy king.

Hakuna despaired.

'And I, I...!!'

Greed beyond desire. He fell for the demon's temptation.

He revived the nobly sacrificed soldiers, tormenting them again.

He abandoned his captive people, though he could have fought to save them.

No kingly responsibility remained. Only greed to guard the island's treasures.

"How could a mere demon comprehend pride."

The man was right. His fallen self was no different from the demon. No pride left in him.

Acknowledging that, his stifled chest calmed.

'...Forgive me.'

Late, but he'd follow them. Hakuna closed his eyes. Accepting death willingly.

"S-Spare me! I, I don't want to die yet...!!"

Slash— Thank you, nameless benefactor. For stopping my disgrace.

"...?"

...And Hakuna opened his eyes.

Why? He felt the blade at his throat. And for hell, it was too bright?

"...!"

His slowly returning vision. There stood the silver-haired man.

The man said.

"Yet take pride, even so."

...This is?

In the man's hand was a crown. Faded, but unmistakable. It was Hakuna's crown.

"...?!"

As the man placed it on his head.

"The time to right your wrongs has come. Nameless king."

"...!!"

.

.

....... This'll take forever just to check. Proper settlement later.

I pulled out the island's treasure, the crown.

"Yet take pride, even so."

Obviously, I knew nothing of the story tying this worn crown to the man just manipulated by the great evil.

But I knew exactly how to use it.

Well, that should do it for now, right?

"The time to right your wrongs has come. Nameless king."

Then a message appeared.

'...Hold on.'

Endlessly, filling my vision...!