Gripping the Brush (3)
The Seven Deadly Sins. The primordial evils born from the origin of all malice. Each possesses a unique authority.
The effects of their authorities differ, making it impossible to rank them against one another. But one fact was crystal clear. Among the current Seven Deadly Sins, the one with the greatest martial prowess was Wrath.
Was it because he was born exceptionally strong among his seven siblings? No, as I said, the Sins can't be compared that way. There was another reason I could be certain.
Wriggle—Wrath's hand, torn from his neck and sprawled on the ground, twitched.
Tempest reacted. It lunged forward, ripping into Wrath's flesh once more with its sharp fangs.
Wriggle, wriggle—Yet his breath wouldn't cease. By the wounds alone, he should have been burning in hellfire long ago, but Wrath's body was instead regaining vitality.
The reason was simple.
Because he was enraged.
For the first time since being born as one of the Seven Deadly Sins.
Wrath's voice boiled over.
"So this... this is wrath."
It was a sensation he'd never felt in his life.
"Yes... that's how it was."
Different from the other sins. Greed, envy, lust, gluttony, sloth... Unlike those everyday sins, wrath was a sin that exploded outward.
Such immense negative emotion couldn't emanate from humans.
"I couldn't rage while watching those insects."
But the situation now was different. A mere insect he'd dismissed had not only bitten him but severed his brothers' breaths as well.
Wrath's twitching body began to swell rapidly.
"Isn't that right, Claudy!!"
The sin of wrath exploded outward. His momentum surged uncontrollably, amplified as if bolstered by the power of the Sins who'd already fallen to hell.
Thwack! He swatted the charging Akshan's Guardian away with a punch.
Yet Wrath didn't gloat. He simply raged.
"Rampage, Claudy. I know it. The wrath you've bottled inside. The truth of that day. Every emotion you felt. Yes, that's why you bit me without warning!"
I remained upright. My gaze didn't waver. I simply observed him as if contemplating myself.
At that sight, Wrath's veins writhed.
"Drop the noble act...!!"
Kaboom!!
Could you even call that a simple change?
Kaboom!
'He's just smashing everything?'
Every time Wrath took a step, the surroundings shattered.
Fine, I'd admit it. The raw physical strength pouring from that body was overwhelming—greater than any foe I'd faced so far.
Krakaka!—Wrath stomped like he was kicking the ground, and the crumbling earth and countless debris flew at me like missiles.
The power in each fragment was no joke. Deploying a mana barrier would imbalance my mana reserves.
Hummm—In that split second, I interfered with the incoming debris.
Self-proclaimed founder of architectural magic. Even back when I had nothing, I could manifest a rock boulder flawlessly.
Skipping the search process meant quantity wasn't an issue.
Kududuk! Not only stopping the debris but erecting a barrier right away.
The reason for scattering vision-obscuring fragments was obvious: to exploit my blind spot for an attack.
Kukaboom! As expected.
Wrath's fist slammed into the risen rock wall.
If there was a problem... his power was far stronger than anticipated.
Crackle—! The wall, thick and reinforced with mana, shattered to pieces.
Through the collapsing stone, Wrath's face emerged like a movie scene. He bellowed.
"You already know the truth of that day!"
Occupational hazard. From a demon hunter's perspective, his intent was transparent. He wanted to amplify his power with my rage.
As if that would work.
More importantly, look at my demeanor in this dire situation—unchanged.
Predator-Prey Relationship
Even with stats boosted by Predator-Prey Relationship, tracking his movements was tough.
I'd suspected as much. Ever since he'd casually disabled Tempest with a flick.
'Can't let my guard down.'
Just as demon kings have ranks, do the Sins too? Or did Wrath have some special trigger to grow stronger?
I didn't know. But I was certain.
'I can't win like this.'
Me, Lee Hoyeol. Second to none at grasping my place.
I reviewed my cards.
Even boosted stats from Predator-Prey Relationship wouldn't match him. Redirecting Tenacity to Strength or Agility wouldn't cut it either.
'Several times stronger than the Sins I've faced.'
What about Legends? For combat, I had the Black Dark Dragon and Akshan.
But Akshan was iffy. A Legend's power depends on how widely it resonates.
'Manifested Akshan hunters are basically rookies.'
Veterans from hell might differ... but I lacked hellfire, essential for Akshan's Legacy. I'd returned the Hell Torch to the Explorer Alliance due to that guy's procedures.
So, Black Dark Dragon Legend with High El, Diend, or Gwichul... That'd get me through the crisis, like always.
'But can I settle for that?'
One thing nagged me. The vow I'd made upon seeing the upper demon king, Buer.
Transcendental beings, upper demon kings. To surpass them required fundamental effort.
Even if my position was inflated, now I had to manifest it for real.
Yes. Now.
This bubble bore too much weight.
"......"
Perhaps my nagging thoughts as Lee Hoyeol muddled Grandfell's mind.
I felt heat in my gut.
Wrath's mad laughter rang out.
"Even with your side pierced, you're unflinching."
...Damn it, no need for that.
No need to bow my head; it floated before my eyes.
Rejects Fainting.
Drip—Seems it pierced properly.
Since awakening as a player, taking such a heavy blow—and from a demon, no less—was a first.
The First World Tree's Blessing endlessly offset injury-induced debuffs, but without healing the torn side, they'd persist.
'Damn it.'
It hit home. How precarious my path had been. How frail I was without the bubble.
Papak! Wrath moved.
'!'
Obvious move. He ignored my lament and kicked toward me, unflinching despite my mortal wound.
'...Pattern.'
Scatters earth fragments like missiles. Attacks from blind spots amid the obscured vision.
Last time, I tried a barrier. No effect.
Change tactics. This time, officially recognized by the Mage Tower: Reversal Magic.
Zing—Aftereffect of the torn side? Mana circulation in my circles was rough.
Only now, body wrecked, did I realize.
'...No wonder they freaked out.'
How absurd Reversal Magic was.
The founder of theoretical magic, Marcelo, evaluated it thus:
—"Reversal Magic transcends magical common sense."
Because manifesting it was that hard. Reversing a spell in a split second meant any hesitation made even the first step impossible.
Thud! I met a dull impact.
Whoosh!—! Eyes couldn't follow, so I didn't know what hit.
Just the rapidly receding scenery.
A normal mage would've fainted here... But as a demon hunter, training daily class quests without fail, plus the full Dawn Set, I stood on two feet instead of tumbling.
Of course, that was it. Two blows had left my body in ruins.
Regret set in.
'Caring about means and methods was the issue...'
They say doing unfamiliar things gets you killed.
Me, Lee Hoyeol. I learned what it means for a magpie to chase a stork and tear its leg.
'...Damn.'
At this point, I had to admit it. Maybe I was a hindrance.
Maybe just holding consciousness debuffed us severely.
Suddenly, Gwichul's words surfaced.
—My lord. You truly move me.
When Heaven and Earth Sole Respect activated, Gwichul's attitude was blatantly different.
I'm no genius, but perceptive. He acknowledged Grandfell, not me.
Not blaming Gwichul for switching. Honest, unlike some. Good job, Gwichul.
'...Alright.'
Shock therapy, literally. Giving flesh and bone woke me fully.
From transcendental realms, Lee Hoyeol might have limits.
I saw it moments ago. Foes ahead won't give me time for petty thoughts.
They exploit any gap instantly. So no gaps from now on.
Yes. And I know such a being better than anyone.
So...
'From here on, it's yours, Grandfell.'
Heaven and Earth Sole Respect
Aftereffect of excessive bleeding? 'Or...'
In my fading consciousness, a message rose.
......
Wrath could sense it instinctively. The power filling his body. The Sin's authority dwelling within him.
Different auras emanated from each finger.
"Greed, envy, lust, gluttony, sloth."
Wrath's face twisted.
"My damned brothers!!"
The reason Wrath overwhelmed even his natural enemy was clear. He grew stronger from the deaths of fellow Sins.
In Arcana's game days, it was a pattern. To clear all Sins, Wrath had to be killed first, by any means.
Wrath addressed Hoyeol.
"You overlooked my wrath, Claudy."
He'd clashed with his magic and body. Victory was certain. No hidden means could overcome that wound.
But because he was so certain... Wrath didn't notice.
His silver hair had grown past his waist unnoticed.
Soon, the ringing voice's tone subtly shifted.
"Wrath."
The voice resounded properly.
"The emotion you feel is not wrath."
Even amid the endlessly deep darkness spreading everywhere.
"......?"
Wrath's expression was indescribably subtle.
Inevitable. He couldn't comprehend.
Wrath muttered, replaying the final words.
"What nonsense are you spouting?"
Still incomprehensible.
Yes.
Because the realm differed.
"□□ □□ □□□ □□□□."