Chapter 273
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 273
Chapter Title: Lesson 53. Equivalent Exchange - 5
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Ban Yu-won truly felt, for the first time since arriving on Diabolo, what it meant to pick a fight with a higher dimension.
Not a single person there lacked more Life than him. Even just the king's scepter—one of the Demon King's many artifacts—was barely a match for Eve and Lilith after their repeated growths.
It reminded him of his early days enrolling at Union Academy, when everyone around him was overwhelmingly superior.
And among them, the one that particularly evoked memories of Irecto, that student who especially hated him...
"Big Sis brought a man to this planet..."
It was this beautiful boy who had been glaring daggers at him ever since joining the group.
In terms of raw combat power, maybe two Irectos—around level 50? Cute compared to the fearsome king's scepter or the Human Empire's legions. But for a boy who looked barely sixteen, it was no laughing matter.
"You—if you do anything weird to Big Sis, I won't let you get away with it."
"Oh..."
And the jealousy-laced, adorable words spilling from such a boy's mouth!
Ban Yu-won had figured that as a pure-blooded Evil One from the Demon King's lineage—not some variant—he'd be openly hostile not only to their group but even to his own sister, Shati.
But facing him head-on, he was just your average siscon.
Warmed by the thought, Ban Yu-won reached out to pat the boy—Kron's—head. But Kron recoiled in horror, foiling the attempt.
"Trying to touch my horns?! Evil One horns are our greatest weakness. Only family or lovers can touch them without hesitation!"
"Oh, I wasn't specifically aiming for your horns anyway. But thanks for the useful info."
He would've been clueless otherwise, and it would've no doubt caused another huge fuss later.
Good thing he'd never touched Shati's horns before.
He'd have to be careful from now on.
As those thoughts crossed his mind, he glanced over—and caught Shati grinning mischievously right at him.
That was definitely the face of someone itching to prank him.
"Shati, no."
Mira, quicker than anyone to notice, issued a sharp warning. Shati just shrugged.
"That's just some outdated custom. It's really just a way of saying Evil One horns and wings don't recover well once damaged, so protect yourself."
"Big Sis, you can't tell outsiders that!"
"Oh, and by the way—they're also organs that control and amplify blood magic."
"Big Sis!"
Hearing that, Ban Yu-won couldn't help but scrutinize Shati's red horns and wings anew, even though he knew it was rude.
Maybe there was some congenital issue with her innate horns and wings. He wanted to examine them closely with his own eyes.
Of course, their gazes met.
"Ah, sorry, Sunbae. Reflex."
"Kyahaha, no need to apologize. I'm making good use of them my way, so don't worry."
He'd thought it was just talk at first, but up close, he could faintly sense annihilation magic emanating from her horns and wings.
Were they amplifying her annihilation magic? Or did they enable her to produce it in the first place?
The founding Demon King, who wielded annihilation magic, must have had horns and wings too. Maybe the way Shati handled hers was actually the true Evil One way.
"You noticed, huh? I am researching it, but I'm not sure if it's working right. Could use the Planning Director's help again."
With that, Shati casually thrust her horned head toward Ban Yu-won. But of course, he didn't fall for it.
"You think I'll just go along with it? Handle the rest yourself, Sunbae."
"Kabee."
"B-Big Sis...! You can't do something that frivolous!"
"It's my head, isn't it? And you—your speech sounds like an old geezer."
Whether to loosen the tension or not, Shati kept teasing the group relentlessly. But with her little brother, she was still curt as ever.
Was there some special reason? Ban Yu-won debated asking, but he held his tongue, wary of meddling in her family affairs and getting stuck.
But Shati seemed to catch that brief hesitation. She turned and winked at him—subtly enough that even Mira, watching her closely, missed it.
Dokgo Yeon's eyes weren't fooled, though. She didn't say anything, but shot Shati a glare and wedged herself between them.
"This isn't a great place to linger. Let's wrap it up quick and head back."
"Kyahaha, same thought here."
Dokgo Yeon ignoring Shati. Shati butting in anyway.
Ban Yu-won caught the subtle sparks flying between them and chuckled.
Mira's jealousy was scary. Dokgo Yeon's was cute.
Especially since she didn't even realize it.
"Yeon, what about what you mentioned earlier? Death."
"You know it's an energy that can't normally accumulate."
Dokgo Yeon replied instantly, as if she'd been waiting for him to ask.
Her face, half-lidded as she scanned the surroundings, was utterly serious—unlike when she glared at Shati.
"But the countless deaths born on this planet have altered the land's nature, channeling all energy flows toward death. Even unintended attacks turn lethal, slicing into enemies' lives. Magic-infused items malfunction, causing mass casualties. The more you use magic here, the deeper the slaughter-lust sinks into your bones."
"An environment Entity-nim would love..."
No wonder it was the demon realm.
From what Dokgo Yeon just said, it wasn't just blood magic-wielding Evil Ones at risk. Even the Human Empire, vying for world hegemony with them, seemed far from immune to the demonic influence.
"...Hmph."
Mistaking it for trash-talking the planet, Kron shot Dokgo Yeon a fierce glare—then snorted dismissively, too annoyed to even argue.
Good thing, too. If he'd picked a fight with her, Demon King dad or not, she'd have schooled him in manners.
"Big Sis, the enemies will show soon."
"Yeah, I know without you telling me. You're here representing Evil One royalty—watch my power closely."
Shati's words from space weren't bluffing.
The moment they left demon realm territory, the enemies' auras hit them—no weaker than the elite unit they'd faced in orbit.
As Dokgo Yeon said, if they were a force steeped in endless battle and death, that blood-soaked blade-like menace made sense.
And that elite force numbered tens of thousands.
Ban Yu-won could only laugh.
"Junior."
Shati extended her gripped king's scepter forward, priming a barrage, and called to him.
"Yes, Sunbae."
"Don't hold back—go wild and flashy. The Demon King isn't just testing me."
"I planned to from the start... but this won't drag me in deeper, right? Like trying to marry me off to the Chairman."
As Ban Yu-won scowled at the very plausible ominous plot, Kron finally lost it and yelled from the side.
"How dare you! A lowly human discussing marriage with Big Sis?!"
"Kron, quiet."
Shati's stern voice shut him down instantly.
Having silenced her brother, Shati turned to Ban Yu-won with a reassuring smile.
"The Demon King might fancy you as my groom, but he won't force it. That's on me. ...Evil Ones do love their raiding marriages, kyahaha!"
"Mira, protect me."
"I'd kill Shati before letting her take you. Relax."
"Can't relax..."
What if even Mira had already fallen to this world's demonic taint?
Ban Yu-won sighed and stepped forward.
In the distance, the human ranks marching in formation faintly came into view.
"Ready?"
"Okay. I'll make it big."
"...Me too."
Aire, who'd been quiet till now, stepped up beside Shati.
Jealous of Shati's wide-area spell maybe? Her silver eyes gleamed sharply.
"Me first."
That instant, an orb leaped from her embrace, spinning furiously and spewing frigid ice magic.
Whether sensing the spell's activation or wary of Shati's cosmic explosion from space—
Multicolored magic bloomed from the enemy's center, forming a barrier enveloping the entire legion!
"They see us—barrier now—"
"Useless."
Ignoring Ban Yu-won's warning, Aire loosed a silver arrow.
It looked fragile, a single shot. But it soared to the apex, flipped midair, plummeted into the enemy lines—froze the entire barrier solid, shattered it, and slammed the ranks!
—Kwaaaagh!
—Th-this magic isn't demonkin—!
Shockingly, Aire's spell didn't just break the wide-area barrier. It transmuted the barrier's magic into massive ice spikes, impaling those beneath.
Especially concentrating on the rear mages per Aire's control—they couldn't dream of reforming it.
"Aire, you knew they'd make a barrier."
"Obviously."
Aire nodded calmly.
Ban Yu-won caught her pupils briefly slitting vertically.
The spell's scale, finesse, precision—all surpassed her usual magic. Sure enough, laced with draconic power.
Can't lose to Shati, even if it risks exposing herself. Her pride shone through, drawing a smile from him.
"Good—now!"
Anyway, the enemies were in chaos—the perfect opening.
Shati poured the scepter-amplified magic into her authority, unleashing it dead center in the exposed foe lines!
—Kwaaaaaaaaang!
The explosion dwarfed the one in space, engulfing the area.
Thanks to Aire disrupting first, but mostly the scepter-Shati magic synergy was phenomenal.
Confirming his hunch: it was designed for annihilation magic, not blood magic.
—Shuuuu...
After two grand spells, the Human Empire force lost over 40%—a far cry from their initial menace, utterly routed.
Considering most soldiers outstripped Irecto twofold or more, Aire and Shati's feats spoke volumes.
The group, expecting it, wasn't fazed. But Kron, witnessing Shati's evolved authority firsthand, gaped speechlessly.
"B-Big Sis, what—how... your authority."
"Junior, your turn. I think I dumped all my magic."
"Okay, leave the rest to me."
Rebellion lacked ranged/support except Ban Yu-won—a trash balance. But against a broken formation? No one better.
As Ban Yu-won strode forward confidently, twenty-five storm swords whirled protectively around him.
Lucelle half-beastified, ears and tail out, claws sparking as she followed.
Asha shifted her true dragon sword to spear form, gripped two-handed, overtaking Lucelle.
Finally, Dokgo Yeon drew her shortsword, face alight with anticipation—then glanced back mid-stride.
Seeing Kron still sulkily glaring at Ban Yu-won's back, she smirked crookedly.
"Hey, kid—watch closely. At your level, you won't even track us."
"K-Kid?! You bitch—"
The next instant, Dokgo Yeon vanished before the group's eyes.
Blink—and she was in the enemy center, faster than anyone, shortsword flashing: One Island.
Hundreds of Human Empire elites—each stronger than Kron—lost heads along that arc.
"Aaa—?!"
"Look at her, provoking on purpose. That girl's temper..."
"Rebellion's full of hotheads."
Shati muttered in exasperation. Mira calmly nocked a curse arrow on a massive bow from who-knows-where.
Shati and Aire's stares flew at her—but Mira ignored them fully, drawing the string.
30 minutes later, the Human Empire force—down 80%—retreated.